Rob Splotch

Closing soon – Third stage draft model WHS public comment period

Posted by Rob Splotch | Oct 2, 2012 | Uncategorised |

Closing soon – Third stage draft model WHS public comment period The public comment period for the third set of draft model Codes of Practice closes on Friday 22 June 2012 at 5pm AEST. This public comment period has been open for 11 weeks. The third set of draft model Codes of Practice are: Safe Design, Manufacture, Import and Supply of Plantn Working in the Vicinity of Overhead and Underground Electrical Lines Traffic Management in Workplaces Scaffolding Work, and Formwork and Falsework. The fourth set of draft model Codes of Practice opened for public comment on Friday 8 June. The closing...

Mining industry urged to tackle mental illness

Posted by Rob Splotch | Sep 20, 2011 | Uncategorised |

A report to be released at a conference in the Hunter Valley today has found mental illness is costing the mining industry up to $450 million a year. The report, prepared by the Hunter Institute of Mental Health and the University of Newcastle, has found about 8,000 to 10,000 mine workers experience a mental health illness over a 12 month period. Mental illness is the main topic at the two-day Minerals Council’s Occupational Health and Safety Conference which opens today at Pokolbin. The conference will be addressed by former Newcastle Knights player Andrew Johns, who will speak about his mental health challenges throughout a successful rugby league career. Institute Director Trevor Hazell says mental illness costs a single mine between $300,000 and $400,000 a year. “There are three main areas, one is absenteeism, people who are suffering from anxiety or depression do take more time off work,” he said. “There’s presenteeism, that’s coming to work while you’re unwell then they’ll be less productive even though they’re not off work. “Then the third area of impact is injury. “People with mental illness are at a higher risk of having an injury at work.” Mr Hazell says the industry can play a key role in removing the stigma surrounding mental illness. “We are actually recommending a comprehensive approach in which we look at opportunities to actually promote the mental health of...

When sex is on the job in more ways than one

Posted by Rob Splotch | Aug 16, 2011 | Uncategorised |

A COURT decision to approve workers’ compensation for a woman who happened to be having sex while staying at a motel while working away from home will inspire much public debate – but for the wrong reasons. The mass appeal of this story is undoubtedly because she was having sex when injured. But there are wider issues at play. Did she deserve the compensation? Yes. Absolutely. And this is why. The woman was injured (while having sex) when a glass light fitting above her bed was pulled from its mount and fell on her, causing injuries to her nose...

Toyota to face court action over sackings

Posted by Rob Splotch | Aug 9, 2011 | Uncategorised |

UP to 1800 Ford workers last night remained under threat of being stood down from Friday as sacked Toyota employees took legal action to try to force the car giant to reinstate them. Ford said last night workers at the company’s two Victorian plants would have to be temporarily stood down from Friday if a dispute over the collapse of a parts supplier could not be resolved. About 100 employees have been locked out of the factory of supplier CMI after a landlord changed the locks over an alleged unpaid rent bill exceeding $100,000. While the federal and state...

$416,000 back-pay for Adelaide workers

Posted by Rob Splotch | Jun 7, 2011 | Uncategorised |

More than 120 workers in and around Adelaide have been back-paid a total of $416,000 following recent intervention by the Fair Work Ombudsman. The largest recovery was $140,000 for 15 manufacturing workers at Wingfield. The employees lodged complaints with the Fair Work Ombudsman when they were not paid redundancy entitlements. The largest individual underpayment was $19,800. A Fair Work inspector contacted the business and explained its obligations and the employees were promptly reimbursed all money owed without the need for further action against the employer. Other recent recoveries include: $40,000 for a manager at Port Adelaide underpaid wages in lieu of notice,...