In this article, OHS Alert reviews all the need-to-know workplace safety and compensation developments from the second quarter of 2020, including Australia's first industrial manslaughter conviction, recklessness cases, work-related pandemic restrictions and wholesale legislative changes.
> NSW employers warned on COVID fines and enforcement plans; > Comcare issues reminder on coronavirus notifications; and > SA relaunches WHS audit prompted by fatalities.
> COVID-19 work recovery plans due now; > Workplace COVID-19 controls mandated in Tas; > COVID-19 lift policy and 15-minute rule announced in NT; > Coronavirus construction checklist launched in Vic; and > SA's workplace silica threshold halving in two weeks.
A beneficiary of emergency work-related injury payments borrowed money from his mother to travel overseas, sinking his claim that he financially supported the widow and his two young siblings, a commission has found.
As COVID-19 pandemic restrictions ease across the country, a WHS regulator has outlined its policies for enforcing physical distancing rules for lifts in work buildings, transport operators have been told to closely monitor workers' health and separate them from passengers, and the Australian Industry Group has warned against tough penalties for working-at-home breaches.
A worker whose long list of ankle and hip injuries began with excessive walking in work safety boots, has been permitted to combine his impairments for lump sum purposes, in a ruling on complex and controversial laws that are the subject of multiple appeals.
> NSW's COVID-19 work recovery tool guided by 100 years of crises; > SA employers should expect COVID call from a WHS inspector; > Vic workers told to keep working at home; and > Start date for ACT's labour-hire licensing scheme confirmed.
> SWA launches COVID-19 hub and home setup guide; > More work-related COVID-19 guides and fatality alerts issued; and > HSEQ manager appointed boss of NT WorkSafe.
The role that OHS professionals and services are playing in transforming organisational and national systems and policies, for COVID-19 and future pandemics, is a key focus of World Day for Safety and Health at Work and Workers' Memorial Day tomorrow. Meanwhile, employers have been warned that flu vaccinations are particularly crucial this season.
