An executive decision leads to over six deaths

“Don’t put all your eggs in the one basket”.  The first time we hear such a saying is likely to be from our parents or our grandparents but it could equally apply to all the applications of risk management.  Clearly someone at Sundance Resources forgot this wisdom when its board members boarded a plane in … Continue reading “An executive decision leads to over six deaths”

The importance of handling professional complaints professionally

Any member of any profession can be subject to the complaints process of that profession’s governing body.  A complaints procedure is an essential element of any organisation.  In fact, one could argue that the professionalism and maturity of an organisation can be judged by how that organisation investigates and handles a complaint. Not only must … Continue reading “The importance of handling professional complaints professionally”

OHS is a journey but does it have to be so long?

Commitments to occupational health and safety (OHS) not only appear in Parliamentary debates on workplace safety. Last week, Labor Party politician Will Fowles reiterated the Victorian government’s OHS commitment in a speech about justice amendments and the police. “This justice legislation amendment bill also establishes a legislative framework for the restorative engagement and redress scheme …

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Is the Education Dept getting off lightly?

If Victoria is the jurisdiction with the least changes needed to meet the new Work Health & Safety Act, it is worth looking at a recent enforcement activity.  On 21 April 2010, WorkSafe Victoria announced an enforceable undertaking with the Department of Education & Early Childhood Development (DEECD). According to the WorkSafe media release this agreement “…requires all equipment … Continue reading “Is the Education Dept getting off lightly?”

The harmonisation challenge in Australia gets more difficult

There are few motivations that are more effective for improving workplace safety than facing a grieving relative. On 17 September 2009, the impact of the OHS law harmonisation on workers and their families came to the fore in an article in the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) entitled “Deaths at work put sharper focus on liability”.  The workplace support advocates … Continue reading “The harmonisation challenge in Australia gets more difficult”