Identifying the primary duty holder under the Work Health and Safety Act
04 May, 2011 by Barry Sherriff and Michael Tooma, Norton Rose LawyersThe Model Work Health and Safety Act will commence in each jurisdiction in Australia from 1 January 2012. A key change to be made by the Model Act will be to move away from reliance on the employment relationship as the determinant of who has duties and obligations and who is to be protected from risks to their health or safety.
Court issues $360,000 in fines over worker death
15 April, 2011NSW Industrial Court issues fines over worker death.
Comcare launches court action over Transpacific injuries
08 March, 2011Comcare has recently taken court action against Transpacific Industries over a series of injuries that have occurred at its facilities.
Right to speak up about safety upheld
25 January, 2011A worker’s right to speak up about safety was upheld recently in a Melbourne court in the state’s first discrimination conviction.
Convictions for intimidating WorkSafe inspectors
23 December, 2010Two men were recently convicted and received suspended prison sentences for assaulting, threatening and intimidating WorkSafe inspectors.
Mining association says stalemate in safety Bill talks is an opportunity to improve safety
16 November, 2010While the federal and NSW governments are in dispute over the new national Work Health and Safety laws, the Australian Mines and Metals Association has suggested more adjustments be made to the new legislation.
Minerals Council says NSW is a roadblock to reform on OHS harmonisation
04 November, 2010The NSW Minerals Council has reacted strongly to the NSW Government’s stance on national OHS harmonisation.
WA company fined over injuries sustained from Cyclone George
03 November, 2010A Western Australian engineering firm was fined $90,000 over the injury of two workers during Cyclone George in 2007.
New era for Work Health and Safety legislation in Australia
29 October, 2010 byThe Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council has approved model provisions that will be adopted throughout Australia from 1 January 2012 as the Work Health and Safety Act. There have been a number of significant changes to the model Act since the draft was first released for public comment.
Bakery injury easily preventable
24 September, 2010The SA Industrial Court has heard that a simple interlock device could have prevented an incident which cost an experienced baker her livelihood.
Brickworks fined over conveyor injury
24 September, 2010A brickworks and its operators have been jointly fined more than $50,000 by the SA Industrial Court for a series of breaches of workplace safety laws, found to have arisen from an incident in which an employee was trapped by a conveyor belt.
Crushed arm results in $26k fine
22 September, 2010A metal fabricating company has been convicted and fined by an industrial magistrate following an incident in which an 18-year-old worker had his arm trapped by machinery.
The model Act - moving OHS forward
02 September, 2010 by Barry Sherriff*The model Work Health and Safety Act 2010 will not only achieve harmonisation of OHS laws around Australia, it will remove gaps in coverage and drive greater engagement in OHS at all levels within business. The involvement of company officers will be driven by a new positive due diligence obligation.
Danger! Peligro! Publicity order in five languages
20 August, 2010 by Michael Tooma*A recent Australian court decision has further highlighted the additional risks which migrant workforces face in relation to workplace safety.
Ford Geelong workers urged to join asbestos register
12 August, 2010Former Ford employees in Geelong are being encouraged to lodge their details on the Slater & Gordon asbestos register.