Browsing: Legislation, regulation and caselaw | Page 534

Fifth jurisdiction joins harmonised rail safety regime; Victoria ditches crane permit requirements for many roads; New NHVR chief executive appointed; and Graincorp fined for repeat safety breach.

Workers trained in first aid not only save lives, but are more likely to look out for their colleagues and speak up about safety issues, according to Coal Services. Meanwhile, NSW Mine Safety has released a report on its ongoing investigation into a coal mine double fatality.

A Queensland supervisor who crashed a 20-tonne crane on a public road while driving it home has been denied damages, with the Supreme Court finding his employer could not have foreseen such "wilfully inappropriate conduct".

The Western Australian Government is unlikely to introduce harmonised WHS laws in the foreseeable future, with its new budget making no reference to the legislation, and the Attorney-General championing the successes of the current OSH Act.

A new report has found that more than 700 Australians die from mesothelioma and asbestosis every year, and workers continue to be exposed to asbestos fibres. Meanwhile, a union warns the death toll will rise if the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council is abolished.

A judge has rejected an injured subcontractor's $650,000 damages bid, as well as his claim that he felt compelled to perform an unsafe task for fear of being refused future work.

Employers fined for powerline and notification breaches; Draft manual handling Code released for comment in Victoria; SA Greens reintroduce cancer Bill; Three farm deaths in NSW prompt safety call; and NSW safety awards open.

A recent case involving a worker who was awarded $240,000 in damages - after being bullied for just 11 days - demonstrates how important it is to proactively respond to all workplace bullying complaints, according to employment and safety lawyer Hedy Cray.

Australia's state and territory governments have all agreed to examine ways to reduce the "red tape" associated with the model WHS Act, while Tasmania looks likely to be the next jurisdiction to significantly amend its version of the laws.

A South Australian employer knew one of its machines had a faulty safety switch months before a young worker's fingertips were amputated while using it, the Magistrates Court has found.