Employer groups have heaved a collective sigh of relief after the Federal Government announced that businesses in some sectors would be given an extra 12 months to transition to the harmonised Work Health and Safety Regulations.
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Inquiry into the effect of "insecure" work on OHS announced; Finance employees urged to "dob in" workplace bullies; Falls from height and falling objects claim the most lives; ACT's safest employers and workers announced; and New Western Australian workers' comp forms available.
Western Australia claims to have gained an ally in NSW in its push to delay the Work Health and Safety Act, and the Federal Government has conceded that the "deadlines are getting tight", in yet another troubled week for the harmonisation process.
Only one jurisdiction - South Australia - is on track to reach the target set by the 2002-2012 National OHS Strategy for reducing workplace injury rates, according to Safe Work Australia's latest comparative report.
A peak employer group has described as unwarranted the Federal Government's move to abolish the ABCC, saying the Commission targets unlawful behaviour that "denigrates" workplace safety.
Proposed regulations to protect OHS whistleblowers; Employer fined for failing to follow instructions after worker loses sight; and Northern Territory to introduce harmonised Bill later this month.
Safe Work Australia has released harmonisation guides on the interpretation and application of the terms PCBU and "reasonably practicable", and on the duties of officers. It has also found that nearly one in three employees in high-risk industries "get so involved" in their work they forget about safety.