At the recent sixth meeting of Safe Work Australia Members, progress was made on a number of safety legislative and regulatory matters, including the Model Act.

Asbestos experts contend that there are alternatives to the complete removal of all asbestos that is still present within our communities and workplaces in order to effectively address the dangers posed by asbestos.

A supplier of industrial and safety equipment has issued a warning to people who work in hot conditions to be vigilant against the increased risk of heat-related hazards over summer.

In today’s regulated safety environment the need for reliable, effective gas detection has never been so important. New players have seen the opportunity to generate cash by jumping on the confined spaces bandwagon and making detectors, leaving consumers with a bewildering array of choice. So how do you choose?

An asbestos register for apprentices and young workers has been established by a law firm to capture historical information in the unfortunate event of a claim many years after exposure to the hazardous substance.

Working in hot or humid conditions calls for appropriate sweat management programs to ensure workers don’t have to contend with obscured vision or eye irritation from sweat.

A survey conducted at the recent Sydney Safety Show has highlighted the significance of safety as a key element to risk mitigation strategies for businesses in 2011.

Continuing on from our discussion on the impact of human errors with workplace accidents, Part 2 presents guidance on how to make safe behaviour a habit for workers in their workplace.

An Australian Institute of Company Directors survey states that the personal liability aspect of OHS laws is stifling Australian business.

Human error prevention specialist Cristian Sylvestre analyses the human and environmental conditions that frequently lead to workplace accidents and injuries.

The NSW Minerals Council has reacted strongly to the NSW Government’s stance on national OHS harmonisation.

An insurance and risk adviser firm has called on safety professionals to get more involved with senior executives to ensure their companies and management fully comprehend their new responsibilities under the new OHS Act.

The Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council has approved model provisions that will be adopted throughout Australia from 1 January 2012 as the Work Health and Safety Act. There have been a number of significant changes to the model Act since the draft was first released for public comment.

Australia’s largest workplace health and safety trade show, The Safety Show Sydney, and Sydney Materials Handling will be held at the Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park from 26 to 28 October 2010.

Australian employers are required by law to provide a safe workplace for not only workers, but for all who visit their facilities. The following extract from a Worksafe Victoria publication outlines a succinct list of rights and responsibilities that employers have, to their workers, contractors, visitors and the workplace itself, with regard to health and safety.