Australia’s eastern states have joined forces to release a harmonisation initiative designed to streamline OHS issues for businesses operating in more than one state.

A range of fact sheets relating to the Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner were released this week.

More of Australia’s big employers are moving out of state-based safety and compensation schemes to Comcare, a move which could lead to reduced payouts for injured workers says the ACTU.

An operator had his legs and an arm amputated after being dragged into a green waste shredder.

A hotel company has been fined after a worker fell from a ladder, causing a ruptured spinal disc and partially rupturing another.

A combination of camera and software is going to help protect drivers from the dangerous effects of momentary drowsiness.

The analysis of more than 20 years of workers compensation statistics has revealed that ‘morningitis’ is a real workplace safety risk.

A reduction in workplace fatalities has placed Australian workplaces ahead of the target set in the National OHS Strategy, but progress in workplace injury still falls short of the targeted 40% improvement by 2012.

New Zealand’s OHS regulator is urging GPs to improve their reporting of work-related diseases and injuries to prevent co-workers from the same conditions.

An industry-developed code of practice for tunnels under construction emphasises the need for cooperation and coordination between all parties involved in tunnelling projects.

Some construction sites in south-west WA have been issued with improvement notices for electrical safety issues as local electrical contractors are not providing an adequate testing and tagging service.

Beaver staff recently simulated a 22-metre high rescue and recovery to demonstrate to an audience of 213 why the use of standards-approved abseil equipment is safer in industrial rescue scenarios.

A revision has been announced for two mining industry safety standards, to maintain their currency.

Safety In Action will celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2007, with organisers of the workplace safety exhibition planning two new feature areas to keep visitors up to date.

The successful completion of a trial mentoring program to help small businesses improve workplace safety will see it expand into the manufacturing and construction industries.