Victorian paramedics have reportedly been issued with vented masks that have limited efficacy against the spread of COVID-19. The masks used in some instances are N95 masks, which contain filters
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Illegal asbestos dumpers target housing subdivisions in Sydney
Vacant blocks of newly purchased land in South-West Sydney, alongside new release parcels of land for sale or development, are the target of illegal dumpers, according to the EPA. The
Chemical explosion leaves worker with burns, in a serious condition
A worker has been transported to hospital after suffering burns during a workplace accident in Berkeley, south of Sydney this week. Emergency services attended the scene at around 2.30pm on
$543,000 fine for local council from EPA
Lithgow City Council has entered into an Enforceable Undertaking with the NSW branch of the EPA after an incident which saw 13,000 litres of highly corrosive material escape a sewage
Unaccredited face masks discovered at QLD coal mine
The Queensland safety regulator has issued an alert over substandard face masks, which were found to be worn at an underground coal site in the state. Due to the pressure
America’s largest-ever asbestos cleanup completed, costs hit $600M
The final step in what was America’s largest ever-asbestos cleanup has been completed, with the United States Environmental Protection Agency handing control of the site in Libby, Montana to the
Unlawful picketing by CFMMEU draws $159,000 fine
The Australian Capital Territory branch of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime and Mining Union, along with three officials, has been fined after the Federal court after it was revealed they engaged
Penrith: worker falls from scaffolding
A worker has been seriously injured after falling from scaffolding at a construction site in Penrith, Western Sydney, this morning. The worker fell at least one storey, from scaffolding, between
NSW public schools still using harmful unflued gas heaters
The Daily Telegraph has reported today that the majority of NSW public schools are still using harmful unflued gas heaters in classrooms, despite the NSW government committing to removing them eight
Workplace fatality recorded in Melbourne
Victoria has recorded another workplace death after a worker was killed undertaking mechanical work on a truck in Lilydale over the weekend. Emergency services attended the scene in the Yarra
$85K fine handed to hire company over workplace fatality
A Victorian hire company has been sentenced in the Melbourne County Court last week, over an incident in August of 2017, which resulted in the death of a worker after
Workplace incident at Victorian mine leaves worker in hospital
An incident has been reported after a Victorian mine worker was struck by falling rocks, and subsequently sustained serious injuries to his head and shoulder, including a depressed skull fracture
EPA hands down $30,000 fine over quarantine waste
The EPA has fined NSW waste management company, Cleanaway Daniels, over its handling of clinical waste from medical facilities and quarantine waste from cruise ships. The EPA attended a site
New safety initiative for Victorian primary producers
The workplace health and safety of primary producers in Victoria is the focus of a new government initiative, in an effort to reduce injuries and fatalities. The Minister for Agriculture,
Netflix to sue studio after asbestos discovery delays production
Binge-streaming giant Netflix has launched legal action against a film studio in North London after the discovery of asbestos on set caused filming to be moved to another venue. Netflix
Air & soil testing reveal extent of lead fallout from Notre Dame fire
Extensive soil testing across Paris has uncovered that nearly a tonne of lead was dispersed across the area surrounding Notre Dame Cathedral after it was gutted by fire in April
Calls for Chevron to shut down plant over WHS concerns
A large Australian union is calling for oil and gas behemoth Chevron to shut down its Gorgon plant, after “thousands” of cracks were found in essential components, with workers “fearing
SA Council building causes health issues after mould outbreak
Loxton Waikerie Council buildings, south-east of Adelaide, have been found to contain mould after a number of council staff members complained of respiratory issues after working in the heritage-listed building.
$100,000 for mould removal at historic rugby venue
A major New Zealand rugby venue is currently closed, as workers undertake a massive task of cleaning mould off parts of the stadium. Invercargill Park, home to several Rugby World
Carpenter electrocuted at work due to cables that had been “tampered with”
A young carpenter was killed in 2017 while completing carpentry work in the ceiling of a home in Sydney’s south, and an inquiry into his death has found that the
Asbestos concerns for NSW South Coast residents after storms
Following from last week’s extreme weather along the NSW Coast, several homes have been severely damaged by erosion from the storm system creating massive swells along the coast. As affected
Man fined $66,000 for site contamination
A Wollongong man has appeared in the NSW Land and Environment Court this week, where he was convicted and fined for using land as a waste facility without lawful authority.
Woman who lost fingers wins $132,000 payout
A New Zealand woman who lost three fingertips in a pet food packing factory has been awarded a payout, while her former employer has been fined $132,000 over the incident
QLD safety regulator pursuing unsafe electrical works
The Queensland Government and the Head of Electrical Safety Office have announced a safety blitz on unlicensed electrical work, after an increase in unlicensed providers offering services online and advertising
Hunter man facing $1 million bill for contaminated fill on construction site
A man in NSW’s Hunter region is facing a clean-up bill of $1 million after a flood runoff mound was found to contain asbestos contamination. Michael Corling spoke to ABC News,
Heavy-duty lifting straps and hooks in focus after incident
WorkSafe Queensland has issued a safety alert after a young worker was injured by a heavy-duty lifting chain hook while he was assisting a colleague in moving equipment using a
21,000 tonnes of asbestos-containing material disposed of after bushfires
Six months on from Australia’s catastrophic fire season of last summer, the clean up on Kangaroo Island is still underway. The waste recovery facility at Gosse, in the western part
Mining operations halted after workplace death
The Carosue Dam gold mine in Western Australia, owned by Saracen Mineral Holdings, has confirmed it is resuming processing operations, and underground and open pit activity to follow, despite the
“Blatant disregard” for safety, company found guilty of gross negligence after worker lost arm in machinery
A Western Australian waste recycling company has been found guilty of gross negligence relating to an incident in 2016, during which a labour-hire worker lost his arm. The company, Resource
Workers legs crushed in workplace accident in Singleton
A worker has been rushed to hospital this morning after a serious workplace incident in Singleton left his legs crushed under steel plates. Emergency services attended the scene at McDougall’s
$35,000 fine for obstructing EPA investigators
A man has been convicted and sentenced in the Blacktown Local Court after being found guilty of deliberately holding up an investigation by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority. The EPA
Bulldozer company fined $375,000 over WHS breaches
A global earthmoving equipment company has been fined $375,00 and had a conviction recorded against them after an incident during which a worker was severely injured servicing a bulldozer, including
Pacific Labour Scheme under scrutiny over workplace injuries
Workers in Australia under the Pacific Labour Scheme have voiced concerns over the scheme, which the ABC has revealed as plagued with issues, including the cost of accommodation for workers, and
Safety blitz across NSW construction sites
SafeWork NSW has confirmed that they are conducting a blitz on construction sites across the state, focusing on safety compliance. Inspectors are already out in force across worksites, focusing on
NSW launches new silicosis prevention strategies
The NSW Government’s Silicosis Reduction Strategy is now in effect throughout the state, marking the most comprehensive reforms to reduce silica exposure and related diseases. Minister for Better Regulation Kevin
Concerns over review of WA industrial manslaughter laws
The Western Australian government is currently in the process of reviewing its industrial manslaughter laws and is considering increasing the penalties for employers who are found to be criminally negligent
Worker crushed by a forklift
A worker has been crushed by a forklift in a workplace accident in Brisbane yesterday morning. Emergency services including intensive care paramedics attended the scene in Paringa Road, Murarrie around
New grant for contaminated land remediation at Maralinga
The Federal Government has announced a commitment of $2.5 million to ensure the ongoing health and safety of traditional owners and landholders at Maralinga, South Australia. Maralinga was the site
Half of Tasmania’s workplace fatalities not investigated
It has been revealed under Right to Information laws that almost half of all workplaces fatalities in Tasmania do not result in a WorkSafe investigation. Of 38 fatalities, 21 formal
Victoria expands definition of workplace deaths
Last week, the Victorian Government’s move to legislate industrial manslaughter came into effect, meaning maximum fines of up to $16.5 million and imprisonment of up to 25 years for employers or
Worker killed in crush incident in Western Sydney
A worker has died after being crushed by a metal beam in a workplace incident in Smithfield, Western Sydney. Emergency services responded to reports of a worker being crushed by
NZ workplace fined $293,000 over workplace injury
A Napier meat processing facility has been fined $293,000 over an incident in November of 2018 that saw a worker’s hand trapped in machinery for more than ten minutes. The
New research hopes to advance the treatment of mesothelioma
A PhD student from the University of Western Australia’s National Centre for Asbestos-Related Diseases has been awarded a scholarship for his ongoing work into advancing research into mesothelioma. Synat Keam,
Landslide kills 162 people at jade mine in Myanmar
Myanmar has recorded its worst multiple workplace fatality incident in recent years after a landslide at a jade mine killed 162 people. Mineworkers were collecting jade stones in the Hpakant
Victorian man killed at Thales production facility
A worker has been killed in an industrial accident at a Bendigo production site for military and defence supplier, Thales. Police and ambulance service personnel attended the scene just after
Illegal dumping operation uncovered north of Perth
An illegal dumping operation has been uncovered by surveillance cameras in a state park north of Perth. The surveillance led to the prosecution of five men in the Joondalup Magistrates
UK schools waging war against asbestos
United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson has this week committed £1 billion to improve the condition of the nation’s schools. Many advocates for asbestos eradication have lobbied the government to
Union protests after assault on officials
Image via The Guardian Australia At the site of an assault that left a union official in hospital, protesters have gathered this morning. Around 250 workers, believed to mostly be
CFMMEU Officials assaulted on construction site
A Victorian CFMMEU official has been taken to hospital after he and a fellow union official were allegedly assaulted at a construction site this morning. Victorian Police have confirmed that
NSW childcare centres among the most unsafe in the country
According to a new report, the NSW childcare sector has recorded the highest number of safety breaches out of any state. During the 2018 – 2019 financial year, there were
