In the media
Work Health and Safety Board looks to better working
lives for Queenslanders
The Work Health and Safety Board has developed a five-year
plan to make Queensland safer. The Board, made up of
representatives from employer associations, trade unions and
academia, developed a five-year plan in response to the
recommendations of the Best Practice Review into Workplace Health
and Safety Queensland (24 October 2018).
More...
Improving skills and safety for Victorian farmers
Victorian farmers will get the support they need to work
smarter and more safely with the Andrews Labor Government
delivering a new program to improve safety across agricultural
industries and support workers to adopt new and emerging technology
(23 October 2018).
More...
Putting mental health and wellbeing first with mentally
healthy workplaces
Thousands of workers around the State will have better
support at work while overcoming mental health challenges thanks to
the NSW Government's Mentally Healthy Workplaces strategy.
Visit the new Mentally Healthy Workplaces website
here (22 October 2018).
More...
Palaszczuk Government saves plumbers $54 million
For health and safety reasons, some contractor classes
including plumbers are required to hold two licences, in this case
a contractor licence under the QBCC Act, and an
occupational licence under the Plumbing and Drainage Act.
MPAQ Executive Director Penny Cornah said the Palaszczuk
Government's new plumbing and drainage laws have taken the
first step to address the legacy matter around the occupational and
contractor licensing issue (18 October 2018).
More...
Dreamworld ride inspector handed blank maintenance
logs
An engineering consultant who signed off on the Thunder
River Rapids ride as mechanically and structurally safe weeks
before the fatal malfunction that killed four people in October
2016 was given entirely blank daily and annual maintenance logs for
the ride (17 October 2018).
More...
ISO 45001 published as joint Australian/New Zealand
Standard
Standards Australia has announced that AS/NZS ISO
45001:2018, 'Occupational health and safety management systems
– Requirements with guidance for use' has been published.
The International Standard provides guidance to organisations and
individuals responsible for safe work systems (17 October 2018).
More...
Published - articles, papers, reports
The framework surrounding the prevention, investigation
and prosecution of industrial deaths in Australia
On 26 March 2018, the Senate referred the inquiry into the
framework surrounding the prevention, investigation and prosecution
of industrial deaths in Australia to the Education and Employment
References Committee for inquiry and report by 20 September 2018.
On 13 September 2018 the Senate agreed to an extension of time for
reporting until 17 October 2018.
More...
Safe Work Australia fatality
statistics
As of 18 October 2018, there had been 100 fatalities
reported to Safe Work Australia. This is three more than the latest
update on October 4. The numbers and industries may vary from one
report to the next, as Safe Work receives more detailed
information. Check for updates and more details on fatalities since
2003 at
Safe Work Australia
In practice and courts
National
AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018
Requirements with guidance for use - Occupational health
and safety management systems - Requirements with guidance for use
- Standards Australia.
More...
AHRC Submissions - National Inquiry into Sexual
Harassment in Australian Workplaces
The Commission is interested in hearing from individuals
and organisations about their views and experiences relating to
sexual harassment in Australian workplaces. Submissions are now
open. The closing date for submissions is 31 January 2019.
More...
New South Wales
Consultation @ Work conference
If you are a Health and Safety Representative
(HSR), HSR training provider, small business, an
employer or a worker, you are invited to attend our free
Consultation @ Work Conference on the 31 October 2018 at Sydney
Cricket Ground.
More...
Queensland
WorkCover Queensland - Five Year Strategic Plan for Work
Health and Safety in Queensland
The Board has identified four main areas to focus on over
the next five years, with an emphasis on embracing innovation and
technology, designing healthy and safe work, fostering a culture of
health and safety, and regulating effectively (24 October 2018). More...
WorkCover Queensland - Workers injured when concrete
pipe toppled over
Excavation work introduces a number of risks that must be
managed, including the risk of people working in the excavation
being crushed by unrestrained or inadequately restrained pipes. In
addition, weather conditions such as rain or wind can affect ground
conditions and cause objects to become unstable. Control measures
to prevent unrestrained or inadequately restrained objects in the
excavation from toppling over are outlined
here (22 October 2018).
WorkCover Queensland - Worker injured in wall
collapse
Principal contractors and masonry contractors are also
jointly responsible for the development of a risk assessment, which
should identify any walls that may need temporary supports during
construction work. In addition to your risk assessment, an ongoing
inspection program should be established (19 October 2018).
More...
Victoria
Latest Safety Soapbox- 19 October 2018
This edition's editorial focussed on suicide with the
launch of Incolinks Blue Hats program to tackle suicide in the
construction industry.
More...
There were 78 incidents notified to WorkSafe in the period 28
September – 11 October 2018, including the usual burns,
lacerations, electric shocks, falls and more - but thankfully no
fatalities. Download the latest edition of Safety Soapbox,
including the attached Reported Incidents.
More...
Cases
Victoria
Victoria Prosecution Result Summaries and Enforceable Undertakings
Legislation
Queensland
Subordinate legislation as made – 19 October
2018
No 157Work Health and Safety
and Other Legislation Amendment (Postponement) Regulation
2018
No 164 Proclamation—Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018
(commencing certain provisions)
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.
