SOAPBOX updates

NSW safety

NSW signals cuts to red tape

The NSW government is to release new business regulation guidelines today as it seeks to ease the burden of red tape.

Under the guidelines, government departments will have to present ‘better regulation statements’ detailing why new regulations are necessary and responsive. All existing regulation will also come under focus as the State government seeks to simplify a host of laws.

View the article







Ergon worker severely burnt in power pole accident

An Ergon Energy worker was airlifted to a Brisbane hospital on 27 March after suffering an electric shock. The worker was replacing power poles on the property near Bollon.

Read the media release

Better work-life balance survey

The Better Work-Life Balance Survey designed by the University of Queensland in conjunction with Queensland's Department of Employment and Industrial Relations, is a free questionnaire to help employers in evaluating and improving their work-life balance policies.

The survey aims to measure how effectively organisations accommodate work-life balance, by assessing employee’s awareness of work-life balance policies and their comfort levels in using these policies.

Read the survey






Reminder on licences for high risk work

WorkSafe WA has issued a reminder to workers engaged in high risk work that they need to obtain a licence to perform that work.

The National Standard for Licensing Persons Performing High Risk Work replaced National Certificates of Competency last year, and some workers will need to have the new licence by September 30 this year.

Read the media release

Drug use among construction workers rising: union

Long hours and big pay packets have been blamed for an increase in methamphetamine use amongst construction workers in Western Australia.

The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) estimates the number of union representatives called out to work sites to deal with young drug-affected workers has doubled in the last year.

Read the media report







$18,000 safety lesson for new business owner

Anyone buying a new business is being urged to familiarise themselves with the safety measures of their acquisition and their full responsibilities under workplace safety laws. SafeWork SA’s warning comes after a Salisbury Plain company was convicted and fined $18,000 plus costs, over an incident in 2005 where a crane toppled during an unloading operation.

Read the media release







Important notice to all accredited building practitioners

A number of accredited building practitioners have drawn Worplace Standards' attention to the fact that certain material has been received from a body known as the Tasmanian Builder Service, regarding the Building Act 2000. Workplace Standards has examined the material and found that it contains numerous errors and incorrect information.

View the notice

Workplace Issues March Edition

The latest edition of Workplace Standards' magazine, Workplace Issues is now available

Read the publicatiuon

Electricity Industry Bulletin No: 68

The latest edition of Electricity Standards and Safety, Electricty Industry Bulletin is now available

Read the bulletin