COVID-19 updates
Business shut down due to COVID-19 after trying to force
staff to work
A laundry company that tried to force its staff to come
back to work after an outbreak of coronavirus has its business shut
down by health authorities, with all staff working at the business
for the past month ordered to self-isolate and be tested for
coronavirus (31 July 2020).
More...
Hospitality venues told to play it safer after weekend
crackdown
Ten hospitality businesses will be fined after weekend
compliance activities conducted by the Department of Customer
Service found a host of serious breaches of the public health
orders in NSW (30 July 2020).
More...
'Guys rely on these': Fake face masks exposing
miners to black lung risk amid pandemic
The demand for P2 and N95 masks since the COVID-19
pandemic has put pressure on industries, like coal mining, that
routinely use them to protect workers from dust-borne diseases like
black lung (30 July 2020).
More...
Employers must notify WorkSafe of COVID-19 cases
Employers are now required to notify WorkSafe immediately
when they become aware a worker has received a confirmed
coronavirus (COVID-19) diagnosis in Victoria, effective from 28
July 2020. Failing to notify WorkSafe under section 38 of the OHS
Act can lead to fines of up to $39,652 (240 penalty units) for an
individual or $198,264 (1200 penalty units) for a body corporate.
More...
Inspector numbers boosted ahead of COVID safety
crackdown
Inspector numbers have been boosted and their powers
increased under the NSW Public Health Act 2010 in a bid to stop the
spread of COVID-19. Venues found to be flouting the NSW
Government's new COVID safety measures face fines, and could
even be shut down, as part of a joint operation between Liquor
& Gaming NSW, SafeWork and Fair Trading (25 July 2020).
More...
VBA: Face masks now compulsory for the building and
plumbing industry
If you live or work in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell
Shire, you must wear a mask or face covering when travelling to and
from sites and, most importantly, while you are on site. The VBA
recommends wearing a correctly fitted N95, P2 or KN95 mask if
working in close proximity with others (24 July 2020).
More...
In the media
Safer health care workplaces a priority in
Victoria
Improving health and safety outcomes for health care and
social assistance workers is the focus of a new WorkSafe strategy
for the state's fastest growing industry (30 July 2020).
More...
New research triggers crane compliance blitz in
NSW
Crane operators are being put on notice with SafeWork
inspectors conducting a compliance blitz across the state next
month. Minister for Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson, said
inspectors will be on site checking safe slinging and load
movements and issuing on-the-spot fines to anyone operating a crane
without a valid high-risk work licence (30 July 2020).
More...
Qld Worker guilty of hindering WorkSafe
investigation
The Alice Springs Local Court has convicted and fined a
worker $4,000 for hindering a NT WorkSafe investigation into a
serious incident at Ambalindum Station in Central Australia (30
July 2020).
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Dreamworld operator Ardent Leisure pleads guilty over
Thunder River Rapids ride deaths
The operators of Dreamworld have pleaded guilty to
three charges relating to the deaths of four people in 2016 at
the Gold Coast theme park. A coronial inquest into the four deaths
made findings of a series of failures at the park, including safety
and maintenance systems (29 July 2020).
More...
Hire company fined after worker's death
An equipment hire company has been convicted and fined
$85,000 following the death of a worker at its Braeside
headquarters, Victoria (27 July 2020).
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$50,000 grants to create mentally healthy
workplaces
Minister for Customer Service said the Recovery Boost
program, administered by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority
(SIRA), would fund projects that promote seeking assistance early,
supporting an individual's recovery and reducing stigma around
mental health (27 July 2020).
More...
Resources Regulator maps out mining health, safety
risks
The NSW Resources Regulator has released a list of
compliance priorities to improve safety in the mining, extractive
and petroleum industries (24 July 2020).
More...
Farm safety training goes viral
With the majority of NSW's farming events being
postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19, the NSW Government has
launched a new virtual platform to ensure agricultural workers have
access to safety training (24 July 2020).
More...
Farm safety on the national agenda as Vic gets dedicated
council
Victorian Minister for Agriculture has established a Farm
Safety Council, to provide advice to the Victorian Government and
agricultural sector about reducing injuries and deaths of people on
farms in Victoria. The Council will also provide guidance on the
activities that could be prioritised by government to make farms
safer (24 July 2020).
More...
Published – articles, papers, reports
Safe Work Australia fatality statistics
As at 16 July, there have been 95 Australian workers
killed at work in 2020. 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
Join National Safe Work month and support WHS through
COVID-19
Safe Work Australia is pleased to launch the theme for
this year's National Safe Work Month: Work Health and Safety
through COVID-19 and associated campaign kit (27 July 2020).
More...
NSW
Four mining compliance priorities
The Resources Regulator has published its
July - December 2020 Compliance priorities document which sets
out the key compliance priorities for the next six months.
Publishing this document serves to increase transparency, community
and industry confidence in regulatory activities and increase
levels of voluntary compliance.
Between July and December this year the Regulator aims to complete
four compliance priorities targeting: Respirable dust (revision to
the exposure standards); Progressive rehabilitation; Subsidence
management and Non-reporting of incidents.
Queensland
WorkCover Qld alert: Fake disposable respiratory
protective equipment
The purpose of this safety alert is to assist businesses
in identifying fake (non-certified) respirators and highlight the
risks associated with using them. In Australia, most disposable
respirators and filters that give protection against dusts and
other particles are classified and marked as P1, P2 or P3, in
accordance with the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1716:2012. View a
comparison of equivalent respirator certification standards for
further information (29 July 2020).
WorkCover Qld alert: Falling tree fatality
In June 2020, a man died after being struck by a tree he
was cutting down with a chainsaw.
These findings are not yet confirmed and investigations are
continuing into the exact cause.
Preventing a similar incident -. Manual felling of trees should
only be carried out by workers with appropriate training (e.g.
arborist or industry-based qualifications), experience and
competence for the particular tasks involved (22 July 2020).
More...
Victoria
Worksafe Victoria Safety Soapbox
In this edition, the editorial is on scaffolding safety
awareness. The edition also reminds employers and workers of the
safety issues of working on roofs, and links to WorkSafe guidance.
Access the 28 July 2020 edition of Safety Soapbox
here
Cases
Prosecution Result Summaries and Enforceable
Undertakings
G & I Developments Pty. Ltd
Melbourne Online Magistrates' Court (Moorabbin)
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 Section21(1) Outcome 30 Jul
2020
Seascape Constructions Pty Ltd
Melbourne County Court
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004,Occupational Health and
Safety Regulations 2017
Section23(1) Outcome 28 Jul 2020
Diamond Valley Pork Pty Ltd
Werribee Magistrates' Court
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 Section21(1) & 21(2)(a)
Outcome 23 Jul 2020
Austin Health
Heidelberg Magistrates' Court
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 Section21(1) & 21(2)(a)
Outcome 22 Jul 2020
United Access Pty Ltd
Melbourne County Court Occupational Health and Safety Act
2004 Section21(1), 21(2)(a) & 23(1)
Outcome 22 Jul 2020
Legislation
Victoria
Statutory Rules
No 78 Occupational Health and Safety (COVID-19 Incident
Notification) Regulations 2020
28 July 2020 - The objective of these Regulations is to
further the objects of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
by—(a) improving the information available to the Authority
to reduce the risks to health and safety in the workplace arising
from COVID-19; and(b) prescribing requirements for employers or
self-employed persons to notify the Authority immediately after
becoming aware that an employee has been diagnosed with the disease
COVID-19.
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.
