The Fair Work Commission has received far fewer applications than expected under its new anti-bullying jurisdiction, but it has received more than 100,000 enquiries on the issue, and the application rate is gradually increasing, according to its annual report.
An employer has been fined a total of $225,000 in two separate judgments - involving NSW's old and new safety legislation - for failing to ensure two employees working near conveyor belts could reach an emergency stop switch.
A PCBU's incident-response plan should include processes for contacting safety regulators and the media, and establishing legal professional privilege, according to an employment and safety lawyer.
In contrast to two recent cases involving workers who were sacked for swearing, the Fair Work Commission has ruled that a worker who verbally abused a colleague following a forklift near-miss was unfairly dismissed.
An employer has reduced staff turnover to nearly zero by providing workers with weekly massages, personal training and other perks to "take the stress out of the day", according to its business development manager.
A major employer has slashed the injury rate in one of its businesses by introducing journey management plans, a safety ownership program and other initiatives, according to its latest sustainability report.
A senior departmental officer has assured critics of the SRC Amendment Bill that Comcare has the expertise and resources to regulate complex, heavy industries.
