Industry News and Updates

Below is a compilation of relevant industry news and product announcements. We update this list every Thursday morning.

July Industry Updates (This Week):

• Businesses that use labour hire can learn valuable WHS tips! Safe Work Australia's new case study shows how Good Catering and Event Labour manages safety risks at festivals. Get the free download and ensure you're meeting your WHS obligations.
• A new study by Curtin University explored how to design aged care jobs to reduce stress and burnout for workers facing high demands. This research, funded by Safe Work Australia, offers valuable insights for improving mental health in the workplace.
• A new WHS profile by Safe Work Australia reveals electricians face a higher risk of injury from body stress, electrocution and falls from heights compared to other professions. This information can help employers and workers better understand and manage electrical safety risks.
• Important changes have been made to electrical licensing in the Northern Territory. The Electrical Workers and Contractors Licensing Board has been abolished and its responsibilities have been transferred to NT WorkSafe. Current licenses will remain valid until they expire, but new license applications and renewals must be made on the new forms. More on NT WorkSafe.
• Starting 26 August 2024, Australian casual employment laws change, making it easier for casuals to convert to permanent roles and introducing a clearer definition of 'casual employee'.
• Starting 26 August 2024, independent contractors in Australia will have new protections, including a clearer definition of employee vs contractor status, ability to challenge unfair contract terms, and frameworks for specific industries like digital platforms and road transport.
• For your convenience, we’ve compiled a simplified chart of tapping coarse and fine drill sizes (metric and imperial values), plus information on basic diameters (major, minor and effecitve / pitch) in tapping drill sizes.
• Pondering whether to buy the Fasteners, Engineers and Electrical Black Books? Here is a preview of their content.

July Industry Updates (Month To Date):

• Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced its 2024-25 product safety priorities, focusing on young children's products, online safety, sustainability, emerging technologies and raising awareness of consumer risks.
• Australia's major industrial markets of Melbourne and Sydney have seen rents remain stable despite rising vacancy levels in the second quarter of 2024, according to the latest research from Knight Frank. Vacancy levels have increased, with Melbourne seeing the largest rise of 454,513 sq m, as strong supply additions and easing demand have reset vacancy across the East Coast to more normalized levels, though still below the 10-year average. Despite the moderation in the leasing market, industrial property remains the most highly sought stabilized asset class in Australia.
• Australia Post opened its new multi-million dollar parcel facility on the Gold Coast. It is designed to accommodate increased parcel growth and improve turnaround times.
• Business.gov.au has launched a new tool to help entrepreneurs determine the basic business registrations they need to start a company, including guidance on selecting the appropriate business structure, protecting intellectual property, and registering for relevant taxes. Just answer a few questions and get a customized list with links to relevant services.
• Business.gov.au announced new laws to support small business owners:
  • Instant asset write-off allows businesses with an aggregated annual turnover under $10 million to fully deduct the cost of eligible new or second-hand assets up to $20,000. Eligible assets must be first used or installed ready for use between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024. More at ATO.
  • Small business energy incentive provides a bonus 20% tax deduction to eligible businesses. It is applicable to eligible assets and improvements up to $100,000, and the maximum bonus deduction is $20,000 per business. More at ATO.
• Business.gov.au answers FAQs on tax filing requirements for businesses.
• Comcare has released a new 30-minute eLearning course that provides an introduction to the role and functions of Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) under the Commonwealth Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
• Safe Work Australia highlights a rise in mental health claims within workers' compensation, pointing to a growing concern about psychosocial hazards in the workplace. These are factors that can negatively impact mental well-being on the job, and while their understanding is still developing compared to physical risks, their impact is receiving more attention.
• Safe Work Australia reminds the public that the engineered stone ban is now in effect, prohibiting the manufacture, supply, processing, and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels, and slabs. The ban does not apply to the controlled processing of previously installed engineered stone for removal, repair, modification, or disposal. Here is their guidance for PCBUs.
• Doing or managing welding jobs? Do you need a hot work permit? Here's our updated article on the topic.

July Product Announcements:

• Advance Anti-Slip Surfaces' July newsletter highlights the importance of antislip stair nosings in Australia for safety compliance, accident prevention and better visibility on stairs in various environments.
• Dixon is hosting a webinar on 12 July featuring Collin Turner, who will provide an overview of Dixon's API Couplers and Accessories. The webinar will highlight the key features and benefits of the 5500-Series, including insights into popular models like the 5500B, 5500G, and 5500L. Additionally, attendees will get an exclusive look at Dixon's latest innovations, such as a new lockout tag-out device and the 5501 API drain adapter. Register here.
• Now available: Relton aluminium cutting fluids

July Industry Events and Relevant Webinars:

• The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) is holding its first pitch day at the Australian Defence, Science, Technology and Research (ADSTAR) Summit in September for Australian industry and academia to showcase innovative ideas for military advantage. Interested parties can submit an expression of interest by 22 July for a chance to give a 3-minute pitch in front of Defence personnel at the Summit in September.
• CeMAT Australia, a free intralogistics and materials handling event, offers industry insights,discussions, and networking with logistics leaders. It will be held 23-25 July in Melbourne.
• The National Manufacturing Summit will bring together industry leaders from business, unions, universities and government to discuss how Australian manufacturing can play a key role in the transition to renewable energy. It will be held on 31 July to 1 August in Brisbane.
• The Women in Manufacturing Summit 2024 will take place on 20 to 22 August in Melbourne. It offers women in the manufacturing sector the opportunity to enhance their skills, gain insights from industry leaders and address key challenges such as discrimination and mental health. Participants will learn about innovative advancements in manufacturing and develop strategies to foster leadership and mentorship within their organizations, positioning themselves and their companies at the forefront of the industry.

June Industry Updates:

• Safe Work Australia updated the National Compliance and Enforcement Policy to improve clarity and consistency across all Australian jurisdictions in enforcing work health and safety laws.
• Australia's mobile carriers are shutting down their 3G networks to make way for faster and more reliable 4G and 5G services. Telstra and Optus will turn off their 3G networks in late August and September 2024, while Vodafone has already completed the switch-off. More reminders on Business.gov.au.
• The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Act 2023, which passed parliament in December 2023, introduces a new offence of industrial manslaughter for the Commonwealth Work Health and Safety Act 2011. Taking effect on 1 July 2024, the offence carries maximum penalties of $18 million for bodies corporate or the Commonwealth and 25 years’ jail for individuals, reflecting manslaughter penalties in the Criminal Code. More on Comcare.
• Directors of manufacturing SMEs in Australia can now face jail time for failing to take cybersecurity seriously. Under new laws, companies with turnovers of $3 million or more can be fined up to $50 million, and directors can be personally liable for fines of up to $1 million or up to 10 years in prison. More on Industry Update.
• Comcare’s new video explains how both high and low job demands create risks for individuals and organisations and gives employers practical tips on minimising or eliminating those risks. The video is part of a suite of practical guidance for employers on job demands and how to manage them.
• The NSW Government will introduce a bill in this sitting of parliament to create the offence of industrial manslaughter which allows for a maximum penalty of 25 years jail for an individual or $20 million in fines for a body corporate. More on nsw.gov.au.
• The Fair Work Commission (the Commission) has announced a 3.75% increase to the National Minimum Wage and minimum award wages. More on fairwork.gov.au.
• As the cooler weather arrives, Western Australia's energy safety regulator is providing crucial guidance to help residents stay safe and warm this winter while using gas appliances. Building and Energy advises that gas heaters and other equipment should be serviced by a licensed gas fitter at least every two years, or annually if the appliance is over a decade old, to prevent potentially fatal carbon monoxide buildup from faulty or poorly ventilated devices. 
• Looking for tailored advice for your small business? The Digital Solutions program works with you to adopt digital tools to save you time and money, and to help grow your business. Those interested can "attend workshops and webinars at no cost", although "a small fee will be charged for one-on-one advisory services". More on business.gov.au.

June Product Announcements:

• Now available: Ravaglioli commercial vehicle hoists and lifters, wheel aligners, wheel balancers, tyre changers and axle stands
• Now available: Anglomoil extreme pressure (EP), lithium complex and other specialty greases
• Now available: Purasolve cleaning system kits, parts washers, graffiti removers and pressure sprayers
• Now available: Triple7 all-purpose degreasers, dust control agents, limescale and calcium removers, vehicle / truck wash cleaners and other bio-based cleaners