OHS Alert http://www.ohsalert.com.au/index.php Fast independent news and analysis for OHS professionals. en-au Copyright OHS Alert 2010 hourly 1 1970-01-01T00:00+00:00 OHS Alert http://www.ohsalert.com.au/RDF/ohsalert_logo.gif http://www.ohsalert.com.au/ Fast independent news and analysis for OHS professionals. Apprentice-related breaches can end in recklessness fines; and more http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50528 Apprentice-related supervision breaches can lead to recklessness fines; Queensland removes earthmoving requirement from WHS Regulation; and South Australian WHS Act added to Fair Work right-of-entry laws. OHS Alert 2013-05-22T15:52:21+10:00 Employer negligent in failing to maintain 50-year-old structure http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50524 A NSW employer that failed to properly maintain a 50-year-old steel structure, which held up to 450 tonnes of material, has been found liable for injuries sustained by a truck driver when the structure collapsed onto the back of his vehicle. OHS Alert 2013-05-22T14:15:30+10:00 Narrower "worker" definition in workers' comp Act supported by Dept http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50521 Queensland is likely to press ahead with its plan to narrow the definition of "worker" in the State workers' comp Act, with the Department of Justice and Attorney-General dismissing submissions that oppose the proposed amendment. OHS Alert 2013-05-22T10:40:21+10:00 Are you prepared for risks posed by an ageing workforce? http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50516 Conducting workplace surveys and health checks is the first of three steps to reducing the risk of injuries among older workers, and embracing the benefits of an ageing workforce, such as loyalty, says an occupational therapist. OHS Alert 2013-05-21T15:55:28+10:00 Being busy no excuse for disregarding safety procedures http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50513 A worker who disregarded his employer's lock-out tag-out (LOTO) procedure because he was "in a hurry" was rightly sacked, the Fair Work Commission has found, in rejecting his unfair dismissal claim. OHS Alert 2013-05-21T14:10:36+10:00 Review of Seacare's poor safety record recommends harmonisation http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50512 Maritime OHS laws should be harmonised with the model WHS Act so that PCBUs and officers in the sector have a positive duty to reduce its high injury and premium rates, according to a review of the Seacare scheme released for comment yesterday. OHS Alert 2013-05-21T12:30:10+10:00 "Reasonably practicable" guide clarifies WHS cost issues http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50505 A new Safe Work Australia guide, designed to help PCBUs comply with their duty to do what is "reasonably practicable" to ensure health and safety, explains how much weight employers can place on costs when deciding whether or not to adopt a hazard control. OHS Alert 2013-05-20T15:36:17+10:00 Modified procedure and lack of training proved fatal http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50504 An investigation into the death of a NSW paramedic in a helicopter incident shows how difficult it is to identify and manage work hazards and risks when using undocumented procedures. OHS Alert 2013-05-20T13:05:38+10:00 Fake high-risk licence alert expanded, international scam suspected http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50498 WorkSafe WA has extended its warning on fraudulent high-risk work licences, after receiving reports that fake national licences are being churned out cheaply overseas. Also in this article, a repeat offender has been fined for height safety breaches. OHS Alert 2013-05-17T15:45:42+10:00 Prevent bullying through cost-effective response, complaint systems http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50495 With workplace bullying claims likely to increase under the proposed Fair Work amendments, Sparke Helmore Lawyers partner David Davies has advised employers to develop a four-step bullying prevention and response strategy. OHS Alert 2013-05-17T13:53:36+10:00 Eleven-week investigation delay caused compensable psych injury http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50493 A Victorian human services worker, who left a resident with disability on the side of the road 76km away from his home, sustained a compensable psychological injury as a result of her employer's protracted investigation into the incident, a magistrate has found. OHS Alert 2013-05-17T12:11:53+10:00 PCBUs in "non-participating" states must be across model Act; and more http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50486 PCBUs in "non-participating" states must be across model Act; and Essential safety news from four jurisdictions. OHS Alert 2013-05-16T15:54:32+10:00 Company director wasn't "driving" vehicle when injury occurred http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50484 A NSW worker, who was injured in an incident involving a front-end loader, has been blocked from suing his employer for nearly $400,000 in damages under the NSW Motor Accidents Compensation Act. OHS Alert 2013-05-16T14:42:20+10:00 Worker pretended to be bashed by colleague http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50482 A female worker was rightly sacked for falsely accusing a male colleague of physically assaulting her, the Fair Work Commission has found. OHS Alert 2013-05-16T13:30:59+10:00 SA firefighter and vehicle Bills progress; SafeWork issues WHS guides http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50479 The South Australian Greens have applauded the passing of their workers' comp Bill for firefighters through the Legislative Council, while the State Government has introduced mirror heavy-vehicle laws. Also in this article, SafeWork SA has released new fact sheets on HSR training and more under the WHS Act. OHS Alert 2013-05-16T12:11:45+10:00 Ten steps to minimise risks to work-from-home employees http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50470 OHS professionals mustn't forget employees who work from home - including those who do so on an ad hoc basis - when conducting risk assessments and reviewing safety arrangements, says employment lawyer Kristin Ramsey. OHS Alert 2013-05-15T14:53:01+10:00 Philosophy class found to be "therapeutic" under workers' comp Act http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50469 In a case that examines the definition of "therapeutic treatment", a worker who suffered a psychological injury more than 14 years ago has been awarded the costs of attending philosophy classes. OHS Alert 2013-05-15T13:13:55+10:00 Budget: New anti-bullying process imminent with $21.4m commitment http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50468 The Fair Work Commission is likely to start dealing with workplace bullying complaints from July, with the Federal Government's budget committing $21.4 million to the policy. OHS Alert 2013-05-15T11:31:00+10:00 Is that worker 'faking it'? http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50461 Assessing a worker's psychological injury claim involves much more than a diagnosis. Here, a research psychologist explains how an employee's credibility and functionality are measured. OHS Alert 2013-05-14T15:56:31+10:00 Fraudulent high-risk work licences detected; and more http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50460 Employers urged to verify high-risk work licences after fakes detected; and WA truckies face dangerous goods fines, as near-miss reports released. OHS Alert 2013-05-14T14:58:58+10:00 Worker sacked for "tampering" with incident scene wins $38k http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50457 A worker who was sacked after being accused of tampering with an incident scene - prior to a WorkSafe Victoria investigation - has been awarded nearly $40,000 in lost remuneration by the Fair Work Commission. OHS Alert 2013-05-14T12:56:20+10:00 Flawed "buddy" training system ends in one of six new safety fines http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50453 An employer that used a "buddy system" to train inexperienced workers is just one of six Victorian companies recently fined for safety breaches. Also in this article, OHS regulators have issued safety alerts on the prevention of illness and injuries from formaldehyde, falls and falling objects. OHS Alert 2013-05-13T15:57:54+10:00 Worker bitten by crocodile and shot by colleague loses PTSD bid http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50450 A Northern Territory worker, who was attacked by a crocodile and then accidentally shot by a co-worker who was trying to help him, has been denied workers' compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder and other injuries. OHS Alert 2013-05-13T14:14:06+10:00 Audit highlights public sector RTW flaws, and how to fix them http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50447 In a new report identifying multiple flaws in the way the Western Australian public sector manages injured employees, the State Auditor General has shown how quickly an employer can turn around its troubled return-to-work system and reduce its insurance costs. OHS Alert 2013-05-13T12:41:28+10:00 Comcare granted leave to fight motel case in High Court http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50441 Comcare has been granted special leave to appeal to the High Court against a decision to award workers' compensation to a Commonwealth employee who was injured while having s-x in her motel room on a work trip. OHS Alert 2013-05-10T13:56:50+10:00 Employer had no choice but to sack worker injured in second job http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50437 A worker who was sacked after taking several months of sick leave - due to an injury he sustained at another job - has had his unfair dismissal claim rejected. OHS Alert 2013-05-10T12:03:00+10:00 Coalition's IR policy adds anti-bullying step, threatens road tribunal http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50436 Workplace bullying victims will be required to seek advice from an "independent" agency before taking their case to the Fair Work Commission, under the Federal Coalition's new IR policy, which also includes a plan to "urgently" review the necessity of the Safe Rates Tribunal. OHS Alert 2013-05-10T10:35:29+10:00 Employers could be liable for gene changes caused by bullying http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50431 Workers who are subjected to bullying and stress at work are more likely to have children and grandchildren with autism or cancer, and their employers could be held liable under the due diligence provisions of the model WHS Act, a new Australian white paper says. OHS Alert 2013-05-09T15:45:45+10:00 Measles alert issued after Qld worker infected; and WA news http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50428 Measles alert issued after Qld worker diagnosed with the disease; WA regulator calls for safer approach after sixth agriculture death; and Western Australian workplace safety awards open. OHS Alert 2013-05-09T13:03:58+10:00 SWA hosting free GHS training sessions; and Pike River update http://www.ohsalert.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=50426 Safe Work Australia will host free training and information sessions in 10 cities to help employers transition to the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). Also in this article, OHS Alert examines the progress of the safety prosecutions arising from the Pike River Coal Mine tragedy. OHS Alert 2013-05-09T11:05:07+10:00