Companies under scrutiny over possible COVID breaches
Dozens of companies in Victoria are being probed and could face prosecution over potential COVID-19 safety breaches.
Laws
Injured worker fined and convicted for exaggerating his injuries
An injured worker who said he could only walk 100m even with a walking stick has had his lies uncovered by surveillance video.
Worker who falls through roof at night after drinking is not negligent
In Walker v Greenmountain Food Processing Pty Ltd [2020] QSC 329, the Supreme Court of Queensland found in favour of an injured worker who climbed onto a roof to inspect a boiler failure, at nightfall after drinking alcohol. He was awarded over $960,000 and his damages were not reduced for contributory negligence.
Fifth food delivery rider death in just 2 months
Another food delivery rider death has prompted calls from the Transport Workers Union (TWU) for the federal government to intervene.
Food delivery riders deserve better rights at work
The convenience of home-delivered takeaway food is something that many people have come to take for granted but we need to stop and consider the inherent risks for the bicycle riders involved.
Injured migrant workers told they aren’t employees
Dodgy employers are taking advantage of migrant workers, claiming they are not employees and cannot make workers’ compensation claims, to avoid admitting responsibility for their injuries.
Will WorkSafe Vic do its job?
WorkSafe ‘must use’ its prosecutorial powers against key Andrews government figures
Grim reality of work-related fatalities in Australia
A shocking level of work-related fatalities is disclosed in the figures regularly released by Safe Work Australia.
Victoria investigating 30 businesses over COVID19 breaches
The Victorian government says it is actively surveilling businesses failing to adhere to social distancing and personal protective equipment rules, under an ongoing WorkSafe “blitz” designed to promote compliance with COVID-19 regulations.
Companies fined for trying to unlawfully profit from Covid crisis
Australia’s health regulator has fined dozens of companies more than $800,000 for unlawfully advertising or illegally importing health products to profit from the pandemic.
Historic ruling over employee breaks
In a historic decision, the Federal Court of Australia has ruled that workers have a legal right to toilet breaks and to drink water while at the workplace.
Dismissing a long-term employee for a safety breach
The Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission has upheld the dismissal of an employee with 30 years’ service and a satisfactory safety record after the employee breached a key safety protocol in which he had received adequate training.
Business trips – the line between work and play
Attending work conferences can be educational, inspiring and sometimes even a bit of fun. Some may even go as far as to say that there were more excited about the post-conference socialising than the topics being presented on.
WorkSafe must investigate those who caused ‘hotel quarantine fiasco’
Victorian Liberal MP Nick Wakeling says if negligence and mismanagement can be tied to the death of a person then prosecutions will be open against those responsible for Victoria’s hotel quarantine bungle.
Employers mandated to report COVID-19 cases
As at 28 July 2020, employers are required to notify WorkSafe of any confirmed COVID-19 cases within their workplace. They must do so within 48 hours of becoming aware of a confirmed diagnosis.
