machineSAFE is a comprehensive machinery safety course running during 2012 in Australia and New Zealand. It offers a range of workshops which provide details on how to comprehend and apply the machine safety standard AS4024.1-2006 as well as the Acts and Regulations businesses must follow to ensure compliance. [ + ]

Around 150,000 of Australia’s lowest paid workers will benefit from substantial pay rises of between 23 and 45% as a result of Fair Work Australia’s historic pay equity decision. [ + ]

Wage Connect helps employers to offset their initial training and labour costs and remove barriers that may have stopped them taking on staff in the past. Wage subsidies of around $6000 are paid to employers who take on and retain people as part of the Building Australia’s Future Workforce initiative. [ + ]

A private college has been convicted and fined in the Industrial Court after three people were injured by a falling tree while attending a junior school sports day in 2009. [ + ]

A study, conducted by Southern Cross University senior lecturer Dr Gary Mellor from the School of Health and Human Services in conjunction with Dr Winsome St John, of Griffith University, has found that working fathers with new babies experience cumulative fatigue, which may pose a risk in the workplace. [ + ]

A South Eastern timber processing company has been fined more than $26,000 by the Industrial Court after an employee was injured by unguarded machinery. [ + ]

A Geelong business has been convicted and fined $6000 over an incident that left a chef with a broken arm after her sleeve became caught in an unguarded machine. [ + ]

Australian Industry Group CEO Heather Ridout has welcomed the announcement of a Productivity Commission Inquiry into superannuation default funds in modern awards. [ + ]

Oil and gas operators need to place an even greater emphasis on safety in the design of oil and gas facilities to safeguard against explosion accidents, according to Dr Madhat Abdel-jawad, President of GexCon Australia. [ + ]

The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Financial Services and Superannuation, Bill Shorten, MP, has revealed that harmonised OHS laws will not cover social or domestic arrangements. [ + ]

Eight new research projects focusing on return to work, occupational health and safety, injury prevention and neurotrauma have been funded through the Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research (ISCRR) 2012 Development Grants Program. [ + ]

The new WHS laws will not apply to every volunteering activity or organisation. They apply if a volunteer organisation employs staff as well as volunteers to carry out work for the organisation. [ + ]

Safe Work Australia Chair Tom Phillips AM has announced the finalists for the 7th annual Safe Work Australia Awards and commended them on their efforts in reducing workplace death, injury and disease in Australia. [ + ]

The owners of a rigging and construction business have been fined for failing to provide workers with a fall injury prevention system on a construction site. [ + ]

Greg Tweedly, CEO, WorkSafe Victoria, has announced he will not seek a new three-year contract after nine years in the role. [ + ]