A south-west Sydney worksite has been shut down after it was revealed that tradesmen on the site removed parts of scaffolding and altered the structure, leaving the scaffolding at risk
Worker crushed at Seven Hills warehouse
A 26-year-old warehouse worker has been critically injured after he was struck by a falling container at a site in Seven Hills in Sydney this morning. The incident occurred at around
Hi-vis shirt results in burns for WA worker
An emergency medicine specialist as spoken out to the editor of the Medical Journal of Australia after she treated a man for first-degree burns caused by a high-vis workwear shirt.
Final Wittenoom residents to have property acquired by WA Government
Several landowners who have refused to move from Wittenoom, Australia’s most contaminated site, will be forced to move after a bill was introduced to Parliament to have their properties compulsorily
Youngest case of silicosis recorded in Australia
An Australian tradesman from the Gold Coast has become the youngest person to be diagnosed with silicosis, a fatal lung disease known as the ‘new asbestos’. Connor Downes, 22, has
Warning over tourist spike in Wittenoom
Western Australia’s Pilbara region has long drawn tourists from around the world, but the now-abandoned town of Wittenoom has continued to be a drawcard for visitors, despite warnings from local
Asbestos-containing material spilled in road accident in Sydney
Commuters were stuck in traffic that stretched for more than 10 kilometres last night after a truck spilled asbestos-containing materials. The incident occurred around 4pm on Sydney’s M2 Motorway near
Calls for standardised indoor air quality levels in Australian schools
According to a UNSW Environmental study, some Australian classrooms are recording levels four times higher than the recommended levels of carbon dioxide and should be addressed as per European standards
Spike in silicosis diagnosis’ spreads to America
We’ve reported frequently on the rise of silicosis cases around Australia, linked to engineered stone cutting and manufacturing, has now begun to increase in incident frequency across the US. As
Beagles could be used in the fight against mesothelioma
Beagles, known mostly for their ability to detect drugs and other illicit material, could one day be used to detect mesothelioma, according to a researcher who has seen success in
SafeWork blitz reveals almost half of NSW scaffolding unsafe
SafeWork NSW has conducted a blitz on scaffolding across 700 construction sites in NSW, after the government committed to putting the industry ‘on notice’. Approximately 44 per cent of the
Concerns over rising mesothelioma rates in the UK & around the world
As we reported recently, consistently rising mesothelioma rates are of growing concern in Australia, but it is not the only country to experience high rates of the disease despite asbestos
New hope for mesothelioma sufferers in clinical trial
A new clinical trial in America is testing immunotherapy/antiangiogenic drug combination as a treatment for pleural mesothelioma and early indications in a clinical trial have been positive. The trial combines
Safety Alert: asbestos in bunsen burner gauze mats
SafeWork NSW has made an announcement over asbestos-containing material that may be present in some bunsen burner gauze mats commonly used in laboratories. These mats typically have a ceramic disk
Calls for greater workplace safety as Health and Safety? Month commences
Following a horror period of workplace incidents in NSW, including a number of deaths, SafeWork has called for a greater focus on safety as Health and Safety month commences across
ATO on asbestos testing and removal costs
The Australian Taxation Office has released information on a ruling regarding a tax deduction for the cost of the testing and removal of asbestos from your rental or commercial property.
Adelaide firm stripped of asbestos license
An Adelaide contractor has been stripped of its asbestos removal license after it was accused of unsafe practices by the CFMEU. At a site in Port Adelaide known as Shed 26,
NT to introduce industrial manslaughter laws
Following significant workplace incidents which have been nationally reported, including the deaths of three workers this year, the Northern Territory is introducing industrial manslaughter laws. The new laws will mean that
Worker fatally crushed at Port Botany
A worker at Sydney’s Port Botany has died after being crushed by a shipping container yesterday. First reports of an incident came at around 10:00 am when the man was
Two NT construction firms fined $30,000 over 3M fall through skylight
Two Northern Territory construction companies have been fined and convicted in the Darwin Local Court over an incident from 2017, where a 31-year-old worker fell 3-metres onto a concrete floor.
Record $3M payout over asbestos exposure in SA Court
Asbestos remains a critical issue in Australian workplaces and the recent record damages awarded in the Werfel v Amaca v SA case has highlighted this. As we’ve reported recently, while
Asbestos found in another US beauty brand product
Another US beauty brand has issued a recall notice over its products after four items tested positive for asbestos contamination. On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the
Mesothelioma continues to kill Australians, despite asbestos ban
The number of Australians dying from mesothelioma, a cancer usually caused by asbestos exposure, remains high despite asbestos being banned in building matierials for over 15 years. The Australian Institute
Asbestos scare at Canberra airport
An air-traffic control tower at Canberra airport was evacuated on Wednesday last week after equipment was discovered that was suspected to contain asbestos. The equipment was uncovered after routine maintenance at
Reforms coming for NSW WHS laws after horror week
NSW State Cabinet has made significant changes to workplace health and safety laws which will make it easier to prosecute construction companies and directors who fail to uphold the necessary
YouTube star’s make-up line recalled over asbestos
The United States Food and Drug Administration has encouraged the recall of a makeup line of YouTube star JoJo Siwa, after it was found to have tested positive for asbestos-containing material.
Fact Sheet: Managing Respirable Crystalline Silica
The Queensland Government, as part of its targeted approach to the alarming rise of silicosis in the engineered benchtop and stone cutting industries, has released a fact sheet for the
From a persistent cough to being unable to work from silicosis
A Melbourne father has been diagnosed with debilitating silicosis, discovered only due to a persistent cough. Jack Gray was a smoker and thought it was merely a symptom of that,
Silicosis epidemic more widespread? than stonemason industry: experts
Experts are warning that the recent spike in silicosis reporting is only the tip of the iceberg and that the issue is far more prevalent than initial estimates. While QLD
High-risk asbestos exposure in the spotlight as QLD cracks down
After implementing silicosis testing for at-risk workers, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland have doubled down on its commitment to tackling unsafe practices relating to high-risk asbestos activities. In two years, WHSQ
Worker critically injured in Sydney workplace accident
SafeWork NSW yesterday confirmed that they were investigating another serious workplace accident, this time in Bankstown in Sydney’s South-West. A 19-year old working on a site has been taken to
NRL star uses departure to raise awareness of asbestos safety
Penrith star James Maloney has honoured his father in his final remarks prior to the Panther’s final game of the season. Ahead of the game, Maloney took the opportunity to
Another workplace accident in Sydney leaves worker in critical condition
A Sydney worker remains in a critical condition in hospital after a workplace accident in Moorebank in Sydney’s south-west. The man, aged 59, was injured when steel pipes fell from
Site for David Beckham’s Inter Miami stadium in doubt over contamination
The site for a proposed stadium development as part of David Beckham’s Inter Miami franchise has been found to be contaminated by arsenic with levels recorded at more than twice
NZ earth-moving company fined after causing gas leak, potential asbestos exposure
Auckland District Court has handed down a $150,000 fine after an unsafe demolition project left workers potentially exposed to asbestos and a neighbour trapped in her home. The incident occurred
QLD continues fight against silicosis with research partnership
The Queensland Government has further cemented its commitment to tackling the growing silicosis problem sweeping the nation, with WorkCover Queensland engaging two leading universities to undertake research relating to the
Scientists uncover mould on the International Space Station
Mould’s reputation as hardy is widely known, but it may come as a surprise that it can also be resistant to the harsh conditions of outer space. Some varieties of
Embassy asbestos sender wanted to ‘protect firefighters’
A man who mailed dozens of asbestos-filled packages to embassies around the country has been sentenced to prison. It was heard in court this week that Savas Avan, who sent
Calls for greater workplace safety awareness after four incidents, two deaths in 12 hours
There have been renewed calls for greater awareness of workplace health and safety after a string of workplace incidents on Wednesday. In NSW, emergency services were called to St Mary’s
‘Miracle’ worker survives fall from heights on Dickson worksite
A Canberra building site with a perfect history of safety standards over audits has this week been the site of an accident where a 20-year-old fell three storeys on Friday.
Homes evacuated after factory fire in Sydney
A factory in Sydney’s south-west has gone up in flames, sending dangerous smoke into the air and causing the evacuation of residents. Emergency services were called to the factory on
Lottoland cleared for NRL matches after asbestos scare
Manly Sea Eagles have been confirmed to play their home final against the Cronulla Sharks at Lottoland despite areas of the ground testing positive to trace amounts of asbestos. The
Canberra developer fined over incident where student broke neck
Canberra developer Nikias Diamond has been fined over a 2016 workplace accident in which a 16-year-old student, who was participating in a school-based program, fell from a ladder and broke
Worker dead after being dragged into woodchipper
A horrific workplace accident unfolded on Saturday morning on Sydney’s North Shore when a worker who had been trimming trees was dragged into a woodchipper. The worker and two colleagues
Tradie injured by belt sander on Mosman work site
A tradesman in Sydney was taken to hospital last Friday after he was injured using a belt sander. Ambulances were called to the site in Mosman after the worker had
Queensland mining town at the mercy of local dust problem
A central Queensland mining town has seen such an increase in levels of dust from nearby mining operations that residents are considering abandoning their homes. The town of Moranbah has
Workplace death at Brisbane port
An employee for a transport company has died after being crushed by a truck at the Port of Brisbane. It’s believed the 66-year-old man, who did not work for the
Company director fined $116K over workplace bullying
The director of a Melbourne security company has been convicted and fined more than $116,000 for ongoing bullying towards his employees. Facing Broadmeadows Magistrate’s Court last Friday, John Bernard Moncrieff and
NSW Updates Codes of Practise
SafeWork NSW has announced updates to 23 NSW Codes of Practice, now available via their website. SafeWork took the opportunity to remind “all businesses and employers to review the updated
Workplace WA puts schools on notice
A hazardous materials blitz at primary schools in Western Australia has resulted in 239 improvement notices across 53 locations, with inspectors noting “worrying levels” of compliance with hazardous substance regulations
