In the media
Man killed in accident at Central Queensland coal
mine
A worker has died at a coal mine west of Gladstone - the
fourth mining fatality in six months - prompting the Queensland
mining union to declare a "safety crisis" (07 July 2019).
More...
DHHS charged for alleged health and safety
discrimination
WorkSafe has charged the Department of Health and Human
Services for alleged discrimination against an employee who raised
health and safety concerns (05 July 2019).
More...
Call for more life-saving defibrillators in the
workplace in Victoria
WorkSafe is urging employers to consider installing a
life-saving defibrillator at their workplace. New guidance on the
use of automated external defibrillators in the workplace has been
published on the WorkSafe website to help promote safer workplaces
(04 July 2019).
More...
Consultation on proposal to update the GHS under the
model WHS laws is now open
Safe Work Australia is conducting a public consultation on
the proposal to adopt an updated edition of the Globally Harmonized
System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals for workplace
hazardous chemicals (03 July 2019).
More...
Young worker injured by exploding tyre rim in
Queensland
For reasons yet to be established, it appears the tyre
exploded while the workers were removing a tyre from a split rim on
an earthmover. Investigations are continuing. Under no
circumstances should any work be carried out on a wheel while it
has a pressurised tyre mounted on it, particularly any welding or
wheel repair work (03 July 2019).
More...
New ideas to improve workplace Mental Health in
Victoria
Big ideas for improving workplace mental health are being
sought for the Andrews Labor Government's WorkSafe WorkWell
program. Grants of between $250,000 and $1.2 million are available
for new and innovative programs that will promote the mental health
and wellbeing of workers (01 July 2019).
More...
Worker injured by falling piling rig component
Investigations into both incidents are continuing. The
risk of serious injury is increased when mobile plant, such as a
piling rig is operated close to workers. PBCUs must manage the
risks associated with the setup, operation, inspection and
maintenance of piling rigs and associated equipment (28 June 2019).
More...
Miner dies after wall collapse in third fatal mining
accident in central Queensland in six months
Work is suspended at a central Queensland coal mine after
a man died when a wall collapsed and trapped him inside the digger
he was using. The incident is the third fatal accident in six
months (27 June 2019).
More...
Federal Court penalty on CFMMEU Victorian official backs
up rulings on right of entry laws
A Federal Court penalty judgment has reaffirmed earlier
High Court and Full Federal Court rulings that union officials must
hold valid federal entry permits when exercising rights of entry
under state or territory OHS laws (25 June 2019).
More...
Commissioner to convene roundtable on solar farm
safety
Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace has asked the
Electrical Safety Commissioner to convene an urgent industry
roundtable to discuss safety in large-scale solar farms. The
Minister made the request after the Court of Appeal dismissed an
application by the State Government to overturn a recent ruling
which invalidated solar farm safety regulations which came into
effect last month (25 June 2019).
More...
Published – articles, papers, reports
Safe Work Australia fatality statistics
As at 6 June, there have been 64 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
FWC: Changes to right of entry permits
From Monday July 1, right of entry permits will need to
include a photo and signature of the permit holder. The Fair Work
entry permit allows the official to enter premises for the purpose
of exercising rights under occupational health and safety laws.
More...
FWC: Fee hike for dismissal, bullying applications
Application fees for dismissals, general protections and
anti-bullying applications are set to rise from July 1, as will the
high income threshold for unfair dismissal cases.
More...
SafeWork Australia: consultation regulation impact
statement: Recommendations of the 2018 Review of the Model WHS
Laws
Safe Work
Australia (SWA) is calling on stakeholders to
provide feedback on recommendations for improving the model work
health and safety laws. Before implementing the recommendations,
SWA is calling for anyone who may be affected by them to provide
feedback via their
Engage page. Written submissions are due by 5 August 2019.
More...
NSCA Safety Bulletin: Fall fails: the need for an
industry code
Ongoing accidents caused by workers falling from heights
exemplify the need for an industry code for height safety
installations. Working At Heights Association CEO Richard Millar
outlines the most common injuries and issues associated with failed
height safety installations, and the case for industry adapting its
industry code (24 June 2019).
More...
OFSC: Want to have your say? Update your contact details
with the OFSC
The OFSC will be conducting its annual survey of
accredited companies in August 2019. The OFSC will use the feedback
provided in the survey to improve its operations and make sure that
the Work Health and Safety Accreditation Scheme is improving safety
in the construction industry (25 June 2019).
More...
OFSC: Changes to Accredited Contractor reporting
requirements
The first Scheme Biannual Report, for the January to June
2019 reporting period, is due by 31 July 2019. There is no
additional information required in the Scheme Biannual Report that
was not previously collected in the Biannual Activity Report or
Scheme Project Report, with all data fields remaining the same.
More...
NSW
SafeWork NSW Incident Report: Rolling truck crush
fatality 24 June 2019
SafeWork NSW has commenced an investigation to determine
the cause and circumstances of the incident. Businesses must
consider 'reasonably practicable' control measures to
manage the risk of uncontrolled movements (roll away) of vehicles,
including cars, trucks, buses, vans, forklifts, tractors, mobile
cranes etc.
More...
Queensland
HPW: Plumbing and Drainage reforms
To further protect the health and safety of Queenslanders,
a new mechanical services licence, which includes medical gas work,
will make sure that critical building services such as heating and
cooling systems are delivered in a way that will protect the public
from the dangers of legionella and other diseases. New plumbing
laws and regulations are coming into on 1 July 2019.
More....
eSAFE - June 2019
Published on 27 June 2019.
More...
Victoria
WorkSafe Victoria Alert: Farmer killed when tractor
attachment point fails
This safety alert highlights the danger of farmers being
killed or seriously injured if a tractor attachment point or
linkage fails when it is supporting heavy farming equipment (01
July 2019).
More...
Cases
Victorian Prosecution Result Summaries and Enforceable
Undertakings
David McNeill Moorabbin Magistrates' Court
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
Section24(1) Outcome 02 Jul 2019
Ser Brothers & Co Pty Ltd Melbourne Magistrates'
Court
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
Section26(1) Outcome 01 Jul 2019
Hussein Abd Al Maijed Al Mosawi Melbourne Magistrates'
Court
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
Section26(1) Outcome01 Jul 2019
Rubbertough Industries Pty Ltd Heidelberg Magistrates'
Court
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
Section21(2)(a) Outcome 28 Jun 2019
Glenn Fraser Melbourne County Court
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
Section21(1) & 21(2)(a) Outcome 27 Jun 2019
Armand Von Benecke Melbourne County Court
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
Section21(1) & 21(2)(a) Outcome 27 Jun 2019
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.
