SafetyNet Journal

APRIL: THE CRUELEST MONTH FOR WORKERS

Posted on 24 April 2024

April is the month in which we commemorate International Workers Memorial Day and vow to mourn the dead, and fight like hell for the living....

LAZO PAPER FINED $40K FOR CRUSHED HAND

Posted on 24 April 2024

Cardboard manufacturer Lazo Paper has been fined $40,000 after a worker's hand was dragged into unguarded machinery at its Keysborough factory in May 2022.

CLEANAWAY CHARGED: WORKER SEVERELY BURNED

Posted on 24 April 2024

National waste management company, Cleanaway, faces charges under federal work health and safety laws after a fire at its facility in Sydney caused serious injuries...

DIRECTOR CHARGED OVER TEEN IN TOOLBOX

Posted on 24 April 2024

WorkSafe has charged a company director for driving a ute in Victoria's high country with a teenage apprentice in a toolbox.

COUNCIL IN COURT: WORKCOVER FAILURE

Posted on 24 April 2024

Banyule City Council was sentenced in the Heidelberg Magistrates' Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to a single charge of failing to forward a worker's...

MINISTERS AGREE ON NEW EXPOSURE LIMITS

Posted on 24 April 2024

Work health and safety (WHS) ministers have agreed on a new Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) list and set a transition period until November 30, 2026....

COMCARE'S FIRST PSYCH SAFETY FORUM FOR 2024

Posted on 24 April 2024

Comcare is inviting HSRs from licenced national employers in the Comcare scheme (subject to regulation under Commonwealth work health and safety laws) to its first...

SA MANDATES COOPERATION ON RETURN-TO-WORK

Posted on 24 April 2024

Based on similar obligations in Victorian workers' compensation legislation, South Australia has introduced The Return to Work (Employment and Progressive Injuries) Amendment Bill 2024 which...

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR INCIDENT NOTIFICATION

Posted on 24 April 2024

From 1 July 2024, new requirements for Incident notification for plant and equipment under our OHS Regulations as well as Equipment Public Safety Regulations (EPS...

TOUGHNESS CULTURE RISKS VICARIOUS TRAUMA

Posted on 24 April 2024

Workers in environments that promote an image of toughness may face increased risks of vicarious trauma, according to Dr. Cathy Kezelman, president of the Blue...

US: NEW SILICOSIS STANDARD

Posted on 24 April 2024

The US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has issued a new standard to protect miners from the harmful effects of silica dust. This announcement...

US: UNIONS TO ACCOMPANY INSPECTORS

Posted on 24 April 2024

A new walkaround regulation aims to bring OSHA and workers' rights into the 21st century by allowing non-employee representatives, such as union organisers to accompany...

WEEKLY COVID STATS

Posted on 24 April 2024

Victorian data taken from Department of Health Weekly Report 19 April 2024. The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 has increased since last reporting period. The...

ASK RENATA

Posted on 24 April 2024

At my workplace 30 women are required to get changed in an area that's approximately 1 metre by 30 and lean against a wall to...

UNSAFE STAFFING LEVELS ‘NOT ‘REASONABLE’

Posted on 24 April 2024

The employer of a worker who suffered a psychological injury has failed to block his entitlements by claiming that its inability to provide safe staffing...

SafetyNet 710

Posted on 18 April 2024

This week in SafetyNet: Beard bans deemed reasonable on safety grounds; tougher penalties for attacks on federal frontline workers; gate failure costs Built Tech $40k; research on parental...

COURT SLAPS $90K FINE ON SCRAP METAL RECYCLER

Posted on 17 April 2024

Manhari International operates a scrap metal recycling business based in Tottenham, which WorkSafe inspectors visited in December 2020. They discovered 60 pallets of vehicle batteries...

BELL PLASTER TO SPEND $480K ON IMPROVEMENTS

Posted on 17 April 2024

Building material supplier Bell Plaster Supplies has committed to spending over $480,000 to enhance health and safety following an incident at their Pascoe Vale warehouse....

GATE FAILURE COSTS $40K: INJURES WORKER

Posted on 17 April 2024

Built Tech Hoardings (BTH), a commercial carpentry business, was contracted by ICON to modify a construction site entrance gate by extending its width but failed...

RETURN-TO-OFFICE CONFLICT

Posted on 17 April 2024

When discussing strategies to address conflicts arising from the return to office work, ‘workplace change specialist’ Dr. Brenda Jamnik, emphasises the importance of investing in...

PARENTAL STATUS AND WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION

Posted on 17 April 2024

A recent survey of more than 4,000 workers with dependent children has revealed that up to half of working parents experience harmful discrimination at work,...

INDONESIA: WORKPLACE SAFE HOUSES

Posted on 17 April 2024

The IndustriALL Indonesia women's council has successfully negotiated the establishment of safe houses at five workplaces across Indonesia.

GLOBAL UNION LAUNCHES HEALTH AND SAFETY MANUAL

Posted on 17 April 2024

IndustriALL has introduced a new resource aimed at union health and safety activists, especially those who are new to the field. Titled 'Saving Ourselves' and...

US: BATTLE FOR SAFETY IN HEAT

Posted on 17 April 2024

Amidst the growing threat of heat-related illnesses caused by rising temperatures and anti-worker political actions, California is pushing to establish an indoor heat standard to...

THIS WEEK’S COVID NUMBERS

Posted on 17 April 2024

Victorian data taken from Department of Health Weekly Report 05 April 2024. The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 has decreased from levels seen throughout March....

ASK RENATA

Posted on 17 April 2024

Our health and safety committee meetings are always chaired by our manager. Am I within my rights to ask for the chair to be rotated?...

TOUGHER PENALTIES: PROTECTING FRONTLINE WORKERS

Posted on 17 April 2024

The Albanese Government is introducing tougher penalties for attacks on federal frontline workers. This new law follows a review prompted by a stabbing attack on...

AUSTRALIA'S ASBESTOS PLAN: PHASE III DRAFT RELEASED

Posted on 17 April 2024

As HSRs may recall, the Asbestos National Strategic Plan outlines a comprehensive, phased strategy aimed at eradicating asbestos-related diseases throughout Australia by coordinating actions at...

BEARD BAN ‘REASONABLE ON SAFETY GROUNDS’

Posted on 17 April 2024

The Fair Work Commission ruled an employer can require workers to shave their moustaches or beards for safety reasons.

This week in SafetyNet: more Asbestos found in local parks, changes to the workers' compensation laws explained, charges laid over fatal school trip,International Workers' Memorial Day approaches, and much...

ASK RENATA

Posted on 10 April 2024

There has been a mould problem at my work for awhile now and no one is getting serious about it. I am at lost with...

ANIMATED RECREATION: EXCLUSION ZONE WARNING

Posted on 8 April 2024

Resources Safety and Health Queensland's chief inspector has reminded employers conducting crane operations that they must establish and enforce exclusion zones around the task, ensuring...

WORKSAFE 'ANALYTICS HUB' $31 MILLION OVER BUDGET

Posted on 8 April 2024

Fresh IT project cost blowouts are expected to top $100 million across state government agencies, including WorkSafe.

SHORT PROGRAM REDUCES STRESSFUL INTERRUPTIONS

Posted on 8 April 2024

A three-hour coaching program developed by Swiss researchers from the University of Bern's Institute of Psychology aims to help supervisors recognise and reduce unnecessary interruptions...

CHALLENGES AFFECTING SAFETY REPORTING CULTURES

Posted on 8 April 2024

A recent 118-page report on safety reporting culture in Queensland's mining industry reveals that unclear wording, difficult-to-navigate digital systems, and time-consuming processes hinder many workers...

WORK BOOT INJURY CONCERNS

Posted on 8 April 2024

A major review has highlighted the importance of safety boots in preventing injuries but also their potential to cause harm.

PAKISTAN: MINE DISASTER CLAIMS 12

Posted on 8 April 2024

Twelve mine workers have lost their lives in a gas explosion at a coalmine in Balochistan, Pakistan. The explosion occurred due to a build-up of...

MARK RUFFALO IN PFAS CONTAMINATION DOCO

Posted on 8 April 2024

A new Australian documentary titled ‘Revealed: How To Poison A Planet,’ featuring Oscar-nominated actor Mark Ruffalo exposes a David and Goliath battle against major chemical...

ASBESTOS DISCOVERED IN SEVEN MELBOURNE PARKS

Posted on 8 April 2024

Asbestos has now been identified in mulch at seven Melbourne parks. Following Hobsons Bay Council confirming the presence of asbestos at Donald McLean Reserve in...

COURT GREEN LIGHTS DAMAGES FOR LONG COVID

Posted on 8 April 2024

A worker who contracted COVID-19 at an aged care facility has been granted court permission to pursue damages for long COVID.

RAIL FINES INADEQUATE, WARNS RTBU

Posted on 8 April 2024

Fines imposed on the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and NSW Trains have been described as ‘woefully inadequate’ and are unlikely to deter employers from...

AVIATION UNIONS FIGHT FOR SAFER STAFFING

Posted on 8 April 2024

The United Firefighters Union aviation branch is planning a four-hour stoppage at airports on April 15, seeking safer staffing levels following concerns raised over personnel...

CHARGES LAID OVER FATAL VIETNAM TRIP

Posted on 3 April 2024

A 16-year-old participant in a school trip to Vietnam in 2019, organised by World Challenge Expeditions, experienced diabetes-related complications, and later passed away at Melbourne’s...

SafetyNet 708

Posted on 28 March 2024

This week in SafetyNet: understanding changes to workers' comp, play centre charged after child falls, curbing discrimination in religious schools, top cardiologist accused of harassment,...

ASK RENATA

Posted on 27 March 2024

The safety issue resolution procedure at our workplace is rubbish. Any advice on how we can fix it?

THIS WEEK’S COVID NUMBERS

Posted on 27 March 2024

Victorian data taken from Department of Health Weekly Report 22 March 2024. The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 decreased in the week ending 12 March...

NEW INDUSTRIAL MANSLAUGHTER REPORT

Posted on 27 March 2024

The NSW Parliamentary Library has released a research report on industrial manslaughter laws as the state considers enacting legislation making it a criminal offense carrying...

CURBING DISCRIMINATION IN RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS

Posted on 27 March 2024

The Law Reform Commission (ALRC) has recommended legal changes to significantly limit the circumstances under which religious educational institutions can discriminate against their employees.

TELEHANDLER LICENCE: WORKSAFE SURVEYS DEMAND

Posted on 27 March 2024

Following recent amendments to our OHS Regs creating a new non-slewing telehandler license, WorkSafe has created a survey to establish where operators are located and...

CHILD INJURED IN FALL: PLAY CENTRE CHARGED

Posted on 27 March 2024

WorkSafe has charged an indoor play centre in Maidstone after an eight-year-old child suffered a fractured spine when they fell about seven meters from a...

BALTIMORE BRIDGE DISASTER: SIX WORKERS MISSING

Posted on 27 March 2024

A cargo ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing a collapse and sending vehicles into the water.

TOP CARDIOLOGIST ACCUSED OF HARASSMENT

Posted on 27 March 2024

One of Australia’s top cardiologists has been accused of harassing a young female colleague, Jennifer de Jongh. Professor Chris Semsarian is alleged to have engaged in...

ENGINEERED STONE BAN: IMPLEMENTATION AGREED

Posted on 26 March 2024

Last Friday, Work Health and Safety Ministers from the Commonwealth, states, and territories convened to address important implementation issues regarding the upcoming prohibition on the...

INADEQUATE INSTRUCTIONS: $40k FINE FOR S.29 BREACH

Posted on 26 March 2024

Australasian Machinery Sales, trading as Trout River, provided MulchXpress with a novel piece of plant called the 'Slinger' to reload blower trucks on-site. The company...

FORKLIFT FAILURES: ARROW FINED $140k

Posted on 26 March 2024

Arrow Worldwide, a company providing warehousing, storage, and transport services, faced legal charges after an incident where a delivery truck driver suffered severe injuries. The...

SafetyNet 707

Posted on 21 March 2024

This week in SafetyNet: ‘metho’ used to 'extinguish flames', research on dermatitis in healthcare workers, High Court to decide on dismissal-related psychological safety, calls for...

BALLARAT MINE COLLAPSE: 1 DEAD, 1 CRITICAL

Posted on 20 March 2024

Our thoughts are with the families and coworkers of a miner who died and another who is fighting for his life following a collapse at...

SACKED WORKERS & PSYCH INJURY: HIGH COURT DECISION AWAITS

Posted on 19 March 2024

The High Court is set to determine whether employers are obligated to ensure safe disciplinary and dismissal procedures to prevent sacked workers from experiencing psychiatric...

‘METHO’ USED TO 'EXTINGUISH FLAMES': $545K FINE

Posted on 19 March 2024

A&J Australia has been fined $545,000 for 16 safety breaches, including fire safety failures resulting in severe injuries.

COMBATTING DERMATITIS IN HEALTH CARE WORKERS

Posted on 19 March 2024

With healthcare workers consistently using gloves throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it's unsurprising the rate of work-related dermatitis has nearly doubled.

FSU PUSH FOR MENOPAUSE WORKPLACE RIGHTS

Posted on 19 March 2024

The FSU and Maurice Blackburn are both advocating for workplace rights for menopausal women, including flexible work and paid leave, in separate submissions to a...

FARMERS WARNED OF FATIGUE RISKS

Posted on 19 March 2024

WorkSafe data highlights March and November as peak months for workplace fatalities in agriculture. Fatigue is common among farmers at these times due to long,...

ASK RENATA

Posted on 18 March 2024

A casual employee was injured at my workplace and taken to the hospital. They were unable to work for three days and needed time off...

SafetyNet 706

Posted on 13 March 2024

This week in SafetyNet: report released indicates the finance sector is failing on harassment, women HSRs networking night, global union fights gendered violence, 13 million...

INDUSTRIALL: ZERO TOLERANCE ON GENDERED VIOLENCE

Posted on 13 March 2024

The IndustriALL Global Union's Executive Committee has endorsed a new policy on gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH), misogyny, and sexism. This policy articulates IndustriALL's commitment...

NEW ZEALAND PROHIBITS PFAS IN BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Posted on 13 March 2024

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in New Zealand will ban the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in cosmetic products starting from December 31,...

BOEING REVIEW: FEAR OF RETALIATION IN SAFETY REPORTING

Posted on 13 March 2024

As news breaks of Boeing whistle-blower, John Barnett, being found dead in the USA after alleging he faced retaliatory action, it's perhaps is not surprising...

FINED AFTER FALL: SERIOUS SPINAL INJURIES

Posted on 13 March 2024

Metal fabrication subcontractor, Karagata Australia has been convicted and fined $35,000 after a worker fell four meters at Tullamarine, sustaining serious spinal injuries.

SUPERVISOR SENTENCED OVER FATAL TRUCK INCIDENT

Posted on 13 March 2024

Workplace supervisor Simiona Tuteru has been sentenced for recklessly allowing a drug-affected truck driver to operate a vehicle, resulting in the deaths of four police...

NSW EYES INDUSTRIAL MANSLAUGHTER AMID REGULATOR CONCERNS

Posted on 13 March 2024

The NSW government is considering introducing an industrial manslaughter offense with significant fines and prison sentences as part of a broader overhaul of workplace safety...

NZ: 13 MILION IN FINES FOR WHITE ISLAND DISASTER

Posted on 13 March 2024

Five entities charged over the White Island volcanic eruption in New Zealand in 2019, which killed 22 people, were fined a total of $13 million...

FSU: FINANCE SECTOR FAILING ON HARASSMENT

Posted on 13 March 2024

The Finance Sector Union (FSU) has conducted a survey that reveals that many workers in the sector are experiencing sexual harassment at work, but may...

USING DEVICES AFTER HOURS INCREASES ANXIETY

Posted on 13 March 2024

A South Korean study has identified and compared the associations between long working hours, the use of work-related devices after hours, and anxiety symptoms.

WORK DESIGN FOR PSYCHOSOCIAL HEALTH

Posted on 12 March 2024

SafeWork NSW has released a 38-page guide titled Designing Work to Manage Psychosocial Risks emphasising the crucial importance of understanding how the work is actually...

COVID NUMBERS CONTINUE TO EASE

Posted on 12 March 2024

Victorian data taken from Department of Health Weekly Report 08 March 2024. The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 has decreased this week. The 7-day average...

ASK RENATA

Posted on 12 March 2024

Is it necessary to keep records of Forklift daily inspections if the Forklift passes inspection? If so, for how long? It seems like a lot...

SafetyNet 705

Posted on 7 March 2024

This week in SafetyNet: Victoria’s injured worker entitlements slashed, Qantas fined $250k for HSR discrimination, concern about diesel fume levels at Southern Cross Station, WorkSafe charges...

DIESEL DANGERS: SOUTHERN CROSS AIR QUALITY CONCERNS

Posted on 6 March 2024

INJURED WORKERS ENTITLEMENTS SLASHED

Posted on 6 March 2024

Unions are justifiably furious the State Government have made a deal with the Liberals to pass legislation that will significantly reduce the rights of injured...

QANTAS FINED $250K OVER THEO'S TREATMENT

Posted on 6 March 2024

Following on from our report last week that Qantas Ground Services has agreed to compensate HSR Theo Seremetidis with $21,000 after a court found he...

CHARGES OVER PARKVILLE YOUTH JUSTICE ASSAULT

Posted on 6 March 2024

WorkSafe has charged the Department of Justice and Community Safety after a youth justice worker was assaulted at the Parkville Youth Justice Precinct in March...

WORKPLACE BULLYING: PRINTCO DIRECTOR FINED

Posted on 6 March 2024

The Director of Printco, a real estate signage company, faced allegations of bullying towards a subcontractor who was verbally abused on multiple occasions. The bullying...

TRANSFORMING SHIPBREAKING: HKC'S IMPACT

Posted on 6 March 2024

Shipbreaking, one of the most dangerous occupations globally, has been the focal point of a worldwide campaign aimed at improving worker safety and conditions. This...

DIGITAL WORK TRENDS IMPACT MENTAL HEALTH

Posted on 5 March 2024

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) conducted a pulse survey of 27,000 workers in 2022, concluding that the COVID-19 pandemic was...

HEALTHCARE HEROES TRIUMPH IN WORKSAFE AWARDS

Posted on 5 March 2024

ANMF members Jen Gamble and Gaye Coles, nurses at University Hospital Geelong, were jointly awarded the title of WorkSafe’s HSR of the Year on February...

COVID NUMBERS EASE

Posted on 5 March 2024

Victorian data taken from Department of Health Weekly Report 01 March 2024. The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 has decreased this week. The 7-day average...

ASK RENATA

Posted on 5 March 2024

Is it legal to always lock a first aid room?

QANTAS AGREES TO $21K COMPENSATION FOR DISCRIMINATION

Posted on 28 February 2024

Qantas Ground Services has agreed to compensate HSR Theo Seremetidis with $21,000 after a court found he was unlawfully discriminated against.

4-DAY WEEK WIN: WORKER CONSULTATION KEY

Posted on 28 February 2024

Medibank conducted a trial of a four-day work week, offering employees fewer meetings, more autonomy, and reduced low-value work.

PSYCH HAZARDS: SWA CEO SOUNDS ALARM

Posted on 28 February 2024

Safe Work Australia's CEO, Marie Boland, has affirmed the need for better management of psychosocial hazards in the workplace as the number of mental health...

HEAT AND FIRE RISKS: EMPLOYER OBLIGATIONS

Posted on 28 February 2024

With temperatures peaking in the low 40s in certain areas this week, Victorian workers face significant risks associated with extreme heat and fire danger. Employers...

NSW ENHANCES ENFORCEMENT ON PSYCH HAZARDS

Posted on 28 February 2024

SafeWork NSW is undertaking a regulatory overhaul aimed at addressing psychosocial risks such as excessive workloads and bullying following the recent tabling of an independent...

ROOFING COMPANY'S FINE HIKED FIVEFOLD

Posted on 28 February 2024

The fine for D Buck Roofing Pty Ltd, has been increased five-fold due to its failure in ensuring a safe work environment for its workers....

PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH IN AUSSIE WORKPLACES

Posted on 27 February 2024

Safe Work Australia has released a report on psychological health trends in Australian workplaces. Key findings include:

WORKSAFE TARGETS CONSTRUCTION FALLS

Posted on 27 February 2024

WorkSafe is launching a blitz to address falls in construction after hundreds of workers suffered harm last year, and nine Victorians died.

UK BURNOUT CRISIS: £26 BILLION GOES UNPAID

Posted on 27 February 2024

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has released data showing UK workers contributed £26 billion in unpaid overtime last year, with 3.8 million people averaging 7.2...

TRAGIC WEEKEND TOLL: TWO WORKPLACE DEATHS

Posted on 27 February 2024

Two workers tragically died in separate incidents over the weekend, prompting investigations by WorkSafe.

SWA UPDATES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GUIDANCE

Posted on 27 February 2024

If a perpetrator threatens, intimidates, or commits violence against a partner or family member at their workplace, including when working remotely, it becomes a workplace...

INDIA: ANOTHER DEADLY FACTORY FIRE - 11 LIVES LOST

Posted on 26 February 2024

A fire broke out on February 15 at an illegal paint factory in Delhi, resulting in the deaths of eleven people and severe injuries to...

WEEKLY COVID ADMISSIONS RISE

Posted on 26 February 2024

Victorian data taken from Department of Health Weekly Report 23 February 2024. The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 has increased a small amount this week....

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