Announcements

Showing 101 - 125 of 187 results

Workplace exposure standards for silica and coal dust halved

Workplace exposure standard for respirable crystalline silica halved to 0.05 milligrams per cubic metre effective today and respirable coal dust halved to 1.5 milligrams per cubic metre effective October 27, 2020 Media statement Silica Guidance about dusts and other airborne contaminants
WorkSafe
Department News
27 Oct 2020

November 2020 - Work Health and Safety Bill passes Parliament

The Work Health and Safety Bill 2019 was passed by Parliament on 3 November 2020 and is awaiting royal assent. When assented, the WHS Act will not be operational until regulations are complete. Work to develop the regulations is presently underway and will continue in 2021. The new Work Health and Safety Act 2019 (WHS Act) will replace the current Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984, and...
WorkSafe
Alert
22 Oct 2020

WorkSafe investigates death at building site

WorkSafe is investigating the work-related death of a worker on a building site at Curtin University yesterday. It is believed that the death is related to the collapse of the roof of a building under construction, and two others are believed to be injured. WorkSafe thoroughly investigates serious work-related injuries and deaths in WA with a view to preventing future incidents of a similar...
WorkSafe
Media release
14 Oct 2020

Tyre company and director fined $70,000 over unsafe workplace

A tyre company and one of its directors have been fined a total of $70,000 (and ordered to pay $1,071 in costs) for failing to provide a safe work environment at their Malaga tyre outlet. Vannevar Pty Ltd – trading as Townsend International Tyres – pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment and was fined $50,000 in the Perth Magistrates Court on 22...
WorkSafe
Media release
07 Oct 2020

Proactive inspection program continues to look at silica

WorkSafe is continuing to look closely at workplaces in an effort to minimise the risk to WA workers of contracting the deadly disease silicosis. A proactive inspection program began in July 2018, looking at stone benchtop fabricators where respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is generated during work activities. It was widened in July 2019 to include other workplaces where RCS may be generated,...
WorkSafe
Media release
02 Oct 2020

WorkSafe investigates two regional deaths

WorkSafe is investigating incidents leading to the deaths of two men in regional areas at the weekend. WorkSafe has been notified that a 55-year-old truck driver was killed at Emu Flats (near Kalgoorlie) on Saturday when the water truck he was driving rolled on a dirt road. Notification has also been received that a 38-year-old labourer died after being thrown from an all-terrain vehicle on a...
WorkSafe
Media release
21 Sep 2020

WorkSafe prosecutes companies over death of plumber

WorkSafe has commenced prosecution action against a plumbing company and a construction company over the drowning death of a plumber in 2018. Ryan and Melissa Pty Ltd – trading as Vivian Plumbing and Civil – has been charged with failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment and, by that failure, causing the death of an employee in circumstances of gross negligence. The maximum penalty...
WorkSafe
Media release
03 Sep 2020

Commercial kitchens inspection program raises concerns

A WorkSafe proactive inspection program looking at safety issues in commercial kitchens in various workplaces has raised some concerns.
WorkSafe
Media release
14 Aug 2020

Waste recycling company found guilty of gross negligence over arm amputation

A Bayswater waste recycling company has been found guilty of gross negligence over a 2016 incident in which a labour hire worker’s arm was amputated at the shoulder. Resource Recovery Solutions Pty Ltd was found guilty of gross negligence in failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment for a labour hire worker in the Perth Magistrates Court on Friday. In January 2016, a worker at...
WorkSafe
Media release
14 Jul 2020

Public comment sought - Code of Practice on Violence and Aggression at Work

WA’s Commission for Occupational Safety and Health is seeking public comment on a revised Code of Practice on Violence and Aggression at Work . Since 2014, the State has operated under a Code of Practice on Violence, Aggression and Bullying, but the Commission’s Legislative Advisory Committee made the decision to separate this into two Codes - one dealing specifically with violence and aggression...
WorkSafe
Media release
26 Jun 2020

Another quad bike death prompts reminder

The death of a 76-year-old farmer last month at Elleker, west of Albany, has prompted a reminder about quad bike safety. The farmer went out on a quad bike to do some checks on the afternoon of May 24. He had not returned that evening and was later found deceased on the farm. His quad bike was operated on a steep incline in wet and windy weather, and it appeared it was being ridden down the slope...
WorkSafe
Media release
18 Jun 2020

Jobseekers misled by 'introductory' construction industry courses

Jobseekers wanting to work in the WA construction industry may be misled by a company offering “introductory” online safety training courses. It is a requirement for people working on a construction site in Australia to have what is known as a “white card” which indicates they have undertaken and passed a safety induction course delivered by a registered training provider. Consumer Protection and...
WorkSafe
Media release
21 May 2020

City of Armadale fine increased after WorkSafe appeal

The City of Armadale has had a fine increased by $80,000 over a 2014 incident in which a member of the public was seriously injured when struck by a front-end loader at a waste disposal site. The City was fined $30,000 (plus costs) in April 2018 over the incident after being charged with failing to provide and maintain a safe workplace. WorkSafe appealed the penalty in a Single Judge Appeal and...
WorkSafe
Media release
03 Apr 2020

WorkSafe investigates death of worker near Esperance

WorkSafe is investigating the work-related death of a 25-year-old worker at Condingup (east of Esperance) yesterday. The man was believed to have been working on the roof of a shed when he and another worker fell. The other worker was injured in the fall. Inspectors travelled to the site this morning and will interview witnesses and investigate the circumstances. WorkSafe thoroughly investigates...
WorkSafe
Media release
12 Mar 2020

Coronavirus - What can be done to reduce risks from a viral outbreak such as COVID 19

Under OSH legislation, employers are required to provide and maintain, as far as is practicable, a working environment in which their workers are not exposed to health risks. This includes situations where employees and contractors may be at risk of contracting viruses such as the COVID-19 coronavirus. Employers need to keep up to date with the latest health warnings from the Australian and WA...
WorkSafe
Alert
10 Mar 2020

Progress of the Work Health and Safety Bill 2019

On Thursday 20 February, the Work Health and Safety Bill 2019 passed through the Legislative Assembly of the Western Australian Parliament. The Hon Bill Johnston MLA, Minister for Mines and Petroleum and Industrial Relations said: “I am pleased that the Work Health and Safety Bill has now passed the Legislative Assembly. “The McGowan Government recognises the importance of these reforms and hopes...
WorkSafe
Department News
25 Feb 2020

Cyclone contingency plans should be in place

With the season’s first cyclone having formed off the North-West coast, businesses throughout the State have been reminded to ensure that contingency plans have been established and are in operation. WorkSafe WA Director Chris Kirwin said today it was crucial that everyone on both sea and land knew what to do when there was a cyclone in the area. “Under workplace safety and health laws, employers...
WorkSafe
Media release
07 Jan 2020

Reminder that children face hazards in workplaces

Employers have been reminded to take steps to keep children away from hazardous workplaces during the coming school holidays. WorkSafe WA Commissioner Darren Kavanagh said today many workplaces contained hazards that could result in injury, and some even contained potentially deadly hazards. “Workplaces such as factories and construction sites are not suitable locations for children and, sadly,...
WorkSafe
Media release
19 Dec 2019

Reminder to stay safe in lead-up to festive season

WorkSafe has issued a reminder to workers to stay focused on safety and health in the lead-up to the festive season. WorkSafe WA Commissioner Darren Kavanagh said today both employers and workers needed to pay particular attention to staying safe before and after Christmas. “As we head towards the end of the year and the festive season, it’s timely to remind both employers and workers of the need...
WorkSafe
Media release
13 Dec 2019

New workplace safety laws tabled in Parliament

The State Government today tabled the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Bill in Parliament, paving the way for more modern workplace safety laws that apply to all industries. For more information Media statement - Hon Bill Johnston MLA Work Health and Safety Bill 2019
WorkSafe
Alert
27 Nov 2019

WorkSafe prosecutes building company involved in backpacker death

WorkSafe has initiated prosecution action against the building company that employed a labour hire backpacker who died as a result of a fall in 2016. WorkSafe’s investigation was conducted as a result of that death, and while no charges have been laid in relation to the incident, other breaches were identified during the course of the investigation and this prosecution is the result. Hanssen Pty...
WorkSafe
Media release
07 Nov 2019

WorkSafe investigates death of worker at Wootatting

WorkSafe is investigating the work-related death of a 63-year-old truck driver at a workplace in Wootatting (near York) yesterday. The man was believed to have been performing repair or maintenance work on a truck in a workshop when he was caught between the wheel arch and the tyre. Inspectors travelled to the site last night and will continue to closely examine the circumstances of the incident...
WorkSafe
Media release
06 Nov 2019

Child care centre program reveals problems with hazardous substances

A proactive inspection program looking at safety issues in WA’s child care centres has revealed a widespread lack of risk assessment and training in hazardous substances. The program, which included both government and private childcare centres in metropolitan and regional areas of the State, was undertaken because child care was a relatively new work area and had not been closely examined for...
WorkSafe
Media release
05 Nov 2019

WorkSafe looks at safety issues in tower cranes on construction sites

WorkSafe is conducting a proactive inspection program to look at safety issues relating to tower cranes in service at WA construction sites. The program will continue until the end of the 2019/20 financial year, and will include tower cranes on construction sites in both metropolitan and regional areas of the State. WorkSafe Director Sally North said today an inspection program was being...
WorkSafe
Media release
31 Oct 2019

Warning on vehicle movement after Coronial Inquest

WorkSafe has issued a reminder on the safe movement of vehicles on worksites after the results of a Coronial Inquest into the death of a postal worker in 2015 were released. WorkSafe WA Commissioner Darren Kavanagh said today employers needed to ensure safe systems of work were developed and implemented in workplaces where vehicles and workers were present in the same area. “Wherever vehicles and...
WorkSafe
Media release
23 Oct 2019

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