Browsing: Asbestos | Page 1

Three companies and an individual face maximum fines totalling more than $10.5 million, in what could be the first finalised prosecutions under Western Australia's version of the national model WHS laws.

Australia's WHS and workers' compensation ministers have agreed to: work towards a major asbestos-removal plan targeting commercial buildings; implement WHS provisions to further crack down on silica risks; and reinstate the push for a national approach to protecting the psychological safety of first responders.

• Significant WHS reforms to come with third-phase asbestos plan;
  
• Phased commencement announced for Qld's WHS amendments;
  
• Business charged over customer's mobile-plant death; and
  
• Safety and RTW awards open in Vic.

• WHS ministers agree to harmonised exposure limits;
  
• Access to dust damages improved in WA;
  
• RTW body officially established in Vic; and
  
• Workers to be protected by new slow-down rules in SA.

An employer is entitled to direct workers to remove their moustaches or beards to comply with safety policies and manage deadly risks, a commission has ruled in examining WHS laws.

• Safety fines doubled to $10m under NSW asbestos Bill;
  
• Industrial manslaughter promised ahead of Tas election;
  
• Manslaughter jailings needed, says union after Vic fatality; and
  
• Ten WHS Codes amended for GHS 7 in SA.

• Category-3 fine of $100k imposed after notices ignored; and
  
• New workers' comp regulations coming to Vic.

Employers have been urged to identify all powerlines at their workplaces, including around entry and exit points, after a company was convicted and fined over an electrocution. Employers have also been warned about the presence of asbestos in workplace fire doors, following exposure incidents.

• Employer fined $551k over rock fall and hazardous rescue;
  
• SafeWork discusses Qantas case, targets high-risk sector; and
  
• New ASEA chief to have broader role.

• Senators seek to fast-track work safety provisions;
  
• SWA launches interactive WHS tools for two industries; and
  
• New review aims to reduce injury premiums in NSW.