The recent award of a $545,000 fine against a plastics manufacturer for serious safety failing highlights the importance of acting on legal work safety notices issued by work safety regulators and ensuring systems are in place for managing work place risks. In this article we examine issues of workplace safety compliance that led to [...]
We've analysed the changes to the Work Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2023 and what they mean for organisational compliance. The Work Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2023, alters the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) and the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 (NSW). Here are some key takeaways. Incorporation of the [...]
The Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2023-2033 is an ambitious plan that outlines a vision for safer and healthier workplaces across Australia over the next decade. The strategy released by Safework Australia this last week builds on the previous strategy's (2012-2022) successes and aims to reduce further the incidence of work-related injury, illness, and [...]
A number of new changes to work health and safety in NSW have been made following the passing of the Work Health and Safety Amendment (Review) Act 2020 in June 2020. The key aspects of the changes to the Work Health & Safety Act 2011 include: Enhancement of the Category 1 offence by including “gross negligence” [...]
Categories of WHS offences There are four categories of offences for failing to comply with a health and safety duty under the WHS Act and SRWA Act or an electrical safety duty under the ES Act, depending on the degree of seriousness or liability involved. Industrial manslaughter: the highest penalty under either the WHS Act, SRWA [...]
