Queensland electricity distributor, Ergon Energy is reminding customers about the importance of safety when installing Christmas lights.Ergon Area Manager Matt Hilder said customers should treat Christmas decorations like any other powered devices in the home, adding that these decorations are safe if they’re used properly.“Before installing Christmas…
A Northland company has been fined for safety failings after a worker lost part of his finger in a workplace incident in June 2021.On Thursday, the Whangārei District Court ordered the company to pay a fine of $220,000 and $31,000 in reparations following the incident.WorkSafe said the man’s finger was partially amputated after his hand slipped into a…
The Queensland Government has launched a new safety campaign urging people to ride safely on quad bikes.The campaign reminds Queenslanders that quad bikes are the leading cause of death on farms.Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said more than 50 people have been killed in quad bike incidents in the last ten years.“Some weren’t wearing helmets,…
Preliminary data from WorkSafe New Zealand shows that as of 4 November 2022, 37 workers have died from workplace incidents this year. Transport, Postal and Warehousing and Agriculture are the most dangerous industries for workers, with eight fatalities each.The construction industry has recorded six fatalities, while Arts and Recreation Services has re…
The NSW Government is calling for public submissions on SafeWork NSW's new plan aimed at enhancing workplace health and safety across the state.Head of SafeWork NSW Natasha Mann said the Government wants to hear from relevant stakeholders, including employers and workers before the launch of the Towards Healthy Work Plan late next year."Prevention of w…
WorkSafe Victoria reminds employers to prioritise health and safety at work during the end of the year festive season.WorkSafe said that during this time of the year, many workers are under pressure to complete projects, warning that this should not be an excuse to compromise on safety.Statistics from the Victorian workplace safety watchdog indicate th…
A company has been ordered to pay millions of dollars by a NSW court after a young worker was killed in a scaffolding collapse at a Sydney construction site in April 2019.The company was fined $2 million after pleading guilty to a Category 1 offence under the WHS Act 2011.Head of SafeWork NSW Natasha Mann said the hefty fine is a reminder to the NSW co…
The Australian Composition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says that 94 per cent of new quad bikes meet Australian safety standards, more than a year after the new legislation came into force."It's encouraging to see compliance with the standard has improved from 84 per cent in 2021 to 94 per cent this year," ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said. "It shows…
WorkCover Queensland reminds businesses that it is an offence to operate without workers' compensation insurance.During the month of October, WorkCover Queensland conducted site visits at more than 200 businesses across southeast Queensland and Cairns. Inspectors found that 31 per cent of the businesses had no workers' compensation insurance.WorkCover…
The NSW Resources Regulator has launched an investigation after a worker was seriously injured while moving a piece of machinery at a northern NSW mine.The Regulator said the worker suffered a serious ear injury after being struck by a crossbar he was using to push a securing pin on a bulldozer counterweight early this month.“At the time, the counterwe…
A court has ordered a Christchurch business to pay nearly $300,000 after a worker fatally fell from the roof of a building in Sydenham.The 56-year-old man fell 4.5 metres to the ground while painting a flat roof in February 2021.A WorkSafe investigation revealed that the company had no experience working at height, and fall protection systems were not…
SafeWork SA reminds construction workers to make safety a priority in the lead-up to the festive season.The safety watchdog issued the reminder following a number of incidents in the past few months.Between 1 October and 14 November, SafeWork SA was notified of 39 construction industry incidents. Twelve workers were hospitalised as a result of these in…