Browsing: Right of entry | Page 13

WHS permit holders in Queensland will soon be able to enter work sites without giving 24 hours' notice.

• Union organiser charged with another safety-related entry breach; and
  
• Retailers unaware of workers' comp obligations.

A union organiser who allegedly ignored OHS rules at the Barangaroo construction site, before having his entry permit suspended for concealing his criminal past, is just one of a score of CFMEU officials currently being prosecuted for safety and entry breaches.

• Queensland Labor promises to reverse WHS amendments;
  
• Abetz renews attack on Victoria's decision to dump Code; and
  
• Victoria launches inquiry into "cancer cluster".

The NSW Supreme Court has clarified the extent of safety inspectors' entry powers under the State WHS Act, in rejecting an employer's claim that an inspector who entered its workplace after a fatality couldn't interview witnesses before seeking any required information in writing.

Western Australia has tabled a draft mirror Work Health and Safety Bill, which, despite the State Government's long-term position on fines, includes the same maximum penalties as the model version of the laws.

The model WHS Act should be amended to ensure health and safety reps are punished for abusing their powers, but its due diligence provisions should be maintained and broadly applied by employers, according to Ai Group.

Union "abuses" of safety issues would be reduced if each relevant jurisdiction followed Queensland's lead on amending model WHS right-of-entry provisions, according to Master Builders Australia.

Stakeholders in the harmonised states and territories are being asked to comment on whether the model WHS laws should be amended to include stricter entry rules and less prescriptive regulations - but they've been given just days to do so.

OHS changes cut compliance costs in Victoria; WA handed power to contest unsafe industrial action; Stewart-Crompton reviewing SA's mirror WHS Act; Heavy vehicle operators face new penalty regime in NSW; and Long-load road rules amended in Tasmania.