Archived News for OHS Sector Professionals - May, 2014
There is plenty of gear to keep workers safe around heavy machinery on a construction site, but a new device aims to reduce risks by running equipment from a remote distance.
Damning calls for attempt to silence the whistle
The NSW corruption watchdog has recommended the sacking and prosecution of the State Emergency Service (SES) Commissioner, saying he sacked a deputy to silence dissent about a number of safety issues.
Nothing is a big risk for women's heart disease
An inactive life may contribute more to the risk of heart disease than smoking, obesity and high blood pressure, research suggests.
Possum pals help disease spread discovery
A new study of the way bacteria spread amongst possums could shed light on human epidemics.
Boilermaker's broken foot worth $800,000
A Queensland boilermaker has been awarded over $800,000 after his foot was crushed on a mine site.
Morbid warning over WA road money moves
The West Australian Government has been warned it could have “blood on its hands” for removing $42 million from a fund earmarked for life-saving road safety initiatives.
New recall to fix seatbelt safety glitch
Loose seatbelts have prompted the recall of 42,000 Holden Commodores.
Praise splashed on boots made for muddy mining
A boot designed to keep mine workers in muddy conditions safe and dry has won a design award in New South Wales.
Truck hubs become site for police safety spree
New South Wales police will undertake inspections of freight distribution centres to hunt out unsecured loads and other unsafe practices.
Deadly warning of cancerous risk from cost-cutting
The world will be dealing with the cancerous effects of asbestos for many decades to come, but some are concerned that Australia will be less equipped to do so when the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency is scrapped.
Past poisons big builder's figures, with possible billions to pay
Building products giant James Hardie may have doubled its revenue this year, but the company’s toxic past keeps knocking numbers down.
Crime expert calls for whistleblower's klaxon
With no meaningful federal option, state governments are being urged to create better protections for whistleblowers.
Better plans to deal with broad age ranges
Help has been announced for workplaces to accommodate their aging workforces, with the launch of a new site and guide.
Work is the place for effective health help
Very few people would consider their office a bastion of good mental health, nor would they say it is the best place to learn how to calm issues of the distressed mind, but a recent study suggests this may in fact be the case.
Floating gas giants fail to fill industry's demands
An industry body has warned that mining and processing natural gas in giant offshore factories will cost thousands of onshore Australian jobs.
Four steps to save state of mind in shifting workplace
Comcare, the workers’ compensation insurance body, has put out a handy tool to help reduce the psychological damage of rapidly changing workplaces.
Healthy output claims from better living miner
The operators of one NSW coal mine say their healthy lifestyle program for workers has boosted mining output.
Raw deal shows the flowing the costs of closure
When big companies fail, it is often subcontractors such as logistics operators that feel the pain, but their plight has now been brought to the attention of the Federal Parliament.
Coal fire shows cost of old methods, unpreparedness
The Victorian Environment Department says a long-running underground fire at the Hazelwood coal mine has “created a choking reminder of the real price of relying on coal for electricity”.
Nuclear firm says frozen wall could work
Japan's Industry Ministry has given a glimpse of the soil-freezing technique it hopes will stop the spread of a radioactive material from the Fukushima nuclear disaster site.
Research re-jig sees commercial cuts and bio-med boost
Australia’s research industries have been reformed after last night’s budget announcements, with healthy boosts in some areas but deep cuts in others.