In the media
Nationwide cooperation required to control and prevent
Legionella
Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young's Review of the
prevention and control of Legionella pneumophila infection in
Queensland was tabled in Parliament today and detailed numerous
areas for improvement (17 October 2013).
More...
ATVs still worst killer
Quad bikes and tractors remain the biggest killers on Australian
farms. Research released today by the Australian Centre for
Agricultural Health and Safety shows 43 people have died in on-farm
incidents this year (16 October 2013).
More...
'Pick and choose' auditing worries truck
regulator
The head of the new national organisation in charge of regulating
large trucks has agreed with concerns raised about the standard of
safety auditors after the double fatality in Mona Vale caused by an
out-of-control Cootes fuel tanker this month (14 October 2013).
More...
Workplace safety in the spotlight as injuries soar in
area
Safety at work is in the spotlight after new figures revealed the
Central Queensland/Wide Bay region accounts for 11% of all serious
injuries in Queensland (11 October 2013).
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Doctor concern a mandatory reporting system aimed at
making roads safer could be achieving the opposite
effect
In South Australia, doctors are obliged to report patients who are
suffering from sleep apnoea who might be a risk to other drivers or
themselves. Doctors argue the law needs to change so the
responsibility for reporting to the licensing authority is put on
the driver (11 October 2013).
More...
Be safe with powered tools, urges WorkCover,/br> The WorkCover NSW reminder comes after the wood products manufacturing industry was identified as one of the state's highest risk industries with 1,965 workers compensation claims in the three years to 2010 at a cost of $19.5 million to the NSW workers compensation scheme (08 October 2013). More...
Ballarat businesses fined after unsafe asbestos removal,/br> Two Ballarat businesses that failed to take appropriate safety measures when dealing with asbestos materials were fined yesterday in Ballarat Magistrates Court, where they pleaded guilty to charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (07 October 2013). More...
Published – articles, papers, reports
Model Codes of Practice - Excavation work
Author: Safe Work Australia
This model Code of Practice has been developed to provide
practical guidance for persons conducting a business or undertaking
on how to manage the health and safety risks associated with
excavation work. This Code applies to all types of excavation work,
including bulk excavations more than 1.5 metres deep, trenches,
shafts and tunnels (17 October 2013).
More...
2013 major accident investigation report
Author: Owen P. Driscoll; National Truck Accident Research Centre
(NTARC)
This report continues a series of longitudinal studies involving
the tracking of a workforce of Australian heavy vehicle drivers
involved in accidents, since 1998 (08 October 2013).
More...
Quad bike fatalities in 2013
Author: Safe Work Australia
As of 8 October 2013, 14 people have been killed while riding a
quad bike. Six of these deaths were the result of a roll over.
More...
In practice and courts
Warning about Infinity and Olsent-branded TPS or orange
circular electrical cable
Recent testing found that the cable is non-compliant with poor
quality insulation that could deteriorate prematurely and cause
fires or the risk of electric shock. Infinity Cable Co Pty Ltd
recalled certain cables sold at Masters Home Improvement from April
2012 to August 2013 (15 October 2013).
More...
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NSW Workcover: Mind the gaps on amusement
rides
This alert highlights the potential risk of patrons –
particularly children – falling through unprotected gaps on
amusement rides and urges operators to ensure safe entry and exit
measures are in place (October 2013).
More...
QLD: Fair Trading (Safety Standard) Regulations
2013
The
Fair Trading (Safety Standard) Regulations 2013 comes
into force 21 October 2013 and revises the prescribed safety
standards for short-term accommodation. For more information see
the
Office of Fair Trading media release.
QLD: Explosives Security Alert 10: Explosives stolen
from loaded shot underground
People who were not security cleared and not authorised to access
explosives were legitimately allowed to be in the general area near
the explosives. The alert recommends ensure only security cleared
persons have the ability to gain unsupervised access to explosives
and the exclusion zone with security and access control measures
outlined (16 October 2013).
More...
QLD: Explosives Safety Alert 73 - Explosives loads unfit
for transport
Inspect all tilt cylinder eyelets on all Normet vehicles on site
to ensure the eyelets are in serviceable condition. Ensure that
tyres fitted to all Normet vehicles are as per OEM specifications
(09 October 2013).
More...
Cases
Inspector Christensen v P & M Quality Smallgoods Pty
Ltd [2013] NSWIRComm 91
The defendant is fined an amount of $110,000 with a moiety thereof
to the prosecutor. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - Meat processing
industry - Contractor injured when concrete saw struck pipe
containing butane gas - Prosecution under s 10(1) of Occupational
Health and Safety Act 2000 - Plea of guilty - Sentencing principles
- Fine imposed. More...
Masterton Homes Pty Limited v WorkCover Authority of New
South Wales (Inspector Batty) [2011] NSWIRComm 102
Leave to appeal, if required, is granted. APPEAL - OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH AND SAFETY - subcontractor injured while working at building
site - appellant principal contractor at the site - challenge to
jurisdiction - whether charge under s 8(2) of the Occupational
Health and Safety Act 2000 (the Act) pleaded an identifiable risk
to safety - whether the charge particularised with sufficient
precision the alleged omissions or measures not taken - distinction
between "means" and "measures" considered -
whether errors in the reasoning process of the Chief Industrial
Magistrate (the CIM) - whether the appellant was accorded
procedural fairness in the hearing below - whether the CIM's
failure to require the respondent to provide particulars of the
offence alleged in the charge constituted an error - whether the
CIM erred in law in relation to the findings of guilt - whether the
CIM erred in his consideration of the statutory defence under s
28(a) of the Act - appeal upheld on basis of defect in first
particular of the charge and as a consequence of the CIM's
failure to give adequate reasons which constituted a denial of
procedural fairness - matter remitted to Local Court to determine
according to law – costs. More...
Inspector Christensen v MVM Rail Pty Ltd [2013]
NSWIRComm 89
Matter No IRC 282 of 2011 - The defendant is fined an amount of
$66,000. Matter No IRC 283 of 2011- (2) The defendant is fined an
amount of $94,000. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - Fatality -
Worker killed and other seriously injured when struck by rail panel
being lifted into position - Rail industry - Contravention of ss
8(1) and 8(2) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 -
Guilty pleas - Sentencing - Application of relevant principles
including totality - Fines imposed - Occupational Health and Safety
Act 2000. More...
Inspector Cooper v J I T Offset Pty Ltd [2013] NSWIRComm
90
In relation to Zac's Packs Pty Ltd:) the defendant is fined
the sum of $115,000. In relation to J I T Offset Pty Ltd: the
defendant is fined the sum of $90,000. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND
SAFETY ACT 2000 - s 8(1) and s 8(2) - related companies conduct box
printing and manufacturing at same premises - large printing press
used to produce a range of printed paper card finishes for paper
box products - operation of printing press required regular
changing of varnish plate on varnish cylinder - in the course of
changing a plate worker suffers hand injury - little finger and two
other fingers caught in unguarded nip point - serious injuries
suffered - defendants enter early guilty plea - serious breach
established - foreseeability considered - extensive safety system
otherwise in use at premises - general and specific deterrence
considered - numerous subjective factors - previous offences -
parity addressed - offences proved - penalties imposed - Crimes
(Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999; Legal Profession Act 2004;
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000. More...
Legislation
NSW
Bills introduced etc Government
Explosives Amendment Bill 2013
Work Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2013
Summary: An Act to amend the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 to
make further provision for proceedings for offences and for savings
and transitional regulations. 16/10/2013 Intro Assembly; 16/10/2013
Notice of Motion in Assembly: (Constance, Andrew).
Queensland
Regulations
No 199: Food Production (Safety) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2013 – 04-10-2013. Food Production (Safety) Act 2000 - s 27 (Fees for accreditation); Amendment of s 28 (Fees for approval as auditor) and Replacement of sch 1 (Fees) - Commencement 1/01/2014.
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