In December, the US Department of Labor revealed the workplace injury data from 2018, which showed 5,250 fatal injuries in the workplace. It also represents a 2% increase on the
Historic Newcastle school holds emergency meeting over asbestos fears
Concerned parents last night attended an information session at Newcastle East Public School, over news that the school contained asbestos in one of its heritage buildings. After the discovery, an
WorkSafe urged to enter talks with AFL
Ongoing concerns about the severity of collisions and head injuries in AFL has prompted a player agent to approach WorkSafe Victoria, urging the sporting body to tighten protocols to better
Five workers injured in scaffolding collapse
Two men have been taken to hospital in a serious condition and three other men have also been injured, after a large amount of scaffolding collapsed a worksite in Craigieburn
Post-earthquake Christchurch rebuild blows out budget by $500k after asbestos discovered
The Ara Institute of Canterbury’s Christchurch campus demolition work has had its budget blown out by more than half a million dollars after asbestos was discovered at the site. The
Industrial site locked down over asbestos fears
A large site on the Gold Coast has been shut down and a local school has instigated asbestos and air quality testing, after a whistleblower tipped off the Department of
Worker killed at Hancock-owned site in Pilbara
A worker has died at the Gina Rinehart-controlled Roy Hill iron ore mine in Western Australia. Roy Hill is Australia’s largest privately-owned mine, situated more than 300km inland from Port
ABCC cracks down on “defiant” union reps in QLD
The Australian Building and Construction Commission, the construction industry watchdog, is increasing the number of workplace inspectors in an attempt to clamp down on challenging union officials. Head of the
New union policy over smoky conditions set to kick in
As fire conditions worsen again this week, trade unions across the eastern states have issued a directive that outdoor workers could walk off the job tomorrow if the relevant state
SafeWork NSW: advice on coronavirus
SafeWork NSW has released advice on the legal obligations of both workers and PCBUs in relation to the recent threat of coronavirus. “Coronaviruses are types of viruses that typically affect the
Study firms link between heart attacks and poor air quality
In light of recent poor air quality across the country, a study has found “an increased risk of deadly cardiac arrests from short-term exposure to air pollution, even at concentrations
Worker dead after incident at Delacombe worksite
A man in his 60s has died after an incident at a Delacombe business yesterday around 4pm. Emergency services were called to the scene outside of Ballarat just before 3:30pm
Blue Mountains City Council enters into EU with SafeWork NSW
In November of 2017, Sydney broadcaster Ray Hadley exposed the significant failings of the Blue Mountains City Council over its failures to correctly address the presence of asbestos-containing material across
Link between welding fumes and lung cancer
Reuters has released an article detailing new evidence that further strengthens the link between lung cancer and welding fumes. Researchers examined the risks of welding fumes alongside additional risk factors
PFAS presence at WestGate Tunnel halts building work
The presence of PFAs at the designated site for Victoria’s WestGate Tunnel has meant that the entire project is now up in the air, as the state government, Transurban and
Hopes fading for worker trapped underground in Western Tasmania
Mining workers in the town of Queenstown have been holding their breath as rescue efforts continue, to extract a miner trapped underground at Henty Gold Mine. The alarm was first
Silicosis Support Network calls for greater regulation for engineered stone cutting industry
While interim advice has been recommended by the National Dust Disease Taskforce, the government’s slow response has been less than ideal, according to the Silicosis Support Network. Silicosis Support Network
Worker killed in Carrum Downs
A worker has died at a truck-body manufacturing facility in Carrum Downs, outside of Melbourne yesterday. The worker was unloading panels from a shipping container when a stack of panels,
Call for new WHS standards following bushfires, worst ever air quality levels
While the weather in Sydney has improved and the air quality with it, unions and business groups have called on the Berejiklian government to implement new health and safety regulations
Fine over five and a half metre fall on worksite
A Victorian company has faced the Geelong Magistrates’ Court over its failure to control the risk of fall from height and two other offences after a worker suffered serious injuries
Silicosis victim takes legal action as rates continue to rise
Former stonemason, Frank Scott, has launched legal action against his former employer after he contracted silicosis following his career cutting and grinding marble and granite across Canberra in the ’80s,
Rise in health conditions from bushfires
First Sydney and then Canberra and Melbourne have experienced ongoing, heavy smoke conditions that have affected overall air quality and caused concern for public health. The smoke itself is made
Chemical exposure causes evacuation at North Sydney warehouse
A workplace north of Sydney has been evacuated after an incident of chemical exposure. The incident took place at a warehouse in Somersby, near Gosford. Initial reports indicate that as
Apprentice dies in traumatic workplace accident in NSW
An 18-year-old apprentice has died after suffering a cardiac arrest, as a result of a workplace incident, at a workplace in Brocklehurst near Dubbo. Police and emergency services were called
More than £22,000 in fines over failures to manage asbestos risks
Two companies in the Greater Manchester area in the UK and the sole director has faced court and been fined over failing to safely manage asbestos risks during a refurbishment
Renewed calls for industrial manslaughter laws after injured worker dies
A worker undertaking asbestos removal work at the University of Wollongong who fell through a portion of roof and sustained head injuries has died in hospital, prompting renewed calls for
Survivors of Gospers Mountain fire urged to be cautious over hazardous materials, asbestos
The Gospers Mountain mega blaze that has burned for weeks has now confirmed as having destroyed 96 homes, but residents are being urged to be cautious as a new range
Death of worker at ACT worksite
A 47-year-old man unloading materials off a truck at a worksite in Denman Prospect, ACT has died. WorkSafe ACT has released a statement, explaining that the fatality occurred just before
Reports seized over asbestos concerns at US military bases
An investigation into asbestos contamination in the United States Oklahoma City has involved Air Force investigators, as a military landlord came under intense scrutiny and computers and other materials were
Workplace fatalities for 2019 up on previous year
According to preliminary data from Safe Work Australia, 157 Australians died at work in 2019, which is an increase upon the 144 recorded fatalities the previous year. 55 workers of
Calls to delay Australian Open as players struggle in smoky conditions
The directors of the Australian Open have come under further scrutiny, previously defending their decision to push ahead despite smoky conditions while today, one player had to retire due to
FDA calls for new talc and cosmetic testing standards over asbestos concerns
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has endorsed the testing of asbestos in cosmetics despite the resistance of the industry, to better reflect public health authorities views. The
Worker killed at Queensland mine site
A 33-year old mine worker has died at a coal mining site in central Queensland. Emergency services were called to the site, operated by mining company Thiess, before 4:30pm local
Bushfire smoke and WHS obligations
SafeWork NSW had released advice for workers and PCBUs affected by the bushfire smoke spreading across large parts of the state. The advice is relative to those affected by smoke
Sports players claim air quality is like “smoking 50 cigarettes a day”, calls to stop all matches
Former Bayern Munich star and Sydney FC midfielder Alexander Baumjohann gave an interview with Spanish publication Marca about the conditions Australian sports players are facing. He said: “I think breathing
Worker injured during asbestos removal work
A worker has been rushed to hospital after he fell through a roof a the Univerity of Wollongong while completing asbestos removal work at the campus. Emergency services were called
Worker trapped in meat slicer at Queensland business
A worker has been flown to hospital after a workplace incident at a business west of Brisbane today. Fire and rescue crews and paramedics attended the address in Plainland on
A-League games in question over air quality concerns
The A-League and W-League double-header on Friday night, scheduled to take place at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle is reportedly likely to be postponed after concerns over the hazardous air
Asbestos risks in bushfire communities prompt new health warning
Residents of bushfire-ravaged Batlow, in south-west NSW, where at least one resident has died, have been warned that the risk isn’t over yet. Currently, there is limited access to power,
New tech to assist in reducing risks around stone cutting
A company from Queensland has developed a portable solution to ensuring safe stone cutting on worksites, in response to the rising silicosis health crisis across Australia. Dry cutting is now
WorkSafe NT criticised over 2018 death of fishing worker
Criticism has been aimed at the Northern Territory workplace regulator over the death of British backpacker Harry Evans, with the NT Coroner saying it should have done more. Mr Evans
Decline in SafeWork inspections
As a new work year begins, attention is focused on the 2019 workplace safety results. The results show a significant decline in workplace inspections across NSW and the lower rates
Rates of silicosis climbing rapidly
The latest estimates of people suffering from silicosis in Australia puts the national number of cases at 350, which is 100 more cases than the September 2019 figure. The figure
Poor bone health linked to lower air quality
As large parts of Australia continue to struggle with poor air quality, New Scientist has released new research data that indicates that bone density may be among the health consequences of
WorkSafe NT confirms workplace death
A worker in Palmerston, NT has died after an electrical incident at a worksite over the holiday period, NT WorkSafe has confirmed. The man, who was 23, is understood to
Truck driver to appear in court after drunkenly crashing asbestos-containing load
Sydney truck driver, Ashley Collins, 50, is due to face court within weeks over an accident in which the truck he was driving, which was carrying asbestos-containing material, crashed through the
Shoppers suffer crush injuries in Western Sydney
As many as seven shoppers finishing their Christmas shopping were injured overnight at Westfield Parramatta, in Sydney’s west. The promotional event, where more than 100 people gathered underneath a bundle
Regulators urge caution in the lead up to the holidays
WHS regulators Australia-wide have urged businesses and workers to stay vigilant in the lead-up to the holidays and to maintain focus on health and safety across all workplaces. WorkSafe WA
Two volunteer firefighters killed south-west of Sydney overnight
Two volunteers from the Rural Fire Service in NSW have died after the vehicle they were in rolled, as they fought a fire in Buxton, south-west of Sydney, late Thursday
Fine increased on appeal over deaths of two workers
Criscon Pty Ltd, the contractor found responsible for the deaths of two workers at a construction job at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Brisbane, has had the initial fine increased on
