Queensland could follow Victoria's lead and introduce jail terms for workplace bullies, the State Industrial Relations Minister has hinted in announcing the establishment of a special reference group to examine the issue.
Commonwealth to ban synthetic cannabis detected in workers; WorkSafe Victoria to target employers without workers' comp cover; and Western Australian employers fined for electricity and notice breaches.
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.
Employers fined for ignoring Codes of Practice; Safety reviews urged after three horror incidents in 24 hours; OHS prosecutions to be fast-tracked in Victorian blitz; and South Australia offers $412K in OHS research grants.
In this article, OHS Alert reports on high-risk licences, fatality reports, safety alerts, contractor guidelines that will apply from 1 July, and other OHS news from across the country.
In an important ruling for Victorian employers, a law firm that is being sued for damages by an injured former partner has won its High Court bid to challenge the opinion of a WorkCover Authority medical panel.
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.
A Victorian employer has been ordered to pay WorkCover more than $1.76 million in premiums and penalties, after the Court of Appeal found it had been paying workers' comp premiums under the wrong industry classification.
Workplace bullies face jail as "Brodie's law" passes; Victorian, NSW and Queensland regulators take action after deaths; New WorkCover NSW inspectors to tackle death and injury rates; and WorkSafe prosecutes employer as record notices issued.
