SafetyNet Journal

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Events

Posted on 17 November 2021

TONIGHT November 17: Dangerous Goods Advisory Group The final DGAG bimonthly meeting for 2021 will be held tonight, Wednesday November 17. The DGAG is a...
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International news

Posted on 17 November 2021

United States of America OSHA's Uphill Road to Protecting Workers from COVID-19 Less than two days after it was issued, OSHA's Vax-or-Test Emergency Temporary Standard...
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Prosecutions

Posted on 17 November 2021

Pipecon fined after trench tragedy Civil construction company Pipecon was last week convicted and fined $550,000 following a trench collapse at Ballarat in 2018 in...
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Regulator News

Posted on 17 November 2021

Victorian news New Crystalline Silica regulations require licences Engineered stone is commonly used for kitchen and bathroom benchtops. When it is cut, ground or polished...
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Research

Posted on 17 November 2021

Depression and anxiety affect silicosis sufferers Research has shown that the health consequences of dust diseases go further than physical effects. In addition to the...
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Union News

Posted on 17 November 2021

Coronavirus Update Victoria: The numbers of new infections seemed to be finally coming down but have crept back up over the past few days. The...
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Events

Posted on 10 November 2021

November 17: Dangerous Goods Advisory Group The final DGAG bimonthly meeting for 2021 will be held on Wednesday November 17. The DGAG is a general...
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International news

Posted on 10 November 2021

US: Department of Labor fights back to protect workers As more than 1100 Americans continue to die each day from COVID-19, the Department of Labor...
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Prosecutions

Posted on 10 November 2021

Youth justice workers seriously injured: $100k fine  The Department of Justice and Community Safety has been fined a total of $100,000 (plus $16,207 costs) following two...
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Regulator News

Posted on 10 November 2021

Victorian news New Silica regulations approved The Victorian silica regulations have now been approved, and will come into effect Monday 15 November. We will be updating...
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Research

Posted on 10 November 2021

Workplace health promotion benefits ‘marginal’ Workplace interventions to address unhealthy worker ‘behaviours’ such as physical inactivity, an unhealthy diet, high alcohol intake and smoking show...
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Union News

Posted on 10 November 2021

Another Victorian worker killed  In a terrible incident this week one worker has been killed and another has suffered multiple injuries. At about 7.15am on Tuesday...
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Events

Posted on 27 October 2021

November 18: VTHC Annual Young Workers Conference Young workers are facing an uncertain future.  It's harder than ever for young people to access affordable housing, healthcare...
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Prosecutions

Posted on 27 October 2021

Victorian employer convicted, fined $500,000 - but unlikely to pay Global Renewable Energy Solutions Pty. Ltd. (in liquidation) supplied and installed solar electrical systems. In...
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Regulator News

Posted on 27 October 2021

Victorian news Regulator reminder as more workplaces open  WorkSafe has sent out a reminder to employers and workers as more and more places re-open after...
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Union News

Posted on 27 October 2021

Another Victorian worker killed at work It is with great sadness that we report that a 40-year-old electrician was killed in a workplace incident at...
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Events

Posted on 19 October 2021

VTHC Training for HSRs and Deputy HSRs With Metropolitan Melbourne still in lockdown, the VTHC training courses continue to be delivered online (the only exception...
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International news

Posted on 19 October 2021

US: Colorado postal worker is third to be shot and killed in US in two days A US Postal Service worker in Longmont, Colorado, was...
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Prosecutions

Posted on 19 October 2021

Cinema operator fined after worker burnt with oil Reading Cinemas Management Pty Ltd operates movie cinemas including Gold Class cinemas where food and beverages are...
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Regulator News

Posted on 19 October 2021

Victorian news Reminder of WorkSafe Victoria's OHS Month events WorkSafe has scheduled a number of free events in late October as part of Health and Safety...
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Research

Posted on 19 October 2021

ACTU survey: Australian workers face insecure work, threats and violence According to a recent ACTU survey, a shocking 67 per cent of injured or ill...
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Union News

Posted on 19 October 2021

Another Victorian worker killed at work In the second fatality involving a forklift in less than a week, a 49-year-old worker was killed in an...
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International news

Posted on 13 October 2021

USA: New rules plan for work heat dangers  The Biden administration is to introduce the USA’s first ever labour standard aimed at protecting workers from...
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Prosecutions

Posted on 13 October 2021

Solar panel installer convicted, fine $500,000 A solar panel installer has been convicted and fined $500,000 (plus $5613 costs) for safety breaches at sites across...
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Regulator News

Posted on 13 October 2021

OHS Month: WorkSafe Victoria events The state's OHS regulator has scheduled a number of free events in late October as part of Health and Safety Month....
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Research

Posted on 13 October 2021

COVID study identifies WHS gaps in flexible work A recent study has shown that workers' experiences with flexible work during the pandemic have been "very...
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Union News

Posted on 13 October 2021

Victorian worker killed in forklift incident It is with great sadness that we report that a 25-year-old worker was killed yesterday following an incident with...
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Events

Posted on 6 October 2021

Tuesday 12 October: Central Safety GroupTopic: The current job scene for OHS - what's different now?  The news is that at the moment there are...
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Prosecutions

Posted on 6 October 2021

Ice-skating rink operator fined after carbon monoxide exposure Kenneth Charles Jensen, the operator of the Winter Wonderland rink in Wodonga has been convicted and fined...
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Regulator News

Posted on 6 October 2021

OHS Month: WorkSafe Victoria events The state's OHS regulator has scheduled a number of free events in late October as part of Health and Safety Month....
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Research

Posted on 6 October 2021

Do workplace naps increase alertness? A recent study has found that while scheduled nap breaks for night shift workers can improve alertness and safety when...
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Union News

Posted on 6 October 2021

Want to share your experience of COVID Safety in the workplace?  Now is your chance! The COVID-Safe team at the VTHC OHS Unit is running...
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Events

Posted on 29 September 2021

Tuesday 12 October: Central Safety GroupTopic: The current job scene for OHS - what's different now?  The news is that at the moment there are...
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Prosecutions

Posted on 29 September 2021

Employer convicted and fined $300,000 for worker death  A metal treatment business has been convicted and fined $300,000 for an incident where a worker was...
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Regulator News

Posted on 29 September 2021

Victorian health department charged over COVID hotel quarantine program  In breaking news: WorkSafe Victoria has charged the Department of Health, formerly the Department of Health...
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Union News

Posted on 29 September 2021

Want to share your experience of COVID Safety in the workplace?  Now is your chance! The COVID-Safe team at the VTHC OHS Unit is running...
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Events

Posted on 22 September 2021

Tonight: Wednesday 22 September - Chemical Hazard Communication Network (CHCN) meeting The CHCN, a six-monthly meeting, is a general networking / discussion update meeting, open...
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Prosecutions

Posted on 22 September 2021

Victorian Company convicted, fined $360k after worker killed in trench fall An excavation company has been convicted and fined $360,000 after a worker was killed...
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Regulator News

Posted on 22 September 2021

Victorian news Government establishes new respiratory clinic On 16 September 2021, Minister for Workplace Safety Ingrid Stitt announced the opening of Australia’s only dedicated public...
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Research

Posted on 22 September 2021

Workplace head injuries: reducing the risks of delayed recovery and return to work  Workplace concussions, including apparently mild head injuries, can involve drawn out recovery...
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Union News

Posted on 22 September 2021

Worker fatalities It is with much sadness that we report the deaths of two Victorian workers.  On September 13, a 67-year-old suffered a fatal head injury...
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Events

Posted on 15 September 2021

Wednesday 22 September - Chemical Hazard Communication Network (CHCN) meeting The CHCN, a six-monthly meeting, is a general networking / discussion update meeting, open to...
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International news

Posted on 15 September 2021

WHO launches free Yoga app WHO has launched mYoga – a yoga app to help people stay active and healthy. The app is safe and...
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Prosecutions

Posted on 15 September 2021

Victorian news Abattoir fined for crush injury Cedar Meats, the Victorian abattoir which saw a major coronavirus outbreak last year, was this week fined $15,000...
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Regulator News

Posted on 15 September 2021

Victorian news Increased scrutiny of construction sites In response to the identified risks associated with COVID-19 compliance/transmission within the construction industry, WorkSafe has immediately commenced...
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Research

Posted on 15 September 2021

The first year of COVID-19 in Australia: direct and indirect health effects A new report into the health effects of COVID-19 on Australians during 2020...
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Union News

Posted on 15 September 2021

OHS Live Show - Workplace bullying If you're reading this on Wednesday September 15, then you have the opportunity of joining Bridget from Trades Hall...
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Events

Posted on 8 September 2021

Tuesday 14 September: Central Safety GroupTopic: New research on manual handling injuries A reminder of the CSG online event next Tuesday, with Professor David Caple...
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International news

Posted on 8 September 2021

USA: Whistleblower warning on chemical assessments Whistleblowers say the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been falsifying dangerous new chemicals’ risk assessments in an effort...
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Prosecutions

Posted on 8 September 2021

Victorian news Recently prosecuted company charged in relation to death Melbourne Truss Pty Ltd has been charged with breaching section 26 of the OHS Act,...
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Regulator News

Posted on 8 September 2021

Victorian news WorkSafe Victoria events The state's OHS regulator has scheduled a number of events in late October. Click on the webinar title for more...
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Research

Posted on 8 September 2021

Burnout risks extend beyond long working hours An experimental screening tool to identify workers suffering from burnout, based on the World Health Organisation's (WHO's) revised...
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Union News

Posted on 8 September 2021

OHS Live Show - Workplace bullying OHS Reps Live Show is back! Join Bridget from Trades Hall and Dr Carlo Caponecchia next Wednesday the 15th...
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Events

Posted on 1 September 2021

Tuesday 14 September: Central Safety GroupTopic: New research on manual handling injuries Work-based musculoskeletal injuries remain a major issue, but research is telling us more...
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International news

Posted on 1 September 2021

France: One in 10 suicides is work-related One in 10 suicides in adults in France is related to work, according to a new government study....
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Prosecutions

Posted on 1 September 2021

Pipecon pleads guilty to one charge over trench collapse which killed two  In breaking news this week, civil construction company Pipecon pleaded guilty in the Victorian...
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Regulator News

Posted on 1 September 2021

Victorian news Labour Hire Authority removes drug trafficker from labour hire industry The Victorian Labour Hire Authority (LHA) has refused a labour hire licence application...
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Research

Posted on 1 September 2021

Study confirms mitigation is necessary in schools A study has confirmed that wide-ranging mitigation measures are necessary to prevent COVID-19 transmission in schools. The research,...
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Union News

Posted on 1 September 2021

Fatality in Victoria  On Saturday, on a property at Jindivick, a farmer was killed when his quad bike overturned. The 80-year-old farmer was found unresponsive under the...
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Events

Posted on 25 August 2021

HSR Initial & Refresher training With the lockdown still underway in Victoria, the VTHC training courses are still being delivered online. If you've enrolled in...
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International news

Posted on 25 August 2021

UK: Spate of deaths prompts HSE farm safety alert More must be done to improve farm safety after four fatalities on farms in just over...
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Prosecutions

Posted on 25 August 2021

It is interesting how decisions vary greatly depending on where a matter is heard. The following two recent prosecutions illustrate this. In the first, a...
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Regulator News

Posted on 25 August 2021

Victorian news HSR Newsletter The latest edition of WorkSafe's newsletter for HSRs was posted late last week. The newsletter reminds HSRs that the  temporary regulations approved...
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Research

Posted on 25 August 2021

Shifts ‘significantly associated’ with heart problems Long-term night shifts are “significantly associated” with heart-related health problems in UK workers, according to a new study. Researchers...
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Union News

Posted on 25 August 2021

Coronavirus Update Victoria: Over the past week we have seen numbers of new community infections in Victoria increase (and over the past days decrease!) but also...
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Events

Posted on 18 August 2021

HSR Initial & Refresher training With the lockdown still underway in Victoria, the VTHC training courses are still being delivered online. If you've enrolled in...
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International news

Posted on 18 August 2021

South Korea: Foreign workers more likely to die at work Official figures have revealed that foreign workers are three times more likely to be killed...
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Prosecutions

Posted on 18 August 2021

Developer fined for multiple safety breaches A Melbourne developer that repeatedly failed to address safety issues at a Doncaster building site has been convicted and...
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Regulator News

Posted on 18 August 2021

Victorian news 2018-2020 fatality statistics WorkSafe Victoria recently updated its fatality statistics to the end of 2020. The new expanded definition of reportable deaths has...
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Research

Posted on 18 August 2021

Changes in work and life patterns associated with COVID-19 It is known that during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people limited going out, started working from home...
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Union News

Posted on 18 August 2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19) -  update    The extreme transmissibility of the Delta variant of the COVID virus, the numbers being stuck at around 20 and some...
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Events

Posted on 11 August 2021

August 18: Dangerous Goods Advisory Group The fourth DGAG bimonthly meeting for 2021 will be held on Wednesday August 18. If allowed, this will be...
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International news

Posted on 11 August 2021

USA: Apple, Dell, HP commit to protect workers from hazardous chemicals After more than 40 years of working in Silicon Valley and around the world...
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Prosecutions

Posted on 11 August 2021

Hyperbaric company and director convicted, fined after death of client An oxygen therapy provider and its clinical director have been convicted and fined a total...
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Regulator News

Posted on 11 August 2021

Victorian news WorkSafe issues warning after fatality and multiple incidents WorkSafe this week called on employers to manage the risks of working from height after...
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Research

Posted on 11 August 2021

Vaccination is not enough by itself, study finds Vaccination alone won't stop the rise of new variants and could push the evolution of strains that...
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Union News

Posted on 11 August 2021

Victorian construction worker killed in fall A young carpenter who suffered critical head injuries after a suspected fall at a Moonee Ponds construction site died...
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Events

Posted on 4 August 2021

Central Safety Group Tuesday 10 AugustTopic: Living through COVID-19 in healthcare and aged care Speaker: Alison Hunt-Sturman, Group Manager, WHS, Mercy Health Australia When the COVID-19 crisis arrived,...
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International news

Posted on 4 August 2021

Bangladesh Shezan Juice factory fire tragedy  More information has emerged about the brutal and unsafe conditions at the Shezan Juice factory where a fire on...
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Prosecutions

Posted on 4 August 2021

Company, director fined $375,000 after worker's fatal fall A company and its director have been convicted and fined a combined $375,000 following the death of...
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Regulator News

Posted on 4 August 2021

Victorian news Infringement notice legislation now in force  In line with a Victorian Government 2018 election promise the Andrews Labor Government has introduced on the spot...
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Research

Posted on 4 August 2021

Australian study recommends eight ways to avoid COVID burnout A major Australian study, conducted by Charles Sturt University researchers, has found that more than half of...
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Union News

Posted on 4 August 2021

Two fatalities in Victoria We are saddened to announce that two workers were killed in Victoria in the past week. A skydiving instructor was killed...
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Events

Posted on 28 July 2021

Central Safety Group Tuesday 10 AugustTopic: Living through COVID-19 in healthcare and aged care Speaker: Alison Hunt-Sturman, Group Manager, WHS, Mercy Health Australia When the COVID-19 crisis arrived,...
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International news

Posted on 28 July 2021

UK regulator: good ventilation will help reduce COVID-19 transmission at work The UK's health and safety regulator, the HSE, has updated its guidance to help...
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Prosecutions

Posted on 28 July 2021

WorkSafe Victoria has not added further prosecution results on its website since last week.  To check for more Victorian prosecutions before the next edition, go...
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Regulator News

Posted on 28 July 2021

Victorian news COVID-19 regulations renewed Critical regulations to ensure the efficient and effective management of COVID-19 risks in Victorian workplaces are being renewed. The remaking of the...
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Research

Posted on 28 July 2021

Farming incidents caused by stress and fatigue A Scottish study has identified stress and fatigue as key causes of agricultural incidents. The University of Aberdeen...
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Union News

Posted on 28 July 2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19) -  update  The good news is that after an almost two week lockdown in Victoria, the government has ended it with some restrictions...
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Events

Posted on 21 July 2021

HSR Initial & Refresher training Well, it's back to online training for the moment at least, and the VTHC Training Unit will be in touch...
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International news

Posted on 21 July 2021

UK: HSE advice on temperature during heatwave While our editor was putting together SafetyNet on a cold and very wet winter's day in Melbourne, an email came...
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Prosecutions

Posted on 21 July 2021

Labour hire agency fined after worker's finger amputated In June 2018, on his first day of work in the bread packing area at Davies Bakery...
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Regulator News

Posted on 21 July 2021

Victorian news "On the spot fines" a reality from July 31 in Victoria Fulfilling a 2018 election promise, the Victorian government this week made the...
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Research

Posted on 21 July 2021

Little gain from COVID research Medical researchers have said the federal government’s hundreds of millions of dollars in investment in COVID research has largely failed...
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Union News

Posted on 21 July 2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19) -  update  The Delta variant of COVID-19 has been extremely challenging to governments trying to 'get ahead' of the community infections. On Thursday...
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International news

Posted on 19 July 2021

EU: Agency release COVID and long COVID guides The EU's European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) has released two new guides to...
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Prosecutions

Posted on 19 July 2021

Demolition company fined $100,000 after fatal wall collapse A demolition contractor was last week convicted and fined $100,000 (plus costs of $4213) following the death of...
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Regulator News

Posted on 19 July 2021

Victorian news WorkSafe to introduce "On the spot fines"  In line with a Victorian Government 2018 election promise the Andrews Labor Government is introducing on the...
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Research

Posted on 19 July 2021

Three work postures linked to back pain A major South Korean study of agricultural workers has identified three work postures that significantly contribute to lower...
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Union News

Posted on 19 July 2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19) -  (as at July 14) Unfortunately there have been five community cases found in Victoria, originating from NSW. Nevertheless, apart from a number...
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