WorkSafe has begun a proactive inspection program looking at manual task incidents in hospitals and residential care services. The program will focus on reducing musculoskeletal injuries due to manual tasks and slips, trips and falls, and will continue over the next eight months in metropolitan and regional areas of the State. WorkSafe Director John Innes said today that inspectors would...

WorkSafe has issued a reminder to ensure safe systems of work are in place in workplaces where vehicles and pedestrians are present. The reminder has been prompted by a number of recent incidents involving people being injured or killed by vehicles or parts of vehicles such as ramps. WorkSafe Director Joe Attard said today it was evident by the number of recent injuries and deaths that...

WA owners of recalled models of Samsung top loader washing machines are being advised by Consumer Protection to urgently seek a refund from their retailer or supplier. Consumers are no longer advised to seek a repair from Samsung and should instead organise to obtain a refund and the removal of the affected washing machine from their home as soon as possible. The models subjected to the recall...

Consumer Protection is warning home owners not to deal with two travelling conmen operating under various company names, after they ignored door to door trading laws while offering driveway and roof repairs to consumers. The warning follows complaints received from WA householders and relates to Felix Moorehouse and John Pio Murphy who are believed to be involved in the following businesses: Top...

The Building Commissioner is warning the public to exercise caution in any dealings with Frayson Pty Ltd (Frayson) or its sole director Dianella man Armand Noor , after receiving information the company may be continuing to operate after its registration was suspended earlier this year.

WorkSafe will soon begin an inspection program looking at noise levels in manufacturing workplaces. The program will continue throughout the 2015/16 financial year in workplaces carrying out manufacturing activities in metropolitan and regional areas of the State. WorkSafe Director Joe Attard said today the main objective of the program was to raise awareness of how noise hazards should be...

A flooring installer has been fined $5000 after a labour hire apprentice suffered serious cuts to his hand while using an unguarded saw. James Dodds – trading as Jaws Flooring – pleaded to guilty to failing to provide a safe work environment for a labour hire worker and was fined in the Perth Magistrates Court last week. In August 2012, Jaws Flooring was constructing a floating timber floor at a...

Scammers are pretending to be deaf or disabled to rip off Western Australian health service providers, following similar frauds against accommodation and motor vehicle businesses. Commerce Minister Michael Mischin said scammers claimed to be unable to communicate on the phone and made contact by email, or used the National Relay Service to send the message for them to make it look authentic. Mr...

The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA) has told a recent Senate inquiry into non-conforming building products that a wide range of imported goods and materials used in the building industry has been found to contain asbestos. Last year, cement compound board imported into the Australian Capital Territory from China was found to contain chrysotile asbestos and in New South Wales an...

UPDATE: New advice to seek a refund or replacement has been issued since this media statement was published. Latest at: www.commerce.wa.gov.au/announcements/urgent-advice-owners-recalled-samsu... A house fire in Parmelia has prompted a joint warning from fire and product safety authorities in WA following the recall of certain models of Samsung top loader washing machines which could pose a...

Oakford licensed plumbing tradesperson Bradley Kenneth Mack (TL5569), has been ordered by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) to pay a fine of $1,500 and costs of $975 as a result of disciplinary action initiated by the Plumbers Licensing Board (PLB).

With Commissioner for Consumer Protection Anne Driscoll In July 2014 Consumer Protection saw a growth in mould issues, raised mostly by tenants but also by landlords and property managers in WA. The seasonal spike, also seen in 2013, can be attributed to cooler, wetter weather and means we’re expecting similar figures around now and in the months up to October. Mould is a fungus that thrives on...