Recommendations from the inquiry into sham contracting
30 November, 2011
Sham contracting occurs when an employer attempts to disguise an employment relationship as an independent contracting relationship, to avoid obligatory rates of pay and other entitlements, and gain an unfair competitive advantage.
OHS harmonisation will positively impact business, survey finds
30 November, 2011 | Supplied by: ComOps Pty Ltd
A recent survey has found that 87% of managers believe the harmonisation of WHS laws will benefit their organisation. When asked about the three most critical factors for driving a successful WHS program, 74% of respondents said that creating the right culture in the company was the most important factor while 52% indicated that having management support and participation was the second most important factor.
Veolia's behavioural approach to safety
18 November, 2011 | Supplied by: People & Quality Solutions Pty Ltd
Traditionally, safety training focuses on adhering to processes and procedures. But environmental services company Veolia has taken its safety training a step further.
A case of mistaken redundancy payment
16 November, 2011 by Alison Baker, Karl Rozenbergs and Mark Dunphy, Hall & Willcox
A recent case reminds employers of the importance of reviewing employees’ contracts, enterprise agreements and any applicable modern awards to assess an employee’s entitlement to any severance payments, including notice and redundancy.
Third safety prosecution in four years for Colac timber-processing company
16 November, 2011 | Supplied by: WorkSafe Victoria
Colac-based AKD Softwoods, which has received more than 100 safety improvement notices over less than a decade, has been convicted and fined $70,000 for failing to comply with a safety improvement notice and having an unguarded machine which injured a worker.
Workshop to help employers understand early return-to-work benefits
15 November, 2011 | Supplied by: WorkSafe Victoria
A free WorkSafe workshop to help employers understand the benefits of an early and sustainable return to work for injured workers is being held next Tuesday at Dandenong.
How safe is your mobile workforce?
14 November, 2011 | Supplied by: Teletrac Navman
Over recent years responsibility for fleet safety has shifted from drivers to organisations and even individual managers - making this a growing issue for Australian businesses.
Call to use smartphone technology to improve road safety
14 November, 2011 | Supplied by: Siemens Ltd
Workplace fatalities and a marked rise in industrial injuries are costing Australian companies over $57bn, according to a safety research study released by Siemens.
Anxiety and depression linked to risk taking in young drivers
04 November, 2011
A recent study by CARRS-Q has found that young drivers who experience anxiety and depression are more likely to take risks on the road.
Geelong business convicted and fined $160,000
04 November, 2011 | Supplied by: WorkSafe Victoria
A Geelong-based manufacturer of prefabricated house frames has pleaded guilty to three charges of failing to provide a safe workplace and failing to provide training and supervision to employees.
Centennial Park bags safety award
02 November, 2011
Centennial Park, in South Australia, has received the Major Metropolitan Award for Best Practice in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in the Local Government Association Workers Compensation Scheme 2011 OHS and RTW Awards.
SafeWork SA award winners announced
02 November, 2011
Last week, Minister for Industrial Relations Russell Wortley announced the winners for Safe Work Awards 2011.
Engineering company fined after fumes overcome worker in confined space
02 November, 2011
A heavy engineering company has been convicted and fined more than $26,000 following an incident in which a worker was overcome by fumes while working in a confined space.
Baulderstone’s work safe commitment bringing in results
26 October, 2011 | Supplied by: Baulderstone Hornibrook Engineering
During this week’s Safe Work Week, Baulderstone reflects on a year of successful safety initiatives that has brought a number of achievements.
Tackling the skills shortage
24 October, 2011 by Erika Krenmayr, Sullair Australia (formerly Champion Compressors) | Supplied by: Hitachi Global Air Power
Many industries around the country are battling a skills shortage, particularly for tradespeople, and the compressed air sector is no exception. As Australia strives to meet recent infrastructure demands as a result of natural disasters, major project initiatives and the mining resources boom, it is clear that placing a ‘vacancy’ ad in the newspaper is no longer enough.
