Browsing: WHS legislation, regulations, standards and codes (National) | Page 32

Unions are using International Workers' Memorial Day tomorrow to call for company directors to be jailed for up to 20 years for serious safety breaches, and for governments to crack down on workplace exposure to hazardous substances.

• First-aid kits and driving plans required by Safe Rates order; and
  
• Discrimination inquiry examining obstacles faced by older workers.

The Fair Work Act is quiet on who can be subjected to an anti-bullying order, and employers could be forced to stop dealing with particular customers or suppliers accused of bullying, according to IR expert Professor Andrew Stewart.

A new Standard for OHS management systems will help employers reduce incidents and require "much stronger" safety buy-in from senior leaders, according to the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).

• SWA amends 'inaccurate' WHS Code and other documents;
  
• Agencies release fatality reports and alerts; and
  
• WA employer fined $50k for unsafe fuel storage.

The CFMEU says it has reversed its opposition to workplace drug tests because of the growing use of methamphetamines and the erratic behaviour of addicts. Meanwhile, a business leader says "inconsistent" FWC decisions on drug testing show that the Fair Work Act should be harmonised with safety laws.

The Federal Government's SRC Amendment Bill will allow "unscrupulous" single-state employers to qualify for self-insurance under Comcare - and escape the more rigorous WHS requirements of other schemes - by, for example, setting up a one-person office in a second jurisdiction, according to a new report.

• "Perceptions" report identifies manufacturing safety gaps; and
  
• Safe Rates Tribunal releases CIT inquiry report.

The Federal Government has introduced an SRC Amendment Bill to enable Comcare to collect "exit contributions" from authorities that leave the scheme, after the ACT revealed plans to develop a workers' comp system that covers its public sector employees.

• Five WHS Codes for mining take effect in NSW;
  
• NHVR extends fatigue-diary exemption and amends auditing rules; and
  
• NT releases safety guide for seafood workers, says days of ignored lunchroom posters are over.