Employers warned after five Victorian and Queensland work deaths; Western Australian employers fined after untrained holiday worker loses leg; Employer fined for lack of fencing at asbestos site; and Safety and legislation news from around Australia.
Queensland Industrial Relations Minister Cameron Dick has introduced a model Work Health and Safety Bill to Parliament, but a Brisbane lawyer has questioned Dick's claim that harmonisation will reduce red tape for employers.
Workers' comp fraudster jailed for at least 12 months; Comcare prosecuting Defence Force, again; WorkSafe WA to target mobile plant and conduct safety forums; and Tasmanian mine safety Code revoked.
NSW employers will have an absolute obligation to consult with all duty holders on OHS issues months ahead of schedule, if the State Government's "fast track" harmonisation Bill passes through Parliament, lawyers say.
Union-led prosecutions and reverse-onus OHS laws in NSW could be jettisoned within weeks, with the State Government introducing a "fast track" harmonisation Bill to Parliament today.
Victoria's average premium rate to remain static; Employer fined for sloppy response to improvement notices; and New Tasmanian asbestos rules and transport guides released.
Proposed changes to Victoria's stalking laws are directed at bullying employees, but could have "flow on implications" for employers, according to a lawyer.
A NSW employer that failed to complete an OHS management plan - because its OHS and production managers were too busy - has been fined $160,000, after the OHS manager was killed in an incident involving an unsafe forklift.
A Queensland employer has entered a $339,500 enforceable undertaking - even though a fine would have cost it far less - after one of its workers injured his wrist while using a power tool.
