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The AIRC has found that Alcoa was entitled to take strong disciplinary action against an employee who deliberately breached safety standards, but has recommended it soften the punishment in light of the worker's long service.
The Federal Government has rejected calls for genetic tests to be used to screen potential employees for susceptibility to work-related conditions. It plans to introduce laws banning employers from using genetic tests to discriminate against workers.
National: ALP to continue fight against WorkChoices; James Hardie-style campaigns to be more difficult under new laws; SA: Former Mitsubishi chief to head safety committee; Victoria: Department of Justice fined over jail workshop injury; Deadline approaching for ammonium nitrate licences; and Latest guides and safety information.
The widow of a worker who was killed while walking from work to employer-provided accommodation is not entitled to compensation, the SA Workers Compensation Tribunal has found.
There has been a significant improvement in the quality and depth of OHS disclosure among major companies this year, according to specialist business reputation ratings company Reputex.
Queensland's OHS laws require that employers should refrain from starting businesses if they can't afford to ensure safety in their undertakings, the Industrial Court has ruled in increasing a small employer's fine.
A NSW Parliamentary Inquiry has recommended the establishment of a special tribunal to deal with all injury claims in the State, and a fundamental change in the way injury impairment is assessed.