Workplace safety charges laid against construction giant Laing O'Rourke in the wake of Cyclone George have been dismissed, after the Western Australian Court of Appeal found a guilty verdict would have imposed a "plainly impracticable" duty on employers across Australia.
Warnings issued after workplace deaths and near-fatality; OHS rep faces fine after threatening subcontractors; and New ACT Chief Minister retains IR portfolio.
Employers warned after five Victorian and Queensland work deaths; Western Australian employers fined after untrained holiday worker loses leg; Employer fined for lack of fencing at asbestos site; and Safety and legislation news from around Australia.
Workers' comp fraudster jailed for at least 12 months; Comcare prosecuting Defence Force, again; WorkSafe WA to target mobile plant and conduct safety forums; and Tasmanian mine safety Code revoked.
In a 3-2 decision, the High Court has found a Western Australian supplier that failed to implement engineering controls - that might have prevented an incident - was liable for an injury.
An engineer who was required to attend a work-related dinner - where alcoholic drinks were served - and failed a urine test the following morning was rightly dismissed, Fair Work Australia has ruled.
In this update, OHS Alert outlines all the important OHS and workers' compensation legislative changes made in the first quarter of 2011. We also recap the most significant court and tribunal rulings and other developments in each jurisdiction.
O'Farrell urged to lead the way on harmonisation; Queensland employer penalised after five-year-old injured at unfenced site; Western Australian employer fined for training and guarding failures; and New mine blasting guidelines and safety alerts released.