Browsing: Jurisdiction (ACT) | Page 11

A PCBU has been to ordered to pay nearly $550,000 in penalties and costs, after two of its clients died in similar circumstances in less than three years. Meanwhile, a WHS regulator has revealed the two main electrical hazards recently identified in workplaces.

In this major report, OHS Alert examines all the key safety developments from the second quarter of 2021, including the move towards mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for workers, the jailing of a company director, inquests into four work deaths, including a murder, important cases, and significant legislative changes.

The maximum fine for industrial manslaughter in the ACT will jump from less than $2 million to $16.5 million, under a new Bill that transfers the offence from the Crimes Act to the WHS Act, and expands the coverage of the laws.

A Commonwealth agency has been acquitted of WHS charges, on appeal, relating to the hypothermia death of a contract helicopter pilot. A court found a key measure the agency was accused of failing to implement was not reasonably practicable.

• Endorsed industrial death principles released by SWA;
  
• Dangerous goods and environmental duties amended in Vic; and
  
• Labour-hire scheme with WHS clauses starts in ACT tomorrow.

Australia's WHS ministers have agreed to amend the model WHS Regulations to prescribe control measures for psychological risks, and significantly increase safety penalties, but proposed industrial manslaughter laws were voted down at their meeting yesterday.

Safe Work Australia's latest "snapshot" of COVID-19-related workers' compensation claims shows that while a quarter of all COVID claims are for psychological issues, nearly all of the claims in one industry involve mental health.

• New standard tackles "one of the deadliest" workplace hazards;
  
• WHS warnings follow carbon monoxide and vehicle incidents; and
  
• Union issues cease-work advice for Sydney smoke and particles.

The ACT Government has confirmed plans to transfer the offence of industrial manslaughter from the Crimes Act to its WHS laws, in a move that is likely to increase the maximum fine by millions of dollars.

A key role of safety professionals, managers and officers is acquiring and keeping up-to-date knowledge of health and safety issues. In this report, OHS Alert examines all the need-to-know work safety, workers' compensation and COVID-19 developments from the first three months of 2021.