$550,000 worth of grants will be available to assist small businesses in understanding the new OHS laws. Applications for the grants close at 4.30 pm on Monday 30 January 2012. [ + ]

Sham contracting occurs when an employer attempts to disguise an employment relationship as an independent contracting relationship, to avoid obligatory rates of pay and other entitlements, and gain an unfair competitive advantage.

A recent survey has found that 87% of managers believe the harmonisation of WHS laws will benefit their organisation. When asked about the three most critical factors for driving a successful WHS program, 74% of respondents said that creating the right culture in the company was the most important factor while 52% indicated that having management support and participation was the second most important factor.

A confined spaces inspection robot eliminates risks for workers and reduces the costs associated with bridge maintenance.

Traditionally, safety training focuses on adhering to processes and procedures. But environmental services company Veolia has taken its safety training a step further.

Asbestos Awareness Week is a great opportunity for unions, workers, sufferers of asbestos-related disease, governments and others to focus attention on asbestos issues.

Colac-based AKD Softwoods, which has received more than 100 safety improvement notices over less than a decade, has been convicted and fined $70,000 for failing to comply with a safety improvement notice and having an unguarded machine which injured a worker.

A free WorkSafe workshop to help employers understand the benefits of an early and sustainable return to work for injured workers is being held next Tuesday at Dandenong.  

An ignition of gas and a subsequent fire in the longwall goaf of an underground coal mine resulted in the evacuation of the underground workforce. An investigation into the cause of the ignition and the emergency response is continuing.

A Geelong-based manufacturer of prefabricated house frames has pleaded guilty to three charges of failing to provide a safe workplace and failing to provide training and supervision to employees.

Centennial Park, in South Australia, has received the Major Metropolitan Award for Best Practice in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in the Local Government Association Workers Compensation Scheme 2011 OHS and RTW Awards.

Last week, Minister for Industrial Relations Russell Wortley announced the winners for Safe Work Awards 2011.

A heavy engineering company has been convicted and fined more than $26,000 following an incident in which a worker was overcome by fumes while working in a confined space.

During this week’s Safe Work Week, Baulderstone reflects on a year of successful safety initiatives that has brought a number of achievements.

Unsafe storage has resulted in an industry-wide warning from WorkSafe after dairy products manufacturer Fonterra Australia was convicted and fined $300,000 in the Melbourne County Court.