By now, all principals should be aware of the requirement in section 46 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 for parties with concurrent safety duties to consult, cooperate, and coordinate activities. How does that obligation affect what it means to be a leader when it comes to the safety aspects of contractor management? [ + ]

WorkCover NSW’s Crane Safety Roundtable was specially convened on 4 December in the wake of the crane fire and collapse at the University of Technology, Sydney Broadway, on Tuesday 27 November 2012. The purpose of the roundtable was to prevent such incidents from happening again. [ + ]

Outfitting soldiers with clothing that effectively repels or kills insects is one of the strategies US Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists are using to help protect US military personnel deployed overseas against disease-transmitting mosquitoes and sand flies. [ + ]

PCB manufacturers may now have a solution to meet the demand for flash/HIPOT tested (2 kV) unpopulated boards. [ + ]

Leading companies across Australia are now, more than ever, looking for ways of increasing safety for their workforce by implementing and investing in new technologies and services so that they comply with new rules and regulations. The OHS Leaders Summit being held from 19-21 February 2013 at the Sheraton Noosa Resort & Spa, Queensland, provides the perfect setting for senior safety professionals to network and hear the latest from HSE thought leaders, both locally and internationally.

Researchers have discovered that there is a link between childhood brain tumours and the exposure of parents to diesel exhaust fumes before the child’s birth. [ + ]

A system of plastic cribbing blocks is designed to optimise safety when stabilising heavy loads after they have been lifted for maintenance and access. [ + ]

Bushfires are part of life in Australia. These fires can produce vast amounts of smoke, off-gases and ash, and there is a need to consider the most appropriate ways of providing respiratory protection for those exposed to these contaminants. [ + ]

Do you have ‘chair disease’ from sitting all day at your desk? The University of Queensland researchers have developed a device that may help. It’s called the ‘sitting pad’ and uses an alarm to alert workers to stand up more regularly. [ + ]

Energy-saving power factor correction (PFC) technology should be housed separately from switchboards and motor control centres to minimise damage and downtime resulting from any failures, according to a leading consulting forensic electrical and mechanical engineer. [ + ]

Mobile technologies are helping and hindering workers as they are causing increased fatigue and burnout, according to a survey. [ + ]

The Merlo Remote Explosive Blasting Unit provides a solution to keep mine personnel safely away from the hazards of open pit mining. [ + ]

Research by Australia’s most prominent ergonomist may make the committee rethink the standard AS1657. [ + ]

Moore Industries-International helped an oil and gas company comply with new federal safety regulations relating to communications with offshore oil platforms. [ + ]

PPE companies Bata Company and Hutchwilco have both had their products certified with Bureau Veritas ‘S’ mark certification. [ + ]