By: VACC Bulletin Subsequent to the release of the below alert and following a number of serious incidents where vehicles have fallen from hoists whilst in an elevated position, WorkSafe is currently conducting an inspection program of automotive workshops to ensure compliance, particularly with a focus on vehicle hoist safety. The inspection program is looking …
By: health & safety bulletin, Michael Selinger A preventable fall from heights at a construction site in the ACT in 2016 that led to a 16-year-old work experience student suffering significant injuries has resulted in a fine of $180,000 being imposed this week on the head contractor Nikias Diamond. Two other contractors involved in the …
Negligent bosses can face 20 years in prison. Last Tuesday, the Victorian state government announced that it will be making workplace manslaughter a criminal offence under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. Under this new offence, any employer that negligently causes a workplace death can be fined up to $16.5 million, while individuals – …
In an incident that should resonate with most employers, a hospital worker in Victoria received a severe electric shock when they touched a power cord which had damaged protective outer insulation. WorkSafe Victoria, who investigated the matter, issued a safety alert given the widespread issue of the need for employers to test and tag electrical …
By: Australian Institute of Health and Safety Resources Regulator Chief Inspector of Mines Garvin Burns said the new campaign is the result of an industry-wide roundtable held last year. “While the NSW mining industry’s safety record exceeds other high-risk industries and is statistically one of the safest in the world, there is no room for …
By Worksafe Australia The campaign kit for this year’s National Safe Work Month campaign is now available. Using the campaign kit, everyone can support a safety culture at their workplace and promote best practice work health and safety initiatives. This year, the kit includes: NSWM brand kit posters editable posters flyers web graphics infographics (coming …
A number of separate incidents have occurred on the ACT’s worksites in recent times involving serious injury to several workers’ fingers. Some incidents have involved the use of power tools and others have involved placing hands in dangerous positions during various work activities. In response to these incidents, WorkSafe ACT issued a Power tool and …
National News While this is a Victorian article it is relevant nationally WorkSafe Victoria recently issued a safety warning over continued wet weather and said that construction sites and farms are of particular risk at this time of year with mud and waterlogged soil increasing the risk of slips, trips, falls and excavation or trench …
By Australian Institute of Health and Safety WorkSafe Victoria is urging employers to consider installing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and has recently published new guidance on their use in the workplace. WorkSafe’s guidance states that anyone with access to an AED can safely step in to handle a cardiac arrest crisis, knowing they cannot cause …
83 killed The preliminary number of Australians killed at work in 2019. $61.8 billion The cost of work-related injury and disease to the Australian economy. $480 million The total amount of workers’ compensation paid each year for work-related mental disorders. These numbers are simply staggering, and yet we continue to be surprised to find many sectors that have no appetite …
Health and safety handbook The debate about whether businesses and individuals should be able to insure against or be indemnified for WHS penalties will increase following the recommendation in the recent WHS Review to outlaw such insurance. The debate is even more critical with company officers increasingly facing harsher penalties for breaches of their obligations …
Worksafe Act Work-related hand and wrist injuries are the most common work-related injury type and are a significant issue in the Australian workforce. The injuries range from being relatively minor to very severe, most commonly involving the fingers, with sprains and open wounds the most common injury type and amputation the most severe injury type. …