As part of its commitment to improving safety for Queenslanders at work, the Palaszcuk Government has passed a new Bill, which introduces a number of changes to the State’s work health and safety (WHS) laws. The WHS Bill aims to restore elements of the original Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld), which were altered […]
Fire safety workshops for Queensland small businesses
The Office of Industrial Relations, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland are running free workshops to cover a range of work health and safety topics, including:• Basic safety management system• Risk management• Safe work procedures• Safe work method statements (for high risk construction work)• Basic risk management for manual tasks• Incident and emergency response• Hazardous chemicals• Health and wellbeing• Injury management and return to work• Monitor […]
$1.3million in damages ordered to be paid for bullying and harassment
Safe Work Australia has published the Second Annual National Statement which identifies emerging trends in psychosocial health, safety and bullying in Australian workplaces. The data in the statement is based on data from accepted worker’s compensation claims involving mental stress. The statement highlights some interesting workplace trends:• the median direct cost of bullying-related workers’ compensation claims […]
Health assessment appeal overruled
The recent case of Hail Creek Coal Pty Ltd v Haylett & Anor [2015] QCA 259 (4 December 2015) has provided guidance on the limitations of an employer seeking health information from an employee. The employee began as a Drill Rig Operator at the Hail Creek Mine and in 2010 was left unfit for work […]