A mining contractor fined over bee sting death
Indus Mining Services has been fined $60,000 over the death of a contractor who suffered a severe allergic reaction to a bee sting.
Townsville workplace accident
A Townsville resident has been rushed to emergency in a serious condition after a fuel ignited and caused them significant burns at their workplace.
Asbestos removalist gets suspended jail sentence
A South Australian waste removalist convicted of assaulting two environment protection officers has been given a suspended sentence, but his company has been fined $49,000 for illegally storing more than 17 tonnes of asbestos.
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.
Tradie ‘bear hug’ costs firm $600K
A site supervisor whose workplace prank backfired horribly and caused a shocking injury has also cost the company a hefty sum.
“playful” supervisor has cost his company a small fortune after workplace “horseplay” landed an employee in hospital with a broken ankle.
Contractors or employees?
A recent court case highlights the difference.
In Jamsek v ZG Operations Australia Pty Ltd [2020] FCAFC 119, the Full Court upheld an appeal that two delivery drivers were employees, not contractors. The Full Court held that, while a contractor relationship may exist in principle, it is the totality and reality of the relationship that will determine whether a person is a contractor or an employee.
Worker hit by billiard ball while having lunch at RAA has compensation ruling overturned
A worker hit in the head by a billiard ball at one of South Australia’s largest insurers says she can no longer work and deserves compensation.
Abattoir Workers Offered New Vocation Training in Wake of COVID-19
In light of extensive reductions to staff numbers across Victoria’s abattoirs and after 45 employees of JBS Brooklyn, an abattoir in Melbourne’s west, refused to return to work out of fears for their safety following a COVID-19 outbreak, PETA has written to the union with an offer to cover the cost of re-training staff in the nonviolent profession of floral design.
Jaw-dropping revelations with icare
It was the conflict of interest surrounding John Nagle’s wife and her contract with icare that proved to be the last straw. After a week of negative press and calls for his head, on the back of a joint media investigation with The Sydney Morning Herald and Four Corners, Nagle finally fell on his sword.
Employers must notify WorkSafe of COVID-19 cases
Employers are now required to notify WorkSafe immediately when they become aware a worker has received a confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) diagnosis.
Company fined for carpenter’s death
A construction company has been issued five “fall from height” improvement notices since a carpenter fell more than three metres and died on its watch.
Lilydale man dead after tip truck crushes him
A 34yo Yarra Ranges family has been left devastated after a man was crushed to death while repairing a truck.
Hire company fined after worker’s death
United Access Pty Ltd was sentenced in the Melbourne County Court on Wednesday last week following the August 2017 death of a worker who was thrown from a mobile elevated work platform (EWP).
Working from home
Apart from ensuring that employees had the technology and resources necessary to work from home, the biggest concern for many was work health and safety. Work health and safety obligations continue to operate while employees are working from home, and employers must be careful to implement strategies to help discharge these obligations in the absence of physical control over the employee’s workspace.
Victorian businesses warned over coronavirus rules
A coronavirus outbreak at a Melbourne law firm is being probed following claims from a number of workers about its coronavirus practices.