INDUSTRIAL SAFETY – AUSTRALIA

Housing industry at loggerheads over stone ban

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Original article by Angus Thompson
Brisbane Times – Page: Online : 12-Dec-23

Lendlease has advised that it will cease using engineered stone in its new development projects in Australia; the construction group is also reviewing its use of the product in other countries. Mirvac has also backed ban on engineered stone, which has been linked to a lung disease called silicosis. However, the Housing Industry Association recently advised its members that they can continue to use engineered stone, although it has recommended that they consider alternative products. Meanwhile, lawyers have warned that employers are likely to be in breach of health and safety laws by continuing to expose their workers to engineered stone.

CORPORATES
LENDLEASE GROUP – ASX LLC, MIRVAC GROUP – ASX MGR, HOUSING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION LIMITED

Deliveroo safety reps elected in milestone

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Original article by David Marin-Guzman
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 3 : 5-Jan-21

Riders from food delivery company Deliveroo in Sydney recently elected seven health and safety representatives (HSRs) from among their ranks. It represents the first election of HSRs in the Australian gig economy, with the HSRs having various powers, such as being able to issue emergency stop work directions, while Deliveroo will pay them for their time when they are involved in tackling safety issues. The Transport Workers’ Union has described the election of the seven HSRs as a milestone for the gig economy, while Deliveroo has urged riders with any safety concerns to contact their HSR.

CORPORATES
DELIVEROO AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, TRANSPORT WORKERS’ UNION

BHP raises spectre of virus compo

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Original article by Peter Ker
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 19 : 7-Apr-20

BHP has conceded that it could face workers’ compensation claims from employees who contract the coronavirus while on the job. Workcover Western Australia has indicated that such claims would be possible, although it notes the difficulty of determining when a person contracted the virus. Its observations have been echoed by Queensland’s WorkCover agency. Hall & Wilcox lawyer Terry Killian says employees would likely have to prove that there was a link between their work duties and contracting the virus.

CORPORATES
BHP GROUP LIMITED – ASX BHP, WORKCOVER WESTERN AUSTRALIA, HALL AND WILCOX, WORKCOVER QUEENSLAND

Worker safety the top priority, says mine boss

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Original article by Sarah Elks
The Australian – Page: 5 : 3-Feb-20

BHP Mitsubishi Alliance executive James Palmer says health and safety is the mining company’s top priority. He was commenting on an internal document regarding an accident at one of its coal mines in Queensland, in which a bulldozer operator nearly drowned when his machine overturned in a water-filled pit. Investigators had queried why the pit was not emptied before work began; according to the document, there was an internal mandate to keep trucks running in order to meet production targets. Palmer says that what was presented in the document is not how things are presented in the company’s safety messages. Eight workers have died in Queensland quarries and coalmines in the past 18 months.

CORPORATES
BM ALLIANCE COAL OPERATIONS PTY LTD, BHP GROUP LIMITED – ASX BHP, MITSUBISHI CORPORATION