In the media
Major changes on the way for amusement ride safety
Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said
Queensland's Amusement Device Working Group, made up of
industry stakeholders, will receive the draft Work Health and
Safety (Amusement Devices – Public Safety) Amendment
Regulation 2018 as part of ongoing consultation (02 August 2018).
More...
Supermarket giant Woolworths charged over death of
itinerant man
The supermarket giant Woolworths and a Victorian-based
subcontractor are charged over the death of a 47-year-old itinerant
man, who was run over after falling asleep in a loading dock in
Darwin (02 August 2018).
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Tradies prioritising tool care over health care
Tradies in Australia take better care of their tools than
they do their health, according to new research released to mark
the launch of Tradies National Health Month (01 August 2018).
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OHS charges laid over Carlton's Corkman Pub
demolition
WorkSafe has charged the owner of the Corkman Irish Pub
site in relation to the identification and treatment of asbestos at
the 2016 demolition of the historic hotel.The sole proprietor of
the Carlton site, 160 Leicester Pty Ltd, is charged with breaching
Section 26 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (27
July 2018).
More...
CFMMEU and officials fined $137,590 for cavalier and
reprehensible attitude
The Federal Court has imposed penalties totaling $137,590
against the CFMMEU and three of its officials for unlawfully
entering an Adelaide worksite on four occasions between April and
July 2014. ABC Commissioner Stephen McBurney said one of the most
concerning aspects of this case is the attempt to leverage safety
for the industrial objectives of the CFMMEU (27 July 2018).
More...
Driving down deaths in construction industry
A new plan has been launched to reduce deaths and
accidents in the NSW construction industry. The Minister for Better
Regulation Matt Kean said it was critical to get construction
safety right, with $80 billion to be spent on NSW infrastructure
over the next four years (27 July 2018).
More...
It's increasingly important to invest in a safe work
environment – here's why
While it is generally understood that Workplace Health
& Safety (WHS) is about the importance of
keeping employees safe, the benefits of a safe and healthy work
environment extend much further (27 July 2018).
More...
Published – articles, papers, reports
Safe Work Australia Fatality statistics
As at 26 July, there have been 76 Australian workers
killed at work in 2018. 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.
WorkCover Queensland Publications
eSAFE Construction - July 2018 released on 31 July 2018
In practice and courts
SafeWork Australia: Consultation RIS: Workplace exposure
standards
The consultation regulation impact statement:
Workplace exposure standards framework under the model WHS
laws (consultation RIS)
is now available. The consultation RIS aims to determine the impact
of, and best way to implement, an update to Australia's
workplace exposure standard framework. The consultation RIS
integrates the outcomes from the public discussion paper,
The role of chemical exposure standards in work health and
safety laws (2015) and the Business survey on
workplace exposure standards (2017). The consultation period
will close on 13 September 2018 (01 August 2018).
More...
New South Wales
SafeWork NSW: Building and Construction Work Health and
Safety Sector Plan to 2022
The plan also focuses on workplaces with a high risk of
long-term illness developing, such as asbestosis, and also looks at
the management of musculoskeletal injuries and mental health in the
construction industry. This overarching plan will be followed by
four sub-sector plans that drill down specifically into high-rise
buildings, housing, infrastructure and demolition sectors. More...
Queensland
WorkCover Queensland: New safety guide released for
renewable energy electrical equipment
The Best Practice
Guide: Battery Storage Equipment – Electrical Safety
Requirements has been released to provide electrical
safety guidelines for lithium-based battery storage equipment. It
is the result of extensive collaboration between manufacturers,
importers, safety regulators and other industry bodies (25 July
2018).
More...
Queensland mining safety conference 2018
The 2018 Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety
Conference is set to take place from August 19–22 in Gold
Coast, embracing the theme, 'Recognising opportunities
together'.
More...
Victoria
First things first - power off before cover off
An incident in Victoria where an electrician received a
shock after touching live metal parts is a stark reminder to always
double check power has been turned off before conducting
maintenance, repairs, alterations or adjustments to electrical
equipment (02 August 2018).
More...
Cases
Worksafe Victoria Prosecution Result Summaries & Enforceable Undertakings
Unlimited Group Pty Ltd
Heidelberg Magistrates' Court - Occupational
Health and Safety Act 2004 Section 21(1) Outcome 31 Jul
2018
Americanos Pty Ltd Melbourne
Magistrates' Court - Occupational Health and
Safety Act 2004 Section 21(1) & (2)(e) Outcome 30 Jul
2018
Hanna Tawodros
Sunshine Magistrates' Court - Workplace Injury
Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 Section 581(1)Outcome
24 Jul 2018
C&S Plumbing Pty Ltd
Ballarat Magistrates' Court - Occupational Health
and Safety Act 2004 Section 21(1) Outcome 24 Jul 2018
Legislation
Commonwealth
Work Health and Safety Act 2011
31/07/2018- Act No. 137 of 2011 as amended
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.