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ABC NEWS: Mine death sparks safety rethink - Wednesday, July 01, 2009
A fatal mine accident in north-west Queensland earlier this year has prompted the State Government to release a series of recommendations to ensure the safety of workers. Pekka Tuppurainen, 50, died in late May at Xstrata's George Fisher mine near Mt Isa. He was operating a loader when the machine fell into a 20 metre hole. Nine safety recommendations based on the incident have been released by the Department of Mines and Energy. They include site inspections and risk assessments to be carried out before starting work, ensuring that pit edges are stable and marked with lights, and using stop logs along the pit. read more...

ABC NEWS: ATSB calls for changes to Lockhart River airstrip - Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has recommended sweeping changes be made to a far north Queensland aircraft runway four years after a fatal plane crash. Fifteen people died when the aircraft ploughed into a hillside on approach to the Lockhart River airstrip in Cape York. The ATSB has released a report criticising the Lockhart River airstrip's global navigation satellite system. The report says a "ground proximity warning system" advising pilots to "pull up'' often sounds unnecessarily as aircraft fly overhead. read more...

ABC NEWS: Train, truck collide in far north Qld - Friday, June 26, 2009
Emergency crews are at the scene of level crossing crash south of Cairns in far north Queensland. Police say truck and train collided at Feluga, near Tully, and two people are injured. All rail services in the region have been stopped. read more...

Courier Mail: Truck carrying sewage crashes - Thursday, June 25, 2009
SEWAGE and fuel has spilt from a truck which crashed on the Beaudesert Boonah Road in southeast Queensland. Police said the accident happened about 4am, about 13km east on the Beaudesert-Boonah Road at Wyaralong. The male driver was taken to Logan Hospital with suspected head and leg injuries. The injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. The road was partially closed at one stage, but it is now open and traffic is flowing freely. The clean-up was expected to continue for some time. read more...

Courier Mail: Chemical spill at port - Wednesday, June 24, 2009
BREAKING NEWS: A TOXIC and highly corrosive chemical has spilled from a container at Patrick's Wharf on Port Drive at Lytton. An exclusion zone has been set up at berth ten of Patrick’s Wharf following the spill of ferric chloride at about 7.55am. A Department of Emergency Services spokeswoman said a small quantity of the chemical leaked from a container and crews were in the process of cleaning it up. “Three crews and senior officers from the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service are at the scene,’’ the spokeswoman said. read more...

ABC NEWS: Gymnast dies in 'freak accident' - Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Queensland Workplace Health and Safety says it will investigate the death of a 19-year-old woman in a gymnastics training accident in Townsville in the state's north. Michelle Maitland hit her head after a falling from the tumble track last Thursday. She was admitted to Townsville General Hospital in a critical condition and died early on Friday. Gymnastics Queensland has announced its own investigation and its president Wayne Hill says it appears to have been a freak accident in a top-class facility. "It's got good governance and good safety practices which it adheres to and if this was going to happen in any club, it would probably be the last club we would have expected," he said. read more...

ABC NEWS: Policeman scratched with syringe - Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Queensland police say an officer was scratched with a syringe at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast last night. Police say officers were speaking to a man in Stanhill Drive about 7:30pm AEST when they noticed a syringe in his pocket. It is alleged the man resisted and struggled with police when they tried to search him. An officer received a 10 centimetre scratch to his wrist from the uncapped syringe. A 41-year-old man faces several charges including serious assault. read more...

ABC NEWS: Cane truck smashes into Mackay motel - Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Firefighters have saved a motel from being destroyed by fire at Mackay in North Queensland. A sugar cane truck veered off a road into a motel on Nebo Road rupturing two gas cylinders which caught fire. No one was injured, but the motel's front office was damaged by fire. Queensland Fire Inspector Steve Depinto says the motel was evacuated during the emergency but residents have now been allowed to return to their rooms. read more...

ABC NEWS: Qld teen charged after laser pointed at chopper - Tuesday, June 23, 2009
A teenager from far north Queensland has become the first person in the state charged with directing a laser at an aircraft. Police allege the 17-year-old man pointed a laser beam at a rescue helicopter landing at the Mareeba Hospital, west of Cairns early this morning. Police say quick-thinking by the pilot of the rescue helicopter helped to locate the teenager. The pilot was able to relay the approximate location of the laser shortly after landing safely at the hospital. The 17-year-old will appear in court next month. read more...

ABC NEWS: Safety concerns raised about Brisbane's Kurilpa bridge - Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Queensland Government is looking into safety concerns about an access ramp to the Riverside Expressway in Brisbane near the new Kurilpa bridge. It has been suggested that a Riverside Expressway entrance from North Quay may have to be closed because of the danger of a heavy vehicle hitting Brisbane's new pedestrian bridge. Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace told Parliament today it would take a "freak accident" to damage the new bridge but says there are concerns about merging traffic in the area. "It is timely for my Department to review whether this access point should remain open," he said. read more...

ABC NEWS: Mine deaths 'unacceptable' - Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Queensland Mines Inspectorate (QMI) says the number of people killed in mining accidents over the past year is unacceptable. This financial year has been one of the worst for fatalities on Queensland mine sites. Four people have died in work accidents, which is the worst figure since 1996-'97, when 10 people were killed. The annual report by QMI says the results show the industry is failing to give health and safety sufficient priority and that the deaths are unacceptable. read more...

VALE Shirley White - Monday, June 15, 2009
Many participants at Safe Work College will have heard about Shirley White (AM) the founder of the Queensland Asbestos Related Disease Support Society in 1989. Unfortunately she died last week from leukaemia age 73. She is survived by Reg an asbestosis sufferer. In 1999 Safe Work named one of our training rooms after Shirley and since then the Society has used it for their meetings. We will remember Shirley every time we use this room and course participants will continue to learn about the tragedy of asbestos and the amazing achievements of this great Australian. Please note the attached link to the Society read more...

ABC NEWS: Investigations continue into Dreamworld chopper crash - Thursday, June 11, 2009
The owners of a helicopter that crashed at the Dreamworld theme park on the Gold Coast in south-east Queensland yesterday will conduct their own investigation. Four Asian tourists and pilot Matsumi Sato received minor injuries when the Bell JetRanger helicopter crashed in the theme park's car park at about 4pm AEST yesterday. The helicopter lost power as it came in to land, but the pilot managed to steer it away from crowds before crash-landing in an empty part of the car park. read more...

Courier Mail: Gas leak sparks evacuation - Tuesday, June 09, 2009
A LEAKY tank of liquid oxygen has sparked the evacuation of Australian Country Choice on Colmslie Road at Morningside, on Brisbane's southside. About 10 people were working at the abbatoir when the leak was detected in the 20,000 litre tank just before 6am. A Department of Emergency Services spokesman said the risk of an explosion had been averted. "Firefighters have contained the leak, and scientific crews are monitoring the air in the immediate area," said the spokesman. read more...

Courier Mail: Three hurt as stairs collapse under winning rugby team - Tuesday, June 09, 2009
A STAIRCASE holding a winning rugby union team collapsed while they were receiving their championships medals, crashing 5m to the ground. Loud screams for help were heard from the winning 22 South Coast players, when the metal stairs at Rugby Park in Rockhampton gave way about 1pm (AEST). Hundreds of onlookers witnessed the collapse. The boys had just won the Queensland Rugby Football Schools Union under 18 state championships and were about to have their team photo taken when the metal stairwell gave way. read more...

ABC NEWS: Asbestos campaigner Shirley White dies - Tuesday, June 09, 2009
The founder of a support group for sufferers of asbestos-related disease has died in Brisbane. Shirley White founded the Queensland Asbestos Related Disease Support Society in 1989 when her husband developed asbestosis. She received the Order of Australia in 2003 for her advocacy work. She died from leukaemia at the age of 73. read more...

ABC NEWS: Qld to get Mine safety commissioner - Friday, June 05, 2009
Queensland Parliament has passed laws creating a new position for a Mine Safety and Health Commissioner. The State Opposition supported the changes, which stem from last year's Ombudsman's report on the Queensland Mines Inspectorate. Mines and Energy Minister Stephen Robertson told the House it will also be illegal to harass anyone who provides information about safety breaches. "It is especially important that where it is necessary for individuals to report unsafe or illegal practices, they can do so without the fear of retribution or victimisation," he said. read more...

ABC NEWS: Firefighter cancer rate 'not above average' - Friday, June 05, 2009
A Monash University report has found the incidence of cancer among Queensland firefighters is not higher than normal. Queensland Health commissioned the report after environmental testing failed to explain a cancer cluster among staff at the Atherton fire station in far north Queensland. There have been five reported cases of cancer among current and former staff. Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts has told Parliament copies of the report will be given to staff at the Atherton station. read more...

ABC NEWS: Two in hospital after port chemical spill - Friday, June 05, 2009
Two people have been taken to hospital with minor skin irritations after a chemical spill at the Port of Brisbane. Authorities say a mild acid substance leaked from a drum in the car park of a business at Ingham Place. Forty staff from a nearby building were evacuated. Ambulance officers are treating five people. read more...

ABC NEWS: Scaffolding company charged over high rise deaths - Friday, June 05, 2009
A company executive and three businesses are facing charges over the high-rise building deaths of two workers on the Gold Coast in south-east Queensland last year. The two men were doing concrete patchwork on a high rise at Broadbeach when their swing stage scaffolding failed, plunging them 26 stories to their deaths, in June 2008. Allscaff Systems, which erected the swing stage scaffold, and the company's director Ralph Michael Smith, have been charged with breaches of the Workplace Health and Safety Act . Karimbla Construction Services, which built the high-rise, has also been charged under the Act, along with Pryme Constructions, who undertook the concrete patching. read more...

ABC NEWS: Burst gas main creates Brisbane traffic chaos - Thursday, June 04, 2009
A ruptured gas pipeline is causing major traffic problems on Brisbane's Coronation Drive. Emergency crews are at the scene of the incident at the intersection of Chasely Street at Auchenflower. Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Paul Simmons says motorists should avoid the area. "We have a number of fire crews on site," he said. "They have shut down Coronation Drive in both directions, so please find an alternative route home. read more...

ABC NEWS: Man in critical condition after industrial accident - Tuesday, June 02, 2009
A 45-year-old man is in a critical condition in hospital after an industrial accident at Ipswich this afternoon. He was moving an eight-tonne piece of machinery onto a truck at Bundamba when it fell and crushed him. He was taken to Ipswich Hospital with injuries to his legs and pelvis. read more...

ABC NEWS: Air Force told to address air safety in Townsville - Tuesday, June 02, 2009
The Royal Australia Air Force (RAAF) has been told to introduce new standards to increase the separation times of civilian aircraft at Townsville Airport. An investigation into a near miss at the north Queensland airport in 2007 found the incident was in part caused by a lack of standards to separate aircraft working from intersecting runways. On August 27, 2007, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) found that a Cessna was taking off as a 737 jet was landing on an intersecting runway. The aircrafts missed each other by 150 metres. read more...

ABC NEWS: Mine section closed off amid death investigation - Monday, May 25, 2009
Part of an underground level at a Mount Isa mine will remain sealed off from staff as an investigation into a fatal accident continues. Fifty-year-old Pekka Tuppurainen died in an underground accident at the George Fisher zinc mine on Tuesday night. The Australian Workers Union says it is the first fatal industrial accident at the mine since 1993. Xstrata spokesman Kevin Hendry says the death has affected many among the 220 employees who returned to work yesterday. "He was very well known and in his career, he'd worked at the lead mine and then at George Fisher mine," he said. read more...

ABC NEWS: Brisbane river still too dangerous for ferries - Monday, May 25, 2009
Brisbane's CityCats are out of action again today as debris in the Brisbane River continues to pose a danger. The ferries were cancelled last Thursday after floodwaters washed trees and other debris downstream. Brisbane City Councillor Jane Prentice says shuttle buses will run during peak hour services and another assessment of the river will be done later today. "Already last week we had two CityCats taken out because of damage to propellers," Councillor Prentice said. read more...

Courier Mail: Pubs switch from glass to plastic - Monday, May 25, 2009
NINE Queensland pubs and clubs have traded glasses for plastic in a bid to halt glassing assaults. Another 12 will switch by the end of the year. Some venues volunteered to switch to plastic or shatter-proof glasses. Others were advised by Liquor Licensing to make the switch or risk losing their liquor licence. Venues now serving alcohol in plastic are Cocktails and Dreams, Search and Rescue Club and Surfers Tavern, Surfers Paradise; Parkwood Tavern; Royal George Hotel, Fortitude Valley; Victory Hotel, Brisbane; Hamilton Hotel; Villa Noosa Hotel, Noosa; and Waterfront Tavern, Maroochydore. read more...

ABC NEWS: Mt Isa blood lead case girl suffering from arthritis - Wednesday, May 20, 2009
A seven-year-old girl from Mount Isa in north-west Queensland, whose family is suing a mining company over elevated lead levels in her blood, has now been diagnosed with arthritis. Daphne Hare launched a civil damages claim against Xstrata Mining, the State Government and Mount Isa City Council after tests revealed her daughter had high lead levels in her blood. Recent tests revealed seven-year-old Stella Hare has developed arthritis. read more...

ABC NEWS: Employee killed in Mt Isa mine accident - Wednesday, May 20, 2009
A person has died in an industrial accident at a Mount Isa mine in north-west Queensland. Xstrata says the employee died at the George Fisher mine just before midnight AEST. Investigations into the accident are continuing, but no further details are available at this stage. read more...

ABC NEWS: Brisbane acid spill forces evacuation - Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Emergency crews are working to clean up a chemical spill on Brisbane's southside. About 200 litres of hydrochloric acid was spilt at a business at Acacia Ridge late on Monday afternoon, forcing the evacuation of the business and surrounding streets. No one was hurt. At least four fire crews are on the scene. read more...

ABC NEWS: Man injured after parachute fails - Monday, May 18, 2009
A 50-year-old man has suffered head injuries in a parachuting accident in far north Queensland. It happened this afternoon near Innisfail. Sergeant Dwayne Amos says the man encountered problems and had to deploy his reserve parachute and landed heavily. "A parachutist has had difficulty during what appears to be a normal jump," he said. "He's had difficulty with the main parachute and has had to go to secondary parachute, which still landed quite heavily out the front of a local school after narrowly missing powerlines and a local resident. read more...

Courier Mail: New asbestos scare at Murrumba Downs school - Monday, May 18, 2009
QUEENSLAND school's second major health scare in less than two months has sparked calls for a review of the use of private contractors in state schools. The first incident occurred during school hours on April 7 at Undurba State School at Murrumba Downs, on Brisbane's northern outskirts, when wall sheeting containing asbestos was cut by private contractors to install an airconditioning unit, creating a dust cloud in the classroom. Children were playing in a nearby outdoor area. The building was immediately sealed off and has since been decontaminated, with carpet and classroom equipment thrown out. read more...

Courier Mail: Man, 32, dies after fall from trawler at Hemmant dry dock - Thursday, May 14, 2009
A 32-year-old man has died in hospital after falling four from a trawler in dry dock at a Hemmant workplace, on Brisbane's southside. Police said the Deception Bay man and several workmates had been drinking on the trawler last Saturday night, when he fell on to concrete. After the fall, he was moved to another area of the boathouse to recover. Medical attention was not sought until the next day when the man awoke and found he was unable to move much of his body. read more...

ABC NEWS: Moranbah miner death findings delayed - Wednesday, May 13, 2009
The miners' union says a coroner's findings into the death of a central Queensland coal miner have been delayed by more than six months. The Supreme Court has dismissed an application to strike out evidence by the union's health and safety representative at the inquest into the death of Jason Blee, who was crushed at the Moranbah North mine two years ago. The contracting company Walter Mining argued the evidence was beyond the expertise of the representative, but the union's Stuart Vaccaneo says it is common sense to include the findings of an experienced safety officer. read more...

ABC NEWS: Fire rips through Brisbane high-rise - Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Emergency crews are trying to find the source of a fire in a 20-storey office building in Brisbane's CBD. The building at 175 Eagle Street was evacuated about 7:00am after smoke engulfed three floors. Traffic is being diverted away from the area and the building has been evacuated. read more...

ABC NEWS: Nightclubs urged to improve safety - Wednesday, May 06, 2009
The Townsville City Licensees Safety Association believes nightclub owners should consider introducing metal detectors and removing glass to improve safety. Spokesman Greg Pellegrini says a weekend stabbing at a Brisbane nightclub is not restricted to the capital cities. He says its vital licensees take the initiative to improve safety for nightclub patrons and employees. "It's up to the individual venue to ... consider these. Unfortunately sometimes we wait for authorities to implement certain regulations," he said. read more...

ABC NEWS: Experts probe second Boyne smelter blaze - Wednesday, May 06, 2009
The Queensland Environment Department is investigating a second fire at Australia's largest aluminium smelter in less than two years. The fire at the Boyne smelter, south of Gladstone in central Queensland, started in the carbon bake furnace about midday AEST on Friday. The Department of Environment and resource management says a black plume of smoke was visible from the site soon after. Rio Tinto Alcan says the fire started during a planned shutdown at the site and there were no injuries. read more...

ABC NEWS: Tilt train safe, Qld Rail says - Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Queensland Rail (QR) says passengers can be assured of a safe trip on the Brisbane-to-Cairns tilt train service when it resumes this evening. The service was cut last month due to safety concerns after a crash near Cardwell in the state's far north that killed two train drivers last year. The trains were given the all-clear by the Queensland Rail Safety Regulator (QRSR) to return to the track today but train drivers are not satisfied. read more...

ABC NEWS: North Qld herbicide 'no cancer threat' - Wednesday, May 06, 2009
The Federal Government has rejected suggestions that small concentrations of the herbicide atrazine in north Queensland waterways could cause cancer in humans. Concerns have been raised that chemical run-off from farms in the north may have contaminated waters around the Great Barrier Reef. Australian Pesticides Veterinary Medicine Authority spokesman Dr Simon Cubit says there is no evidence to support the theory that atrazine causes cancer, especially in low concentrations. read more...

Courier Mail: Death smash man has worked 10 days straight before falling asleep at wheel - Wednesday, May 06, 2009
A MAN had worked 12 hour shifts for 10 consecutive days when he fell asleep at the wheel of his car and crashed into another vehicle killing the other driver, a court has heard. Jody Kane Ruka, 37, was jailed for two years to be suspended after six months when he appeared in the District Court at Beenleigh in February. He had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death on May 12, 2007. Ruka was in the Court of Appeal yesterday appealing against his sentence as being manifestly excessive. The court heard Ruka worked at Wacol, in Brisbane's west, and was driving home to Kooralbyn, south of Brisbane, along the Mt Lindsay Highway. read more...

Courier Mail: Lucky escape as shed collapses in Bald Hills - Friday, May 01, 2009
TWO workers in a cherry picker had a lucky escape when the partially-assembled 80 x 20 metre shed they were working on collapsed around them. Fire and ambulance crews were called at 10.30am to the Brizconnections constructions site on Gympie Arterial Rd, Bald Hills, but no one was injured by the collapse. Workplace Health and Safety are now investigating what is left of the shed. read more...

ABC NEWS: Man hurt in farm explosion - Friday, May 01, 2009
A 55-year-old man has been badly hurt in a fuel tank explosion on a property at Miles in the state's southern inland. The accident happened this afternoon. The man was airlifted to the Mater Hospital in Brisbane. read more...

ABC NEWS: Qld the worst for aircraft fatalities: report - Friday, May 01, 2009
Figures from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) show Queensland is the worst state in the nation for aircraft fatalities. The report reveals 117 people died in plane crashes in Queensland between 1999 and March this year. Across the country, 344 people died in aviation accidents during the 10-year period. But ATSB spokesman Stuart Godley says the number of deaths could be higher. "CASA [Civil Aviation Safety Authority] register most aircraft in this country and their registrations start with VH, but some smaller aircraft that tend to be amateur-built are registered outside of CASA," he said. read more...

ABC NEWS: Mt Isa lead level monitoring system operating - Friday, May 01, 2009
After months of delays, authorities have finished installing a new air monitoring system that will check lead levels in Mount Isa in north-west Queensland. The initiative was undertaken after blood tests on 400 local children revealed 11 per cent had unsafe blood lead levels. Mount Isa MP Betty Kiernan says regular air test results will be available online to reassure residents. "Next week the system will go live onto the website and that will provide daily results," she said. read more...

ABC NEWS: Mice-infested home: residents get option to move - Friday, May 01, 2009
The Queensland Government says residents of a Darling Downs nursing home have been given the option of moving because of a mouse infestation. Queensland Health confirmed today two people have been bitten by mice at the state-run Karingal nursing home at Dalby. Health Minister Paul Lucas has apologised after two people were bitten at the weekend. The Queensland Opposition said earlier today an 89-year-old man was gnawed by mice while sleeping at the home. read more...

ABC NEWS: Explosives train on fire - Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Fire crews have put out a blaze on a train carrying explosives on Queensland's Fraser Coast. The engine caught on fire at Tiaro near Maryborough just after 3:30am AEST. The fire was extinguished a few hours later after Queensland Rail officials shut down the overhead power. Queensland Rail says train services have now resumed. No-one was injured. Queensland Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Jeff Wright says the blaze started in the locomotive engine. read more...

Sydney Morning Herald: Rally push to scrap Australian Building and Construction Commission - Wednesday, April 29, 2009
THOUSANDS of construction workers - including 15,000 in Melbourne - have rallied to call for the building watchdog to be abolished. Workers gathered in capital cities across Australia to demand uniform national health and safety laws, with Melbourne starting their march at the Victorian Trades Hall with a minute's silence. The rallies marked Workers' Memorial Day in honour of workers killed on the job. ACTU president Sharan Burrow said the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), initiated under the Howard Government, was an "abomination". read more...

ABC NEWS: Man crushed in packing machinery accident - Monday, April 27, 2009
A 35-year-old man is in a serious condition after being crushed by machinery at Gatton, in Queensland's Lockyer Valley. It happened at a packing business on Market Drive about 11:30am AEST. The man is being taken to a Brisbane hospital with suspected pelvic injuries. read more...

ABC NEWS: Seaman critical after shipping accident - Monday, April 27, 2009
A seaman is in a critical condition in hospital after a boating accident in North Queensland. The Department of Emergency Services says a man in his 20s suffered serious abdominal injuries after he was pinned under the hatch of a ship at Mackay Harbour. The man was flown from Mackay to the Townsville Hospital. read more...

Cement truck rolls over - Friday, April 24, 2009
POLICE are waiting to speak to an injured cement truck driver about a rollover at the corner of Grey and Peel streets at South Brisbane just after 9am today. The truck rolled as it turned the corner, taking out a set of traffic lights and smashing the windscreen. The driver was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Police said it was very fortunate no one was standing on the corner at the time. read more...

Courier Mail: Coal trains wrecked after colliding in central Queensland - Wednesday, April 22, 2009
TWO coal trains have collided in Central Queensland this morning. Rockhampton Police said no one was injured but the wreckage was significant and could take days to clear. The accident happened about 12.50am at Grantleight, near Gogango, 65km west of Rockhampton and 517km north-west of Brisbane, about 12.50am today. A Queensland Rail spokesman said services in the Blackwater coal rail system had been affected and coal customers were being notified. read more...

ABC NEWS: Man killed on property near Yeppoon - Wednesday, April 22, 2009
A 57-year-old man has died in an accident on a property at Yeppoon in central Queensland. It is believed he was working on a utility when it fell off a jack, crushing him late this morning. Police will prepare a report for the coroner. read more...

ABC NEWS: Herbicide in drinking water 'safe' - Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The Burdekin Shire Council says it does have traces of the farm chemical Atrazine in its town water supply, but well below safe drinking guidelines. The Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research says Atrazine has been found in large quantities in north Queensland rivers and poses a public health risk because it has polluted town water supplies. Burdekin Mayor Lyn McLaughlin says the town water supply is tested at least once a year and the levels are a fraction of those set down under the Australian guidelines for drinking water. read more...

ABC NEWS: Authorities probe student diving death - Monday, April 20, 2009
Queensland Workplace Health and Safety officers and police are investigating the death of a diver on the Gold Coast. Superintendent Jim Keogh says the 20-year-old Chinese student got into difficulties during a group dive at the Gold Coast Broadwater at 2:00pm AEST yesterday. He says a report is being prepared for the coroner on the death of the woman. read more...

ABC NEWS: 3 students injured in tractor accident - Monday, April 20, 2009
School students have escaped serious injury in a farming accident at Mount Barney, south-west of Brisbane. Police say a tractor was towing 15 children in a trailer yesterday when the link between them snapped. The trailer rolled down a hill - three students and one adult suffered minor injuries. Police are investigating. read more...

ABC NEWS: Safety rethink urged after fatal Fraser 4WD crash - Monday, April 20, 2009
The Queensland Government is being pressured to change driving rules on Fraser Island in the state's south-east after a weekend fatal crash. Two people died and nine others were injured when their four-wheel drive rolled near Dundaburra on Saturday. Police are investigating how the crash happened. RACQ spokesman Gary Fites says thousands of people use the beach safely each year, but other precautions could be taken. read more...

ABC NEWS: Police investigate death near Emerald - Thursday, April 09, 2009
Central Queensland police will prepare a coroner's report into what appears to be a fatal farm accident near Emerald. A 29-year-old man was found lying in the middle of the Capricorn Highway between Emerald and Comet on Monday afternoon. He had serious head injuries and died in a Brisbane hospital yesterday. Police believe he may have had a fall on a nearby property and tried to drive himself to town, but collapsed on the way. read more...

ABC NEWS: Woman injured in shopping centre roof collapse - Thursday, April 09, 2009
A 30-year-old Queensland woman has been taken to the Gold Coast Hospital after part of a shopping centre roof collapsed on her. Police say plasterboard from the ceiling of Nerang Centro hit the woman while she was having a cup of coffee about 2:00pm. Her injuries are not life-threatening. read more...

Courier Mail: Motorists vent anger on traffic controllers - Wednesday, April 08, 2009
QUEENSLAND'S roadside traffic controllers are being pelted with missiles and verbally abused by motorists angered by delays from roadworks. State Workplace Rights Ombudsman Don Brown said a soft drink can full of urine was thrown at one Brisbane worker while others were pelted with eggs and tomatoes. Mr Brown, who is undertaking a statewide investigation into conditions in the traffic control industry, said many of its 33,000 workers suffered "verbal and sign language abuse several times a day". read more...

ABC NEWS: Woman injured in escalator fall - Wednesday, April 08, 2009
A 35-year-old woman has been hurt after falling down an escalator at Brisbane's domestic airport. Paramedics were called to the Virgin Blue terminal just before 2:00pm. The woman fell several metres and suffered cuts to her leg and minor head injuries. read more...

ABC NEWS: Xstrata to defend blood-lead level lawsuit - Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Mining giant Xstrata says it will defend legal action taken against it over high blood-lead levels in some Mount Isa children. Lawyer Damien Scattini says he has launched a sixth legal challenge against the miner, its consortium Mount Isa Mines, the Mount Isa City Council and the Queensland Government on behalf of a 13-year-old boy. He says the boy used to live in the north-west Queensland mining city. read more...

Courier Mail: Brisbane Citytrain driver missed red light in derailment - Tuesday, April 07, 2009
THE driver of a Brisbane train which derailed with 150 people aboard, sparking commuter chaos, had to be told by the rail control centre he had run a red light. An incident report obtained by The Courier-Mail reveals a call was made to the driver after he missed a signal near Eagle Junction on Brisbane's northside at 6.16am. The train derailed when the driver tried to reverse the locomotive back behind the red light. read more...

ABC NEWS: Worker injured in brewery accident - Tuesday, April 07, 2009
A man has been injured in an industrial accident at Brisbane's XXXX Brewery this afternoon. Paramedics were called to the brewery at Milton just before 5:00pm. The man was trapped in a piece of machinery. He was freed but suffered injuries to his leg and knee. read more...

ABC NEWS: Hospital fire safety failure 'shouldn't mean closure' - Tuesday, April 07, 2009
The Rural Doctors Association says regional Queensland hospitals which fail a fire safety audit should not be immediately shut down. The Health Department is considering moving some patients from a central Queensland hospital for safety reasons. Fire safety concerns arose after the Baralaba Multi-Purpose Health Service failed a trial evacuation last week. The president of the Rural Doctors Association, Jim Finn, is calling for the State Government to review fire safety at all regional hospitals. read more...

ABC NEWS: Authorities probe Proserpine chopper crash - Monday, April 06, 2009
Investigations are continuing into a helicopter crash at a north Queensland airport. Police say a 36-year-old man injured his head when the helicopter he was flying crashed at the Proserpine Airport at 2:00pm AEST on Thursday. He was taken to the Proserpine Hospital with his uninjured 26-year-old passenger. Air crash authorities are finalising investigations. read more...

ABC NEWS: Mt Isa still waiting for air monitoring - Monday, April 06, 2009
There have been further delays in the establishment of an hourly air monitoring system in north-west Queensland. In August last year, the State Government promised to install a state-of-the-art system to independently test Mt Isa's air quality every hour. Tests have shown 11 per cent of children surveyed had unsafe blood lead levels. This week, the National Pollutant Inventory, which rates the country's air quality, found Xstrata's Mount Isa Mines was the highest emitter of six substances - including cadmium and lead. read more...

ABC NEWS: Qld to crack down on rock-throwers - Monday, April 06, 2009
The Queensland Government plans to introduce new laws to target offenders who throw rocks off bridges at cars and trucks. The offence could attract a sentence of up to two years in jail, regardless of whether anyone was injured. Premier Anna Bligh says her Government wants to send clear message to deter people who commit the offences. Last month two ambulances were damaged in rock attacks in Brisbane, along with a bus and a truck. read more...

Courier Mail: Anti-shatter glass to beat bus thugs - Friday, April 03, 2009
BRISBANE City Council has been forced to put smash-proof glass in the windows of their buses to prevent passengers from being hurt by rock attacks. Public and Active Transport Chairwoman Jane Prentice said anti-shatter plastic would be fitted on the windows of all new buses entering the fleet. "We are also continuing to rollout CCTV systems on our buses," she said. read more...

ABC NEWS: Gulf residents to be tested for heavy metals - Thursday, April 02, 2009
The residents of the north-west Queensland Gulf of Carpentaria community of Karumba are being offered free blood tests this month - to check for heavy metals. Mining company Oz Minerals is running the blood testing program, with samples to be analysed by Queensland Health. The general manager of the Century Mine, John Lamb, says the program is designed to ensure the company's operations are safe. "Karumba is our port facility and from there we dry our product and we ship it out," he said. read more...

ABC NEWS: Alarm sounds for tired drivers - Wednesday, April 01, 2009
A Central Queensland businessman has launched a device he says will help reduce fatigue related accidents on Australia's roads. David Sullivan says once the 'No Nap' device is attached to the driver's ear, it sounds an alarm if the head tilts downwards which is considered a sign of fatigue. It has achieved international and Australian accreditation. Mr Sullivan says too many people die on Australia's roads from fatigue. read more...

ABC NEWS: Brisbane tunnel fire sparks traffic delays - Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Brisbane's inner northern suburbs are experiencing traffic delays after a tunnel fire near the Inner City Bypass. A 250-metre exclusion zone was set up around the bypass after a fire that was sparked by an oxy-acetylene bottle. The incident happened at the nearby CLEM-7 tunnel work site at Bowen Hills. No-one was hurt, but the bypass was closed as a precaution; it has now reopened. Superintendent Ron James from the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service says the bypass was shut down to guarantee the safety of motorists. read more...

Sunday Mail: Queensland Rail alarm at level crossing scares - Monday, March 30, 2009
BRISBANE trains had 17 near-misses with pedestrians and cyclists this month, including five near-misses in one day last week, new figures show. Queensland Rail chief executive officer Lance Hockridge lashed out at people who crossed train level crossings without obeying warning signs, saying "some people just don't get it", despite all the publicity surrounding level-crossing incidents and rail safety and despite the risks to their lives and others. In one of the most serious incidents this month, a train driver was forced to activate emergency brakes at Sunshine station on Brisbane's northside after a train passenger got off the train and crossed in front of another travelling at 90km/h. read more...

Courier Mail: Asbestos scare temporarily closes Kruger primary school - Monday, March 30, 2009
CRACKED ceiling panels containing potentially fatal asbestos have led to the temporary closure of a primary school building near Ipswich. A block of the 900-student Kruger State School, at Bellbird Park near Ipswich, was shut on Thursday after cracked fibro ceiling panels were found to contain asbestos, a potentially life-threatening substance if inhaled. Principal Regina Acton told parents in a newsletter on Friday that ceiling repairs would be completed and the area professionally cleaned before school was to begin today. read more...

ABC NEWS: Policeman faces disease tests after alleged spit attack - Monday, March 30, 2009
A Gold Coast police officer will undergo tests after blood was allegedly spat into his eyes from a man claiming to have AIDS and hepatitis. The incident happened at Labrador while officers attended a domestic dispute early this morning. Police say a 47-year-old man has been charged with serious assault, resisting police and wilful damage. read more...

Courier Mail: Worker put knife in bread as a "joke" - Friday, March 27, 2009
A TEENAGE Brisbane factory worker put a 30cm "knife" in a loaf garlic bread that was dispatched for sale to a pizza chain as a practical joke. The Brisbane District Court was told Crystal Lee Jackson "contaminated'' the bread while she was at the head of seven-member production line at a Brisbane-based garlic bread company on April 21 last year. Prosecutor Belinda Merrin said the knife-come-spatula was only discovered when it was delivered to a Domino's pizza store in Sydney, NSW, sometime later. Jackson, 19, of Lamb Island, 60km south east of Brisbane, pleaded guilty to one count of contamination of goods. read more...

Courier Mail: Ambos want police escorts as attacks double since 2005 - Thursday, March 26, 2009
PARAMEDICS are demanding greater protection after alarming new figures revealed assaults against them have almost doubled since 2005. And if they can't get police escorts to dangerous jobs, they want to be trained in self defence and equipped with capsicum spray, the paramedics' union says. Fed up with being punching bags, paramedics are calling for the greater safety measures after a record 14 assaults in January. read more...

Courier Mail: Kooroongarra drilling rig blaze under control - Tuesday, March 24, 2009
FIREFIGHTERS have managed to quickly gain control of a drilling rig blaze at an exploration site near Millmerran in southeast Queensland. A Queensland Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said foam and water have been applied to the rig at Kooroongarra, near Millmerran. She said there was some fuel nearby but it did not catch on fire. No one was injured. read more...

Courier Mail: Ambos hit and truckie injured in mindless rock attacks - Tuesday, March 24, 2009
A TRUCK driver has told of his shock after a large rock came flying through his windscreen while he drove on the Mt Lindesay Highway at Regents Park. Ray "Tim" Ball had glass sprayed in his eyes when his windscreen was smashed by a rock the size of a cricket ball. Remakably, when the ambulance arrived, it was also targeted and the crew had to call out another QAS vehicle. It was the second ambulance to be hit by rocks on Sunday night. Mr Ball said other truck drivers had warned him of people throwing rocks at vehicles along the highway so he was "half expecting it". read more...

ABC NEWS: Response team to clean up mine polluted creeks - Monday, March 23, 2009
The State Government has activated a 'state response team' to clean up toxic water that has overflowed from mines in north-west Queensland. The Environmental Protection Agency warns people and stock need to avoid the Saga and Inca creeks, north-west of Mount Isa, due to contamination, but says results from the nearby Twibles Creek are yet to be finalised. read more...

Our Brisbane: Man injured in light plane crash was student pilot - Friday, March 20, 2009
Recreational Aviation Australia says a 70-year-old man injured in an incident at the Brisbane Valley on Wednesday was a student pilot trying to take off for his third solo flight. The group's spokesman says the light wing plane had not left the ground when it ran into a fence and flipped at the Coominya Airfield, south of Esk. It is understood the instructor had helped conduct flight checks and had just left the plane. read more...

Gold Coast Bulletin: Worker pinned as crane falls on him at Gold Caost worksite - Friday, March 20, 2009
GOLD Coast workers had to free a pinned workmate this morning after a crane toppled on top of him breaking his leg. The accident occurred while workers were replacing glass panels above the Sage restaurant at Broadbeach. It is believed the injured man had been operating the small crane when it toppled on top of him about 6.50am. Fellow workers raced to his aid and managed to free the man who was taken to hospital for treatment. read more...

ABC NEWS: Man burnt after flames shot out of truck - Thursday, March 19, 2009
A man in his thirties was badly burned on the Gold Coast today when flames shot from the back of a truck. The incident happened on Bayview Street at Runaway Bay around 10:30 am AEST. He was taken to the Gold Coast Hospital suffering injuries to his head, neck and chest. read more...

AAP: Trapeze artist hurt in seven-metre fall at Ipswich - Wednesday, March 18, 2009
A TRAPEZE artist is in hospital with spinal injuries and a fractured pelvis after falling seven metres during a performance in Queensland. The man, in his 30s, was performing in the Great Moscow Circus at Limestone Park in Ipswich, when he fell just before 9pm (AEST). He is being treated in Ipswich hospital. The trapeze artist is in a stable condition. read more...

ABC Brisbane: Oil slick is carcinogenic, authorities say - Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Authorities have warned the toxic sludge coming from the cargo ship Pacific Adventurer is carcinogenic and it is melting the soles off people's shoes. The oil spill that started on Wednesday off Moreton Island now covers around 60 kilometres of south-east Queensland's coast. ABC Radio's AM program has been told swimmers on the Sunshine Coast have reported a burning sensation after being in the water. Andrew Ryan from the Local Disaster Management Group says most beaches in that region have had to be closed because the oil slick is nasty stuff. "Look, the last [update] I think we've got from Queensland Health is that it's actually not a particularly good, nice oil," he said. "What we've got is a safety data check that tells us all the precautions in terms of clean up, or getting on your skin ... basically it says 'don't get it on your skin'. "So all of our crews we've had helping in the clean up are doing it manually. "We've kitted them out with full overalls and gloves and goggles, etc. "So it's a substance you certainly don't want to be touching with your bare skin." In fact, Mr Ryan says he has been advised the oil slick is carcinogenic. He says the dangers associated with the oil slick is the reason the number of volunteers have been limited, despite the massive scale of the disaster. read more...

Cairns Post: Taxi driver pleads for capsicum spray to subdue thugs - Tuesday, March 17, 2009
A TAXI driver who has been bashed twice in three months has called for cabbies to be issued with capsicum spray to protect themselves. Ralph Rekowski said attacks were getting increasingly violent and a cabbie should be able to protect himself, The Cairns Post reports. But Black and White Taxis fleet manager Chris Simmons said capsicum spray was classed as a dangerous weapon and therefore couldn't be driven around. read more...

Cairns Post: Rail safety hits road - Monday, March 16, 2009
TRUCK drivers using roads between Cairns and Townsville this week were likely to have been given a refresher course on level crossing safety. Queensland Rail community engagement officer Greg Hallam spent Thursday and Friday driving from Townsville to Cairns, stopping along the way to talk to truck drivers about proper conduct near train lines. Mr Hallam has also stopped at libraries and police stations to further spread the safety message and drop off information brochures. The effort to spread the message comes after several incidents involving collisions between trucks and trains at level crossings, including the death of a truck driver earlier this year and two train drivers late last year. read more...

ABC NEWS: Cement truck kills worker - Monday, March 16, 2009
A man has been killed while cleaning a cement truck at Innisfail in far north Queensland. Inspector David Tucker say the man was accidentally crushed and police are investigating the incident. "A person was actually attending maintenance of a cement truck and whilst attending to the maintenance of the cement truck, has triggered something in the cement truck which has caused the person to be killed," he said. read more...

Brisbane Times: Bullied worker now calls wife 'mummy': court - Thursday, March 05, 2009
A 46-year-old mine worker reverted to a childlike state and began calling his wife "mummy" after being threatened with sexual assault during two years of torment at the hands of workplace bullies, a court has heard. Alfons Nooteboom, now 50, plans to sue mining giant Xstrata over his treatment by colleagues and supervisors at the Ernest Henry copper and gold mine at Cloncurry, in northwest Queensland, where he worked as a truck driver from 2002 until suffering a breakdown in November 2004. read more...

Courier Mail Logan councillor Graham Able accused of media leak forced to take stress leave - Thursday, March 05, 2009
A QUEENSLAND councillor was forced to take stress leave after his mayor accused him of leaking confidential information to the media. Logan City councillors have named the anonymous mole "Deep Throat", after the secret informant in the US Watergate scandal. The leak has infuriated Mayor Pam Parker, who has launched an investigation to uncover the source– warning she will sack whoever is responsible. It came after recent media reports of problems in the council's planning department, including news that development fees were set to rise by 50 per cent. read more...

ABC NEWS: Mayor warns of Lake Eyre contamination risk - Wednesday, March 04, 2009
A mayor in western Queensland says water now reaching Lake Eyre in outback South Australia could be contaminated by mine waste. Queensland floodwaters have flowed more than 1,000 kilometres to end Lake Eyre's five-year dry spell. But Boulia mayor Rick Britton says the water flowed through mines, gathering waste and toxins. read more...

ABC NEWS: Questions raised over Gladstone air pollution findings - Wednesday, March 04, 2009
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its findings from the first two months of expanded air monitoring at Gladstone in central Queensland. The EPA expanded its air monitoring in Gladstone five months ago, analysing more than 100 substances as part of a two year project to determine if industrial pollution is making residents sick. read more...

Courier Mail: Leaking mine waste contaminates State's water supplies - Friday, February 27, 2009
HEAVY metals and acids from at least 10 Queensland mines have contaminated water supplies in an emerging environmental catastrophe. Authorities are unsure how much of the toxic material has been discharged into waterways after the biggest floods in decades swept through north Queensland over the past two months. read more...

ABC NEWS: Nurse to sue Qld Health over sexual assault - Friday, February 27, 2009
A nurse who was allegedly raped in her State Government accommodation in the Torres Strait is preparing to take legal action against Queensland Health. A man broke into the nurse's house and sexually assaulted her just weeks after she arrived on Mabuiag Island in February last year. read more...

Courier Mail: Brisbane ferry master sacked after woman falls in water - Thursday, February 26, 2009
A Brisbane River ferry captain has been sacked after a passenger fell into the water while getting off the boat and he failed to report the incident. An investigation found the woman was the first to disembark at Norman Park Ferry terminal on January 23 when the gangway slipped and she tumbled into the drink. read more...

ABC NEW: Adventure firm defends safety efforts after raft death - Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The adventure travel company involved in a fatal rafting accident in far north Queensland does not believe tighter safety controls would have prevented the incident. A 24-year old Korean woman died at Cairns Base Hospital yesterday after being temporarily submerged on the Tully River six days ago. read more...

ABC NEWS: Ergon worker burnt in work accident - Friday, February 20, 2009
An Ergon Energy worker has suffered an electric shock at Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt. The 42-year-old man has burns to about 25 per cent of his back and stomach. He is in the Stanthorpe Hospital and is expected to be flown to Brisbane for further treatment. read more...

ABC NEWS: F-111 cancer study inconclusive, more data needed - Friday, February 20, 2009
A third study on mortality and cancer rates among F-111 mechanics at the RAAF Base Amberley has again found elevated incidences, however the results are inconclusive. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) released the report today. The follow-up study identified elevated rates of cancer among 900 RAAF mechanics who worked on a 20-year program replacing fuel tank sealant in Australia's F-111s. read more...

ABC NEWS: Mount Isa to be declared 'safe community' - Friday, February 20, 2009
Mount Isa, in north-west Queensland, is set to become Australia's first mining town recognised as a 'safe community'. The World Health Organisation will declare Mount Isa a so-called 'safe community' tomorrow. Last year, 11 per cent of local children recorded blood lead levels above what is deemed safe by the same organisation. But community safety campaigner Lynette Drew says groups like the Living With Lead Alliance, set up to publicise high lead levels, have worked to address safety issues in the city. read more...

ABC NEWS: Driver survives after train smashes car - Wednesday, February 18, 2009
A woman has escaped almost uninjured after her car was hit by a train and dragged several hundred metres in far north Queensland overnight. The crash happened at a level crossing on at White Rock, just south of Cairns. The 33-year-old woman has been taken to hospital in Cairns for observation but the train's driver and passengers were not hurt. The Bruce Highway was closed as a result of the accident but has since reopened. read more...

ABC NEWS: CSIRO works on pollution-busting enzyme - Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The CSIRO has developed a new enzyme to break down atrazine, a commonly used herbicide found in freshwater runoff. Scientists believe atrazine is one of the chemicals flowing thatis affecting sea grass bads around the Great Barrier Reef. The CSIRO's Cameron Begley says trials in the Burdekin in north Queensland found the new enzyme broke down 90 per cent of atrazine in around four hours. read more...

The Daily: Man injured in 8m fall - Wednesday, February 18, 2009
A 61-year-old man was in a critical condition in a Brisbane hospital last night after falling three storeys from scaffolding erected at Maroochydore RSL. It is believed the man was working on the roof of the building about 8am yesterday when he fell about 8m. Paramedics rushed the man to Nambour General Hospital with head and neck injuries. He was placed in an induced coma and an Energex Community Rescue Helicopter crew airlifted the man to Princess Alexandra Hospital. read more...

ABC NEWS: Kenmore fire station relocation a safety risk: Oppn - Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The Queensland Opposition says the State Government's relocation of a fire station in Brisbane's west will risk the safety of locals. The Government is planning to sell the Kenmore fire station and build a new one about five kilometres away at Pullenvale. Local MP Bruce Flegg says the only access to the new site is via the busy Moggill Road and that will slow down response times. read more...

ABC NEWS: 500 vaccinated after Caltex Hep A outbreak - Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Queensland Health is investigating a case of Hepatitis A at a Brisbane workplace. It has been traced to the canteen at the Caltex oil refinery at Lytton. One person has fallen ill, with vaccinations recommended for those who ate there between January 30 and February 4. Caltex says more than 500 have been vaccinated. read more...

ABC NEWS: Cassie White - Office printers could be dangerous to health: study - Tuesday, February 17, 2009
A new study has found the humble officer laser printer could be damaging to your health. Queensland University of Technology Professor Lydia Morawska found that melted printer toner turns into tiny liquid particles that can be breathed in. She says these vapours are similar to those emitted from cars and could have an adverse effect on your lungs and cardiovascular system. "We've identified that the particles coming from the printer are liquid and they originate from vapours," she said. "The printer operates at a higher temperature, melted toner evaporates, and those vapours form liquid particles." read more...

ABC NEWS: QR facing trial over rail deaths - Tuesday, February 17, 2009
A date is expected to be set later this week for a trial against Queensland Rail (QR) over two deaths in central Queensland in 2007. Two workers, Jamie Adams and Gary Watkins, died when they were hit by a track machine while working on the line at Mindi in December. QR Limited is facing three counts of failing to discharge a safe workplace, and executive general manager Glen Mullins is facing the same charge. read more...

Gold Coast: Chlorine bomber may be at work - Tuesday, February 17, 2009
A SECOND mystery explosion has been reported in the Hinterland with police speculating chlorine bombs could be rocking the area. The latest explosion heard about 8.30pm on Wednesday has again baffled police, the air force and seismology experts who didn't register any earth tremors from this or the first explosion. "If residents felt it then we should have registered something," said a spokeswoman from the Seismology Research Centre in Brisbane. "The only explanation I can think of is the explosion didn't come from the ground." read more...

ABC NEWS: Paramedics forced to take refuge in ambulance - Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) says two Gold Coast paramedics followed procedure when they locked themselves inside their vehicle as it was surrounded by an angry mob. The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) says two Gold Coast paramedics followed procedure when they locked themselves inside their vehicle as it was surrounded by an angry mob. QAS Commissioner David Melville says the officers were treating an 18-year-old man who had been assaulted at a party on the weekend when the group tried to attack the patient. He says the paramedic officers were afraid for their safety. "They acted very professionally, they called for assistance to the Queensland Police Service who responded as quickly as they possibly could to render that assistance and to remove themselves in the safest possible way from that area without creating further injury to anybody, particularly themselves," he said. read more...

AAP: Tourist killed on Tully River white water rafting trip - Tuesday, February 17, 2009
RESCUE teams have recovered the body of a man who drowned in a whitewater rafting accident in far north Queensland on Saturday. A 24-year-old woman tourist remains in Cairns Base Hospital in a critical condition following the incident at Tully Gorge. The identity of the man, believed to be in his 20s, hasn't been released by police. His body was trapped under a boulder when the raft overturned before 11am on Saturday. read more...

ABC NEWS: Fumes force evacuation of Brisbane high-rise - Monday, February 16, 2009
Three people have been treated in hospital for breathing problems after fumes forced the evacuation of a high-rise in Brisbane's CBD. It is believed fumes from a bitumen-based product - used to reseal floors - entered the air-conditioning system of the building in Ann Street. It is the second incident of its kind in the past three months. The high-rise houses various government departments, including the Environmental Protection Agency. read more...

ABC NEWS: Qld Govt given $42m to improve level crossing safety - Monday, February 16, 2009
The Queensland Government has received $42 million from the Commonwealth to improve safety at level crossings in Queensland. The money will be spent over two years, accelerating the installation of boom gates and flashing lights. There is also new state money to replace old school buses in regional areas. Transport Minister John Mickel says an extra $35 million over four years will help buy 500 new buses with roll-over protection. read more...

AAP: Police investigate Taser 'misuse' on Gold Coast - Monday, February 16, 2009
POLICE are investigating reports a senior officer misused a Taser on the Gold Coast. It's alleged an inspector drew a Taser from the equipment belt of a colleague in a police station and pointed it at staff. The weapon wasn't fired but Queensland police say allegations of Taser misuse are taken very seriously and the incident will be investigated as a matter of urgency by senior officers. The investigation will be overseen by the ethical standards command. read more...

ABC NEWS: Parents' group praises school bus safety boost - Monday, February 16, 2009
The Parents and Citizens Association (PCA) has applauded a $35 million boost for school bus safety in regional Queensland. The State Government says the money will be spent over four years to buy 500 new buses that have roll-over protection. PCA president Margaret Black says many of the older models do not have roll-over protection built into them. read more...

Courier Mail: Security scare at MP Chris Foley's office - Friday, February 13, 2009
THE staffer of a Queensland politician has been threatened with violence in an electorate office confrontation, State Parliament has been told. Independent MP for Maryborough Chris Foley said an angry constituent had threatened a staff member yesterday. "We had a very serious security incident yesterday where my electorate officer was threatened to be stabbed and bashed and constantly abused and sworn at," Mr Foley said this morning. read more...

Gold Coast: Store evacuated after ammonia leak - Friday, February 13, 2009
A GELATO store on the Gold Coast has been evacuated after an ammonia leak this morning. A spokesman from emergency services said the Carrara store, on Keller Crescent, was evacuated at 7.50am, Firefighters were trying to find the source of the leak. There were no reports of anyone injured. read more...

Courier Mail: Cattle truck driver dies in Darling Downs rollover - Thursday, February 12, 2009
THE driver of a loaded cattle truck died on the Western Downs this morning after his vehicle rolled about 240km west of Toowoomba. The truck was travelling on the Meandarra Talwood Rd near Meandarra when it rolled about 9.30am. A spokeswoman for the Department of Emergency Services said crews from Meandarra rushed to the scene. read more...

ABC NEWS: Freight train derails at Goondiwindi - Thursday, February 12, 2009
A railway crossing on the Leichhardt Highway is blocked tonight following a freight train derailment at Goondiwindi, south-east of Brisbane. Traffic coming from the Barwon Highway is being diverted through Goondiwindi and drivers wishing to access the highway should follow signs in the township. Queensland Police says information on when the road is likely to be reopened should be available by 12:00pm (AEST) tomorrow. read more...

Sunday Mail: 170 Queenslanders refused bouncer licenses after charges - Wednesday, February 11, 2009
MORE than 170 people have been refused a licence to work as a bouncer after police checks found they had criminal convictions or had faced serious charges. A Mount Isa man, 41, who had been charged with rape, deprivation of liberty and assault, is among 173 applicants who have been refused a licence since July 1 last year. Others to be rejected were a Brisbane man, 24, whose criminal history includes assault, drug possession, illegal entry and receiving tainted property; and a 41-year-old Townsville man, charged with assault and stealing, although no convictions were recorded against him. read more...

Sunday Mail: Children sue each other over schoolyard injuries - Wednesday, February 11, 2009
CHILDREN are being sued after violent incidents in classrooms because state schools have failed to introduce personal accident insurance, parents claim. An Education Department spokesman said 26 claims for student personal injuries had been filed in Queensland since July last year. Last financial year, 73 claims were made, comapred to 63 in 2006-07 and 90 claims in 2005-06. read more...

ABC NEWS: Gladstone health survey under fire - Monday, February 09, 2009
Gladstone residents in central Queensland says they are disappointed in the method of a health survey in the region. Queensland Health released figures yesterday showed higher rates of asthma in residents, especially in children, as part of the Clean and Healthy Air Study. Resident Cheyrie Kendrick says the interviewer was not interested in learning that she was visiting a doctor about possibly having leukemia. read more...

ABC NEWS: 22yo rolls vehicle in farm accident - Monday, February 09, 2009
A 22-year-old man was seriously injured when he rolled a vehicle on a private property near Emerald in central Queensland early this morning. The man is being flown to Rockhampton Hospital today. read more...

ABC NEWS: Two-headed fish may remain a mystery - Monday, February 09, 2009
Scientists may never be able to work out whether pesticides caused a mass spawning of two-headed fish larvae in the popular Australian holiday region of Queensland's Sunshine Coast. A Queensland Government task force was last week established to investigate recent reports of deformities found on a fish farm in Noosa and claims that sprays from nearby farms were to blame read more...

The Daily: 'Next they'll be having guns': magistrate - Friday, February 06, 2009
A Maroochydore magistrate called for tighter regulation of the security industry as she fined an officer for not properly securing restricted weapons. Magistrate Bernadette Callaghan fined Paul Rowan Jonkers $500 yesterday for not securely storing handcuffs and a baton which police found in his car in 2007. read more...

ABC NEWS: Gladstone kids suffer widespread wheezing - Friday, February 06, 2009
The industrial city of Gladstone has Australia's highest rates of breathing difficulties among children, a Queensland Health study has found. Thirty-eight per cent of six to seven year olds in Gladstone were found to have wheezing or whistling in their chests in a survey of more than 3,000 residents. Asthma was also prevalent among 12 per cent of adults involved in the study, a rate slightly higher than the Queensland average. read more...

ABC NEWS: John Holland Group to face court over work death - Thursday, February 05, 2009
Construction company John Holland Group has been ordered to face a directions hearing in the Federal Court, after a fatal workplace accident south of Mackay last year. Mark McCallum, 34, died while working at the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, in north Queensland, when his foot became trapped under wooden scaffolding on the jetty and he was run over by a piece of machinery. read more...

Northern Times: Council facing big fine - Tuesday, February 03, 2009
MORETON Bay Regional Council will be fined $16 million in 10 years’ time unless it can recycle methane gas emissions at Dakabin, Bunya and Caboolture tips. Last week’s co-ordination committee meeting learned the council is liable to pay for all emissions above 25 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide a year at any site. Each of the three tips will be emitting substantially more than the allowable limit once the federal Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) comes into effect in 2011. read more...

Courier Mail: Two hurt after chemical spill at Catholic University - Tuesday, February 03, 2009
TWO people have been transported to hospital after a chemical spill in a laboratory at the Australian Catholic University at Nudgee. Emergency services, including the Queensland Fire and Rescue Services scientific unit, rushed to the university after receiving a call about 8.30am notifying them of the spill. A spokesman for the Department of Emergency Services said they believed only a small amount of the chemical had been spilled, but a 50m exclusion zone was set up around the building where the spill occurred. read more...

The Daily: Sawmill accident injures man - Tuesday, February 03, 2009
A 62-year-old man has serious leg injuries following an accident at a sawmill. The man was unloading packets of timber from a semi-trailer at a property near Maryborough about 8.30am. One packet fell onto the man and ambulance and fire crews were called to the scene. The Energex Community Rescue Helicopter flew to the site and treated the man who was later taken to Hervey Bay hospital. read more...

ABC NEWS: Retailers have no right to strip-search customers: A-G - Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Queensland Attorney-General Kerry Shine says Queensland retailers have no right to strip search customers. Ipswich Councillor Paul Tully says an employee at a Springfield Lakes liquor store ordered a heavily pregnant woman to lift her shirt earlier this week because the worker mistook the woman for a shoplifter. read more...

The Daily: Taskforce examines effect of chemicals - Monday, February 02, 2009
Concerns about hundreds of thousands of two-headed Australian bass born at a fish hatchery near Noosa are now being investigated at a ministerial level. Queensland primary industries and fisheries minister Tim Mulherin convened a taskforce on the case in Brisbane on Wednesday with veterinarian doctor Matt Landos. read more...

Courier Mail: Dive boat firm charged for stranding Richard Neely and Allyson Dalton - Monday, February 02, 2009
CHARGES have been laid against a north Queensland dive boat operator after a British and American tourist couple were left behind in the open ocean. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland said charges had been laid against Whitsunday dive boat operator AP Vessel Management pty Ltd, who run the dive boat Pacific Star after the stranding last May of the two divers. WHSQ alleges the company, which trades as OzSail Skippered Yacht Charters, breached the Workplace Health and Safety Act. read more...

Courier Mail: Security guards protecting public servants from abusive customers - Monday, February 02, 2009
PUBLIC servants are on the receiving end of so much verbal and physical abuse that security guards have been hired to protect them - even at police headquarters. Queensland Transport, Queenslland Health and Centrelink are among a growing number of government agencies that have called in private security firms to guard workers against angry customers. read more...

ABC NEWS: Ipswich man sentenced over attempted explosives sale - Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The District Court in Brisbane has heard a 24-year-old Ipswich man tried to sell explosives that were stolen from a construction site. The court heard police intercepted a car, driven by Dwayne Thomas Coram, in May last year. A search of Coram's car revealed 135 sticks, or 15 kilograms, of Magnum Powergel. read more...

Courier Mail: Queensland health declares dengue fever epidemic in Cairns - Wednesday, January 21, 2009
QUEENSLAND Health has declared a dengue fever epidemic in Cairns, where 167 cases of the mosquito-borne virus have been confirmed in 10 weeks. Population Health Queensland executive director Linda Selvey said the strain of the virus circulating in Cairns was virulent and the number of cases rising so rapidly that controlling its spread was proving more difficult than previous outbreaks. "People are getting infected and getting sicker quicker than any outbreak we've previously seen," she said from Cairns. read more...

'Toxic spill at water recycling plant covered up' - Friday, January 16, 2009
THE state government has been accused of covering up an accident at a water recycling plant in which 500,000 litres of industrial and hospital waste were spilled. The incident occurred at the Bundamba Advance Water Treatment Plant near Ipswich in July 2008, The Australian newspaper reported today. The spill was serious enough to prompt a report to be prepared by the state's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 'Toxic spill at water recycling plant covered up' read more...

ABC NEWS: High blood pressure? Blame the office layout - Thursday, January 15, 2009
Working in open-plan offices is bad for the health and productivity of workers, a Queensland study has found. Workers are more likely to experience high levels of stress, conflict and blood pressure leading to a high turnover of staff, says study author Dr Vinesh Oommen from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Dr Oommen reviewed all the available literature on the effects of open-plan offices on employees and he said the evidence was "absolutely shocking". read more...

ABC NEWS: Man trapped under tractor phones for help - Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A man is in a critical condition after being trapped under a tractor at Curra, north of Gympie. The 52-year-old was trapped for an hour and a half before being freed by fire crews. Reports say was able to use his mobile phone to call for help. He was flown to the Royal Brisbane Hospital with chest and abdominal injuries. read more...

ABC NEWS: Investigation launched into road toll black spot - Monday, January 12, 2009
Police and the University of Queensland (UQ) are examining why the north coast region consistently has the worst road toll in the state. The region, which stretches from Redcliffe to Bundaberg, had 89 deaths in 2008, 32 more than any other region. ACting Police Commissioner Kathy Rynders says while the Queensaldn road toll was down 33 last year, it increased by 11 in the north coast region. read more...

ABC NEWS: E coli contaminates town's water supply - Monday, January 12, 2009
Tests have confirmed the bacteria E coli has contaminated the water supply in the central Queensland town of Bluff, causing residents to get sick. Central Highlands Regional Mayor Peter Maguire says he only received the test results yesterday after reports in the media that many of the town's 300 to 400 residents had contracted diarrhoea. read more...

ABC NEWS: Fire put out in Brisbane department store - Monday, January 12, 2009
Fire crews have extinguished a blaze on the roof of a department store in the Queen Street Mall in Brisbane. An electrical fault is believed to have sparked the fire in the David Jones sign about 11 am (AEST). The building was no evacuated and no one was injured. read more...

ABC NEWS: Australia officially horse flu free - Monday, January 12, 2009
Australia has been officially declared free of equine influenza (EI) by the World Organisation for Animal Health. The international declaration will lift restrictions on the movement of horses between countries and it will no longer be mandatory to register horse events in Australia. The Queensland Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin says it cost more than $40 million to eradicate the disease from the state. read more...

ABC NEWS: Final report clears ABC cancer site of radiation - Monday, December 15, 2008
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) will proceed with selling its former Brisbane studios in Toowong after a second round of tests cleared the site of any radiation problems. The broadcaster evacuated the studios in late 2006 due to a breast cancer cluster. Radiation tests were carried out on the site in 2007 and again this year. read more...

ABC NEWS: Firefighters praise quick response to refinery fire - Monday, December 15, 2008
Firefighters say a quick response by oil workers at a Caltex refinery has prevented a disaster near the Port of Brisbane this afternoon. A processing boiler caught fire and exploded at the Fort Lytton refinery around 2:30pm AEST. The plant was shut down and the site evacuated while emergency crews battled the fire. Queensland firefighter Ricky May says the fire is out and liquid nitrogen is being pumped into all fuel lines to reduce any further risks. read more...

ABC NEWS: Parents warned as unsafe toys banned - Monday, December 15, 2008
The Queensland Office of Fair Trading has banned 34 toys from sale this Christmas due to safety concerns. The annual safety audit started in August and more than 5,500 toys from Queensland shops were tested. The majority of the blacklisted toys were made in China and are sold in discount stores. Attorney-General Kerry Shine says parents should make responsible purchases. read more...

ABC NEWS: Qld Oppn supports 'tardy' pool safety overhaul - Monday, December 15, 2008
The State Opposition says it supports an overhaul of Queensland's pool safety laws, but believes it is long overdue. From next year, the State Government wants all backyard swimming pools to be registered and undergo regular, compulsory inspections. A pool safety advisory committee will be set up to consider the changes before new regulations are introduced next year. read more...

ABC NEWS: Electrical fault may have sparked outback hotel blaze - Monday, December 15, 2008
Police say a fire at a hotel in Hughenden, in north-west Queensland, may have been caused by an electrical fault. The Great Western Hotel was evacuated when smoke started pouring out of airconditioning vents about 7:30pm AEST last night. The fire badly damaged part of the building. Investigations into the cause of the fire are continuing. read more...

ABC NEWS: 4th family suing over Mt Isa lead levels - Friday, December 12, 2008
A fourth family has begun legal action against the mining giant Xstrata over high lead levels in Mount Isa in north-west Queensland. Brenda Oliver has begun action against the company, its subsidiary Mount Isa Mines, the Queensland Government and the Mount Isa City Council - on behalf of her 12-year-old son Ryan. Lawyer Damian Scattini says Ms Oliver was pregnant when the family moved to the city. read more...

Courier Mail: Union says estate streets too narrow for emergency vehicles - Friday, December 12, 2008
NARROW streets in two award-winning Queensland housing developments could hamper emergency service vehicles, it was alleged yesterday. Firefighters say they struggle to drive trucks down the streets of North Lakes and Springfield Lakes, which delays emergency response times. The warning follows yesterday's report in The Courier-Mail which revealed how most of the roads on the estates were too small for buses. read more...

ABC NEWS: Claims smelter toxic waste dumped off-site - Wednesday, December 10, 2008
A community group in central Queensland says there is anecdotal evidence that potentially toxic waste from the Boyne Smelter, south of Gladstone, was dumped off-site in the 1980s. A landfill, possibly containing fluoride, was found at the aluminium smelter at Boyne Island last Friday. Smelter owner Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL) says bore testing has failed to find any more landfills. But Gladstone Clean and Healthy Air Group spokesman Ian Woodhouse says a member of the public came forward with information about another site. read more...

Courier Mail: Court focus on detail in lead-up to Sese Titoa's death - Wednesday, December 10, 2008
A BRISBANE hotel bouncer accused of killing a patron with a single punch allegedly told his friend, ''he got his result eh?'', a court has heard. Meadowbrook Hotel security officer Tevita Fifita yesterday pleaded not guilty to the March, 2007 manslaughter of Sese Titoa, 22. It is alleged Fifita punched Titoa once to the face during an argument after the victim was refused entry to the hotel in Brisbane's south. read more...

Courier Mail: Chemical spill forces evacuation at QUT city campus - Wednesday, December 10, 2008
A BUILDING at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane city has been evacuated after a litre of acid was spilled in a science lab. The accident happened in a science laboratory in Q Block at the Queensland University of Technology Gardens Point campus in the city about 11.15am yesterday. University registrar Carol Dickenson said it was fortunate "only a small number of people" were in the lab and surrounding offices at the time due to the Christmas holiday break. read more...

ABC NEWS: Work ban remains at fatal busway project site - Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland says it has not decided when work will be allowed to resume at the site of a fatal accident on a Brisbane transport project. A 25-year-old man was crushed when a concrete beam fell at a worksite on the Eastern Busway project at Woolloongabba eight days ago. A department spokesman says statements are still being taken from witnesses and the clean up is continuing to allow normal work to resume. read more...

AAP: Three rescued as mine's lunchroom collapses - Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Three people have been rescued from a collapsed building at a central Queensland mine site. Authorities said the mine's above-ground lunchroom collapsed at the site, near Dysart, about 2pm (AEST). A man and a woman are believed to have possible spinal injuries and are being treated at Dysart Hospital. Another man received minor injuries. Authorities are investigating whether recent storms contributed to the collapse. read more...

ABC NEWS: Govt to clean up contaminated waste dump - Monday, December 08, 2008
The State Government will begin cleaning up a mound of contaminated waste found at an aluminium smelter south of Gladstone in central Queensland. More than 2,000 tonnes of material was found in a previously undetected landfill onsite at the Boyne Smelter on Friday. The Environmental Protection Agency is monitoring nearby waterways for contamination. Sustainability Minister Andrew McNamara says an investigation is underway to find out how the material got there. read more...

Sunday Mail: Bus defects put children at risk, transport union says - Monday, December 08, 2008
AN IPSWICH bus company running school and other passenger services has had 14 defective buses taken off the road by Queensland Transport in the past two weeks. The Transport Workers Union has urged the Transport Minister to ensure all school buses are safe and roadworthy, after its own investigations uncovered defects. As a result of a TWU investigation, Queensland Transport inspected buses at Westside Bus Company late last month, ordering six buses off the road. read more...

ABC NEWS: Hostel owner airs fire threat fears - Monday, December 08, 2008
A Bundaberg hostel owner says he thinks there is more than 20 illegal hostels in the region that are not complying with fire safety standards. John Walker runs a hostel for tourists and backpackers who visit the Bundaberg region, in south-east Queensland, to work on farms. He says he gave the list of suspected sites to the Bundaberg Regional Council about two weeks ago. "These places are typically what's causing Bundaberg to have a bad reputation among backpackers," he said. read more...

ABC NEWS: Action group aims to keep Mt Isa residents 'lead safe' - Monday, December 08, 2008
An alliance formed to deal with high lead levels in Mt Isa in Queensland's north-west says it hopes to encourage the community to be more lead safe. The Living with Lead Alliance was set up nine months ago to promote healthy living in Mount Isa. It is made up of mining and state and local government representatives. In May, Queensland Health revealed 11 per cent of local children tested had blood lead levels above what is deemed safe. read more...

ABC NEWS: School given all-clear after cancer cluster scare - Monday, December 08, 2008
A new report has given Deception Bay State High School north of Brisbane a clean bill of health, despite concerns about cancer rates among staff. Eleven staff at the school have been diagnosed with cancer. The Queensland Government commissioned an independent company to test the soil, drinking water, air and radiation levels at the school. read more...

ABC NEWS: Sulphuric acid spill closes Bruce Highway - Monday, December 08, 2008
A section of the Bruce Highway in North Queensland has been closed off after a B-double tanker, carrying sulphuric acid, rolled over this afternoon. The accident occurred near Bloomsbury, north of Mackay. Both the truck's tankers are leaking and the truck driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries. read more...

ABC NEWS: Mt Isa lead soil report looms - Monday, December 08, 2008
Mining giant Xstrata says a report looking at the origin of lead in the soil around Mount Isa, in north-west Queensland, should to be completed next month. Legal action has been launched by the families of three Mount Isa children with elevated blood-lead levels. Xstrata's chief operating officer,Steve de Kruijff, says mining practices have improved as technology advances. read more...

ABC NEWS: Call for level crossing cameras to stop fatalities - Thursday, December 04, 2008
The Australasian Railway Association is calling for cameras to be installed at level crossings across the country to prevent rail accidents. Investigations are continuing into last week's tilt-train collision near Cardwell in north Queensland that killed two people. Association spokesman Phil Sochan says cameras would deter drivers from ignoring flashing lights at level crossings. read more...

ABC NEWS: DPI to release Hendra virus report - Thursday, December 04, 2008
Queensland Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin has promised to release a report on a fatal outbreak of the Hendra virus. In September, veterinary scientist Nigel Perkins was asked to review the Department of Primary Industry's (DPI) handling of the virus, which caused the death of an equine vet. Five horses were also destroyed at the Redlands Veterinary Clinic. Mr Mulherin has told Parliament the report was received yesterday. "On December 2, Dr Perkins provided the Department with his final review on the outcomes," he said. read more...

AAP: Faulty airbag forces Holden recall - Wednesday, December 03, 2008
ALMOST 9000 Holdens sold in Australia have been recalled after it was found the driver's side airbag could deploy even when the car is stationary. Holden said there was a risk the airbag could deploy when the driver is exiting or has exited the vehicle. It had identified a problem where the airbag attachment within the seat assembly could allow the airbag to come away from the seat frame. The performance of the airbag could be affected in a crash, it said. read more...

AAP: Construction workers to march on Kevin Rudd's Brisbane office - Wednesday, December 03, 2008
THOUSANDS of construction workers are expected to march on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's Brisbane office, calling for improved safety regulations. Today's rally and march part of a co-ordinated national protest, comes the day after a construction worker was killed after being crushed by a concrete beam at roadworks in the Brisbane suburb of Buranda. Queensland secretary of the Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union, Michael Ravbar, says the death highlights workers' concerns. "On average one worker dies each week in Australia," he said in a statement. read more...

ABC NEWS: Creek death puts boating safety in the spotlight - Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Police say it will be up to the coroner to determine whether any additional safety measures will be required for boating in a waterway where a boy died at the weekend. Divers recovered the body of the eight-year-old Sunshine Coast boy yesterday, from Tinana Creek in south-east Queensland. He was last seen floating on a surfboard before it was hit by a ski boat on Sunday morning. Acting Superintendent Daryl Powell says the boat will be examined and witnesses are being interviewed as police prepare a report for the coroner. read more...

Courier mail: Union claims buswat death beam was not bolted in place - Wednesday, December 03, 2008
The 18-tonner beam that killed a worker at the Eastern Busway building site on Monday was not bolted into place, says the construction workers union. Tom Takurau, 25, died in the Princess Alexandra Hospital just hours after the beam slid out of a pylon and landed on his pelvis, amputating his legs. One of his workmates suffered a broken leg and two others jumped out of the way. read more...

ABC NEWS: Gold Coast council moves to reopen pools - Wednesday, December 03, 2008
The Gold Coast City Council is hoping to have a schedule soon for the reopening of its public swimming pools. Seven pools were closed last month after problems were detected with electrical earthing systems. The chairman of the council's community and cultural development committee, Bob La Castra, says contractors and council crews have been working to fix the problems. "We're hoping that the cost of this is not going to be too substantial," he said. read more...

ABC NEWS: QR official to face court over rail worker deaths - Monday, December 01, 2008
A senior Queensland Rail (QR) official will reappear in a Mackay court early next year, charged in relation to the deaths of two rail workers last year. Last December, Jamie Adams and Gary Watkins were killed when they were struck by a track machine while working on a rail line at Mindi, south-west of Mackay in north Queensland. QR executive general manager Glen Mullins did not appear in the Mackay Industrial Magistrates Court yesterday to face one charge of breaching workplace health and safety obligations. The case will be reviewed in February next year. read more...

ABC NEWS: Fluoride now added to south-east Qld drinking supplies - Monday, December 01, 2008
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says residents in the state's south-east will not notice the taste of fluoride, which goes into drinking water from today. The roll-out starts at the Molendinar treatment plant on the Gold Coast, followed by other areas of the south-east by Christmas. Most of Queensland will have fluoride by 2012. Ms Bligh says it will take some days for the fluoride to reach household taps but there will be no difference to the taste. She has dismissed the health concerns of fluoride opponents. read more...

ABC NEWS: Wallace inspects failed weir bladder - Friday, November 28, 2008
Water Resources Minister Craig Wallace has had a first-hand look at the Bedford Weir in central Queensland. Nelani Koefer, 4, drowned after the bladder on the weir split, causing water to gush into the Mackenzie River. read more...

Courier Mail: Suspicious odour hits Brisbane schools - Thursday, November 27, 2008
UP to 45 students at schools in the northern Brisbane suburb of Mitchelton are being treated after a suspicious odour was reported throughout the area. A spokeswoman for the Department of Emergency Services said about 30 students at Mitchelton State High School and 15 students at Mitchelton Primary School were being treated by paramedics, with Queensland Fire and Rescue scientific officers conducting air quality testing in the area Several children have complained of throat and eye irritations. read more...

ABC NEWS: Gladstone health consistent with rest of Qld: Govt - Thursday, November 27, 2008
The State Government says health statistics in Gladstone, in central Queensland, are consistent with the rest of the state. Locals had called for an investigation to decide whether industrial pollution was making them sick. The Health Minister has told Parliament that death and hospitalisation rates are similar to other areas, as is the incidence of lung, respiratory and other cancers. read more...

ABC NEWS: Ship workers dies in suspected ladder fall - Thursday, November 27, 2008
A man has died while working on a merchant ship moored at the Port of Townsville in north QUeensland. Police say initial investigations suggest the 63-year-old man may have fallen off a ladder and hit his head, causing the fatal injuries. The incident occured on Monday night. Workplace Health and Safety, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and Queensland Police will investigate the incident. read more...

ABC NEWS: Gladstone air quality report looms - Thursday, November 27, 2008
Queensland Healht will today release an interim report on air quality in the central Queensland city of Gladstone. Angry residents called for the testing to determine if industrial pollution is making residents sick. Dr Margaret Young from Queensland Health says preliminary results of a health assessment of the industrial city will be presented to the community today. read more...

ABC NEWS: Teen accused of spitting blood at police - Wednesday, November 26, 2008
A 17-year-old youth has been charged with the serious assualt of a police officer in the Whitsundays in north Queensland. Police allege he spat blood at a female officer as he was being arrested after trying to enter a schoolies precinct at Airlie Beach. read more...

ABC NEWS: Government says no to undergound powerlines across Qld - Wednesday, November 26, 2008
The Queensland Government has ruled out replacing the state's overhead powerlines with undergound power. Last week's severe storms sparked renewed calls for the move. Energy Minister Geoff Wilson says undergound powerlines still experience blackouts and can take longer to repair. read more...

ABC NEWS: Rubber dams deflated after drowning - Wednesday, November 26, 2008
The State Government authority in charge of Queensland's dams says it is deflating rubber dams near Mackay and Gayndah, in the state's north, to do an internal safety inspection on them. SunWater yesterday began deflating "fabridams' at the Dumbleton and Mirani Weirs near Mackay and the Calude Wharton Weir near Gayndah. read more...

Courier Mail: Barbie causes chemical scare - Tuesday, November 25, 2008
ASH from a barbecue held last night at a Gold Coast primary school has been found inside a classroom where 23 children suffered an allergic reaction today. The grade four students at Carrara's Emmanuel College were treated by paramedics after developing rashes and complaining of itching. Fire crews were also called to the school on Birmingham Road at 9:30am to investigate the source of the problem. read more...

ABC NEWS: Skydive plane crash inquest delivers modification warning - Tuesday, November 25, 2008
The state coroner has recommended that a warning is issued about the risks of modifying a type of light plane involved in a fatal crash west of Brisbane. Seven people were aboard the Cessna 206 when it clipped a tree and plunged into a dam near Willowbank in January 2006. Only two people survived. read more...

ABC NEWS: Fuel tanker crash sparks emergency - Tuesday, November 25, 2008
A tanker carrying 50,000 litres of aviation fuel has rolled at a busy intersection in Cairns in far north Queensland. Police say the intersection of Mulgrave Road and Aumuller Street has been cordoned off and firefighters are spraying foam over the vehicle. read more...

ABC NEWS: Government open to publishing speed camera sites - Tuesday, November 25, 2008
The Queensland Government says it has not yet seen a police proposal to publish the sites of speed cameras in the state but would consider it. Police Minister Judy Spence says senior officers are investigating the idea and are studying the approach taken by other states. Ms Spence says police began looking at the idea in May but are still preparing their report for the Queensland Government. read more...

Courier Mail: Inflatable dam at Bedford Weir in Queensland was checked a week ago - Tuesday, November 25, 2008
A huge water storage bladder which ruptured, sweeping a young girl to her death at a weir, passed a safety check less than a week ago. The chief of the company that operates the central Queensland weir said no problems were found when inspectors checked the bladder last Tuesday. read more...

Courier Mail: Payouts top $45,000 for injured police - Tuesday, November 25, 2008
The public costs of assaults on police continued to soar after three officers were awarded more than $45,000 in criminal compensation. It is likely the entire amount will be paid out of a special publicly funded criminal fund. In written judgements, which became available today. District Court Fleur Kingham ordered one many to pay two police officers a total of $24,750 in compensation. read more...

Courier Mail: Policeman jumps for his life as stolen car takes aim - Tuesday, November 25, 2008
A young police constable had to leap for his life when a car drove at him in a vacant lot at Cornubia, south of Brisbane, early this morning. Police said the Loganholme constable and his partner had followed a car sporting stolen number plates to a vacant lot in Goodenia Street. Expecfting the two men and woman inside the care to jump out and run into bushes, one officer got out of the patrol car ready to give chase on foot. read more...

Brisbane Times: Couch fire leads to Roma House evacuation - Tuesday, November 25, 2008
A couch set on fire last night evacuated Roma House, a homeless shelter on Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill, just north of the Brisbane's CBD. A department of Emergency Services spokesman said Queensland Fire and Rescue had been alerted at 6.23pm to a couch on fire on a second level balcony. read more...

ABC NEWS: Man critical after tractor accident - Monday, November 24, 2008
A 64-year-old m,an has been airlifted to a Brisbane hospital after being crushed when a tractor rolled onto him. A rescue helicopter flew to the accident scene at Woodford, north of Brisbane, just before 10:00am (AEST) on Sunday and the man has been flown to the Royal Brisbane Hospital. read more...

ABC NEWS: Tip closed after grenade discovery - Monday, November 24, 2008
A Townsville rubbish tip was closed for an hour on Saturday after the discovery of a grenade. The grenade was found by a man dumping rubbish at Hervey's Range tip around 3:30pm. Army bomb disposal experts say the device was in poor condition but was not a serious threat to anyone. The grenade was taken away and disposed of. The dump has since been reopened. read more...

ABC NEWS: Worker bitten in bottle shop robbery - Monday, November 24, 2008
A 20-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl have been charged over a robbery and scuffle at a liquor shop at Caboolture, north of Brisbane last night. Police say the pair entered the store shortly before 8.00pm AEST and removed an item from the shelf and tried to leave the store without paying. They were confronted by a staff member, a scuffle followed during which the employee was bitten. read more...

ABC NEWS: School in lockdown as police deal with man - Friday, November 21, 2008
A school at Moorooka in Brisbane's south-west is in lockdown. Students at Moorooka State Primary School have been locked in their classrooms while police deal with a man who is refusing to come out of a house near the school on Beaudesert Road. Parent Elaine Ford says the school contacted her about half an hour ago to let her know her son was safe. read more...

ABC NEWS: Flood rescuers face snake threat - Friday, November 21, 2008
State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers performing a rescue in the flooded Laidley Creek in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane, have had to contend with a couple of unwelcome hitchhikers. Emergency Management Queensland says two snakes slithered into a boat to escape the flood waters. Region director Bob Bundy says the volunteers had no option but to keep going. read more...

ABC NEWS: Authorities probe Brisbane balcony collapse - Friday, November 21, 2008
Authorities will today inspect the remains of a balcony which collapsed at a suburban Brisbane home yesterday injuring 26 people. Brisbane police and council staff are investigating what caused the collapse in Upper Lancaster Street at Ascot. The timber deck collapsed during an end of year celebration for mothers of Year 12 students at Anglican Church Grammar School. read more...

ABC NEWS: Worker fatigue newest hurdle asQld braces for more storms - Friday, November 21, 2008
Authorities are worried that emergency workers will be exhausted if more severe storms hit Queensland's south-east. read more...

ABC NEWS: Woman spends 12 hours trapped under tractor - Wednesday, November 19, 2008
A WOMAN was trapped under a tractor overnight on a remote property near Gympie before being discovered and then freed by emergency services.Emergency services were called to the Forestry Road, Bauple property, north of Gympie, about 6am.The woman, believed to be in her 50s, was trapped for at least 12 hours before being freed by emergency services by 7.30am. read more...

ABC NEWS: Queensland Police Service sued by its own officers - Tuesday, November 18, 2008
QUEENSLAND'S police service is under attack again in the Supreme Court from its own officers, who allege poor communication between staff. A claim filed in the Supreme Court of Queensland registry in Brisbane says police communications failed to warn Ferny Grove constables Paul Hodges and Mark Gray that a man they were attending to on the evening of June 30, 2006, had attacked officers a month before. read more...

ABC NEWS: Bouncer awarded $425,000 over injury - Monday, November 17, 2008
A BOUNCER who hurt his back while trying to eject a drunk patron from a casino has successfully sued his employer for more than $425,000.During a two-day hearing last month, the Supreme Court in Townsville was told Colin Albert Knight, 43, felt a "knot-type pain" in his back as he escorted a man from Jupiters Hotel & Casino on November 22, 2003. read more...

ABC NEWS: Man electrocuted in workplace accident - Monday, November 17, 2008
A man was electrocuted at Eagle Farm in Brisbane's north this morning.He was taken to the Royal Brisbane Hospital but was dead on arrival. Police say it appears to have been a workplace accident.

ABC NEWS: Man critical after catching leg in grinder - Monday, November 17, 2008
A man has been flown to hospital in a critical condition after his leg was caught in a grinder, west of Brisbane. The man was injured while operating the machine at his home in Toowoomba at about 10:30am (local time) today. The 45-year-old is being treated for serious leg injuries in Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital. read more...

ABC NEWS: Paramedic attacked in Brisbane - Monday, November 17, 2008
Queensland Police are investigating an alleged attack on a paramedic in Brisbane this morning. Police say the 52-year-old was punched, kicked and spat on while trying to treat a 19-year-old man being transported to the Prince Charles Hospital. read more...

ABC NEWS: Gold Coast pool problem 'detected last year' - Friday, November 14, 2008
The Gold Coast City Council says a potential problem with electrical earthing systems at its public swimming pools was first identified during routine maintenance last year. Seven pools could be closed for up to five weeks for repairs. Council chief executive Dale Dixon says further testing was recommended last March and the council took action when it received that report on Monday. read more...

ABC NEWS: Electrical fix begins on Gold Coast pools - Thursday, November 13, 2008
Electricians have started to rectify electrical problems which forced the closure of all Gold Coast public swimming pools. Seven pools were shut yesterday when a audit revealed electrical readings were above Australian standards. read more...

ABC NEWS: Work to begin on 'first' clean coal project - Thursday, November 13, 2008
The Queensland Minister for Mines and Energy, Geoff Wilson, has told Parliment work is about to begin on the first clean coal demonstration project. The $206 million Callide Oxyfuel Project, outside Biloela in central Queensland, will begin the first stage this week with the refurbishment work to begin on the old plant. read more...

ABC NEWS: Desert danger forces outback shutdown - Thursday, November 13, 2008
The Simpson Desert in outback Australia is to be closed over Summer for the first time, due to safet concerns. The conservation park and regional reserve, which covers more than 3.6 million hectares, will be closed from December 1 until March 15. read more...

ABC NEWS: Electrocution figures alarm industry body - Tuesday, November 11, 2008
An electricical industry body says it is alarmed by an increase in the number of people electrocuted or hospitalised by electric shocks. Figures from the Queensland Electrical Safety office show five people were electrocuted last financial year, and six the year before. read more...

ABC NEWS: Boarding houses get fire safety warnings - Tuesday, November 11, 2008
The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service has issued warning notices to the owners of eight unregistered boardining houses in Innisfail, in north Queensland, after a safety crackdown last week. The Cassowary Coast Regional Council initially reported four unregistered premises and last week told inspectors of another six unsafe properties. read more...

Courier Mail: Barbies a health hazard - Monday, November 10, 2008
The great Aussie barbie is a health hazard. As the barbecue season fires up, a survey shows many backyard chefs are putting their guests at risk of food poisoning. A survey has found 60 per cent of people had seen food prepared unsafely at barbecues. Not cooking meat long enough and reusing plates after they'd had raw meat on them were the major threats revealed in the survey to mark Food Safety Week. read more...

Courier Mail: 'Schocking' accidents upswing - Monday, November 10, 2008
Dodgy electricians and amateur DIY'ers are causing a shocking upswing in serious electrical accidents across Queensland. The latest industry figures showed on average a serious accident occurs every working day. There were five electrical fatalities last financial year and six in 2006-07; well up on an average 2.25 for the four previous years. read more...

ABC NEWS: Gas leak forces evacuation of Brisbane hotel - Monday, November 10, 2008
Queensland firefighters contained a gas leak at a hotel on Brisbane's southside early this morning. Police diverteed traffic and The Chalk Hotel at Woollongabba was evacuated after guests complained of a strange smell. The source was found to be gas leaking from a broken pipe attached to cyclinders at the back of the hotel. read more...

ABC NEWS: Mental health warning as schoolies nears - Monday, November 10, 2008
There has been a call to make mental health a priority at this year's schoolies celebrations. The mental health carers support group, ARAFMI, says many young people are oblivious to what triggers a mental health problem. Queensland president Toni Anderson says there is a risk with partying too hard. read more...

ABC NEWS: Oil pill causes havoc on Townsville road - Monday, November 10, 2008
A number of people are injured after a large oil spill cause traffic havoc in Queensland's far north. Emergency crews were called to The Strand in Townsville about 8.00am AEST yesterday after two spereate car crashes and a cycling accident. Two pedestrians also slipped and fell on the road. read more...

ABC NEWS: Protesters chained to coal conveyer belt - Monday, November 10, 2008
Tarong Energy says two demonstrators have chained themselves to a conveyor belt carrying coal to a power station in Queensland's south Burnett region. They are believed to be protesting over the Federal Government's failure to cut greenhouse gas emissions. read more...

ABC NEWS: Scientists meet to work on Hendra virus vaccine - Monday, November 10, 2008
A scientist leading research into the deadly Hendra virus says researchers are still trying to understand the disease and develop a vaccine. Up to 100 scientists and vets have spent the last two days in Brisbane to collaborate on research projects, including the link between flying foxes and other diseases likes SARS and Lyssavirus. read more...

Courier Mail: Super-sized ambulances to cope with obese patients - Friday, November 07, 2008
The Queensland Government is purchasing super-sized ambulances with hydraulic lifts to cope with an increasing number of obese patients. Queensland Ambulance Service medical director Stephen Rashford confirmed the move yesterday, saying it was necessary to be able to transport extremely obese patients safely as well as to "protect staff". read more...

ABC NEWS: Virgin Blue locks out union official amid safety fears - Friday, November 07, 2008
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) says it is taking Virgin Blue to the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) after an official was denied access to the airline's Brisbane Airport terminal yesterday. TWU spokesman Hughie Williams says the union will seek to have Virgin Blue undergo a safety audit. read more...

ABC NEWS: Brisbane pilot praised for 'outstanding' emergency landing - Friday, November 07, 2008
The Royal Queensland Aero Club (RQAC) says it will conduct its own investigation into an emergency landing at Brisbane's Archerfield Airport yesterday. The pilot and a trainee were not hurt after a singly-engine Cessina 172 landed one one wheel and skidded along the runway. RQAC spokesman Stewart Cameron says it was the best possible outcome. read more...

ABC NEWS: Valley's electronic speed signs to be activated - Friday, November 07, 2008
Variable electronic speed signs will be switched on in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley tomorrow. Speed limits are being cut to 40 kilometres-an-hour late on Friday and Saturday nights. Local councillor David Hinchliffe says it is to improve safety in the nightclub precinct. read more...

ABC NEWS: Wait continues for Gladstone air quality health study - Thursday, November 06, 2008
Queensland Health has told Gladstone residents it will be another three months before they learn whether airboen industrial pollutants in the city are a serious risk. About 80 people attended last night's meeting in Gladstone in central Queensland for an update on the two-year 'Clean and Healthy Air for Gladstone' project. read more...

ABC NEWS: Technical hitch delays Isa air monitoring - Thursday, November 06, 2008
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says technical problems have delayed the arrival of equipment to monitor heavy metals around Mt Isa in the state's north-west. The high-tech equipment was supposed to be installed by the end of last month after concerns were raised about the health of some of the city's children who recorded elevated blood lead levels. read more...

ABC NEWS: Far north restaurants fined for hygiene breaches - Thursday, November 06, 2008
Six restauranteurs at Innisfail, in far north Queensland, have been fined and the Cassowary Coast Regional Council is considering taking another one to court for breaches of hygiene standards. During a recent inspection of 57 eateries - 40 per cent were found to have mice or cockroach infestations.The council's environmental health manager, Geoff Wilson, says dead rodents were also found in one kitchen. read more...

ABC NEWS: Minister vows illegal hostels will be prosecuted - Thursday, November 06, 2008
Queensland Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts says backpacker hostels that do not comply with fire safety rules will be prosecuted. Coucnil Inspectors in Innisfail in far north Queensland recently found 15 backpackers crammed into one rooms, while several other hostels had exposed wiring, overloaded sockets, and a lack of smoke alarms. read more...

ABC NEWS: Mt Isa air pollution testing delayed - Wednesday, November 05, 2008
There has been a delay in plans to introduce hourly testing of heavy metals in the air at Mount Isa in north-west Queensland. Health concerns were raised in May when 11 percent of the children tested in the mining town returned higher than recommended blood lead levels. read more...

ABC NEWS: Illegal hostels 'tragedy waiting to happen' - Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Authorities say fire safety breaches at several illegal hostels in Innisfail in Queensland's far north could have been a tragedy waiting to happen. The Cassowary Cohttp://www.safework.qld.edu.au/ast Regional Council has inpected 10 properties after complaints from the public and other business operators. read more...

ABC NEWS: Roma chemical spill contained - Wednesday, November 05, 2008
A chemical spill at Roma in the Queensland's southern inlan has been contained. Queensland Fire and Rescue says a truck was carrying up to 1.3 tonnes of the chemical Drewplex, which is used for scouring boilers, when it started leaking. They say high temperatures cause the chemical to expand in its container. read more...

ABC NEWS: Power companies vow to improve safety record - Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Energex and Ergon have promised to improve their safety performance in submitting their 2008 annual reports in Queensland Parliament. Ergon says its safety performance remains a concern, with a disappointing increase in the frequency of worker injuries. Energex has also reported increases in lost time injury rates, saying it needs to improve. read more...

ABC NEWS: Childcare centre evacuated over electrical fumes - Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Two epople have been treated in hospital after inhaling fumes at a childcare centre in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane. Emergency crew called to the Elm Childcare Centre at laidley after an electrical fault was reported yesterday morning. The building was evacuated as a precaution. read more...

Courier Mail: Death jump into mine pit was filmed on mobile phone - Monday, November 03, 2008
The presumed death jump of a man who leapt off a 50m cliff into an abandoned mine pit west of Brisbane was filmed on a mobile phone. Police divers have found the body of the man that dived into an open-cut pit at Swanbank on Sunday morning.It's believed he was with a group of men who had been drinking last night and entered private property, owned by a mining company, for a swim. Police said the property was fenced and had warning signs but teh men had ignored them. read more...

ABC NEWS: Woman to face court for abusing pilot - Monday, November 03, 2008
Police say a woman will face courr in QUeensland tomorrow after she abused a pilot when she refused to turn off electrical equipment. They say the woman refused to turn off her electrical equipment on the flight from Brisbane to Rockhampton today after being directed to do so by cabin crew. The captain of the plane appraoched the woman on landing when she allegedly became abusive. read more...

ABC NEWS: Aerotropics in last ditch bid to stay in the air - Monday, November 03, 2008
Aviation company Aerotropics says it is willing to downsize its business to try to convince the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to reinstate its operator certificate. The company was suspended a month ago and has been in voluntary administration. read more...

ABC NEWS: Two people hospitalised after Toll site gas leak - Monday, November 03, 2008
Two staff were taken to hospital after a gas leak affected workers at a business on Brisbane's southside this afternoon. Fire crews called to the Toll Refrigerated office in Morningside around 3:30pm AEST. Firefighters have stopped the ammonia leak and are monitoring the air quality. read more...

ABC NEWS: More test results due after school health scare - Thursday, October 30, 2008
Queensland Health is expecting air quality test results today after a health scare at a primary school in Brisbane's south. Emergency crews were called to Wellers Hill State School after a girl had a seizure in a music class on Wednesday morning. read more...

ABC NEWS: Student charged over school knife - Thursday, October 30, 2008
A Tully student accused of taking a knife to school is due to face court next month. Police have charged a 14-year-old with going armed to cause fear after an incident yesterday at the Tully State High School in far north Queensland. read more...

Courier Mail: Cheap Chinese furniture ' may poison you' - Thursday, October 30, 2008
Cheap imported furniture and shelving containing high levels of toxic chemicals may be endangering the health of Australian workers and families. Tests by Australian furniture manufacturers have shown flat pack furniture and shelving imported from China may be emitting very high levels of formaldehyde, known to cause cancer. read more...

ABC NEWS: Runaway speeder drags policeman along road - Thursday, October 30, 2008
A policeman has escaped serious injury after being dragged beside a moving car he had intercepted for speeding on the Gold Coast. Police say the officer was taken to hospital after the incident at Robina around 1:00pm AEST this afternoon. read more...

Courie Mail: Bray Park service station hit by fire - Wednesday, October 29, 2008
A Brisbane service station was hit by fire, but luckily for fire crews and the lone attendant, fuel pumps were protected from the falmes. Fire crews were called to the 7-Eleven convenience store and service station at the corner of Old North and Samsonvale Rd, Bray Park, about 8pm to a fire in a store room. read more...

Courier Mail: Wellers Hill school evacuated after 30 children, teacher fall ill - Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Wellers Hill State School at Tarragindi, on Brisbane's southside, has been evacuated after 30 children and a teacher aide in a classroom became sick. Nine children have been taken to Mater Hospital and 21 others and the teacher are being treated by emergency services in teh school's administration block. read more...

ABC NEWS: Qld school formally endorses cartwheel ban - Monday, October 27, 2008
A school in north Queensland has formally endorsed its ban on students doing cartwheels. The P and C committee from the Belgian Gardens State SChool in Townsville has voted to continue the ban. read more...

ABC NEWS: New review launched into Qld Health housing safety - Monday, October 27, 2008
The State Government has again defended security at Queensland Health accomodation in the Torres Strait after two incidents in the past week. An occupational health and safety officer has been sent the Torres Strait in the far north to carry out a new review of security at Queensland Health accommodation. read more...

Courier Mail: School fire forces out hundreds in Toowoomba - Monday, October 27, 2008
About 300 people were evacuated from the Harristown State High School in south Toowoomba when fault stage equipment caight on fire. An emergency services spokeswoman said the fire broke out in the hall of school in South Street, about 4.30pm yesterday. read more...

AAP: Prison guards strike over urine-covered uniforms - Friday, October 24, 2008
Queensland prison guards walked off the job because colleagues were forced to keep urine-soaked uniforms on unitl police arrived to investigate an inmates death, Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence says. Prison officers at the Capricornia Correctional Centre, near Rockhampton, returned at 8am (AEST) today after walking off the job yesterday afternoon. read more...

ABC NEWS: Smelter gets more time for emmissions report - Thursday, October 23, 2008
Detailed emissions from Australia's largest aluminium smelter will not be released until next year after the Environmental Protection Gency (EPA) granted an extension. Rio Tinto Aluminium's Boyne Smelter south of Gladstone, in central Queensland, produces more than 500,000 tonnes of aluminium annually. read more...

ABC NEWS: Relief tests clear Brisbane school of cancer risk - Thursday, October 23, 2008
The principal of a high school north of Brisbane says he is relieved that initial environment testing there has not found any elevated cancer risk. Eleven staff at the Deception Bay High School have cancer, with three teachers being diagnosed since last Novemeber. read more...

AAP: Explosive detonaters found at Gold Coast car wash - Thursday, October 23, 2008
Explosive detonators have been found in a rubbish bin at a Gold Coast car wash. A police spokeswoman said a customer cleaning his car at the car wash found a number of cylinders in a bin early today. read more...

ABC NEWS: Xstrata back in court over lead poisoning - Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Mining giant Xstrata is back in courts today over the case of a girl formerly from Mount Isa, in north-west Queensland, with high lead levels. Legal action is being taken against the company, teh State Government and the Mount Isa City Council over the case of Stella Hare, 6, who has recorded elevated lead levels. read more...

ABC NEWS: Paramedics injured en route to emergency - Monday, October 20, 2008
A Queensland paramedic will undergo surgery today after an ambulance and semi-trailer collided on the Gore Highway, west of Toowoomba. Police say teh accident happenede Sunday morning when the ambulance was doung a u-turn heading to an emergency. read more...

GOLD COAST NEWS: Surf club sued for $278,000 - Monday, October 20, 2008
A woman has filed a $278,000 damages claim against Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club after she allegedly fell down wet stairs when leaving the club. The statement of claim filed in the Supreme Court in Brisbane by Carol Bell lists injuries, past and future loss of income and other damages as a result of slipping on steps while walking down from the club on January 7, 2006. read more...

ABC NEWS: Gold Coast school bans contact sport - Monday, October 20, 2008
Students at a Gold Coast primary school in south-east Queensland have been banned from playing contact sports, including touch football. The Queensland Department of Education says the ban was imposed on year seven students at the Coombabah State School because fights were breaking out. read more...

ABC NEWS: Boy killed crossing crash 'not properly restrained' - Monday, October 20, 2008
A six-year-old boy who died after a school bus in which he was travelling was involved in a south-west Queensland level crossing smash was not properly restrained despite wearing a seatbelt, an inquiry has found. read more...

ABC NEWS: Gladstone factory seeks explosion report - Monday, October 20, 2008
A court has heard that the mid north minuitions company charged over the death of three workers is seeking an independent report into the fatal explosion. A blast tore through the Gladstone factory in May 2006, killing Darren Millington, Matt Keeley and Damian Harris and injuring two others. read more...

ABC NEWS: Widow to give evidence at mine death inquest - Wednesday, October 15, 2008
A coronial inquest into teh death of a central Queensland miner will today hear evidence from the man's widow. Jason Blee was working at the Moranbah North mine last year when he was crushed between the wall of the mine and a coal shuttle car and susequently died. read more...

ABC NEWS: TB scare at QLd university - Wednesday, October 15, 2008
One hundred and sixty staff and students at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane will be screened for tuberculosis after one student contracted the disease. Authorities say at this stage there is no cause for concern. read more...

ABC NEWS: Chemical spill at Gympie council depot - Wednesday, October 15, 2008
A Gympie council worker has been treated by ambulance officers after a chemical spill yesterday. A council spokesman says an unknown chemical spilled from a 20 litre container at the works depot in Gympie. read more...

COURIER MAIL: Man killed at car-wrecking yard - Wednesday, October 15, 2008
A man was killed when he was crushed by a car he working on at a wrecking yard south of Brisbane on Monday. It is understood the 47-year-old man was working underneath the car at 4x4 Wreckers yard at Slacks Creek when it feel on him just before 11.30 am. read more...

AAP: Firefighters hurt in car yard blaze - Monday, October 13, 2008
Two firefighters have been taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation from a blaze ripping through stacked car bodies in an inner Brisbane suburb. read more...

ABC NEWS: Queensland Government says no to seatbelts on all buses - Monday, October 13, 2008
The Queensland Government says it has no agreed to install seatbelts in all buses used on steep roads. The Transport Workers Union (TWU) had said Queensland Transport agreed to install seatbelts and roll-over frames in buses working in steep areas by the end of the year read more...

ABC NEWS: Tree branch accident under investigation - Monday, October 13, 2008
Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Inspectors are investigating an incident where a woman fractured her skull when hit by a falling tree branch. It happened on Thursday afternoon when professional tree loppers were cutting trees at the woman's Highfields home near Toowoomba. read more...

ABC NEWS: Workers accidentally started fire at recycling yard - Monday, October 13, 2008
Queensland firefighters say two workers accidentally sparked yesterday's fire in a Brisbane car recycling yard. It began around 3pm AEST and destroyed more than 100 cars bodies on Kingsford Smith Drive at Pinkenba. read more...

ABC NEWS: Exclusion zone around island bombs - Friday, October 10, 2008
A one kilometre exclusion zone is still in place around central Queensland island where World War II bombs were found. The explosives were found last week at Fairfax Island, south-east of Gladstone, but key stakeholders are waiting on the right tide and wind conditions before deciding on how to handle them. read more...

ABC NEWS: Miner wants children's blood lead levels re-tested - Friday, October 10, 2008
Mining giant Xstrata has urged parents in Mt Isa, in north-west Queensland, to have their children re-tested to find out if high lead blood levels are persisting. New figures released earlier this week have revealed more children in Mt Isa have elevated leads blood levels. read more...

ABC NEWS: Seatbelt could have saved bus victim, union says - Friday, October 10, 2008
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has renewed its call for seatbelts on buses after the death of a 67-year-old woman on Tuesday. The woman passenger on a bus at Redcliffe last weekend that was forced to brake suddenly. She was thrown forward and hit her head and later died in hospital. read more...

ABC NEWS: Government urged to address doctor fatigue, training - Friday, October 10, 2008
Queensland Health has been accused of failing junior doctors across the state over training and fatigue management. Salaried Doctors Queensland president Don Kane says improved training and fatigue management were part of the last enterprise bargaining agreement but nothing was implemented. read more...

Govt pledges $6m for new truck rest stops - Friday, October 10, 2008
Queensland Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt says the State Government is planning to build 25 new truck driver rest stops over the next few years, Mr Pitt says $6 million has been allocated to build the first 11 stops. read more...

ABC NEWS: Robertson releases Mt Isa lead levels figures - Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Queensland Health Minister Stephen Robertson says the latest figures show 12 Mount Isa children in the state's north-west still have elevated levels of lead in their blood. Mr Robertson says initial legal advice recommended the Queensland Government not publish the figures, but he is now releasing them. read more...

ABC NEWS: More rest stops wanted for truckies - Tuesday, October 07, 2008
The Australian Trucking Association says it wants funds for an extra 900 rest stops for truck drivers on the national Auslink road network over the next 10 years. The Association will issue suggested amendments to the Government's heavy vehicle charges legislation this week. read more...

AAP: Ambos need some capsicum spray - Tuesday, October 07, 2008
The union which covers paramedics in Queensland has called for ambulance officers to be equipped with capsicum spray. The Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union (LHMU) said they want the spray to protect themselves until legislation that offered them more protection from assault was introduced. read more...

ABC NEWS: Qld Health monitoring lead levels in Mt Isa kids - Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Queensland Health says it is continuing to monitor a further five children in Mt Isa, who have lead levels in their blood higher than recommended by the World Health Organisation. read more...

BRISBANE TIMES: Mum sues school over slippery dip injury - Tuesday, October 07, 2008
A woman who claims she was injured going down a slippery slide at a prominent Brisbane private school is suing for compensation. Fiona Ciranni, 36 is claiming almost $102,000 in compensation from John Paul College Ltd. read more...

ABC NEWS: Airline faces 40-day suspension over safefty concerns - Monday, October 06, 2008
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) will ask the Federal Court to suspend Cairns-based airline Aero-Tropics from flying for 40 days. CASA says it needs that time to complete an investigation into two serious incidents aboard an Aero-Tropic flight this week. read more...

ABC NEWS: Former policeman sues Qld Government for $1 million - Monday, October 06, 2008
A former Queensland police officer caught up in a biker gang shootout on the Gold Coast is suing the State Government for more than $1 million. read more...

ABC NEWS: Boy's death won't stop island buggy use - Monday, October 06, 2008
Hamilton Island management says there are no plans to stop using older type buggies without seatbels, despite teh death of a six-year-old Sunshine Coast boy. read more...

Crop dusting crash rate no higher: CASA - Tuesday, September 30, 2008
According to ABC News the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) says crop dusters do not have a higher crash rate than the general aviation industry in Australia. read more...

Brisbane council considers options over boardwalk cracks - Monday, October 06, 2008
Accorinding to ABC News, the Brisbane City Council says it may consider legal action unless a developer repairs cracks in another section of the riverfront boardwalk. Large cracks have been found in the Teneriffe strech of the concrete walkway, which is owned by developer Meridien. read more...

Police examine crop duster crash wreckage - Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Investigators are trying to work out why a crop duster crashed in south-east Queensland this afternoon, killing the male pilot. read more...

Police pay tribute to fallen colleagues - Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Queensland police officers have today paid tribute to their colleagues who have been killed in the line of duty. Over the past 147 years, 137 members of the Queensland Police Service have died while on duty. read more...

Mine study finds work fatigue, drinking similarities - Tuesday, September 30, 2008
A new study into miner fatigue has revealed working while tired results in similar effects to being drunk. The research examined 55 workers at a north Queensland mine and showed after eight consecutive 12-hour day shifts, workers behaved like they had a blood alcohol level of 0.05. read more...

Qantas to review screening after latest security breach - Monday, September 29, 2008
Qantas is reviewing its security screening procedures today after the second security breach at the Brisbane domestic terminal within a week. read more...

Cancer cluster fire station to be demolished - Friday, September 26, 2008
A house on the Atherton fire station site, in far north Queensland, will be demolished today as a symbolic gesture to cancer sufferers. read more...

Qld Health staff report almost 47,000 'near misses' - Friday, September 26, 2008
A new report shows Queensland Health staff reported almost 47,000 cases of patient harm and 'near misses' in the 2006-2007 financial year. read more...

Man hurt when boat hit cable - Friday, September 26, 2008
A man was injured when he was thrown into the Brisbane River after his boat hit a cable that guides a ferry across the waterway. Police said the man's vessel hit the Moggill ferry's cable about 5.20pm. The impact hurled him into the river in Brisbane's west. read more...

1800 workers return after gas scare - Friday, September 26, 2008
About 1800 Brisbane CBD office workers have been allowed to return to their building after they were evacuated in a gas scare today. The 24-storey Colonial Mutual building in Queen Street was evacuated at about 3pm (AEST) today when staff reported a strong smell of gas on the 10th floor. read more...

Upside-down Billboard drives distraction: RACQ - Friday, September 26, 2008
The RACQ says a new upside-down billboard on the Ipswich Motorway, west of Brisbane, poses a safety hazard because it may distract drivers. read more...

Qld Government agress to scaffold safety rule changes - Friday, September 26, 2008
A reference group including the Office of Workplace Health and Safety, building unions and the Master Builders Association has recommended that load testing should be carried out on suspended scaffolds and the equipment should be designed by qualified engineers. read more...

CASA considering legal action against Hempels Aviation - Friday, September 26, 2008
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) says it will consider legal action if Brisbane-based company Hempels Aviation, which is under investigation for alleged safety breaches, closes indefinitely. read more...

Powder scare sparks post office evacuation - Wednesday, September 24, 2008
A building was evacuated in Mackay on Monday night and eight people were treated for skin irritation after a powder was found in a mail package. read more...

Brisbane airport evacuated after security breach - Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Thousands of people were evacuated from the Qantas terminal at Brisbane's domestic airport on Monday after a security breach. The alarm was raised just after 2.00pm AEST. read more...

Cancer cluster fears at second Qld school - Friday, September 19, 2008
Concerns over cancer rates have been raised at a second school, just north of Brisbane. Authorities last week confirmed that an investigation had been ordered into fears of a cancer cluster at the Deception Bay High School, where 11 cases had reportedly been detected. read more...

Queensland to remember mine victims - Friday, September 19, 2008
Ceremonies will be held across Queensland today to remember those who have died in mining accidents. read more...

Men rescued from smell bore - Friday, September 19, 2008
Firefighters have retrieved two men from a 10 metre bore hole in southwest Queensland. An emergency services spokeswoman said the men were cleaning the bore, which is 5m wide, when fumes from the cleaning products overwhelmed them. read more...

Common plastic linked to heart disease - Thursday, September 18, 2008
Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical commonly used in plastic food and beverage containers and in the coating of food cans. has been linked to heart disease. At this stage experts do not know how the chemical could cause the disease. read more...

Bin fire causes school evacuation - Thursday, September 18, 2008
Four people were taken to hospital and more than 600 students were evacuated after a bin fire released toxic fumes at a Queensland school. SParks from welding equipment used by construction workers at Emmaus College at Jimboomba, south of Brisbane, cause the fire around 11.15 am (AEST) yesterday read more...

Teacher threatened with knife during school invasion - Wednesday, September 17, 2008
A second Gold Coast high school has been placed in lock-down in as many days, after a teacher and a student were assaulted by a gang of youths. Police say five young men entered Marymount College at Burleigh Heads just before 1pm AEST. read more...

Qantas flight aborted over strange adour - Wednesday, September 17, 2008
A mid-air care has forced a Qantas jet carrying 133 passengers bound for Brisbane to turn back to Perth. The Boeing 767 was 30 minutes into its flight from Perth to Brisbane tonight when a strange odour was detected, forcing it to turn around. read more...

Tests to begin at high school over cancer cluster fears - Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tests will begin during next week's school holidays at a south-east Queensland high school to see if there is a cancer cluster. Eleven staff at teh Deception Bay High School have cancer, with three teachers being diagnosed since Novemeber last year. read more...

Road workers seriously hurt in Brisbane explosion - Monday, September 15, 2008
Two road workers have been seriuosly injured in an explosion at an industrial site in Brisbane's inner south overnight. Queensland Fire and Rescue Inspector Paul Simmons says the men were smoking inside a shipping container at Park Road Woolloongabba. read more...

Nanna naps on the job for train drivers - Monday, September 15, 2008
Queensland Rail has developed an innivative way of tackling widespread safety issues and staff fatigue - sanctioning nanna naps for its drivers. read more...

Education Qld to survey sex-related incidents - Monday, September 15, 2008
Education Queensland will head a state-wide survey into sex-related incidents at schools. The State Government has revealed it investigated the alleged sexual assault of a seven-year-old girl by another student at a country primary school. read more...

Government to evacuate high school if cancer cluster confirmed - Friday, September 12, 2008
THe Queensland Government says it will evacuate a high school north of Brisbane if investigations confirm there is a cancer cluster on the site. read more...

$800,000 to update emergency services dispatch system - Thursday, September 11, 2008
The Queensland Government will spend more than $800,000 updating part of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Services' dispatch system. read more...

Tweed Hospital 'overcrowded and understaffed' - Thursday, September 11, 2008
Staff at Tweed Hospital on the New South Wales far-north coast say overcrowding and a lack of resources are risking the lives of patients. read more...

Inquiry recommends QR complaints be heard in court - Thursday, September 11, 2008
An inquiry into a workplace double fatlaity in Central Queensland last year has recommended four complaints against Queensland Rail (QR) be heard in court. read more...

Rail Union says QR has 'top-down' attitude to safety - Thursday, September 11, 2008
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union representing the state's rail workers says it is concerned about Queensland Rail's attitude to workplace health and safety read more...

Company chiefs speak at mine death inquest - Thursday, September 11, 2008
A coronial inquest into the death of a mine worker in Queensland's central highlands last year will today hear evidence from senior mine officers. read more...

CMC to investigate SE QLD water grid contractor - Thursday, September 11, 2008
The Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) has been asked to investigate a company contracted to build parts of the south-east Queensland water grid. It is alleged the company allowed heavy machinery training to be falsified. read more...

Port Douglas water now safe to drink - Wednesday, September 10, 2008
The Cairns Regional Council says residents in POrt Douglas and Mowbray, in far north Queensland, can now safely drink tap water after tests showed a drop in bacterial contamination. read more...

Fire empties Hilton Hotel - Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Brisbane's Hilton Hotel was evacuated yesterday morning after a fire which broke out on the ninth floor sent smoke through the building. Guests were evacuated just after 10am with Queensland Ambulance Services on standby. read more...

Mine death inquest hears safety review worries - Tuesday, September 09, 2008
An inquest has heard more could have been done to prevent the death of a central Queensland coal miner. Jason Blee, 33, was killed at the Moranbah North mine in April last year after he was crushed between a coal shuttle car and the side of the mine wall. read more...

Qld Govt medically negligent over patient's death: AMAQ - Tuesday, September 09, 2008
The australian Medical Association of Queensland (AMAQ) has accused the State Government of medical negligence after a patient died on a trolley in the Townsville Hospital's emergency department last week. read more...

Qld Health to review handling of Hendra virus outbreak - Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Queensland Health will review its handling of the most recent outbreak of Hendra virus and hand a report to the State Government before the end of the year. read more...

Chlorine fails to kill far north E. coli - Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Council water authorities say chlorine treatment on a contaimnated reservoir in the Port Douglas and Mossman region of far north Queensland has failed to kill the bacteria E. coli. read more...

Mine death inquest to hear more evidence - Tuesday, September 09, 2008
A senior miner will continue giving evidence today into last year's fatal mine accident in Queenland's central highlands. read more...

Chinese made uniforms recalled - Tuesday, September 09, 2008
An Australian power company has withdrawn more than 3000 Chinese-made protective uniforms after staff complained of skin irritations read more...

Railway safety record defended - Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Queensland rail authority and teh train drivers' union have defended the railway safety record following media reports of unsafe practices. read more...

Charges possible over whale watch accident - Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Maritime Safety Queensland says charges could be laid over yesterday's whale watching incident in which 10 people were injured read more...

Ergon Energy uniforms making workers sick - Monday, September 08, 2008
Energy workers are breaking out in blisters and vomiting after wearing potentially toxic uniforms. At least 143 Ergon Energy workers in Queensland have suffered sever allergic reactions to the flame-retardent uniforms recently rolled out to the state's 3400-strong workforce at a cost of about $3.5 million. read more...

Big waves leave whale watchers in hospital - Monday, September 08, 2008
Ten people were taken to hospital after a whale watching boat was hit by several large waves on the Gold Coast yesterday morning. read more...

More funding needed to combat golden staph: health experts - Monday, September 08, 2008
Health experts are calling on the Federal Government to provide more funding to combat "golden staph" in hospitals, amid fears of a possible epidemic. read more...

Reservoirs treated for E. coli contamination - Monday, September 08, 2008
Council water authorities have treated three reservoirs in Port Douglas, north of Cairns in far north Queensland, where low contamination levels have been found. read more...

Queensland Rail drivers putting commuters at risk - Monday, September 08, 2008
Commuters are being put at risk by train drivers who run red lights while chatting with colleagues, making coffe and even falling alseep at the controls. read more...

Call for ATSB to investigate fatal glider - Wednesday, September 03, 2008
The Australian Gliding Federation says the AUstralian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) should investigate Monday's fatal air crash at Toolgoolawah in the Brisbane Valley in south-east Queensland. read more...

Brisbane Coles evacuated over odour - Monday, September 01, 2008
About 60 people had to be evacuated at a Coles store at Indooroopilly in Brisbane's west on Friday morning due to a strong chemical smell. read more...

Collapse fears close Brisbane's Riverwalk for Riverfire - Thursday, August 28, 2008
Users of one of Brisbane's busiest walkways face long disruption after a section of the riverside boardwalk was closed over fears it would collapse. read more...

Brisbane Scrap Metal Fire Still Burning - Thursday, August 28, 2008
Emergency Services say a large fire that erupted in a car scrap metal yard in Rocklea on Brisbane's southside is likely to burn until it runs out of fuel. read more...

QLD Vets fearful after Hendra Vet dies - Monday, August 25, 2008
Dr Peter Reid who worked on the original outbreak of the Hendra virus in 1994 has said "people are understandably very fearful in the veterinary profession and every vet in Australia I'd say would be acutely aware of what's happened".The Queensland Government says it is hoping to appoint a person next week to review the handling of the latest Hendra virus outbreak. read more...

Vet dies from Hendra virus - Thursday, August 21, 2008
Ben Cunneen the treating vetenarian at the Redlands Veterniary Clinic in Brisbane's East has died from the Hendra virus which he contracted along with a nurse. Mr Cunneen died in the Princess Alexandra hospital this morning. read more...

Mining may not be able to improve safety - Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Queensland Resources Council chief executive, Michael Roche says "we have to face the fact this is an industry that's going to grow another 50 per cent between now and 2020, so the challenge is to improve safety while bringing on all those new people". read more...

Bomb scare at Eagle Farm - Wednesday, August 20, 2008
A yellow 4kg LPG cyclinder wrapped in blue electrical tape with a tin box on the top and wires running from the box to cylinder was found outside the Alsco laundry service in Violet Street in Eagle Farm this morning. A cleaner identified the mysterious object and alerted the police at 4.30am this morning. read more...

Toowoomba fire kills two - Tuesday, August 19, 2008
A trailer manufacturing business in Toowoomba that caught fire early this morning has killed people. The fire is presumed to have started in a residence attached to the business, police have not yet identified the two people found dead. read more...

Man dies in quarry accident - Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Police say the incident happened yesterday at the Castle Creek Quarry, near Theodore, south-west of Gladstone. Mine safety officers are investigating the incident.

Gold Coast man dies in forklift accident - Tuesday, August 19, 2008
A 68-year-old man has died after suffering sever head injuries from a forklift accident at a truck parking yard at Carrara yesterday. Workplace health and safety are investigating the incident. read more...

Ombudsman investigating Bundaberg Horticulture Industry - Tuesday, August 19, 2008
THe Federal Workplace Ombudsman is looking into a number of issues in the south-east region in Bundaberg that came from checks into the fruit and vegetable industry. read more...

Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research found work force mental health impact - Monday, August 18, 2008
Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (QCMHR) found in their research of more than 1,000 employees that 15 per cent needed further assessment or treatment for depression or anxiety. read more...

Mt Isa to be named "safe community" by WHO - Monday, August 18, 2008
According to Dr Carolyn Coggan from the New Zealand's Safe Community Accreditation Centre Mt Isa is eligible to be recognised by the WHO. Coggan explains "this award does not mean the community is perfectly safe. What it does mean is that the community has systems and processes in place to address safety, so its taking a coordinated approach". read more...

Woman tangled at St John's Cathedral - Monday, August 18, 2008
A 50-year-old woman became entangled in the ropes for the bell of famous St John's Cathedral while attempting to ring it. The accident resulted in her breaking her leg. The ordeal lasted approximately and hour and a device similar to a cherry picker was required to rescue the woman. read more...

Cloncurry chemical spill - Monday, August 18, 2008
Approximately 100 litres of flammable liquid has leaked from a 26,000 litre tank at a freight depot in Cloncurry in north-west Queensland. The liquid used in the mining industry did not injure anyone nor was the site evacuated. read more...

Truck driver trapped for 2 hours - Monday, August 18, 2008
A 60-year-old truck driver spent 2 hours trapped in his truck after it rolled on a remote road in rural Queensland. The accident happened on Cullendore Road near Killarney at about midday. The man was pinned upside in his truck for an hour before anyone stopped to help. It was another hour until the Queensland Fire and Rescue Unit from Toowoomba freed the man. read more...

Man killed at Donnybrook - Monday, August 18, 2008
A 27-year-old man working at a sand quarry near Bribie Island near Brisbane was killed when the crane he was operating on a pontoon broke its mooring and flipped over last Wednesday afternoon. Four workers witness the pontoon flip. read more...

Man trapped by 400kg of steel at Carole Park - Friday, August 15, 2008
A 28-year-old man spent 50 minutes with his legs trapped underneath 400kg of steel at Transblast Coating Services at 9pm last night. Ambulance officers provided the man with pain relief while efforts were made to remove the steel. Both of his legs were crushed in the incident and the man was taken to Princess Alexandra hospital at 10.30pm last night. read more...

Meatworks Evacuated after acid spill - Thursday, August 14, 2008
An abattoir in Oakey in Southern Queensland was evacuated at 10.00am on Tuesday after a tank began leaking acid. 2, 000 litres of acid were spilt but no injuies have surfaced. read more...

Evacuation of high-rise due to chemical scare - Monday, August 11, 2008
At 11.30 am today 000 received several calls about a possible chemical leak on the seventh floor of a Charlotte Street police building in Brisbane's city. Sixty people were evacuated and one person taken to St Andrews' Hospital after being exposed to a suspicious substance on a envelope. read more...

Aircon Coolant blamed for Shopping Centre evacuation - Friday, August 08, 2008
Helensvale's Westfield Shopping Centre on the Gold Coast was evacuated yesterday after the customers and workers alike complained of difficulty breathing and discomfort. Commonwealth Bank in the centre was evacuated by 11.30 am and 14 employees were treated at the seen after symptoms of shortness of breath and dryness in the airways were reported. Two of the staff members were later transported to hospital for further respiratory problems. Further into the day the northern half of the centre was shut down after customers were treated for similar symptoms. By 3 pm the entire centre was shut down. Firefighters and the QFRS conducted testing to conclude what was happening read more...

Passengers on Brisbane bus flee fire - Thursday, August 07, 2008
Passengers on a Brisbane Translink bus located at Brighton that caught fire at about 8 am this morning had to flee the inferno. 27 passengers were evacuated and no one was injured read more...

Gold Coast Airport claims no risk of asbestos - Thursday, August 07, 2008
The Gold Coast Airport has started its renovations over the weekend to redevelop the terminals as fears have been raised of the work disturbing asbestos in the ceiling of the complex. Paul Donovan the airports chief operating officer has claimed that visitors will not be at risk of exposure during the major terminal revelopment project. read more...

Worker killed in Gold Coast high-rise fall - Thursday, August 07, 2008
A 47-year-old man was killed yesterday when he fell from the 16th floor of the Edgewater Gardens Aprtments in Surfers Paradisde on the Gold Coast while completing work. Police and Workplace Health and Safety inspectors were investigating though the death was not being treated as suspicious. read more...

Parents expect report of "near death' of their son from Navy - Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Parents of a 22-yeal-old Navy sailor who was badly injured when working in Thursday Island will receive a report from the Navy detailing why their son almost died. The sailor was left on Thursday Island for 72 hours without follow-up medical attention. The sailor was said to be "near death' when he finally received medical treatment and surgery at darwin Hospital. An inquiry has been held by the Navy to identify what went wrong. read more...

Gold Coast man sues Qld Rail over bashing - Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Scott Lillicrap, 35 was robbed, beaten and stomped on at Sunnbank Railway station in Brisbane just over 2 years ago. The attack left Mr Lillicrap in a coma and 3 men were jailed over the incident. Witnesses apparenetly pushed the emergency button at the station at least 3 times but to avail as rail officers thought it was a prank and ignored it. read more...

Independent Review found Brisbane Bridge Safe - Wednesday, August 06, 2008
A Review of the Caption Cook Bridge has found the bridge to be safe. It was found last year that steel reinforcement bars on the bridge were damaged during work putting the bridges structure and stability at risk. The claims forced the temporary closure of the bridge, while initial checks were made. But Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said a more thorough check of the bridge's structural integrity showed it was safe and the claims could not be substantiated read more...

AMAQ - mandatory reporting won't fix it - Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Australian Medical Association of Queensland (AMAQ) is speaking out about the mandatory reporting of misconduct by medical professionals. Concerns were raised about the work and Egytian-trained surgeon before he joined the Mackay-based hospital a report issued by the Health Quality and Complaints Commission (HQCC) revealed. read more...

Watpac drop legal action over Newstead site - Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Watpac has dropped legal action against the ABC for the proposed $15 million site at Newstead. The ABC have been working to regain their $1.5 million deposit following evidence that it may have high levels of radiation. ABC staff previously walked off the job at the last site due to a breast cancer cluster. read more...

Sympathetic to compensation claims amid dangerous doctor fears - Tuesday, August 05, 2008
A report into Health Services at Mackay Base Hospital recommeneded an audit of about 1,000 surgical procedures conducted by Dr Abdalla Khalifalla in Mackay, Townsville, Proserpine and Mt Isa from 2001. Stephen Robertson the state health minister has stated that legal action may be taken against Queensland Health as the employing authority. read more...

Fear of a Cancer Cluster at Gold Coast Hospital - Monday, August 04, 2008
Staff at Pindara Private Hospital on the Gold Coast have raised concern over the amount of employees at the hospital diagnosed with cancer in a 10 year period. An investigation is underway following the concerns of employees. Richard Lizzio, chief executive of the hospital stated that "We have identified around 25 people and they are a myriad of different cancer types". He explained that most of the staff were aged over 40 and that there were 2,000 people who would have been employed there in a 10 year period. Mr Lizzio stated "I don't believe there really is a cluster here at all but we need to take it seriously". read more...

RSPCA workers choke on toxic air from caged rats - Monday, August 04, 2008
RSPCA officers in Townsville have been treated at hospital after inhaling toxic levels of ammonia from the urine of more than 500 caged rats after seizing the animals from a property west of Townsville. The premises believed to be part of a home-based breeding business had 116 dogs and more than 500 rats seized by police and RSPCA officers. After inhaling the high concentrations of ammonia a couple of officers were sent to the emergency department after experiencing vomiting, burning in the eyes and were unable to breath properly. Gail Lane, the RSPCA Townsville Shelter manager stated that "this has had an effect health-wise on the staff, even though we are taking all necessary precautions with workplace health and safety". read more...

Man dies after his tractor rolls on him - Monday, August 04, 2008
A 36 year old man was fatally injured yesterday when his tractor rolled on top of him. The incident occured on the family property at Pine Mountain in Ipswich (west of Brisbane). Police and Workplace Health and Safety Officers are investigating. read more...

Coal train collides with ute - Monday, August 04, 2008
A coal train has collided with an abandoned ute on a railway crossing at approximately 1.00am this morning in Midgee, near Rockhampton. Luckily the train was empty and no one was injured. Police are currently searching for the owner of the ute. read more...

Assistance discussed with Hendra Virus Vet Clinic - Monday, August 04, 2008
Two infected workers are seriously ill in hospital, while more staff are undergoing blood tests at a Hendra Vet Clinic after the deadly Hendra Virus was contracted from horses at the premises. The Vet Clinic may be forced to shut its doors because of the virus outbreak. Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherirn will meet with the owners to look at options to stop the closure and loss if jobs for the Hendra practice. read more...

Gas Leak results in GoMA & Library evacuation - Monday, August 04, 2008
Following an ammonia leak at the nearby Parmalat factory yesterday the Gallery of Modern Art which was exhibiting the Picasso Exhibition evacuated 550 people from its premises. Several factories that were located near the Parmalat factory were also evacuated. Emergency Services Queensland spokeswoman said the leak was controlled at about 10 am. read more...

The most important reason for making the workplace safe ...
... its not work at all. Its coming home each day to live your life! read more...

Don't forget Bernie - Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Long time fighter for Asbestos victims Bernie Banton died today. His efforts have been profound in raising awareness of Asbestos disease and seeking just compensation. We should not forget his legacy. read more...

New Small Business Course (free)
Safe Work has developed a new OHS course for small business. It is available by clicking the following link and is free. However, we would appreciate your feedback on the course content and any suggestions on how we can provide additional free services to small business. read more...

WHS Reps course approved
A new WHS Representatives training course has now been accredited by the Department of Education and Training. The 3 day course is based on the existing Safe Work course. All workplace Reps requesting training will be required to do this course.

New evidence on Cancer
New research by A/Prof. Lin Fritschi and Dr Tim Driscoll published in June 2006 has estimated that 5,000 invasive cancers per year are caused by occupational exposures and that 1.5 million workers are exposed to known carcinogens. This research supports the Access Economics study released in 2005 which identified that between 5000 and 7000 workers die from occupational disease each year in Australia. [Fritschi & Driscoll (2006) Cancer Due to Occupation in Australia. Aus .& NZ J. of Pub. Health 30:213-219]

Major changes to WHS Act
A major updating of the Workplace Health and Safety Act is in force from 2 November 2005. Section 22 previously described risk management as a basic concept and is now a detailed obligation in s27A. Employers will now also be obliged to ensure all aspects of the common law duties in s29 are implemented. The consolidated version has been published on the parliamentary counsel website. read more...

Safe Work encourages review of emergency systems
Safe Work is advising course participants that more attention needs to be given to identifying credible emergency events due to increased security risks. The process of risk management required by section 22 WHS Act specifies the need to identify workplace hazards. Emergency events need to be assessed in a equally systematic manner giving consideration to the source of the risk its likelihood and control measures. The Safe Work OHS manual describes a comprehensive process for emergency management. We are available to assist businesses to review their EMS from a safety, environmental or security perspective. read more...

Construction Induction (Blue Card) – every 2 weeks
With the construction industry doing so well at the moment, Safe Work has been requested to increase it’s frequency of conducting the 4 hour Construction Induction course. This course is required for all construction workers prior to commencement on site. read more...

New safety management manual - free
To promote the systematic implementation of safety programs, Safe Work has developed an integrated safety, environment and quality system, including generic guidance and procedures. The full version of the Safe Work Safety Sustainability Manual is available at read more...