$97,500 fine for rat and cockroach infested take-away restaurant

A takeaway restaurant in Sydney was fined $97,500 after health inspectors found dead rats in the kitchen, a cockroach infestation and "accumulated grime".

The owners of the business pleaded guilty to 13 counts of failing to comply with the Food Standards Code. The council asked the Magistrate to hand down a strong penalty against the operators that would deter other food business owners who put public health at risk.

“The defendant company has placed members of the public at a greater risk of injury, illness, serious disease or death purely for commercial gain” The City said in documents handed to the court.

"The outcome of this case should serve as a warning to food businesses who don’t follow the rules and who put people’s health at risk" City of Sydney chief executive officer Monica Barone said.

For more information on this hospitality and food safety news, visit: Hospitality Magazine - $97,500 fine for rat and roach-infested Sydney take-away

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Source: http://www.hospitalitymagazine.com.au/food/news/$97-500-fine-for-rat-and-roach-infested-sydney-tak

Company fined after worker's fall from height

A firm that hires out equipment for working safely at height has been fined after a worker suffered multiple injuries when he fell from a cherry picker.

The 42-year-old man was standing on the cherry picker's engine canopy when he fell two metres, landing on a concrete floor. He suffered a compression fracture to his skull, which caused bleeding on his brain, and fractured four vertebrae, four ribs and his collarbone. He was in hospital for nearly two weeks and has not been able to return to work since the incident.

HSE's investigation found the company had failed to plan or supervise the work properly and there was no protection to stop the man from falling from the machine. A HSE inspector said after the hearing: "Companies must ensure that work at height is properly planned and supervised and carried out safely to prevent falls.”

For more information on this workplace safety news, visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2012/rnn-wm-12612.htm

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Workplace bullying laws need reform, experts and unions claim

Unions and experts have urged the government to make sweeping reforms to workplace bullying laws, arguing the current system prolongs victims’ pain.
- After finishing public hearings in August, a parliamentary committee will deliver its report to the Workplace Relations Minister by November 30.
- The ACTU has called for tougher penalties and a more accessible forum to quickly and cheaply resolve bullying complaints.
- The Law Institute of Victoria argues there should be a “quick, cost effective civil remedy through a tribunal for bullying in the workplace”.
- Employers need more certainty surrounding changes to unfair dismissal laws so that they are not in a catch-22 situation when it comes to sacking staff for bullying, says Daniel Mammone, the workplace policy director at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
- Employers have told the bullying inquiry existing laws provide sufficient protection for victims.

For more information on this workplace safety and HR news, visit: http://www.afr.com/p/national/work_space/bullying_laws_need_reforms_experts_UZD6NPVBVvmYkeAD56dHUK

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Manufacturer fined after worker suffers severe hand injuries

A manufacturer has been fined for safety failings after an employee seriously injured his hand when it became trapped in machinery. The employee was left with a severe burn to his left hand and a crush injury to his thumb as a result of the incident.

The company was prosecuted by the HSE after an investigation found there was no guarding on the machine to prevent employees' hands being trapped. The company pleaded guilty to a breach of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 by failing to carry out an assessment of the risks employees faced while using the machine. The company was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay £3,518 in prosecution costs.

For more information on this workplace safety news, visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2012/rnn-nw-leyrubber.htm

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Energy company scraps urine testing for drugs and alcohol

Unions have welcomed a decision by Endeavour Energy to stop urine testing its employees for drugs and alcohol, and instead introduce saliva-based testing.
- The NSW electricity retailer has written to staff advising them that they've accepted a Fair Work Australia ruling against the regime and will not lodge any further appeals.
- “The decision has transformational potential when it comes to [the] development of a universal Australian standard for testing” - The Fire Brigade Employees Union state secretary.
- “Other industries and unions are likely to review this decision and look at ways they can implement a more transparent, fair and reasonable testing regime in the form of oral swab testing” - United Services Union energy manager.

For more information on this workplace safety news, visit: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8528236

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National Safe Work Australia Week 2012

Safety begins with ‘S’ but starts with ‘YOU’ is the theme of this year’s National Safe Work Australia Week. It reminds Australian workers that anyone can be a health and safety leader in the workplace.
• The week will be celebrated from the 21st - 27th of October 2012.
• The Safe Work Australia Chair recommends “Every workplace in Australia should be planning to use the week to make improvements to health and safety. It reminds us all that safety should be a priority all year round.”
• Safe Work Australia is seeking Safety Ambassadors; workers at any level with a passion for WHS who are dedicated to making their workplace safer.

For more information on this workplace safety news, visit: http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/swa/aboutsafeworkaustralia/nationalactivities/safeworkaustraliaweek/swaw-12/pages/national-safe-work-australia-week.aspx

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Workplace bullying could be criminalised throughout Australia

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has backed a national version of workplace bullying laws introduced in Victoria last year, which criminalise serious workplace bullying. Under the changes, workplace bullies can face up to 10 years jail time. The Victorian law, also known as “Brodie’s Law” was established after the tragic suicide of 19-year-old Brodie Panlock, a waitress who faced relentless taunts and abuse at work.

In May 2012, Ms Gillard announced a national review into workplace bullying, which will assess the nature, causes and degree of workplace bullying. ''One way we could add to what we're doing now is to take Brodie's law nationally and to have a common national law to deal with bullying in the workplace,'' Ms Gillard said.

What impact does bullying have on your workplace?
According to the Australian Productivity Commission, workplace bullying costs employers and the Australian economy between $6 billion and $36 billion per year.

Employers are responsible for helping to prevent bullying and harassing behaviour in the workplace. It is in their interests to make it clear to everyone that such behaviour will not be tolerated. The costs to the business may include poor employee relations, low morale, inefficiency and potentially the loss of staff. Training all staff about the standards of behaviour expected can make it easier for all individuals to be fully aware of their responsibilities to others.

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Sources: The Sydney Morning Herald Safe to Work