Employer fined $80k for "reckless" failure to follow manufacturer's instructions; Employer zapped with $50k fine after overlooking power line risks; Skylarking labourer fined for inflicting eye injury on colleague; Farmer's failure to take "basic safety measures" ends in arm amputation; and NSW SafeWork Awards open.
In this update, OHS Alert outlines all the important OHS and workers' compensation legislative changes made in the first quarter of 2012. We also recap the most significant court and tribunal rulings and other developments in each jurisdiction.
A South Australian employer has been fined $105,000 after its "inexcusable" failure to fit machines with guarding caused a worker to lose his arm. Also in this article, a second South Australian employer has been fined for guarding failures after a finger amputation.
Many PCBUs and workers mistakenly believe that supervisors are "officers" - and that home-based work is too risky - under harmonised WHS laws, according to WorkSafe ACT director Mark McCabe. Also in this article, South Australia has released the final draft of its mirror WHS Regulations.
The NSW Government will today announce plans to curtail injured workers' entitlements in an effort to reduce employer premiums, but unions have warned the move could end in "disaster".
South Australia's average premium rate - the nation's highest - will remain unchanged in the next financial year, with WorkCover's unfunded liability rising above $1 billion for the first time since 2009. Also in this article, WorkSafe Victoria has reported a record-low injury rate.
Victorian "dividend" Bill could push up workers' comp premiums; Study finds injured workers require "intensive" help; Western Australia introduces firefighter compensation Bill; and WorkCover NSW investigates forklift death, releases investigations fact sheet.
In a decision that examines the definition of a "self-employed person" under workplace safety laws, the skipper of a South Australian fishing vessel found guilty over the death of a deckhand has had charges against him dismissed on appeal.
South Australian on-hire agencies to pay lower workers' comp levies; Workplace fatality reports reveal high pedestrian and rural death rates; Rollover-protection opponents relying on flawed simulation tests; Comcare's inaugural health and safety awards open; and WorkCover NSW hosting free harmonisation webinars.
