Industry associations have agreed to push for tougher sanctions for reckless conduct in the latest step towards a "safety reset" in the hazardous mining sector. Meanwhile, a regulator has warned that respirators are lower order dust controls and often ineffective, even when properly chosen and fitted.
> "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.
A PCBU has been fined after an inexperienced teenage worker's fingers were amputated, just months after another worker was killed at the same site. Meanwhile, a worker has been awarded nearly $1.4 million after he was seriously injured moving 250kg slabs on his second day on the job.
> 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.
The Queensland Government has failed in its appeal against a judgment that purportedly saved a PCBU more than $2.6 million in electrical safety compliance costs, but will look to major legislative changes to address its safety concerns.
Uber and other gig economy companies will be forced to pay workers' comp premiums under a Queensland plan, while the State Government has revealed the average premium rate for 2019-20.
A judge who jailed a company director for a category 1 WHS breach failed to direct the jury to consider whether the man had a "reasonable excuse" for not installing a safety rail, an appeals court has ruled. In another case, a director has been jailed over a young worker's death.
A PCBU has successfully challenged the validity of new work safety regulations and purportedly saved itself $2.6 million in compliance costs, but the Queensland Government is lodging an appeal and seeking to stay the ruling.
