Rail safety harmonisation gathers steam
19 June, 2012 by Gillian Holmes, McCullough Robertson | Supplied by: McCullough RobertsonThe process for harmonising rail safety throughout Australia’s states and territories has commenced with South Australia passing the Rail Safety National Law (South Australia) Bill 2011 (SA Bill) through both houses of parliament.
Standards for height safety training
19 June, 2012 by Peter Lamond* | Supplied by: 3M Fall ProtectionFalls cost employers millions of dollars each year in lost time, compensation and third-party liability suits. For the period 2003-04 to 2008-09, there have been 180 fatalities as a result of falls from height, 10.67% of total fatalities recorded during this period, according to Safe Work Australia statistics. More specifically, in 2008-09, 33 deaths occurred as a result of falls from height (39% being from the ‘Construction’ industry). ‘Fall from a height’ is the third largest killer of people in the workplace behind ‘vehicle incidents’ and ‘being hit by moving objects’. Of the 33 ‘fall from a height’ fatalities recorded in 2008-09, nine were from buildings and structures; six from ladders; four from trucks, semitrailers and lorries; and three from scaffolds.
NZ workplace survey explores what’s really under the hood
19 June, 2012Kiwi employees and their bosses will shed unprecedented light on the world of employment and the workplace in The Great New Zealand Employment Survey.
AMMA urges a sensible policy approach to federal FIFO inquiry
19 June, 2012 | Supplied by: AMMA (Australian Mines & Metals Association)Resource industry employer group AMMA has addressed the federal government’s inquiry into fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workplace practices, as executive director, industry services, Minna Knight reaffirmed the importance of FIFO to one of Australia’s strongest industries.
Deb Group announces $15m investment in Australia
18 June, 2012 | Supplied by: Deb Australia Pty LtdOccupational skincare company Deb Group has announced it will be building a $15m new manufacturing facility for the Australian and South East Asian markets at Moorebank Business Park in South Western Sydney.
Toyoto Materials Handling opens new premises in Albury and Gladstone
15 June, 2012 | Supplied by: Toyota Material Handling Australia Pty LtdToyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA) has established a direct presence in Albury-Wodonga and moved to larger premises in Gladstone.
Supporting mature-age workers good for the nation
15 June, 2012Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Wayne Swan and Minister for Employment Participation Kate Ellis recently met with Members and Senators in Canberra to promote the benefits of mature-age workforce participation.
Director with cancer sues former employer over breach of contract
15 June, 2012The Australian CEO of a major IT company is suing his former employer for breach of contract after the company failed to maintain his income protection insurance and payout entitlements after he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Man dies after fall from factory roof
15 June, 2012WorkSafe Victoria is investigating the death of a labourer who fell from the roof of a factory that was being renovated at Coora Road, Oakleigh South, Victoria.
NSW WorkCover reform a matter of urgency, claims Ai Group
14 June, 2012Australian Industry Group NSW Director Mark Goodsell has released a statement indicating the urgent need for reform of the NSW WorkCover scheme.
Online training to improve safety of transport workers
14 June, 2012 | Supplied by: People and Quality SolutionsPaQS (People and Quality Solutions) has launched a new online safety course tailored to the transport sector. The course has evolved from the original, nationally recognised, competency-based course in Advanced Safety Awareness (ASA), has a psychological approach, is available online and has been designed to fit into the transport sector’s safety induction programs.
Court action over alleged sham contracting
14 June, 2012The Fair Work Ombudsman has launched a prosecution against the operator of a Brisbane beauty and photography business, alleging he was involved in sham contracting activity and the underpayment of more than $8000 to seven employees.
Faster access to entitlements for Hastie Group workers
14 June, 2012More than 2000 Australian workers in NSW, Victoria and Queensland who have lost their jobs at Hastie Group will have expedited access to assistance for unpaid entitlements following the collapse of the companies.
Upskilling Darwin maritime workers boosts resources sector
13 June, 2012Maritime workers in Darwin are upgrading their skills while on the job, as a result of the Gillard government’s $700 million National Workforce Development Fund.
$150,000 for mining community health and safety grants
13 June, 2012Schools and community groups in the mining areas of the Hunter, Central Coast and North West of the state can now apply for their share of $150,000 in the new Mine Safety Advisory Council (MSAC) grants program. The MSAC aims to increase awareness of health and safety issues in mining communities with grants of up to $10,000 each available to schools and community groups.
