Safety and health representative

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Penalties for workplace safety offences

In 2018, the Western Australian Government passed legislation to increase workplace safety and health offence penalties, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 (OSH Act) and the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 (MSI Act). Level 4 penalties increase from $500,000 to a maximum $2.7...
Legislation, codes and guidance materials
19 Feb 2019

2018 Work Safety Awards Finalists

WATCH
WorkSafe would like to congratulate the winners and finalists of the 2018 Work Safety Awards Western Australia. These awards recognise outstanding OSH management, solutions and innovation in Western Australian workplaces. This year our finalist and winners have not only demonstrated their strong...
Work Safety Awards
24 Oct 2018

Outcomes of legal actions and related activities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act and Regulations

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Legal actions and related activities summarises enforcement actions undertaken by WorkSafe under the occupational safety and health legislation. Traditionally this information has been published as part of the department’s Annual Report . Background The Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 (OSH...
Enforcement outcomes
14 Sep 2018

WA Modernising Work Health and Safety Act – Submissions – closed 31 August 2018

The two-month public consultation period for the modernisation of Western Australia’s Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws ended on 31 August 2018. A total of 66 submissions provided a range of views on WHS topics. Of the 66 submissions, 17 were requested to be kept confidential. Submissions that were...
Work health and safety legislation reform
12 Sep 2018

Modernising Work Health and Safety laws in WA

Public comment ended 31 August 2018 - THIS DOCUMENT IS NO LONGER CURRENT AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE FOR HISTORICAL PURPOSES ONLY The Western Australian Government is seeking your comments on the proposals to modernise Western Australia’s WHS laws. Background On 12 July 2017, the Government’s...
Work health and safety legislation reform
29 Jun 2018

High Risk Work Licence Training Duties

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In May 2016, the Training Accreditation Council conducted the Strategic Industry Audit into Units of Competency that lead to High Risk Work Licences in Western Australia (the audit). Introduction The audit included: advice that the training and assessment for a High Risk Work Licence (HRWL) are not...
High risk work licence
15 Jan 2018

Progress of the Ministerial Advisory Panel

The Ministerial Advisory Panel (MAP) has decided on its procedures, and will meet fortnightly to develop drafting instructions for a modernised Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act in Western Australia. The National Model WHS Act , of 2016, developed by Safe Work Australia , will be considered in...
Work health and safety legislation reform
26 Oct 2017

Key state and industry statistics

WorkSafe provides specific work-related injury and disease data categorised by industry as well as statistical information covering a range of key statistics specifically for Western Australian workplaces. Key OSH statistics Use this document to research statistics on key occupational safety and...
Incident statistics
25 Oct 2017

2017 Work Safety Awards Finalists

WATCH
The five winners of the prestigious 2017 Work Safety Awards Western Australia were announced this at the Work Safety Awards Breakfast held on 6 October 2017. The awards recognise outstanding OSH management, solutions and innovation in Western Australian workplaces. There are six categories for the...
Work Safety Awards
06 Oct 2017

State-wide cladding audit

In the early hours of 14 June 2017, fire engulfed a 24-storey apartment block in West London’s North Kensington district known as the Grenfell Tower, causing at least 80 deaths and many injuries. While English authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire and its rapid spread, initial...
Compliance and audit
14 Aug 2017

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Publications

Safe Work Method Statements

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The Construction Industry Safety Advisory Committee (CISAC), a tripartite committee of the Western Australian Commission for Occupational Safety and Health, has been made aware of alleged non-...
WorkSafe
Bulletin
08 Mar 2019

A guide to setting up your workstation

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The following checklist is a step-by-step approach designed to be used when employees are located at a new workstation or whenever their tasks change. When setting up the position of this furniture...
WorkSafe
Guide / handbook
13 Dec 2018

Home based care - Information and checklist

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People who work in the field of home and community health care face unique challenges in managing work health and safety. An increased demand for services that allow people to stay in their own homes...
WorkSafe
Checklist
13 Dec 2018

Safety alert 13/2018 Asbestos in Bunsen burner gauze mats

READWATCH
Tremolite asbestos has been identified in the ceramic centre of some Bunsen burner gauze mats in New Zealand and the UK, and preliminary testing has indicated that this may be an issue in gauze mats...
WorkSafe
Alert
06 Dec 2018

Safety alert 12/2018 - High pressure water cleaning of asbestos cement prohibited

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WorkSafe reminds painting professionals and other contractors that high pressure water cleaning of asbestos cement material is prohibited. WorkSafe is investigating an incident where a registered...
WorkSafe
Alert
09 Nov 2018

Safety alert 11/2018 - Stone benchtop workers at risk of silicosis

READWATCH
There are serious health risks caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) for workers in the stone benchtop manufacturing, finishing and installation industries. Cumulative exposure to...
WorkSafe
Alert
16 Nov 2018

Fuel retailing checklist

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This checklist has been developed to highlight safety issues in fuel retailing and provides information on how to best manage those risks to minimise workplace injuries and comply with occupational...
WorkSafe
Checklist
06 Nov 2018

Workstation ergonomics self-assessment

READ
The positioning of furniture and equipment at a workstation directly impacts your posture. This self-assessment checklist has been produced to assist in setting up your workstation.
WorkSafe
Checklist
23 Oct 2018

Safety alert 10/2018 Advertisers standing near roadways, roundabouts and in parking areas

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Employees standing near traffic along roadways, roundabouts and in parking areas while holding or ‘flapping’ advertising billboards can be exposed to a hazard from moving vehicles. Employees often do...
WorkSafe
Alert
15 Oct 2018

Safety alert 09/2018 Managing work-related violence in home and community care services

READ
Home and community care service workers are at risk of exposure to work-related violence when working alone in a client’s home. Risks may arise from actions of the client, their carer or others at...
WorkSafe
Alert
12 Oct 2018

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Announcements

Lead work – take action now

On 1 October 2019, amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 (OSH Regulations) will come into effect. The amendments lower the blood lead removal level thresholds for workers and changes the definition of ‘lead-risk job’. Lead stays in the blood for several months. It is important to take action now to ensure that when the new laws come into effect the blood lead levels of...
WorkSafe
Alert
20 Mar 2019

Safety alert affects four open-flued gas heaters

A national safety alert has been issued for four open-flued gas heaters that, under certain circumstances, may produce too much carbon monoxide – potentially causing serious health risks to users. Building and Energy (formerly Energy Safety ) is urging owners of these gas heaters to stop using them immediately. The safety alert applies to: Regency i31 (purchased after 1 January 2010) supplied by...
EnergySafety
Media release
12 Mar 2019

Introducing ThinkSafe

Welcome to the first issue of ThinkSafe magazine , the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s new flagship online publication for workplace safety and health in Western Australia. The Department is committed to ensuring its resources are allocated to optimise effectiveness and efficiency. This includes looking for new and innovative ways to deliver the services and products we...
WorkSafe
Department News
07 Feb 2019

New WorkSafe Commissioner appointed

In December 2018 Mr Darren Kavanagh was appointed the WorkSafe Western Australia Commissioner. Mr Kavanagh commences this role with a high level of knowledge and experience gained from more than 20 years working in occupational safety and health, in both National and State legislative jurisdictions. His extensive career in occupational safety and health has included appointment as a member of the...
WorkSafe
Media release
18 Dec 2018

DMIRS Annual Report released online

The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s inaugural Annual Report, tabled in Parliament on 19 September 2018, is now available on the website . The 2017-18 report highlights the department’s key achievements and financial performance for the last financial year and showcases what we do for the community of Western Australia. The report also includes independently audited reports...
Corporate
Department News
25 Oct 2018

Updated FIFO code open for comment

The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety has released an updated draft code of practice to help promote and maintain the mental health of FIFO workers in Western Australia. The second draft of the ' Mentally healthy workplaces for fly-in fly-out workers in the resources and construction sectors ' code has been released for further public comment, following a successful initial...
WorkSafe
Department News
23 Aug 2018

Serious chemical burns result in $47,900 penalty for principal employer Rand Transport

Rand Transport (1986) Pty Ltd was handed a $45,000 fine and a $2900 costs penalty in the Perth Magistrate Court following serious ammonia gas burns to a contract worker. Rand, a cold storage food distributor, pleaded guilty to failing to provide and maintain a safe workplace where contractors were not exposed to hazards. On 11 December 2014, during the construction of a dividing wall within a...
WorkSafe
Media release
30 May 2018

FGS Contracting and Company Director fined total of $327,500 over serious injuries to 17 year old worker

FGS Contracting Pty Ltd and the Director Ryan Wayne Franceschi, were fined today in the Perth Magistrate Court in relation to serious injuries caused to a 17 year old worker in Esperance. FGS Contracting Pty Ltd was fined $225,000 for failure to meet their duty to provide a safe workplace and for failing to ensure the correct high-risk work license. Additionally, Franceschi as the Director was...
WorkSafe
Media release
18 May 2018

Axedale Holdings Pty Ltd fined $160,000 over the death of two construction workers

Axedale Holdings Pty Ltd, trading as Shaw’s Cartage Contractors, was fined in relation to the deaths of two labourers. The deaths were caused by falling concrete tilt-up panels at a Perth construction site. Axedale, among three parties charged, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the safety of workers, and that failure causing the death of Joseph McDermott and Gerard Bradley. The fine totalled $...
WorkSafe
Media release
18 May 2018

Reminder of electrical hazards when working in roof spaces

Building and Energy (formerly EnergySafety) and WorkSafe have issued a reminder on the importance of understanding and avoiding the electrical hazards in roof spaces, with new regulations coming into effect on Monday (14 May 2018). Director of Energy Safety Ken Bowron today cautioned homeowners to be mindful of the electrical hazards in roof spaces. “Homeowners may need to access the roof space...
WorkSafe
Media release
11 May 2018

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