OHSS

Deacons has one of the largest and most experienced OHSS teams in Australia. The team has acted in a number of high profile matters and incidents including most recently the Beaconsfield mine disaster and regularly advises a large number of blue chip private and public clients on OHSS compliance strategies.

The National team is lead by Michael Tooma who is recognised as one of the leading experts in OHSS law in Australia having written, lectured and practised extensively in OHSS law. In 2007, Michael was commissioned by the Commonwealth Government to review the new regulations under the Federal OHSS Act dealing with major hazard facilities, construction, electrical safety, working at heights and fatigue management. He is a member of the Defence Occupational Health Committee. Michael is a lecturer at the UNSW of News South Wales and author of a number of texts on the area.

Services

Safety

• development and implementation of tailored OHSS management systems including contractor and sub-contractor management
• OHSSlegal compliance audits
• risk assessments
• development of specific OHSS policies and programs
• OHSS due diligence for acquisitions and disposals of companies and properties
• provision of tailored OHSS training packages
• development of employee manuals and handbooks
• development of internal audit tools and checklists
• provision of tailored training packages to management and staff
• assisting in the development and implementation of OHSS-based incentive schemes
• development of behaviour based safety programmes
• assisting companies in obtaining self-insurance licenses under state and federal regimes
• legal advice, including representation in court regarding coronial inquiries, prosecutions and appeals against notices
• 24/7 incident management service
• development of legal protection strategies
• OHSS benchmarking

Security

• Security and anti-terrorism compliance and risk management programmes
• Major hazard facility security plans and safety case management
• Security sensitive dangerous goods
• Security and anti-terrorism legal compliance audits
• Security and anti-terrorism legal training
• Emergency plans and business continuity management

Health

• Advice regarding asbestos compliance issues including asbestos incident management
• Advice regarding exposure to hazardous substances
• Advice regarding atmospheric monitoring
• Advice regarding synthetic fibre management
• Advice regarding nanoparticles management
• Stress management programmes
• Bullying and harassment enquiries and management strategies
• Health and well-being programmes
• Management of ill and injures workers

• Civil Construction & Infrastructure Update

  Deacons have pooled our experience and knowledge of the unique aspects of the civil construction industry sector to bring you this informative update covering a wide range of topics relating to construction contracts, workplace relations, safety and more.

  18 Nov 08 Michael Hammond, Stuart Kollmorgen, Jeffrey Wilson

• Deacons in the press: Business seeks national OH&S

  Businesses overwhelmingly support harmonised occupation health and safety laws, a survey conducted by law firm Deacons shows, reports The Australian, 7 November 2008.

  7 Nov 08 Kate Alexander, Michael Tooma

• Deacons in the press: Middle path urged on workplace safety

  A review of Australia's occupational health and safety laws mostly picks up Victoria's workplace safety laws as a model, reports the Australian Financial Review, 7 November 2008.

  7 Nov 08 Kate Alexander, Michael Tooma

• Deacons in the press: Report calls for $3 million fines and five years jail for OH&S breaches

  Penalties for serious occupational health and safety offences could rise significantly under a new OH&S model presented to federal and state workplace ministers yesterday, reports SmartCompany.

  7 Nov 08 Kate Alexander, Michael Tooma

• Deacons in the press: Qld companies benefit under national OHS model: Deacons

  The burden of proof would be shifted on to prosecutors in occupational health and safety claims under a harmonised national OHS model, according to the National OHS Review Panel’s first report, reports Queensland Business Review, 7 November 2008.

  7 Nov 08 Kate Alexander, Michael Tooma

• Legal update: National OHS Review Report Released

  The National OHS Review Panel ‘National Review into Model Occupational Health and Safety Laws First Report’ (the Report) was tabled at the Workplace Relations’ Ministers Council meeting yesterday.

  6 Nov 08 Michael Tooma , Alena Titterton

• Deacons in the press: Workplace dangers could increase with economic turbulence

  Deacons partner Michael Tooma warns workplace incidents and injuries are likely to increase as cash-strapped employers reduce spending on OHS in the economic downturn, reports OHS Alert, 5 November 2008.

  6 Nov 08 Kate Alexander, Michael Tooma

• Deacons in the press: National OHS Law Review - Report released

  The first report of the National OHS Law Review panel was presented to the Australian Government yesterday, reports Kevin Jones from Safety At Work Blog, 6 November 2008.

  6 Nov 08 Kate Alexander, Michael Tooma , Alena Titterton

• Deacons in the press: National OHS review recasts duty of care approach, triples max fines

  Deacons partner Michael Tooma notes recommendations of the National OHS review have taken a "refreshingly modern" approach to OHS regulation, with the panel recasting duty of care provisions away from employers, focusing instead on those conducting a business or undertaking, reports OHS Alert, 6 November 2008.

  6 Nov 08 Kate Alexander, Michael Tooma

• Legal update: WorkSafe Blitz on Manual Handling Hazards

  WorkSafe have announced that from 1 November 2008 they will be conducting a state-wide inspection campaign targeting musculoskeletal disorder injuries, more commonly known as manual handling sprains and strains.

  31 Oct 08 Michael Hammond , Kathryn Bion