3M has announced it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Aearo Technologies for a price of $1.2 billion.

Peter Thompson from Kagan Logistics has received the 2007 Queensland Trucking Association Industry Safety Award, presented by the Supply Chain & Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA).

WorkCover NSW has recently changed what it has considered as approved first aid training, now recognising specific national units of competency. For every workplace of over 25 people, there must be at least one first aid trained employee.

A NSW company has been fined $130,000 for risks taken by one of their contractors.

West Warrnambool businesses have proved themselves among the state’s safest during the Safe Towns campaign, but two people were found working in a way that could have resulted in death or spinal injury.

Fosters Wine Estates and electrical contractor Integrated Quality Electrical Systems were both recently fined by the SA Industrial Relations Court, over an incident in March 2005 which left a 21-year-old man with severe and disabling abdominal injuries.

The National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) now provides an inspection accreditation program focusing on safety for maintenance workers who work on high-rise buildings.

WorkSafe Victoria has announced an alliance with Australia’s leading universities and health and safety organisations to improve help safety in small and medium-sized businesses.

Minister for Industrial Relations Andrew Barr has announced the appointment of a new Occupational Health and Safety Council.

Safety laws providing for the operation of forklifts, cranes, boom lifts and other high-risk equipment have changed, requiring current ‘ticket’ holders to transfer to the new Licence to Perform High Risk Work.

American safety testing organisation Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has acquired electrical product tester Parkside Laboratories in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The Federal Magistrates Court has fined the Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy Union (CFMEU) $35,000 and an official $7000 for misusing OHS as a reason for industrial action.

The shire of Wellington in Gippsland has been committed to stand trial in the County Court after pleading not guilty to a charge laid under the OHS Act 2004.

An American market research report has found that the US market for advanced protective gear is expected to increase from US$3.3 to US$4.5 billion by 2012.

WorkSafe is urging Victorian employers, supervisors and workers to do all they can to prevent serious injuries and deaths before Christmas.