Browsing: Fatalities | Page 128

A NSW company director who knew his workers deliberately exposed themselves to chemical fumes to "get high", but failed to stop them and enforce PPE requirements, has been fined for OHS breaches, after a worker died from exposure to solvents.

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.

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.

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

Work-related death toll rises sharply; and NSW in brief.

WA employers handed $363k bill after tyre death; and WA DMP releases incident report and two new guidelines.

Employers in the road transport sector could be required to inspect vehicle brake pads weekly, under one of 25 recommendations made by a coronial investigation into Victoria's Kerang train disaster and other level-crossing fatalities.

With warmer weather fast approaching, employers have been warned of the safety risks associated with seasonal work and natural disasters, while NSW has waived some asbestos regulations in fire-affected areas.

WA death could have been prevented with $1000 investment; Inspectors focus on non-compliant sleeper cabs; Gardeners warned of Legionella risk; SA police to be protected by new blood-test laws; and Draft electrical safety guide released for comment.

Every year thousands of Australians die from work-related injuries and diseases, while hundreds of thousands are injured, but only 417 employers were prosecuted for OHS breaches in 2011-12, showing safety regulations should be strengthened, not weakened, the ACTU says.