Industry News
WA public comment sought on national workplace safety laws
The WA State Goverment is seeking public comment on the national workplace safety laws as they apply to the state's workplaces. [ + ]
Paperless office now a pain in the neck, says study
Staff who work endless hours at a computer are reversing OHS improvements made by workplaces, according to the University of Sydney. [ + ]
Pressure of customer expectations affecting truck driver safety
A ‘master-slave’ relationship between trucking companies and retail supply chains is foiling efforts to improve safety in an industry involved in nearly 200 fatal crashes last year, reveals a recent Queensland University of Technology (QUT) study. [ + ]
Mental health workshop for managers
A workshop has been created to provide awareness to senior management about mental health in the workplace. [ + ]
Employee allegedly dismissed after wanting paid sick leave
A Perth panel beating business is being prosecuted for allegedly dismissing a long-term employee to prevent him from taking sick leave after he was diagnosed with cancer. [ + ]
Safety improvement notices issued to domestic construction sites
WorkSafe Victoria inspectors issued almost 60 improvement notices to domestic construction businesses working in Melbourne’s east last week in a bid to reduce the number of workplace injuries. [ + ]
Code needed to stop workplace bullying
Recent high-profile cases of workplace bullying highlight New Zealand’s legislative weaknesses in this area, say academics from Massey University and Auckland University of Technology. [ + ]
Workers make fewer claims for psychological illnesses
Workers are significantly less likely to claim GP visits for psychological illnesses on workers compensation than they are for physical work-related injuries such as musculoskeletal disorders, reveals new research conducted by the University of Sydney and the Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research (ISCRR). [ + ]
WA’s new resources safety director nominated for an award
One week into the role of executive director for WA Resources Safety, Simon Ridge has been nominated for the Next Generation Mining Australia Summit’s Occupational Health and Safety Leader of 2012 Award. [ + ]
Melbourne company allegedly underpaid workers more than $300K
The Fair Work Ombudsman is prosecuting Quality Food World, a Melbourne food wholesaler, for allegedly underpaying 46 employees - including many foreign workers - more than $300,000. [ + ]
Free workplace injury prevention webinar
With manual handling one of the top five causes of workplace injuries in NSW, WorkCover NSW will hold a free webinar on Wednesday 29 August to help business understand how to better manage hazardous manual tasks in their workplaces. [ + ]
Goodman Fielder fined $90,000 after worker’s arm crushed in machine
Goodman Fielder Consumer Foods has been convicted and fined $90,000 over an incident at its Pampas factory in West Footscray which left a worker with serious and permanent injuries to his arm after it was crushed in a machine. [ + ]
Qantas fined for breaking workplace laws
The Federal Magistrates Court has fined Qantas and one of its managers a total of $15,400 for unlawfully coercing an engineer who complained about staff conditions. [ + ]
CSIRO helps prevent farmer death and injury with help of ‘crash test cow’
A new type of cattle gate aimed at preventing farmer death and injury has completed rigorous testing and development by the CSIRO. SaferGate, designed by farmer and inventor Edward Evans, has been put to the test by a CSIRO-developed ‘crash test cow’. [ + ]
Court action over alleged $28,000 underpayment of retail workers
The Fair Work Ombudsman is prosecuting retail company Lycamobile, alleging it underpaid 13 employees in Adelaide and Brisbane, including many foreign workers, more than $28,000 between February and September 2011. [ + ]
