Archived News for OHS Sector Professionals - November, 2012
The House of Representatives Standing committee on Education and Employment has handed down its long awaited report on workplace bullying.
Shift work taking its toll on miner health
The uncontrollable and erratic shift patterns in the mining and energy sector is beginning to exact a toll on the mental and physical health of the industry’s workforce, according to a new report released by Griffith University.
Workplace equality law passes Senate
The Australian Human Rights Commission has welcomed the passing of the Federal Government’s Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Amendment Bill through the Senate.
New CEO for WorkCover SA
WorkCover South Australia has announced the appointment of Greg McCarthy as the agency’s new Chief Executive Officer.
Government launches workplace tool to help victims of domestic abuse
The Federal Government has launched a new toolkit aimed at improving the way unions, employers and business groups can support employees experiencing domestic or family violence and help them remain at work.
Expert casts doubts over testing effectiveness
A leading drug testing expert has cast doubts over the effectiveness and reasoning behind drug testing in the workplace, saying that there is little evidence to suggest it changes behaviour of employees and may in fact drive them to use synthetic drugs or ‘harder’ substances that leave the system earlier than others.
Fair Work Ombudsman tracks abysmal maintenance industry results
The Fair Work Ombudsman has published the results of a national education and compliance campaign launched into the vehicle repair and maintenance industry, finding startlingly low compliance rates throughout the country.
Pregnancy discrimination on the rise
The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) has expressed its concern over recent data that shows that pregnant women in the workplace are experiencing more perceived discrimination than last reported six years ago.
New wave of mine safety inspectors hit the beat
The Western Australian Government has welcomed the newest cohort of mine safety inspectors, with 13 new recruits added to the inspectorate.
Study raises health questions over CSG
A recent study cited by Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) has found significant and widespread releases of methane and carbon dioxide concentrations around a coal seam gas field near Tara, Queensland.
Chaplyn named new Mines Safety Director
The Western Australian Government has announced the appointment of Andrew Chapyn as the State's new Mines Safety Director.
RMIT releases innovative new OHS teaching tool
RMIT University has unveiled a new OHS game at its inaugural Games for Change Festival in Melbourne.
Finishing times unpredictable finds survey
An alarming percentage of working Australians are working an extra half hour a day in unpaid overtime, according to a new survey conducted by The Australia Institute.
RSA delivers first rail track safety workshop
Rail Skills Australia (RSA) has successfully delivered the first Rail Safety Workshop to industry leaders in Brisbane, aimed at assisting industry with familiarising themselves with the Rail Safety Act’s recent changes.
Smart vehicles could cut road toll says NTC
The National Transport Commission (NTC) has released a new discussion paper that suggests the uptake of new technology that would allow vehicles to ‘talk’ to each other could cut the road toll by as much as 25 per cent.
Tasmania to host NRS Forum
The Tasmanian Government has announced the State will be hosting the National Road Safety Forum next year following a meeting of Australian Infrastructure and Transport Ministers in Pert last week.
Teleworking good for productivity and wellbeing
Teleworking is not only increasing the nation’s productivity, but also improving our general wellbeing according to new research released by the University of Melbourne’s Institute for a Broadband-Enabled Society (IBES).
WA boosts mine safety team
The Western Australian Department of Mines and Petroleum has moved to boost safety practices in the Goldfields following the appointment of two new Mines Safety Inspectors.
WA cracks down on ventilation safety
The Western Australian Department of Mines and Petroleum has ramped up efforts to ensure that the safety of the state’s 11,000 underground mine workers are ensured through proper ventilation practices.
WorkCover reforms working claims Government
The New South Wales Government has released figures which it claims shows that its recent reforms to the Workers Compensation scheme are already producing benefits.
New health standards for rail workers to go ahead
Australia will soon have updated rail safety worker medical standards after Commonwealth, State and Territory Transport and Infrastructure Ministers unanimously agreed to the reform.