SafetyNet Journal

Events

Posted on 21 September 2022

HSR INITIAL & REFRESHER TRAINING Trained HSRs are more effective HSRs - have you just been elected and haven't organised your training yet? Do it...

International News

Posted on 21 September 2022

UKRAINE FINALLY BANS ASBESTOS A Parliamentary bill prohibiting the use of all types of asbestos and asbestos containing materials in Ukraine, was enacted September 6....

Prosecutions

Posted on 21 September 2022

TWO COMPANIES FINED $50,000 FOR COVEYOR BELT ARM INJURY In 2018 a worker suffered a dislocated elbow, nerve crushing and damage from his bicep to...

Union News

Posted on 21 September 2022

WORK SHOULDN’T HURT - SHARE YOUR VALUABLE PERSPECTIVE Australian Unions are conducting their national survey about workers’ experience of health and safety in the workplace,...

Events

Posted on 15 September 2022

HSR INITIAL & REFRESHER TRAINING Trained HSRs are more effective HSRs - have you just been elected and haven't organised your training yet? Do it...

International News

Posted on 15 September 2022

UK: THOUSANDS QUIT JOBS BECAUSE OF RACISM More than 120,000 workers from minority ethnic backgrounds have quit their jobs because of racism, TUC research have...

Prosecutions

Posted on 15 September 2022

$100K FINE FOR BENDIGO HEALTH OVER PATIENT'S DEATH Victorian healthcare provider Bendigo Health has been fined $100,000, plus $5,062 in costs, for breaching section 23...

Research

Posted on 15 September 2022

US: INSECURE INCOME IS HARMFUL TO WORKERS The insecure income associated with ‘gig work’ has a negative impact on the overall health and wellbeing of...

Regulator News

Posted on 15 September 2022

WORKSAFE WANT TO SPEAK WITH YOUR BOSS! WorkSafe’s are hosting a Business Owners Breakfast where your boss can meet WorkSafe’s Executive Director of Health &...

Union News

Posted on 15 September 2022

MENTAL HEALTH WORKPLACE ORGANISING Last week VTHC co-hosted a Mental Health Workplace Safety Organising Conference with the ACTU. Whilst it appears that there is still...

Events

Posted on 8 September 2022

HSR INITIAL & REFRESHER TRAINING Trained HSRs are more effective HSRs - have you just been elected and haven't organised your training yet? Do it...

Research

Posted on 8 September 2022

WOMEN FACE SIGNIFICANT OHS BARRIERS IN THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY A major report has identified the need to address systemic OHS gaps, including the lack of...

Prosecutions

Posted on 8 September 2022

$25k FINE FOR FINGER AMPUTATION Transport freight company, Tasmanian Freight Services, was fined $25,000.00 and ordered to pay costs of $4,391.00 after a labour hire...

Regulator News

Posted on 8 September 2022

WorkSafe's regular HSR newsletter arrived in our Inbox Thursday last week containing information on: Negotiating and varying Designated Work Groups (DWGs) The recently the updated...

Union News

Posted on 8 September 2022

HSRs NEEDED FOR RESEARCH ON PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH REGULATIONS WIN one of three $50 gift vouchers Researchers at the University of South Australia are conducting an...

Events

Posted on 1 September 2022

HSR INITIAL & REFRESHER TRAINING Trained HSRs are more effective HSRs - have you just been elected and haven't organised your training yet? Do it...

International News

Posted on 1 September 2022

GLOBAL: UNION ACTION ON ASBESTOS SHIP HAZARDS Brazilian and Turkish trade unions are working together to address asbestos and other hazards linked to plans to...

Prosecutions

Posted on 1 September 2022

FORMAL WARNING RESULTS IN RARE DISCRIMINATION PROSECUTION In a rare prosecution involving section 76 discrimination (SafetyNet are aware of only 3 in 18 years), bus...

Research

Posted on 1 September 2022

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RISKS PROBED Artificial intelligence-based worker management (AIWM) systems can help design healthy and safe jobs and workplaces, the EU research agency EU-OSHA has...

Regulator News

Posted on 1 September 2022

IT COMES IN MANY FORMS WorkSafe continue their work-related gendered violence campaign, raising awareness of employer obligations on prevention and reporting and promoting tools to...

Union News

Posted on 1 September 2022

HSRs NEEDED FOR RESEARCH ON PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH REGULATIONS WIN one of three $50 gift vouchers Researchers at the University of South Australia are conducting an...

Events

Posted on 24 August 2022

VICTORIAN OHS HISTORY – FREE PUBLICATION RELEASE OHSIntros this week released the second part of its trilogy on the history of OHS in Victoria. It...

International News

Posted on 24 August 2022

ASBESTOS NEWS - talc-based baby powder to be withdrawn from all markets Johnson and Johnson have finally announced plans to withdraw its talc-based baby powder...

Research

Posted on 24 August 2022

RECENT ABS STUDY HIGHLIGHTS PREVALENCE OF MENTAL ILL-HEALTH The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ recently released their national study of mental health and wellbeing indicating 44% of...

Prosecutions

Posted on 24 August 2022

STAFF EXPOSED TO MONTHS OF VIOLENCE AND AGGRESSION AT CARE FACILITY Victorian Person Centred Services Ltd ('VPCS'), which provides residential care for vulnerable young people,...

Regulator News

Posted on 24 August 2022

WORKSAFE WA PROBES DEATHS IN THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY It’s been announced an investigation triggered by 12 work-related deaths within 12 months in the Western Australian...

Union News

Posted on 24 August 2022

HSRs NEEDED FOR RESEARCH ON PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH REGULATIONS WIN one of three $50 gift vouchers Researchers at the University of South Australia are conducting an...

Events

Posted on 17 August 2022

HSR INITIAL & REFRESHER TRAINING Trained HSRs are more effective HSRs - have you just been elected and haven't organised your training yet? Do it...

International News

Posted on 17 August 2022

ARMENIA: 16 DEAD, 17 MISSING, 62 INJURED IN FIREWORKS EXPLOSION Sixteen bodies have been recovered from the site of a fireworks warehouse blast in Armenia,...

Research

Posted on 17 August 2022

TRUCKIES WEAR SPECIAL VESTS TO RESEARCH FATIGUE A Griffith University research trial involves truckies sporting biometric vests, to monitor how fatigue impacts the way they...

Prosecutions

Posted on 17 August 2022

ASBESTOS PROSECUTION FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL DUMPING A Victorian based contractor has been convicted and fined close to $300,000 after dumping asbestos contaminated material at a...

Regulator News

Posted on 17 August 2022

YOUR SAFETY QUESTIONS ANSWERED From Monday 22 August, WorkSafe Victoria and SafeWork NSW will be joining forces to raise awareness of construction safety risks in...

Union News

Posted on 17 August 2022

REST BREAKS ALLEGEDLY EXCHANGED FOR A SOFT DRINK OR A TRIP TO THE TOILET The SDA say it's seeking compensation for more than 250,000 current...

SafetyNet 636

Posted on 17 August 2022

Welcome to the 17 August, 2022 edition of SafetyNet. Happily, there have been no workplace deaths reported since last correspondence. We hope you find this...

Events

Posted on 10 August 2022

HSR INITIAL & REFRESHER TRAINING Trained HSRs are more effective HSRs - have you just been elected and haven't organised your training yet? Do it...

Prosecutions

Posted on 10 August 2022

VICTORIAN TRANSPORT COMPANY CHARGED OVER WORKER’S DEATH WorkSafe has charged a Victorian transport company after a worker was run over and killed at a Yarraville...

International News

Posted on 10 August 2022

UK: TIME FOR ACTION ON ASBESTOS The British Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has called for the British Government to act on raising...

Research

Posted on 10 August 2022

MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN IN EMPLOYEES WORKING FROM HOME DURING COVID-19 The impacts of mandated work from home conditions during COVID-19 on musculoskeletal pain are still not...

Regulator News

Posted on 10 August 2022

WORKSAFE: GENDERED VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN LAUNCH WorkSafe has launched its gendered violence campaign ‘It comes in many forms’ to educate employers about their obligations under the...

Union News

Posted on 10 August 2022

ACTU WORK SHOULDN’T HURT 2022 SURVEY The Australian Council of Trade Unions is conducting it’s second annual “Work Shouldn’t Hurt” survey. The survey covers workers...

SafetyNet 635

Posted on 10 August 2022

Welcome to the 10 August, 2022 edition of SafetyNet. Sadly, one workplace death has been reported since the last SafetyNet. A man died in a...

Events

Posted on 3 August 2022

WORK-RELATED GENDERED VIOLENCE (INCLUDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT) Elected HSRs and Deputy HSRs are entitled to at least one refresher training course each year, and may choose...

International News

Posted on 3 August 2022

UK: UNION SAFETY WARNING OVER TUBE STAFF CUTSTransport for London (TfL) plans to cut 600 frontline Tube customer service staff will have long term impacts...

Research

Posted on 3 August 2022

COUNTERACTING FIFO STRESSORS Recurrent separation from families, long and compressed rosters and shift patterns, increased workloads, isolation, loneliness, and an inability to meet family demands...

Regulator News

Posted on 3 August 2022

UPDATED COMPLIANCE CODE APPROVED Minister for Workplace Safety, Ingrid Stitt, has approved the new Communicating Occupational Health and Safety Across Languages compliance code, which came into...

Prosecutions

Posted on 3 August 2022

‘ALMOST NO’ HEIGHT PROTECTION RESULTS IN CONVICTION A PCBU and director have been convicted over a worker's 6.5-metre fall onto a concrete floor after failing...

Union News

Posted on 3 August 2022

HIGH WORK DEMANDS PUT LIVES AT RISK In an example of how workers lives, and safety, can be put at risk by management practices that...

Events

Posted on 27 July 2022

HSR INITIAL & REFRESHER TRAINING Trained HSRs are more effective HSRs - have you just been elected and haven't organised your training yet? Do it...

International News

Posted on 27 July 2022

UK: BOSS JAILED AFTER RECYCLING WORKER’S HORRIFIC DEATH Recycle Cymru Ltd boss Stephen Jones has been jailed for nine years at Mold Crown Court for...

Research

Posted on 27 July 2022

STUDY PREDICTS 10,000 AUSSIE WORKERS WILL DEVELOP LUNG CANCER FROM SILICA DUST The ACTU, as part of their advocacy work in relation to the prevention...

Regulator News

Posted on 27 July 2022

WORKER DEATHS PROMPT TRUCK SAFETY REMINDER WorkSafe have issued a reminder of the hazards involved in working around trucks after four workers died in separate...

Prosecutions

Posted on 27 July 2022

COMPANIES CHARGED FOLLOWING WORKER'S DEATH Two companies have been charged with a series of offences under the Occupational Health and Safety Act following the death...

Union News

Posted on 27 July 2022

ASK RENATA My workplace has a significant mould and water damage issue and as a result my health has dramatically deteriorated. Time taken off work...

Events

Posted on 20 July 2022

HSR INITIAL & REFRESHER TRAINING Trained HSRs are more effective HSRs - have you just been elected and haven't organised your training yet? Do it...

International News

Posted on 20 July 2022

Firefighters Union fighting for Safety Following on from the World Health Organisation’s declaration of Fire Fighting as a cancer-causing profession, the UK Fire Brigades Union...

Research

Posted on 20 July 2022

AUTOMATION REDUCES PHYSICAL INJURIES AT WORK BUT CARRIES SOCIETAL RISKS Research out of the North America and Europe has examined the relationship between increased automation...

Regulator News

Posted on 20 July 2022

ENTRY DEADLINE EXTENDED - WORKSAFE AWARDS Worksafe have extended the deadline for nominations for their 2022 Awards until 5PM this Friday the 22nd of July! ...

Prosecutions

Posted on 20 July 2022

LACK OF COVIDSAFE PLAN RESULTS IN FINE FOR BUSINESS In WorkSafe prosecution news this week, Keyun Enterprises Pty Ltd. trading as Comfy Kew Apartments was...

Union News

Posted on 20 July 2022

Ombudsman investigation into WorkCover Self-Insurers In Victoria most employers engage an insurance company ("authorised agents”) to manage their WorkCover liabilities. There is however an ability...

Events

Posted on 6 July 2022

HSR INITIAL & REFRESHER TRAINING Trained HSRs are more effective HSRs - have you just been elected and haven't organised your training yet? Do it...

International News

Posted on 6 July 2022

JORDAN: CHLORINE GAS LEAK KILLS 12, AFTER STORAGE TANK FALLS, INJURES 251 MORE A tank filled with 25 tonnes of chlorine gas fell while being...

Research

Posted on 6 July 2022

WORK EXPOSURES AS A FIREFIGHTER CAUSE CANCER The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has declared occupational exposures a 'preventable cause of cancer' for...

Regulator News

Posted on 6 July 2022

WORKSAFE VICTORIA AWARDS 2022 WorkSafe are calling for nominations for their 2022 Awards acknowledging excellence in workplace health and safety, and return to work. There...

COMPANY FINED $600,000 FOLLOWING APPRENTICE'S DEATH Road tanker manufacturer, Marshall Lethlean, has been convicted and fined $600,000 following the asphyxiation death of 20-year-old apprentice, Dillon...

Union News

Posted on 6 July 2022

ASBESTOS NEWS: MR FLUFFY TASKFORCE TO SHUT UP SHOP First established in 2014, the ACT Government’s Asbestos Response Taskforce will close at the end of...

Events

Posted on 23 June 2022

WORK-RELATED GENDERED VIOLENCE (INCLUDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT) Refresher Training Course for HSRsElected HSRs and Deputy HSRs are entitled to at least one refresher course each year,...

International News

Posted on 23 June 2022

OHS RECOGNIZED AS FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE AND RIGHT On the 10th of June 2022, following the proposition by the General Affairs Committee, the delegates attending the...

Research

Posted on 23 June 2022

REMOTE-WORK PAIN Australian researchers have found employers need to look beyond workstation set-ups to prevent multi-site musculoskeletal pain (MSP) for remote workers. A study, involving...

Prosecutions

Posted on 23 June 2022

VICTORIAN DAIRY COMPANY FINED $50,000 AFTER AMPUTATIONS Australian Dairy Packaging Pty Ltd pleaded guilty in Heidelberg Magistrates' Court on Friday to two charges of failing...

Regulator News

Posted on 23 June 2022

WORKSAFE VICTORIA AWARDS 2022 WorkSafe are calling for nominations for their 2022 Awards acknowledging excellence in workplace health and safety, and return to work. There...

Union News

Posted on 23 June 2022

BAD VIBES Many types of machinery, equipment and power-driven tools generate intense vibration which can be transmitted to workers causing a range of conditions and...

Events

Posted on 16 June 2022

WORK-RELATED GENDERED VIOLENCE (INCLUDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT) Refresher Training Course for HSRsElected HSRs and Deputy HSRs are entitled to at least one refresher course each year,...

Research

Posted on 16 June 2022

UK: TUBE DUST 'COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ILLNESS' Dust exposures on the London Underground system have the potential to cause serious illness to station staff, research...

International News

Posted on 16 June 2022

US: AMAZON HOLDING UP INVESTIGATION INTO EMPLOYEE DEATHS Congressional Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform are accusing Amazon of “obstructing” their investigation...

Prosecutions

Posted on 16 June 2022

$490K FOR MULTIPLE BREACHES, RECKLESSNESS HEARING SCHEDULED A company has been fined heavily over a fatality and other safety breaches. The County Court heard that...

Regulator News

Posted on 16 June 2022

VICTORIAN REGULATORS VISIT WORK SITES DURING LATROBE VALLEY SAFETY BLITZ Four Victorian regulators carried out more than 120 inspections across Latrobe Valley work sites as...

Union News

Posted on 16 June 2022

VTHC'S OHS BASICS MONTH The third event for OHS Basics Month - Using HSR Powers to Win - is happening 4pm TODAY, 16 June. This...

Events

Posted on 9 June 2022

WORK-RELATED GENDERED VIOLENCE (INCLUDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT) Refresher Training Course for HSRsElected HSRs and Deputy HSRs are entitled to at least one refresher course each year,...

Research

Posted on 9 June 2022

'LARGEST EVER' 4 DAY WEEK TRIAL WILL ASSESS BENEFITS Thousands of employees across 70 companies in Britain started the first day of a four-day week...

International News

Posted on 9 June 2022

BANGLADESH: OVER 40 KILLED, HUNDREDS INJURED IN DEPOT BLAST A fire and a huge explosion have killed at least 41 people and injured hundreds more...

Prosecutions

Posted on 9 June 2022

WORKER DIED AFTER ALARM IGNORED - NZ A PCBU that failed to act on a ringing hazardous-chemical alarm has been fined heavily over a worker's...

Regulator News

Posted on 9 June 2022

BOLAND REVIEW AMENDMENTS to WHS LAWS Amendments implementing several recommendations from the 2018 Boland Review have been published, and affect amongst other things: regulations dealing...

Union News

Posted on 9 June 2022

VTHC'S OHS BASICS MONTH Our second event - Safety Consultation 101 - is coming up this Tuesday, 14 June as part of OHS Basics Month....

Events

Posted on 2 June 2022

Work-Related Gendered Violence (including Sexual Harassment) Refresher Training Course for HSRsElected HSRs and Deputy HSRs are entitled to a one day refresher course each year,...

Research

Posted on 2 June 2022

On OHS Innovation ‘Forward-thinking’ safety and well-being consultancy, Work Science, reckon Australia is a 'melting pot of creative and boundary-pushing entities driving radical WHS improvement.’...

International News

Posted on 2 June 2022

UK: Long COVID 'protocol' urgently needed Civil service union PCS is calling on the Cabinet Office and the devolved administrations to put in place protocols...

Prosecutions

Posted on 2 June 2022

Company Fined After Inflatable Incident Xtreme Party' provides entertainment equipment at events, including a 14m long and 3m wide obstacle course 'inflatable', through which participants...

Regulator News

Posted on 2 June 2022

Investigation into the culture of the Victorian Building Authority The Herald Sun reports that the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) will be investigated over allegations of...

Union News

Posted on 2 June 2022

International Asbestos NewsLast week VTHC were honoured to welcome Mr Sok Kin, President of the Building and Wood Workers Trade Union Federation Cambodia (BWTUC) and...

Events

Posted on 26 May 2022

Injured Workers Day Every year we celebrate Injured Workers Day - a day to fight for the rights and dignity of injured workers. Injured workers...

Research

Posted on 26 May 2022

Research Shows the Danger of Over-connection As hybrid work arrangements in both home and office become increasingly common, Eurofound (the European Foundation for the Improvement...

Regulator News

Posted on 26 May 2022

Victorian: Lead Safety Breaches Prompt Warning Victorian businesses are being warned of the potentially deadly risks of working with lead without adequate safety controls after...

International News

Posted on 26 May 2022

USA: Staff and residents safer in unionised nursing homes The substantial union safety effect has been confirmed in a study of Covid-19 infections in US...

Prosecutions

Posted on 26 May 2022

Latrobe Valley: EnergyAustralia will plead guilty to charges over the death of Graeme Edwards Latrobe Valley Express reports EnergyAustralia will plead guilty to charges laid...

Union News

Posted on 26 May 2022

The Victorian Trades Hall Council is releasing our approved safety standard for exposure to vibration at work. Workers exposed to vibration at work are at...

Events

Posted on 18 May 2022

Unmasked Exhibition If you did not get a chance to see the Her Place Women’s Museum Australia’s exhibition which paid tribute to Victorian nurses and...

Prosecutions

Posted on 18 May 2022

Caravan park charged after camper's death: WorkSafe has charged a Healesville accommodation business after a man was crushed by a tree branch in March 2021....

International News

Posted on 18 May 2022

IndustriALL is launching its full report on gender-based violence and harassment in the mining, garment and electronics sectors: The report presents recommendations for IndustriALL and...

Regulator News

Posted on 18 May 2022

WorkSafe will be presenting sessions on creating mentally healthy workplaces at the Workplace Health & Safety Show, May 25 and 26 at the Melbourne Convention...

Research

Posted on 18 May 2022

Lung risks increase even with lawful exposure levels In a timely study on the insidious reach of silica, Swedish researchers have found a significantly high...

SafetyNet Journal

OHS Training at Victorian Trades Hall Council

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