Articles
Survey reveals PPE manufacturers need to give more support to OHS managers
A PPE survey reveals that insufficient information is being provided by manufacturers to help safety professionals and workers make the right choices about the appropriate PPE needed for different jobs in the construction industry.
[ + ]Lifting bins and common sense: if it's too heavy, leave it
A court ruling against a worker's civil claims against his employer after suffering a workplace injury highlights the importance of the need for employers to ensure employees have the requisite training on working safely.
[ + ]Gillard's new report: the blueprint for national OHS harmonisation?
The recent Workplace Relations Minister’s Council (WRMC) meeting indicates that progress towards the harmonisation of Australia’s OHS laws is being made.
[ + ]Unions must 'up the ante' on safety, says professor
Following a five-year research program into Australia’s OHS inspectorates, a professor is calling on unions to exercise greater influence in the pursuit of better workplace safety.
[ + ]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.
[ + ]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.
[ + ]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.
[ + ]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.
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