"Bullying" versus "Reasonable Management" actions
Two recent bullying cases addressed by the Fair Work Commission highlight a need to understand the difference between bullying and “reasonable management actions.” In these two cases the FWC had to determine whether the actions alleged to be bullying actually amounted to bullying or were appropriate reasonable management actions. What is “bullying”? “Bullying” is when a person or group of people repeatedly behave unreasonably towards another worker or group of workers, and t
Food Delivery Riders Need To Be Inducted
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
Fire Training does not have to be delivered only by an RTO
It comes up from time to time, the question of what WHS training can or should be done by a Registered Training Provider (RTO), or by...
Menopause is not a "WHS matter"
17 April, 2025. 5 minute read A company (that shall remain unnamed) recently advocated for including menopausal staff on their workplace...
Liabilities of Directors in new Industrial Manslaughter laws
From 16 September 2024, industrial manslaughter has been a formal offence under New South Wales work health and safety (WHS) legislation.
Foreign businesses must abide by Australian Work Health and Safety Laws
Many commercial businesses operating in Australia are owned and managed by overseas companies. In most cases, a company from another...
Reporting processes must include Psychosocial hazards
Processes for reporting work health and safety hazards and incidents are integral to the Safety Management System for every business and ...
The role of the Regulator (WHS)
The Commonwealth, states and territories are responsible for making their own work health and safety (WHS) laws. Each jurisdiction has a...
WHS duties are non-delegable
Not Only are WHS Duties “Not Transferrable” … but it is also illegal to subcontract out WHS duties too!
Employer found not guilty of workplace bullying
In Robertson v State of Queensland [2020] QDC 185 a nurse working at Gold Coast Hospital made a claim for damages alleging she suffered...
What is a Safety Champion?
A Safety Champion is a person who works with the organisation’s health and safety system to set a good example, and to encourage and ...
Do you need Safe Work Method Statements?
SafeWork NSW give clear and precise definitions and examples of Safe Work Method statements on their website: Prepare safe work method...