The author of the review that led to the introduction of industrial manslaughter laws in Queensland has recommended that senior officers face up to "life" in prison for negligently causing the death of a worker in the Northern Territory. Meanwhile, the Territory has passed laws to protect emergency workers from violence.
In this follow-up story on the major review of the model WHS laws, OHS Alert examines more recommendations and two areas that will, according to leading health and safety lawyer Michael Tooma, have a significant impact on the regime and duty holders.
Marie Boland's review of the national model WHS laws has recommended introducing the offence of industrial manslaughter, making it easier for union officials to enter worksites to assist health and safety representatives, and banning insurance against WHS penalties.
A model WHS guide has been amended to reflect recent Federal and High Court rulings on entering workplaces to assist health and safety reps. Safe Work Australia has also released new guidance on identifying company officers and their duties, a major fatality report, and safety and workers' comp comparison reports.
A company owner has been jailed for recklessly endangering and killing a worker. Meanwhile, a major employer has been fined nearly $500,000 for threatening an HSR who refused to endorse an unsafe work method, and another employer has been fined over a quarry death.
New WHS and workers' comp standards have commenced or been postponed in three jurisdictions, while two jurisdictions have issued confined space alerts after three deaths and an electric shock.
A worker's frustration over his employer's PPE policy and alleged failure to prioritise safety over cost did not excuse his aggressive and intimidating conduct towards his co-workers, a commission has confirmed.
A union official's high Fair Work fine (and second personal payment order) is more modest than it might have been, with the Federal Court agreeing that at the time of his offences, it was unclear whether he needed a permit to enter a site at the request of a health and safety representative.
A Fair Work Commission full bench has upheld the dismissal of an elected health and safety rep, whose mistreatment of contractors preceded a suicide attempt. Meanwhile, a Qantas worker has reiterated his claim that he inadvertently consumed more than a dozen standard alcoholic drinks on the night before a shift.
