Browsing: Jurisdiction (TAS) | Page 12

A major employer has been handed significant WHS penalties in two jurisdictions, including for failing to properly respond to two previous workplace fires, which led to a contractor sustaining fatal injuries in a third fire.

An injured worker has been refused compensation after a tribunal found it was reasonably arguable she "staged" a work-related fall and deliberately hurt herself.

• Workplace forced by govt to close for COVID-19 breaches; and
  
• New WHS Minister and safety chief announced in ACT and Tas.

The NSW WHS Act will be amended to impose new duties on PCBUs that "provide food delivery services", if an Opposition Bill (which forms part of a broader safety strategy for gig workers) passes Parliament. Meanwhile, Tasmanian employers have been told to "stay COVID safe" as border restrictions ease.

This article examines all the must-know workplace safety, workers' compensation and COVID-19 developments from July, August and September 2020, with highlights including a new WHS Code for the pandemic, the Dreamworld judgment, a record double-fatality fine and gross negligence cases.

• COVID work restrictions eased slightly in Vic, with UK lesson;
  
• Comcare updates transition-to-usual-work guidance; and
  
• Industrial manslaughter laws demanded for Tas WHS Act.

A worker was "on the job" when he was violently assaulted while chasing an absconding customer, a tribunal has found in rejecting his employer's liability challenge.

• Employers targeted in new COVID-19 testing regime in Vic; and
  
• National Safe Work Month kicks off tomorrow.

• COVID face coverings can create new work risks, regulator warns;
  
• "Second line of defence" prescribed for Qld mines;
  
• Employers reminded of new quad bike safety standards; and
  
• New online system helps WHS notifications in Tas.

• WHS fines increased eight-fold under Bill for Tas mines; and
  
• Union and officials cop $202k in workplace safety and entry fines.