Browsing: Issue/challenge/risk (all)

WHS laws could be amended, and prosecutory functions expanded, with a former Federal Court judge be appointed to review the adequacy of a WHS investigation into the murder of a nurse.

A large new study of the link between job type and the fatal neurodegenerative disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), indicates that exposure to metals in occupations such as welding is a risk factor for developing the disease.

Companies and officers accused of WHS breaches could bear the onus of proving they took all reasonably practicable steps to prevent an incident occurring, while the offence of industrial manslaughter will be added to the national model WHS Act, with Labor taking power in the Federal election on the weekend.

Breaching an employer's mandatory COVID-19 face mask rule is a valid reason for dismissal, but employers must clearly warn staff of the consequences of failing to wear the PPE properly, a commission has ruled.

An inquest into a man's death from a seizure has provided a stark reminder of the potentially devastating long-term consequences of poor workplace processes, including one practice that "should never occur in a controlled work environment".

A company has been fined $375,000 and ordered to publish full-page ads detailing its offence in consecutive editions of key building industry magazines, after one of its contract truck drivers died after falling from his truck bed during unloading.

A major logistics employer should have been more transparent with a group of shift managers who expressed safety concerns when they were asked to step into stevedoring roles during an industrial dispute, a full bench of the Fair Work Commission has found in upholding the reinstatement of all six managers.

A PCBU that declined to act on the safety advice of an electrician has been convicted and fined for three serious WHS offences, including failing to consult and coordinate activities with the company tasked with installing and commissioning its imported plant.

A NSW WHS Bill enabling nationwide criminal record checks of safety representatives has passed Parliament without amendment, despite warnings that the new laws place "no limits" on a minister's powers to veto an elected representative.

The requirement for certain workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 can be likened to a new regulatory requirement or mandatary training qualification for a particular role, a commission has ruled in one of a rapidly growing number of decisions on the issue.