A new report published by the Heads of Workers Compensation Authorities shows overall return-to-work rates across Australia and New Zealand have been steadily increasing.
The NSW Chief Industrial Magistrate's Court is frequently misapplying its jurisdictional limit and imposing OHS penalties that are too low, according to a full bench of the NSW IRC in Court Session.
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NOHSC is proposing to insert a minimum age and ongoing renewal requirements into a new national licensing system for high risk work. The Commission is also seeking comment on amendments to the atmospheric contaminants standard.
A deputy president of the SA Workers Compensation Tribunal has requested that a full bench determine whether clerical errors render WorkCover notices invalid, to settle once and for all parties' respective obligations and rights.
An important decision handed down in Queensland's Supreme Court ensures that the damages available to workers injured in journey accidents aren't limited in the same way as other non-work claims.
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Federal Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews took time out last week from promoting the Government's IR reforms to outline the policy issues he thinks will determine the direction of OHS and workers' compensation over the next few years.
The NSW IRC in Court Session has stressed the importance of preparing work method statements and said they should never be "cut and pasted" from previous jobs.
