Important: From 1 January 2012, information on this website is being reviewed and must be read in conjunction with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
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Legislation changes will keep workers’ compensation scheme strong
The Bligh Government has introduced laws to maintain Queensland’s workers’ compensation scheme as the strongest in Australia and keep employer premiums low.
[full article]
Preparing for Hendra virus
A Tewantin property on the Sunshine Coast has recently been affected by the latest Hendra virus outbreak with 11 people facing anxious waits for results.
If you have a horse related business, now is a good time to review your risk management systems for Hendra virus in order to protect you, your workers and others from this serious disease.
[full article]
Is that asbestos? Be aware and prepare
A number of recent asbestos clean ups have cost private contractors tens of thousands of dollars and in two recent cases clean up bills of more than $100,000 and $50,000. In both these cases preventative actions before starting the job would have prevented the huge clean up bills.
[full article]
Queensland’s Frook Pty Ltd recognised at national Safe Work Awards!
Queensland business Frook Pty Ltd from Townsville was highly commended for its workplace health and safety achievements at the recent national Safe Work Australia Awards. Frook won the best solution to an identified health and safety issue at the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland awards in October 2009 which saw it entered into the national awards.
[full article]
National harmonisation of OHS laws - update
In 2008, Workplace Relations Ministers from around Australia agreed to nationally harmonise occupational health and safety (OHS) laws. Safe Work Australia is currently developing national model OHS laws, which the Commonwealth and each State and Territory will implement by the end of 2011. Over the coming year, Queensland will continue working with jurisdictions and stakeholders on model OHS regulations and codes of practice.
[full article]
NEW! A guide for pool chemical retailers
A comprehensive guide for pool chemical retailers has been developed by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland to assist retailers to safely store and handle these dangerous goods.
[full article]
New requirements for safety devices on mobile elevating work platforms
A technical guidance note has been developed to explain the new guidelines on requirements for safety devices on mobile elevating work platforms.
[download the technical guidance note (PDF, 79kB]
Forklift care urged after dangers highlighted in Queensland courts
Employers are urged to ensure they have safe work practices in place for forklift use, including appropriate training for workers, following a series of court cases highlighting dangerous incidents.
[full article]
SAFETY ALERT- Tractor roll-over protective structure (ROPS) limitations
The purpose of this safety alert is to advise plant owners/operators, including workers, employers, self employed persons and suppliers, of the circumstances that led to a tractor driver sustaining fatal injuries when the roll-over protective structure (ROPS) attached to the tractor failed during a roll-over incident on a sealed road.
[full article]
SAFETY ALERT - Guarding on a mast climbing work platform
The purpose of this safety alert is to advise installers, owners and operators of mast climbing work platforms (MCWP) of:
A worker recently suffered serious injuries to his arm while dismantling a MCWP. The worker’s arm was caught between the moving platform and the mast.
[full article]
New online workplace harassment information tool
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has launched a new online workplace harassment information tool that provides information to users on the various options available to them to resolve harassment in the workplace.
[full article]
Company name: RCR Laser Pty Ltd
Incident description: On 8 August 2008 a 33 year old worker sustained serious injuries when a forklift, operated by a co-worker, ran over his right foot.
Industry: Manufacturing
Circumstance of aggravation: Grievous bodily harm
Penalty: $38,000
Date of decision: 1 April 2010.
Read prosecution details
Company name: Elrose Enterprises Pty Ltd
Incident description: On 3 October 2008, while mustering, a 19 year old ringer sustained fatal injuries when the quad bike he was operating went through a barbed wire fence.
Industry: Rural
Circumstance of aggravation: Fatality
Penalty: $60,000
Date of decision: 6 April 2010.
Read prosecution details
Company name: Scott Burnett Wallace
Incident description: On 17 December 2008 a 17 year old apprentice butcher sustained burns to his head, neck and arms when opening the smokehouse door.
Industry: Retail and wholesale
Circumstance of aggravation: Grievous bodily harm
Penalty: Good behaviour bond with recognisance of $10 000
Date of decision: 8 April 2010.
Read prosecution details
More than 50 per cent of medium sized businesses sign up to free advisory sessions
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland’s medium sized business initiative has proved successful, with more than half of medium sized businesses participating in wave one taking up the opportunity to be involved in the free information sessions on offer.
[full article]
Success of the new online workplace complaint form
As of April 2010, Queenslanders are able to lodge a complaint online to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland about unsafe workplace practices of a business or organisation. The online form is another way Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is improving access to core services to protect Queensland workers.
[full article]
2009 Concrete pumping campaign report
Between September and December 2009, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland undertook a state-wide audit campaign of the concrete pumping industry. Read on for the full results of this campaign.
[full article]
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© The State of Queensland (Department of Justice and Attorney-General) 2009.
