Employers that believe they're prepared for everything regarding safety and risks should still have procedures for managing issues that come "out of left field", says Telstra's chief risk officer.
Queensland has confirmed that a host of transitional arrangements for its mirror WHS Regulation will be extended by 12 months, while two model Codes of Practice will take effect in less than two weeks.
WHS transitional arrangements that are due to expire at the end of the year in Queensland are likely to be extended by 12 months, while the State Government is set to approve eight model Codes of Practice.
With warmer weather fast approaching, employers have been warned of the safety risks associated with seasonal work and natural disasters, while NSW has waived some asbestos regulations in fire-affected areas.
Nine Victorian employers and an individual have been ordered to pay a total of nearly $250,000 in fines and costs for guarding, forklift, exclusion zone and asbestos breaches.
The Federal Government has welcomed Telstra's plan to recommence pit remediation work for the construction of the National Broadband Network (NBN) on 19 August.
Work fatality rate rises sharply in March with falling objects killing nine; Warnings issued after young boy and two others killed in agriculture sector; Most personal injury claims arise from lack of training; and Miners warned about naturally occurring asbestos.
Asbestos-containing materials are still prevalent in thousands of Australian workplaces, and "just about any task" can disturb them. In this article, the head of the new Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency explains how employers should deal with the issue - and how to avoid breaching the WHS Act in the process.