In the Media

Prosecution over fall risk at prison development
Construction company John Holland has been charged with breaching federal work health and safety laws over a dangerous incident at a prison development in northern NSW (11 February 2021). More...

Court imposes $30,000 fine for dodgy electrical work and no licence
At a recent hearing in the Brisbane Magistrates Court, Daniel William Dawes was convicted and fined for multiple offences under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 and the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (10 February 2021). More...

Victorian government provides funding for industry associations to hire mental health specialists
Mental health specialists will be employed to work with key industry associations under a Victorian government program designed to offer support directly to small businesses as they continue to recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic (10 February 2021). More...

icare's wearable technology study helps keep M4-M5 Link Tunnels' workers safer
A study into wearable technologies funded by the icare Foundation is trialling a unique off-body exoskeletal technology to protect those working on Sydney's M4-M5 Link Tunnels (09 February 2021). More...

New guidelines to boost delivery driver safety
Draft guidelines have been released for industry consultation to provide better protection for workers in the food delivery industry. The guidelines outline existing hazards in the industry, such as poorly maintained bikes, fatigue and extreme weather conditions, and the actions that must be taken by delivery platforms, drivers and restaurants to mitigate these risks (09 February 2021). More...

'The unknown is terrifying': Young mum's deadly lung disease the tip of the iceberg
Workers at risk of developing an incurable, progressive and fatal lung disease need greater protections across a range of workplaces, the union movement says, warning proposed new health and safety measures won't help thousands of Australians (08 February 2021). More...

Work-from-home trend to create health and safety issues, expert warns
With office vacancies increasing and a major bank advertising more than 100 work-from-home positions, an expert is warning that a health and safety minefield is looming for employers who have chosen to ditch the office (08 February 2021). More...

More than half of Australia's truck drivers are obese and half experience psychological distress, survey finds
The largest national survey of the health of truck drivers finds widespread medical problems and psychological distress, with one truckie saying: "It's all about money, and the drivers, they're secondary." (06 February 2021). More...

Truck rollaway damages mine infrastructure
A New South Wales mine has reported damage to a pump and associated infrastructure at its heavy vehicle wash bay after an unattended haul truck rolled 65 metres and crashed into the pump (05 February 2021). More...

Published – articles, papers, reports

Work health and safety and workers' compensation scheme performance in 2018–19
Safe Work Australia has released the latest Comparative Performance Monitoring report, providing trend analyses on the work health and safety and workers' compensation schemes operating in Australia and New Zealand (February 2021).

Safe Work Australia Fatality statistics
As at 4 February, 9 Australian workers were killed at work in 2021. 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

Safe Work Australia: New workplace exposure standards: Public feedback
Australia is calling for public comment on the remaining 168 workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants. Safe Work Australia is reviewing the Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants to ensure they are based on high quality evidence and supported by a rigorous scientific approach.
You will be able to provide feedback for Release 15: Paraffin wax to Zirconium compounds until 30 July 2021 after which time feedback and recommendations will be finalised. More...

Safe Work Australia: Preventing workplace violence and aggression
New national work health and safety guidance has been developed by Safe Work Australia. The Guide: Preventing workplace violence and aggression provides information for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs), such as employers, on how to manage the risk of violence and aggression in the workplace, including gendered violence. The guide is supported by information sheets for small businesses and workers: Workplace violence and aggression – guidance for small business and Workplace violence and aggression – advice for workers.

Workplace health and safety: Covid restrictions for employers state by state
Australia's Covid restrictions vary widely from state to state despite low numbers of infection across the country.
Listed are the current workplace restrictions across Australia's eight states and territories (10 February 2021). More...

Queensland

Rockfall injures jumbo operator | Resources Safety & Health Queensland
9 February 2021: No 385
A jumbo operator suffered injuries when struck by a rock that fell from the roof of unsupported ground of an incline. Industry: Subject:Strata failure; Working positions. More...

Victoria

Energy Safe Victoria: Summarising the new Registration and Licensing Regulations
On 1 January 2021 the Electricity Safety (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2020 came into force, replacing the 2010 Regulations, which were revoked on 31 December 2020. ESV has produced a document summarising the key changes in the new Electricity Safety (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2020 (21 January 2021). More...

Cases

Prosecution Result Summaries and Enforceable Undertakings
Information about the most recent prosecution and Enforceable Undertaking outcomes.
Makesafe Building and Construction Pty Ltd
Ringwood Magistrates' Court – Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 Section 21(1) Outcome 10 Feb 2021

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