Archived News for OHS Sector Professionals - December, 2014
Astonishing reports today say the political media advisor to Clive Palmer has been arrested over the kidnapping of an NAB executive.
Flood plan to stop tragic past repeating
Queensland is looking at options to boost flood defences for Ipswich and Brisbane.
Forklift finals crown kings and queens of warehousing
The thrilling final of the National Forklift Championships has been held in Brisbane, with crowds and competitors witnessing some of the best forklift operators in the game.
Surveyor's call sees deadly donga placement
An inquiry into two deaths at mining firm FMG’s Rail Camp One has heard that there may have been surveyor error involved in the collapse of buildings during the devastating Cyclone George.
White ribbon bus ride to drive violence out
The Transport Workers’ Union is taking a strong stance on violence against women, saying it should be sought out and condemned in all forms.
Australian beds set to aid Ebola outbreak
The Australian-managed Ebola treatment centre in Sierra Leone has opened overnight, allowing Australian workers – through a private contractor – to help ease the suffering as the outbreak continues.
Cop scanner slammed, some say it's for safety
There are calls to ban a new device that alerts drivers to nearby police cars.
Doctors to check welfare disability claims
Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews says Australian Government-contracted doctors will assess new claims for the Disability Support Pension from next year, in a move he says will bring “consistency and equity across the country”.
Sun sets on tanning beds for skin's sake
Millions of Australians will have to increase their risk of skin cancer in a private capacity, with a ban on commercial solariums coming in on December 31.
Staggered sleeping for jagged thinking
A new study says people who sleep for short periods of time and go to bed very late at night experience more negative thoughts than those with regular sleeping hours.
Building site pause after worker's death
Work has stopped at the new Royal Adelaide Hospital building site, following the death of worker Jorge Castillo-Riffo.
City's toxic playgrounds pinned on iron trade
Potentially toxic levels of lead, arsenic, nickel and cadmium have been found on playground equipment at several public parks in Queensland.
Drug raids to start reform in resources
There are reports of police raids on mining sites in West Australia, as authorities crack down on reports of illicit drugs in the resources sector.
Hospital fears prompt call for transplant
Asbestos has been discovered in building materials at the old Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH), and health workers say they want new building instead of another patch-up.
Office bash OHS to avoid festive failure
WorkCover NSW wants to remind everyone to stay safe for the festive season.
One year deal props up un-loved Lady Barron
A Flinders Island port on the Bass Strait has been dubbed “unsafe” and “dysfunctional” by the company that formerly ran stevedoring operations.
Paper blamed for slow safety
The Master Builders Association (MBA) says paper might just be the biggest hindrance to safety on Australia building sites.
Safety spruiked in push for robot workers
The University of Sydney and Rio Tinto are extending their autonomous mining research partnership after several successful years.
'Near-miss' awareness as key to safe construction
New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show the Australian building and construction industry has the best level of workplace safety in almost 15 years.
Asbestos case could open future floodgate
A mesothelioma victim is bringing a landmark legal case against the Commonwealth.
Equal time could see FIFO suicide decline
Suggestions for ways to reduce the tragic rate of suicide among fly-in-fly-out workers have been included in a report following a West Australian Parliamentary.