> Employer fined $300k over disabling gas explosion; > Average injury premium rate cut for "uncertain" times in WA; and > Standards directory guides shift to essential products in pandemic.
> Fatalities prompt VLC campaign, while national work toll hits 27; > Submissions sought on NSW cladding ban and WA IR overhaul; > Workers' comp premiums increased again in WA; and > Attorney-General and Treasurer appointed to oversee WHS in SA.
> Director fined for abusing, hindering safety inspectors; > Government fast-tracking Safe Rates abolition; and > WA announces another record-low premium rate.
> WA announces record-low WorkCover premiums; > GP trial to speed up RTW process; > Sun safety doesn't end with autumn, says WorkCover Qld; and > NSW issues drowning alert.
The workers' compensation schemes in five jurisdictions will be amended, and employer premiums increased, under one of the Federal Government's preferred options for ensuring catastrophically injured workers are supported for life.
Western Australia is expected to introduce model WHS Bills for general industry and for the resources sector by September, while the State's average workers' comp premium rate will fall for the second year in a row on 1 July.
In this update, OHS Alert examines all the important OHS and workers' comp legislative changes made in the second quarter of 2013. We also recap the most significant court and tribunal rulings and other developments in each jurisdiction.
Western Australia's average workers' compensation premium rate will be reduced for 2013-14, after increasing three times over the last two financial years.
