Comcare files proceedings over Airport Link death and injury; Workers fatally struck as national death toll rises; and Unions raise safety concerns over higher retirement age.
Communicating with employees who are absent on workers' compensation has benefits for both workers and employers, but it is vital employers find out how often a worker would like to be contacted, according to a regulator's customer services general manager.
The safety standards during the construction of Brisbane's Airport Link tunnel have been declared "deplorable", with one worker being killed, the joint-venture partners facing OHS prosecutions, one partner and another employer entering enforceable undertakings after other workers were injured, and 70 notices being issued by a regulator.
Queensland has confirmed that a host of transitional arrangements for its mirror WHS Regulation will be extended by 12 months, while two model Codes of Practice will take effect in less than two weeks.
Start date confirmed for heavy vehicle safety laws; Tasmania's safest employers announced; and New safety alerts and guidance released in five jurisdictions.
A Victorian employer that failed to properly instruct or monitor security contractors has been found primarily responsible for a security guard's injuries. Also in this article, the Queensland Supreme Court has rejected a security guard's claim that his injuries were caused by insufficient staff numbers.
Employers have limited opportunities to influence medical panel determinations in workers' comp disputes, but should always provide as much documentation as possible to advance their position, says Minter Ellison Lawyers partner Maria Billias.
Queensland's OHS regulator has been advised by the Coroner to introduce safety regulations for the hazardous house-removal industry within a year, after a young worker was fatally crushed beneath a house on his second day on the job.
Employers that disagree with an insurer's decision on a workers' comp claim should prepare well to make their written and spoken appeal submissions as "compelling" as they can, says employment lawyer Hedy Cray.
