National Minimum Wage Increases, Superannuation Changes and Unpaid Pandemic Leave in Awards Ends

Changes to employees Pay, Leave and Entitlements

ISOsafe provide Fair Work Compliance Advice

Ask ISOsafe - Call Now 1300 789 132

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Ask ISOsafe - Call Now 1300 789 132 〰️

National Minimum Wage changes from 1 July 2022:

·       the National Minimum Wage increased by $40 per week, which amounts to an increase of 5.2% this means the new national minimum wage is $21.38 per hour or $812.60 per week based on a 38-hour week for a full-time employee.

·       award minimum wages will increase by 4.6%, which are subject to a minimum increase for adult award classifications of $40 per week and based on a 38-hour week for a full-time employee.

·       Other award wages, including junior, apprentice and supported wages that are based on adult minimum wages, will get a proportionate increase.

Below are the awards that receive the adult minimum wage increase from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2022:

·       Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services Award [MA000115]

·       Aged Care Award [MA000018]

·       Aluminium Industry Award [MA000060]

·       Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award [MA000098]

·       Amusement, Events and Recreation Award [MA000080]

·       Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award [MA000118]

·       Aquaculture Industry Award [MA000114]

·       Architects Award [MA000079]

·       Asphalt Industry Award [MA000054]

·       Australian Government Industry Award 2016 [MA000153]

·       Banking, Finance and Insurance Award [MA000019]

·       Black Coal Mining Industry Award [MA000001]

·       Book Industry Award [MA000078]

·       Broadcasting, Recorded Entertainment and Cinemas Award [MA000091]

·       Building and Construction General On-site Award [MA000020]

·       Business Equipment Award [MA000021]

·       Car Parking Award [MA000095]

·       Cement, Lime and Quarrying Award [MA000055]

·       Cemetery Industry Award [MA000070]

·       Children's Services Award [MA000120]

·       Cleaning Services Award [MA000022]

·       Clerks - Private Sector Award [MA000002]

·       Coal Export Terminals Award [MA000045]

·       Commercial Sales Award [MA000083]

·       Concrete Products Award [MA000056]

·       Contract Call Centres Award [MA000023]

·       Corrections and Detention (Private Sector) Award [MA000110]

·       Cotton Ginning Award [MA000024]

·       Dredging Industry Award [MA000085]

·       Dry Cleaning and Laundry Industry Award [MA000096]

·       Educational Services (Post-Secondary Education) Award [MA000075]

·       Educational Services (Schools) General Staff Award [MA000076]

·       Educational Services (Teachers) Award [MA000077]

·       Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award [MA000025]

·       Electrical Power Industry Award [MA000088]

·       Fast Food Industry Award [MA000003]

·       Fire Fighting Industry Award [MA000111]

·       Fitness Industry Award [MA000094]

·       Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award [MA000073]

·       Funeral Industry Award [MA000105]

·       Gardening and Landscaping Services Award [MA000101]

·       Gas Industry Award [MA000061]

·       General Retail Industry Award [MA000004]

·       Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award [MA000026]

·       Hair and Beauty Industry Award [MA000005]

·       Health Professionals and Support Services Award [MA000027]

·       Higher Education Industry - Academic Staff - Award [MA000006]

·       Higher Education Industry - General Staff - Award [MA000007]

·       Horse and Greyhound Training Award [MA000008]

·       Horticulture Award [MA000028]

·       Hydrocarbons Field Geologists Award [MA000064]

·       Hydrocarbons Industry (Upstream) Award [MA000062]

·       Joinery and Building Trades Award [MA000029]

·       Journalists Published Media Award [MA000067]

·       Labour Market Assistance Industry Award [MA000099]

·       Legal Services Award [MA000116]

·       Live Performance Award [MA000081]

·       Local Government Industry Award [MA000112]

·       Mannequins and Models Award [MA000117]

·       Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award [MA000010]

·       Marine Towage Award [MA000050]

·       Maritime Offshore Oil and Gas Award [MA000086]

·       Market and Social Research Award [MA000030]

·       Meat Industry Award [MA000059]

·       Medical Practitioners Award [MA000031]

·       Mining Industry Award [MA000011]

·       Miscellaneous Award [MA000104]

·       Mobile Crane Hiring Award [MA000032]

·       Nursery Award [MA000033]

·       Nurses Award [MA000034]

·       Oil Refining and Manufacturing Award [MA000072]

·       Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award [MA000063]

·       Pastoral Award [MA000035]

·       Pest Control Industry Award [MA000097]

·       Pharmaceutical Industry Award [MA000069]

·       Pharmacy Industry Award [MA000012]

·       Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award [MA000036]

·       Port Authorities Award [MA000051]

·       Ports, Harbours and Enclosed Water Vessels Award [MA000052]

·       Poultry Processing Award [MA000074]

·       Premixed Concrete Award [MA000057]

·       Professional Diving Industry (Industrial) Award [MA000108]

·       Professional Diving Industry (Recreational) Award [MA000109]

·       Professional Employees Award [MA000065]

·       Racing Clubs Events Award [MA000013]

·       Racing Industry Ground Maintenance Award [MA000014]

·       Rail Industry Award [MA000015]

·       Real Estate Industry Award [MA000106]

·       Road Transport and Distribution Award [MA000038]

·       Road Transport (Long Distance Operations) Award [MA000039]

·       Salt Industry Award [MA000107]

·       Seafood Processing Award [MA000068]

·       Seagoing Industry Award [MA000122]

·       Security Services Industry Award [MA000016]

·       Silviculture Award [MA000040]

·       Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award [MA000100]

·       Sporting Organisations Award [MA000082]

·       State Government Agencies Award [MA000121]

·       Stevedoring Industry Award [MA000053]

·       Storage Services and Wholesale Award [MA000084]

·       Sugar Industry Award [MA000087]

·       Supported Employment Services Award [MA000103]

·       Surveying Award [MA000066]

·       Telecommunications Services Award [MA000041]

·       Textile, Clothing, Footwear and Associated Industries Award [MA000017]

·       Timber Industry Award [MA000071]

·       Transport (Cash in Transit) Award [MA000042]

·       Travelling Shows Award [MA000102]

·       Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award [MA000089]

·       Waste Management Award [MA000043]

·       Water Industry Award [MA000113]

·       Wine Industry Award [MA000090]

·       Wool Storage, Sampling and Testing Award [MA000044]

Need help finding the Applicable Award for your employees? Call ISOsafe 1300 789 132

Superannuation changes from 1 July 2022:

·       Removal of the $450 super guarantee threshold.

·       Increase in the super guarantee rate from 10% to 10.5%

·       Visit the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website to learn more about these changes.

Unpaid Pandemic Leave in Awards ends:

·       Unpaid pandemic leave provisions in awards stop applying after 30 June 2022.

·       Previously, employees covered by affected awards could access up to 2 weeks’ unpaid pandemic leave if they were prevented from working for reasons relating to COVID-19.

·       Any unpaid pandemic leave that has already started on 30 June 2022 can continue after this date. However, new periods of leave can’t start after 30 June 2022.

·       Employers and employees need to consider other leave options instead. Review what previously applied at Unpaid pandemic leave in awards.

Looking for more information or assistance with Rates of Pay for your Staff? Contact ISOsafe today for free initial advice 1300 789 132

Free Forklift Safety Inspection Checklist

Use our Free Forklift Safety Inspection Checklist below to assist with compliance and ensure workplace safety.

ISOsafe provide Safety Advice, Training, Inspections and WHS Policy paperwork to Businesses and Employers Australia-Wide

Ask ISOsafe - Call Now 1300 789 132

〰️

Ask ISOsafe - Call Now 1300 789 132 〰️

Forklift Pre-Operational Safety Checks (Prestart)

☐           Locate and ensure you are familiar with all machine operations and controls.

☐           Check brakes, lights and horn before use.

☐           Ensure reversing beeper and warning lights are operational.

☐           Ensure seat belt/safety restraint is in good condition.

☐           Know the capacity of the forklift before using it. Do not use a forklift without a load rating plate.

☐           Check gas-powered vehicles for gas leaks in fuel lines.

☐           Ensure the lifting forks are in sound condition and centred either side of the mast.

☐           Check tyre pressures. Never drive with a flat or under-inflated tyre.

 ☐           Ensure the operator is trained, licensed, consulted and authorised to operate the equipment. Consultation involves having a site specific Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for Forklift operation. ISOsafe can prepare site specific SWMS for your business call us 1300 789 132

Forklift Operational Safety Checks

☐           Watch out for pedestrians.

☐           Ensure the lifting tines are secure into the pallet and the load is stable before lifting or driving off.

☐           Be careful of ceiling clearance or overhead obstructions when raising the mast.

☐           Always remember that the safe working load of a forklift reduces as the mast is tilted forward.

☐           Always put the heavy end of the load against the load backrest.

☐           When approaching a blind corner, use horn and drive slowly.

☐           Always have someone guide you if a load restricts your vision.

☐           Slow down when changing direction or on wet or greasy surfaces.

☐           Avoid harsh braking, especially when carrying a load.

Forklift Refuelling Safety

☐           For gas-powered vehicles, change gas bottles in a well-ventilated area clear of a naked flame or source of ignition.

☐           For battery-operated vehicles, charge in well-ventilated area.

Forklift Ending Operations and Cleaning Up

☐           When stopping the forklift:

-             Park on even ground and lower the forks to the ground.

-             Shift the gear selector to park position and apply the parking brake.

-             Turn off the ignition and remove the keys.

☐           For gas-powered vehicles, turn off gas and don’t park near an ignition source, doorway or pit.

Cautions/Warnings

☐           Do not use faulty equipment.  Report any faults immediately.

☐           Do not use engine-powered forklifts in poorly ventilated areas.

☐           Do not allow anyone to ride on the forks.

☐           Do not lift a load with the mast tilted forward.

☐           Do not travel with forks raised or reach mechanism extended.

☐           Never travel with the load elevated.

☐           Do not attempt to turn on an incline or sloping surface.

☐           Do not dismount from a forklift while the engine is running unless the vehicle has completely stopped, transmission is in park position, and the parking brake is effectively engaged.

☐           Do not leave forks elevated when forklift is unattended.

☐           Do not refuel an engine-powered forklift unless the motor is stopped and ignition turned off.

Looking for more information or assistance with Workplace Safety? Contact ISOsafe today for free initial advice 1300 789 132

What not to do when an OHS Inspector visits

A recent decision made by the Industrial Court acts as a strong deterrent to anyone using intimidating or improper behaviour to hinder SafeWork work health and safety (WHS) inspectors, whilst executing their regulatory duties.

The Industrial Court convicted a Gepps Cross based businessman under section 190 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) for attempting to intimidate a SafeWork SA inspector, imposing a fine of $5 000 plus court costs.

On 4 June 2015 the business owner used offensive and aggressive behaviour towards a SafeWork SA inspector who was visiting his earthmoving equipment maintenance and service business premises in response to a reported complaint about a number of matters including unguarded plant, workplace overcrowding and a lack of work health and safety induction.

When considering the question of a conviction, Presiding Magistrate Lieschke stated that the inspector's position and role when visiting the defendant's business was comparable to that of a police officer, and the court should not afford any lesser level of disapproval of offensive behaviour towards a WHS inspector.

“She (the inspector) was acting as a public officer, conducting her duty to assist in maintaining compliance standards of workplace health and safety in furtherance of the public interest of avoiding, wherever reasonably practicable, personal injury to employees and others who may be impacted by a business's operations,” said Magistrate Lieschke.

“This is the very important context of the inspector's activities. Intimidating such a public officer performing this important work is not acceptable … by anybody,” Magistrate Lieschke said.
SafeWork SA confirms that the inspector was following procedure, and reminds business owners not to view work health safety compliance as an intrusion or something that can be opposed or dismissed.

“The inspector was investigating a complaint and protecting the identity of the complainant and should not have been the subject of aggressive or offensive behaviour,” said SafeWork SA Executive Director, Ms Marie Boland.

“Our inspectors play a very important role in ensuring the health and safety of workers; they are performing a significant public service, and in this case a number of Prohibition and Improvement Notices were subsequently issued to the business owner,” Ms Marie Boland said.

Anyone can report a matter of concern by calling SafeWork – staff, visitors, contractors and the general public. Don’t take the risk; the maximum penalty for this offence is a two-year term of imprisonment plus a $50 000 fine. Contact ISOsafe today to avoid penalties and heavy court costs, call us on: 1300 789 132 or email us at: enquiries@isosafe.com.au