Browsing: Violence | Page 7

A major law firm has implemented special WHS procedures for its lawyers to respond to clients threatening suicide, self-harm and violence, and provides them with vicarious trauma training, to protect them from psychological injury.

• Employer fined $300k over poor maintenance and fatality; and
  
• Assault-related workers' comp claims increasing.

A commission has quashed a WHS notice alleging an organisation did not have an adequate assessment process to protect workers from the risk of violence.

A major employer has successfully argued, on appeal, that a similarly large company should be joined to a compensation claim from a psychologically injured worker, given he was the victim of two armed robberies with the second company.

Proactively integrating men and women workers in male-dominated workplaces can reduce discrimination and promote safer cultures, a landmark study seeking to "stamp out" occupational s-xual violence has found.

New Federal laws prohibiting conduct creating "hostile" workplace environments, and imposing a positive duty on employers to prevent s-xual harassment, have passed both houses of Parliament with additional provisions clarifying the related operation of WHS legislation.

• Second duty holder fined over reversing-plant fatality;
  
• WHS inspectors wearing cameras, WHS changes commencing;
  
• Resources sector launches anti-harassment campaign; and
  
• New safety guide helps councils deal with asbestos risks.

• Major WHS reforms and new s-xual assault duties pass in ACT; and
  
• Workplace fire risk increased by poor administrative controls.

The Federal Government has committed to ratifying a global convention against work-related violence and harassment, in a move that is expected to have a practical impact on Australian workplaces and compel employers and legislators to increase safety standards and requirements.

Employers have been reminded of their WHS duty to protect their staff from violence, with more than 50 organisations, including major companies and safety regulators, signing an industry statement supporting the eradication of customer disrespect, abuse and violence from workplaces.