Browsing: Duty holders | Page 100

A major company has been ordered to pay more than $1.2 million in damages to a worker, after he sustained disabling injuries falling into a hidden ditch because of the company's failure to mark or cordon off the hole, or remove the need to access the area.

• Easing of COVID restrictions accelerated for offices;
  
• Diesel threshold commences in NSW, regulatory approach revealed;
  
• Company charged with category-1 safety breach of HVNL; and
  
• Did you miss our latest major WHS and COVID review?

Safe Work Australia has released Australia's "first comprehensive WHS guidance" on preventing workplace s-xual harassment, acting on a national inquiry's recommendations to produce the document and drive home the message that s-xual harassment is a major work health and safety issue.

The imminent release of COVID-19 vaccines in Australia will bring new challenges for employers, but determining whether vaccinations can be mandated in specific workplaces will require the same "reasonable and necessary" test as other workplace safety requirements, a senior workplace lawyer says.

A PCBU has been handed a record WHS penalty, while a second PCBU has been fined heavily, after they failed to prohibit or halt impromptu modifications to "extremely powerful" plant, and a worker was crushed to death.

• Guide launch prompts safety reminder on hazardous EWPs; and
  
• WHS regulator acts on SA inquiry into bullying and fatigue.

Industrial manslaughter provisions should be amended in Queensland to ensure all companies that negligently cause a worker's death can be prosecuted, according to a major inquiry report that also makes important recommendations on safety metrics.

An employer has been ordered to pay $120,000 in damages to an office worker who was injured while running to answer the phone, in a case highlighting the risks posed by systems requiring staff to rush.

• COVID record-keeping retained in new workplace rules; and
  
• SWA stats reveal surging injury costs, Comcare releases resources.

In a rare case, a PCBU has been convicted and fined under WHS consultation provisions, after its failure to "consult, co-operate and co-ordinate" with other duty holders led to a worker sustaining serious injuries in a fall.