South Australian Parliament voted to adjourn debate on the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Bill until 14 February 2012. Accordingly the new WHS legislation will not begin in SA on 1 January 2012 as previously planned. SA Government has every confidence that the nationally harmonised legislation will be approved by Parliament when it resumes in [...]
National harmonisation The Victorian Government has confirmed its support to the principle of harmonisation subject to a satisfactory assessment of the impact and benefits to Victoria. The Government has initiated a supplementary Victorian specific assessment looking at the impact of the proposed laws on Victoria. It has stated that this will take several months, and [...]
Transitional arrangements have been put in place in NSW to support businesses, industry and workers move to a new system of work health and safety (WHS) laws. These arrangements start on 1 January 2012. The transitional arrangements have been based on national transitional principles agreed to by all jurisdictions. In summary, these transitional arrangements provide [...]
There are a number of changes to Queensland’s Codes of Practice. 1. There are 11 new codes of practice adopted by Queensland through the national harmonisation process. 2. The Recreational Diving, Recreational Technical Diving and Snorkelling Code of Practice 2010 will be remade under the Safety in Recreational Water Activities Act 2011. 3. There are [...]
OHSA provides a great insight into the importance of training; Employers must have an overall safety program including relative site specific safety information where applicable. The safety training program should cover topics such as: Accident Prevention and Safety Promotion Safety Compliance Accident and Emergency Response Personal Protective Equipment Safety Practices Equipment and Machinery Chemical and [...]
This is a fantastic article submitted by one of our readers, Grant McCosh on evacuating people with disabilities. Mobility Impairments Since elevators should not be used for evacuation during a fire alarm, people with mobility impairments will need assistance evacuating the building unless on the ground floor. As people with mobility impairments have varying [...]
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is investigating a fatal incident that occurred on Monday 31 October 2011 at a construction site within the University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus, Brisbane. A worker was killed while a formwork shutter was being raised to about one metre above the ground by crane. Lengths of timber were being [...]
Fatally unsafe stacking system costs Fonterra Australia $300,000 fine and a conviction. Unsafe storage has resulted in an industry-wide warning from WorkSafe after dairy products manufacturer, Fonterra Australia Pty Ltd was today convicted and fined $300,000 in the Melbourne County Court. WorkSafe’s General Manager for Operations, Lisa Sturzenegger, said all businesses had to ensure they [...]
Gordon Harris is an auditor and contract investigator for the Plumbing Industry Commission. He has worked in the air conditioning installation industry for 46 years as a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic, trainer, engineer and most recently, contract investigator. Here Gordon writes of his experience and recommendations for the safe installation of air conditioning units: [...]
Hypothetical Scenario: Mr Benjamin William Jones is the CEO of MAGIC, a large, state based organisation that provides a diverse range of services including security services, administration, storage and delivery, and training. This organisation has been established for some twenty years and provides a range of services to the public and private sector. The [...]
