A recent Queensland court decision has reinforced a critical principle in work health and safety: identifying hazards and documenting control measures is not enough. Controls must be implemented, supervised, and enforced in practice.   The matter arose from an incident at a worksite in Queensland involving interaction between mobile plant and pedestrian workers, a well-regarded high-risk activity. A pedestrian worker sustained serious injury when struck by operating machinery

The NSW WHS Act 2011 has recently been amended. These amendments have included an increase in the penalty rates for WHS breaches. ....

Chemical risks are not confined to laboratories or manufacturing plants, they exist in workplaces across every  industry, from hospitality and cleaning services to healthcare, construction, and community care. Whether it’s a cleaning product, disinfectant, or industrial sealant, hazardous chemicals can cause serious injury, illness, or even fatalities if not handled, stored, or supervised correctly.   Under the WHS Regulation , the business has a legal duty to provide adequat

Two recent bullying cases addressed by the Fair Work Commission highlight a need to understand what is bullying and what are “reasonable management actions."

For some time now, there has been a steady stream of news reports where food delivery riders in our major cities have been involved in accidents with buses, trams, cars, and pedestrians. It is common for foreign students to do this kind of work while they study in Australia. During February 2021, SafeWork NSW undertook field inspections and compliance assurance activities of food delivery riders. There were 287 inspections. The inspections revealed that the riders were pred

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

Many commercial businesses operating in Australia are owned and managed by overseas companies. In most cases, a company from another...

It has been over 10 years since New South Wales adopted the Model WHS laws. The WHS Act and WHS Regulation replace the repealed OHS Act ...

WHS law in NSW requires that a PCBU (business, corporation, organisation) consult with its workers on matters relating to health and safety

Not Only are WHS Duties “Not Transferrable” … but it is also illegal to subcontract out WHS duties too!

In Stephen James Orr v Cudal Lime Products Pty Ltd; Stephen James Orr v Simon Shannon [2018] NSWDC 27 a woman was fatally electrocuted...

There is nothing like a real first aid emergency to test whether your first aid response, treatment and procedures are adequate and ...