WorkSafe Victoria news
New guidance on COVID-19
WorkSafe has issued new guidance for the healthcare sector: Prevention and Management of exposure to coronavirus in healthcare and social assistance
More charges laid over Campbellfield chemical fire
WorkSafe has laid more charges against Bradbury Industrial Services Pty Ltd over an explosion and chemical fire at a Campbellfield warehouse in April 2019. The new charges follow 35 charges already filed in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court in relation to alleged chemical stockpiles at other Bradbury sites in Campbellfield and Craigieburn.
The company, which is now in liquidation, has been accused of committing three offences under sections 21(2)(e) of the OHS Act and section 31C(1) of the Dangerous Goods Act.
WorkSafe alleges that Bradbury failed to provide workers at the Thornycroft Street site with the information, instruction, training and supervision they needed to perform their work safely and without risks to health. The company is also accused of failing to take reasonable precautions to prevent fire or explosion at the site in circumstances where it knew that that failure would endanger the safety or health of people, property or the environment. It is further alleged Bradbury failed to take reasonable precautions for the prevention of fire or explosion involving dangerous goods in its ownership, control or possession.
The latest charges have been listed for a filing hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 29 April 2020.
Source: WorkSafe media release
WA: Regulator reminds employers to reduce workers' risk of exposure on public transport
WorkSafe WA has reminded employers to take care of the health and safety of their workers and others at the workplace and to protect them from exposure to coronavirus.
National Fatality Statistics
As of 9 April there had been 54 worker fatalities notified to the national body - a staggering eleven more since the previous update on 26 March. Three of these were in the construction sector, and also three in the manufacturing sector. We send our condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of these workers.
The fatalities this year have come from the following industries:
- 17 in Transport, postal & warehousing
- 12 in Construction
- 7 in Agriculture, forestry and fishing
- 5 in Public administration & safety
- 5 in Manufacturing
- 3 in Mining
- 2 in Arts & recreation services
- 1 in Accommodation & food services
- 1 in Retail trade
- 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.
