In the second half of 2011, in keeping with the ACT’s commitment to the national harmonisation of health and safety laws, the Legislative Assembly passed a new Work Health and Safety Act 2011. The new Act replaces the previous Work Safety Act 2008 on 1 January 2012. The Work Safety Act 2008 therefore ceases to [...]
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 [...]
Introduction There is little doubt from reading the myriad of comments made on various sites that workplace bullying and harassment continues to fuel discussion. In fact, I have just finished reading a number of comments made by some obviously very traumatised workers from the public and private sector. There are some common threads relating to: [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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. [...]
Safe Work Australia has reviewed over 1300 submissions made as part of the public comment period for the draft model Work Health and Safety Regulations and 12 draft model codes of practice. Issues raised in these submissions were considered by jurisdictions and employer and union representatives. Plans for the final package of model Work Health [...]
They can help you save serious expenses through recommendations or implementation of new ideas. The question of whom to hire and when should be on the minds of CEOs, operations managers, human resources, project managers, and others regarding safety and training issues. This question is not always easily answered, even if your company has the [...]
