The number of people diagnosed with deadly asbestos-related diseases has reached epidemic levels and is expected to rise dramatically in the next 30 years, a victims' support group has warned. [ + ]

Thousands of former British coal miners now living in Australia and New Zealand will be able to seek compensation for work-related illnesses, in what is believed to be the biggest class action in the world. [ + ]

The senate of the US state of Washington has voted to make employer compliance with ergonomics program standards voluntary. [ + ]

Leading consulting firm, Sinclair Knight Merz, has appointed Michael Walsh as its Group Safety Manager. [ + ]

Scientists at the UK's Nottingham University are searching for fresh ways to make working environments safer. Using advanced experimental facilities in the university's newly opened Centre for Geomechanics (NCG), they are looking into some of the complex problems that are faced by the construction, mining and oil industries. The NCG's international team consists of 11 academic staff and 25 researchers and is headed by Professor Hai-Sui Yu. [ + ]

A new suite of evacuation software - aimed at helping building, aircraft and ship designers save lives - has won the top award at the prestigious British Computer Society IT Awards. Created by the internationally renowned Fire Safety Engineering Group at Greenwich University, London, Exodus has become the leading tool for the worldwide safety industry. [ + ]

According to some of the latest statistics Australia's trucking industry is very safe indeed. Trucks comprise some 400,000 of nearly 14 million vehicles on our roads yet their accident rate is the lowest at just 9.45 per cent of fatal accidents. [ + ]

A joint venture between Leighton Holdings and Abigroup has officially secured NSW's biggest single road construction contract, the $1.5 billion Western Sydney Orbital (WSO) tollway. [ + ]

Pilz has opened an office in Auckland to better service its customers in New Zealand. [ + ]

You might think it sounds silly, but paper can be effectively used to provide very competent fireproofing in buildings, according to new research by civil engineers in Germany. [ + ]

It could be because you've stored equipment or stock on a suspended ceiling. You might think that only a very stupid person would do this but according to WorkSafe Victoria, it does happen and indeed most recently did happen to a storeman who fell through a suspended ceiling while storing empty boxes. [ + ]

BP has implemented NiSoft's eclipse software at its Kwinana oil refinery. The new software enables engineers to reduce shutdown time, increase productivity and improve safety. [ + ]

The providers of a new wireless network installation claim it will help speed Sydney ambulances on their way, cutting response time. [ + ]

Major local and international workplace safety issues are currently under the spotlight at the Safety in Action 2003 workplace safety Conference, presented by the Safety Institute of Australia, which kicked off today at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. [ + ]

WorkSafe Western Australia has reported that there has been an overall downward trend in the number of work-related deaths. The figures apply to 2001-2002 when there were 17 work-related deaths. [ + ]