A labour hire company's OHS obligations are limited by the fact its awareness and knowledge of hazards at a work site can never equal that of the host employer, a South Australian industrial magistrate has found.
The Senate has today passed two Bills that allow Comcare to manage the Commonwealth's common law asbestos claims, and the Government has announced the deputy chairman of the ASCC.
The NSW Court of Appeal has rejected a challenge by two mining companies against the State IRC's power to hear OHS prosecutions, and has also affirmed that individuals don't have to be involved in the central management of a company to be prosecuted for OHS offences.
Comcare proposes new asbestos regulation for Commonwealth employers; NOHSC transition to ASCC underway; NSW launches website for small to medium business; Queensland report shows mine safety improving; and Latest guides and safety alerts.
Graincorp Operations Limited has been fined $180,000 after a temporary system it put in place while broader safety measures were implemented resulted in serious injuries to a worker.
The Queensland Government says a premium reduction in 2006/07 may be on the cards, and has introduced new legislation affecting both OHS and workers' compensation.
A recent case in which a South Australian employer was found liable for a worker's stress condition shows how easily conflict issues can escalate, and highlights the importance of employers applying reasonable conflict management procedures.
The Victorian Law Reform Commission has proposed that a workplace privacy regulator be established, and that drug and alcohol tests be covered by mandatory codes of practice.
