WHS News
The latest in WHS news from Australia and New Zealand and around the world.
The following links provide access to news provided by the regulators for each country, state and territory.
Safe Work Australia
WorkSafe New Zealand
For ACT, click here.
For NSW, click here
For NT, click here
For Qld, click here
For SA, click here
For Tas, click here
For Vic, click here
For WA, click here
The following links provide access to news provided by the regulators for each country, state and territory.
Safe Work Australia
WorkSafe New Zealand
For ACT, click here.
For NSW, click here
For NT, click here
For Qld, click here
For SA, click here
For Tas, click here
For Vic, click here
For WA, click here
Chemical spill contained after drum rolled off forklift in Tomago, NSW
A 1000-litre drum of methyl ethyl ketone cracked at a warehouse in the NSW suburb of Tomago, near Newcastle, last Thursd...
Garbage collection company fined $42K over worker’s head injury
Citywide Service Solutions, a garbage collection company, was fined $42,000 after a worker sustained a head injury from ...
Effective OHS policies and procedures
Keeping your workers safe is an integral part of running a successful business.
OHS risk assessments still matter, but a systemised approach is the new order of the day – Work Heal...
When was the last time you performed a risk assessment on this piece of equipment/work procedure?
Veolia Takes Control of Safety
Environmental services specialist Veolia has taken its safety training a step further, with a program that takes a behav...
Timber Company Receives More Than 100 Safety Notices
A Victorian timber company has received more than 100 safety improvement notices in less than a decade has been convicte...
Onesteel Blast Injures Three Workers
Three workers have been seriously injured following an explosion yesterday at OneSteel's Waratah mill.
FARMER CAUGHT BETWEEN TRACTOR AND HAY BALE DIES
SafeWork SA is investigating the death of a farmer in South Australia, today.
VICTORIAN BUILDERS TO UNDERGO DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING
Victorian building employers will be able to force their workers to undergo compulsory drug and alcohol testing.
Auto component maker fined for unsafe work system
Auto component maker Monroe Australia has been fined more than $30,000 last Monday for failing to provide and maintain a...
Factory Workers in Qld suffer explosive fire
An automotive factory in Queensland, Bundaberg is suffering an explosive fire this morning with fireman currently on the...
Manufacturing company fined after man was killed in blender
A company that manufacturers brakes in Sydney has been fined $125,000, after an employee was killed whilst cleaning a hi...
Model work health and safety Act
On 11 December 2009, the Workplace Relations Ministers' Council endorsed the Model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act.
NOLAN MEATS SAFELY CHANGES MEAT INSPECTION ACCEPTANCE IN EXPORTING MARKET
Queensland family-owned processor Nolan Meats was recognised at the Australian Meat Industry Council’s recent annual con...
SAFETY GUIDE FOR QUEENSLAND’S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Pro-Visual publishing has released its Queensland Construction Guide to Site Safety., designed to increase awareness of ...
Safety Tools to Reduce Quad Bike Injuries
After growing concerns over quad bikes safety, Australasia’s work heath and safety regulators have introduced new guidel...
Benefits of a workplace safety system - Jani King Safety Manager online
Workplace safety is, of course, very important. Having a safe workplace not only ensures a higher level of staff morale ...
Safety and Efficiency Under the Spotlight
Safety and workplace performance go hand in hand. Combined with advancements in technology they can lift productivity an...
MINERS’ SAFETY IN JEOPARDY WITHOUT HARMONISED OHS REGULATIONS: MINERALS COUNCIL
The New South Wales Minerals Council has warned against each Australian state developing its own mining regulations, say...
New system upgrade - Jani King Safety Manager ready for 2012 OHS Laws - discount offer extended
Jani King Safety Manager has ordered another upgrade to its online OHS system software to be ready for the new national ...
New WHS laws will require close cooperation between labour hire companies and clients
The harmonised Work Health and Safety laws will have a greater impact on labour hire companies that any other industry, ...
Jani King Safety Manager Online OHS – The only solution for OHS in your business
There are many online OHS resources on the Internet, but the key to making a work place safer is to have an OHS system i...
Jani King Safety Manager Online OHS management system for all small to medium Australian businesses
With new OHS laws – the WHS Act 2012 being released nationally in Australia on 1st January 2012, it is now as important ...
SURVEY REVEALS MENTAL HEALTH JUST AS IMPORTANT AS SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT
One in three rural and regional workers take at least one day off work every few months because they are feeling stresse...
Work Health and Safety Reforms: It's Time to Act
On 1 January 2012 the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act) commences operation replacing the existing NSW Occupatio...
WorkSafe targeting dangerous Victorian businesses
WorkSafe launches a statewide blitz today targeting the state’s most dangerous industries.
Latest Fatality at WA BHP Facility
BHP Billiton‘s safety record has copped a fresh blow with the seventh worker in about three years to die at its WA opera...
New Health and Safety Regulations in NSW
New health and safety regulations have officially been passed through the Legislative Council in New South Wales as part...
WorkCover News - Companies fined after man blinded, suffers serious facial and skull fractures
Two companies have been fined a total of $155,000 after a worker in Western Sydney was blinded and left with multiple fa...
WorkCover NSW
WorkCover NSW have released a Safety Alert 'Preventing structural collapse during demolition' The link can be found here...
31 Seriously Injured by Angle Grinders last year
The Metropolitan Ambulance Service reported similar injuries from domestic settings, including a man who lost the sight ...
Jani King Safety Manager announces system upgrade complete
SYDNEY 26 May 2010: Today Jani King Safety Manager announced that the latest upgrade to its online OHS system is complete.
Vic: four regional workplace deaths in less than a month
WorkSafe Victoria has renewed calls for regional Victorians and workers to pay more attention to workplace safety after ...
Workplace bullying - a major concern
Comcare recently conducted a compliance audit of select organisations, which found a widespread lack of knowledge that b...
New system upgrade - Jani King Safety Manager ready for 2012 OHS Laws
Jani King Safety Manager has ordered another upgrade of its online OHS system software to be ready for the new national ...
More support for injured workers to return to work: WorkSafe Victoria
More than 3000 Victorians who have been off work long-term as a result of a work-place injury need more support and enco...
Worker dies after abattoir roof collapses
A 30-year old man has died after a freezer roof collapsed at an abattoir in New South Wales yesterday.
Public comment period on OHS laws closing
The closing date for the public comment period on the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations package is next Mon...
QLD: Two Contractors Die from Electric Shocks
Two electrical contractors have died from electric shocks in Townsville over the past two weeks.
VIC: Man Injured in Tractor Accident
A man in his 30s sustained serious injuries in a tractor accident in South Gippsland on Monday.
OHS harmonisation - from the Act to the codes at Safety In Action
Just as public comment closes for a new set of draft workplace health and safety regulations and codes of practice, expe...
New OHS stats released
The latest OHS statistics have just been released by Safe Work Australia in its Compendium of Workers’ Compensation Stat...
States host forums on OHS laws
Victoria and NSW will host a series of information seminars on the forthcoming harmonisation of Australia’s occupational...
Jani King Safety Manager adds new industries to its online OHS system
Jani King Safety Manager is to add four more industries to its world-beating online OHS system.
Fewer people injured at work
The number of people experiencing a work-related injury or illness has declined, according to the Australian Bureau of S...
Emotional WorkSafe ad campaign a warning to workers
WorkSafe is taking a tougher approach to its calls for Victorians to value workplace safety with an emotional public awa...
Workplace safety hotline to help with flood clean-up
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) has established a flood clean-up hotline to further help employers and wor...
Jani King Safety Manager aims to change how Workers’ Compensation is offered to Australian business...
Today Jani King Safety Manager announced that it would target insurers and brokers in all states to distribute the updat...
Jani King Safety Manager to add new industries to its online workplace safety system
A recent upgrade has meant that Jani King Safety Manager online safety systems is available to even more industries as A...
Be safe during heavy rains
WorkCover NSW is advising people to be careful when assessing damage and carrying out repair work caused by the recent f...
Worker crushed to death in accident
An excavator operator has been crushed to death in a sand quarry in South Gippsland, Victoria.
Upgrade complete – Now Jani King Safety Manager to link with workers compensation insurers and broke...
Jani King Safety Manager have announced that that the 2011 version of their hugely successful online OHS system, Jani Ki...
VIC: ‘Be Careful’ Warning Not Enough, Employer Learns
“Telling your workers to ‘be careful’ isn’t going to cut it,” WorkSafe Victoria’s Executive Director for Health and Safe...
Q Comp RTW Awards
On Tuesday night, the state’s highest performing employers and individuals were recognised at the annual Q-COMP Return t...
Jani King Safety Manager – the only real solution when it comes to online OHS management systems
Jani King Safety Manager, the world class online OHS (workplace safety) management system has just undergone another upg...
CASA targets helicopter safety
Australia's helicopter industry will be subject to an increased level of safety surveillance by the Civil Aviation Safet...
Conviction after young worker suffers electric shock
Two companies and a director were convicted yesterday after a 21 year-old worker on a building site suffered an electric...
TAS: Mental Stress a Headache for Tasmanian Workplaces
Mental stress has been identified as one of the primary causes of workplace injuries in Tasmania, a State official reveals.
Jani King Safety Manager world class online OHS systems just got even better with a full upgrade jus...
Jani King Safety Manager have announced that that the 2011 version of their hugely successful online OHS system, Jani Ki...
TAS: State Sees Drop in Injuries
WorkCover Tasmania says less Tasmanians have been injured last year, a sign that safety messages have a positive impact ...
VIC: Companies, Director Prosecuted After Overhead Powerline Accident
Two companies and a director have been fined after a worker touched an overhead powerline on a construction site.
QLD: Queensland Health Under Fire Over Bullying
A female worker has allegedly been bullied by Queensland Health staff after claiming she was raped by a colleague.
QLD: Farmer Fined as Remotely Operated Tractor Goes Awry
A Rollingstone farmer has pleaded guilty in the Townsville Industrial Magistrates Court to failing to ensure workplace s...
OHS: Have you done your 'homework' on risk?
It is unknown exactly how many people work from home in Australia. A 2008 ABR survey found that 2.4 million Australians ...
Workplace Bullying and the Work Health and Safety Act 2012
The OHS harmonization process will revolutionise how individuals and organisations approach workplace bullying.
Australian PM mentions OHS harmonisation in election debate
On Sunday 25 July 2010, during the first debate of Australia’s election campaign, Prime Minister Julia Gillard used OHS ...
NSCA Launches 2010 Safety Excellence Awards
The National Safety Awards of Excellence has been launched for 2010.
How to Avoid RSI at Work
Almost one in five office workers suffer from repetitive strain injury (RSI) according to a report by the New York based...
Roach infested restaurant fined $30,000
The Industrial Magistrate’s Court has found a company previously operating a Sydney restaurant completely failed in its ...
VIC: Safety Alert on Guarding Brake Presses
WorkSafe has released a safety alert on brake presses that are not guarded or are improperly guarded.
Mines Safety Shake-Up in WA
The WA State Government has announced a major shake-up of safety in the resources industry and called for an improvement...
NSW: Boy Dies After Lathe Accident
A 15-year-old boy has died following a lathe accident where his arm was severed. A coroner’s inquest has been ordered in...
TAS: Former asbestos firm tries to make amends
A long-established asbestos factory in Tasmania’s rural north is turning a new leaf as a way of atoning for its past. Th...
VIC: Campaign Focuses on Slips, Trips & Falls for Residential Construction Sites
Slips, trips and falls in the residential construction industry have led to mounting medical costs for the community eac...
VIC: WorkSafe to Host Breakfast for Small Businesses
WorkSafe is inviting small businesses in Sale to attend a free breakfast on Thursday.
WorkSafe ACT Established
The ACT Government announced recently it is overhauling Occupational Health and Safety Regulation through the establishm...
VIC: Company Fined as Unguarded Plant Injures Director
A sand quarry company has been fined on Monday after director suffered hand injuries due to an unguarded plant.
SA: Info Sessions on Licensing High Risk Work Launched
SafeWork SA has launched a series of information sessions in the Greater Adelaide Area on the new licensing requirements...
A Star Performer on Jani King Safety Manager - Establishment (Merivale)
This month, we recognise the most outstanding effort of a new member, Establishment, a Merivale property.
Jani King Safety Manager systems - Compliance is easy!
Jani King Safety Manager systems is the premier OHS management tool in the competitive online market.
Jani King Safety Manager System Upgrade
The Jani King Safety Manager System will have a full-function upgrade in the new year, making Jani King Safety Manager t...
Workers compensation rates falling short of national targets
The latest Compendium of Workers Compensation Statistics Report was released by the Australian Safety and Compensation C...
Sick/Personal Leave Q&A
Sick leave and medical certificates are a common concern for employers. A Workplace OHS advice column has provided a use...
Rudd Government workplace laws 'to delay building projects'
THE Rudd Government's workplace laws will delay the start of construction projects and increase costs by promoting union...
Fine over death of ‘careless’ employee
The NSW Industrial Court has reminded employers they have an obligation to factor into safe work systems any circumstanc...
'Skylarking’ must be included in safety training
The Federal Court has criticised a logistics company over the death of a second warehouse worker
Medical clearance given so sacking unfair
Toyota wrongfully dismissed a psychologically ill worker for allegedly being unable to work as part of a team
Julia Gillard lobbies major firms on safety laws
JULIA Gillard has taken the political fight to the nation's boardrooms, with a letter to Australia's top 100 companies i...
Qantas loses public trust on safety record
QANTAS is heading into negotiations with British Airways amid new evidence that public faith in the airline's safety rec...
Safe Work Bill changes are needed to strengthen workplace health and safety laws
All politicians should accept the Senate amendments to the Safe Work Bill and allow a swift passage for the legislation,...
What OHS committees get wrong
Ever wondered what OHS committees most commonly do wrong? Two workplace safety experts outline the two most widespread m...
Opposition wary of proposed IR changes
Some federal Opposition members are criticising the Government's industrial relations changes, despite promising to supp...
Opposition to back demise of Work Choices
THE Opposition has given the Government the green light to abolish Work Choices by declaring in-principle support for La...
Communique Safe Work Australia Progresses Model Work Health and Safety Legislation
The Safe Work Australia Members met today in Canberra following the 5th Annual Safe Work Australia Awards ceremony held ...
WorkSafe Vic: Company fined $42,000 for safety failings
A garbage collection company was fined $42,000 yesterday over an incident where a 92kg bin lifting arm, fitted to a garb...
Frequently asked questions Why do we need model work health and safety laws?
The Commonwealth and each state and territory government have agreed to harmonise their work health and safety laws, inc...
Model Work Health and Safety Regulations and model Codes of Practice
On 10 August 2011, the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council endorsed in principle the model Work Health and Safety (WH...
WorkSafe not so Safe
Safety regulators WorkSafe Victoria are being accused of bullying in its workplace, with staff members alleging their bo...
The Safety Show Sydney: the essential OHS showcase
The Safety Show Sydney, Australia’s largest workplace health and safety Trade Show is to be held from 25-27 October at t...
Two deaths one week
Two men have died in one week in work related incidents, causing WorkSafe Victoria to emphasis the significance of workp...
Forklift Safety
Even though fatalities involving forklifts have reduced significantly over the past decade, incidents involving forklift...
Update On National OHS Laws
The public comment period for the draft model Work Health and Safety Regulations and 12 draft model Codes of Practice cl...
SAFEWORK WEIGHS IN ON PLANKING
Amidst the media attention about ‘planking,’ SafeWork SA is reminding employers and employees of their legal obligations...
TRUCK DRIVERS AND FARM WORKERS: RISK OF BEING KILLED WORKING
Safe Work Australia released its latest report on work-related deaths due to injury called Work-related Traumatic Injury...
NSW: Developer Fined After Worker Falls from Scaffolding
A property developer and its director have been fined a total of $133,000 after a labourer fell about six metres to his ...
NSW: Miner’s Fatigue Alert Issued
The New South Wales Mine Safety Advisory Council has issued a fatigue risk management chart.
Truck and industrial plant operators urged to prioritise safety
The Queensland Government is urging employers to ensure safe work practices are in place for moving industrial plant and...
QLD: Update on National Harmonisation of OHS Laws
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) has affirmed its commitment for the harmonisation Occupational Health and ...
Comments wanted on workplace safety regulations
Safe Work Australia is seeking comment on its occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations and model code of practice.
New legislation 2012 - WorkCover NSW
On 4 May 2011, the NSW Government introduced a Bill to enact the national model work health and safety legislation. The ...
Queensland's new work health and safety laws
In 2008, Workplace Relations Ministers from around Australia agreed to nationally harmonise work health and safety (WHS)...
WorkSafe ACT - National Harmonisation
In 2008, Workplace Relations Ministers from around Australia agreed to nationally harmonise work health and safety (WHS)...
WorkSafe Victoria - Common questions about the new WHS laws
The model WHS laws are a set of laws that will apply to all states and territories and the Commonwealth.
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Golf Course or Football Facility or Cricket Facility OHS easy with Jani King Safety Manager online s...
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Gym or Aquatic Centre or Dance Studio OHS easy with Jani King Safety Manager online systems
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Medical Facility and Hospital OHS easy withJani King Safety Manager online systems
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Schools and Education OHS easy with Jani King Safety Manager online systems
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Bosses Step up safety law fight
EMPLOYERS in NSW are demanding a royal commission into the state's workplace safety laws following a scathing High Court...
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Marina or Boat or Yacht Club OHS easy with Jani King Safety Manager online systems
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Office OHS easy with Jani King Safety Manager online systems
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OHS Risk Assessment are easy with the Jani King Safety Manager online OHS system
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Pharmacy OHS easy with Jani King Safety Manager online systems
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Print Company OHS easy with Jani King Safety Manager online systems
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Property and Real Estate OHS easy with Jani King Safety Manager online systems
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Discussion Paper: The Lost time Injury Frequency Rate
The Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate predominates discussions about safety performance. How can a company be proud of a d...
Famers urged to wear seatbelts on tractors
The Department of Labour is today urging farmers to wear seatbelts on tractors, and to fit seatbelts to older tractors, ...
Man dies in printing firm accident
A man has died in an industrial accident at a printing firm in Sydney's west.
New IR Laws Finally Out
Deputy PM Julia Gillard has today delivered on one of the Rudd Government’s key election promises, and has finally revea...
Prison time for unsafe bosses
EMPLOYERS face jail, bigger fines and a wider duty of care under proposed changes to the nation's occupational health an...
Super-sized ambulances to cope with obese patients
THE Queensland Government is purchasing super-sized ambulances with hydraulic lifts to cope with an increasing number of...
$1.6m on offer for being healthy
THE Queensland Government is offering $1.6 million in prize money for the state's healthiest community, school and workp...
Ensuring that they're insured
This article examines the importance of ensuring that your hotel only uses contractors who hold the necessary insurances...
