National Safe Work Month
COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of safety in all workplaces. Naturally this year, Safe Work Australia’s National Safety month focused on Australia’s Work Health & Safety through COVID-19.
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JobKeeper 2.0
On the 21st of July 2020, the Australian Federal Government announced the extension of the JobKeeper scheme for a further six months until 28 March 2021. There are two separate extension periods & for each extension period an additional actual decline in turnover test applies & the JobKeeper payment differs.
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icare Changes Reporting
Following recent NSW parliamentary inquiries, State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) & media scrutiny, the NSW workers compensation insurer has confirmed they have changed the methodology icare utilised to report Return to Work (RTW) rates. The new methodology has shown plateauing effects impacted by COVID-19.
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icare Inquiry & Investigation
Despite ongoing COVID-19 impacts, NSW workers compensation continues to be front page news. NSW Parliamentary Inquiries forced icare, SIRA, EML & the icare Board to participate. icare CEO John Nagle subsequently resigned following revelations his wife was paid $800K over a 3 year period, resulting in Group Executive Don Ferguson has been appointed as interim icare CEO. NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet survived a no confidence motion by a single casting vote. Mr Perrottet subsequently apologised to workers let down by scandal-ridden insurer icare as he conceded there were serious issues that needed to be addressed inside the agency
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Workplace Manual Handling Limit
Most jobs typically require some type of manual handling. Manual handling can involve lifting, pushing or pulling for various purposes such as; stacking shelves, carrying machinery / equipment, pushing / moving trolleys, equipment or the likes. SafeWork Australia has released a Manual Handling Code of Practice.
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