Occupational lung diseases continue to be a major health burden for Australian workers, with previous declines followed by a dramatic increase in cases over the last two to three years, according to Safe Work Australia
Healthcare professionals are currently provided with fewer COVID-19 protections than construction workers, and national guidance on face masks and other PPE must be overhauled to prevent coronavirus case numbers from soaring, according to Australia's peak workplace safety body.
Three employers, including a repeat offender, have been convicted and fined a total of $245,000, after a worker was killed on a public street, and other workers were seriously injured by an unguarded machine and an act of violence.
With growing calls to mandate the use of face masks to protect workers and members of the public from COVID-19, occupational medicine experts have examined the research on airborne transmission and outlined a "hierarchy of provisional inhalation exposure control measures".
A worker's incapacitating condition was triggered by the strong odours in her new work building, but she did not suffer from controversial syndrome multiple chemical sensitivity, a tribunal has found.
A PCBU's duty to eliminate risks where reasonably practicable extends to lawfully disposing of any unnecessary or excess flammable liquids and combustible materials in the workplace, according to new guidance from Safe Work Australia.
An employer dismissed a health and safety representative through a "sham" redundancy after it accused him of "running off" to complain to a safety regulator and "unlawfully holding meetings" on the health risks posed by bushfire smoke, the Federal Court has ruled.
> NSW launches COVID-19 work guidance, addresses misconceptions; > PCBUs warned after worker killed by damaged gate; > Revamped WHS regulator to focus on climate change and violence; and > ACTU applauds Vic's broader workplace death definition.
> COVID-19 and silica updates from NSW, Vic, WA and SWA; > Manslaughter laws come with broader definition of workplace death; and > Inventory overhauled for new risk-based chemical safety system.
> HSE adviser allegedly unlawfully snubbed by official; > New WHS Code of Practice commences in NSW; > Two more jurisdictions halve workplace silica threshold; and > Draft national safety guidelines for asbestos-cement pipes released.
