In 2004, I was asked to make an OHS-themed presentation to a group of paramedic students on ethics and from a small business perspective. Some of the information may have dated slightly but I post this to stimulate discussion. Below is an edited version of that 2004 oral presentation: Quite often, when we have an … Continue reading “A discussion on ethics and OHS decision making”
Earlier in February 2010, the recently appointed leader of the conservative Opposition, Tony Abbott, said in Parliament that the Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett could have been charged with industrial manslaughter over the deaths of four insulation installers funded indirectly by the Government. It was all oratorical bluster with little legal credibility. However, it did … Continue reading “Industrial Manslaughter mentioned in Australia’s Parliament”
On the Insiders television program on 21 February 2010, host Barrie Cassidy closed a long interview with the Communications Minister Stephen Conroy but asking about the workload of public servants in supporting government programs. The video is available on-line and the comments are at the 11 minute mark. Conroy says that the “cracking pace” the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, established from … Continue reading “Is overwork part of the Australian Government’s project management difficulties?”
In August 2009, SafetyAtWorkBlog reported that Standards Australia had been hit hard by the global financial crisis. To our knowledge, circumstances have not changed but a report in the Australian Financial Review (not available online) on 17 February talked positively about the future of the organisation that publishes the Australian Standards, SAI Global. Australian Standards are widely used by … Continue reading “Increasing demand on standards should cause the Australian Government to plan longterm”
In October 2009, Matthew Fuller was electrocuted while installing metal foil insulation in the roof of a house in Queensland. He was a subcontractor for a registered insulation installation company called Countrywide Insulation. Countrywide and its owner have been heavily criticised in the Australian media. But Countrywide has “hit back” at critics with a media release on 16 February 2010, the only content on its webpage. The … Continue reading “Public relations, OHS and a workplace death”
The home insulation debate in Australia is fragmenting. Workplace safety is one of the chunks of debate heading in an unknown direction (political safety goggles anyone?) The Australian newspaper included an article on 19 February 2010 that, although coming from the insulation sector, illustrates a dominant misunderstanding by small businesses. The proprietor has run many businesses in a range of … Continue reading “Small business OHS shortcomings”
For some reason several Australian newspapers on 16 February 2010 carried articles about the possibility of prosecuting the Federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, over recent deaths associated with an insulation rebate scheme, he launched and his Department administers. The employers are drawing a long bow to support their calls. They are linking several related OHS … Continue reading “Australian employer groups are out for blood”