In the media
More chemicals added to database to ensure worker
safety
More than 750 chemicals have been added to the Hazardous
Chemical Information System to update classification information
available for manufacturers, importers, suppliers and end users.
The update includes the addition of 755 chemicals and amendments to
more than 600 currently listed chemicals (09 May 2018).
More...
New safety plan launched to help protect NSW
workers
Workers will be better protected thanks to a new safety
plan that aims to reduce injuries and fatalities in the
manufacturing sector, Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation
Matt Kean said (09 May 2018)
. More...
Farmer dies after being struck by trailer
A man in his 70s has died after being run over by a
trailer at a property near Ouyen. The fatality brings the number of
confirmed workplace deaths this year to ten, and is the sixth to
occur on a farm (08 May 2018).
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Fine for scalping incident increased to $150,000
A Victorian Shepparton fruit packing company has been
convicted and fined $150,000 on appeal following an incident which
left an employee with horrific scalping injuries. In January last
year, WorkSafe charged Kalafatis Pty Ltd with failing to provide
and maintain a safe plant, and one charge of failing to maintain a
safe system of work (04 May 2018).
More...
Housing sites on notice to reduce the risk of falls in
Victoria
WorkSafe inspectors are focusing on fall hazards in an
effort to reduce the number of workers injured at housing
construction sites. Since February 1 this year, 40 serious
incidents involving falls at construction sites have been reported
to WorkSafe (01 May 2018).
More...
Erect Safe and Lendlease fined $150,000 over forklift
incident at Barangaroo
A Baulkham Hills based scaffolding company, Erect Safe
Pty Ltd, has been fined $90,000 after a labourer was seriously
injured in a workplace incident at Barangaroo, Minister for
Innovation and Better Regulation Matt Kean said. Lendlease Building
Pty Ltd was also fined $60,000 in the Sydney District Court last
week over the 2015 incident, where the worker was hit by
scaffolding that fell from a forklift that was being driven by an
unlicensed driver (01 May 2018).
More...
New report reveals the global value of occupational
health programmes
The global burden of Occupational Health
(OH) issues is considerable. Fatal and non-fatal
work-related injuries and illnesses worldwide equate to a cost of
approximately €2680 billion. This new whitepaper discusses the
value of Occupational Health from a global perspective and provides
a synthesis of global evidence on the effectiveness of OH
interventions and cost effectiveness (30 April 2018).
More...
Workplace safety top priority
The NSW Government will continue to push for the highest
possible safety standards in the workplace, with two key ministers
making the pledge ahead of a ceremony to remember people who lost
their lives in work-related accidents. SafeWork NSW's Work
Health and Safety Roadmap for NSW 2022 puts the spotlight on
high-risk industries including transport, agriculture, construction
and manufacturing along with quad bikes, falls from heights and
forklifts (28 April 2018).
More...
Making Victorian buildings safer
The Victorian Budget 2018/19 includes $25 million to give
authorities the resources they need to check more buildings for
dangerous and combustible materials – and crack down on
builders who flout the law. The Victorian Building Authority
(VBA) is charged with the task of assessing 1,369
priority sites with planning or building permits identified by the
Taskforce (29 April 2018).
More...
Hunter companies fined over abattoir injury
A meat exporter and a labour hire company have been fined
a combined $105,000 after a man's arm was injured by a factory
meat processor, Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said.
Hunter Valley-based meat exporter E.C Throsby Pty Ltd and Mondex
Group Pty Ltd of Newcastle both pleaded guilty to failing to
protect the health and safety of workers in relation to the 2014
incident (27 April 2018).
More...
Published – articles, papers, reports
NHVR On the Road, Issue 33, 8 May
2018
On the Road provides important information on the heavy
vehicle industry, including the latest NHVR news and events,
relevant law and policy changes, and resources to help industry
members comply with the HVNL.
In practice and courts
NHVR: Heavy vehicle safety tools launched
The NHVR has launched a series of tools to help heavy
vehicle operators boost the safety performance of their business.
The resources include 10 guides and templates, fact sheets and an
information book. Further guidance material will be released later
this year. For more information on the NHVR's Safety Management
Systems visit www.nhvr.gov.au/sms (10 May
2018).
More...
NTC: Would you travel in an automated vehicle?
How will Australia's laws and regulations be affected
when a machine, rather than a human, is in control of a car? This
is one of the questions the National Transport Commission
(NTC) is seeking to answer in developing a
regulatory system for automated vehicles in Australia (04 May
2018).
More...
NHVR: EWDs get the green light
The NHVR will accept applications for approval for
Electronic Work Diaries (EWDs) from 28 May, after
releasing the final consultation.
More...
Australian Government inquiry into workplace health and
safety (WHS): consultation
The inquiry will examine the framework surrounding the
prevention, investigation and prosecution of industrial deaths in
Australia. Status: Accepting Submissions, closing on 06 June 2018,
Reporting Date: 20 September 2018.
More...
New Safety Standards
AS 4024.3201:2018
Safety of machinery - Plastics and rubber machines - Blow
moulding machines - Safety requirements. Standards Australia.
New South Wales
SafeWork NSW Safety Alerts
Forklift Load Handling Safety Alert 08/05/2018
If you work with forklifts, watch this video for simple
steps to handle loads safely.
Don't Cut Old Drums Safety Alert
08/05/2018
Flammable substances can still be present in old drums.
Even if they have been cleaned and rinsed, the introduction of an
ignition source can create a disastrous explosion. Cutting old
drums isn't worth the risk - watch this video safety alert for
more details.
Working with Horses Safety Alert 08/05/2018
Watch this video safety alert for ways to help keep you
and your workers safe around horses.
Unpacking Glass Sheets Safety Alert 08/05/2018
This safety alert reminds people who handle packs of
glass sheets not to rely on the packaging to support the contents
when the package is being lifted or opened.
Working with Hot Oil Safety Alert 08/05/2018
Working with hot oil can cause burns as well as slips,
trips and falls. Watch this video safety alert for tips on how to
avoid hot oil injuries in your workplace.
Queensland
WorkCover Queensland eSAFE 2018
eSAFE - April 2018 – 30 April 2018.
Victoria
WorkSafe Victoria: Safety Soapbox 04 May 2018
Access the May edition of Safety Soapbox:
Safety Soapbox 4 May 2018. This edition features the new codes
and also the regulator's falls blitz.
WorkSafe Victoria: New Demolition and Excavation
compliance codes now available
The
Demolition compliance code replaces the Demolition
Code of Practice (1991) and the
Excavation compliance code replaces the Safety
precautions in trenching operations Code of Practice (1988).
The new codes provide practical guidance on how to improve health
and safety at workplaces in relation to demolition and excavation,
and meet the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety
Regulations 2017 (03 May 2018).
More...
Cases
Harrison v Kilby [2018] QMC
006
INDUSTRIAL LAW – WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY -
PROSECUTION - Whether an act was 'reckless' – Whether
the element of 'recklessness' requires 'conscious
disregard of risk' at the time of the offence – Whether
'recklessness' requires 'conscious disregard' of
the risk at the time of the offence. -Whether offences under
Chapter 9 of the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act
2004 are limited to individuals – If so, whether the
legislature intended a corporation to be incapable of committing an
offence under s.704 of the Petroleum and Gas (Production and
Safety) Act 2004 despite s.840 of that same Act. – If
not, whether the co-accused has established a defence under
s.840(3)(a) of the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety)
Act 2004.
Worksafe Victoria Prosecution Result Summaries & Enforceable Undertakings
Olive Constructions Pty Ltd 130 676
078 03/05/2018
Crush injuries; Failure to provide information,
instruction, training or supervision; Failure to ensure the means
of entering and leaving a workplace is safe; Failure to provide a
safe workplace Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
26(1); Magistrates' Court.
Kalafatis Packing Pty Ltd 144 731 733
03/05/2018
Failure to provide a safe system of work; Guarding;
Unguarded plant; Failure to provide and maintain plant; Failure to
provide a safe working environment; Plant. Occupational Health
and Safety Act 2004 21(1)&(2)(a); Shepparton County.
Charalambos Maheras
01/05/2018
Crush injuries; Traffic management; High risk
construction work; Plant. Occupational Health and Safety Act
2004 21(1); Melbourne Magistrates Court.
KDR Victoria Pty Ltd 138 060 74
30/04/2018
Burns; Electric shock; Failure to provide a safe system
of work; Failure to provide information, instruction, training or
supervision. Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
21(1)&(2)(a); 21(1)&(2)(e); Heidelberg Magistrates'
Court.
Jarred Brewer 26/04/2018
False information; Fraud. Workplace Injury
Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 581(1); 585(1);
Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court.
Legislation
Queensland
Bills
Mines Legislation (Resources Safety) Amendment Bill
2018
Stage reached: 2nd reading to be moved on 8/05/2018
Amendment of Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 -
Amendment of s.33 (Obligations for safety and health). Section
33—If a corporation has an obligation under this Act, an
officer of the corporation has obligations under division 3A (also
safety and health obligations and Section 34 Discharge of
obligations. A person on whom a safety and health obligation is
imposed must discharge the obligations.
Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Bill 2018
Government Bill introduced on 1/05/2018 and referred to
Transport and Public Works Committee.
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.
