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.
Fall leaves worker in a wheelchair and small business fined
07 February, 2012 | Supplied by: WorkSafe VictoriaA magistrate has given a small building company six years to pay a fine imposed on it after a worker became a paraplegic as a result of a four-metre fall.
Preventing suicides in the construction industry
06 February, 2012 | Supplied by: MATES in ConstructionIn Australia more than 2,000 people die from suicide every year and more than three out of four suicides are men. It is estimated that up to 200,000 Australians attempt suicide every year. Studies have shown that 5 to 6% of the population (1 in 20 or over 1 million Australians) will consider suicide over a 12 month period .
Honeywell Safety Products appoints new President
06 February, 2012Honeywell has appointed Jack Boss as President of Honeywell Safety Products, a part of Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions’ Life Safety business.
Machine and automation safety training at machineSAFE
03 February, 2012machineSAFE is a comprehensive machinery safety course running during 2012 in Australia and New Zealand. It offers a range of workshops which provide details on how to comprehend and apply the machine safety standard AS4024.1-2006 as well as the Acts and Regulations businesses must follow to ensure compliance.
Fair Work Australia decision delivers pay rise to 150,000 workers
02 February, 2012Around 150,000 of Australia’s lowest paid workers will benefit from substantial pay rises of between 23 and 45% as a result of Fair Work Australia’s historic pay equity decision.
More than 500 unemployed Australians back in work in January
01 February, 2012Wage Connect helps employers to offset their initial training and labour costs and remove barriers that may have stopped them taking on staff in the past. Wage subsidies of around $6000 are paid to employers who take on and retain people as part of the Building Australia’s Future Workforce initiative.
College fined after tree collapse
01 February, 2012A private college has been convicted and fined in the Industrial Court after three people were injured by a falling tree while attending a junior school sports day in 2009.
New dads pose a safety risk at work
31 January, 2012A study, conducted by Southern Cross University senior lecturer Dr Gary Mellor from the School of Health and Human Services in conjunction with Dr Winsome St John, of Griffith University, has found that working fathers with new babies experience cumulative fatigue, which may pose a risk in the workplace.
