Fire engineer advocates using lifts in emergencies
04 February, 2009Contrary to traditional OHS views regarding emergency evacuations, a fire engineer advocates the value of using lifts as well as stairs in the evacuation of a building.
NOPSA calls for better management of offshore workforce competence
10 December, 2008NOPSA reccommends a formal competency management be put in place to improve safety for workers on offshore petroleum facilities.
International award for mine safety research
20 November, 2008Researchers at the University of South Australia were awarded the prestigious (IEA)/Liberty Mutual Medal foir their landmark study on OHS for the Australian mining industry.
NZ trenching fatality stirs safety call
18 November, 2008A trenching collapse that killed a construction worker in New Zealand has sparked a call by safety regulators for a more proactive approach to ensure the safety of constrction workers. Callum Molloy Ltd was fined for failing to get geotechnical advice on the stability of the material surrounding the trench walls, failing to cut the trench back to a safe slope and starting work without notifying the Department of Labour.
Simple safety steps might have prevented fatality
15 October, 2008A worker, one week into a new job, was killed when a machine he was inside for cleaning was activated. The machine was not isolated or locked out to prevent activation.
Safety alert on mobile homes and demountables
07 August, 2008Living or working in caravans, mobile homes and demountable buildings (including converted shipping containers) can lead to a potential health risk of exposure to formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), according to a safety alert issued by Comcare.
Safe design CoP launched
16 June, 2008A new code of practice on the safe design of buildings and other structures was launched at Subiaco Arts Centre (WA) recently.
Worker representatives vital for offshore safety
12 May, 2008Health and safety representatives play a pivotal role in keeping offshore oil and gas facilities safe and it is important they fully understand their role and the relevant legislation, according to Australia’s National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA).
Queensland appoints mine inspection staff
25 March, 2008The Queensland government has recently appointed four new mines inspection staff to help strengthen and improve the safety and health performance of the mining industry.
Investigation into alleged ARREO breaches
18 February, 2008An investigation is underway into alleged breaches of a health and safety law which allows court-authorised union representatives to visit workplaces to enquire into safety concerns.
Underground safety communication technology
22 January, 2008Sydney company Tiller + Tiller has developed an underground communications technology for the mining industry. The technology is for use on the integrated communications cap lamp (ICCL), which is a lightweight cap lamp developed to incorporate a range of communications and safety technologies.
Mine collapse enquiries
08 January, 2008The Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, Peter Batchelor, recently initiated two government inquiries into the Yallourn mine collapse in November.
Mines safety Act under review
18 October, 2007WA Industrial Relations Commissioner Stephen Kenner has been appointed to conduct a review of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994.
Toxic fumes endanger Hobart workers
17 October, 2007The Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union has accused a Hobart zinc smelter of exposing 100 production workers to a carcinogenic mist and putting company profits ahead of workers' health.
Company fined for gassed worker
02 October, 2007A South Australian company has been fined $20,000 for an incident where a worker collapsed while cleaning an industrial degreasing tank, highlighting the dangers of working with chemicals in enclosed spaces.
