Safe Work Australia is seeking public comments on proposed policy options for managing occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica.Safe Work Australia Chief Executive Michelle Baxter said people who work with engineered stones, natural stones, and concrete face increased risks of exposure to silica dust.“Workplace exposure to silica dust has…
An elderly man has been killed in a farming incident southeast of Melbourne. The 82-year-old man became trapped in a harvester at Gembrook on Wednesday morning.The man was working alone at the time of the incident.WorkSafe Victoria has opened an investigation into the incident.Originally published on WorkSafe Victoria website.…
NT WorkSafe urges people celebrating with fireworks on Territory Day to prioritise safety.Territory Day is celebrated on 1st July each year, and many residents and visitors celebrate the day with a fireworks display.The safety watchdog has advised residents to only purchase fireworks from licenced retailers. It further warns residents against storing u…
The NSW Government has received more than 10,000 reports about unsafe work practices since the Speak Up Save Lives app was launched.Launched in May 2020, the app allows workers to anonymously report workplace safety issues to SafeWork NSW.Minister for Fair Trading Eleni Petinos said the milestone shows more employers and workers are willing to report u…
Safe Work Australia has published an independent research report on workers’ perception and knowledge of workers’ compensation systems.The research was undertaken by the Behaviour Change Collaborative in partnership with the Collaboration for Evidence Research and Impact in Public Health at Curtin University.Researchers surveyed more than 1000 workers…
A quad bike rider has died following a crash southwest of Christchurch Sunday morning.A spokesperson said police responded to reports of a fatal ‘workplace incident’ near Ashburton at about 11 am.Worksafe NZ confirmed an investigation has been launched following the incident.Originally published in the Stuff.…
A worker was rushed to hospital after his arm was severed in a workplace incident in the Hunter Region on Wednesday evening.Paramedics were called to Tomago around 8pm to treat the man, aged in his 30s.He was treated at the scene before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition.Read the original story here.…
A Victorian transport company has been charged following an incident in which a worker sustained serious injuries when a crane truck he was operating contacted overhead power lines. The company faces three charges under the Victorian OHS Act for failing to provide and maintain a safe workplace following the incident in April 2021.WorkSafe alleges that…
The Queensland Government has increased the average premium rate for workers’ compensation insurance. For the financial year 2022–23, Queensland businesses will pay $1.23 per $100 of wages paid. The average premium rate for 2020-2021 was $1.20 per $100 of wages paid.WorkCover CEO Bruce Watson said, “While this is the first premium increase since 2012-2…
There are many essential safety documents that every workplace should have in place. Using these documents helps to protect employees, prevent fatalities, and ensure a culture of safety in the workplace.
Safety in the Workplace
In 2020,
Safe Work Australia estimated that a total of 194 workers were fatally injured while performing thei…
A man has died in an incident at an Auckland workplace.Paramedics were called to the scene on Tuesday afternoon following reports of a fatal workplace incident.The man died after reportedly being crushed by timber at a construction site in Onehunga.Police also attended the scene.WorkSafe NZ will investigate the incident.Read the original story in …
A traffic controller has died after being crushed by a truck trailer in northern Victoria.The truck trailer was delivering gravel in Wahring on Wednesday afternoon when it tipped onto the 64-year-old man.WorkSafe has opened an investigation into the fatal incident.Source WorkSafe Victoria website.…
The Queensland Government has recently passed new laws banning ‘claim farming’ for personal injury or workers’ compensation claims.Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman said the new laws demonstrate the Queensland Government’s commitment to stop the practice of claims farming.“Claim farmers cold call or approach individuals to coer…
SafeWork SA plans to conduct a state-wide compliance campaign early next month to look at the issue of violence and aggression in the retail sector. Inspectors will visit retail outlets both in metropolitan and regional areas to ensure businesses are managing the risk of violence and aggression at the workplace.SafeWork SA says a good number of workers…
Victoria’s safety authority has launched an investigation following the death of a man who fell at a Melbourne hotel on June 12.WorkSafe confirmed the 50-year-old man died in hospital on Saturday.“It is understood the 50-year-old guest walked through an aluminium screen and fell 60 centimetres onto the concrete below, striking his head,” WorkSafe Victo…
Western Australia has recorded the 12th work-related death in the agricultural industry in as many months, prompting a WorkSafe inquiry into the sector.WorkSafe WA said a 24-year-old man died on a farm in the Great Southern region on Tuesday, after being struck on the head when the equipment he was using to tow a bogged vehicle failed.The inquiry will…
Entries for the 2022 WorkSafe Queensland Farm Safety Calendar Competition close on Friday 24 June, and primary school children are encouraged to enter the annual drawing competition.Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace urged Queensland kids to use their drawing skills to raise awareness about farm safety."It's about getting creative to help save l…
WorkSafe New Zealand has recently received the Rainbow Tick accreditation, which recognises the safety regulator's commitment to fairness, diversity, and inclusion."To be a good regulator and a good employer, WorkSafe needs to ensure our kaimahi and the communities they serve are reflected in our organisation," says WorkSafe Chief Executive Phil Parkes…
A man has been killed in a farming incident in southern New South Wales.Police said the man died after being struck in the head by a metal shackle while trying to pull a stuck bulldozer on Saturday afternoon.Emergency services were called to reports of a farming incident at a property near Monteagle at about 5.15 pm.The 33-year-old man couldn't be revi…
Workers in the Northern Territory are reminded to renew their WorkSafe issued licences following an increase in the number of workers trying to renew expired licences.The safety regulator also reminds High-Risk Work Licence holders who want to change their residential addresses that they have to notify NT WorkSafe within 14 days of the change occurring…
The NSW Government is inviting the public to provide input on the proposed Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation 2022.Mining Exploration and Geoscience (MEG) has published a regulatory impact statement (RIS) examining the benefits of the proposed Regulation and its costs.The NSW Government said, "the proposed Regulation will re-…
A transport service company has been convicted on 24 charges under WA's fatigue management laws, fined $89,000 and ordered to pay $6,807 in costs.The company was fined $80,000 after pleading guilty in the Midland Magistrates Court to 21 charges relating to breaches of hours of work fatigue regulations. The court also ordered the company to pay $9,000…
WorkSafe Victoria is warning divers who filled their tanks or cylinders at an East Gippsland dive shop not to use them after unsafe carbon monoxide levels were found.An inspection conducted by the safety regulator found three cylinders containing carbon monoxide levels of at least 150 parts per million (PPM). The acceptable carbon monoxide level is 5 P…
WorkSafe Queensland reminds workers about the risks associated with loading or unloading hay bales from trucks or trailers after a worker sustained serious spinal injuries when struck by a hay bale last month. The worker was standing near a truck when the hay bale fell on him.WorkSafe is conducting an investigation to establish the cause of the inciden…
Submissions for the 2022 Safe Work and Return to Work Awards are now closed, with winners set to be announced during national Safe Work month in October.The awards presented by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland feature a category recognising the best response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the award was won by an Australian beef business.Safet…
WorkSafe is investigating a fatal workplace incident at a North Coogee salt refinery.The safety watchdog said the worker was caught in a conveyor belt on Thursday morning.WorkSafe WA said, "WorkSafe investigators examine the circumstances of incidents with a view to ensuring compliance and preventing future incidents of a similar nature."Source: W…
A Southland man has died after a workplace incident on Wednesday morning.Police confirmed emergency services were called to Kaiwera, Gore, just before 10 am.WorkSafe has been notified, and police will refer the man's death to the Coroner.Source: New Zealand Police. …
A Victorian stonemasonry company has been fined a total of $25,000 for failing to protect workers from exposure to crystalline silica.The company was recently fined in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to two charges of failing to provide and maintain a safe working environment.It was fined $12,500 for failing to put in place measu…
Learn what Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) are and how to use them. Plus, view our SWMS examples and templates to help you get started in ensuring safe practices in your workplace.
A well-written SWMS statement is one of the most important aspects of any safe working procedure. When starting or updating your organisation's safety protocol docum…
A man was injured in an incident involving a farm tractor in Napier on Sunday morning.Emergency crews responded to reports of a tractor rollover west of Taradale just before noon.It is believed a 64-year-old man was seriously injured when a tractor overturned.He was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital, where he remained in a serious condition Sunday night.So…
Entries are now open for the 2022 WorkSafe Victoria Awards.The awards honour businesses and individuals who make workplace health and safety a priority and injured workers who overcame obstacles on their return-to-work journey.WorkSafe Chief Executive Officer Colin Radford said "every entry is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Victorians w…
A worker suffered minor smoke inhalation after a factory fire near Newcastle on Tuesday afternoon.Emergency services were called to Parker Street, Carrington about 5.30pm following reports of a fire.A 49-year-old man was treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation. He was later transported to hospital as a precaution.The fire was later extinguished…
Discover the significance of a risk assessment in protecting your organisation or workplace from hazards and risks. Foster a culture of safety among employees by regularly conducting it.What is a Risk Assessment?
A risk assessment is a process or method used to identify risks and hazards in the workplace. It is also used to assess the potential…
National Burns Awareness Month
This month is National Burns Awareness Month, and we're raising awareness about burns at work.
According to Safe Work Australia Data, nearly 2,000 workers were seriously injured in burn accidents last year.
Electrical burns, chemical burns and thermal burns are common injuries in the workplace and don't for…
Do you know how to manage risk at work?
Health and safety risks are an inherent part of any workplace. Whether it's a slip, trip or fall in an office or exposure to hazardous materials in a factory, every business needs to have a plan in place to deal with these risks.
This is where risk management planning comes in. Risk management planning…
Are you aware of these common workplace dangers?
We know it can be overwhelming trying to keep your Health and Safety in check.
Health and safety should always be a top priority in the workplace. Unfortunately, accidents can still happen, even when precautions are taken. To help ensure a safe working environment, here are 10 of the most common un…
Six workers were reportedly exposed to potentially acidic dust at a Western Australian lithium plant, according to ABC News.Reports indicate the incident happened last Thursday when dust from an incorrect chemical mix escaped through a vent."Six contractors visited the site's medical centre for first-aid treatment prior to being released," the company…
The NSW Resources Regulator has published an investigation information release after two mine workers suffered serious injuries while installing pipes at a mine site near Morisset last month.It happened on 17 May when high-pressure air unexpectedly escaped from an air pipe close to where the two were working. The Resources Regulator deployed investigat…
Quad bike crashes are major causes of deaths and serious injuries on Australian farms. So far this year, five Australians have been killed by quad bikes, including an 82-year-old woman, latest data from Safe Work Australia indicates.Of the five fatalities, three were in Western Australia, while New South Wales and Tasmania had each one fatality. Three…
A woman in her 50s and a teenage girl are recovering in hospital after falling from their horses north of Sydney.Emergency services were called to the incident at Calga shortly before 9.45 am on Saturday morning.The woman was airlifted to the Royal North Shore Hospital with a head injury, while the teenager was transported by road to the same hospital.…
WorkSafe Victoria has issued a safety alert to remind farmers about the dangers of riding on trailers.The safety regulator issued the alert following an incident in which a worker died after falling from a trailer in February. “In 2022, we have already had a death and one very serious incident involving people riding on trailers behind farm vehicles, s…
Safe Work Australia has released a new guide to assist duty holders in managing the risks associated with industrial rope access systems. According to Safe Work Australia, the guide provides information about anchor inspection and testing, selection and installation of anchors, rope protection, and exclusion zones.“PCBUs must understand their work heal…
WorkSafe New Zealand is warning contractors against using high-pressure water blasting to clean asbestos-containing roofing material.New Zealand's workplace health and safety regulator says painting contractors are using high-pressure water blasting to clean asbestos-containing roofing material in preparation for painting.Many buildings in New Zealand…
Safe Work Australia has published amendments to the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws.A number of recommendations from the 2018 review of the laws have been implemented in the current version of the model WHS laws.Safe Work Australia said the amendments don’t automatically apply in a jurisdiction.“For the model WHS Act and model WHS Regulations t…
A Canberra construction company has been fined $450,000 after a carpenter fell to his death at a Denman Prospect worksite in 2020.The company was fined by the Industrial Court Magistrate after pleading guilty to a charge laid against it over the fatal incident earlier this year.ACT Work Health and Safety Commissioner Jacqueline Agius, said duty holders…
A Perth engineering company faces charges following the death of a worker in May 2019.The worker died after being crushed by the boom of a welding manipulator.WorkSafe WA has charged the company with failing to provide a safe work environment and, by that failure, causing the death of an employee.The case will be mentioned in the Midland Magistrates Co…
SafeWork SA has partnered with relevant stakeholders in the construction industry to publish new guidance on managing the risks of silica dust.The guidance material contains information on how to control exposure risks, Safe Work Method Statements and the duties of principal contractors on construction projects. Information on what causes exposure, hea…
The NSW Resources Regulator is conducting a casual investigation into a misfire incident at a gold mine last month.The Resources Regulator said the incident occurred due to an “unexpected initiation of electronic explosive detonators.”The incident happened on 18 May 2022, when two locations were loaded for firing with electronic detonators. The detonat…
WorkSafe Victoria has issued a safety alert about the dangers of overhead powerlines on farms following reports of large machinery making contact with powerlines across Victoria and South Australia.The safety regulator says incidents of farm machinery contacting powerlines have increased over the last two years.“If contact is made with an overhead powe…
Safe Work Australia has developed a new online tool to help workers in the agriculture industry meet their obligations under the model WHS laws.Safe Work Australia encourages workers to use the tool to find out how to meet their WHS duties.Safe Work Australia said, “The tool also outlines common WHS hazards, including working in confined spaces, workin…
SafeWork SA has recently suspended a class B asbestos removal licence holder for failing to ensure work authorised by the licence was performed safely.The safety agency said the business “failed to remove all asbestos from a workplace and did not decontaminate the area where asbestos had been removed.” SafeWork added that the contractor did not receive…
WorkSafe WA has issued an improvement notice to a lithium plant in Kemerton after workers were reportedly exposed to toxic gases.The safety regulator has instructed the company to install safety barriers to protect those working near the plant that is being commissioned.WorkSafe launched an investigation in April following complaints about unsafe worki…
Safe Work Australia has recently updated the 2022 work-related fatality figures.A total of 74 work-related deaths have been reported this year.Transport, postal and warehousing workplaces have recorded 31 fatalities, Agriculture, forestry and fishing 16 fatalities and Construction 6 deaths.Public, administration and safety workplaces have seen five fat…
A New Zealand waste company has been sentenced after a worker died from chemical poisoning.The worker died after being exposed to toxic gas at a treatment pit in Seaview in August 2017.WorkSafe said the worker was exposed to ‘at least 500 parts per million of hydrogen sulphide.’ The maximum workplace exposure allowed is 10 parts per million over an eig…
A man has been flown to hospital following a quad bike rollover in South West Queensland.The RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter was tasked to a property south-east of Roma at about 2 pm on Wednesday afternoon.The man in his 60s was flown to Toowoomba Hospital in a stable condition.According to Safe Work Australia figures, four Australians have been kill…
The NSW Government has partnered with Essential Energy to deliver free educational farm safety programs for women agricultural workers in regional NSW.Minister for fair trading Eleni Petinos said the ‘Women in Agriculture Lunch and Learn’ series will focus on farm safety issues, including working near electricity, safety around farm vehicles, and at-ri…
Emergency services, including police were called to an Auckland farm following reports of a workplace incident on Wednesday morning.It is believed a man aged in his 30s was struck by a falling tree.He died at the scene.WorkSafe has been notified of the incident.Originally published in the New Zealand Herald.…
A man has died in a workplace incident in South Australia.Police said the 39-year-old man was found unresponsive inside an electrical pit at a construction site in Walkerville Wednesday morning.The man was declared dead at the scene.SafeWork SA is investigating, and police will prepare a report for the coroner.Originally published on the SA police…
The NSW Resources Regulator has released its quarterly safety report for January to March 2022 to help the industry improve workplace safety. The regulator says the report provides details on incidents and trends relating to hazard management.The report shows during this period (January-March 2022), the total incident notifications received by principa…
A WA building company has been fined $45,000 after a worker fell about three metres through a void and sustained multiple injuries three years ago.The man was working at a Perth construction site in January 2019 when the incident occurred. The company was fined at the Rockingham Magistrate’s Court after pleading guilty to failing to provide a safe work…
A 56-year-old woman has died after falling from a horse south of Adelaide.Paramedics were called to a property near Victor Harbor at about 1pm on Friday.The woman died at the scene.SafeWork SA is investigating.Read the full story on the ABC News website.…
A man was airlifted with a serious hand injury following a Monday morning farm incident southwest of Sydney.It happened at a property near Taralga.A man in his 70s was treated at the scene after a silo fell on him.He was flown to Canberra Hospital in a stable condition.Originally published in the Goulburn Post.…
The operator of a Victorian power station will plead guilty to three charges of breaching the OHS Act following the death of one of its workers. The 54-year-old man suffered severe burns while working at a power station in Latrobe Valley in November 2018. He died in hospital the following day. The man had worked at the power station for 30 years.WorkS…
WorkSafe Victoria has warned businesses of the potentially deadly risks of working with lead after inspectors issued improvement notices to 11 workplaces over unsafe practices in the past six months.WorkSafe Acting Executive Director Health and Safety Adam Watson said inspectors found one workplace which had no system for controlling risks associated w…
WorkSafe Queensland has issued a safety alert after a worker was seriously injured after being struck by a steel post in March this year.WorkSafe Queensland says the worker was installing a retaining wall at a residential construction site when the incident occurred.“The steel post had been stood upright, using a sling attached to an excavator in close…
A New Zealand farm worker has been fatally injured following an incident involving a farm vehicle.The person was working on a rural property in Auckland Monday afternoon when the incident took place.The worker died at the scene, according to police.WorkSafe will investigate the incident.Read the original story on One News.…
Conference aims to make mental health a priority for the Australian music industry
The first-ever Head First mental health and wellbeing conference for the Australian music industry was recently held in Sydney.
The conference brought together music leaders from across the country to discuss steps that the industry can take to improve workpl…
WorkSafe WA is investigating a lithium plant following complaints about unsafe working conditions.WA’s workplace health and safety regulator launched investigations in April after workers were reportedly exposed to toxic gases at the facility south of Perth.A number of workers were taken to hospital following the incident.The Department of Mines, Indus…
Two construction companies have escaped prosecution after WorkSafe NZ accepted their enforceable undertakings following the death of a cyclist in October 2019.The cyclist died after being struck by a truck entering a construction site.A WorkSafe investigation found the companies had no traffic management plan, thus putting members of the public at risk…
WorkSafe Victoria has issued a reminder to employers to work safely with portable ladders after two people were seriously injured when the ladders they were on failed without warning.WorkSafe said both ladders had plastic/polymer structural components that appeared to have UV (sun) damage.Falls are the number one cause of death and serious injury in th…
An Auckland poultry company will pay $30,000 to an employee after her thumb was severed while cleaning machinery.The company was also fined $200,000 following the incident in October 2020.According to New Zealand's workplace health and safety regulator, WorkSafe, the worker’s thumb got caught between the edge of an opened access latch and the rotating…
New research shows more injuries were reported in the food delivery industry during Brisbane lockdowns.Researchers at a Brisbane hospital recorded 22 incidents, between September 2020 and September 2021."Every time there was a lockdown, there was a spike in [delivery driver] cases," Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH) emergency specialist Dr Ber…
Queensland ambulance paramedics have treated a man for chest injuries after a quad bike incident in South West Queensland.The LifeFlight SGAS was called to the scene soon after the Thursday afternoon incident.The chopper flew the man in his 30s to Roma Airport. He was later transported to hospital by ambulance paramedics.He travelled in a stable condit…
Figures from the 2021 National Return to Work Survey show injured workers covered by the federal workers' compensation scheme, Comcare, are returning to work at high rates.According to the figures, the majority, (96%) of those surveyed reported returning to work at some point since their injury. The survey of 619 workers, conducted between 22 June and…
Tasmania police have issued a reminder to drivers to slow down when approaching work sites after a man was caught driving at 104km/h in a 60km/h road works zone.Tasmania Police Inspector Jim Semmens said 67 people were caught speeding in that section of road in two days.“We’ve had officers there in a bid to reduce dangerous driving behaviour and keep o…
New laws requiring Tasmanian drivers to safely slow to 40 km/h when passing roadside assistance vehicles with flashing yellow lights will come into force on 1 August 2022.Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said the new laws aim to protect roadside assistance workers "conducting call-out or breakdown assistance, towing, battery repla…
A Victorian court has ordered a business manager to pay $100,000 in overpayments after an investigation revealed that he defrauded the state's workers' compensation scheme.The business manager pleaded guilty in the Ringwood Magistrates' Court to a charge of fraudulently obtaining payments. He was fined $10,000 in addition to the restitution amount.The…
The NSW Resources Regulator will start a targeted intervention campaign for vehicle safety at open cut mines across the State next week.The Regulator says the campaign will focus on the role played by workers and mine leadership teams in ensuring safe vehicle operations.The Regulator said "We view the role of each mine's leadership team and workers as…
National Road Safety Week runs from May 15 to May 22, and this year’s theme is ‘protect our protectors’, reminding Tasmanian drivers to ‘slow down to protect those who protect us and assist us.’Inspector Darren Hopkins said drivers in Tasmania are required to slow down to 40km/h when passing emergency vehicles."This road rule was introduced in December…
WorkSafe reminds Victorian employers that new regulations to help protect workers from exposure to deadly crystalline silica dust took effect from 15 May.Crystalline silica is found in ceramic tiles, marble, engineered stone and concrete bricks. Inhalation of silica dust can cause respiratory diseases such as silicosis.In 2021, four workers died from s…
New laws to improve the safety of quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles in Queensland workplaces have been proposed.The proposed changes are contained in a discussion paper, according to WorkSafe Queensland. "Written submissions are sought from all interested parties on the specific questions and key issues identified in the discussion paper," WorkSafe…
The federal work health and safety regulator, Comcare has accepted an enforceable undertaking from a contractor after a worker was injured in a fall more than three years ago. The contractor was charged with violations of the federal WHS Act following an investigation by Comcare.Comcare's head of Regulatory Operations Justin Napier said the agreement w…
The Tasmania Government has joined with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) to promote safe driving around heavy vehicles ahead of the 2022 National Road Safety Week.Tasmanian Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said four people were killed in crashes involving heavy vehicles in 2021."No death on our roads is acceptable," Mr Ferguson said."I wa…
Charges have been laid against a Victorian accommodation business following an incident in which a falling tree branch fatally crushed a camper in March 2021.The company faces two charges under the Victorian OHS Act for failing to ensure the workplace was safe and without risks.WorkSafe accuses the company of failing to take measures to reduce the risk…
SafeWork SA has commenced prosecution action against a poultry company following the death of a worker last year.The man died after being struck by a reversing trailer at the company’s Adelaide plant in May 2021.SafeWork SA alleges the company failed to manage the risks associated with interactions between pedestrians and mobile plant.Read the original…
Two building companies and their directors have been fined for breaching Queensland’s Work Health and Safety Act 2011 over an incident in 2014.The defendants were prosecuted after a Workplace Health and Safety Queensland inspector found workers on a roof without adequate fall protection.They were fined a total of $105,000 by the Noosa Magistrates Court…
So far this year, four people have been killed in quad bike incidents, according to Safe Work Australia.Two of the fatalities occurred in Western Australia, while the States of New South Wales and Tasmania each had one fatality.Quad bikes are the leading cause of farm deaths in Australia. In 2021, there were 11 quad bike fatalities in Australia.See&nbs…
A 12-year-old boy who was seriously injured after falling from height at a Perth construction site has died.The boy was rushed to Perth Children's Hospital in a critical condition following the incident on Monday night.He was playing with friends at the site when the incident took place.WorkSafe WA is investigating the circumstances of the incident.For…
A Queensland roofing company and its sole director have been sentenced for safety failings after a worker fell through a skylight and sustained serious injuries.The Southport Magistrates Court heard that another roofing company engaged the defendants to cover skylights on a shed roof with metal sheeting in December 2019. The defendant left the worksite…
WorkSafe ACT's strategy to prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders was recently launched to demonstrate its commitment to workplace health and safety.WorkSafe ACT says Construction, Healthcare, and Retail industries account for more than half of MSD-related workers' compensation claims.ACT work safety commissioner Jacqueline Agius said these are some of the…
A South Australian asbestos removalist and demolition contractor has had their license cancelled due to a history of repeated contraventions.SafeWork SA accuses the contractor of creating health and safety risks by “potentially exposing people to friable asbestos.”“SafeWork SA will suspend, cancel or refuse a person’s licence renewal in order to addres…
A quad bike rider had died following a crash in south Taranaki.Police said the incident happened on Saturday morning.Emergency services were called to a private property in Waverley shortly before 9am.The rider died at the scene, according to police.Source: New Zealand Police.…
WorkSafe is investigating an incident in which a 12-year-old boy was critically injured after he fell from a height at a Perth construction site.The boy was transported to Perth Children's Hospital on Monday evening, according to police.Reports indicated the boy was not alone at the time of the incident.He remained in hospital in critical condition Mon…
What is a Safe Work Method Statement?A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a legal document that outlines the safe working procedures for high-risk construction work tasks and identifies:The hazards associated with the work being carried out; andThe controls that can be put in place to mitigate those hazards; andThe responsibilities of those involved…
Safework Australia says only one notifiable serious injury associated with a fall was reported during their ‘April No-Falls’ safety campaign.The campaign was launched on 31 March 2022 and aimed to raise awareness of the dangers of working at height.SafeWork SA kept on releasing information, data and advice on fall prevention throughout the campaign per…
A Victoria building company faces charges for safety breaches following the death of a worker after a fall at a Melbourne construction site two years ago.The 26-year-old man fell from scaffolding onto concrete in April 2020.WorkSafe Victoria has charged the company under section 26(1) of the OHS Act for failing to ensure the workplace was safe and with…
A man has been airlifted to hospital with leg injuries after he became trapped under heavy machinery Sunday afternoon.LifeFlight said the man was using a heavy ride-on roller on private property in the South Burnett region when he was injured. Emergency services were called to the scene just after midday.The man was flown to Toowoomba Hospital by the L…
The NSW Resources Regulator has developed a fact sheet about bullying and harassment in the workplace.Workplace bullying is repeated, unwelcome behaviour directed towards an employee. Workplace bullying is unlawful under the WHS Act 2011, and is considered a risk to health and safety. The Resources Regulator said, “The fact sheet is to assist mine oper…
A worker was taken to hospital with serious burn injuries after she received a shock from an electric cable.Emergency services were alerted to the incident in central Dunedin at about 9am on Friday morning.The 34-year-old woman suffered burns to her arm after cutting a live cable in a trench.She was taken to Dunedin Hospital in a serious condition.Work…
The winners of the 2021 WorkSafe Victoria awards have been announced.
The winners include businesses, workers and health and safety representatives who have gone the extra mile to ensure Victorians are safe at work.
WorkSafe Victoria said it received more than 180 nominations but only 23 finalists were shortlisted for the awards. Eight winner…
Safe Work Australia is seeking public input on crane licensing to identify areas that need to be improved.The safety agency has released a discussion paper for a six-week consultation period until Thursday, 16 June.Safe Work Australia said “We invite all stakeholders with an interest in the high risk work licensing framework to provide their views, suc…
A worker remains in hospital in a critical condition after he was crushed by a heavy boulder at a Sydney worksite Tuesday morning.
The man in his 40s was freed by emergency crews after he became trapped under the boulder.
He was undertaking excavations on the banks of a river when the incident occurred.
Paramedics treated the man at the sce…
SafeWork NSW inspectors have visited 35 construction sites in Bankstown and Rockdale as part of a week-long safety blitz to improve workplace safety.The safety watchdog said inspectors issued 86 improvement notices and 16 prohibition notices.Minister for Fair Trading Eleni Petinos said falls from height is the number one killer in the construction indu…
The theme for this year's National Safe Work Month has been released by Safe Work Australia. The theme is 'Know safety, work safely - encouraging everyone to make health and safety in the workplace a priority.'To assist Australian workplaces in preparing for the annual event, the safety agency has also developed a campaign kit with a range of resources…
A man has been killed in a workplace incident in Sydney's west. The man died after becoming trapped under a forklift on Monday morning. Police were called to the incident just after 6.30 am.SafeWork NSW is investigating the incident.Originally published on News.com.…
A Victorian wheel manufacturer is facing charges over unsafe work practices following a number of incidents at a Mildura workshop between August 2018 and February 2020.The company has been charged under s.21 of the OHS Act for failing to provide a safe workplace.WorkSafe alleges the wheel manufacturer twice breached a section of the OHS Act by fai…
New Product Release for Mosquito-Borne DiseasesSafe Work Australia released guidance on Japanese encephalitis on 22nd April 2022, reinforcing that business owners have a duty of care to eliminate or minimise risk as much as is reasonably practicable.To assist those seeking to put genuine measures in place to protect their workers, SafetyDocs by SafetyC…
SafeWork NSW is investigating a fatal workplace incident at a Sydney container terminal on April 22.A man aged in his 50s was struck by a reversing forklift at at Banksmeadow, according to police.The man was transported to St George Hospital in critical condition. He died while undergoing treatment at the hospital.Originally publis…
Queensland police have issued a safety reminder to quad bike riders after a man was seriously injured in a quad bike crash in north Queensland on April 26.Police said four men were riding on a quad bike at Rocky Point when one of them fell from the vehicle. He was rushed to Weipa Hospital with serious head injuries. The…
A 69-year-old truck driver has died in hospital following a collision involving two garbage trucks at Mount Wallace on Anzac Day.The man died in hospital on Wednesday. WorkSafe has launched an investigation into the cause of the incident. Fourteen Victorian workers have been killed at work so far this year, according to WorkSafe st…
A man has been crushed to death by a falling gate in the 13th workplace fatality in Victoria this year.The incident happened on Saturday morning.WorkSafe Victoria has launched an investigation following the death of a 59-year-old truck driver in Melbourne.The safety watchdog said the man was trying to close a 12-metre wide sliding gate when it fell on…
ACT Work Health and Safety Commissioner Jacqueline Agius has paid tribute to the workers who have died in workplace incidents at a National Workers’ Memorial ceremony.SafeWork Australia data shows 194 Australian workers died on the job in 2020.In the ACT, three workers have been killed at work since 2020.“We are here to mourn and honour the lives of th…
SafeWork SA reminds workers and employers to put in place safety measures to prevent falls from trucks and trailers. Truck drivers received the most serious fall injuries in 2021, according to SafeWork SA data.South Australia’s workplace safety watchdog says falls from flatbed trucks and trailers increased by 60 per cent in 2021.SafeWork SA Executive D…
Hunter Workers will today assemble at the Workers Memorial Stone at Newcastle Foreshore to mark International Workers Memorial Day.Every year on April 28, workers in Australia observe Workers Memorial Day, a day to remember all those killed in workplace incidents each year.The workers will meet at the Newcastle Foreshore at 12 pm to pay their respects…
A 19-year-old man was transported to hospital with serious leg injuries after falling into a cotton harvester in northern NSW.The man's legs became trapped under the feed roll of the heavy machinery following the incident last Thursday afternoon.He was freed by emergency crews and treated at the scene. He was later flown to Orange Hospital and lis…
Latest Safe Work Australia data shows 52 Australian workers have been killed at work so far this year, eight more than at the same time last year.Transport, postal & warehousing industry leads with 24 fatalities, Agriculture, forestry & fishing has seen 12 fatalities, while Public administration & safety and other services each having…
Safework NSW targeting unsafe concreting practicesSafeWork NSW has stated that they will be cracking down on unsafe concreting practices over the next three months, and we want all of our readers to be prepared and ensure they have the correct systems in place to keep workers safe.The on-site inspections will focus on formwork and concrete placing equi…
Nominations for the WorkSafe Queensland's Safe Work and Return to Work Awards are now open until 17 June 2022.The awards recognise Queensland businesses and individuals who've made significant improvements to work health and safety or return to work.Entry is open to individuals and organisations operating in Queensland.Winners will be announced on Frid…
A worker has died while loading coal onto a ship at a New Zealand port. A Lyttelton port company confirmed that one worker had died following an incident on Monday morning."Sadly, an LPC staff member has passed away while the vessel was being loaded with coal for export," a senior company official told the New Zealand Herald."At the moment, we can't co…
SafeWork SA reminds builders and contractors to work together to reduce the risks of falls from height in workplaces during 'April No-Falls.'SafeWork SA statistics show the construction industry accounted for 48% of all serious notifiable injuries associated with a fall from height and 86% of identified non-compliances in 2021.SafeWork SA 2020 dat…
Two mechanics have died in hospital after they were struck by a vehicle while working on a broken-down bus at Woombye in Queensland.A 25-year-old Currimundi man and a 22-year-old Baringa man were transported to hospital with serious injuries following the incident on Thursday afternoon. They died a short time later.Workplace Health and Safety QLD is in…
ACT Work Health and Safety Commissioner Jacqueline Agius reminds operators of children's play centres to make safety a priority following an incident in which a child suffered minor injuries after falling from height last weekend.WorkSafe ACT has been notified and is making enquiries. "The safety of children must be of the utmost importance for operato…
SafeWork NSW has launched a new Scaffolding Industry Safety Standard to prevent work-related injuries and deaths.NSW Fair Trading Eleni Petinos said this is an important step towards ensuring the safety of all workers."The Scaffolding Industry Safety Standard is an essential and comprehensive resource that provides practical guidance for those undertak…
SafeWork SA is encouraging workplaces to recognise the importance of workplace safety by promoting World Day for Safety at Work and Workers' Memorial Day 2022 on 28 April.The theme for this year's World Day for Safety and Health at Work is 'Act together to build a positive safety and health culture'.SafeWork SA said, "Workplaces, employers and workers…
A man has been killed in a workplace incident at an Auckland port. The incident happened on Tuesday morning.It is understood the man died after he fell from height on Tuesday morning.He was employed by a stevedoring company at the port. WorkSafe has been notified of the incident.Originally published in the New Zealand Herald.…
Queensland primary school students are being encouraged to enter the annual Farm Safety calendar competition.The competition aims to raise awareness among students of common hazards on Queensland farms. Head of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland Tony James said entries to the competition are now open."The 12 winning entries will go…
Are you an 'officer' in your company?Did you know that 'officers' of a company have specific duties under work health and safety (WHS) laws? If you are unsure, look at your role in the company to determine if you meet the criteria as an 'officer.'A person's role and influence may be different for every business enterprise but answering yes to any of th…
A cattle musterer has been flown to hospital after she fell from her horse in southwest Queensland.The woman in her 50s suffered rib and back injuries after she was thrown off her horse on Wednesday afternoon.The woman was mustering cattle when the incident took place. She was flown to Roma by the SGAS helicopter.She travelled in a stable con…
Provisional data released by WorkSafe New Zealand shows five people have been killed in work-related incidents this year. Industries that have so far recorded fatalities include forestry and logging, agriculture, other services and arts and recreation services. Two of the fatalities occurred in Auckland, while the remaining th…
New South Wales' workplace health and safety regulator, SafeWork, has partnered with a local agricultural college to deliver a free quad bike safety program for children aged 16 years and over.Minister for Fair Trading Eleni Petinos said young people would be taught how to operate high-risk vehicles in the workplace safely."These types of vehicles…
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has recently issued improvement notices to two companies for breaching fatigue regulations.An investigation conducted by the heavy vehicle regulator identified multiple work diaries, work hours, and fatigue issues. Under the Improvement Notices, the companies are required to take immediate action to prevent f…
NSW Fair Trading Minister Eleni Petinos has announced that she will have a zero tolerance policy with unsafe rides following an incident in which a four-year-old boy was left unrestrained on a ride at the Sydney Royal Easter show on Sunday afternoon.“I can confirm that I have instructed SafeWork NSW to explore shutting the Free Fall ride for the remain…
New Zealand police are investigating after a man died in a workplace incident on Wednesday morning.Emergency services were called to the incident at about 11.15 am. Police said the incident happened in Awapuni, GisborneWorkSafe has been notified of the incident, according to police.Original source found New Zealand Police.…
Last year we ran a survey to find out what additional products and services we could provide to make our customers lives easier.Overwhelmingly, the top two responses were to provide Health and Safety equipment such as PPE, signage and other safety equipment and provide a service for automatic branding of our documents.Well, we have risen to the challen…
Over the next three months, SafeWork NSW inspectors will be conducting a construction safety blitz targeting unsafe concreting practices.Minister for Fair Trading Eleni Petinos said an estimated 360,000 people work in the construction industry in New South Wales.Ms Petinos said, “inspectors will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to lives…
Nominations for the 2022 Work Health and Safety Excellence Awards are currently being accepted. Entry for the awards is open to individuals, associations, partnerships, companies, and other organisations operating in Western Australia.The WA Government has created a new Work Health and Safety Excellence Award category, ‘Best Intervention to Address a P…
SafeWork Australia has released the latest workplace fatality figures. The figures show that 47 Australian workers have been killed at work this year so far.The transport, postal and warehousing industry has recorded the highest number of workplace deaths, with 22 fatalities.Agriculture, forestry, and fishing follow with 12 fatalities.&…
WorkSafe WA has released a new information sheet to help health and safety representatives (HSRs) understand their roles under the WHS Act.The Work Health and Safety Act 2020 was passed by the WA parliament in 2020 and became effective on 31 March 2022.The new laws bring together WHS for general industry, mines, and petroleum operations under a single…
A coal mine worker died from injuries sustained while dismantling conveyor equipment underground in central Queensland last month.The 58-year-old man died after suffering serious head injuries at an underground mine south-west of Mackay on 25 March.Investigations are continuing.Following the incident, Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) remin…
WorkCover WA CEO, Mr Chris White has recently announced a 6.9% increase in the 2022/23 recommended premium rates for compulsory workers’ compensation insurance in Western Australia.Mr White said the recommended rates for 2022/23 would be 1.822 per cent of total wages, up from 1.704 per cent for 2021/22. “Each year, the Western Australian recommended pr…
A man has been flown to hospital after he fell from a horse in the Western Downs region.The man, aged in his 50s, was riding the horse on a private property when the incident happened on Monday afternoon. He suffered a dislocated elbow and internal injuries after the animal rolled on top of him.The LifeFlight Surat Gas Aeromedical Service (SGAS) h…
NSW workplace health and safety regulator SafeWork is partnering with soccer team Sydney FC to promote mental health awareness in the workplace and to provide free coaching to businesses. Minister for Fair Trading Eleni Petinos said nearly one in six Australian workers experience a mental illness.“I’m delighted that Sydney FC has partnered with SafeWor…
A residential builder has recently received an expiation notice from SafeWork SA for directing a worker to modify scaffold without the relevant high risk work licence.On 30 March 2022, the builder was fined $2,220 by SafeWork SA following the incident.“The modular scaffold on site had a 4.9 metre high working platform which requires a person to hold at…
A new fact sheet for PCBU and people who are working as part of a contractual chain has been developed by Safe Work Australia."A contractual chain refers to the situation where, in relation to the same project or work matter, there are multiple contractors and subcontractors," Safe Work Australia said.Some of the industries where a contractual chain is…
The Queensland Government has recently introduced legislation to crack down on 'claim farming' in the State. " 'Claim farmers', also known as 'claims management services', approach individuals to coerce them into making personal injury and workers' compensation claims and then charge a fee to 'sell 'their claim to a legal practitioner or other claims m…
A new app is helping SafeWork NSW prevent workplace injuries and deaths by allowing workers to report safety concerns anonymously.The 'Speak Up Save Lives' app which was released in 2020, enables workers to send photos of unsafe practices to Safe Work NSW. More than 1200 reports have been made to SafeWork NSW since its inception. Minist…
New WHS laws for WA and Victoria.Recent changes have occurred to Health and Safety legislation in Victoria and Western Australia, with new responsibilities for employers and employees.For our subscribers working in these jurisdictions, it's important to be aware of these changes to remain compliant with the new rules, as non-compliance with safety legi…
The NSW Government is seeking feedback from stakeholders on improvements to the licensing scheme for demolition.The demolition licensing regulation will change from the repealed OHS Regulation 2001 (NSW) Act to the WHS Regulation 2017 (NSW) Act.NSW Fair Trading Minister Eleni Petinos said, “This change will inject much needed clarity into what rules de…
WorkSafe Victoria and SafeWork NSW recently conducted a week-long blitz in Albury and Wodonga focusing on construction hazards.During the blitz, inspectors visited 52 construction sites, issuing a total of seventeen improvement notices and two prohibition notices, for working at height.WorkSafe Director of Construction and Earth Resources Matt Wielgosz…
The World Day for Safety and Health at Work and Workers' Memorial Day is celebrated every year on 28 April. This day will provide an opportunity to raise awareness of workplace health and safety. It is also a day to remember those who have been killed at work.Latest Safe Work Australia figures show a total of 194 workers were killed at work in 2020. “A…
RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter airlifted a man to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital after he was injured in a quad bike crash in southeast Queensland.The incident happened about 10 am on Wednesday morning.The man in his 40s suffered pelvic and abdominal injuries after falling off his quad bike in Mount Archer.He was treated at the scene b…
WorkSafe Western Australia has released traumatic work-related fatalities data for 2011-12 to 2020-21.The ’Work-related traumatic injury fatalities in Western Australia 2011-12 to 2020-21’ report analyses data on work-related fatalities in Western Australia during the ten-year period.The report shows there were 170 work-related deaths in Western Austra…
A New Zealand charter company has been fined $227,500 for health and safety breaches on the Whakaari/White Island.The December 2019 Whakaari/White Island volcanic eruption killed 22 people, including 14 Australians.The company was sentenced at the Auckland District Court on Thursday. The court also ordered the company to pay prosecution costs of $40,00…
Heavy vehicle operators can now choose from seven apps for Electronic Work Diary (EWD) after the NHVR recently approved a seventh provider.NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said there are many benefits of using EWDs, including increased productivity, fatigue management and driver safety."For example, Bustle's EWD complements its existing end-to-end Transport Ma…
SafeWork SA is launching a safety campaign to raise awareness of the dangers involved when working at height. The campaign dubbed 'April No-Falls' aims to remind businesses that fall prevention is everyone's responsibility. SafeWork SA says falls from height are a leading cause of death and serious injury in Australian workplaces, accounting for 11% of…
A 58-year-old man has died after sustaining serious head injuries while working at a coal mine in Central Queensland.Police were called to the incident southwest of Mackay about 10pm on Friday.Operations at the underground coal mine have ceased following the incident.Investigations into the cause of the incident are ongoing.Queensland's Resources Minis…
A person has died after a workplace incident in Ōmokoroa.Police say they were alerted to the incident at Te Kaka Place Road just after 1.15 pm on Wednesday.The person died at the scene.WorkSafe has been notified of the incident.Source; New Zealand Police…
A man has died after being attacked by a bull in northern Victoria.The 52-year-old suffered serious head injuries after being knocked to the ground and kicked by a bull on Monday morning.WorkSafe said the man was drafting cattle when the animal fatally struck him.An investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing.View the original story on the&…
The Western Australian Government's new Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws go into effect today.The new laws bring workplaces in Western Australia under a single WHS Act, and introduce the term 'person conducting a business undertaking'. DMIRS has been conducting webinars on the new laws during January and February 2022.Industrial Relations Minister Bil…
Safely rebuilding after the floods.The rebuild after the catastrophic flooding event across New South Wales is underway, with the Commonwealth and State Governments providing well over a billion dollars in support.The rebuilding process will be a long and complex one, with many people still displaced from their homes. But there are some key things to…
A Queensland health service is facing charges over claims it failed to protect its staff.The charges have been laid by the state’s Office of the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor over two incidents.According to ABC News, one incident happened in July 2019 when a nurse was attacked by a male patient. She suffered brain injuries as a result of the i…
Queensland’s Electrical Safety Office (ESO) has produced a film warning workers of the dangers of arc flash.Head of the Electrical Safety Office Donna Heelan said arc flash incidents are on the rise in Queensland, and it was time to ramp up safety measures.“To get the point home, this film looks at an arc flash incident through the eyes of an elec…
A man aged in his 80s died last week after an excavator rolled on a property in southeast Tasmania.Police and emergency services were called to reports of an excavator rollover about 12.35pm on Monday.Police said the man was working with the excavator when the incident happened. The man died at the scene.WorkSafe is investigating the circumst…
A crane company has been fined $300,000 following the death of a worker at a Canberra work site six years ago.The man died when a mobile crane trying to move a ten-tonne generator toppled in 2016."WorkSafe ACT is committed to minimising the negative impact of this trauma, working with the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure swift outcomes for fam…
A 47-year-old man has died in a quad bike crash in Western Australia.The man's quad bike crashed in sand dunes at Cape Burney on Tuesday evening. Attempts to revive the injured man were unsuccessful. He was declared deceased at the scene. Quad bike incidents have killed at least three people in Australia this year.Safe Work Australia figures show 150 p…
Safe Work Australia is reminding employers, workers, and small businesses that they have a legal duty to protect workers from Covid 19 despite the easing of public health directions."Employers have a duty to protect the health and safety of their workers and minimise the risks of COVID-19 as much as reasonably practicable," Safe Work Australia said.Saf…
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is reminding operators of heavy vehicles transporting grapes to put in place safety measures to protect other road users.The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) said operators should pay attention to their mass, loading, fatigue and work and rest hour requirements under the Heavy Vehicle National Law…
WorkSafe has launched a new initiative to help seasonal workers stay safe while working on Victorian farms.As part of the new initiative, Pacific Islander workers will receive specialised safety resources including videos, posters and written guides in five languages. – Bislama, Fijian, Samoan, Tongan and English.WorkSafe Executive Director of Health a…
Workplace sexual harassment forum and $1.5 million enforceable undertaking among key highlights of the report.Federal WHS regulator Comcare has released the third Work Health and Safety Year in Review report.Comcare said the report highlights' compliance and enforcement activities that promote and enable safe and healthy work across the Commonwealth ju…
The WorkCover Tasmania Board is seeking feedback from stakeholders on the development of a new Workplace Rehabilitation Provider (WRP) Accreditation Framework in Tasmania.The framework aims to ensure WRPs in the Tasmanian workers' compensation scheme provide the best possible service for injured workers accessing workplace rehabilitation services in th…
A new report shows mine workers in Western Australia are being seriously injured at a rate of more than one a day.The 2020-21 Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) report revealed that two underground mine workers died on the job, and there were 402 'serious' incidents. Serious incidents are injuries that disable a worker for two…
Victoria has recorded two separate work-related deaths in one day, taking the state's workplace fatality toll to nine for 2022.A 53-year-old crane operator died after being crushed by steel beams in Dandenong South about 11:15 am on Friday morning.Less than three hours later, a 56-year-old worker died after a tractor-spreader combination he w…
New WHS laws for WAIn a recent media release, the Western Australian government announced that the state's new Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws are set to begin on 31 March 2022 and mark a "national first," bringing general industry, mines, and petroleum operation under a single Act.The government has said the new laws would modernise Western Australi…
SafeWork NSW's Family and Injured Worker Support Group (FIWSG) will remain in place until the end of this year. FIWSG is a group of people who have suffered a serious work-related injury, or have a family member who has died in a workplace place incident. Members of the FIWSG provide advice to SafeWork about the support needs of affected persons. Minis…
New laws to improve workplace safety in Victoria went into effect on 16 March 2022. The Workplace Safety Legislation and Matters Amendment Act 2022 aims to prevent and better respond to workplace safety incidents and improve outcomes for injured workers and their families.The laws also increase WorkSafe's ability to enhance Victoria's workers' compensa…
A man has been airlifted to hospital after he was trapped by a truck tray in the Western Downs.The incident happened on Friday afternoon.Toowoomba's RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter was tasked to the property at 2:15 pm.The RACQ LifeFlight Rescue aeromedical team assisted Queensland Ambulance paramedics to treat the man aged in his 60s.He was flown to…
Tasmania's WHS regulator has announced that inspectors will make both planned and unannounced visits to workplaces this year, to make sure they are managing health and safety risks.WorkSafe Tasmania says inspectors will be focusing on work health and safety compliance in the construction, distillery, and transport sectors, and in workplaces where …
A South Australian asbestos removalist has had their Class A licence suspended by SafeWork for failing to safely remove asbestos from a residential premise. The contractor was accused of exposing people to friable asbestos, contrary to section 19 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA).SafeWork SA Executive Director Martyn Campbell reminds SA…
The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency has recently launched a six-week public consultation on the new Guidelines for communicating about asbestos risk and the Communicating Asbestos Facts and Figures guide which is to be read and used in conjunction with the guidelines.These guidelines are for anyone responsible for communicating asbestos ris…
Inspectors from WorkSafe Victoria and SafeWork NSW will begin visiting construction sites in the Albury and Wodonga region next week to help tradies reduce fall hazards.WorkSafe Executive Director Health and Safety Narelle Beer said employers must do more to prevent falls from height injuries."The risk of falls from heights in the construction industry…
A South Australian cement company and its executives are facing charges under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) following the death of a heavy vehicle driver in October 2020.It is alleged that the owner of the company and another senior official allowed a defective heavy vehicle to be used on the road.NHVR Director of Prosecutions Belinda Hughes sa…
SafeWork SA inspectors are visiting workplaces across the state to ensure they are managing asbestos.It is estimated that 4,000 Australians die each year from asbestos-related diseases.Inspectors will focus on identifying and managing asbestos in buildings built before 31 December 2003.They will be checking to ensure that asbestos in workplaces is iden…
NT WorkSafe has charged a Darwin construction company with industrial manslaughter following the death of a worker at Maningrida two years ago.The company faces a maximum penalty of $10,355,000 if found guilty.NT WorkSafe said the company also faces two alternative charges over the March 2020 incident.The safety regulator has also charged the company’s…
A man died on Friday after a work-related incident on a farm in Milford.Police said the man was already dead when emergency services arrived at the scene about 6 pm.“A man had suffered fatal injuries and was deceased when emergency services arrived at the scene,” a police spokesperson said.WorkSafe has been notified of the incident.Originally published…
A Victorian abattoir has been fined $55,000 without conviction after a worker was injured in a forklift incident in 2019.The company pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to provide and maintain a working environment that was safe and without health risks.The court heard that in October 2019, the injured worker was sorting sheep skin while standing…
Protecting yourself from mouldIf you've been the victim of flooding, it's important to take quick and effective action to prevent mould forming. Not only is mould unsightly, it can also be dangerous to your health. After large-scale flooding, explosive mould growth can produce concentrations of toxins high enough to pose a threat.Mould is especially da…
A man has been injured in a quad bike incident in the Waikato Region. The incident happened on Friday.The TECT Rescue Helicopter was called to a farm in Paeroa following reports of a quad bike incident.The man was flown to Waikato Hospital for treatment.Original source Rescue.org.nz.…
The Western Australian Government has announced that new Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws will be coming into effect on 31 March 2022.In an Australian first, the new laws bring together most workplaces in Western Australia under a single WHS Act.Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston said, "The new Work Health and Safety Act provides all workplac…
According to the safety agency's half-year results, WorkSafe Victoria recorded an after-tax net loss of $378 million in the six months to December 2021.The results show as at December 31 2021, WorkSafe Victoria's insurance funding ratio – a measure of assets against claims liabilities – was at 115 percent, slightly above the preferred funding range of…
NSW has adopted a new industry safety standard to protect workers from silica dust exposure.The national Code of Practice – Managing the risks of respirable crystalline silica from engineered stone in the workplace took effect on 25 February 2022.Minister for Small Business and Minister for Fair Trading Eleni Petinos said the new code of practice would…
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland recently issued a safety alert highlighting the risk of hoist rope failure and loads dropping from mobile and tower cranes. The safety regulator says this can happen when the hoist limit is disabled or does not function correctly.Four incidents where hook blocks have fallen due to the hoist limit not functioning c…
A delivery driver has died after being struck by a vehicle in the seventh workplace fatality in Victoria this year.The 73-year-old man was attempting to cross the road at Noble Park when the incident happened.WorkSafe confirmed on Friday that an investigation had been launched.In 2021, there were 66 work-related fatalities in Victoria.Originally publis…
The federal government is seeking feedback from businesses, organisations, employers, individuals, and other relevant stakeholders on recommendations contained in the Respect@Work: Sexual Harassment National Inquiry Report."This consultation process will inform the Government's next steps to consider the legal frameworks that protect Australians from s…
Ambulance paramedics treated a man with head and leg injuries after a tractor incident at a NSW farm. The Westpac Rescue Helicopter service was tasked to a property northeast of Collarenabri on Thursday morning.The 40-year-old man was transported to Moree Airport to meet the rescue chopper.He was later flown to Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital in…
Essential Energy is reminding residents, volunteers and emergency workers to prioritise electrical safety when working in floodwaters.Operations Manager Ranges, Paul McWilliam said people should follow basic safety tips to prevent electrical hazards.“With this unprecedented flooding and heavy rain across the entire North Coast, we want to remind p…
A stone benchtop business faces charges following the death of a worker at a Campbellfield factory in February 2020.The company is facing three charges under the Victorian OHS Act for failing to ensure that a workplace was safe and without risks to health.WorkSafe said the man was helping the company's director unload a shipping container when 30…
Safe Work Australia has recently released the latest work-related fatality figures for 2022.The figures show work-related fatalities in the Transport postal and warehousing industry are on the rise, with 12 fatalities recorded so far this year. Agriculture forestry and fishing has seen 6 fatalities, while Construction, Public admin…
Did you miss World Hearing Day?March 3rd was World Hearing Day, a day to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss at work. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 360 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss.While many factors can contribute to hearing loss, one of the most common causes is exposure to loud nois…
An injured quad bike rider has been airlifted from a farm isolated by floodwaters in Queensland.The man in his 40s suffered shoulder and chest injuries after crashing his quad bike on a farm in the Western Downs Region Thursday morning.The Toowoomba-based RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter was tasked just after 11 am.The man was flown to Toowoomba Hospi…
October is National Safe Work Month- a time to focus on improving workplace health and safety.This year, Safe Work Australia is seeking your thoughts on the 2022 campaign.“We’d like to hear from you about the theme of the NSWM 2022 campaign, the topics you would like included, and the resources you would find useful,” Safe Work Australia.“Please take a…