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From the appeals process to updated fact sheets, stay in the know with the latest issue of @WCB_Alberta Worksight magazine: #WorkplaceSafety #SafetyFirst #WorkSafe #OHS #WCB

WorkSafe Victoria releases a document about evaluating the effectiveness of work health and safety interventions and programs. https://lnkd.in/gBFpF3s8 #WHS #OHS WorkSafe Victoria

The Victorian Trades Hall Council is currently surveying Health and Safety Representatives (HSR's) ahead of the announcement of the appointment of an 'independent' reviewer to undertake a review of Part 8 of the OHS Act (ARREO) and the powers of HSR's. HSR's are a reflection of union representation in Victoria and can be found in mostly unionsied workplaces (less than ten percent). In small businesses, and in non-unionised industries, HSR's are few and far between. The Trades Hall survey is unsurprisingly loaded. The review will undoubtedly result in increased union power through both ARREO and HSR's. A 'holy grail' wishlist item for the unions in Victoria, which will also likely form part of the review, is for the OHS Act to provide duties for managers and supervisors. This is an issue that the unions and WorkSafe Victoria have raised repeatedly over the last two decades. The review will most likely seek to rubberstamp this change to the Act, delivering the unions what they want. The OHS Act and Regulations that provide for OHS Issue Resolution provide that where an employer has an Issue Resolution Procedure, and nominates a management representative for the purpose of that procedure, that the person nominated must have sufficient seniority and also be competent (i.e. by WorkSafe's definition at least same training as a HSR - 5 days training). The unions want every person that is in a managerial or supervisory capacity to have specific legal duties and for there to be mandatory requirements for training for all of these persons. The unions argue that every manager and supervisor should be as knowledgable as the HSR. The creation of OHS duties for managers and supervisors would be wielded as a weapon by the unions, used to intimidate managers and supervisors to drive their industrial agendas with the threat of workplace manslaughter or criminal charges that would apply to them as individuals. The primary employer duty under the Act already provides the responsibility on their employer to provide adequate supervision. There is no legislative gap. The introduction of mandatory training for all managers and supervisors would cost Victorian employers hundred of millions of dollars. When this issue was first raised by WorkSafe years ago, when I was first at VACC, the Head of their IR Team, Kevin Redfern gave me some outstanding advice - "Never do anything that your members will not thank you for!" Will industry bodies sell their members out in the hope of generating millions of training revenue from mandatory training or will they get together with the other Associations that are members of the Victorian Congress of Employer Associations (VCEA) to fight this before it becomes a recommendation for change of the Act? When the review is announced make sure that your Association acts in your best interests, not theirs.

Doth thy offend thee? Let me count the ways! So Victorian Minister Sonia Kilkenny referred the complaints from the concrete business on to the Industrial Relations Minister, Tim Pallas. Why? And what happened then? The business reported that the CFMEU were entering their workplace and hindering their operations on the basis of illegitimate safety grounds. That would be an offence under Section 91(a) of the OHS Act. The business specifically advised the Ministers that the officials were ignoring findings frrom WorkSafe that here were no safety issues, again OHS right of entry and hindering and obstructing. Intimidating staff Section 91(b). Telling workers to stop work 91(a). Putting video footage onto their social media platforms Sections 91(c) and (ca). Why did the IR Minister, Tim Pallas not refer thse matters to WorkSafe for an investigation for breaches of the OHS Act 2004? If the union officials did not hold State or federal permits - Sections 91(d) or 94. Why has there not been one single prosecution of the CFMEU for breaches of the OHS Act since the Act was introduced? Why were these matters not reffered to WorkSafe as the appropriate regulatory agency to deal with the breaches as they arose on the back of safety issues? As they were safety breaches there was no basis for referral to the FW Commission.

The online searchable legislation tool has been updated and upgraded!   This tool consolidates the OHS Act, Regulation and Code into an interactive, online resource that enables employers and workers to efficiently find and access the health and safety rules that apply to their workplace. Some of the new functions include links to information resources, increased search functionality, improved recognition of commonly used OHS terms, spelling error forgiveness and additional filter and sorting options.   Check out the updated tool now: https://lnkd.in/gSjwN4f9

The online searchable legislation tool has been updated and upgraded!   This tool consolidates the OHS Act, Regulation and Code into an interactive, online resource that enables employers and workers to efficiently find and access the health and safety rules that apply to their workplace. Some of the new functions include links to information resources, increased search functionality, improved recognition of commonly used OHS terms, spelling error forgiveness and additional filter and sorting options.   Check out the updated tool now: https://lnkd.in/gSjwN4f9

🎓 This is a CPD article with reflective questions. The QNMU welcomes amendments to the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) that build upon Queensland’s nation-leading work health and safety (WHS) framework and strengthen health and safety for Queenslanders where they work. The Bill gives effect to substantial legislative recommendations made by the independent 2022 review of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Final Report), as well as a number of recommendations from the 2018 National Review of the model work health and safety laws (the Boland Review). The QNMU, alongside other unions and workers, have long advocated for many of these changes to ensure workers are protected by robust and contemporary work health and safety laws, that put workers safety first. 🔗 Read more: https://bit.ly/3zkNtSs

Workplace Health and Safety is critical and with Comcares updated HSR handbook, its even more important that you're across the rights of a HSR.

Risk Mitigation, Profit Maximisation: The Safety Equation” Health and Safety at Work (HSW) is not just a legal obligation; it's a strategic investment in your company's success. To my New Zealand and Australian network overlooking H&S or simply leaders wanting to be more aware and equipped with the tools to move forward - REACH OUT TO ME AND REGISTER (BELOW) FOR THIS FREE WEBINAR. Even though this comes from a NZ perspective, Aus/NZ standards are far more similar than Employment Relations between the two countries! Register below 👇 https://lnkd.in/gNtF_EFH) #webinar #hr #expertadvice

Work Health and Safety (#WHS) can seem overwhelming if you run a small business, are new to the topic or role, or found yourself with new responsibilities under the new WHS Act. Aveling's one day 'WHS Fundamentals' course gives you a clear overview of WHS for those needing an introduction to the topic. You will gain an understanding of how the legal requirements of the WHS Act (2020) are applied through the risk management process, the principles of effective communication and consultation, and the importance of incident reporting, with an introduction to the investigation process. Understand your obligations and build your confidence in making changes to improve health and safety in your workplace. Secure your place on our next course: https://hubs.li/Q02CLZMc0 📆 Next dates: >>> 10 July >>> 24 Sept Cost: $295 (incl GST) - includes fully catered morning & afternoon tea and lunch! We also offer group bookings - get in touch to discuss your needs on: +61 8 9379 9999 or at [email protected] #whs #whsact #healthandsafety