In response to the Weekly Times’ articles on quad bike safety and the mandatory use of helmets, one letter writer in this week’s edition of the newspaper wrote: “More state lunacy… Accidents happen, legislation cannot stop this. Free people have the right to decide such things for themselves.” The letter writer has a strong belief … Continue reading “Social obligation is lost on some”
The last seven days has seen many of the conservative speakers express concerns or objections to the Australian government’s close-to-completed process for harmonising workplace safety laws. Although one may not agree with the objections, in most cases there is some ideological sense. On 15 September 2011, South Australia’s shadow Minister for Industrial Relations (IR), Rob Lucas, launched a broadside attack on the … Continue reading “OHS objectors get support from South Australia parliamentarian”
On 9 September 2011 The Australian newspaper reported that the executive director of the Independent Contractors of Australia, Ken Phillips, had serious concerns over the new Work Heath and Safety laws to be introduced in Australia in 2012. Phillips has received legal advice that identifies serious shortcomings in the new laws compared to the existing … Continue reading “Employer association criticises Australia’s new Work Health and Safety laws”
Recently a local council in Australia suggested that bicycle riders should be required to wear high visibility jackets. Bicycle Victoria was not impressed: Bicycle Victoria spokesman Garry Brennan slammed the idea. “Unfortunately there is no evidence that so-called ‘high-visibility clothing’ is of any benefit to bike riders,” Mr Brennan said. “Whether the rider is dressed in bright fluoro … Continue reading “Where is the evidence for the safety benefits of high visibility clothing?”
Some of Australia’s top work health and safety experts have stressed, to Safe Work Australia, the need for a single national OHS regulator. Many also called for a radical overhaul of workers’ compensation and insurance structures to achieve a combined insurance/compensation similar to that of New Zealand, the Accident Compensation Commission (ACC). These calls were made in a whole … Continue reading “Australian OHS experts call for a single OHS regulator and a unified insurance system”
Safety and risk professionals often need to consider the “worst case scenario”. But we hesitate to look at the worst case scenario of workplace mental health – suicide. On 26 August 2011, Lifeline presented a seminar to Victorian public servants that was brilliant, confronting and worrying. Lifeline campaigns on suicide prevention and it seems to … Continue reading “Suicide challenges the OHS profession”
This August the Victorian Government is conducting a month-long event the Small Business Festival. The Festival is run by the Department of Business and Innovation and promises to “…provide attendees with the essential inspiration, skills and information to start, build and run a business.” Occupational health and safety does not feature. WorkSafe Victoria, the state OHS … Continue reading “Governments need to coordinate resources for small business OHS needs”