Regulator missed chance to change fatal safety attitude; Workers' comp fraudsters ordered to repay more than $40k; and Collision-avoidance devices could become mandatory for Queensland mines.
Victorian employer United Petroleum has successfully appealed against a decision to change the industry classification of its Melbourne-based national head office to "service stations", and more than quadruple its workers' compensation premiums.
A former Telstra technician who had nightmares after helping two strangers escape from a man wielding a knife, and who was later targeted by an "unreasonable" team leader, has been awarded compensation.
Fair Work Australia has dismissed an engineer's beard-related unfair dismissal claim after it found it was not unusual or unlawful to require employees to modify their appearance for OHS reasons. Also in this article, a Victorian worker who injured his back eight years ago has been granted leave to seek damages for a mental disorder.
In an important case, the Victorian Court of Appeal has quashed a $900,000 damages ruling, after it found an injured electrician who spent 60 per cent of his work week with the same employer was an independent contractor, and not an employee.
Over-reliance on admin controls ends in $160K safety fine; Transport ministers approve national truck and rail safety regulators; and Essential safety news from around Australia.
"Fake" WorkSafe psychologist jailed for five years; Builders back Victoria's "odd" harmonisation demands; WA premiums to increase for the second time in three months; and Queensland mining sector announces falling injury rate, issues three safety alerts.
Workers who have greater expertise than their employers or supply their own equipment are not necessarily subcontractors under the Accident Compensation Act, a judge has found in awarding an injured Victorian worker more than $900,000 in damages.
Victorian employer Baiada takes OHS "control" dispute to High Court; Worker exposed to asbestos three times awarded $1.15 million; Qld employer fined for insulation death as WA commences switchroom campaign; and ACT regulator publishes guide to Workplace Privacy Act.
Holidaying carers guilty of $64K WorkSafe fraud; Research finds no trace of mobile phone/tumour link, says industry body; SA Unions call for fairer workers' comp scheme; and WorkCover NSW investigating Orica spill and finger amputations.
