Browsing: WHS Harmonisation (NSW) | Page 5

A number of workplace safety regulations in five jurisdictions commence or change today, while Bill Shorten has been tasked with overseeing both work health and safety and education in new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's cabinet.

The NSW WHS mining Bill, introduced to Parliament on Thursday night, meets the high regulatory standards recommended by the New Zealand Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine tragedy, according to State Resources and Energy Minister Chris Hartcher.

A major upheaval of the new process for prosecuting alleged OHS offenders in NSW has been averted, after a judge rejected an employer's claim that the District Court has no jurisdiction to deal with OHS matters.

Employers urged to comply with model first-aid Code of Practice; WorkCover NSW investigates another glass incident, releases workers' comp guide on claims disputes; and New Zealand to establish new OHS regulator in light of Pike tragedy.

Mirror WHS Acts take effect in South Australia and Tasmania in less than two weeks. In this article, OHS Alert points SA and Tas readers to the resources they need to prepare for the new laws, and looks at the ongoing transitional arrangements in other jurisdictions.

Employers should be aware of inspectors' powers under the model WHS laws, with workplace health and safety regulators likely to crack down on breaches from the start of next year, according to an employment lawyer.

NSW's WHS licensing arrangements amended; Tasmania's safest employers announced; and Queensland return-to-work winners announced.

The Sydney Institute of TAFE has revamped its approach to contractors as part of its transition to the new WHS legislation, its WHS manager says.

In what is believed to be the first judicial decision involving the model WHS Act, the NSW IRC has upheld an employer's application to have an improvement notice stayed, but rejected its claim that it was not a PCBU when a contractor received an electric shock.

In a message that applies to all industries, farm employers are being urged - as part of national Farm Safety Week, commencing today - to improve OHS by upgrading their machinery and processes.