- within Food, Drugs, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Antitrust/Competition Law and Law Practice Management topic(s)
- with Senior Company Executives, HR and Finance and Tax Executives
- with readers working within the Accounting & Consultancy, Business & Consumer Services and Consumer Industries industries
In the media
National review of 2,4-D HVE completed
The APVMA suspended registrations and label approvals of 2,4-D
products containing high volatile ester forms in 2006. This was on
the basis of environmental concerns about off-target damage to
nearby crops, vegetation and the environment due to its ability to
easily evaporate and be carried long distances under certain
conditions (21 August 2013).
More...
Contractor fined for 2008 explosion at coal
mine
Contractor Carpenter Mine Management has been fined $100 000 over
an explosion that left a contractor with severe burns. At the time
of the explosion, the mine was still owned by Griffin Coal, and
charges have been laid against the company and Carpenter Mine
Management (22 August 2013).
More...
Deadline looms for high risk work licence
conversions
SafeWork SA Inspectors are focussing on high risk work and
reminding workers to convert their old qualifications to the
national licence (22 August 2013).
More...
Working safely in windy conditions
With high winds expected throughout August and September,
WorkCover NSW is issuing a reminder to businesses be aware of the
risks of working in windy conditions. Side loads, such as wind or
materials leant against a wall under construction, can
inadvertently cause a wall or scaffolding structure to collapse (20
August 2013).
More...
Shonky operators in the spotlight
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has looked at 40 operations
around Bundaberg and Childers and uncovered about 20 breaches.
Principal rural inspector Fiona O'Sullivan said they were
mostly about insufficient plant guarding, like shaft covers, belts
and pulleys, and chemicals and safe work systems (21 August 2013).
More...
Cement companies fined $190,000 over worker's
death
The Court found that Cement Australia (Kandos) Pty Ltd, the owner
of the premises and the employer of the worker, was more culpable
given its additional failings in relation to providing a safe
system of work and adequate supervision and instruction (16 August
2013).
More...
Male miners' mental health claims overblown:
research
New research from Griffith's Australian Institute has shown
there is no solid data to indicate males in the mining industry
experience more mental health issues compared to males in other
industries (16 August 2013).
More...
Inquest urges safety overhaul after welder
electrocuted
The coroner has recommended extra safety precautions when welding
in humid conditions and has recommended workplace health and safety
reopen an investigation whether Ridley should be prosecuted for
negligence (15 August 2013).
More...
In practice and courts
Mentally Healthy Workplaces Alliance—Call for Good
Practice
The Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance is a new national approach
by business, community and government to encourage Australian
workplaces to become mentally healthy for the benefit of the whole
community and businesses, big and small (20 August 2013).
More...
QLD: Explosives Safety Alert 71 - Blocked tank
vents
Authority holders review their safety management system to ensure
that regular inspections and maintenance are being conducted in
accordance with the tank manufacturer's requirements (Ammonium
Nitrate (12 August 2013).
More...
Current National Consultations
Review of the mandatory standard for motorcycle helmets - public
consultation. Submissions close 2 September 2013 Hosted by the
Product Safety Australia
Cases
Inspector Spence v Multiplus Group Pty Ltd (ACN 132 085
824) [2013] NSWIRComm 69
Multiplus Group Pty Ltd (ACN 132 085 824) is convicted of the
offence and fined $110,000 with a moiety to the prosecutor.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - Occupational Health and Safety Act
2000 (the Act) - pleas of guilty to an offence under s 10(1) of the
Act (corporate defendant) and s 10(1) by virtue of s 26(1) of the
Act by the director - worker seriously injured after falling 3.7
metres through an unsecured penetration onto a concrete floor -
objective factors - subjective factors - whether corporate
defendant has limited financial capacity to pay a fine - respective
culpabilities of defendants - roles of co-defendants in
circumstances of offences – orders. More...
Inspector Estreich v Cement Australia (Kandos) Pty
Limited (ACN 004 158 972) [2013] NSWIRComm 65
Cement Australia (Kandos) Pty Limited is convicted of the offence
and fined $100,000 with a moiety to the prosecutor; OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH AND SAFETY - Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000
("the Act") - pleas of guilty to offences under s 10(2)
and s 8(1) of the Act - worker fatally injured while undertaking an
inspection of a component part of a cement processing plant at
premises at Kandos - omissions on part of both defendants to
install fixed guarding - other acts and omissions alleged -
objective factors considered - subjective factors considered -
respective roles of defendants in the circumstances of the offences
considered - Victim Impact Statement – Orders. More...
Legislation
Commonwealth
Poisons Standard 2013
This standard substitutes the Poisons Standard 2012 and its
amendments, and consists of the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling
of Medicines and Poisons No.4 (the SUSMP 4), as set out in Schedule
1 of this standard (22 August 2013). More...
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.