In the media
CPA boss Alex Malley accused of workplace
bullying
After weeks of intense criticism over his management of accounting
body CPA Australia, high-profile CEO Alex Malley is now facing
allegations of bullying (16 June 2017).
More...
Vegie business hit with $107,933 fine over safety breaches A major Gippsland company specialising in vegetable growing, processing and distribution was convicted and fined $85,000 for two separate incidents in which one worker was run over by a tractor attachment and another fell into an uncovered drainage pit (08 June 2017). More...
SafeWork blitz on food industry
SafeWork NSW has announced a blitz of restaurants, cafes and
bakeries using LPG cylinders after a Marrickville baker was
critically injured last week. SafeWork NSW is conducting
inspections of food businesses across the state in an effort to
prevent further incidents and improve public safety (13 June 2017).
More...
NTC calling for feedback to improve the load restraint
guide
The National Transport Commission today released a new draft
version of its Load Restraint Guide which is designed to provide
drivers, operators, and other participants in the transport chain
of responsibility with practical advice on how to safely transport
a load. The National Transport Commission (NTC) is inviting
stakeholder feedback that will help improve the new edition. Last
day to submit feedback is 4 August (14 June 2017).
More...
Authorities to get more investigation and enforcement
powers
Police and other authorised officers will have improved powers to
investigate breaches of the Heavy Vehicle National Law
(HVNL) and, where appropriate, impose sanctions,
under policy changes agreed by Australia's transport ministers
(06 June 2017).
More...
Cargo ship Kiunga Chief banned from Australian
ports
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)
has banned the Papua New Guinea-flagged cargo ship Kiunga Chief
from entering or using Australian ports for three months after the
ship was detained for a third time in less than 18 months due to
the failure of its operators to safely and effectively manage the
operations of the vessel (05 June 2017).
More...
Published – articles, papers, reports
Safe Work Australia fatality statistics
As of 7 June, 76 workplace fatalities had been reported to SWA -
this is four more notified fatalities since the last update on 2
June. The numbers and industries may vary as Safe Work receives
more detailed information (to check for updates and full figures
for 2016, go to the Safe Work Australia Work-related
fatalities
webpage).
In practice and courts
Standards Australia
AS 4024.3301:2017
Safety of machinery - Robots and robotic devices - Safety
requirements for industrial robots – Robots. Standards
Australia.
Queensland WorkCover Update June 2017 Released on 16 June 2017.
Workcover Queensland: Safety switches
installation
Safety switches should be installed on all sub-circuits, including
those supplying fixed electrical equipment such as air-conditioning
units, hot water heaters and ranges. Once a safety switch is
installed, you should demonstrate to the home occupier how to
identify the switch and operate the test button (15 June 2017). More...
Worksafe Victoria: Guide to new OHS regulations now
available
A comprehensive guide to Victoria's new Occupational Health
and Safety Regulations 2017 is now available. The guide will
help affected employers and other duty holders ensure their
compliance with the new regulations when they take effect on 18
June (16 June 2017).
More...
Victorian OHS Legislation effective in June
2017
The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (OHS
Regulations 2017) and the Equipment (Public Safety)
Regulations 2017 (EPS Regulations 2017) took effect on 18 June
2017. These are available to download from the Victorian
Legislation and Parliamentary Documents page of the Victorian
Legislation website.
Cases
Worksafe Victoria Prosecution Result Summaries & Enforceable Undertakings
Kingspan Environmental Pty Ltd 108 491 881
08/06/2017
Crush injuries; Guarding; Unguarded plant; Failure to provide and
maintain plant Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
21(1)&(2)(a) ; Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court.
Covino Farms Pty Ltd 147 316 970
07/06/2017
Failure to provide a safe system of work; Guarding; Labour hire;
Failure to provide a safe working environment. Occupational
Health and Safety Act 2004 21(1)&(2)(a) ; Latrobe Valley
Magistrates' Court.
Covino Farms Pty Ltd 147 316 970
07/06/2017
Crush injuries; Failure to provide a safe system of work; Labour
hire; Failure to provide a safe working environment
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 21(1)&(2)(a) ;
Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court.
Legislation
Commonwealth
Occupational Health and Safety (Maritime Industry) (Prescribed Ship
or Unit — Intra-State Trade) Declaration
2017
15/06/2017 – This instrument declares that a ship or vessel
which is only engaged in intra-state trade is not a prescribed ship
or a prescribed unit for the purposes of the Occupational Health
and Safety (Maritime Industry) Act 1993. It replaces the
Occupational Health and Safety (Maritime Industry) (Prescribed
Ship or Unit — Intra-State Trade) Declaration 2015 (No.
2).
Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity)
(Federal Safety Officers) General Directions
2017
09/06/2017 - These directions replace the General Directions to
Federal Safety Officers 2016 with updated references and
other technical amendments to reflect the provisions of the
Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Act
2016.
NSW
Regulations and other miscellaneous instruments
Marine Safety Amendment (Fees) Regulation 2017 (2017-242) — published LW 9 June 2017.
Rail Safety National Law National Regulations (Fees and Returns) Variation Regulations 2017 (2017-257) — published LW 9 June 2017.
Rail Safety National Law National Regulations (Miscellaneous) Variation Regulations 2017 (2017-258) — published LW 9 June 2017.
Rail Safety National Law National Regulations (Queensland Fatigue Provisions) Variation Regulations 2017 (2017-259) — published LW 9 June 2017.
Victoria
Statutory Rules made
No. 40: Transport Accident Regulations
2017
Date of Making: 06/06/2017 Commencement: 06/06/2017 Not yet in
operation: N/A. Sunset Date: 06/06/2027.
Statutory Rules commencement
No. 22: Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017
Commencement: Regs 1-376(b), 377-Sch. 3 cl. 18, Sch. 3 cl. 20-Sch. 16 cl. 1.6(f), Sch. 16 cl. 1.7-Sch. 17 cl. 10(a), Schs 18, 19 on 18/06/2017: reg. 3(1) Reg. 376(c), Sch. 3 cl. 19, Sch. 16 cl. 1.6(g), Sch. 17 cl. 10(b) on 18/06/2018: reg. 3(2) Not yet in operation: Regs 1-376(b), 377-Sch. 3 cl. 18, Sch. 3 cl. 20-Sch. 16 cl. 1.6(f), Sch. 16 cl. 1.7-Sch. 17 cl. 10(a), Schs 18, 19: on 18/06/2017: reg. 3(1) Reg. 376(c), Sch. 3 cl. 19, Sch. 16 cl. 1.6(g), Sch. 17 cl. 10(b): on 18/06/2018: reg. 3(2) 3 Sunset Date: 26/04/2027.
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.
