In this update, OHS Alert revisits all the important work health and safety and workers' compensation legislative changes from the third quarter of 2019. We also recap the most significant court and tribunal rulings and other developments from across the country.
Employers have been warned there are no excuses for allowing workers to risk their safety by clearing machinery that is not switched off, after a company was convicted over a young worker's injuries. Meanwhile, the employer of a worker killed by a runaway vehicle could be fined up to $9 million, after being charged with WHS offences.
> Are your chemical stores unsafe? You could be reported; > Risk assessment failed to tackle fall risk; and > Workplace heat warning issued after BoM prediction.
> Walk to work and hold walking meetings tomorrow; > Pre-start checks urged after death, alerts issued in three jurisdictions; and > WHS exemptions made for ACT chemicals, ARPANSA releases guide.
A major employer has responded to a serious maintenance incident by eliminating a manual handling task, and pumping more than $300,000 into the development of a new fall arrest system that it will distribute to other companies in its industry.
> New laws protect safety of contractors and gig economy workers; > Safety Regs with WHS clauses released, WorkSafe Vic boss resigns; and > SRC and disability discrimination instruments introduced.
> It's just not cricket: MCC guilty of traffic management breaches; > Employer convicted over pathway debris; and > WHS reviews urged after fatality, regulators issue alerts.
Workplace bullies should be starting to get the message that there are serious consequences for their actions, after yet another bully and his company were convicted and fined for breaching safety laws in acting aggressively towards employees.
