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View Full Version : Safety News Update for week ending 28 Jun 2014



Newshound
06-30-2014, 02:11 PM
Chief Minister sets up a Mr Fluffy asbestos crisis taskforce
Chief Minister Katy Gallagher has set up a taskforce to coordinate the response to the unfolding Mr Fluffy asbestos crisis in Canberra, and says grants and other financial help for families forced out of their homes will follow.
Read more (http://www.canberratimes.com.au/action/printArticle?id=60120386)

ACT government releases asbestos guidelines for real estate agents
The ACT government has released new asbestos guidelines for the real estate sector clarifying what needs to be disclosed when homes containing residual Mr Fluffy loose-fill insulation are sold or leased.
Read more (http://www.canberratimes.com.au/action/printArticle?id=60121683)

Reforms to workers' compensation are being wound back
Injured workers including amputees and people needing hearing aids will have their medical benefits restored as the state government winds back some cuts to its WorkCover scheme.
Read more (http://www.smh.com.au/action/printArticle?id=60118762)

E-cigarette vendor fined in landmark ruling by WA court
A Perth e-cigarette vendor has been fined $1,750 in a case that has made the sale of the smoking devices illegal in Western Australia.
Read more (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-24/e-cigarettes-banned-in-wa-after-landmark-court-ruling/5546926?section=wa)

Man killed as wall collapses in Brighton East
A father of two has been crushed and killed after a brick wall collapsed on him during a strong gust of wind at a construction site in Melbourne's south-east.
Read more (http://www.theage.com.au/action/printArticle?id=60116873)

Cootes Transport charged with operating unsafe vehicles after fatal Mona Vale crash
VicRoads has charged Melbourne-based trucking company Cootes Transport with 67 counts of operating unsafe vehicles, after a fatal crash in Sydney lead a safety investigation.
Read more (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-23/cootes-transport-charged-with-operating-unsafe-vehicles/5544474?section=nsw)

USB charger blamed for woman's electrocution as store owner faces questions
A poor quality USB charger is being blamed for the death of a woman who was electrocuted in New South Wales earlier this year.
Read more (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-27/knock-off-usb-charger-to-blame-for-womans-death/5555138)

Work Health and Safety: defence available for workplace accident
In the case of Workcover v Patrick Container Ports 17 February 2014, the court found that there was nothing further that could have been done by the PCBU that was reasonably practicable to avoid the incident.
Read more (http://www.colemangreig.com.au/News-459-Termination_found_to_be_adverse_action_because_of_ employer-e2-80-99s_inconsistent_responses_to_bullying.aspx)

DHS ordered to conduct review as child protection workers complain about workload
WorkSafe Victoria has stepped in over concerns about the workload of child protection staff who have said they are struggling to do their jobs amid increasing reports of child abuse.
Read more (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-23/worksafe-intervenes-in-row-over-child-protection-model/5544752?section=vic)

Drug and alcohol screening to be enforced on construction sites
New requirements for tighter screening of drug and alcohol use at construction workplaces across Victoria will commence from 1 July
Read more (http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/10263-drug-and-alcohol-screening-to-be-enforced-on-construction-sites.html)

Repeated head injuries highlight gaps in sports concussion management
Brisbane Lions champion Jonathan Brown’s premature exit from the AFL this week after suffering yet another concussion was in many ways unsurprising. His friends and fans describe him as a “warrior” who is “hard as nails”, but Brown’s tally of concussions and facial fractures has concerned onlookers for several years.
Read more (http://hseforum.com.au/threads/313-Repeated-head-injuries-highlight-gaps-in-sports-concussion-management?p=476#post476)