Victoria’s largest OHS conference and trade show has ended. The shadow of the impending harmonisation of OHS laws hung over both events. The OHS message throughout the conference was one of nothing to worry about. WorkSafe’s Ian Forsythe felt that Victoria was well-placed for minimal disruption as the OHS laws in that State had … Continue reading “Dis-harmonisation over OHS laws”
On 6 April 2011, at the Safety In Action conference in Melbourne, the Safety Institute of Australia and the Australian Institute of Management released the findings of their 2011 Business Survey. The 2010 survey was discussed in an earlier blog article. SafetyAtWorkBlog was allowed to see a version of the survey results prior to their public release next week but according … Continue reading “Beware OHS statistics quoted in media releases”
A Western Australian company has been fined $A50,000 over the death of one of its workers in November 2008 The worker rode a quad bike into a wire gate and died. The recent WorkSafe WA media release focuses, understandably on the fine imposed in the Perth Magistrates’ Court on Jenara P/L but a clearer picture … Continue reading “Quad bike fatality costs over $80k in penalties”
Guest contributor, Gerard May, writes The economic circumstances an organisation finds itself in can greatly affect their approach to workplace health and safety. Tough economic times are still ahead for some industries and organisations, while others who rationalised for survival through the global financial crisis will begin to prosper. This article will delve into what may … Continue reading “Safety rationalisation doesn’t end with an improving economy!”
An opinion piece was published in the New Zealand Herald on 12 January 2011 concerning quad bikes. There are several points raised by Donald Aubrey, vice-president of Federated Farmers and chairman of the Agricultural Health and Safety Council that can be disputed. “In the hands of the untrained or the over-confident they can be deadly. And … Continue reading “NZ Farmers rep enters quad bike safety debate”
“Undercover Boss” has become a popular television program in many countries over the last few years. The format is fresh and the results revealing. The eyes of each boss are opened to the deficiencies of a business and to the value of the workforce. Each episode ends with the reward of acknowledgement to the workers and new … Continue reading “Undercover Boss is an example of executive alienation”
Late on 7 December 2010 Safe Work Australia released draft OHS regulations and Codes of Practice for public comment. The documents released are: Issues paper Model WHS Regulations How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks How to Consult on Work Health and Safety Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Facilities for Construction Sites Managing Noise and Preventing … Continue reading “OHS harmonisation documents released for public comment”