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Workers compensation report show drop in injury and disease
Federal: workers' compensation review under way
Lawyers slam workers compo scheme 'risk'
Lawyers concerned about changes to workers comp
Summary of changes - Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment (Benefits) Act 2008
National safety regime a reality: THE PASSAGE of the Safe Work Australia Bill through the Parliament represents a significant milestone in the move towards a national Occupational Health and Safety regulatory regime, according to Minerals Council of Australia CEO Mitch Hooke.
Public comment period opened for national OHS laws: Safe Work Australia Council Chair, Tom Phillips, has opened the public comment period on the new model occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation.
UPDATE TO THE HWCA WEBSITE: Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers
HWCA endorses ANZ Workers Compensation Strategy: THE Head of Workers’ Compensation Authorities has endorsed the Australian and New Zealand Workers Compensation Strategy during their October meeting.
Safe Work Australia Council releases six sector reports on work-related injuries: SAFE Work Australia Council has released six industry-specific reports based on an analysis of the 2005 to 2006 Work-Related Injuries Survey.
Comcare transfer raises questions: Comcare self insurers are on their way back to the states and territories for OHS purposes, but will the harmonised OHS laws that await them provide the national uniformity they need?
HWCA develops new workers’ compensation strategy: HEADS of Worker’s Compensation Authorities (HWCA) has developed The Australian and New Zealand Workers’ Compensation Strategy 2009-2012.
National compo boosted: A national strategy group is to be established and a national forum held in March next year to facilitate the development of harmonised workers compensation laws.
Safe Work announces release of CPM report on OHS and workers’ compensation outcomes: SAFE WORK Australia has announced the release of the 11th edition of the Comparative Performance Monitoring (CPM) report on Australia’s occupational health and safety and workers’ compensation outcomes for 2007-2008.
Safe Work establishes strategy group to facilitate harmonised workers’ compensation laws: SAFE Work Australia has agreed to establish a Strategic Issues Group on Workers’ Compensation to facilitate the development of harmonised workers compensation laws.
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Safe Work Australia has announced the winners of the 5th Annual Safe Work Australia Awards.: The Awards, presented at Parliament House, Canberra, on 28 April 2010, acknowledge excellence in work health and safety and recognise organisations and individuals who demonstrate leadership and innovation in their workplace.
National Code of Practice for the Prevention of Falls in Housing Construction: The National Code of Practice for the Prevention of Falls in Housing Construction (Housing Falls Code) supports the National Standard for Construction Work (2005) and provides guidance on ways to effectively manage the risks associated with working at height in the residential construction sector.
Workers compensation 'strengthened' by amendments: The State Government says amendments introduced into Parliament will maintain Queensland's workers compensation scheme as the strongest in the country.
Queensland changes legislation for workers’ compensation: THE QUEENSLAND State Government has introduced legislation changes to its workers’ compensation scheme.
Newsagents fight minimum hours law: NEWSAGENTS claim the scrapping of individual contracts and new rules requiring them to employ delivery staff for three hours a day is a "hammer blow" to their businesses.
The future of OHS and nanotechnology: SENATOR Kim Carr, in an address to the ACTU OHS and Workers' Compensation Seminar on Nanotechnology, talked about OHS in the face of developing technology.
Workers Compensation Premium Rates Reduced: The NSW Government has decided to reduce Workers Compensation Premium rates for well-performing industries by up to 2.5 per cent.
Working hours code of practice for SA: SOUTH Australia is now operating under the new Approved Code of Practice for Working Hours, which took effect on 1 July 2010.
Safe Work Australia releases reports on worker exposure to hazards: SAFE Work Australia has released two reports from the National Hazard Exposure Worker Surveillance survey looking at Australian workers’ exposure to hazards.
New Federal Safety Commissioner appointed: A NEW Federal Safety Commissioner has been announced following the retirement of Helen Marshall.
Training initiative to enhance safety in oil and gas industry: WA Training and Workforce Development Minister Peter Collier has launched a new training initiative to reduce the hazards faced by oil and gas personnel.
Victorian city workers slightly healthier than regional workers: WORKSAFE Victoria Minister Tim Holding says a health check of 120, 000 workers in the state found city workers are slightly healthier than country workers.
Mine company faces hefty fine over maintenance death: A mine maintenance contractor has been convicted and fined nearly half a million dollars for a ‘significant failure’ to protect its employees, following the death of a worker who was crushed by a steel beam.
New licensing system for high risk work: Minister for Industrial Relations Paul Holloway has announced that new arrangements for a national licensing system for high-risk work take effect in South Australia from 1 September 2010.
WorkSafe ACT announces DFO Audit: The Work Safety Commissioner, Mark McCabe, has announced that inspectors from WorkSafe ACT will visit stores at Canberra’s DFO retail centre as part of an audit of employer compliance with responsibilities under the Workers Compensation Act 1951.
WorkSafe Victoria announces new leader for health and safety: WorkSafe Victoria has appointed Deputy Chief Executive Ian Forsyth to lead the organisation’s health and safety operations.
Returning to work is the "healthiest" outcome, according to WorkCover WA: The health risk of being out of work long term is greater than the risk of other killer diseases such as coronary heart disease.
Businesses fail blitz: WorkSafe Victoria issued 163 improvement notices to small businesses during a safety blitz in Mildura recently.
$44k fine for severe work injury at markets: The operator of a Pooraka produce wholesaler has been fined by an industrial magistrate over an incident in which an employee lost several fingers to the moving blades of a fan.
Australian Workers’ Union welcomes mine safety response: The Tasmanian State Government's announcement of dramatically improved mine safety standards, at the site of the Beaconsfield rock fall, is particularly poignant for the Australian Workers' Union.
Revised workers' compensation claim form now available: The revised workers’ compensation claim form took effect from 1 October 2010 and is now available on the WorkCover WA website.
QLD Government suggests improvements for workers' compensation scheme: The QLD Government has asked for public feedback on the findings of an independent review into the state's workers' compensation system.
Genes and the brave new world of workplace safety: The brave new world of occupational health and safety is already here, according to one of Australia's most prominent occupational and environmental medicine specialists, Dr Ian Gardner.
Safety top OHS concern for 2011: The development of a safety culture in the workplace is the top priority for occupational health and safety professionals, according to a survey conducted at this year’s Sydney Safety Show.
Federal OHS takeover festering: Ahead of the December release of the model OHS regulations and codes of practice for public comment, a Norton Rose survey has found that a large proportion of respondents want a Federal take over of OHS laws.
Worker wins $500K personal injuries payout: A Queensland labour hire worker has been awarded more than half a million dollars after he sued four companies, claiming damages for personal injuries he sustained as a ship joiner in 2004.
Electric incident kills victorian worker: An electrician has died after receiving an electric shock, in one of two Victorian workplace incidents this month where an electrician was injured.
Safe work calls for public comment on model work health & safety laws: Safe Work Australia has announced the second phase of public consultation on the model work health and safety laws will begin next month.
Safe Work Australia Annual Report 2009-10 now available: The 2009-10 Safe Work Australia Annual Report is now available to download at http://safeworkaustralia.gov.au/AboutSafeWorkAustralia/WhatWeDo/Publications/Documents/558/SafeWorkAustraliaAnnualReport0910.pdf
WorkCover WA Injured Worker Survey results: In July 2010, WorkCover WA commissioned an independent survey to measure the extent to which the Western Australian workers' compensation scheme is meeting the needs of injured workers.
Hierarchy coded and mines missing: Managing risks has taken a new turn and mining regulations have yet to make an appearance in the draft-model OHS regulations and codes of practice released this week.
Safe rate models proposed: A recently released report proposes third-party intervention in the supply chain to ensure truck drivers are paid safe rates.
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 when using vehicles following a spate of court cases highlighting dangerous incidents throughout the state.
18-Year-Old’s Death A Wake-Up Call For Manufacturers: WorkSafe Victoria is calling for manufacturers to heed proper safety precautions following the sentencing of a husband and wife manufacturing partnership over the death of an 18 year-old worker at a Thomastown cardboard packaging factory in February 2009.
SA Grants Available for Workplace Safety Initiatives: Applications are now open for grants to fund more workplace safety initiatives in South Australia.
Safe Work Australia Releases Report on Work-Related Deaths: The latest research report on national workplace fatalities is now available from Safe Work Australia.
Flood rethink at work: Employers must revisit risk management in the wake of the recent floods in Queensland and other parts of Australia.
SWA finalists announced: Safe Work Australia (SWA) has announced the finalists in the 6th Annual Safe Work Australia Awards.
Charges laid over Aboriginal elder's death: OHS charges have been laid over the death of an Aboriginal elder in January 2008.
A Canadian Company Fined Almost $20,000 For OHS Breach: Rack Petroleum Limited, a fertilizer plant located near Biggar, pleaded guilty to one charge under Saskatchewan's Occupational Health and Safety legislation in Biggar Provincial Court.
Finalists Announced For 6th Annual Safe Work Australia Awards: The finalists for the 6th Annual Safe Work Australia Awards have been announced, with companies such as Toyota Material Handling Australia, Hazmat Services, and SJ Electric in the line up for a gold medal.
Changes for NSW under the new work health and safety laws: NSW is working towards national model work health and safety (WHS) laws to take effect from 1 January 2012.
Better On-Site Care Needed For Miners: WorkCover estimates workplace incidents in the mining industry are almost twice the average rate of workplace injuries and mining companies are being urged to provide better on-site care for workers.
Workers’ Compensation Amendment Bill 2011 Introduced into Parliament: On 17 March 2011 the Minister for Commerce announced the introduction of the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Amendment Bill 2011 into State Parliament.
Safe Work Australia Responds to Concerns about Model Work Health and Safety Regulations: Safe Work Australia Chair, Tom Phillips AM, announced the objective of the harmonisation process is not to reduce the size of Work Health and Safety regulation but to ensure uniform safety standards are in place in each jurisdiction throughout Australia.
More Approved Medical Specialists for the WA workers’ compensation scheme: An Approved Medical Specialist (AMS) is a medical practitioner accredited by WorkCover WA to undertake assessments of a worker’s degree of permanent impairment. Currently there are 189 AMSs on WorkCover WA’s Register.
Safety still the key issue for Australian OHS managers: OHS managers are claiming safety and risks (OHS) are just one of the issues that need to be juggled according to a recent survey that ComOps did at Safety in Action Melbourne 2011.
WorkSafe’s new panel of agents: WorkSafe Victoria announces its panel of agents to manage its premium and claims from 1 July 2011.
New WorkSafe campaign says unsafe work means no play: A new WorkSafe campaign targeting regional Victoria showing the direct connection between safe work and the potential impact on individuals and the people around them has begun.
QLD Introduces Workplace Safety Reforms: New laws have been passed in Queensland to increase protections for workers and reduce red tape for businesses.
Record Fine for WA Metalwork Company Paying Workers $3 an Hour: A metalwork company in Western Australia has been charged a record penalty and ordered to repay with interest the tradesmen it paid less than $3 an hour.
Woodside Settles On Sexual Discrimination Case: A former Woodside executive has been awarded $170 000 over a sexual discrimination claim relating to her maternity leave.
Industry Employer Slams Fair Work Decision on Industrial Action: Industry employer group AMMA says it is disappointed at the decision handed down by Fair Work Australia on industrial action procedure.
Mixed Results for Federal OHS Reform: NSW government has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed OHS reforms, while QLD was first to implement the laws which aimed to harmonised national workplace safety standards.
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 of the federal government’s national harmonisation.
Workers Reminded to Renew High Risk Licences: WorkSafe issued a reminder to workers engaged in high risk work that they need to obtain a current licence by 30 June 2011.
Model health and safety laws enter federal parliament: The federal Government introduced the Commonwealth Work Health and Safety (WHS) Bill into federal parliament today.
SA’s Grant To Prevent Work-Related Injury: Minister for Industrial Relations Russell Wortley announced more than $400,000 will be available to assist research into work health and safety issues in South Australia, under the SafeWork SA WHS Commissioned Research Grant Program.
NSW Government introduces new initiatives to help injured workers return to work.: NSW Minister for Finance and Services, Greg Pearce announced today that the NSW Government had introduced a raft of new initiatives to help injured workers return to work
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, saying it will put the health and safety of workers at risk.
Worksafe Targeting Dangerous Victorian Businesses: WorkSafe launches a statewide blitz today targeting the state’s most dangerous industries. WorkSafe General Manager for Operations, Lisa Sturzenegger, said the hard-line approach would target eight industries which accounted for a quarter of all workplace claims in 2010.
Developing a sucessful rehabilitation program: case study: Interview with Garry Pearce, Director of Rehabilitation for the Tasmanian Department of Health.
Iron Ore Miner Killed: A miner has reportedly died at Rio Tinto’s Brockman 2 operations. Rio Tinto has confirmed that a 27 year old miner was fatally injured at the mine just after 8pm yesterday.
Victoria’s Work-Related Death Toll Rises To 12: A 62-year-old man has died after a tree fell on him at a farm in Mingay, south Skipton, in western Victoria, bringing the death toll in Victoria to 12.
Mine Safety Alert: The New South Wales Government Trade and Investments announced a mine safety alert, after an incident involving a dozer tipped into a reclaim valve when the operator misjudged the valve location.
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 stressed, overwhelmed, anxious or depressed, according to a research commissioned by Medibank Health Solutions.
WorkCover WA releases new annual statistical report: The Workers’ Compensation in Western Australia Annual Statistical Report 2006/07 to 2009/10 details claim activity and key trends within the WA workers’ compensation scheme at three key levels: · scheme overview · claimant characteristics · injury/disease attributes.
Safety Guide For Queensland’s Construction Industry: Pro-Visual publishing has released its Queensland Construction Guide to Site Safety., designed to increase awareness of major health and safety issues within the Industry.
AI Group Says Safety First is its Motivation Behind Supporting Harmonising OHS Laws: Ai Group has put an enormous amount of effort into the harmonisation of OHS laws recognising that safety should come first, says Ai Group chief executive Heather Ridout.
Harmonisation Of OH&S Laws To Gain $2 Billion: The health and safety reforms will deliver up to $2 billion a year in productivity gains, Senator Chris Evans said today.
Housing Industries Call For More Time With Harmonising Oh&S Laws: The Housing Industry Association and Master Builders Australia are calling on the Government to postpone the coming OH&S laws to six months, after concerns there won't be enough room to digest the changes, as reported in Smart Company.
Safe Work Week Announces 60 Free Information Sessions: Safe Work Week 2011 has announced it will have more than 60 free information sessions, tailored to meet the needs of OH&S industries.
WorkCover WA Annual Report 2010/11: The WorkCover WA Annual Report 2010/11 was tabled in Parliament on 20 September 2011 by the Minister for Commerce, The Hon Simon O'Brien MLC.
Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council decision on WHS Regulations: The 85th meeting of the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council (WRMC), held in Sydney on 10 August 2011, saw the majority of Ministers endorse in principle the draft model WHS Regulations and the first stage Codes of Practice.
Public comment period now open for draft model Codes of Practice: On Monday 26 September Safe Work Australia Chair Mr Tom Phillips AM announced the start of the public comment period for 15 draft model Codes of Practice that support the new model work health and safety legislation.
Training material available on WHS legislation: In 2011 the WorkCover Assist Grants Program provided funding to external consultants to develop training resources on the high level changes to the model WHS legislation.
Updated Workers’ Compensation Claim Form: WorkCover WA has updated the Workers' Compensation Claim Form to reflect recent changes to the Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981.
Tips on Creating a Safer, Injury Free Work Place: Organisations, no matter what their size, simply can’t afford to ignore occupational health and safety risks as an integral part of their business management.
Guide to QLD’s Work Health And Safety Act 2011: WorkSafe QLD has released a guide to the new Work Health and Safety Act for next year.
Report On Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation Released: Safe Work Australia released the Thirteenth Edition of the Comparative Performance Monitoring (CPM) report, on Australia's work health and safety and workers' compensation outcomes for 2009-10.
WA Welcomes NSW Pulling out of National OH&S Harmonisation: West Australian commerce minister Simon O'Brien has welcomed the news that NSW will not implement the national OH&S laws.
Worksafe Campaign Urges Safety Improvements Before Inspectors Visit: WorkSafe has launched a campaign urging safety improvements before an inspector visits. The new campaign, ‘Any Day Now’ went and comes on the heels of the federal government's annual benchmarking report, which confirms Victoria as having the lowest number of injuries per-thousand workers of any state or territory.
Truck Driver Receives 9 Months Jail for Fraudulent Behaviour: A man has been sentenced to nine months in prison for fraudulently receiving $40,000 in workers compensation whilst working as a truck driver.
Rules and Costs Determination for the new Conciliation and Arbitration Services: The Minister for Commerce has now approved the Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Conciliation Rules 2011 and the Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Arbitration Rules 2011. These Rules will be in effect from 1 December 2011 to support the new arrangements for workers' compensation disputes in Western Australia. The new arrangements consist of separate Conciliation and Arbitration Services.

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