In the media

Major changes on the way for amusement ride safety
Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said Queensland's Amusement Device Working Group, made up of industry stakeholders, will receive the draft Work Health and Safety (Amusement Devices – Public Safety) Amendment Regulation 2018 as part of ongoing consultation (02 August 2018). More...

Supermarket giant Woolworths charged over death of itinerant man
The supermarket giant Woolworths and a Victorian-based subcontractor are charged over the death of a 47-year-old itinerant man, who was run over after falling asleep in a loading dock in Darwin (02 August 2018). More...

Tradies prioritising tool care over health care
Tradies in Australia take better care of their tools than they do their health, according to new research released to mark the launch of Tradies National Health Month (01 August 2018). More...

OHS charges laid over Carlton's Corkman Pub demolition
WorkSafe has charged the owner of the Corkman Irish Pub site in relation to the identification and treatment of asbestos at the 2016 demolition of the historic hotel.The sole proprietor of the Carlton site, 160 Leicester Pty Ltd, is charged with breaching Section 26 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (27 July 2018). More...

CFMMEU and officials fined $137,590 for cavalier and reprehensible attitude
The Federal Court has imposed penalties totaling $137,590 against the CFMMEU and three of its officials for unlawfully entering an Adelaide worksite on four occasions between April and July 2014. ABC Commissioner Stephen McBurney said one of the most concerning aspects of this case is the attempt to leverage safety for the industrial objectives of the CFMMEU (27 July 2018). More...

Driving down deaths in construction industry
A new plan has been launched to reduce deaths and accidents in the NSW construction industry. The Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said it was critical to get construction safety right, with $80 billion to be spent on NSW infrastructure over the next four years (27 July 2018). More...

It's increasingly important to invest in a safe work environment – here's why
While it is generally understood that Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) is about the importance of keeping employees safe, the benefits of a safe and healthy work environment extend much further (27 July 2018). More...

Published – articles, papers, reports

Safe Work Australia Fatality statistics
As at 26 July, there have been 76 Australian workers killed at work in 2018. The numbers and industries may vary from one report to the next, as Safe Work receives more detailed information. To check for updates and more details on fatalities since 2003, go to the Safe Work Australia Work-related fatalities webpage.

WorkCover Queensland Publications
eSAFE Construction - July 2018 released on 31 July 2018

In practice and courts

SafeWork Australia: Consultation RIS: Workplace exposure standards
The consultation regulation impact statement: Workplace exposure standards framework under the model WHS laws (consultation RIS) is now available. The consultation RIS aims to determine the impact of, and best way to implement, an update to Australia's workplace exposure standard framework. The consultation RIS integrates the outcomes from the public discussion paper, The role of chemical exposure standards in work health and safety laws (2015) and the Business survey on workplace exposure standards (2017). The consultation period will close on 13 September 2018 (01 August 2018). More...

New South Wales

SafeWork NSW: Building and Construction Work Health and Safety Sector Plan to 2022
The plan also focuses on workplaces with a high risk of long-term illness developing, such as asbestosis, and also looks at the management of musculoskeletal injuries and mental health in the construction industry. This overarching plan will be followed by four sub-sector plans that drill down specifically into high-rise buildings, housing, infrastructure and demolition sectors. More...

Queensland

WorkCover Queensland: New safety guide released for renewable energy electrical equipment
The Best Practice Guide: Battery Storage Equipment – Electrical Safety Requirements has been released to provide electrical safety guidelines for lithium-based battery storage equipment. It is the result of extensive collaboration between manufacturers, importers, safety regulators and other industry bodies (25 July 2018). More...

Queensland mining safety conference 2018
The 2018 Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference is set to take place from August 19–22 in Gold Coast, embracing the theme, 'Recognising opportunities together'. More...

Victoria

First things first - power off before cover off
An incident in Victoria where an electrician received a shock after touching live metal parts is a stark reminder to always double check power has been turned off before conducting maintenance, repairs, alterations or adjustments to electrical equipment (02 August 2018). More...

Cases

Worksafe Victoria Prosecution Result Summaries & Enforceable Undertakings

Unlimited Group Pty Ltd
Heidelberg Magistrates' Court - Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 Section 21(1) Outcome 31 Jul 2018

Americanos Pty Ltd Melbourne
Magistrates' Court - Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 Section 21(1) & (2)(e) Outcome 30 Jul 2018

Hanna Tawodros
Sunshine Magistrates' Court - Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 Section 581(1)Outcome 24 Jul 2018

C&S Plumbing Pty Ltd
Ballarat Magistrates' Court - Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 Section 21(1) Outcome 24 Jul 2018

Legislation

Commonwealth

Work Health and Safety Act 2011
31/07/2018- Act No. 137 of 2011 as amended

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