Browsing: WHS decisions (QLD) | Page 3

A PCBU that was fined $250,000, in relation to the drowning deaths of two overseas students, has failed to reduce its penalty by claiming it was blamed for the omissions of others. A judge stressed that WHS duties are not transferrable and the legislation "demands a proactive approach".

A court has thrown out an injured worker's claim that two duty holders should have provided him with a walk-around induction, and marked all trip hazards with fluorescent paint, at a 1.7km-long work site.

A coronial inquest into the "violent and tragic" death of a bus driver, who was set on fire by a passenger, has outlined the "extensive and commendable" post-incident steps taken by the driver's employer and others to improve the safety of workers and members of the public.

A major energy company that failed to implement an adequate visual inspection regime for power poles, and a business that failed to manage asphyxia risks, have been fined a total of nearly $500,000 over fatalities. Meanwhile, duty holders have been urged to assess the risk of heat-related illnesses, after an outdoor worker died in hot weather.

A worker has unsuccessfully claimed he was subjected to 15 counts of bullying and 13 forms of unlawful adverse action relating to his job responsibilities, with a commission finding all the alleged conduct was reasonable action taken in response to changed operational needs.

A dangerous machine's "confusing" control panel, combined with inadequate high- and low-order safety controls, contributed to the crush death of a worker that initiated a string of (ultimately unsuccessful) prosecutions, a coronial inquest has found.

A worker who sustained a permanent impairment from slipping on stairs at his workplace has been denied damages, with a court finding his employer had taken reasonable steps to mitigate the risk of slipping, and the worker had descended the stairs imprudently.

• Recklessness fine followed by site-preservation conviction; and
  
• Refugee advocates concerned by developments in WHS cases.

Two companies have been ordered to pay a total of more than $1.2 million in damages to a worker who slipped and fell 10 metres from an access ladder that didn't comply with Australian Standards.

• High Court's urination ruling provides "comfort" to multiple sectors; and
  
• Executives reminded of harassment-reporting duties with new projects.