COVID-19 updates
How to clean and disinfect your workplace –
COVID-19
Safe Work Australia: 27 August 2020
This document provides guidance on routine cleaning, and cleaning
and disinfection following a case or suspected case of COVID-19 in
a non-healthcare workplace.
More...
COVID-19 Information for workplaces
A reminder of the information for workplaces on the SWA
website – for specific industries, case studies, how to do
risk assessments, and much more.
More...
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...
Allowing workers to remain in abattoirs while awaiting
Covid test results 'encourages screening'
Infectious diseases expert Prof Peter Collignon says new
public health guidelines encourage high-risk workplaces to test
employees regularly (21 August 2020).
More...
Victoria
Untangling COVID-19 workplace requirements
The coronavirus pandemic has increased the complexity of
workplace laws. It gets more confusing if your business is based in
multiple states (25 August 2020).
More...
Office of the Safety Commissioner: COVID-19 Update
– revised OFSC audit arrangements in Victoria
Considering current medical advice and having reviewed
safety risks to workers of accredited companies and to Federal
Safety Officers, I advise that the OFSC will further modify its
audit activities in Melbourne and across Victoria until COVID-19
restrictions ease (07 August 2020).
More...
Business Victoria: Construction sector
guidance
Sector guidance for construction business under
Melbourne's Stage 4 restrictions
Includes: Stage 4 restrictions; Permitted Work Premises;
Business Operating Reductions – Construction; Application (08
August 2020).
More...
In the media
Hunter construction sites fail compliance blitz
82 notices and six on-the-spot fines have been issued
following a construction site safety blitz across 54 commercial and
residential projects in the Hunter last week (25 August 2020).
More...
Inquiry examines why gas issues keep happening at
Queensland coal mines
Inquiry hears of desires to increase coal production
despite persistent safety issues. The inquiry is also looking at
the use of labour hire in the sector and the fear casual workers
will lose their jobs if they speak out or raise concerns. (23
August 2020).
More...
Farmers urged to buckle up
The NSW Government has launched a new campaign urging
farmers using side-by-side vehicles to wear seat belts following a
spate of deaths across the state (20 August 2020).
More...
Qld prosecutes its first individual for industrial
manslaughter
For the first time since the offence was enacted in
Queensland in 2017, a business owner is facing industrial
manslaughter charges following a July 2019 death (19 August 2020).
More...
Published – articles, papers, reports
Safe Work Australia Fatality statistics
As at 13 August, there have been 104 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
SafeWork NSW: General diving work –
qualifications
The newly issued an exemption for the general diving work
qualifications requirements of clause 171(1) of the Work Health and
Safety Regulation 2017. This exemption is granted until 31
December 2022. People who are qualified under AS 4005.2 –
2000 will need to complete three additional units of competency by
31 December 2022 to be legally qualified to undertake general
diving work in NSW.
More...
NSW Resources regulator: Practising certificates
required from 1 October 2020
From 1 October 2020 this year, individuals will only be
able to exercise a statutory function at a mine when they hold a
practising certificate. The
transitional arrangements that have allowed holders of
certificates of competence to exercise statutory functions will end
on 30 September 2020. Click
here for further information on practising certificates,
including how to apply.
NSW Resources Regulator: 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
Methane ignited by friction generated during rib bolting
| Business Queensland
20 August 2020: Mines safety alert 375
Mines Safety Alert from an event where methane ignited due to
friction generated during rib bolting
Contamination; Fires; Gases; Ventilation.
More...
WorkSafe Qld: Electrical safety awareness sessions in
regional Queensland
Ahead of Electricity Safety Week (7-11 September), a
series of electrical safety awareness sessions have been scheduled
around regional Queensland to coincide with local home shows (12
August 2020).
More...
Victoria
VTHC l psychosocial health standard
Many modern workplaces have a number of hazards that put
at risk the psychosocial health - or psychological health - of
workers. As is the case for other workplace hazards and risks, the
employer has a duty to identify these and then take action to
eliminate, or if this is not reasonably practicable, minimise them.
The VTHC has issued a Psychosocial Health Standard. More...
August edition of Safety Soapbox
Many electrical contractors and their employees have
entered the solar installation market. The editorial says that
there has already been one fatality where an employee of a solar
installer fell from a ladder while climbing down from the roof of a
house. Access the August 2020 edition of Safety
Soapbox
here – the summaries of reported incidents can be
downloaded from the page.
Worksafe Victoria Safety Alert: Electrician electrocuted
working at a domestic property
WorkSafe is issuing an alert about the risk of installing
cables in older domestic properties where the electrical supply has
not been de-energised and/or the integrity of existing electrical
cable is not known (26 August 2020).
More...
Cases
SafeWork NSW v Bullock MFG Pty
Limited [2020] NSWDC
457
CRIMINAL LAW – prosecution – work health and
safety – duty of persons undertaking business – risk of
death or serious injury SENTENCE – objective seriousness
– mitigating factors – aggravating factors – plea
of guilty – general deterrence – specific deterrence
– capacity to pay – appropriate penalty COSTS –
prosecution costs OTHER – lack of adequate training in the
operation of a die press machine provided to inexperienced worker
– no formal induction – worker had not operated the
press before the day of the incident – limited supervision
– press guard not functioning correctly – worker's
hand became caught in moving parts of the press causing serious
crush injuries and partial amputations – incident would have
been prevented if finger guards had been appropriately
adjusted.
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.