WorkCover NSW has issued a safety alert to remind electrical workers of the inherent dangers of cutting electrical conduits that are in service. These conduits may contain multiple circuits. This is in response to an incident where an electrical contractor received a fatal electric shock. The contractor was replacing a faulty lighting circuit that was located in an underground heavy-duty PVC conduit. He isolated the lighting circuit at the meter board and proceeded to carry out the repairs. [ + ]

The outcome of an appeal against a controversial Fair Work Australia (FWA) ruling could determine whether employers in Australia’s resource industry will be restricted in their ability to administer appropriate on-site drug and alcohol testing procedures, according to national employer group AMMA. [ + ]

Innovation is essential to drive down musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) incidence rates for the construction industry, said John Darcy, OHS Manager, Master Builders Association, on the sidelines of trade show Safety in Action. MSD incidence rates are on the rise and more workers are ringing us about compensation claims, he added.  [ + ]

The action-packed, three-day Safety in Action trade show kicks off today at Melbourne Exhibition Centre. The event, to continue until 19 April, will provide safety managers and supervisors a great opportunity to keep track of safety innovation and industry developments. [ + ]

A mock worksite setup on a busy Melbourne street, in which two actors posing as workers asked passers-by to hand over a ‘live’ cable from one to the other, has delivered shocking results. [ + ]

A safety alert has been issued following two incidents where kitchen workers received serious burns from methylated spirits. It is intended to remind persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) of the need to safely handle and store hazardous and flammable chemicals in the workplace. [ + ]

The President of the Australian Industrial Truck Association (AITA), Steve Stewart, has announced that the forklift industry body will sponsor its second annual National Forklift Safety Week from 4-8 June 2012. [ + ]

A project developed at The University of Western Australia has won spin-out company Sensear the prestigious Frost & Sullivan 2012 Product Differentiation Excellence Award for its ‘high-noise communication’ devices, including earplugs and earmuffs for industrial settings. [ + ]

WorkSafe Victoria has kicked off its inspector recruitment campaign and is encouraging those who want to help keep Victoria the safest place to work in Australia to apply. Roles are available across Melbourne and regional Victoria and applications close 15 April at 5 pm. [ + ]

Keeping young people safe from workplace injuries was the focus of a WorkCover NSW sponsored forum held at Parliament House today. [ + ]

The Fair Work Ombudsman is teaming with two leading academics to identify opportunities for increasing public awareness about laws relating to unpaid work. [ + ]

Mulgrave sign installation company Southern Ultimate Sign Installations (Southern USI) has been convicted and fined $50,000, and ordered to pay almost $6000 in legal costs, over an incident that left a worker with severe burns to his body after he suffered an electric shock. [ + ]

The Australian Industry Group has filed an appeal against the decision of Commissioner McDonald of Fair Work Australia in the case Bambach v WorkPac. The appeal concerns the meaning of ‘service’ and ‘continuous service’ under the Fair Work Act. [ + ]

Farm safety has been put in the spotlight following the conviction and $80,000 fine of Werribee vegetable grower J & K Zausa after a woman was run over by a truck reversing from a machinery shed. [ + ]

Heavy fines have been imposed in a series of WorkSafe prosecutions after serious incidents for construction industry safety failings. [ + ]