South Australia's average premium rate - the nation's highest - will remain unchanged in the next financial year, with WorkCover's unfunded liability rising above $1 billion for the first time since 2009. Also in this article, WorkSafe Victoria has reported a record-low injury rate.
Regulator missed chance to change fatal safety attitude; Workers' comp fraudsters ordered to repay more than $40k; and Collision-avoidance devices could become mandatory for Queensland mines.
Victorian "dividend" Bill could push up workers' comp premiums; Study finds injured workers require "intensive" help; Western Australia introduces firefighter compensation Bill; and WorkCover NSW investigates forklift death, releases investigations fact sheet.
WorkCover NSW and WorkSafe Victoria have clarified the alarming cost of workers' compensation claims for stress, industrial deafness and musculoskeletal disorders, and outlined what they plan to do to help employers reduce them.
There is a shortage of safety inspectors in Western Australia and work-related injury and fatality rates could "continue to rise", a union has claimed following the recent spate of work deaths in the State, including one yesterday.
Commonwealth passes harmonisation Bill; Police to "think twice" after workers' comp changes progress; New alert issued on OHS scams; and Employers plead guilty after guarding failure and truck fire.
WorkSafe Victoria has warned that it has doubled its prosecution rate in recent months, and is urging employers to "find and fix" workplace hazards before inspectors discover them.
South Australia to accelerate lower-premium laws; Workplace regulators investigating five fatalities; WorkCover WA increases medical fees and fines employer; and Q-COMP develops RTW site.
Employers have been urged to consult with workers on safety issues and conduct regular reviews, after a second Victorian employer in a matter of days was handed a significant fatality-related fine.