Preventable nerve injuries from treatments need attention: UO research
28 February, 2012Research from the University of Otago suggests that a stronger focus is needed on preventing accidental nerve injury during medical treatments in New Zealand.
Rail project alliance deploys innovative safety coaching
27 February, 2012 | Supplied by: People & Quality Solutions Pty LtdThe Kingsgrove to Revesby Quadruplication (K2RQ) Alliance is using a different, more personalised approach to safety training and coaching on its project to expand rail capacity on the East Hills line in Sydney’s south. Working with specialist safety coaching and training organisation PaQS (People & Quality Solutions), K2RQ is focusing on empowering personnel to take personal responsibility for their actions on-site.
Study identifies strategies to address low workforce literacy and numeracy
24 February, 2012 | Supplied by: Australian Industry GroupWith low levels of literacy and numeracy in the workplace holding back companies and individuals from reaching their potential, a major report by the Australian Industry Group provides more details on the depth of the problem and considers new and more effective strategies to address it.
Basic safety failings created chain of events that cost apprentice's eye
24 February, 2012A roof tiling company's failure to install fall protection on a Rowville house resulted in an apprentice falling 2.4 metres to the ground and a fine representing one third of the company's annual profit.
Truck company raided and driver charged following investigations into triple fatality
23 February, 2012Police and NSW road safety authorities have launched an unprecedented operation on a trucking company following investigations into a fatal crash which claimed three lives in on the Hume Highway at Menangle last month.
Australians want workplace laws that provide secure jobs, not greater power for employers: survey
23 February, 2012In its submission to the review of the Fair Work Act, the ACTU proposes reforms, within the framework of the existing legislation, to improve the rights to collective bargaining and the safety net for insecure workers. Any further changes to workplace laws should improve job security, rights and protections for the millions of people in insecure work, not hand more power to employers.
Food manufacturer fined $50K for frankfurt failsafe failure
22 February, 2012George Weston Foods - one of Australia’s largest food processors - was convicted and fined $50,000 at the Castlemaine Magistrates’ Court on 17 February after pleading guilty to one count of failing to provide a safe plant, after a worker’s hand was crushed after being caught in a machine.
Kordia to deploy ComOps safety and risk management platform
22 February, 2012 | Supplied by: ComOps Pty LtdComOps has won a competitive tender to deploy its Salvus safety, risk and claims management software solution at Kordia, one of Australia’s largest telecommunications systems integration service delivery organisations. Salvus will replace the organisation’s existing manual Excel spreadsheet, database and paper-based system for recording workplace incidents and hazards, which was unable to keep up with the company’s fast-paced growth. At the same time, Salvus will enable Kordia to efficiently handle the tracking of incident and hazard reporting on behalf of its workforce, many of whom are located in regional and remote areas.
Resource industry outlines major areas of reform in submission to Fair Work Review
21 February, 2012Restoring the ability for employers to engage and negotiate directly with their workforce has underpinned the key recommendations from national resource industry employer group AMMA, in its submission to the Australian Government’s Fair Work Act Review Panel. Representing all areas of the resource and related construction industry, AMMA’s submission examines how the Fair Work Act has failed on its key objectives and puts forth specific reforms that would see a return to mutually rewarding employment relationships in Australian workplaces.
New Chair for NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council
21 February, 2012The NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council (MSAC) has appointed John Hannaford as its Chairman. MSAC provides advice to the Minister for Resources and Energy on work health and safety in the NSW mining industry. Hannaford’s appointment as Chair of the Council follows the death of Norman Jennings late last year. Jennings had held the role since 2006.
WorkCover NSW launches road freight industry safety project
21 February, 2012After being identified as one of the state’s highest risk industries, WorkCover NSW has commenced a project to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses and improve injury management in the road freight transport industry. The project is part of WorkCover’s new flagship work health and safety program, 10/5/5, which involves working with the NSW community to improve safety in the state’s 10 highest risk industries.
ACTU: January employment growth exposes greed of job-slashing employers
20 February, 2012Despite a fall in the national unemployment rate, efforts must be made to minimise job losses and big corporations should not sacrifice workers in their hunger for profits, according to the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU).
A case of workplace bullying
15 February, 2012Workplace bullying is a major occupational health and safety issue - it could not only cost billions to organisations but also affect the physical and mental health of workers. It could also impact the organisational culture and lead to a number of other problems including lowered workplace productivity and absenteesim. As bullying continues to grab the headlines, it’s time persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) ensure they have proper systems in place to deal with workplace bullying.
Workers tell their stories in national insecure work enquiry hearings
14 February, 2012On Monday morning in Brisbane, workers engaged in insecure jobs had the chance to tell the Howe Inquiry how the issue impacts on their lives, their families and their budgets. The hearing was the first of two dozen to be held across Australia.
Industrial relations in 2012
13 February, 2012 by Paul Burns and Rohan Doyle*2012 is shaping up to be a very big year in industrial relations. Employers are waiting in anticipation for a number of developments which will no doubt present various opportunities and challenges for their businesses. This article looks at the top seven developments to watch out for in 2012.
