Archived News for OHS Sector Professionals

Five vegetable packers have been awarded $17.4 million compensation after one of the most disturbing sexual harassment cases to appear in a US court.

Mixer mistake blamed for bugs

Accumulated scum on an industrial-sized food mixer has been blamed for a major salmonella outbreak at the Burnside War Memorial Hospital in Adelaide.

Roy Hill juggles court and contracts

More contract fights have broken out at the Roy Hill mine, amid which the company has announced some new deals.

Safety stakes raised amid mass sacking

Serious concerns have been raised about the health and safety impacts of mining firm BMA’s decision to sack 300 full-time staff in Queensland.

Shell shuts down Alaskan drill plans

Royal Dutch Shell has stopped its controversial search for oil off the Alaskan coast, leading environmentalists to claim a huge victory.

Car-maker making moves away from software scandal

Insiders say Volkswagen's staff and suppliers knew about software designed to thwart emissions tests years ago.

Hot study plots warming work risks

Experts say hot conditions make for more dangerous work.

Violent views grow among young

A new study has again shown the disturbing prevalence of views that excuse violence against women.

Body cameras rolling out in NSW

New South Wales police and public transport workers are being fitted with body-mounted safety cameras.

Car chiefs face fines in the billions

UPDATE 23/09 - Volkswagen has now admitted installing its dodgy emissions test “defeat devices” in 11 million clean diesel cars sold worldwide, the vast majority of which were in Europe.

Mine worker death inquiry makes early calls

Preliminary reports say that over an hour passed before the body of a mine worker killed at the Cadia Ridgeway gold mine was discovered.

Probe hears sub-contractors staying silent

A Senate inquiry into construction industry insolvency has heard some sub-contractors are afraid to speak up when they are being ripped-off.

Union trial hears of huge paper trail

Explosive allegations and evidence have been aired at the trade union royal commission.

Work diary could bring needless fines, MP says

One Queensland MP says truck drivers should get some leeway when it comes to minor fatigue management breaches.

CFMEU forced to fork out for concrete stoush

The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) must pay around $9 million in damages and legal costs to Boral after the union's boycott of the construction company was ruled illegal.

Soap study scrubs anti-bacterial claims

New research suggests antibacterial soaps do not do as much as some might expect.

Workplace drug study finds good help lacking

New studies show workplace drug and alcohol policies work, comprehensive policies really work – but mandatory testing alone does not.

Smog swamps body with radical risks

Smoggy, polluted and otherwise dirty air is well known to carry some serious health risks, but Australian scientists have for the first time got a glimpse of what might be happening at the molecular level.

Ichthys hit with safety claims

Accusations have been flung at managers of an oil and gas project in the Northern Territory over safety incidents on site.

Mesothelioma study reports on Mr Fluffy risks

A new study has found a rising incidence of mesothelioma in Canberra over the past 30 years, raising questions about the legacy of Mr Fluffy loose-fill asbestos-contaminated houses.