SafetyNet Journal

Events

Posted on 17 February 2021

TONIGHT February 17: Dangerous Goods Advisory Group The first DGAG bimonthly meeting for 2021 will be held tonight, via Zoom, from 5.30pm - 7.30pm. The...

Prosecutions

Posted on 17 February 2021

Charges laid over fatal wall collapse WorkSafe Victoria has charged a contractor following the death of a worker at a residential building site in Ballarat...

Regulator news

Posted on 17 February 2021

WorkSafe Victoria news Latest HSR newsletter WorkSafe has just posted out its latest newsletter for HSRs. The newsletter has items on: the updated PIN form...

Research

Posted on 17 February 2021

Non-seatbelt use linked to multiple work deaths every year OHSAlert reports that a WorkSafe New Zealand data analysis has found that not wearing seatbelts in work vehicles...

Union News

Posted on 17 February 2021

Another two fatalities in Victoria in the past week A 47-yr old truck driver from Parafield Gardens (SA), was killed near the SA-Victorian border at about...

International News

Posted on 10 February 2021

USA: Swift progress on COVID safety at work After just eight full days into his administration, US president Joe Biden has added new COVID-19 guidance...

Prosecutions

Posted on 10 February 2021

Trio convicted after worker’s death At the end of December last year, two companies and a director were convicted and penalised $250,000 over the death...

Victorian News Proposed OHS Amendment (Crystalline Silica) Regulations 2021 Public comment on the proposed Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Crystalline Silica) Regulations 2021 (proposed Regulations) and...

Research

Posted on 10 February 2021

Risks from heat kick in earlier than previously thought In a study relevant to Australian employers, US researchers have shown that workers' bodies can quickly...

Union News

Posted on 10 February 2021

Two work-related fatalities in one week There have been two fatalities in Victorian workplaces in less than a week. In the first a worker was killed...

International News

Posted on 16 December 2020

China: Coal miners killed by carbon monoxide poisoning Eighteen miners have been killed and several others are missing after a leak of carbon monoxide gas...

Prosecutions

Posted on 16 December 2020

Company fined after unsafe demolition In a rare asbestos-related prosecution, a demolition company has been convicted and fined $20,000 (plus $4449 in costs) after a...

Regulator news

Posted on 16 December 2020

Victorian news Reminder: New simplified PIN form now available for HSRs WorkSafe has redesigned the Provisional Improvement Notice it has available on its website. The document...

Research

Posted on 16 December 2020

Is Casual employment in Australia bad for workers? Researchers from both Australia and the UK (Hahn, McVicar, Wooden) and assessed the impact of working in...

Union News

Posted on 16 December 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) - update Australia has had a total, to date, of 27,987 cases of coronavirus disease diagnosed. None of those recently diagnosed in the past weeks...

International News

Posted on 9 December 2020

UK: Explosion in Bristol kills four Four workers were killed and another injured in a large explosion at a waste water treatment works at Wessex...

Prosecutions

Posted on 9 December 2020

Juice company fined after worker's hand dragged into machine A Mildura drinks manufacturer has been convicted and fined $30,000 (plus costs) after a worker's hand...

Regulator news

Posted on 9 December 2020

WorkSafe news New simplified PIN form now available for HSRs WorkSafe has redesigned the Provisional Improvement Notice it has available on its website. The document...

Research

Posted on 9 December 2020

Irregular work schedules increase risks of occupational injury Work schedules are made up of various variables and can cause health and safety effects, including work-related...

Union News

Posted on 9 December 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) - update Australia has had a total, to date, of 27,987 cases of coronavirus disease diagnosed. None of those recently diagnosed in the past weeks...

Events

Posted on 2 December 2020

Reminder - Central Safety Group Tuesday 8 DecemberTopic: What COVID-19 means for workplace safety Central Safety Group is wrapping the year up with the subject that...

International News

Posted on 2 December 2020

NZ: Thirteen charges laid over volcano deaths Ten organisations and three company officers face maximum work health and safety fines totalling NZ$15.9 million (A$15.129 million),...

Prosecutions

Posted on 2 December 2020

Multiple breaches, serious injury lead to conviction and fine of $80,000 Taylor Ferguson & Co. Pty. Ltd, a company that operates a bottling and packing...

Regulator news

Posted on 2 December 2020

Better mental health support for Victorian workers Victorian workers who suffer a work-related mental health injury will soon be able to access early treatment and...

Research

Posted on 2 December 2020

Pandemic sees rise in support for Working from home; Compressed weeks, and Job sharing Research commissioned by the FWC as it considers inserting a WFH...

Union News

Posted on 2 December 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) - update Australia has had a total, to date, of 27,912 cases of coronavirus disease diagnosed. None of those recently diagnosed in the past...

Events

Posted on 25 November 2020

TONIGHT November 25: Dangerous Goods Advisory Group The DGAG bimonthly meeting is a general networking / discussion update meeting, open to all, to discuss issues...

Prosecutions

Posted on 25 November 2020

Kentucky Fried Chicken operator fined $10k after teenagers scalded Mylora Holdings Pty Ltd, owner and operator of a small number of Kentucky Fried Chicken retail...

Regulator news

Posted on 25 November 2020

WorkSafe Victoria news Wanted: HSRs for workshops WorkSafe Victoria is currently looking at how it can better support HSRs. The regulator would like to talk...

Research

Posted on 25 November 2020

Cumulative work exposures increase mental risk Australian researchers have found that being exposed to poor quality work at each phase of their 12-year study increased...

Union News

Posted on 25 November 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) - update According to the latest official figures, there have been 27,847 cases of coronavirus disease diagnosed in Australia and none of the new ones...

Events

Posted on 18 November 2020

Wednesday November 25: Dangerous Goods Advisory Group The DGAG bimonthly meeting is a general networking / discussion update meeting, open to all, to discuss issues...

Prosecutions

Posted on 18 November 2020

There have not been any recent prosecution summaries added to WorkSafe Victoria's Prosecution Result Summaries and Enforceable Undertakings webpage. The last update was mid-October. QLD: McDonald's franchisee fined...

Regulator news

Posted on 18 November 2020

Victorian news Wanted: HSRs for workshops WorkSafe Victoria is currently looking at how it can better support HSRs. The regulator would like to talk to...

Research

Posted on 18 November 2020

Australia: Billions of working hours lost due to COVID-19 pandemic New research shows that working Australians on average lost 167 hours of work worth more...

Union News

Posted on 18 November 2020

Two Victorian workers killed in the past week On Thursday last week, a farm hand was killed while operating a telehandler on a property at...

Events

Posted on 11 November 2020

Tuesday 17 November: Central Safety GroupTopic: Web safety – are you taking risks? Cyber crime is at an all-time high with so many people working...

International News

Posted on 11 November 2020

Denmark: Lockdowns as mutant mink COVID crosses back Danish authorities have introduced a lockdown affecting large areas after the discovery a coronavirus mutation found in...

Prosecutions

Posted on 11 November 2020

There have not been any recent prosecution summaries added to WorkSafe Victoria's Prosecution Result Summaries and Enforceable Undertakings webpage. QLD: Company fined $150,000 after worker crushed to death...

Regulator news

Posted on 11 November 2020

Victorian news New WorkSafe video on consultation Our readers will be aware that employers have a duty to consult with HSRs, and also directly with...

Research

Posted on 11 November 2020

Retail workers at increased risk of contracting COVID-19 A new Harvard University study has found customer-facing workers, such as retail workers, were five times more...

Union News

Posted on 11 November 2020

Two Victorian workers killed in the past week The first fatality was last Wednesday October 28 when a worker died after being run over at...

Prosecutions

Posted on 28 October 2020

Two 17 year olds scalded at KFC - employer fined $10k Mylora Holdings Pty Ltd owns and operates a small number of Kentucky Fried Chicken...

Regulator news

Posted on 28 October 2020

Victorian news Put safety first during reopening Yesterday WorkSafe issued an alert warning employers to put health and safety first, including COVID-19 safety, ahead of businesses...

Union News

Posted on 28 October 2020

Two Victorian workers killed in the past week The first fatality was last Wednesday October 21 after a traffic controller died after being struck by a...

Events

Posted on 21 October 2020

Tonight Wednesday October 21: Dangerous Goods Advisory Group The DGAG bimonthly meeting is a general networking / discussion update meeting, open to all, to discuss...

Prosecutions

Posted on 21 October 2020

There have been some prosecution summaries listed on WorkSafe Victoria's Prosecution Result Summaries and Enforceable Undertakings webpage. Due to shortness of time, this is a very brief summary:...

Regulator news

Posted on 21 October 2020

Victorian news Safety Soapbox October edition The latest edition of Safety Soapbox was sent out today. In this edition, the editorial reminds the construction industry about the risks...

Research

Posted on 21 October 2020

Action call on airborne virus transmission Following a statement this month from top US scientists that ‘airborne’ transmission is a major cause of COVID-19 spread,...

Union News

Posted on 21 October 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) - update Due to the number of cases in Victoria continuing to be very low, with only three new cases reported yesterday, there...

Events

Posted on 14 October 2020

Wednesday October 21: Dangerous Goods Advisory Group The DGAG bimonthly meeting is a general networking / discussion update meeting, open to all, to discuss issues...

Prosecutions

Posted on 14 October 2020

Maximum penalty after fatal truck crash A road maintenance company and its director have been convicted and fined more than $466,000 after the death of...

Regulator news

Posted on 14 October 2020

Victorian news WorkSafe: Health and Safety Month helping to navigate COVID-19 The focus of WorkSafe's first fully virtual Health and Safety Month will be helping...

Research

Posted on 14 October 2020

Australia: Experts accuse federal government of ignoring science on airborne COVID spread This week, news in the Australian media revealed that according to our won doctors...

Union News

Posted on 14 October 2020

October 15: 50th Anniversary of West Gate Bridge collapse live streamed event At 11.50am on October 15 1970, a span of the West Gate Bridge, then...

Prosecutions

Posted on 7 October 2020

There still has not been an update to WorkSafe Victoria's Prosecution Result Summaries and Enforceable Undertakings webpage since our last edition. However, go to it to check for further...

Regulator news

Posted on 7 October 2020

Victorian news Independent review of Dangerous Goods Act and Regs - submissions sought In April 2020 the then Minister for Workplace Safety, the Hon. Jill...

Research

Posted on 7 October 2020

Electrolytes important in hot weather US researchers have found that providing electrolyte drinks those working in hot and humid conditions can prevent muscle damage and associated...

Union News

Posted on 7 October 2020

Victorian worker killed It is with great regret that we note that a bindery finishing operator died in hospital on Monday after falling about 1.4 metres...

International News

Posted on 30 September 2020

China: Factory leak spreads animal disease Thousands of people in northwest China have been diagnosed with a highly infectious bacterial disease after an outbreak caused...

Prosecutions

Posted on 30 September 2020

There has not been an update to WorkSafe Victoria's Prosecution Result Summaries and Enforceable Undertakings webpage since our last edition. However, go to it to check for further prosecutions...

Regulator news

Posted on 30 September 2020

WorkSafe Victoria news New safety alert: Burst paint can causes fire in drill rig's engine bay Recently a fire broke out in the engine bay of...

Research

Posted on 30 September 2020

Workplace COVID-19 saliva test pilot A workplace saliva test pilot program has begun in Victoria to help in understanding the logistics of continuous testing in...

Union News

Posted on 30 September 2020

Register now: VTHC HSR Conference October 27 We now have 1560 people registered to attend our 2020 VTHC OHS Conference on October 27th 2020. We...

Prosecutions

Posted on 23 September 2020

There has not been an update to WorkSafe Victoria's Prosecution Result Summaries and Enforceable Undertakings webpage since our last edition. However, go to it to check for further...

Regulator news

Posted on 23 September 2020

WorkSafe Victoria news New guidance Last week WorkSafe published new guidance: "Managing the risk of exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19) - a checklist for employers" September...

Research

Posted on 23 September 2020

Australian workers exposed to multiple carcinogens Australian researchers from the School of Public Health, at Western Australia's Curtin University, examined data from the the Australian Work Exposures Study,...

Union News

Posted on 23 September 2020

October 27: VTHC HSR Conference The registrations keep coming in: there are now over 1200 people who have registered to attend our 2020 VTHC OHS...

Prosecutions

Posted on 16 September 2020

Prosecutions Tomato farm fined $30k for crushed arm Tatura Fresh, a hydroponic tomato farm was this week convicted and fined $30,000 in the Shepparton Magistrates’...

Regulator news

Posted on 16 September 2020

WorkSafe Victoria Safety Alert following serious fall WorkSafe has issued a Safety Alert following an incident where a worker slipped off a roof and fell...

Research

Posted on 16 September 2020

Carpel tunnel risks doubled by tool vibrations After identifying a high prevalence of vibration-related chronic pain, diseases and neurological disorders in a large group of...

Union News

Posted on 16 September 2020

October 27: VTHC HSR Conference There have been over 940 registrations for our 2020 VTHC OHS Conference, on October 27th 2020. We are going to...

Events

Posted on 9 September 2020

TONIGHT: Wednesday 9 September - Chemical Hazard Communication Network (CHCN) meeting The DGAG bimonthly meeting is a general networking / discussion update meeting, open to...

International News

Posted on 9 September 2020

Ship with 43 crew goes down in typhoon Livestock carrier Gulf Livestock 1, with 43 crew members (39 from the Philippines and two each from...

Prosecutions

Posted on 9 September 2020

John Holland charged over Sydney Metro rail incident Comcare has charged construction company John Holland with breaching federal work health and safety laws over an...

Regulator news

Posted on 9 September 2020

WorkSafe Victoria Wind warning for construction sites WorkSafe has this week warned of wild winds and urged Victorian employers to ensure their work sites were...

Research

Posted on 9 September 2020

‘Outdated’ physical distancing rules criticised Current rules on safe physical distancing are based on outdated science, with evidence suggesting the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19 may...

Union News

Posted on 9 September 2020

October 27: VTHC HSR Conference You can now register for the Section 69 approved 2020 VTHC OHS Conference, being held October 27th 2020. This year, the theme...

International News

Posted on 2 September 2020

Global: Action call on big airborne COVID risks Transmission of COVID-19 through an airborne ‘aerosol’ is “stronger than that for any other pathway”, greatly increasing...

Prosecutions

Posted on 2 September 2020

Aggravated charges for alleged chemical stockpiles Last week WorkSafe announced that it has charged Bradbury Industrial Services Pty Ltd with new alleged breaches of the Dangerous...

Regulator news

Posted on 2 September 2020

Victorian news Advice on COVID-19 and WorkCover WorkSafe has produced advice which is now available on its website on Workers' Compensation and COVID-19. The information provides...

Research

Posted on 2 September 2020

Creating mentally healthy workplaces in uncertain times There has been research into the factors that help manage and support workplace mental health for some time....

Union News

Posted on 2 September 2020

Tonight 7pm: Psychosocial Health Standard Live Show A reminder that tonight at 7pm VTHC OHS Unit will be running a live show to launch our...

Events

Posted on 26 August 2020

TONIGHT: Wednesday 26 August - Dangerous Goods Advisory Group meeting The DGAG bimonthly meeting is a general networking / discussion update meeting, open to all,...

International News

Posted on 26 August 2020

Global: Nearly half schools lack basic hand washing facilities As schools worldwide struggle with reopening, the latest data from UN agencies has revealed that 43...

Prosecutions

Posted on 26 August 2020

WorkSafe media releases on previous prosecutions 1 - Austin Health Last week WorkSafe issued a media release on the prosecution of Austin Health which was...

Regulator news

Posted on 26 August 2020

Victorian news August edition of Safety Soapbox The August edition of Safety Soapbox was posted this morning. The editorial in this month's edition is on the expansion...

Research

Posted on 26 August 2020

Victorian Report on Healthcare workers The Victorian government has released a new report through the Department of Health and Human Services, which has led the government...

Union News

Posted on 26 August 2020

Electrician dies under house On Tuesday last week a self-employed electrician was killed after being electrocuted while working under a house in Croydon. The death...

Prosecutions

Posted on 19 August 2020

There have been no new prosecutions announced in Victoria since last week - check WorkSafe's Prosecution Result Summaries and Enforceable Undertakings webpage if you want to check...

Regulator news

Posted on 19 August 2020

Victorian news Charges laid over Tottenham fire WorkSafe has charged a Harkness man with endangering people at a workplace following a 2018 chemical fire at...

Research

Posted on 19 August 2020

Remote workers more likely to engage in self-endangering behaviours According to German researchers, workers working remotely because of COVID-19 or other reasons are more likely...

Union News

Posted on 19 August 2020

Vale Paddy Garrity Born: 1937, Seaham Harbour, England. Died: 2020, Melbourne, Australia. Paddy was a seaman, renovator, arts activist, administrator, circus rigger, concert manager, festival...

Prosecutions

Posted on 12 August 2020

SKM Pty Ltd convicted and fined total of $165k for multiple contraventions SKM Services Pty Ltd is a company providing recycling sorting services to councils...

Regulator news

Posted on 12 August 2020

Victorian news August 25: Maintaining mental health at work through COVID-19 A webinar is being run at 7pm on August 25 with the Minister for Workplace...

Research

Posted on 12 August 2020

Loss of sense of taste and smell best COVID-19 predictors An emphasis on the presence of a persistent cough and fever as evidence of infection...

Union News

Posted on 12 August 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) - update According to the latest official figures, there are 21,750 cases of coronavirus disease diagnosed in Australia - an increase of 3,022 since last...

International News

Posted on 5 August 2020

Lebanon: huge chemicals explosion at Beirut port There have been two huge explosions in Beirut at about 6pm local time, killing at least 78 people,...

Prosecutions

Posted on 5 August 2020

Company convicted, fined $850,000 following death of sub-contractor Residential construction company, Seascape Constructions Pty Ltd, was last week convicted and fined $850,000 in the Melbourne...

Regulator news

Posted on 5 August 2020

Victorian news New strategy for health care workplaces Improving health and safety outcomes for health care and social assistance workers is the focus of a...

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