Industry News
2025 Champions of Safety Awards nominations close 4 April
Nominations for the 2025 Champions of Safety Awards — an initiative by the Workplace Health & Safety Show — close on 4 April. [ + ]
Alcoa fined $400,000 after caustic spill burns workers
In WA, an uncontrolled release of caustic solution that burned workers at Alcoa's Kwinana alumina refinery has led to a $400,000 fine. [ + ]
Move to make SafeWork NSW "a regulator with teeth"
NSW has passed legislation to officially establish SafeWork NSW as a standalone regulator — a move to restore it as "a regulator with teeth". [ + ]
Fatal crane-load crushing lands $340K fine
In Victoria, a worker has been fatally crushed after a suspended load fell from a crane, leading to a metal galvanising business being convicted and fined $340,000. [ + ]
$500K in grants for mental injury return-to-work ideas
A WorkSafe Victoria grants program is offering up to $500,000 for ideas targeting early intervention for mental injuries within the first 26 weeks of submitting a claim. [ + ]
$65K fine follows scaffolding centimetres from live power
In Victoria, a builder has been convicted and fined $65,000 after metal scaffolding was erected within 10 cm of a live power cable. [ + ]
AWU: "Heads must roll after mass silicosis diagnosis"
News that 13 M6 tunnel workers have been diagnosed with silicosis "should prompt immediate prosecutions by SafeWork NSW", the AWU said in a statement. [ + ]
Timber company fined $385K after conveyor crushing
In Western Australia, a timber company has been fined $385,000 after a worker's arm became trapped in a conveyor, crushing and degloving it. [ + ]
Mobile plant, fixed machinery and vehicles compliance blitz
SafeWork NSW inspectors have issued more than 140 notices as part of a targeted mobile plant, fixed machinery and vehicles compliance operation. [ + ]
$40K fine follows skylight fall
In Victoria, a demolition company has been convicted and fined $40,000 after a worker fell through a skylight and fractured his spine at a residential site. [ + ]
Repeat forklift offender has fine more than doubled
In Victoria, a refrigerated transport and storage company has had a fine more than doubled to $50,000 after a worker was seriously injured by a forklift. [ + ]
Excavator hitting powerlines lands $140K fine
An excavator that brought down a 415-volt overhead powerline has led to a conviction and an Adelaide demolition company being fined $140,000. [ + ]
Workers comp fraud convicted after claiming $114K
After dishonestly claiming $114,952 in workers compensation payments while secretly working a full-time job, a business manager has faced conviction. [ + ]
Snowy 2.0 tunnel work shut down due to flying shrapnel
All underground operations at the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro project have been halted following the failure of ventilation equipment. [ + ]
$51K fine after worker crushed by stone slab
A conviction and $51,000 fine has been issued to a Dandenong benchtop manufacturer after a worker was crushed by a 300-kilogram stone slab. [ + ]
