> Free workplace toolkit tackles perinatal depression; > Health assessment breaches attract civil penalties; > RTW training modules released, while icare winners announced; and > Alerts issued in four states after fatality and other incidents.
A worker suffered a psychological injury after he was assured an upcoming meeting involved a "relatively straight forward matter", before fresh allegations of corruption were levelled against him, a commission has found.
> Supervisor allowed workers in danger zone; > Blitzes reveal hazardous substance breaches, target tower cranes; and > Tools for electing safety reps and the liquor industry released in WA.
> Falling work fatality rate encouraging, but "not cause for celebration"; > Regulators issue fatality alerts, PCBU receives 13 prohibition notices; and > Many employers falling short of sun-related WHS duties.
A major employer has been cleared of coercing a worker not to make a workers' comp claim, but fined over an HSE manager's unprofessional actions in dealing with the worker's complaints against her injury management coordinator.
> WHS regulator issues Christmas party warning and safety alert; > New WHS Code of Practice introduced in Qld; > Safety inspectors' powers increase with passing of OPGGS Bill; > Journey claims restored by NSW private member's Bill; and > New WorkSafe Vic chief and chair announced.
Three employers have been fined a total of more than $300,000 for height and access breaches, including in one case that shows a simple slip can have a devastating impact on workers and expose duty holders to prosecution.
A PCBU accused of failing to separate pedestrians from mobile plant has become the first entity to be charged with industrial manslaughter under section 34C of the Queensland WHS Act. Its two company directors were charged with reckless conduct.
The Federal Court has rejected a claim that unions don't need entry permits to enter sites to attend "discussions" on safety issues under the dispute resolution provisions of WHS laws.
A major workers' comp Bill amending the test for psychological injuries has passed Queensland Parliament, while Victoria has reported a near record low workplace injury rate, and workers' comp changes have commenced in NSW.
