In the media
WorkSafe on-the-spot fines having biggest
impact
The ACT Work Safety inspectorate more than doubled its
prohibition, infringement and improvement notices across the
construction industry this year and increased site visits and
blitzes by almost 15 per cent (03 October 2013).
More...
Fires lead to $1.4m fix for Perth buses
The potential safety risks to drivers and passengers forced urgent
action from the Public Transit Authority, although it stopped short
of taking gas buses off the road because they represented about 40
per cent of the total fleet (03 October 2013).
More...
Beware of too much vehicle data
Online risk management tools are an effective way of reducing
accidents and gathering data to identify problem areas around
company cars. Risk management tools help organisations assess risk,
but under Australia's occupational health and safety
regulations, the responsibility remains with the employer (03
October 2013).
More...
Big River Timbers fined for worst accident in their
history
Big River Timbers has been fined $120,000 for a factory accident
which resulted in the partial amputation of a long-term
employee's foot. In what the NSW Industrial Relations
Commission heard was the worst accident in the company's
history, failure to maintain a regular maintenance schedule was
found to be a contributing factor (01 October 2013).
More...
Fireball crash truck company issued with 104 defect
notices
The trucking company involved in Tuesday's fatal fuel tanker
crash on Sydney's northern beaches has since been issued with
100 defect notices, about half of them for major faults, during a
crackdown on the safety of the company's trucks (03 October
2013).
More...
May 2013 Notifiable Fatalities Monthly Report now
available
There were 13 work-related notifiable fatalities reported during
May — 11 male workers and two male bystanders, according to
the latest Notified Fatalities Monthly Report May 2013 released by
Safework Australia (02 October 2013).
More...
Safety on site: Asset and People management - Stopping
silicosis
Silicosis is a major danger to all workers in industrial sectors.
It is one of the three most important occupationally-related dust
diseases in Australia (03 October 2013).
More...
Business showcase workplace safety
achievements
WorkCover received 141 entries - the second highest number of
entrants since the program began ten years ago. This year's
awards introduce a new category which recognises individuals and
businesses who are helping injured workers return to safe and
sustainable work (02 October 2013).
More...
Working with small business to improve safety
outcomes
Minister for Finance and Services and Minister for Small Business
have today announced a strategy designed to make it easier for
small businesses to comply with their work health and safety
obligations. "The strategy, WorkCover: Making It Easier, is a
direct result of a collaboration between industry, business and the
Office of the Small Business Commissioner to allow WorkCover to
provide tailored support to small businesses (30 September 2013).
More...
Airservices supports international runway safety
initiative
Developed in conjunction with the Civil Air Navigation Services
Organisation (CANSO) and industry workgroups, the initiative aims
to reduce 'unstable' approaches, which can result in runway
excursions or aircraft veering off or overrunning the runway during
take-off or landing (01 October 2013).
More...
Beware the risks when using concrete precast
panels
Precast concrete panels have become popular for many types of
building projects but the risks associated with their use should
not be underestimated. That's the message from WorkSafe
Victoria which has begun a 10-week campaign to visit construction
sites across the state to alert builders to their dangers (26
September 2013).
More...
Admission of guilt on workplace drowning
Melbourne Water Corporation has pleaded guilty over the workplace
death of a technician who drowned in a sewerage channel at the
Eastern Treatment Plant near Dandenong on December 1, 2011. The
corporation will later appear before the County Court (26 September
2013).
More...
WorkCover securing safety in wood
industry
WorkCover NSW will visit 200 NSW wood manufacturing businesses
over the next two months as part of a program to improve safety in
one of the state's highest risk industries (23 September 2013).
More...
The Australian Mesothelioma Registry 2nd Data
Report
The Australian Mesothelioma Registry (AMR) has released its second
data report. The report focuses on mesothelioma cases diagnosed
during 2012, notified to the Registry up to 30 June 2013 (23
September 2013).
More...
In practice and courts
2013 Work Health and Safety Month promotion pack
available
National Safe Work Australia Month encourages workplaces across
Australia to promote safety at work during October. Comcare has
created a promotion pack to assist organisations raise awareness of
work health and safety — download the creative resources to
use in your own workplace. (01 October 2013).
More...
Safety alert: Stability of buildings and
structures
This alert is to advise of the importance of ensuring wall
stability of buildings and structures, including during
construction, demolition or refurbishment works (01 October 2013).
More...
QLD: Reminder: Consultation RIS Queensland's Mine
Safety Framework consultation regulatory impact
statement
Submissions are invited from mining communities and industry,
particularly those regulated under either the coal mining or mining
and quarrying, safety and health acts and regulations. Submissions
close 11 November 2013.
More...
QLD: Explosives Safety Alert 75: Light vehicle carrying
explosives hit by underground loader
While reversing an underground loader hit a light vehicle carrying
explosives. Recommendation includes Safety management systems
include suitable and appropriate procedures and controls that
minimize the risk of interaction between explosives transport
vehicles and other site mobile equipment (01 October 2013).
More...
QLD: Explosives Safety Alert 73: Explosives loads unfit
for transport
Three road consignments of reject boosters (Class 1.1D explosives)
for destruction from mine sites were consolidated into two
consignments for onforwarding when reserve staff noticed the load
was neither safe nor suitable to be offered for consignment.
Recommendations include: Explosives be correctly packaged and
palletised suitably for their intended journey in accordance with
the Australian Explosives Code (AEC) (01 October 2013).
More...
Cases
Inspector Gregory v Big River Timbers (Veneer) Pty Ltd
[2013] NSWIRComm 85
The defendant is fined the sum of $120,000. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
AND SAFETY ACT - s 8(1) - crush injury received in working at
timber and plywood factory - injury results in partial amputation
of employee's foot - early pleas of not guilty entered - delays
experienced in light of "Kirk" decision in High Court and
various challenges in the Court of Appeal - prosecution successful
in amending particulars - defendant enters plea of guilty to
amended application for order - serious breach established - risk
foreseeable and obvious - general and specific deterrence
considered - prior offences involve crush type injury - numerous
subjective factors considered - long running operation in
inherently dangerous industry - overall safety record considered -
numerous steps taken to address risk identified - defendant
undertakes costly modifications to plant and guarding - new log
cutting system introduced at cost of $1.4 M - co-operation with
WorkCover investigation - remorse and contrition demonstrated -
relatively early plea entered - penalty imposed - Occupational
Health and Safety Act 2000. More...
Inspector Rand v Corcoran [2013] NSWIRComm
88
The personal defendant is fined an amount of $3250 with a moiety
thereof to the prosecutor. The corporate defendant is fined an
amount of $32,500 with a moiety thereof to the prosecutor.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - prosecutions under s 11(1)(a) and
s 11(1)(b) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 - metal
fabrication industry - hoist cage disengaged - persons seriously
injured - general and specific deterrence - capacity to pay - Fines
Act 1996 - totality - penalty imposed – costs. More...
Legislation
Queensland
Subordinate legislation as made
No 195 Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2013 – 04-10-13 Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004.
Victoria
Regulations
Road Safety (General) Amendment Regulations (No. 118/
2013)
Operational: R. 6: 01/11/2013 (r. 3(2)) Remainder: 24/09/2013 (r.
3(1)).
The Victorian Commencement Book is available on the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel website.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.