In the Media
Prosecution over fall risk at prison development
Construction company John Holland has been charged with
breaching federal work health and safety laws over a dangerous
incident at a prison development in northern NSW (11 February
2021).
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Court imposes $30,000 fine for dodgy electrical work and
no licence
At a recent hearing in the Brisbane Magistrates Court,
Daniel William Dawes was convicted and fined for multiple offences
under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 and the Electrical Safety
Regulation 2013 (10 February 2021).
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Victorian government provides funding for industry
associations to hire mental health specialists
Mental health specialists will be employed to work with
key industry associations under a Victorian government program
designed to offer support directly to small businesses as they
continue to recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic
(10 February 2021).
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icare's wearable technology study helps keep M4-M5
Link Tunnels' workers safer
A study into wearable technologies funded by the icare
Foundation is trialling a unique off-body exoskeletal technology to
protect those working on Sydney's M4-M5 Link Tunnels (09
February 2021).
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New guidelines to boost delivery driver safety
Draft guidelines have been released for industry
consultation to provide better protection for workers in the food
delivery industry. The guidelines outline existing hazards in the
industry, such as poorly maintained bikes, fatigue and extreme
weather conditions, and the actions that must be taken by delivery
platforms, drivers and restaurants to mitigate these risks (09
February 2021).
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'The unknown is terrifying': Young mum's
deadly lung disease the tip of the iceberg
Workers at risk of developing an incurable, progressive
and fatal lung disease need greater protections across a range of
workplaces, the union movement says, warning proposed new health
and safety measures won't help thousands of Australians (08
February 2021).
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Work-from-home trend to create health and safety issues,
expert warns
With office vacancies increasing and a major bank
advertising more than 100 work-from-home positions, an expert is
warning that a health and safety minefield is looming for employers
who have chosen to ditch the office (08 February 2021).
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More than half of Australia's truck drivers are
obese and half experience psychological distress, survey
finds
The largest national survey of the health of truck drivers
finds widespread medical problems and psychological distress, with
one truckie saying: "It's all about money, and the
drivers, they're secondary." (06 February 2021).
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Truck rollaway damages mine infrastructure
A New South Wales mine has reported damage to a pump and
associated infrastructure at its heavy vehicle wash bay after an
unattended haul truck rolled 65 metres and crashed into the pump
(05 February 2021).
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Published – articles, papers, reports
Work health and safety and workers' compensation
scheme performance in 2018–19
Safe Work Australia has released the latest
Comparative Performance Monitoring report, providing trend
analyses on the work health and safety and workers'
compensation schemes operating in Australia and New Zealand
(February 2021).
Safe Work Australia Fatality statistics
As at 4 February, 9 Australian workers were killed at work
in 2021. 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
Safe Work Australia: New workplace exposure standards:
Public feedback
Australia is calling for
public comment on the remaining 168 workplace exposure
standards for airborne contaminants. Safe Work Australia is
reviewing the
Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants to
ensure they are based on high quality evidence and supported by a
rigorous scientific approach.
You will be able to provide feedback for Release 15: Paraffin wax
to Zirconium compounds until 30 July 2021 after which time feedback
and recommendations will be finalised.
More...
Safe Work Australia: Preventing workplace violence and
aggression
New national work health and safety guidance has been
developed by Safe Work Australia. The
Guide: Preventing workplace violence and aggression provides
information for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs),
such as employers, on how to manage the risk of violence and
aggression in the workplace, including gendered violence. The guide
is supported by information sheets for small businesses and
workers:
Workplace violence and aggression – guidance for small
business and
Workplace violence and aggression – advice for
workers.
Workplace health and safety: Covid restrictions for
employers state by state
Australia's Covid restrictions vary widely from state
to state despite low numbers of infection across the country.
Listed are the current workplace restrictions across
Australia's eight states and territories (10 February 2021).
More...
Queensland
Rockfall injures jumbo operator | Resources Safety &
Health Queensland
9 February 2021: No 385
A jumbo operator suffered injuries when struck by a rock that fell
from the roof of unsupported ground of an incline. Industry:
Subject:Strata failure; Working positions.
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Victoria
Energy Safe Victoria: Summarising the new Registration
and Licensing Regulations
On 1 January 2021 the Electricity Safety (Registration and
Licensing) Regulations 2020 came into force, replacing the 2010
Regulations, which were revoked on 31 December 2020. ESV has
produced a
document summarising the key changes in the new Electricity
Safety (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2020 (21 January
2021).
More...
Cases
Prosecution Result Summaries and Enforceable
Undertakings
Information about the most recent prosecution and
Enforceable Undertaking outcomes.
Makesafe Building and Construction Pty Ltd
Ringwood Magistrates' Court – Occupational
Health and Safety Act 2004, Occupational Health and Safety
Regulations 2017 Section 21(1) Outcome 10 Feb 2021
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.