In the Media
Safe Work guide to push workers to safety
Safe Work Australia has announced that its updated
workplace management guide is now available. In a statement
accompanying the guide, Safe Work Australia said that when managing
traffic on a public road, there are actions workers should take to
ensure the safety of themselves and the public (22 April 2021).
More...
'Blood on their hands': UberEats caught in
safety failings over driver deaths
New details have emerged about the deaths of three
delivery drivers last year after UberEats representatives gave
"deeply worrying" evidence to an inquiry in NSW.
NSW's workplace safety regulator, SafeWork, found UberEats
broke health and safety laws on multiple occasions in 2020, noting
74 separate incidents of serious injury (19 April 2021).
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Hazard 2020 – significant Improvements in mobile
plant audit results
The end of March 2021 saw the 12-month Hazard 2020
campaign pass its half-way point. Against all mobile plant related
WHS Accreditation Scheme audit criteria, the rate of non-compliance
is down by almost 5 per cent in comparison to the 2017-2019 trend.
View the
Hazard 2020 - Monthly Data - October 2020 to March 2021 (19
April 2021).
More...
Resources Regulator seeks comment on proposed amendments
to Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) laws
The NSW Resources Regulator is seeking comment from
interested stakeholders on proposed amendments to the Work Health
and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Act 2013 and Regulation to
ensure the laws are achieving their intended aims (19 April 2021).
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New Comcare team targets major projects
Comcare is taking steps to sharpen its regulatory focus on
major infrastructure projects and has established a specialist team
of inspectors to deal with issues that may arise. The new team of
inspectors have experience in construction and engineering. They
are working nationally to proactively monitor high-risk activities
and safety systems on major projects (15 April 2021).
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High Court determination settles right of entry permit
requirement
The requirement for union officials to hold a valid
federal right of entry permit when entering work sites under State
or Territory OHS laws has been upheld following a High Court
determination. The High Court on 8 April 2021 refused to allow the
CFMMEU special leave to appeal a 2020 Full Federal Court decision
(13 April 2021).
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ESV urges caution after crane hits powerlines
Energy Safe Victoria Commission Chairperson Marnie
Williams has called on machinery operators to be aware of overhead
powerlines after an incident involving a crane left two people in
hospital with serious injuries (13 April 2021).
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Mining sector to strengthen sexual harassment
response
The Australian Government has announced its commitment to
preventing sexual harassment at work and creating reforms that are
aimed at creating a safer workplace (12 April 2021).
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Published – articles, papers, reports
Safe Work Australia Fatality statistics
As at 15 April, 29 Australian workers were killed at work
in 2021. The numbers and industries may vary from one report to the
next, as SafeWork 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: Updated workplace traffic
management guidance
Safe Work Australia has updated its workplace traffic
management guidance to include information on working on or near
public roads. Read workplace traffic management guidance for
practical measures on managing the risks
of working on public roads here. This guidance complements
information issued by
WHS regulators and local road authorities (19 April 2021).
More...
NSW
Review of serious injury and illness notifications
report
The NSW Resources Regulator has reviewed the reporting of
serious injuries and illnesses by mine operators and reported the
findings to the NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council. The review found
a significant long-term downward trend in the serious injury
frequency rate since 2006 and that one-third of all notified
injuries – and often double that of any other bodily location
– were hand, fingers or wrist injuries. For more information,
view the full report here (21 April 2021).
More...
SafeWork NSW: Licence fees waived for flood impacted
communities
We're waiving the cost of replacing a range of licence
and permit fees for people who've lost them due to the recent
NSW floods. Licence and permits eligible are listed here (31 March
2021).
More...
SafeWork NSW: Asbestos – cleaning and/or removing
asbestos containing materials after storms and floods
SafeWork NSW always recommends that
a licensed asbestos removalist is used to remove any amount of
asbestos. Removal of friable asbestos, or 10 square metres or more
of non-friable asbestos materials, must be done by
a licensed asbestos removalist (posted 29 March 2021).
More...
Gig economy roles and responsibilities in WHS: Research
update
The Centre for Work Health and Safety's research into
the food delivery in the gig economy is currently underway. Phases
1 and 2 have been completed.
Phase 1 full report
Work health and safety of food delivery workers in the gig
economy
Phase 2 full report:
Work health and safety perceptions of food delivery platforms in
the gig economy
New research will establish a better understanding of the WHS
perceptions and behaviours in the Australian gig economy context by
focusing on the food delivery services Project which commenced:
February 2020. Project completion: October 2021.
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Queensland
WorkSafe Qld incident safety alert
In March 2021, a worker suffered serious injuries when he
fell approximately six metres through a roof after walking on an
old skylight panel that had previously been covered. Effective
controls for the risk of falling from a height are often made up of
a combination of controls. Possible control measures to prevent
similar incidents are outlined here (20 April 2021).
More...
WorkSafe Qld incident safety alert
In January 2021, a worker on a private property was
fatally injured when a telehandler ran over him. Telehandlers,
short for telescopic handlers, are versatile hydraulic lifting
units often used in the construction, farming and agriculture
sectors. Possible control measures to prevent similar incidents are
outlined here (13 April 2021).
More...
WorkSafe Qld: COVID-19 rescue and resuscitation training
exemptions
From 1 August 2021, exemptions for cardiopulmonary
resuscitation, pole top rescue and low voltage switch board rescue
training will no longer apply.
More...
ASEA: Queensland Asbestos rules amended
Twenty Work Health and Safety Codes of Practice have been
updated in Queensland, and asbestos regulations have been changed.
These changes will take effect from 1 May 2021.
More...
WorkSafe Qld: Changes to asbestos regulation
From 1 May 2021, low density asbestos fibre board
(LDB), also known as asbestos insulating board,
will be classified as a friable material in all circumstances. This
means LDB can only legally be removed by a class A asbestos removal
licence holder. If you're a class B asbestos removal licence
holder and want to be able to remove LDB after 1 May 2021, you will
need to
apply to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland for a class A
asbestos removal licence.
More...
Victoria
WorkSafe Victoria: Major Hazards newsletter
WorkSafe has released the April edition of
Major Hazard Matters – Issue 16 (21 April 2021).
WorkSafe Victoria HSR newsletter
WorkSafe has this week issued its latest edition of the
HSR Newsletter April 2021 (14 April 2021).
More...
WorkSafe Victoria: Fatality from working with unguarded
plant
An alert about the risks associated with operating plant
with inadequate guarding, following the death of a worker operating
a hay bale pressing machine (14 April 2021).
More...
Cases
Prosecution Result Summaries and Enforceable
Undertakings
Information about the most recent prosecution and
Enforceable Undertaking outcomes
TTN Stonework Pty Ltd
Dandenong Magistrates' Court - Occupational Health and Safety
Act 2004 Section
Outcome 15 Apr 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.
