Queensland health and safety reps will be forbidden from halting unsafe work, unions will be hobbled by tighter entry rules, and maximum fines for electrical safety breaches will be 650 per cent higher, under a Bill introduced to the Queensland Parliament yesterday.
In its first anti-bullying decisions, the Fair Work Commission has rejected two applications because the alleged bullying victims didn't pay their filing fees. Meanwhile, the Northern Territory has convicted 121 people under new laws aimed at protecting workers from violence.
Some 31 of the 45 national reforms aimed at reducing regulatory variations between the states and territories, and saving businesses $4 billion in the process, have been achieved or are on track, but a COAG report shows a number of safety-related reforms have a long way to go.
With the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) taking effect next week, employers are being advised to assess whether they are part of the road transport chain of responsibility (CoR).
The Fair Work Commission received 44 applications for anti-workplace-bullying orders in January, well short of the foreshadowed average of nearly 70 a week.
The model Work Health and Safety Regulations have been updated to incorporate 63 technical amendments that "correct inadvertent errors, clarify policy intent and address workability issues".
Company officers are required by the due diligence provisions of the model WHS Act to collect both "positive" and "negative" safety indicators, according to an occupational health, safety and security lawyer.
Anti-bullying applications slow so far; SWA releases new Codes, guides and "body sizing" report; Comcare prosecuting employer over road death; and Fatality report and safety alerts issued.
High Court rejects Australia Post's damages appeal; Comcare and FSC release annual reports; and RSRT follows up first order with plan to focus on supermarket chains.
