Throughout 2011, Safe Work Australia (SWA) has been conducting consultative workshops in the development of the next ten-year National OHS Strategy. SafetyAtWorkBlog reported previously on the Melbourne meeting. SWA has released their report into that Melbourne meeting. The meeting had a set of criteria for the stakeholders to consider. Sadly, there was no forewarning of the issues to be … Continue reading “OHS Strategy to nowhere”
The Sunday Herald-Sun ran an article that would not have been out-of-place in the English tabloid newspapers. The article, “Safety regulations taking the fun out of schools”, indicates many of the confused lines of responsibility that English articles include. In Victoria, the safety requirements of government schools are determined by the Department of Education and … Continue reading “Australia risks OHS ridicule in the media”
Politics has again entered the OHS harmonisation debate in Australia. Federal Workplace Relations Minister, Chris Evans, issued a statement on 10 November 2011, part of which that has been pounced on by the Opposition and slightly twisted by the online media. “Senator Evans also announced that transitional arrangements for the model OHS laws have been developed … Continue reading “Australian politician jumps on possible OHS concession from Government”
An OHS fine of $A1250 hardly seems newsworthy but several important issues are illustrated by a prosecution in Western Australia on 10 November 2011, particularly, individual responsibility and accountability. WorkSafe WA has released details of a prosecution against an individual worker over the fall of material from 15 metres towards fellow construction workers. The media release … Continue reading “Small fine of $1250 but important safety lessons”
Safe Work Australia has released a couple of packages of draft codes of practice in line with the Australian Government’s OHS harmonisation strategy but where is the code that addresses the established risk of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) or second-hand smoke? This is a question that was asked during the recent Safe Work Australia week … Continue reading “Australia inactive on environmental tobacco smoke”
In occupational health and safety, as with any profession, it is useful to ask for evidence. When on a work site, it is important to always ask “why?” Why do you do your work task that way? Why are you not wearing the PPE that everyone else is wearing? Why are you working such late … Continue reading “Look for evidence in online OHS content”
South Australia’s Industrial Relations Minister, Rob Lucas, stated in the Adelaide Advertiser on 3 October 2011 that “The Liberal Party has always supported strong work safety laws which protect workers at work sites.” This may be the case within the limitations of that sentence but the conservative political parties have not always been supportive of … Continue reading “Politicians are exploiting proposed OHS laws for their own benefit”