New workplace regulator for the construction industry
01 June, 2012Fair Work Building and Construction (FWBC), the new regulator of workplace laws in the building and construction industry, begins operations today. FWBC was created by the Fair Work (Building) Act 2012 (FW Building Act). The agency is headed by the Acting Chief Executive, Leigh Johns.
Safety show and conference
01 June, 2012The WA Safety Show will be held from 7-9 August at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre. The show will offer visitors an opportunity to network and learn from industry experts via interactive live demonstrations, dedicated feature areas, free seminars and workshops.
Stronger accountability for employer groups and unions
31 May, 2012All registered employer associations and unions will be subject to tougher financial and accountability obligations, and Fair Work Australia will have enhanced investigation powers, under legislation introduced into federal parliament today.
Work negatively impacts mental and physical health
30 May, 2012Almost 2200 (44%) of 5000 workers recently surveyed felt their work impacts negatively on their mental or physical health, reveals research conducted by Medibank. The research examined 13 different industries and discovered that many workers felt their employment impacted their health, with over one in two (54%) specifying that work affected their physical health and 40% believing it impacted their mental health. A quarter felt they worked for an organisation that had a high risk of harm to their physical health (26%) or mental health (24%).
Kinnect enters WA
29 May, 2012Queensland-established injury prevention and management company Kinnect has opened state headquarters in Perth, Western Australia. The need for enhanced workplace injury prevention and injury support was not only reflected in the size of the WA resources sector, but a future outlook where known and forecast exploration expenditure signified a continuing strong pipeline of new mining and energy projects, says Kinnect’s WA Director and health professional Rebecca Morton-Stephens.
Free workplace safety webinar for small businesses
29 May, 2012 | Supplied by: WorkCover NSWWorkCover NSW will be holding a webinar on 20 June from 10-11 am for small businesses and workers to help them understand the recent changes in work health and safety laws
Injuries on housing construction sites costing $17m per year
24 May, 2012 | Supplied by: WorkSafe VictoriaMore than 20 Victorian tradies a week were seriously injured on housing constructions sites last year, costing the industry $17 million in medical costs, wages and other expenses, according to WorkSafe Victoria. WorkSafe Inspector Steve Thornely said the figures could be significantly higher as sole traders do not make claims under WorkSafe’s injury insurance scheme.
Reducing manual handling risks when terminating data cables
22 May, 2012 | Supplied by: Anixter Australia Pty LtdTech Innovations has designed and developed Tech Table, a product that allows technicians to perform the task on a stable, height-adjustable working platform that is lightweight and easily transported. It is designed to alleviate many challenging manual handling and safety issues confronted by technicians when terminating data cables.
2012 WorkCover SafeWork Awards now open for nominations
16 May, 2012The 2012 WorkCover NSW SafeWork Awards are open for entries. WorkCover NSW would like to invite you and your organisation to enter.
Ai Group: union attempts to restrict casual employment flexibility need to be rejected
16 May, 2012The Australian Industry Group has announced its opposition of unions’ attempts to reduce casual employment flexibility, with CEO Innes Willox saying the unions’ claims are “not in Australia’s interests”.
RCR launches online store for Pro-Val safety products
15 May, 2012 | Supplied by: RCR International Pty LtdRCR International has launched a new online store for its Pro-Val range of safety products. To celebrate the launch, the company is offering all customers 15% off all orders placed in the first week (Monday 14 May - Sunday 20 May).
Flight Centre caught in workplace bullying case
15 May, 2012Australian travel agency Flight Centre is at the centre of a case of corporate workplace bullying, with Maurice Blackburn Lawyers filing action against the company in the Federal Court. Employment Law Principal Josh Bornstein said the action was filed under the Fair Work Act’s adverse action provisions - laws which play an important function in protecting whistleblowers from victimisation and retribution.
Inclusive workplace champions to be announced
15 May, 2012The winners of the 2012 AHRI Diversity Awards will be announced at a Melbourne luncheon this week on 17 May. The awards recognise and celebrate outstanding individuals and organisations, and the contribution they have made to their business and the HR profession in the area of diversity.
Budget 2012-13: Getting Australians job ready and into work
14 May, 2012The Gillard government has announced that the 2012-2013 budget will support jobs, building on an investment in skills, training and assistance. It was claimed that protecting jobs has been “the number one priority of the Gillard government from day one”, with the following measures intended to reflect that commitment.
Nominations open for National Safety Awards of Excellence
10 May, 2012
The NSCA is accepting nominations for the National Safety Awards of Excellence. The awards are open to any Australian operating business, organisation, alliance or individual in the public or private sector with a workplace health and safety or environment initiative that complies with one of the seven categories. Nominations close 29 June 2012.
