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Tag: "OHS"

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The Mobile Workplace

When using a car for business use that car is seen as a workplace under the OHS Act. As such employers have an obligation to ensure that workers are trained in safe operation of the car. Yet very few employers invest in safe driving courses, defensive driving programs or refresher projects for their workers. Instead […]

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Three Corporations Charged over OHS Breach

Hungry Jack’s, Veolia and Visy have been charged with failing to ensure persons other than employees were safe and not exposed to risk of health and safety. Lawyers for fast food restaurant Hungry Jacks appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court last week over charges relating to the death of an elderly man in one of […]

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New On-The-Spot Fines for ACT

New on-the-spot fines for construction site safety breaches will come into force from next Monday in the Australian Capital Territory. Under the new initiative workplace safety breaches by employers will earn fines of $3600. Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations Minister Simon Corbell said the ACT government was committed to implementing all of the recommendations of the Getting […]

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OHS Budget Boost in ACT

Worksafe ACT has announced a  $5.7 million budget injection to increase the safety regulator’s reach across residential, commercial and civil construction in the territory. Workplace Safety Minister Simon Corbell said budget deliberations had included clear support from all government members to improve safety standards across the city and this would be done through a compliance […]

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Designer Drug Use Beats the System

Workplace incidents involving drug use continue to be a factor in lost time rates. One of the reasons is our failure so far to find ways to consistently identify the new family drugs being used. According to the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q) designer drugs are not captured in most workplace […]

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What is Wrong With Harmonisation of WHS Laws

Contrary to the rhetoric we hear from Model OHS Law proponents, the Model, its regulations, codes of practice and guidelines add up to an incredible amount of material to be digested. The Model OHS Laws are, in short, unknowable.

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When Do I Need to Inform the Regulator?

Under the Work Health and Safety Act (WHS Act) any person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) is required to notify the regulator when certain incidents occur. Part 3 of the WHS Act requires the regulator to be notified of serious workplace incidents and for the site of these incidents to be preserved until an […]

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First Aid Not Coming First

  Most Australian workplaces do not have correct first aid equipment and only 13% of Australian workplaces comply with Safe Work Australia’s new code of practice on first aid, according to research by St John Ambulance. But this is only the tip of the iceberg for the crisis in Australian occupational health and safety, which […]

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Resolving Grievances and Disputes

Grievances and disputes which cannot be resolved in the workplace come under the jurisdiction of judicial bodies and tribunals whose function is to conciliate and arbitrate such matters.   This can be very costly, time consuming and have a negative impact on the organisation by affecting productivity and the moral of workers, which of course […]

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Community Care in the home – is the workplace safe?

As the number of people aging or with a disability increase there is a greater demand for services that allow them to stay in their own homes within the community.  The range of providers, including carers, nurses, cleaners, housekeepers and property maintenance personnel highlights an increased need for guidance in managing Occupational Health and Safety […]