Articles
Contracting out of OHS obligations
Recent court rulings highlight the importance of employers' responsibilities to implement OHS procedures and not just rely on their contractors' safety procedures.
[ + ]Fire engineer advocates using lifts in emergencies
Contrary to traditional OHS views regarding emergency evacuations, a fire engineer advocates the value of using lifts as well as stairs in the evacuation of a building.
[ + ]OHS implications of obesity for workplace designers
A recent ASCC study on Australian workplace design has revealed the OHS implications of our country's growing obesity problem.
[ + ]Comcare safety survey
Comcare has reviewed its support services for health and safety representatives, identifying a need for training programs to help provide adequate knowledge of the OHS legislation.
[ + ]Small and medium construction must build safety into the mix
WorkSafe Victoria will be focusing on the construction and utilities industries in 2009, after that sector was responsible for nearly half of the state's recorded work-related deaths last year. WorkSafe has released a list of safety priorities based on last year's incidents.
[ + ]Client legal privilege issues in managing and investigating safety incidents — Part 3
We conclude the three-part series by looking at how privilege can be jeopardised by the actions of external lawyers and organisations involved in the incident. It is vital that procedures are put in place within an organisation to ensure that privilege is maintained and not expressly or impliedly waived.
[ + ]National OHS Review Report released
The National OHS Review Panel's first report was released recently, containing the findings and recommendations for what the National OHS Review Panel considers the optimal content of a model OHS Act regarding duties of care and the structure of offences.
[ + ]Safety decisions often based on incomplete information
Professionals may overlook important information when they search for research findings about injury prevention and safety promotion, according to a recent thesis by Dr David Lawrence.
[ + ]Client legal privilege issues in managing and investigating safety incidents — Part 2
In part 2, we look at issues concerning legal advice in relation to a safety incident, and look at ways to control internal investigations and documentation to maintain legal privilege.
[ + ]Client legal privilege issues in managing and investigating safety incidents — Part 1
This is the first article in a three-part series that discusses the matter of client legal privilege in the context of managing and investigating safety incidents and outlines practical issues surrounding it.
[ + ]Business leaders urged to be ‘human’ when faced with death or serious injury in the workplace
Responding to death or serious injury in the workplace with a compassionate, ‘human’ approach is vital to minimising harm and protecting a company’s reputation and employee relations. There is a difference between being a compassionate employer and admitting liability.
[ + ]Equipment calibration in hazardous locations
Accurate instrument calibration is vital in hazardous environments, where the build-up of dangerous substances could lead to disastrous results. Equipment requirements vary according to the materials present, so what are some solutions?
[ + ]National framework for electricity safety proposed
The Energy Networks Association (ENA) recently released the ‘Proposed National Framework for Electricity Network Safety’ document as the recommended approach to national electricity network safety regulation.
[ + ]OHS guidelines on lifting
WorkSafe Victoria has released a list of the most common injuries related to manual lifting, in relation to industry types. Back injuries make up almost half of all claims received.
[ + ]Safety concerns over nanoparticles
Quantum dot nanoparticles can penetrate the skin if there is an abrasion, highlighting concerns for healthcare workers or individuals involved in the manufacturing of quantum dots or doing research on potential biomedical applications of the nanoparticles.
[ + ]