COVID-19
SafeWork Australia: National COVID-19 Safe Workplace
Principles
On 24 April 2020, the National Cabinet agreed to the
National COVID-19 Safe Workplace Principles. Recognising that the
COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency, that all actions in
respect of COVID-19 should be founded in expert health advice and
that the following principles operate subject to the measures
agreed and implemented by Governments through the National Cabinet
process. The ten Principles can be found here (28 April 2020).
SafeWork Australia safety tools and guidance to help
workplaces through COVID-19
The Safe Work Australia website has been updated to
provide a central hub of work health and safety (WHS) guidance and
tools to help Australian workplaces manage the health and safety
risks posed by COVID-19.
The website gives users easy access to guidance that is directly
relevant to their specific industry. It includes guidance about
physical distancing, personal protective equipment, cleaning,
workers' compensation, how to conduct risk assessments and
design emergency plans, as well as providing case studies to help
explain how to manage the risk of COVID-19 in the workplace.
Go to
COVID-19 Information for workplaces and filter the content
using the new drop-down menus to find information and resources
tailored for:
- employers, small business and workers
- the industry you work in
- the health and safety topic that you would like information on.
There are 23
industries to choose from as well as
general industry information if your industry is not
listed.
The SWA website brings together all the information businesses and
workers need into one centralised hub, providing users with fast
and easy access to detailed guidance that is directly relevant to
their specific industry (04 May 2020).
More...
Businesses told to create 'COVID-safe
workplaces' ahead of green light
Pubs and gyms have been given some good news as the
Federal Government urges businesses to start prepping for a
long-awaited green light. Specified different businesses, like
cafes, restaurants, gyms and offices, will need to tailor their
workplace plan based on their "individual circumstances"
(02 May 2020).
More...
Global unions statement on recognition of COVID-19 as an
occupational disease
On the occasion of International Workers Memorial Day
20201, the global trade union movement calls upon governments and
occupational health and safety bodies around the world to recognise
SARS-CoV-2 as an occupational hazard, and COVID-19 as an
occupational disease (28 April 2020). More...
Qld COVID-19 Respiratory assaults, app, restrictions
monitored
Heavy penalties will apply for deliberately coughing,
sneezing or spitting on officials and workers, as three new cases
are confirmed, and the number of tests approaches 100,000 (27 April
2020). More...
Mining companies can share safety supplies, says
ACCC
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
has given the green light for resources companies to source and
share essential safety supplies so they can continue operating
through the coronavirus pandemic (27 April 2020).
More...
WorkSafe Victoria safety slert: Changes to medical
examinations and health monitoring due to COVID-19
WorkSafe is aware that changes to the availability of
spirometry testing may impact health monitoring for those working
with hazardous substances (such as crystalline silica and
isocyanates) and medical examinations in the asbestos removal
industry (28 April 2020).
More...
In the media
New app to save lives on site
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation, Kevin
Anderson, has announced the launch of SafeWork NSW's new app,
Speak Up, Save Lives which allows workers to anonymously report
workplace health and safety issues (07 May 2020). More...
Minister demanding answers after Moranbah coal mine
explosion
Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham flags a possible inquiry
into Queensland mine safety after five workers sustained critical
injuries during an explosion at Anglo American's Grosvenor coal
mine at Moranbah (07 May 2020).
More...
Man dies in fall incident
A self-employed builder has died after he fell about three
metres at residential property at Mead, near Kerang on Monday. The
death brings the workplace fatality toll to 23 for 2020 (06 May
2020).
More...
'Shocked the whole site': Man dies in Port
Kembla steelworks accident
A 59-year-old worker is killed in an accident at Port
Kembla steelworks, south of Sydney, with BlueScope shutting down
the site while his death is investigated (06 May 2020).
More...
ABCC alleges CFMMEU officials ignored safety directives
at Westconnex Stage 2 site
The ABCC has filed Federal Circuit Court proceedings
against the CFMMEU and two of its officials alleging they ignored a
safety request and acted in an improper manner at the Westconnex
Stage 2 site in Sydney in 2019 (05 May 2020).
More...
BMA calls for transition to automated haul trucks
following incident
BHP Mitsubishi Alliance's (BMA) focus on introducing
automation has increased after two dump trucks collided at an
intersection on the main haul road at the Saraji mine in Queensland
on ANZAC day (04 May 2020).
More...
Two dead in workplace incidents
Two people have died as a result of separate incidents
during a tragic 24 hours for Victorian workplaces. The deaths bring
the number of workplace fatalities to 22 for 2020 (01 May 2020).
More...
Free SMS mental health service for NSW regional
workers
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation, Kevin
Anderson, has announced additional funding for a free SMS service
providing mental health counselling to 3 million workers in
NSW's rural and regional areas (29 April 2020).
More...
Companies in debt take more work health and safety
risks
Firms with debt are more likely to seek short-term
financial gains and sacrifice workplace safety, research reveals
– and such instances may worsen amid COVID-19 (28 April
2020).
More...
Published – articles, papers, reports
Safe Work Australia fatality statistics
As at 23 April, there have been 63 Australian workers
killed at work in 2020. The numbers and industries
may vary from one report to the next, as Safe Work receives more
detailed information (to check for updates and more details on
fatalities since 2003, go to the Safe Work Australia Work-related
fatalities
webpage).
In practice and courts
Standards
IAEA consultation: IAEA SSG-27 - Criticality Safety in
the Handling of Fissile Material
21 Apr 2020 – 15 May 2020
The purpose of SSG-27 is to provide recommendations on how to meet
the specific safety requirements for ensuring sub criticality when
dealing with fissile material in the handling, processing, storage,
transport and disposal of these materials and for planning the
response to criticality accidents.
More...
NSW
Work Health and Safety undertakings
28 April 2020 - Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd -
WHS undertaking proposal -
Final investigation report and
Decision.
Safework NSW: Traffic control work
Information on the changes to the Work Health and Safety
(Traffic Control Training) Regulation was made on 20 December 2019,
with the the Traffic Control Training (TCT) scheme transitioning
from Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to SafeWork NSW. The new regulatory
scheme will commence from 1 July 2020.
Queensland
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
From 1 July 2020 in Queensland, the workplace exposure
standard for respirable crystalline silica will be halved from a
time-weighted average airborne concentration of 0.1 milligram per
cubic metre (mg/m3) to 0.05 mg/m3.
You should review current work practices — you may need to
improve dust control measures to meet the new standard. Visit our
website to find out more and for practical controls for workplaces
(29 April 2020).
More...
WorkCover Qld: Fibreglass ladder failure
The purpose of this safety alert is to highlight the
potential for degradation of fibreglass ladders that can lead to a
structural failure. It is important to: inspect the ladder before
use and store the ladder correctly, following the
manufacturer's recommendations (01 May 2020).
More...
WorkCover Qld Newsletters
eSAFE - April 2020 Issued on 30 April 2020
WorkCover Qld: Choose the right safety switch for the
job
Electrical contractors are responsible for selecting and
installing a suitable safety switch for the equipment connected to
the circuit. AS/NZS 3000 indicates, where required, the installer
must seek guidance from equipment manufacturers to ensure a
suitable safety switch type is installed. For more information on
your electrical contractor duties, visit electricalsafety.qld.gov.au
(29 April 2020).
More...
Victoria
EnergySafe Victoria safety alert: Apprentice plumber
receives electric shock
This safety alert is for all workers reminding them that
due to age and weathering, cables may have deteriorated insulation
that could result in them being live, and there are safety
processes to undertake before carrying out any planned work. Read
the
Safety Alert (28 April 2020).
WorkSafe Victoria safety alert: Fire hazards when
manufacturing or storing alcohol-based hand sanitiser
An alert about the risks associated with highly flammable
substances being used to meet an increased demand for hand
sanitiser. The specified formulation contains very high percentages
of either ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, both of which are dangerous
goods (30 April 2020).
More...
Cases
SafeWork NSW v NSW Bricklaying Pty Ltd
[2020] NSWDC 160
CRIME – prosecution – work health and safety
– duty of persons undertaking business – duty of
employers – risk of death or serious injury – workers
injured
Victorian Prosecution Result Summaries and Enforceable
Undertakings
Solar 2.0 Pty Ltd - Bendigo Magistrates' Court
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 Section21(1)
Outcome 01 May 2020
This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.
