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 criteria:
Have served in active firefighting roles for a specified number of years, depending on the cancer type
Have been diagnosed since 1 June 2016 with one of 12 specified cancer types
Are diagnosed during their service or within 10 years after the conclusion of their service
Have a listed cancer because of an exceptional exposure event in a firefighting capacity.
Career and volunteer firefighters that meet certain requirements are now able to access presumptive compensation for specified cancers contracted while serving as a firefighter.
- The compensation applies to career and volunteer firefighters who:
- Have served in active firefighting roles for a specified number of years, depending on the cancer type
- Have been diagnosed since 1 June 2016 with one of 12 specified cancer types
- Are diagnosed during their service or within 10 years after the conclusion of their service
- Have a listed cancer because of an exceptional exposure event in a firefighting capacity.
Additionally for volunteer firefighters, presumptive compensation will be available where they have attended fires to the extent reasonably necessary to fulfil the purpose of engaging in firefighting.
Firefighters should apply directly to WorkSafe for compensation under the scheme, using the claims form on the WorkSafe website.
More details here: www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2019-07/firefighters-presumptive-rights-compensation-now-available
WorkSafe events
A reminder of two upcoming events which will provide an opportunity to meet the WorkSafe Agriculture Practice Team. Anyone with farm safety issues should get along to one of these. The team at the WorkSafe stand is keen to have a chat, hear about approaches to managing on-farm safety and about any new and innovative safety solutions. There will be information and guidance materials for people to take away.
- Mallee Machinery Field Days
When: Wednesday 31 July - Thursday 1 August, 8:30am to 5:00pm
Where: Speed Airport, 2574 Sunraysia Hwy, Speed VIC 3488 - Sheepvention
When: Sunday 04 Aug 2019
Where: CRT Innovations Hub, Hamilton Showgrounds, Shakespeare St, Hamilton
.
Safe Work Australia news
Fatality statistics
CHECK There was still no update to the notified fatalities on the Safe Work Australia site: as of June 6, there had been 64 fatalities notified to the national body. This is eight more in the time since its last update on May 16 The workers killed came from the following industries:
- 23 in Transport, postal & warehousing
- 15 in Agriculture, forestry & fishing
- 11 in Construction
- 7 in Public Administration & safety
- 4 in Electricity, gas, water & waste services
- 2 in Mining
- 1 in manufacturing
- 1 in 'Other services'
To check for updates, and for more details on fatalities since 2003, go to the Safe Work Australia Work-related fatalities webpage and in particular, here.
