An employer has been found liable for injuries a FIFO worker suffered on a fishing trip with his general manager, because it impliedly encouraged him to engage in the activity to rest and recuperate after a demanding week of shift work.
An inquest into the death of a teenager at a major event has highlighted the importance of work systems that prevent fatigued, ill-equipped workers from being forced to make critical decisions.
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.
Australia's fatigue management laws are not stopping fatigued workers from driving heavy vehicles, and must be amended to address shift structures and other factors that increase the risk, according to a paper informing the new Heavy Vehicle National Law.
A superior court has agreed to reconsider three cases that could force employers to review their liability for injuries, including one involving the negligent acts of doctors, and another pertaining to a journey claim.
Shift rosters requiring workers to work 28 days in a row could soon be a thing of the past, with three unions claiming victory in their fight for less dangerous and more family friendly arrangements.
In a study that could have widespread implications for shift work, the increased use of contractors in the mining sector has been linked to a spike in injuries associated with long working hours.
A Senate inquiry into sleep health awareness has warned that many employers use suboptimal shift structures that endanger workers' health and safety, and recommended the development of a nationally consistent approach to work hours and rest breaks for shift workers.
A "world-first" study conducted for the National Transport Commission, which will inform new safety laws, has confirmed the ability of alertness monitoring technology to identify fatigue-related impairment in truck drivers.
