A management company accused of breaching work safety laws, in failing to instruct retail staff not to walk near mobile plant, has spent $130,000 overhauling its loading dock policies and committed nearly $200,000 to other rectifications under an enforceable undertaking.
Past inconsistencies in disciplining workers for safety breaches can still undermine the validity of dismissals after employers tighten their enforcement of rules, a commission has highlighted in a case involving a worker sacked for leaving a designated pedestrian walkway.
An investigation report on a vehicle collision at a workplace, whose operator was recently charged over another collision that seriously injured a labour-hire worker, has called for employers to establish segregated roadways and apply engineering controls.
A man has been convicted of WHS breaches after an experienced crane operator was killed when a 300kg machine part fell on his head, in a case highlighting the importance of suitable lifting attachments.
Employers must implement and enforce safe systems of work for seemingly straightforward tasks like stacking materials, a fatality and a $400,000 fine have shown. Meanwhile, regulators have issued alerts after workers were killed in telehandler and hoist incidents.
Two companies and an engineer who allegedly failed to ensure a worksite was supervised in his absence have been charged over a fatal crane incident, while an employer has been fined $110,000 after a worker was nearly struck by a falling object - weighing two tonnes.
> Presumptive PTSD compensation introduced in second state; > National transport safety amendments made, and proposed; and > Four sets of electricity and rail safety regulations commence in Vic.
