Browsing: Workplace safety legislation, regulations, standards and codes | Page 92

A parliamentary committee has warned that a gap in safety legislation is exposing FIFO workers to bullying and other risks at accommodation facilities, and accused Rio Tinto of 'underplaying' the impact of FIFO work on mental health.

• Unions step up defence of asbestos lump sum payments; and
  
• ACT adopts model WHS asbestos laws and additional provisions.

• Gap in palletiser fence leads to death and $100k fine;
  
• Alerts issued after deaths and other incidents in three states; and
  
• Western Australians urged to attend seminars on green WHS Bill.

The CFMEU has questioned how a Grocon subsidiary can be fined just $250,000 over three deaths when the union was fined $1.25 million for "speaking out" on safety issues, while Federal Employment Minister Eric Abetz has accused the union of being "pro-drugs" on Victorian building sites.

• Both personal and process safety must be measured, regulator warns; and
  
• New jurisdiction welcomed to national rail safety regime.

Tasmania's mirror WHS Act and other laws could be strengthened to crack down on workplace bullying, according to a draft plan, which says many workers are able to bully others "without fear of consequences" under the current system.

Federal Employment Minister Eric Abetz has called for employers and unions to play an active role in a plan - agreed to by Abetz and other G20 employment ministers - to improve workplace safety through "robust legal frameworks".

• Employers urged to comply with RTW codes;
  
• "Little failures" cause major safety incidents;
  
• SafeWork debunks myths on "disallowed" codes and height rules; and
  
• WorkCover SA getting new name.

The inadvertent use of asbestos-containing materials is likely to increase as employers turn to the internet to source cheaper materials, according to the ACT Work Safety Commissioner, who has also outlined measures being put in place to ensure the safe demolition of more than 1000 "Mr Fluffy" buildings.

• Five options flagged for WA safety laws;
  
• New WHS regulations postponed in Queensland;
  
• Tasmania's safest employers and workers announced; and
  
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