Archived News for OHS Sector Professionals - May, 2012
Two new awards have been added to this year’s Comcare Work Health and Safety Awards—the first time Comcare has administered the awards in its own right.
The awards have previously been administered by the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (SRCC). This changed with the introduction of the new work health and safety (WHS) laws in January this year, as Comcare is now the sole regulator of WHS in the scheme.
Young men's mental health illnesses cut $3 billion from the economy
A report released by the mental health advocacy group Inspire Foundation has found that mental illnesses in young men is costing the Australian economy $3 billon each year.
Maritime safety bill enters parliament
The Federal Government has introduced a package of bills that will aim to reform the way in which the country regulates all commercial vessels within territorial waters. The legislation will replace the seven existing Federal, state and territory bureaucracies and the fifty separate pieces of legislation they administer with a single national regulator and one set of nationwide laws.
Government announces bullying blitz
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten have announced the Federal Government will conduct a review into bullying in the workplace.
Study of workplace depression released
A new investigation into the treatment of depression is underway at the Griffith Health Institute, with a focus on depression in the workplace.
SA unions support protection for older workers in WorkCover bill
South Australian unions are throwing their support behind a Greens' plan to make sure older workers over 65 are covered by workers' compensation.
Victoria announces crash research funding
The Victorian Government has announced a new $20 million research initiative aimed at better understanding the effects of road trauma.
Chiropractors warn of sedentary work health risks
“If we’re spending a lot of time sitting down with the same posture, it will cause spinal degeneration and joint inflammation that sends messages to the brain to tell it the body is stressed,” he said.
Comparison of Australian and NZ workers compensation
Work Safe Australia has released the online version 22of the 2012 edition of the Comparison of Workers’ Compensation Arrangements in Australia and New Zealand report.
The Comparison of Workers’ Compensation Arrangements in Australia and New Zealand provides information on the operation of workers’ compensation schemes in each of the jurisdictions in Australia and New Zealand.
This edition of the Comparison report has been substantially revised and reformatted to improve comparability and readability.
The Comparison provides background to the evolution of workers’ compensation arrangements in Australia and New Zealand, and discusses the way that each scheme deals with key aspects such as the size and nature of the schemes, coverage, benefits, return to work provisions, self-insurance, common law, dispute resolution and cross-border arrangements.
The majority of Tables contained in this report provide a snapshot of workers’ compensation arrangements as at 30 September 2011. However, because each jurisdiction may vary its arrangements from time to time, and because there may be some exceptions to the arrangements described in this edition, more up to date information should be obtained from the relevant authority.
The report is available here.
Injuries cost housing construction $17 million a year
Recent figures published by WorkSafe Victoria show that more than 20 tradespeople are injured on Victorian construction sites per week, costing the industry around $17 million per year in medical costs, wages and other expenses.
NSW Business Chamber warns against premium increase
The New South Wales Business Chamber has warned that over 12,600 jobs could disappear from the state economy if workers’ compensation premiums are allowed to increase by the projected 28 per cent.
SafeWork Awards open for nominations
The 2012 WorkCover NSW SafeWorks Awards are now open for nominations, with the agency inviting organisations and individuals who have ‘gone the extra mile to make their workplaces safer’ to apply for awards.
Greens demand action on workplace bullying
The ACT Greens have released the results of their ACT Workplace Bullying Survey, finding that workplace bullying is rife in most workplaces.
WorkSafe to hold return to work forum
WorkSafe Victoria has announced a free workshop aimed at providing employers with advice they need to help reintegrate injured workers into the workforce.
NOPESMA reports on offshore health and safety
NOPSEMA, Australia’s national independent regulator for offshore petroleum health and safety, well integrity and environmental management, has released the latest health and safety performance report for Australia’s offshore petroleum industry.
NSW inquiry into workers compensation
The NSW parliamentary inquiry into workers compensation, undertaken by a Joint Select Committee established on May 2, is underway.
Unions NSW leads compensation counter attack
Unions NSW has led a delegation of injured workers to the NSW State Parliament as it launches its campaign against the State Government’s proposed cuts to WorkCover NSW.
TWU and supermarkets in safety stoush
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has publically hit out at Coles and Woolworths, saying the supermarket giants are responsible for ‘lethal pressures in the trucking industry and across the entire supply chain’.
ATSB defends Australia's air safety record
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has denied recent media reports about aviation safety in, claiming that air travel remains one of the safest forms of travel.
NSW Minerals Council awards for OHS Innovation
The NSW Minerals Council has announced its annual awards for innovation safety in the mining industry.
Report criticises NTC proposals for train drivers work hours
A report by Monash University, commissioned by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, has criticized moves by the National Transport Commission (NTC) to remove working hour caps for NSW train drivers.