Health & Safety Handbook

06/05/2025

Q&A: If a worker discriminates against another person in the workplace, can their manager be personally liable? Find the answer in the Health & Safety Handbook.

https://www.healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au/question-and-answer/can-a-manager-be-personally-liable-for-discrimination/

02/05/2025

BULLETIN: A Victorian construction company has had an enforceable undertaking accepted, in substitution for a prosecution, which will cost approximately $1.04 million to implement.

One of Australia’s largest employers in the construction industry has had an enforceable undertaking accepted, in substitution for a prosecution, which will cost approximately $1.04 million to implement (WorkSafe Victoria v J. Hutchinson Pty Ltd [2025]). Background J. Hutchinson Pty Ltd (JHB), whi...

24/04/2025

BULLETIN: Next Monday, 28 April 2025, will mark International Workers’ Memorial Day. This day serves as a solemn reminder of the devastating impact that unsafe work has on individuals, families and communities.

Next Monday, 28 April 2025, will mark International Workers’ Memorial Day. This day serves as a solemn reminder of the devastating impact that unsafe work has on individuals, families and communities. It is also an opportunity for organisations to reflect on the importance of implementing work hea...

22/04/2025

Q&A: Does a subsidiary form part of the parent company’s PCBU for the purpose of work health and safety laws? Find the answer in the Health & Safety Handbook: https://www.healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au/question-and-answer/does-a-subsidiary-form-part-of-the-parent-companys-pcbu/

17/04/2025

BULLETIN: A furniture and homewares retailer was fined $390,000 for failing to comply with its health and safety duties after a labour hire worker had his leg partially amputated following a pallet rider collision in the company’s warehouse.

The District Court of New South Wales has fined furniture and homewares retailer Saveba Pty Ltd $390,000 for failing to comply with its health and safety duties after a labour hire worker had his leg partially amputated following a pallet rider collision in the company’s warehouse (SafeWork NSW

14/04/2025

CASE LAW: A business was found to have discriminated against a worker by failing to provide her with access to adequate breastfeeding facilities.

https://www.healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au/case-law/inadequate-breastfeeding-facilities-leads-to-discrimination-finding-and-significant-damages-payout/

11/04/2025

BULLETIN: A Victorian paper manufacturer was fined $30,000 and ordered to pay $10,000 in costs for failing to implement a safe system to prevent an obvious risk of entanglement with moving parts of a machine.

In a recent decision, a Victorian paper manufacturer was fined $30,000 and ordered to pay $10,000 in costs for failing to implement a safe system to prevent an obvious risk of entanglement with moving parts of a machine (WorkSafe Victoria v Paper Australia Pty Ltd [2025]). Paper Australia

04/04/2025

BULLETIN: The operator of a brown coal-fuelled thermal power station, EnergyAustralia Yallourn Pty Ltd, was fined $170,000 for failing to effectively control fire risks at its facilities.

In Victoria, the operator of a brown coal-fuelled thermal power station, EnergyAustralia Yallourn Pty Ltd, was fined $170,000 for failing to effectively control fire risks at its facilities (WorkSafe Victoria v EnergyAustralia Yallourn Pty Ltd [2025]). The company pleaded guilty to having breached s...

28/03/2025

BULLETIN: In a significant Victorian prosecution this month, a steel fabricator was fined $340,000 and issued with an adverse publicity order after a worker died when a crane jig fell and struck him.

In a significant Victorian prosecution this month, a steel fabricator was fined $340,000 and issued with an adverse publicity order after a worker died when a crane jig fell and struck him. G.B. Galvanizing Service Pty Ltd operated a workplace in Victoria at which steel was galvanised. During

25/03/2025

TIP: Keep up to date with the health and safety legislation and regulations that apply in your jurisdiction to assess whether there are changes to how special hazards in your workplace need to be controlled. Find out more about workplace hazards in the Health & Safety Handbook: https://www.healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au/chapters/hazard-identification/

21/03/2025

BULLETIN: A demolition company in South Australia has been convicted and fined more than $140,000 after its excavator knocked down a 415-voltage overhead powerline, exposing the operator to risk of death or serious injury.

A demolition company in South Australia has been convicted and fined more than $140,000 after its excavator knocked down a 415-voltage overhead powerline, exposing the operator to risk of death or serious injury. Royal Park Salvage was engaged to demolish a residential property. The work involved re...

14/03/2025

BULLETIN: A cherry farm has entered into an enforceable undertaking valued at more than $200,000 in substitution for a prosecution relating to the entrapment of a worker who suffered injuries to her hand.

A cherry farm, Koala Cherries Pty Ltd, has entered into an enforceable undertaking valued at more than $200,000 in substitution for a prosecution relating to the entrapment of a worker who suffered injuries to her hand on her first day at the workplace. The worker was injured while sorting