SafetyNet Journal

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...

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...

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,...

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...

Union News

Posted on 18 May 2022

International Nurses DayWell into year 3 of a global pandemic the life-saving contribution of nurses and midwives was once again celebrated on International Nurses Day,...

Events

Posted on 11 May 2022

National Safe Work Month 2022 Safe Work Australia has released the theme and campaign kit for National Safe Work Month 2022 ahead of the official...

International News

Posted on 11 May 2022

Covid inquiry must get to truth on workers deathsUK: The TUC and Covid Bereaved Families for Justice are calling for the public inquiry into coronavirus...

Prosecutions

Posted on 11 May 2022

Regulator frustrated after yet another forklift-related breach In Victoria, food service wholesaler CBB Enterprises Pty Ltd was fined a total of $35,000, without conviction, for...

Regulator News

Posted on 11 May 2022

VICTORIAN NEWS WorkSafe HSR NewsletterLast week WorkSafe sent out its regular newsletter for HSRs. Items of interest include an invitation to access WorkSafe's HSR Support...

Research

Posted on 11 May 2022

Working from home and expectations of being available Working from home arrangements are now common in many workplaces, and while there are many benefits, including...

Union News

Posted on 11 May 2022

COVID-19Latest Numbers The so-called 'plateau' appears to be tilting upwards. There were almost 14,000 new infections reported today, an increase of 3,194 from daily infection numbers...

Events

Posted on 4 May 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 4 May 2022

Victorian prosecutions Fatal fall at construction site leads to charges WorkSafe Victoria has charged a company over the death of a worker who fell at a residential...

Regulator News

Posted on 4 May 2022

Victorian news WorkSafe HSR NewsletterLast week WorkSafe sent out its regular newsletter for HSRs. The newsletter has a great feature on the WorkSafe Award winners,...

Research

Posted on 4 May 2022

Australian truck drivers’ physical and mental health The negative health consequences of truck driving are well documented. However, despite the distinct occupational challenges between long- and...

Union News

Posted on 4 May 2022

Worker dies in hospital after being crushed by garbage truck It is with great sadness that we report that a 69-year-old worker died in hospital last...

Events

Posted on 27 April 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 April 2022

UK: Even business demanding free COVID testsThe recent spike in COVID cases in Britain has caused havoc, with staff sickness impacting entire supply chains, a...

Prosecutions

Posted on 27 April 2022

Victorian prosecutionsThere have been no major prosecutions since the last edition To check for more Victorian prosecutions before the next edition, go to WorkSafe Victoria's Prosecution Result...

Regulator News

Posted on 27 April 2022

Victorian news Safety warning on inflatable rides WorkSafe is urging Victorian operators of inflatable amusement rides and event organisers hiring them to review their health and...

Research

Posted on 27 April 2022

Workplace hygiene measures cause serious skin problems, but workers unlikely to report Hand washing is still considered a key measure to stop the spread of COVID-19...

Union News

Posted on 27 April 2022

Truck driver killed by falling gateOn Saturday a 59 year old truck driver was killed at a Dandenong South depot. According to preliminary inquiries, the...

Events

Posted on 20 April 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 20 April 2022

Victorian prosecutionsThere have been no major prosecutions since the last edition To check for more Victorian prosecutions before the next edition, go to WorkSafe Victoria's Prosecution Result...

Regulator News

Posted on 20 April 2022

Victorian news New Lead Compliance Code The Minister for Workplace Safety, Ingrid Stitt, has approved the making of the new Lead compliance code (code). The code...

Union News

Posted on 20 April 2022

Tuesday, April 26: Rana Plaza Commemoration April 24 will be the 9th Anniversary of the mass murder of garment workers at Rana Plaza on the outskirts of...

Events

Posted on 13 April 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 13 April 2022

Vicotorian prosecutionsMan prosecuted under s32 - reckless endangerment A man who went to his son-in-law's automotive workshop in Hoppers Crossing to "get out of the house",...

Regulator News

Posted on 13 April 2022

Victorian news Amusement ride safety reminder as industry re-opens WorkSafe Victoria is reminding amusement ride operators across Victoria to make safety a priority as the industry...

Research

Posted on 13 April 2022

PFAS blood levels in firefighters Elevated levels of blood perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been associated with a range of adverse health outcomes. Firefighters...

Union News

Posted on 13 April 2022

Police officer and motorist killed in crash A 25 year old senior female police constable and a motorist were killed in a head-on collision in Victoria's...

Events

Posted on 6 April 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 6 April 2022

Victoria market butcher fined $10,000 after worker's hand caught in mincer Bao Quoc Tran, with his ex-wife, runs a family partnership butcher shop at Queen Victoria Market....

Regulator News

Posted on 6 April 2022

Victorian news Warning on trailer safety WorkSafe has issued an alert reminding agribusinesses, farmers and workers to not ignore the dangers of riding on the back...

COVID, occupational stress and positive psychological capital The COVID 19 pandemic challenged our livelihood, physical health, mental health, employment, and economy. Lockdowns, quarantines, online teaching, and...

Union News

Posted on 6 April 2022

Helicopter crash kills five The pilot and four passengers on a helicopter charter flight were killed when it crashed last Friday near Mt Disappointment. It had ...

Events

Posted on 30 March 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 30 March 2022

Washington OSHA cracks down on Amazon Sunday, March 20, marked the 22nd anniversary of one of the greatest crimes in American labor history: President George...

Prosecutions

Posted on 30 March 2022

Victoria: Principal contractor fined for falling object Hickory Collins House Pty Ltd, the principal contractor of a 58 storey high rise residential building in Collins Street, Melbourne...

Regulator News

Posted on 30 March 2022

Victorian news New rights and protections for labour hire workers Labour hire workers now have additional rights and protections with the commencement of amendments to the...

Research

Posted on 30 March 2022

Lifting 10kg or more can triple chances of shoulder surgery Researchers from Denmark's Aarhus University and the Danish Ramazzini Centre have found that the risk of workers...

Union News

Posted on 30 March 2022

Man killed by livestock It is with great sadness that we report that a worker was killed while drafting cattle on a farm at Undera, north-west of...

Events

Posted on 22 March 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 22 March 2022

Criminal charges over incident leading to Campbellfield toxic waste fire The Environment Protection Authority has laid criminal and civil charges over an incident that caused...

Regulator News

Posted on 22 March 2022

Victorian news HSR Newsletter In the March edition of the HSR Newsletter, WorkSafe's Executive Director of Health and Safety, Dr Narelle Beer introduces herself. Dr Beer...

Union News

Posted on 22 March 2022

Two Victorian workers killed in separate incidents WorkSafe is investigating the deaths of two workers who were killed last Friday in separate incidents. In the...

Events

Posted on 16 March 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 16 March 2022

Ukraine: Serious concern at Chernobyl workers’ plight Ukrainian nuclear authorities told the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on 8 March that the safety of the Chernobyl nuclear...

Prosecutions

Posted on 16 March 2022

Victorian Prosecutions Company and director fined $320,000 after unprotected fall A residential building company and its director have been convicted and fined a total of $320,000...

Regulator News

Posted on 16 March 2022

Victorian news Dangerous Goods (Explosives) Regulations 2022 – public comment now open The public comment period for WorkSafe’s proposed Dangerous Goods (Explosives) Regulations 2022 will close...

Research

Posted on 16 March 2022

Rapid testing at work works well Comprehensive workplace rapid testing programmes to identify COVID-19 infections work well, give accurate results and are welcomed by participating employers,...

Union News

Posted on 16 March 2022

Delivery driver killed WorkSafe is investigating the death of a 73-year-old man at Noble Park last Thursday. It is understood the delivery driver was attempting to cross...

Events

Posted on 9 March 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 9 March 2022

Company which almost killed a worker gets off with an enforceable undertaking M C Earthmoving Pty Ltd (MCE) supplied earthmoving equipment and operators. It was engaged...

Regulator News

Posted on 9 March 2022

Victorian news Psychological Health Regulations The proposed Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Psychological Health) Regulations (proposed regulations) have a number of requirements that we, as unions, fully support. These...

Research

Posted on 9 March 2022

Night and shift work and incidence of cerebrovascular disease Scandinavian researchers aimed to investigate the effects of various aspects of night and shift work regarding incident...

Union News

Posted on 9 March 2022

Fatality in Victoria We are still awaiting more details and confirmation from WorkSafe, but we believe that earlier this week there was a work-related road...

Events

Posted on 2 March 2022

March 7, APHEDA International Solidarity Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA invites you to an online conversation celebrating global solidarity and sisterhood. Join Melbourne APHEDA activist...

Prosecutions

Posted on 2 March 2022

Victoria: Importer charged after stone slab fatality WorkSafe has charged a stone importer after a worker was fatally crushed in April 2020 at a Dingley Village...

Regulator News

Posted on 2 March 2022

Victorian news REMINDER: Proposed Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Psychological Health) Regulations A reminder that public comment on the proposed Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Psychological Health)...

Research

Posted on 2 March 2022

Shift work and health effects There have been number of recent studies which have added to the knowledge of the effects of shift work on...

Union News

Posted on 2 March 2022

COVID Update Following the relaxation of restrictions, the number of new daily infections has, as expected, increased. Today the state recorded 7,126 new cases. However, the...

Events

Posted on 23 February 2022

HSR Initial & Refresher training Get organised now to do either your initial five day training or your annual refresher in 2022. Remember: under Section...

International news

Posted on 23 February 2022

Prevention of musculoskeletal disorders and psychosocial risks in the workplace A new European discussion paper reviews various aspects of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and prevention of psychosocial...

Prosecutions

Posted on 23 February 2022

Victorian School convicted and fined $140k after tree branch deathMelbourne private school Haileybury College has been convicted and fined $140,000 after a grounds worker was killed...

Regulator News

Posted on 23 February 2022

Victorian news Proposed Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Psychological Health) Regulations Public comment on the proposed Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Psychological Health) Regulations (proposed regulations)...

Research

Posted on 23 February 2022

Zoom: why we get so tired after video conferencing Thanks to COVID-19, workers have been using video conferencing more than ever. From day-to-day work to meetings...

Union News

Posted on 23 February 2022

COVID Update The number of new daily Omicron infections is jumping around a bit, with the state recording 6,926 cases today. However, the active cases are...

Events

Posted on 16 February 2022

HSR Initial & Refresher training Get organised now to do either your initial five day training or your annual refresher in 2022. Remember: under Section...

International news

Posted on 16 February 2022

UK: New regulations on PPE Unlike in Victoria, employers in the UK have clearly legislated duties when it comes to providing workers with Personal Protective Equipment...

Prosecutions

Posted on 16 February 2022

Victorian Prosecutions Pipemaker convicted, fined $275k after death of worker Shepparton company Precast Civil Industries Pty Ltd, trading as MC Pipes, was last week sentenced in the...

Regulator News

Posted on 16 February 2022

Victorian news Online information sessions for horticultural producers Agriculture Victoria and WorkSafe Victoria, along with the Labour Hire Authority, the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions and the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) are working...

Research

Posted on 16 February 2022

Unionisation and injury risk in construction Canadian researchers sought to replicate an older previous cross-sectional study to estimate the association between unionisation and the risk of workers’...

Union News

Posted on 16 February 2022

COVID Update The number of new daily Omicron infections is jumping around a bit, with the state recording 8,159 cases today. However, the active cases are...

Events

Posted on 9 February 2022

February 16: Dangerous Goods Advisory Group The first DGAG bimonthly meeting for 2022 will be held via ZOOM on Wednesday February 16. The DGAG is...

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