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A commission has rejected a union's bid to block a BHP COVID-19 vaccine mandate pending a ruling on whether the company met its WHS consultation requirements. Meanwhile, the NSW Supreme Court has dismissed claims that vaccine orders for workers defy a United Nations covenant.

The duty of employers to consult with workers and health and safety representatives on hazards, risks and control measure extends to identifying and addressing cultural and language barriers, according to updated guidance released for feedback.

• Vaccine mandate satisfies safety consultation duties; and
  
• FIFO workers directed to get the COVID jab in WA.

With public health restrictions set to ease in NSW and Victoria under COVID-19 vaccine rules, and recent regulatory action and a workers' comp ruling highlighting obligations around infections, employers need to determine whether to mandate or just encourage workforce vaccinations, a senior employment lawyer says.

The Qantas Group has highlighted its duty to provide the "safest possible environment" to its employees, and the fact that a single worker can come into contact with thousands of people in a single day, in announcing a two-part COVID-19 vaccine mandate for its workforce.

Employer SPC has hit back at claims it failed to consult workers on its mandatory COVID-19 vaccination regime, stressing the mandate is a "business decision" to ensure the health and safety of staff and others.

• WHS manslaughter Bill passes, provides more enforcement "avenues"; and
  
• COVID vaccine mandate lacked WHS consultation: union.

More than half of Australia's frontline workers are suffering burnout from COVID-19, with triggers including inadequate PPE and confusing organisational communication, a major study that makes eight recommendations has found.

Employers will face fines of up to nearly $300,000 for entering into insurance contracts against workplace health and safety fines, under one of a series of safety amendments introduced in Victoria.

Ill-considered decisions on the COVID-19 vaccination, and on whether it should be mandatory for workers, could result in employers facing costly discrimination, harassment and bullying claims, a leading workplace advisor has warned.