Archived News for OHS Sector Professionals
Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Bill Shorten, has attended the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a memorial to honour those who have lose their lives as a result of work-related accidents.
Queensland launches precautionary video
The Queensland Government has launched a new film that aims to deliver life-saving workplace health and safety message to young workers by telling the story of incident victim Tiffany Ward.
Construction work-related deaths continue to rise
Research conducted by RMIT University shows that rate of injuries and death on construction sites are continuing to rise, despite advances in technology and safety measures.
South Australian workplaces get clean bill of mental health
Workers in South Australia are currently enjoying one of the best psychological health conditions in the world, according to new research conducted by the University of South Australia.
NSW WorkCover benefit increase starts
The New South Wales Government’s new reform to compensation for seriously injured workers has begun this week, with minimum payments boosted by over 30 per cent to $736 per week.
Rail safety regulator bill passes Parliament
The Federal Government has passed legislation through Parliament that will establish the country’s first rail safety investigator.
SA releases formwork guide
The South Australian Government’s Construction Industry OHS Committee (SA CIOC) has released the new Industry Guide for Formwork.
OHS campaign to wake Tasmanian employers up to workplace safety laws
The Tasmanian Government has launched an advertising campaign to encourage Tasmanian businesses to prepare for the new workplace OHS laws that will come into effect from January 2013.
Safe Work Australia kicks off 2012 Safety Ambassador program
Safe Work Australia Chair Mr Tom Phillips AM has launched the 2012 Safe Work Australia Week Safety Ambassador Program and called for nominations for the 2012 Safety Ambassador of the Year Award.
Warning on indoor use of petrol and gas appliances
Energy Safe Victoria and WorkSafe have warned of the use of petrol generators or outdoor gas appliances inside following the recent death of a man in Ferntree Gully.
Insecure work makes for unsafe workplaces: ACTU
The ACTU has claimed that the rise of insecure work in Australia over the past few decades has made employees less able to speak up for their rights and workplaces less safe.
NTC calls for collaboration to improve workplace road safety
The National Transport Commission has released its National Road Safety Partnership Program draft strategy for public consultation, responding to a key action in the National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020 agreed by ministers in 2011. The strategy recognises the major role that industry can play in improving road safety in Australia.
ACT Labor promises to set up Industrial Magistrate's Court
ACT Labor has undertaken to establish a an Industrial Magistrate’s Court and appoint Industrial Magistrates to oversee work safety law in the ACT if it is re-elected in October.
CFMEU threatens to close Queensland mines on safety proposal
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) has threatened to close down the Queensland coal industry by a work ban on mines if the State Government adopts a proposal by the Queensland Resources Council to remove from union safety inspectors the right to close mines on safety grounds.
New national office to oversee asbestos management
A new organisation with a central coordinating role will pave the way for a national approach to asbestos awareness and management in Australia.
Newcrest team wins mine rescue competition
Newcrest Cadia Valley Mine Emergency Response Team has defeated eleven other teams from across the country to win the Victorian Mine Rescue Competition sponsored by Fire and Safety Australia.
One in six Australians forced to leave job
Some 2.5 million Australians ceased a job during the year ending February 2012 according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Around 1 in 6 of these lost their last job because they were retrenched, made redundant or their employer went out of business. In 2010, around 1 in 5 people reported that they lost their last job for these reasons (compared with 1 in 10 in 2008).
The most common main reasons for ceasing a last job during the year ending February 2012 were:
Study highlights increase in computer-related pain
Office workers from all professions are experiencing unprecedented levels of neck, back, shoulder and arm pain as an unintended consequence of the paperless office, according to new University of Sydney research.
Queensland to hold roundtable to look at new WHS
The Queensland Government has held a roundtable discussion with industry groups to examine the national Workplace Health and Safety Laws introduced at the start of the year.
Government launches anti-racism campaign
The Federal Government has launched Australia’s National Anti-Racism Strategy, with Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and Minister for Multicultural Affairs Senator Kate Lundy calling on all Australians to stand against racism.
Queensland passes NHVR law
The Queensland Government has passed legislation establishing Australia’s first National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, which is now due to commence operations at the beginning of January next year.