A supervisor who was instructed to boost worker morale during construction of the Christmas Island Detention Centre was "in the course of employment" when he suffered a fatal heart attack while snorkelling, according to the South Australian WCT.
A long-running workers' comp dispute in South Australia has shown that courts are reluctant to characterise harmful lifestyle choices as "compensable sequels" to workplace injuries, a lawyer says. Also in this article, an injured ACT worker who struck his manager has had his claim rejected.
In this update, OHS Alert outlines all the important OHS and workers' compensation legislative changes made in the second quarter of 2011. We also recap the most significant court and tribunal rulings and other developments in each jurisdiction.
In another case that is likely to change the way workers' compensation disputes are resolved, a South Australian Supreme Court full bench has found the opinion of a WorkCover medical panel is not legally binding.
South Australia to ban synthetic marijuana detected in workers; WorkSafe calls for change after issuing more than 2000 notices; and "Small" safety initiatives to be recognised in revamped Victorian awards.
The South Australian Government has reintroduced to its Parliament a Bill that mirrors model Work Health and Safety laws, but retains the State's unique tripartite review committees, which can recommend changes to OHS legislation.
Union-led prosecutions and reverse-onus OHS laws in NSW could be jettisoned within weeks, with the State Government introducing a "fast track" harmonisation Bill to Parliament today.