Archived News for OHS Sector Professionals - August, 2015
Dyson Heydon has ruled himself fit to continue running the royal commission into trade unions, sending the unions off to find new ways of avoiding the legal lens.
Miners find flying robots for safety's sake
Fortescue Metals Group will use unmanned drones to survey its Cloudbreak mine in the Pilbara, as part of an effort to reduce the health and safety risks for survey staff.
New fines for phone-driving
Queensland has introduced new penalties for drivers caught using their mobile phone while driving.
Workers' poor health can harm others
A leading dietician has told a mining conference that obesity is both a health issue for miners and a safety issue for the industry.
Big bug release loosens dengue's grip
Townsville currently has no dengue fever outbreaks - for the first time in 15 years.
Broad team formed for chemical changes
The Federal Government is looking for ways to reduce red tape on industrial chemical use, while maintaining community safety.
Key points released for new asbestos plan
The first National Plan on Asbestos Safety and Eradication has been launched after a meeting of State and Territory Ministers.
Labour worries could scuttle China deal
The Federal Government is ramping up its rhetoric to ensure the China free trade agreement (FTA) goes ahead.
Sad harassment continues after Court's abortion ruling
The Supreme Court of Victoria will not force the Melbourne City Council to crack down on a decades-old protest in which members of religious groups harass and intimidate women as they enter an abortion clinic.
Curtin courses granted safety stamp
The Australian OHS Education Accreditation Board has put its stamp of approval on the occupational health and safety programs offered at Curtin University.
Deadly arrogance brings jail time for truck boss
An Adelaide trucking company boss has been convicted of manslaughter after faulty brakes killed one of his drivers.
Defence fatality decision settled
The Australian Defence Force has been fined $220,000 after a man was fatally shot during a training exercise.
DMP urges deeper view
The WA Government says key performance indicators (KPIs) could reduce mining industry fatalities.
Drivers push back on deadly schedules
A union-backed convoy of Queensland truck drivers is on its way to Sydney as part of a mass protest highlighting the danger of unreasonable deadlines.
VicRoads rolls out auto-brakes
Government body VicRoads is updating its road maintenance fleet with radar-based reverse braking technology to reduce employee injuries.
Wearable tech for OHS advance
A Melbourne-based medical device company has signed a contract with Crown Resorts, which will see devices attached to workers to gather data for OHS purposes.
Anti-Abbott war chest to top $30 million
Reports say the ACTU is setting up a $30 million campaign to spread anti-Abbott messaging.
Lockouts' effects inspected
A legal expert says pub and club lockout laws might not be the reason alcohol-fuelled violence is down in some cities, despite claims of their success.
Building cop bid fails
The Federal Government will keep fighting to bring back the workplace cop - the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) - after failing to reintroduce it this week.
Court rules on nasty oven death
A US company has been slugged with a $6 million workplace safety settlement, after a gruesome workplace death in 2012.
Livestock guide for better way to load
The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters’ Association has released the final version of its national ‘Guide for Safe Design of Livestock Loading Ramps and Forcing Yards’.