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Delphic motherhood statements part 2 – safety documents that nobody can...
A little while ago I did a post looking at the complexity of documented safety management systems, and the role that documentation has played in undermining effective safety management. You can review...
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Conactor safety managment series Part 1: Nash v Eastern Star Gas
In August 2009, Bruce Austin a working director of a small business, The Saver Guys, died from head injuries after he was hit by a length of pipe that was being extracted from the ground. Mr Austin’s...
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Contractor safety management series Part 2: Stratton V Van Driel Limited
Stratton v Van Driel Limited is the second case in our contractor safety management series. It is a somewhat older decision, having been handed down in 1998, but useful in that it looks at a narrow...
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Contractor safety management series Part 3: Nicholson v Pymble No 1
Nicholson v Pymble No 1 (Inspector Nicholson v Pymble No 1 Pty Ltd & Molinara (no 2) [2010] NSWIRComm 151) is not strictly speaking a contractor safety management case. However, it does involve a...
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Lead indicators: Reinforcing the illusion of safety
One of my biggest gripes about safety management over the past 20 plus years is the lemming like fascination with “indicators“. Notoriously, major inquiries around the globe have found that when...
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Contractor safety management series Part 5: KCGM v Hanekom
Hi again everyone. Apologies for the break in posting over the last month, but all is explained in the video presentation below. Today I am looking at another case in our contractor safety management...
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Paper Based Safety Systems in a Contract Environment
Two recent cases have highlighted the focus that is put on documented safety systems following a serious workplace incident. The cases have also shown that despite the mountains of paperwork deployed...
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How safety regulation undermines safety
There is an interesting paradox in safety management, in so much as a lot of what we do in the name of safety and health actively undermines our safety efforts. This week I was confronted with another,...
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Managing compliance in “Layered” workplaces
Recently, we have been doing a lot of work with our partners at Lawstream to help clients get better visibility of their compliance management in layered workplaces. When we speak about layered...
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More consultation on safety legislation in Western Australia
At some point, someone will make a decision, but hot on the heels of the “Green” WHS Bill seeking comment on WA’s general health and safety legislation, stakeholders are now being asked to comment on...
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Boal V BHP – Zero Tolerance: Are your “systems” commensurate to your attitudes?
I am not a fan of the language of “zero“, either as an aspiration or as a stated goal. It has never sat well with me, and seems so disconnected from day to day reality in both society and a workplace...
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Comcare v Transpacific Industries
Comcare v Transpacific Industries [2015] FCA 500 is an interesting case that looks at the liability of an employer for the death of a non-employee in a motor vehicle accident. In February 2011 a...
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When does the language of “zero harm” become unlawful?
I am not a fan of the language of “zero“, either as an aspiration or as a stated goal. It has never sat well with me, and seems so disconnected from day to day reality in both society and a workplace...
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Rethinking safety prosecutions part 2
Some time ago I wrote a post about the value of criminal prosecutions for safety breaches as part of effective safety management. The post is available HERE. A discussion about the nature of “safety...
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Is this really what due diligence was designed for?
On 24 February 2016 findings were handed down in the prosecution of another company officer under the due diligence provisions of the WHS legislation. In WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Moore)...
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Due diligence master class
On 6 April 2016 I will be facilitating a due diligence masterclass in conjunction with IFAP from 8.00am until 3.00pm at the Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle, Western Australia. The program is suitable for...
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$450,000: Is this what we want from prosecutions?
I have written on the topic of safety prosecutions before (Do we need to rethink safety prosecutions?, Rethinking safety prosecutions part 2 and Is this really what due diligence was designed for?),...
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A short primer on due diligence
For anyone trying to work their way through due diligence in the context of occupational safety and health, I have put together a short 8 and half minute primer with a few ideas. I hope you find it...
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How safety regulation undermines safety
There is an interesting paradox in safety management, in so much as a lot of what we do in the name of safety and health actively undermines our safety efforts. This week I was confronted with another,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
More consultation on safety legislation in Western Australia
At some point, someone will make a decision, but hot on the heels of the “Green” WHS Bill seeking comment on WA’s general health and safety legislation, stakeholders are now being asked to comment on...
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