In the media

Worker fatally trapped in conveyor belt system in Queensland
In March 2019, a worker was fatally injured after becoming trapped in a conveyor belt system at a recycling facility. A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) has the primary duty under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that workers and other persons are not exposed to health and safety risks arising from the business or undertaking (23 May 2019). More...

Health and safety on farms to be easy as ABC
A new A-Z Farm Safety Guide, designed to help farmers improve health and safety across their operations, was launched in Central West NSW today. The Guide can be downloaded here (21 May 2019). More...

New safety rules for Queensland theme parks and attractions now in force
Amusement rides and theme parks in Queensland are now subject to tougher safety regulations that will require regulations will require major inspections of rides by qualified engineers every 10 years and improved training of ride operators (20 May 2019). More...

Worker's legs crushed by reversing forklift in Queensland
In March 2019, a worker's legs were severely crushed when he was struck by a reversing forklift in the loading bay of a timber factory. A traffic management plan should be specific to the current layout of the workplace and be designed around separating pedestrians and mobile plant such as forklifts (17 May 2019). More...

Apartment developer fined $80,000 for unsafe work sites
A residential apartment developer has been fined $80,000 after WorkSafe inspectors detected multiple safety breaches at two construction sites in Melbourne's eastern suburbs. Erfanian Developments Pty Ltd was convicted of eight offences under the Occupational Health and Safety Act at Melbourne Magistrates Court on 9 May (15 May 2019). More...

BHP trials breakthrough underground safety technology at Broadmeadow
BHP has moved to improve the safety at its underground mines by launching proximity detection shuttle cars – an Australian first for the coal industry (13 May 2019). More...

Build Aware inspections around Ballarat
Joint teams from five government agencies have conducted 197 inspections on building sites in Ballarat and district as part of the Build Aware campaign, and found most are complying with their legal obligations to protect the environment and ensure workplace safety and community benefit (13 May 2019). More...

Published - articles, papers, reports

Safe Work Australia Fatality statistics
As at 16 May, there have been 56 Australian workers killed at work in 2019. 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.

In practice and courts

NSW

SafeWork NSW quarterly status report 2019
See the latest Quarterly Report here. The quarterly status report allows you to see how the SafeWork Roadmap is influencing workplace safety in NSW (May 2019). More...

Queensland

WorkCover Queensland: New electrical contractor licence eligibility requirements
New eligibility requirements for qualified technical persons (QTP) and qualified business persons (QBP) are now in full effect and apply to all new electrical contractor licence applications. If your QTP/QBP are employees and they leave the business you must advise the Electrical Safety Office within one month and nominate new qualified persons who meet the new eligibility requirements (17 May 2019). More...

WorkCover Queensland Safety Alert: Falls from fixed ladders with cages
The purpose of this safety alert is to highlight the risk of falling from a fixed caged ladder and over the guardrail of the landing below. If there is a risk that someone can fall from the caged ladder and over the guardrail of a landing below, control measures must be implemented to eliminate or minimise this risk (22 May 2019). More...

QBCC: New powerline safety planning tool
Energy Queensland has recently released a trial of a new app, a powerline safety planning tool available at: lookupandlive.com.au. The app helps construction industry workers to adequately plan work around powerlines. The tool overlays powerlines onto geo-spatial imagery that assists planning work near powerlines (14 May 2019). More...

Victoria

ESV Update: Application date – AS/NZS 3010:2017 Electrical installations – generating sets
ESV has published an update to the application date for AS/NZS 3010:2017 Electrical Installations – Generating Sets. This new 2017 edition of AS/NZS 3010 will be mandatory from 1 July 2019. More...

Cases

Victorian Prosecution Result Summaries and Enforceable Undertakings

Mildura Rural City Council Mildura Magistrates' Court
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 Section26; 23 & 114(b) Outcome 22 May 2019

Mav Group Pty Ltd Frankston Magistrates' Court
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 Section21(1) Outcome 16 May 2019

T.S.T. Carpet Manufacturers (Aust) Pty Ltd Werribee Magistrates' Court
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 Section21(1); 21(2)(a) & 21(2)(e) Outcome 15 May 2019. More...

This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.