The Smart move toolkit provides detailed information and advice about the risk management framework for identifying, assessing and controlling musculoskeletal (MSD) hazards in the workplace.

For workplaces that already have a MSD prevention program in place, the Smart move toolkit may be helpful when considering whether existing program elements need to modified or improved.

For workplaces that do not have an existing MSD prevention program, the Smart move toolkit can be used to implement an effective MSD prevention framework and/or integrate MSD prevention into existing health and safety programs.

The Smart move toolkit contains four parts:

• Part 1 – MSD prevention guideline
• Part 2 – Resource manual for the MSD prevention guideline
• Part 3 – MSD prevention toolbox
• Part 4 – Managing MSD injuries

http://www.smartmove.nsw.gov.au/default.aspx?id=112

Workcover New South Wales provides a wealth of information and resources to help reduce the risk of manual handling injuries on its Smartmove website: http://www.smartmove.nsw.gov.au/default.aspx?id=2

The website provides information on the hidden costs of manual handling injuries, basic manual handling information, advice and processes to reduce the risk, industry specific information across all sectors, publications, FAQs and other resources.

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The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) provides an update on its activities to develop a national system for marine safety and regulation of the maritime industry.

The National System for Commercial Vessel Safety will have a focus on operational safety and will assist seafarers, boat builders and vessel operators working across all states and territories.

The Commonwealth, states and territories are currently working on the core activities for the National System, which include:
• modernisation of the Navigation Act 1912;
• the development of a new Maritime Safety (National Law) Act;
• complementary state legislation to apply the new Commonwealth Act;
• new national standards under the auspices of the National Marine Safety Committee;
• updating Marine Orders Part 3 – Seafarer Qualifications (the ‘Tinny to Tanker’ project) to implement a new system of national marine qualifications; and
• revising Marine Orders in general and other instruments.

For more information visit: http://www.licensinglinenews.com/newsletter/edition-87-april-2011/amsa-update.aspx

RTOs can now purchase a training resource kit to support implementation of the Asthma Management Course (as referred to in Section 256B of the Health (Drugs and Poisons) Regulation 1996).

This regulation allows for persons with appropriate asthma management training to purchase and administer specific asthma medication for first aid purposes in a workplace (including schools and childcare facilities) or at a community event, including a sporting event.

The Asthma Management Course can be delivered as a stand-alone one-hour workshop. Alternatively, the content of this course can be incorporated into HLTFA201A Provide basic emergency life support, HLTFA301B Apply first aid and/or SRXFAD001A Provide first aid.

Visit: www.asthma.org.au or click on the link for more information: http://www.licensinglinenews.com/newsletter/edition-87-april-2011/asthma-training-resource-kit.aspx

On 23 March legislation was introduced into the Australian parliament to establish the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).

The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Bill 2011 and Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provision) Bill 2011 will establish TEQSA as a new national regulatory and quality assurance agency for higher education.

TEQSA will be an independent body with powers to regulate university and non-university higher education providers, monitor quality and set standards. Its primary task will be to ensure that students receive a high quality education at any of our higher education providers.

For more information visit: http://www.licensinglinenews.com/newsletter/edition-87-april-2011/teqsa-legislation-in-parliament.aspx

From 1 January 2011, Australia will have a single, national consumer law: the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).  The ACL will replace provisions in 17 national, State and Territory consumer laws. The State and Territory consumer laws will continue to be enforced and administered by each State and Territory’s consumer agency.

Click here for more information: http://www.licensinglinenews.com/newsletter/edition-85-december-2010/state-contacts-for-australian-consumer-law.aspx

The E-learning toolbox repository continues to grow with more learning objects  being added to the Australian Flexible Learning Framework’s Toolbox Repository. Series 13 Toolboxes are expected to be available from late 2010, either for purchase on CD-ROM through TVET Australia (http://www.tvetaustralia.com.au/) or as  free, downloadable learning objects from the Toolbox Repository.  …read more

Worksafe in the WA Department of Commerce has released a guide for forklift safety on its website…read more

The National Centre for Sustainability (NCS) continues to provide educational leadership to support the development of sustainable practices…read more

Skills Australia is seeking feedback on the future direction of VET and submissions are being accepted until 26 November…read more