A coronial inquest into a double fatality involving methamphetamine, and related proceedings against three companies and six individuals, have sent strong reminders on both the reach of chain-of-responsibility laws in the heavy vehicle sector and the fact that they're being policed.
An ASX-listed PCBU accused of failing to eliminate or minimise traffic risks, in the lead up to a fatality, has been permitted to enter a $1.5 million enforceable undertaking in lieu of prosecution for category 2 WHS breaches.
The powers of elected health and safety reps are generally confined to their own work groups and don't extend to challenging an action, like a decision quashing an improvement notice, which affects other groups or workers, a commission has found.
> More drug tests, phone controls included in heavy vehicle plan; > Health project and survey target high injury rate in drivers; and > PC releases issues paper for national safety review.
> Man enters training undertaking in lieu of WHS prosecution; > Workplace traffic management tips issued by OFSC; and > SWA releases final part of major comparison report.
An employer that recently entered a $500,000 undertaking over alleged dust-related WHS breaches has become Australia's first government body to achieve ISO 45001 certification. Meanwhile, the International Organisation for Standardisation has flagged the publishing date for a new psychological health and safety Standard.
