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.
Timber company fined after worker injured by unguarded machinery
25 January, 2012A South Eastern timber processing company has been fined more than $26,000 by the Industrial Court after an employee was injured by unguarded machinery.
Geelong business fined over workplace incident
24 January, 2012A Geelong business has been convicted and fined $6000 over an incident that left a chef with a broken arm after her sleeve became caught in an unguarded machine.
Industry welcomes productivity commission inquiry into superannuation default funds
24 January, 2012Australian Industry Group CEO Heather Ridout has welcomed the announcement of a Productivity Commission Inquiry into superannuation default funds in modern awards.
Foster carers won't be disadvantaged by OHS laws
20 January, 2012The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Financial Services and Superannuation, Bill Shorten, MP, has revealed that harmonised OHS laws will not cover social or domestic arrangements.
Design safety to be explored at an upcoming oil and gas conference
20 January, 2012Oil and gas operators need to place an even greater emphasis on safety in the design of oil and gas facilities to safeguard against explosion accidents, according to Dr Madhat Abdel-jawad, President of GexCon Australia.
Research grants worth $400,000 announced
19 January, 2012Eight new research projects focusing on return to work, occupational health and safety, injury prevention and neurotrauma have been funded through the Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research (ISCRR) 2012 Development Grants Program.
