SafetyNet Journal

Events

Posted on 2 October 2019

If you have an OHS related event you would like us to advertise, please email Renata at ohsinfo@vthc.org.au with details, including location, cost (if any),...

International news

Posted on 2 October 2019

Resources from Canada The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety produces a regular "Health and Safety Report" newsletter - which is free to subscribe...

Regulator news

Posted on 2 October 2019

WorkSafe Victoria news Health and Safety Month - events and competitionWorkSafe's Health and Safety Month has begun, with events starting this week - check out...

Prosecutions

Posted on 2 October 2019

Sorrento Hotel fined after forklift incident In September 2018 the Hotel Sorrento, a hotel, bar and restaurant in Sorrento, had approximately 80 to 90 employees....

Research

Posted on 2 October 2019

Injury rates surge as temperature increases Italian researchers from a major workplace health and safety agency and two universities analysed all occupational injuries sustained by...

Union News

Posted on 2 October 2019

Victorian HSRs and deputies: October 29 HSR Conference Registrations to the conference have now exceeded 850. The Conference for Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) is...

Events

Posted on 25 September 2019

If you have an OHS related event you would like us to advertise, please email Renata at ohsinfo@vthc.org.au with details, including location, cost (if any),...

Victorian Prosecutions Employer fined $10,000 after apprentice falls 4.3m Stephen Reidy, a sole trader operates a business undertaking domestic electrical work and air-conditioning installation. On...

Regulator news

Posted on 25 September 2019

WorkSafe Victoria news Safety Soapbox September edition The latest edition of Safety Soapbox was sent out last week. In this edition, the editorial deals with...

Research

Posted on 25 September 2019

Mindfulness programs can reduce stress A study of 323 American and Canadian emergency medical "911" dispatchers (EMDs) found that short, weekly mindfulness program successfully reduced their...

Union News

Posted on 25 September 2019

Calling all Victorian HSRs and deputies: October 29 HSR Conference: We already have over 600 people registered to attend our Conference for Health and Safety...

Events

Posted on 18 September 2019

If you have an OHS related event you would like us to advertise, please email Renata at ohsinfo@vthc.org.au with details, including location, cost (if any),...

International news

Posted on 18 September 2019

Amazon (U.S): The cost of next day delivery In a disturbing feature which raises questions in the Australian context, BuzzFeed explores how Amazon, the world's...

Prosecutions

Posted on 18 September 2019

Victorian Prosecutions No new results of prosecutions were put on the WorkSafe site this week - but to check over the next week, go to...

Regulator news

Posted on 18 September 2019

Victorian news New laws protect safety of contractors and gig economy workers Laws designed to provide safer and fairer working conditions for owner drivers and...

Research

Posted on 18 September 2019

PTSD linked to increased risk of ovarian cancer Women who experienced six or more symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at some point in life...

Union News

Posted on 18 September 2019

VTHC HSR Conference: October 29. Register NOW! We have just received approval under s69 of the OHS Act to run our hugely successful Conference for...

Events

Posted on 11 September 2019

If you have an OHS related event you would like us to advertise, please email Renata at ohsinfo@vthc.org.au with details, including location, cost (if any),...

Prosecutions

Posted on 11 September 2019

Cleaner seriously injured: MCC gets slap on wrist In a puzzling and disappointing decision, the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC), the body corporate that has management...

Regulator news

Posted on 11 September 2019

WorkSafe Victoria news Reminder: Health and Safety Month, October 2019 WorkSafe Victoria has launched its program of events for this year's Health and Safety Month,...

Research

Posted on 11 September 2019

Presenteeism bad all around - research proves it A group of Swedish researchers have found that high workloads and other organisational factors have the effect...

Union News

Posted on 11 September 2019

Worker killed in Ballarat this morning A construction worker on a house in Ballarat was killed this morning after being crushed by a collapsing wall....

Events

Posted on 3 September 2019

If you have an OHS related event you would like us to advertise, please email Renata at ohsinfo@vthc.org.au with details, including cost, and where to...

Regulator news

Posted on 3 September 2019

WorkSafe Victoria WorkWell Wednesday Bullying videoWorkSafe has a (relatively) new e-bulletin: WorkWell Wednesdays. The theme in this week's bulletin is "Prevent bullying in your workplace"....

Prosecutions

Posted on 2 September 2019

Editorial: The two WorkSafe prosecutions detailed below provide a stark contrast to how the law punishes workers and employers who do the wrong thing. While...

Research

Posted on 2 September 2019

Australia: women; work and menopause Menopause affects women differently and for some it can create issues in the workplace. Yet despite the fact that more...

Union News

Posted on 2 September 2019

SafetyNet 502 September 4, 2019 It is with great sadness that we report there was another workplace fatality in Victoria last week. This brings the...

Events

Posted on 28 August 2019

If you have an OHS related event you would like us to advertise, please email Renata at ohsinfo@vthc.org.au with details, including cost, and where to...

Prosecutions

Posted on 28 August 2019

Construction company fined $35 for falling objectCaelli Constructions (Vic) Pty Ltd owned a perimeter protection screen installed at a construction site comprising a 61 story...

Regulator news

Posted on 28 August 2019

WorkSafe Victoria news Silica: Regulations amended to cover working with engineered stone On May 1 of this year, the Premier and the Workplace Safety Minister...

Research

Posted on 28 August 2019

High PTSD in those bereaved by workplace fatalities A new international report from leading authorities in Australia, has confirmed high rates of post traumatic stress...

Union news

Posted on 28 August 2019

HSR Conference: more coming soonThis is a 'teaser' - the VTHC is awaiting sign off from WorkSafe Victoria of our application to run the 2019...

Events

Posted on 21 August 2019

If you have an OHS related event you would like us to advertise, please email Renata at ohsinfo@vthc.org.au with details, including cost, and where to...

Prosecutions

Posted on 19 August 2019

Meat processor fined $90 after amputation JBS Australia Pty Ltd, a meat processing company, has been convicted and fined $90,000 after a worker’s hand was...

Regulator news

Posted on 19 August 2019

WorkSafe Victoria Updated guidance on LeadWorkSafe Victoria has released its updated guidance on Lead: Lead: Safety basics (here) – this page sets out the health...

Research

Posted on 19 August 2019

Injured workers at greater risk of suicide or overdose deaths A US study has found that workers injured in the workplace are ‘significantly’ more likely...

Union news

Posted on 19 August 2019

Ask RenataHi, I was working alone after hours one night when someone tried to break in at my workplace - luckily it didn't happen. When...

Events

Posted on 19 August 2019

If you have an OHS related event you would like us to advertise, please email Renata at ohsinfo@vthc.org.au with details, including cost, and where to...

Prosecutions

Posted on 19 August 2019

Prison operator fined $75k after inmates injuredThe Geo Group Australia Pty Ltd manages correctional services at the Fulham Correctional Centre, in Sale, Victoria. The company...

Regulator News

Posted on 19 August 2019

WorkSafe Victoria newsAugust: Mobile crane safety blitzWorkSafe Victoria has been undertaking a targeted blitz on hydraulic mobile cranes operating on construction sites following three serious...

Research

Posted on 19 August 2019

Snacks improve shift worker safetyAustralian researchers observing 44 participants during a seven-day night shift simulation, have identified the ideal amount of food for shift workers...

Union News

Posted on 19 August 2019

Union News Fatality in northern Victoria It is with great sadness that we report that a subcontractor was killed on Monday when he fell from...

OHS Regulator News

Posted on 12 August 2019

WorkSafe has released new guidance to get more defibrillators in workplaces The guidance on the use of automated defibrillators has been created and published to help promote...

Events

Posted on 9 August 2019

VTHC + IWSN Web Launch Party RSVP here: www.weareohs.org.au/ohs_reps_launch_party In a few weeks, we're having a celebratory launch of the new OHS and IWSN websites. The...

Training

Posted on 9 August 2019

Be Trades Hall Trained: VTHC OHS Training Centre Make sure you attend training provided either by your union or the VTHC! HSRs are elected by...

OHS Prosecutions

Posted on 9 August 2019

PB Construction Services Pty Ltd (in liquidation) PB Construction Services, which is now in liquidation, have been ordered to pay a fine of $100,000 plus...

OHS Regulator News

Posted on 9 August 2019

Exclusion from work function wasn't bullying says Fair Work Commission A worker who was excluded from a work function has been told that management preventing...

Ask Renata

Posted on 9 August 2019

Every week in SafetyNet we highlight an interesting question we received through Ask Renata. This week we have an unusual one, concerning privacy and surveillance...

Job Opportunities

Posted on 2 August 2019

Health and Safety Training Officer The AMWU are on the hunt for a new OHS training officer. If you're a strong Unionist, with a healthy...

Training

Posted on 2 August 2019

Be Trades Hall Trained: VTHC OHS Training Centre Make sure you attend training provided either by your union or the VTHC! HSRs are elected by...

OHS Regulator News

Posted on 2 August 2019

WHS Offence With Life Sentence Begins in Northern Territory. Folks in the Northern Territory unfortunately have a far higher number of workplace fatalities than any...

Events

Posted on 2 August 2019

VTHC + IWSN Web Launch Party RSVP here: www.weareohs.org.au/ohs_reps_launch_party In a few weeks, we're having a celebratory launch of the new OHS and IWSN websites. The...

OHS Prosecutions

Posted on 2 August 2019

Spotlight Cops $150,000 Fine Spotlight has been fined a massive amount after a driver was struck with his own truck from behind, knocking him to...

Union News

Posted on 2 August 2019

New Silica Exposure Standard of 0.05mg/m³ over 3 years leaves many wanting This Wednesday, SafeWork Australia voted on the future of Australia's silica standard. Victorian...

Events

Posted on 26 July 2019

Events Trades Hall OHS Network and Injured Workers Support Network Launch Event We've been working on something that we're really excited to show you, and...

OHS Regulator News

Posted on 26 July 2019

Stress earns worker early long service payment A worker has been awarded close to $9,000 after winning a case for his long service leave entitlements...

Prosecutions

Posted on 26 July 2019

Training group fined $200k for falsified training session times A registered training organisation and one of it's trainers, who cut training courses short and failed...

Research

Posted on 26 July 2019

Canadian Research At-Risk Occupations to Develop Dermatitis New research has analysed nearly 600,000 records from workers' compensation records to identify which occupations are more at...

Union News

Posted on 26 July 2019

Australian Union Safety Survey Australian Unions are advocating for workers to fill out their Worker Survey to feed into the ongoing OHS Boland review. The survey is being used...

Events

Posted on 19 July 2019

If you have an OHS related event you would like us to advertise, please email Renata with details, including cost, and where to RSVP. BE TRADES HALL...

OHS Regulator News

Posted on 19 July 2019

WorkSafe taskforce created to deal with cleaning dangerous goods on site WorkSafe's dangerous goods taskforce will clear another site in Campbellfield after it was assessed...

Prosecutions

Posted on 19 July 2019

Construction company in Colac fined $7,500 plus costs Spence Building and Joinery was fined a total of $11,092 for failing to adequately identify and control...

Research

Posted on 19 July 2019

Study highlights link between lead in blood levels and several cancers A study containing research from US, Finnish, French and UK institutions led an analysis...

Union News

Posted on 19 July 2019

Principal contractor fined $450,000 after worker death. In October in 2016, NSW, a man was killed laying plywood on the second floor of a building...

Events

Posted on 18 July 2019

If you have an OHS related event you would like us to advertise, please email Renata with details, including cost, and where to RSVP. BE TRADES HALL...

Events

Posted on 17 July 2019

If you have an OHS related event you would like us to advertise, please email Renata with details, including cost, and where to RSVP. BE TRADES HALL...

Prosecutions

Posted on 17 July 2019

Victorian Prosecutions Ser Brothers fined $8,000 for falls Ser Brothers has been fined $8,000 plus court costs for failing to ensure that fall protection was...

Research

Posted on 17 July 2019

New research from Japanese University claims work stress can lead to tooth loss A study of 1,200 workers between the ages of 25 and 50...

Union News

Posted on 17 July 2019

Two Victorian Workers Killed at Work In One Day We are incredibly sad to report that on the day of writing, two Victorian workers have...

Research

Posted on 17 July 2019

New research from Japanese University claims work stress can lead to tooth loss A study of 1,200 workers between the ages of 25 and 50...

OHS Regulator News

Posted on 17 July 2019

WorkSafe has released new guidance to get more defibrillators in workplaces The guidance on the use of automated defibrillators has been created and published to help promote...

Events

Posted on 17 July 2019

If you have an OHS related event you would like us to advertise, please email Renata with details, including cost, and where to RSVP. BE TRADES HALL...

OHS Prosecutions

Posted on 17 July 2019

Victorian Prosecutions Ser Brothers fined $8,000 for falls Ser Brothers has been fined $8,000 plus court costs for failing to ensure that fall protection was...

Union News

Posted on 17 July 2019

Two Victorian Workers Killed at Work In One Day We are incredibly sad to report that on the day of writing, two Victorian workers have...

Events

Posted on 4 July 2019

If you have an OHS related event you would like us to advertise, please email Renata with details, including cost, and where to RSVP. BE TRADES HALL...

Prosecutions

Posted on 4 July 2019

Victorian Prosecutions Rubbertough Industries Pty Ltd copped a $15,000 fine + costs after a guilty plea. The rubber supplier based in Warragul copped a $15,000...

Union News

Posted on 4 July 2019

Commission rules on claustrophobic workers. A commission has found that requiring a worker suffering from severe claustrophobia, which had been caused by a situation where...

Research

Posted on 4 July 2019

Workplace solvent exposure has been linked to autism. A major study conducted by US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Health Effects Laboratory has...

OHS Regulator News

Posted on 4 July 2019

Firefighter's presumptive rights compensation is now available Firefighters, both career and volunteer, are now able to access presumptive rights compensation, providing they meet the following...

Events

Posted on 26 June 2019

If you have an OHS related event you would like us to advertise, please email Renata with details, including cost, and where to RSVP. BE TRADES HALL...

International News

Posted on 26 June 2019

Global: UN experts urge ILO to back 'fundamental' safetyUnited Nations human rights experts have urged the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to immediately recognise and adopt...

Prosecutions

Posted on 26 June 2019

Victorian Prosecutions No new results of prosecutions were put on the WorkSafe site this week - but to check over the next week, go to...

OHS Regulator News

Posted on 26 June 2019

Victorian newsMental health support for vulnerable workersWorkSafe has announced an initiative which it says will benefit thousands of Victorian workers whose jobs put them at...

Research

Posted on 26 June 2019

OHS outcomes among international migrant workers Last week a group of researchers has published a paper entitled 'Occupational health outcomes among international migrant workers: a systematic review...

Union News

Posted on 26 June 2019

Man killed in farm incidentA farmer in his 40's was killed last Wedneday after being struck by a post hole digger at a farm in...

International News

Posted on 19 June 2019

EU: Big data and AI - OHS implicationsThe use of big data, combined with machine learning technology, is becoming more common in Europe's workplaces. Two...

Prosecutions

Posted on 19 June 2019

Victorian ProsecutionsOperations manager enters 'diversion plan' Between April 2015 and August 2016 the Operations Manager of a security firm engaged in a range of bullying behavior,...

OHS Regulator News

Posted on 19 June 2019

Victorian newsWorkSafe keen to hear about manager/supervisor training One of the issues some HSRs face when they return to work is that they know more about...

Research

Posted on 19 June 2019

Fatigue-beating firies' rosters for shift work A new study has revealed the most effective shift roster to encourage quality sleep among firefighters and minimise their long-term...

Union News

Posted on 19 June 2019

Industrial Manslaughter: UpdateNOTE: This item has been corrected and amended. The Industrial Manslaughter Implementation Taskforce, established by the Andrews' Labor Government to consult on the...

Prosecutions

Posted on 12 June 2019

Victorian ProsecutionsPlumbing company fined for height-related risks Plumbing company K.C. & T.L. Murray Pty Ltd was on 16 March 2018 engaged to replace a gas hot...

International News

Posted on 12 June 2019

Sth Korea: Samsung victim wins compensation after decades-long fightA victim of occupational cancer caused by toxic exposures while working at Samsung has won a decade...

OHS Regulator News

Posted on 12 June 2019

Victorian newsHealth service charged after patient death In a short media release today, WorkSafe has announced that it has charged Melbourne Health following the death of...

Research

Posted on 12 June 2019

WHO classifies burn-out as a work-related condition Burn-out has been formally recognised as a work-related health condition by a UN body. A meeting of the World...

Union News

Posted on 12 June 2019

TONIGHT: Live webinar on stress & mental healthYou've asked for it a long time, and the OHS Unit is psyched to deliver! Tonight (Wednesday June 12)...

International News

Posted on 5 June 2019

China: CO2 leak kills 10, injures 19 on bulk carrierA mass leak of carbon dioxide occurred during fire suppressing system maintenance works on board of bulk...

Prosecutions

Posted on 5 June 2019

Victorian ProsecutionsRoof repair company fined after contact with overhead powerlinesThe site supervisor and an employee of Rainshield Roofing Pty Ltd, a company specialising in all...

OHS Regulator News

Posted on 5 June 2019

Victorian newsQuad bikes: Government taking actionThe Andrews Labor Government is taking action to protect and educate farmers and workers with a renewed call for vigilance...

Research

Posted on 5 June 2019

Statement on occupational burden of non-cancerous lung diseases More than 1 in 10 people with a range of non-cancerous lung diseases may be sick as a...

Union News

Posted on 5 June 2019

Industrial Manslaughter: Update Work on finalising draft legislation is progressing well with submissions from various organisations provided to the Minister for Workplace Health, Ms Jill Hennessy's...