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
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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
Sydney Trains fined $525K over worker’s death
Sydney Trains has been fined $525,000 over the 2016 death of signal mechanic Charles Lagaaia, who was hit by a train while undertaking works on track in Clyde, Western Sydney.
Worker’s compensation fraud results in 9-month prison sentence
A Victorian man has received a nine-month prison sentence over fraudulent worker’s compensation claims totalling more than $112,000. Andres Uranga faced Sunshine Magistrates Court last week over three counts of
Lendlease secures Western Sydney Airport contract
The Federal Government has announced that the $644 million earthworks contract for the initial development of Western Sydney’s new airport at BAdgery’s Creek has been awarded to Lendlease. Prime Minister
Respiratory health assessments required, from WorkSafe Vic
WorkSafe Victoria has announced an update to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, requiring health assessments for those who work with crystalline silica. The call for assessments comes after a
Contaminated site causing headaches for Sydney apartment owners
As Sydney struggles with a defective apartment crisis, another building has been revealed as unliveable, but for a different reason. The Opal, Zetland and Mascot apartment complexes were declared unsafe
SafeWork Australia: evaluating the workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants
Safe Work Australia is evaluating the workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants to ensure that they are based on the highest quality, most contemporary evidence and supported by a rigorous scientific
‘Not A Finished Issue’ – Mesothelioma continues to take lives
Despite being banned nation-wide for nearly 20 years, asbestos continues to affect hundreds of Australians. Mesothelioma, which is mostly caused by asbestos exposure, continues to claim lives at an average
Asbestos ban limiting classic car importation
Australia’s plan to be entirely asbestos-free, particularly around importation is causing headaches for classic car enthusiasts. Almost all cars built before 1999 have asbestos-based components in brake linings, brake disc pads,
Record fine for workplace bully handed down in South Australia
An Adelaide workplace construction supervisor has been found guilty in the South Australian Employment Tribunal over a 2017 attack on an apprentice. Luke Daniel Chenoweth pleaded guilty to breaching workplace safety
Robots and drones soon to feature on construction sites
Advances in artificial intelligence and ongoing labour shortages mean that several construction companies have their eyes set firmly on the future and are considering employing drone painters, robot masons and
White House staff relocated after asbestos risk
Key staffers at the White House have been forced to relocate as several offices undergo asbestos abatement work. Ivanka Trump and senior counsellor Kellyanne Conway are among the staff affected.
Johnson & Johnson case: article shows “weak link” between mesothelioma and asbestos exposure
While Johnson & Johnson have made news today for the $845 million fine over their involvement in the American opioid crisis, their lawyers are working hard to dispute a link
WA Government announces new penalties for breaches of WHS laws including prison, $10M fines
Under the industrial manslaughter laws preferred by Labor, those who operate businesses who are found to have contributed to the deaths of employees by breaking or disregarding workplace safety rules
Victorian Govt acts on silicosis risks in dry cutting of engineered stone
The Victorian Government has acted to better protect workers from exposure to silica dust, by introducing a ban on the uncontrolled dry cutting of engineered stone. According to WorkSafe Victoria,
Banking exec crippled by mould-related illness
A CBA executive who was in the best shape of his life and had just completed his first marathon was understandably shocked when his health deteriorated rapidly and he lost
Formwork Code of Practice: Have your say with SafeWork
SafeWork NSW and the NSW Government is encouraging form workers and concrete construction workers to provide feedback on a draft formwork code of practice, which aims to provide practical guidance
“Hidden danger” of mould-related illness
Federal MP Lucy Wicks is leading the charge for a nation-wide inquiry into the health effects and illnesses from exposure to black mould. Ms Wicks, the MP for Robertson, has
