Health & Safety Handbook

24/11/2025

Think twice about asbestos this National Asbestos Awareness Week. Asbestos poses a serious risk to health and safety. This risk must be managed on worksites where exposure may occur, such as on construction sites. This week is a good reminder of the importance of managing the risk of asbestos effectively. Visit the Health & Safety Handbook’s chapter, Asbestos, for guidance: https://www.healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au/chapters/asbestos/
Find out more about National Asbestos Awareness Week here: https://www.asbestossafety.gov.au/our-work/national-asbestos-awareness-campaigns/national-asbestos-awareness-week

23/11/2025

BULLETIN: A design and construction company has been fined $90,000 and ordered to pay costs for a Category 3 offence involving the collapse of a cabinet they had installed contrary to the manufacturer’s instructions.

A design and construction company has been fined $90,000 and ordered to pay costs for a Category 3 offence involving the collapse of a cabinet they had installed contrary to the manufacturer’s instructions (SafeWork NSW v The Danebritt Group Pty Ltd [2025]) The incident The Danebritt Group Pty

20/11/2025

Q&A: When must you use a residual current device (RCD)? Find the answer in the Health & Safety Handbook.

https://www.healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au/question-and-answer/when-must-we-use-a-residual-current-device/

17/11/2025

BULLETIN: A construction company was fined $180,000 and ordered to pay the Prosecutor’s costs in relation to a waste oil tank explosion that resulted in a labourer suffering serious burns.

A construction company was fined $180,000 and ordered to pay the Prosecutor’s costs in relation to a waste oil tank explosion that resulted in a labourer suffering serious burns (SafeWork NSW v Hibernian Contracting Pty Ltd [2025]). The incident Camden Council engaged Hibernian Contracting Pty Ltd...

13/11/2025

Q&A: Do employees need to sign off on having read your work health and safety policies for them to be legally binding? Find out in the Health & Safety Handbook.

https://www.healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au/question-and-answer/do-employees-need-to-sign-off-on-having-read-a-work-health-and-safety-policy/

11/11/2025

BULLETIN: A company has been fined $270,000 for failing to ensure the means of entering and leaving a workplace was safe after a person fatally fell from an elevated tailgate of a laundry delivery truck.

A company has been convicted, fined $270,000 and ordered to pay costs for failing to ensure the means of entering and leaving a workplace was safe after a person fatally fell from an elevated tailgate of a laundry delivery truck. Incident Ensign Services (Aust) Pty Ltd, trading as Laundry

07/11/2025

CASE LAW: A 16-year-old undertaking work experience was fatally injured while undertaking asphalt-laying work.

https://www.healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au/case-law/16-year-olds-work-experience-ends-in-tragedy/

03/11/2025

BULLETIN: A Victorian solar panel installation and maintenance company had its fine increased three-fold on appeal, after a WorkSafe inspector observed three workers on a roof working about 6 metres from the ground without fall protection.

A Victorian solar panel installation and maintenance company had its fine increased three-fold on appeal, after a WorkSafe inspector observed three workers on a roof working about 6 metres from the ground without fall protection (Director of Public Prosecutions v HQ Solar & Electrical Pty Ltd [2025]...

30/10/2025

National Safe Work Month may be coming to an end, but your health and safety obligations aren’t! We hope this month has inspired you to implement or review safety processes, and recommit to safety in your workplace. As always, the Health & Safety Handbook can help you achieve compliance and keep your workforce safe all year round.

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27/10/2025

BULLETIN: A small Victorian residential building company was fined $17,000 and ordered to pay costs in relation to an incident in which a contractor was struck by a collapsing steel frame, causing him to fall more than 3 metres.

A small Victorian residential building company was fined $17,000 and ordered to pay costs in relation to an incident in which a contractor was struck by a collapsing steel frame, causing him to fall more than 3 metres (WorkSafe Victoria v Design ‘N’ Build Pty Ltd [2025]). The company,

20/10/2025

BULLETIN: A construction company in Victoria was convicted last month and fined $47,500 following repeated breaches of safety laws and use of an unqualified project manager.

A construction company in Victoria was convicted last month and fined $47,500 following repeated breaches of safety laws and use of an unqualified project manager (WorkSafe Victoria v WAM Homes Pty Ltd [2025]). WAM Homes Pty Ltd was brought before the Court for the results of two visits by

16/10/2025

Q&A: What happens if you breach Fair Work Commission stop-bullying orders? Find out in the Health & Safety Handbook.

https://www.healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au/question-and-answer/what-happens-if-you-breach-stop-bullying-orders/