A major, incident-strewn road construction project under unprecedented government scrutiny has been ordered to cease work over new safety concerns, while an ongoing study has found that training supervisors to risk-manage manual tasks can slash musculoskeletal claims.
In yet another inquiry into an electrocution involving a roof area, a coroner has renewed calls to extend mandatory requirements for residual current devices (RCDs), and retrofit all domestic, industrial and commercial premises.
A site safety officer, a supervisor, a crane driver and a crane dogman could be jailed for years, after being charged with category 1 WHS breaches or manslaughter in relation to the death of a worker at the University of Canberra Hospital construction site.
A major project has reduced strain and sprains by 25 per cent in eight months, by observing workers' day-to-day activities and proactively identifying and implementing safer ways to carry out manual handling tasks, according to its safety manager.
A company officer has been convicted of failing to exercise due diligence in relation to a serious safety incident and a supervisory stuff-up that occurred while he was on annual leave.
An engineer has been convicted and fined $100,000 for OHS breaches that contributed to a bulk excavation collapsing, forcing the evacuation of neighbouring residents.
A commission has blocked 83 workers from resigning as auxiliary firefighters over concerns that their employer's move to replace directly-employed emergency response operators (EROs) with contractors will compromise their safety.
A "de facto" employer has been ordered to pay more than $450,000 to a worker who was directed to work on a wet platform, before slipping and falling two metres. Meanwhile, a superior court has found a company breached its duty of care to a mechanic who was crushed by a 200kg plate.
A PCBU has been found guilty of WHS breaches, after one of its managers "capitulated" to the unsafe demands of a subcontractor and created a risk that resulted in serious injuries 12km away.
