Lack of Proactive Officer Duties Drives a 30 % Higher Workplace Fatality Rate
Victoria’s workplace health and safety regulator, WorkSafe Victoria, recorded 12 workplace fatalities in the 12 months to 21 November 2025. Twelve preventable deaths in one year, in industries where the hazards and controls are well known is an unacceptable toll by any measure. The causes remain unchanged: structural collapses, unguarded machinery, falls from height, fatigue-related vehicle incidents, and chemical explosions, concentrated in construction, agriculture, manufac
"Bullying" versus "Reasonable Management" actions
Two recent bullying cases addressed by the Fair Work Commission highlight a need to understand what is bullying and what are “reasonable management actions."
Workplace fatality sees directors personally charged for breaches of duty under WHS Law
In many small businesses, directors are not only decision-makers but are also directly involved in day-to-day activities. This hands-on involvement brings unique advantages, but it also increases accountability under Work Health and Safety (WHS) law. Directors are recognised as “officers” of a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) and, as such, carry significant legal obligations. Their foremost responsibility is to ensure the business maintains an effective WHS
Should an HSC be involved in issue resolution or health and safety disputes?
If a business has not arranged its own issue resolution process it must follow the default procedure outlined in the WHS Regulation ....
WHS penalties to increase...
Except for Victoria, all states and territories in Australia will see a significant increase in the value of WHS penalties, and the ...
WHS Law: “Everything old is new again”
When the Model WHS laws commenced in Australia in 2012 it brought to Australia a new and updated look at workplace health and safety and ...
Differences between Model WHS laws and VIC OHS laws
With the exception of the state of Victoria, all other states and territories are on the Model WHS Laws which were enacted ...
WHS Law Framework
The Robens Model was derived from a report published in the UK in 1972 by Lord Alfred Robens proposing changes to the UK Occupational...
A Day in the Life of a Health and Safety Representative
Have you seen the video by SafeWork NSW called “A Day in the Life of a HSR”. It’s only 1 min 48 seconds long and is the result of ....
SIRA’s Competency Requirements for RTW Coordinators
As previously advised. The SIRA approved 2-day, face-to-face, Introduction to Return to Work Coordination Course, will be withdrawn on...