In the media
Hefty fine upheld for Damday over blast which killed
tradesman
The company fined $120,000 over the explosion that killed an Irish
tradie has lost a fight to have its penalty reduced. Damday Pty
Ltd, which owns Australian Airconditioning and Mechanical Services
lodged the appeal on the grounds the fine was "manifestly
excessive" (14 March 2014).
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WorkCover rolls out construction site safety
blitz
WorkCover NSW has launched a six-week work health and safety blitz
of commercial construction sites across Sydney and hot spots in
regional NSW. This blitz will target the commercial building
sector, specifically those sites involved in the construction of
multi-level buildings (14 March 2014).
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Asbestos scare closes Origin CSG operation in southern
Qld
Origin Energy says it is still trying to determine the full extent
of an asbestos scare that has shut down its southern Queensland
coal seam gas (CSG) operation. Origin spokesman Phil Craig says the
product came from an overseas supplier and is used as an additive
as part of a process to prepare for CSG gas production (14 March
2014).
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Barangaroo investigation commences
WorkCover NSW has commenced its investigation following the fire
at the Barangaroo construction site in the Sydney CBD. NSW
WorkCover is now working closely with the other emergency services
and the principal contractor to ensure any work carried out into
relation to this incident is carried out safely (13 March 2014).
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NSW to force old fuel tankers to be retrofitted with
electronic stability control
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Industry leaders call for improved mine
safety
It's widely accepted that Australia has one of the safest
mining industries in the world, but some suggest standards could be
slipping (12 March 2014).
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Reducing musculoskeletal problems in office workers: new
study
What is the best way to reduce musculoskeletal problems in office
workers? That's the focus of a new University of Queensland
(UQ) study. Researchers will aim to identify what's more
successful – an ergonomic assessment plus health promotion,
or an ergonomic assessment plus exercise training (10 March 2014).
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Coalition accused of meddling in Victorian WorkCover
safety campaign
Safety campaigns to protect workers have been scrapped in what
some say is a politically motivated attempt to make the state
government's key workplace authority less hostile to employers
(09 March 2014).
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WA scrapyard J & P Metals fined $80,000 after
death
J & P Group, trading as J & P Metals, pleaded guilty in
the Bunbury Magistrates Court to failing to provide and maintain a
safe work environment. The yard employed some Chinese nationals
with varying levels of understanding of English (04 March 2014).
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Court action over Perth City Link Rail Project
death
Comcare has filed legal proceedings in the Federal Court of
Australia against three John Holland entities that arise from a
fatal workplace incident which was part of the Perth City Link Rail
Project. John Holland Pty Ltd and John Holland Rail Pty Ltd have
previously had civil penalties imposed by the Federal Court for
breaching Commonwealth work health and safety laws (05 March 2014).
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In practice and courts
Comcare Alert 14 - Safety Recall: Polaris Ranger
500
This Alert concerns the risk of injury due to an engineering
characteristic of specific plant that may be in use (03 March
2014).
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ARPANSA Technical Report No. 164, 14 March
2014
Review of Radiofrequency Health Effects Research - Scientific
Literature 2000-2012. Report by the ARPANSA Radiofrequency Expert
Panel. More...
Office of the Commissioner Qld: Commissioner Safety
Alert 5 - dangerous year for mining contractors
2013-2014
Even though Queensland is not represented in these recent
statistics, contractors are vastly over-represented in Queensland
mining fatal accidents. Ensuring contractors are being managed
under a single SHMS is a key focus this year for the Queensland
Mines Inspectorate.
More...
QLD: Department of Mines: Guideline for Operating Plant
under the Petroleum and Gas Production and Safety Act 2004 and
interaction with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011
This document provides a guide of what is operating plant as
defined under the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act
2004 and how the safety provisions under that Act and
safety-related provisions under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011
and the regulatory agencies interact at the various stages of the
operating plant's life (04 March 2014).
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QLD: Workcover funding available for worker health and
wellbeing programs
From March, Queensland workplaces can apply for up to $1.4 million
in grant funding to create a healthy workplace where workers are
encouraged to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviours (03 February
2014).
More...
NSW: Workcover Work-related stress: Fact
sheets
Work-related stress is recognised globally as a major challenge
for workers and organisations and increased stress levels can lead
to poor performance. New fact sheets provide more information (06
March 2014).
More...
NSW Reminder: Workcover Farmer Safety
Rebate
The rebate is available until April 30, 2014. The $2,000 rebate is
payable to businesses which spend money on initiatives to make
working with tractors or livestock safer, or reduce employee
exposure to sun and noise.
More...
Cases
DPP v Melbourne Water Corporation [2014] VCC
184
Sentence – breach by a corporation of s21(1) and s21(2)(c)
of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 – death of
worker falling through a displaced grate upon a walkway –
previous instances of grate being displaced. Legislation Cited:
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004; Sentencing Act 1991.
Sentence: Conviction and fine of $400,000. More...
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