In the media
Australia's biggest companies hand out colouring
books to staff to foster mental health
Some of Australia's biggest companies are buying colouring
books for adults in bulk to help staff handle the stress of the
modern workplace (09 April 2015).
More...
Sacked Canberra public servant's medical advice
fail
A Canberra public servant sacked for refusing to front up to her
"injurious" workplace on the advice of her doctor has
lost an unfair dismissal appeal. The Fair Work Commission has
backed the Defence Department after it took the advice of its own
medical specialist over that of the employee's psychiatrist and
ordered its EL1 employee to return to her desk (09 April 2015).
More...
Cost on inefficiency prescribed to help better manage
fleets and human resources
The Victorian Transport Association (VTA) has offered a series of
strategies that aim to improve port safety through reducing waiting
times and stress for truck drivers, in its submission to the Road
Safety Remuneration Tribunal's (RSRT's) inquiry into the
wharf and port transport sector (08 April 2015).
More...
Criminal charges possible in mine deaths
Tasmania's Acting Director of Public Prosecutions is examining
the findings of an investigation into the death of three miners at
the Mt Lyell copper mine to decide if any criminal charges will be
laid over the workplace tragedies (09 April 2015).
More...
Jump in number of truck drivers testing positive for ice
concerns police
More truck drivers are being caught driving under the influence of
drugs, including ice, prompting a warning from police that a rogue
element is threatening public safety on the state's roads (07
April 2015).
More...
Safe Work Australia update incorrect fall arrest
diagram
Safe Work Australia have amended the code of practice for Managing
the Risk of Falls in the Workplace after a diagram illustrating
example calculations for a fall arrest system was found to be
incorrect (07 April 2015).
More...
The trouble with quad bikes: background
briefing
They're called the farmer's friend, but research indicates
that 15 to 20 people are killed and more than 1,000 are seriously
injured each year in quad bike accidents. The industry blames rider
behaviour, while safety experts say the bikes are inherently
unstable and want increased safety measures (05 April 2015).
More...
High Risk Licences reassessed in
Gladstone
High risk workers in Gladstone have been caught out with invalid
licenses after taking course assessments that did not meet
workplace health and safety accreditation standards (02 April
2015).
More...
Former ride attendant sues Dreamworld for $290K over
wrist injury
Ms Prince says she now suffers from intersection syndrome and De
Quervain's tenosynovitis in her right wrist, after her role as
a ride attendant she was required to perform approximately 1500
safety harness checks per shift (01 April 2015).
More...
New Asbestos Guidelines to Protect
Workers
The Andrews Labor Government welcomes WorkSafe's release of
new guidelines to assist workers who are removing or replacing
asbestos-cement pipes. The new guidelines are clear – any
asbestos waste created by pipeline removal or replacement must be
disposed of in accordance with occupational health and safety
regulations (01 April 2015).
More...
Feedback sought from operators of heavy vehicle braking
systems
As part of the National Heavy Vehicle Braking Strategy (NHVBS),
the Department is seeking feedback from heavy vehicle operators on
the effectiveness of heavy vehicle braking systems (01 April 2015).
More...
Minister launches Phoenix Australia: Centre for
Posttraumatic Mental Health
Under its new name, Phoenix Australia will continue working to
improve mental health services for veterans and currently serving
members of the Australian Defence Force, as well as the broader
community. In particular, ongoing work will focus on advancing
knowledge about posttraumatic mental health (31 March 2015).
More...
Increase in bus attacks leaves drivers fearful, leaving
their jobs
Assaults on buses are on the rise and more often than not the
victim is the driver, the Transport Workers' Union has warned
(30 March 2015).
More...
Published – articles, papers, reports
December 2014 Notifiable Fatalities Monthly Report:
SafeWork Australia
There were 24 work-related notifiable fatalities during December
2013 — 19 male workers and 1 female worker and 2 male and 2
female bystanders. Of these fatalities, 11 workers and 4 bystanders
died as a result of incidents in the air or on public roads (31
March 2015).
More...
NSW: Loose-fill asbestos weekly update
As of 2 April, 2015, 2,293 premises in the 26 local government
areas have registered for the free sampling service. Four samples
have returned positive results. Testing is ongoing with licensed
asbestos assessors currently undertaking inspections of properties.
More...
In practice and courts
RSRT: Submissions to the wharf and port sector inquiry
available online
Written submissions to the inquiry into a wharf and port sector
are available on this website (01 April 2015).
More...
More...
Recalls
LANplus Australia Pty Ltd—Ultipower Automatic Desulfation Battery Charger - 9th April 2015
Party Bestbuy Pty Ltd—LED light up Flying Arrow/Helicopter - 8th April 2015
Chens Bros Trading Pty Ltd—Butane Gas Cooker - 8th April 2015
BMW Australia Ltd.—BMW Motorcycles K25, K26, K27, K28, K29, K40, K43, K44 series. - 8th April 2015
Austcrown Pty Ltd—Auscrown AD90 Handy Range - 8th April 2015
Ohlins Racing AB—TTX36 Shock Absorber - 2nd April 2015
Kmart Australia Limited—Hammock on Metal Stand - 1st April 2015
Sitro Group Australia—Twin Portable Butane Cooker - 1st April 2015
Hino Motor Sales Australia—RN8J and RK8J Hino Buses - 1st April 2015
Yamaha Motor Australia Pty Ltd—MT09AF/F/TRAF Motorcycles - 1st April 2015
Australian Safety Standards released this month
DR AS 1668.1:2015
The use of ventilation and air conditioning in buildings - Fire
and smoke control in buildings Standards Australia.
More...
AS 1735.5:2015
Lifts, escalators and moving walks - Escalators and moving walks -
Standards Australia.
More...
kNOw Cancer Risks at Work Forum , 18 May
2015
The national forum will be highlighting prevention and elimination
of occupational cancer risks in Australia, and is open to
occupational health and safety professionals, industry
representatives and unions, researchers, public health
professionals and anyone with an interest in occupational cancers.
More...
NSW WorkCover: Risks of drowning around drainage pipes
safety alert
This safety alert warns people about the risks of becoming trapped
and drowning at drainage or pipe inlets (02 April 2015).
More...
Workcover Qld: Sun safety for outdoor
workers
Solar injury workers' compensation claims cost nearly $3
million in 2013–2014, according to data from WorkCover
Queensland (08 April 2015).
More...
QLD: Damaged cable results in feeder breaker fire, Mines
safety alert no. 315
A substantial fire occurred on a feeder breaker at an underground
coal mine. The investigation has identified the following
recommendations - all guards are correctly installed, and
electrical circuits are adequately protected and secured to prevent
damage and maintenance strategies are in place to prevent the
build-up of contamination such as oils, grease, coal or other
flammable materials (07 April 2015).
More...
QLD: Mine Safety Bulletin, No 149, 27 March
2015
In line with their strategic priorities in the Commissioner for
Mine Safety and Health Annual Performance Report 2014–15, the
Mines Inspectorate recently conducted Emergency Response audits at
10 Bowen Basin mines.
More...
VBA: Regulation change allows for new provisions for
slip resistance standards
An amendment has been made to the Building Regulations 2006 to
reflect changes in the Building Code of Australia (BCA) (02 April
2015).
More...
VIC: Worksafe Safety Soapbox –Safety Soapbox -
April 1 2015
Includes safety alerts, safety industry round up for all states.
More...
New Asbestos Guidelines to Protect
Workers
The Andrews Labor Government welcomes WorkSafe's release of
new guidelines to assist workers who are removing or replacing
asbestos-cement pipes. The new guidelines are clear – any
asbestos waste created by pipeline removal or replacement must be
disposed of in accordance with occupational health and safety
regulations (01 April 2015).
More...
Cases
Papalii v IKEA Distribution Services Australia
P/L [2015] NSWDC 36
LIMITATION OF ACTIONS – motor vehicle accident involving use
of forklift in the workplace – injury to employee driving
forklift – proceedings commenced out of time – whether
full and satisfactory explanation for delay in commencing
proceedings – whether extension of time warranted in the
circumstances.
More...
Athanasiadis v WorkSafe Victoria [2015] VCC
348
Industrial accident – specific incident involving
non-dominant elbow – plaintiff employed as motor mechanic
– identification and prognosis of injury – capacity for
suitable employment – assessment of medical and lay evidence
– leave granted. More...
Legislation
Commonwealth
Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Licence
Eligibility—Wilson Security) Declaration 2015
This declaration provides that Wilson Security Ptd Ltd is eligible
to be granted a licence under Part VIII of the Safety,
Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (09 April 2015). More...
Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code –
Schedule 9 – Mandatory advisory statements
This instrument includes new Schedule 9 in the Australia New
Zealand Food Standards Code (02 April 2015). More...
VictoriaProclamations
No. 65: Tobacco Amendment Act
2014
Assent 9/09/2014 Gazette S 306, 9 September 2014, p 2. Commenced
by Proclamation: see Gazette S 66, 31 March 2015, p 1.
Commencement: Ss 1-15 on 13/04/2015: SG (No. 66) 31/3/2015 p. 1. An
Act to amend the Tobacco Act 1987 to prohibit smoking in specified
outdoor areas and in the vicinity of pedestrian access points to
certain places, to increase the penalty for possessing certain
tobacco products and to amend inspectors' powers and for other
purposes.
More...
ACT
Dangerous Substances (loose—fill Asbestos
Eradication) Legislation Amendment Act 2015
Assent: 31/3/2015This Act is to amend the Dangerous Substances
Act 2004 so that the Minister is required to maintain a
register of residential premises that contain or have contained
loose-fill asbestos insulation (the affected residential premises.
More...
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.