Browsing: Authority/inspectorate (National) | Page 106

Most employers in the manufacturing industry's most hazardous sub-sector appreciate the importance of health and safety, but few proactively seek ways to improve their safety systems, instead relying on workers' "common sense", a new report has found.

Safe Work Australia has confirmed it will publish a guide - in lieu of a Code of Practice - on preventing workplace bullying, while the Federal Government says it will establish a Royal Commission into the disastrous home-insulation scheme, under which four young workers were killed.

Depression-related absences hidden from employers; Presumptive workers' comp laws pass in WA; Future of heavy vehicle safety laws determined tomorrow; and ABCC-restoration Bill introduced.

Swearing at colleague constituted "threat of violence"; and New Safe Rates program expanded to six sectors.

Most hazardous time of year for workers fast approaching; and Essential safety news from six jurisdictions.

A major Safe Work Australia report has found that 63 per cent of the work-related deaths that occurred in 2012 involved vehicles, while falling objects also caused a high-proportion of deaths. SWA has also released a special report on deaths and injuries arising from falls from height.

Unions WA has called for the State Government to stop "bludging" and "get on with harmonising occupational health and safety laws", with Safe Work Australia's latest comparative report showing Western Australia's safety record is poor.

Employers will only incur significant costs from complying with new Codes of Practice if they aren't complying with existing safety laws, Safe Work Australia says in a consultation regulation impact statement for the draft model stevedoring Code.

Safe Work Australia has confirmed it will almost certainly dump the model Code of Practice on workplace bullying in favour of a guide, but prominent safety lawyer Barry Sherriff notes that under the WHS Act, a guide has a similar evidentiary status, in practice, as a Code.

"Suspicious" workers' comp behaviour defined; SWA releases alarming mesothelioma report; and WorkCover Qld hosting webinars on scheme changes.