Interested Australians are encouraged to have their say on five new work health and safety model Codes of Practice that have been released for a 12-week public comment period. [ + ]

Forestry company Carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts Australia, now part of BSG Holdings, had its fine for workplace safety breaches nearly doubled on appeal in the County Court recently. [ + ]

The owner-operator of a Sydney truck company has been fined $13,024 for sham contracting activity and underpaying an employee, following a prosecution by the Fair Work Ombudsman. [ + ]

The framework for work health and safety in the nation for the next decade, the ‘Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-2022’, was released yesterday for an eight-week public comment period. [ + ]

An Australian food manufacturer has been fined $60,000 over an incident that left a worker with a severed finger after it was caught in a machine. [ + ]

Safe Work Australia Chair, Tom Phillips AM, has announced the release of two research reports on occupational skin disease - the second most common work-related disease presented to general practitioners in Australia. [ + ]

WorkHealth will be offering free, quick and confidential WorkHealth checks on all three days of Safety in Action - a health and safety trade show to be held in Melbourne from 17-19 April, 2012. [ + ]

Runners’ own emotions are now being used to develop the next-generation personalised running shoe. The project is a joint venture between RMIT University and the giant Japanese Mizuno Corporation. [ + ]

The 2012 SPE/APPEA International Conference on Health, Safety and Environment in Oil & Gas Exploration and Production will be held from 11-13 September at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. The theme of the conference is ‘Protecting People and the Environment - Evolving Challenges’. This is the first time the event will be held in Australia. [ + ]

WorkCover NSW is holding a number of free webinars this month as part of its program to support NSW business, industry and workers adjust to new work health and safety laws. The webinars will cover the topics of electrical safety, construction, plant and structures, and hazardous chemicals. [ + ]

Applicants from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia have been awarded grants under the Comcare Asbestos Innovation Fund. The fund, launched by the federal government in December 2010, is designed to encourage the development of practical programs and research which raise awareness of asbestos, improve its management and removal, and provide better treatment and support for sufferers and their families. [ + ]

Gas detection and monitoring equipment company Industrial Scientific Corporation has promoted Kevin Miller to the position of Chief Operating Officer and Vice President. In his new role, Miller will be responsible for sales, services, marketing, product development and manufacturing for Industrial Scientific’s portable gas detection business. [ + ]

A free workshop aimed at providing employers with the tools and tips they need to help keep injured workers motivated during the return to work process will be held at WorkSafe Victoria’s head office - 222 Exhibition Street, Melbourne on 15 March from 2 to 4 pm. [ + ]

Victorian workers’ safety and entitlements are being threatened in an unprecedented move to save a quick buck, at the expense of those who most need the help: the injured. [ + ]

Research from the University of Otago suggests that a stronger focus is needed on preventing accidental nerve injury during medical treatments in New Zealand. [ + ]