Browsing: Authority/inspectorate (VIC) | Page 11

Mining giant Fortescue Metals Group could be fined up to nearly $1.9 million, after being charged with dozens of counts of failing to produce documents, relating to alleged s-xual harassment at its sites, in the first case launched under Western Australia's version of the national model WHS laws.

• Workplace manslaughter charges laid against related companies; and
  
• Safety compliance directives follow mobile plant incidents.

This major OHS Alert report reviews all the need-to-know workplace health and safety and workers' comp developments from the past few months, including the passage of game-changing Respect@Work laws, numerous WHS amendments, COVID rulings, a state-first workplace manslaughter charge, and a record-smashing reckless conduct fine.

• Numerous duty holders fined, common safety breaches revealed; and
  
• World-first WHS guidelines for cobots released in NSW.

• Are you meeting your HSR-information duties? and
  
• "Injured" worker handed $51k fraud bill.

Two businesses have been fined a total of $800,000 over separate but alarmingly similar fatalities involving the handling of heavy materials in confined spaces. A regulator has explained how to prevent such incidents, including through consultation processes.

An employer has been convicted and fined for eight workplace safety breaches, including hindering an investigation by hiding tools after an apprentice was shot in the head by a nail gun. Meanwhile, a major survey has found unsanitary amenities are common at worksites.

• Employer fined $300k over poor maintenance and fatality; and
  
• Assault-related workers' comp claims increasing.

• Major WHS reforms and new s-xual assault duties pass in ACT; and
  
• Workplace fire risk increased by poor administrative controls.

Employers have been reminded of their legislative duty to take all reasonably practicable steps to identify all asbestos-containing materials in their workplaces, and pointed to a recent safety prosecution that shows the application of the law extends beyond the demolition and construction industries.