Two questions regarding WHS consultation
We often get questions from clients about what they have to do to comply with WHS consultation requirements. Two common questions are...
WHS Training for new people
The answers to this question are not always obvious. The main places to look for the answers are in the Work Health and Safety Act (WHS Act)
“Reasonably Practicable” ... Fried Onions at Bunnings
In 2018 several media outlets ran a story about how Bunnings had changed the way its iconic sausage and bread delicacy could be...
What or Who is a PCBU?
The words, “person conducting a business or undertaking” (PCBU), appear frequently in the WHS Act.
PCBU and Worker both prosecuted
In Stephen James Orr v Cudal Lime Products Pty Ltd; Stephen James Orr v Simon Shannon [2018] NSWDC 27 a woman was fatally electrocuted...
Ladder Safety at Work and at Home
Ladders are often used at work and at home to get access to higher or lower levels in order to carry out light tasks. But every year many...
Why the Judge Convicted the Officer
In a Sydney District Court judgement on the 2nd of November 2017 an Officer was convicted of failing to comply with his duty to exercise ...
A Fatal Lack of Officer Due Diligence
Two prosecutions of companies and their Officers under the Model WHS Laws may be of interest to anyone who is an Officer themselves. An Offi
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...
How to Chair an Effective Health & Safety Committee Meeting
A WHS committee chairperson’s ability to be effective is dependent on their clear understanding, respect of, and adherence to the duties ...
How many First Aiders do you need?
The WHS Regulation 2017 requires every PCBU to have an “adequate” number of trained first aiders. It is up to business owners and company di
First WHS conviction for PCBU not consulting with other PCBUs
In May 2016 a PCBU was prosecuted and convicted for not consulting with other PCBUs – Section 46 of the WHS Act 2011. It is the duty ....
Falls from Heights - lessons learned
On the 10th of December 2015 Safework NSW published a media release with preliminary findings about why a window cleaner’s cradle with ....