The first multi-jurisdictional study of injured Australian workers' claims experiences has found that a negative or neutral experience can have as much impact as poor health on return-to-work outcomes.
In this major report, OHS Alert outlines all the important work health and safety and workers' comp legislative changes made in the second quarter of 2019. We also revisit the most significant court and tribunal rulings and other developments in each jurisdiction.
An employer that could have prevented a fatality by using more appropriate machinery for a high-risk task has been fined $650,000. Meanwhile, an individual has been fined for failing to prepare a health and safety coordination plan, which contributed to a three-metre fall.
> "Safety reset" agreed on after string of fatalities; > PCBU allegedly failed to act on induction advice before death; > Health department charged with OHS discrimination; and > Prohibition notice numbers nearly tripled in ACT.
An employer could have avoided an adverse action complaint from an injured worker, who claimed his role was given to another worker, by being more clear and direct that the latter was only covering for him on a temporary basis, a court has found.
> Two individuals fined over fatal fall from mobile plant; > Nearly 1,000 improvement notices issued in safety blitz; and > Australia's first occupational dust diseases register commences.
> Two-year exemption from new WHS clauses granted in NSW; > Vic passes controversial cancer Bill, offers more WorkWell grants; and > Alerts issued after fatalities, traumatic amputations and other incidents.
> Lack of documented loading procedures leads to paraplegia; > Workers' comp transitions and premiums announced in three states; and > New WHS Minister appointed in Tas.
