Model Work Health and Safety laws will not commence on 1 January 2012 in Tasmania. On 2 December 2011, Tasmania’s Legislative Council amended the start date of the Work Health and Safety Bill 2011 to 1 January 2013. The Bill will be returned to the House of Assembly for consideration of the change when Parliament [...]
The Northern Territory, in conjunction with the Commonwealth and other state and territory governments us committed to improving the work health and safety of all Australian workers and enhancing productivity by harmonising work health and safety legislation across Australia. Model legislation has been developed and all states and territories are committed to enacting the new [...]
Western Australia is one of four jurisdictions (including Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia) which will not be adopting the WHS laws from 1 January 2012. The Commonwealth has not provided sufficient time for all Western Australian businesses to come up to speed with the new requirements. The model WHS regulations are still minus the mining [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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: [...]
This alert highlights the importance of inspection and maintenance to reduce the risk of fire in vehicles and other mobile plant. Background In the first half of 2011, NT WorkSafe received in excess of 20 notifications of fires in vehicles and other mobile plant. The incidents have occurred throughout the Territory, with the bulk of [...]
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland each year identifies problem areas to focus audit and compliance measures over the next 12 months. Here is a sneak peek at the 2011-2012 campaigns. For 2011-12, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland interventions will target industries and work practices where statistics show more needs to be done to protect workers. [...]
