How do you determine if a worker is an employee or a contractor?
03 January, 2012 by Patricia Ryan*Many businesses enjoy the flexibility of engaging contractors for certain projects or to assist during busy periods. However, confusion often arises as to whether these so-called contractors are regarded by the law as such. Whether a person is a contractor or an employee will be a question of fact to be determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all the relevant factors of the relationship.
New lighting regulations in the US in 2012
21 December, 2011The upcoming lighting legislation in the US will mandate that lighting manufacturers cease the production of non-efficient lighting and related products, which will change the way facilities consume energy and maintain lighting.
Dimetix FLS-C distance measuring device
12 December, 2011The Dimetix FLS-C is an optical distance measuring device that measures distances - on natural and reflecting surfaces - up to 500 m without contact.
Carbon tax passes Senate
09 November, 2011The government's Clean Energy legislation has been passed by the Senate.
Tips on avoiding sham contracting arrangements
08 November, 2011Businesses are increasingly getting caught out by the Fair Work Ombudsman on sham contracting arrangements. Below are some tips on how to avoid sham contracting arrangements.
NECA calls for solar regulation overhaul
24 October, 2011The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) continued calls for governments at all levels to work together to stamp out dodgy solar installers and protect consumers following official government figures that show many installations are dangerous.
Fight the fakes
30 September, 2011Counterfeit electrical products may be available at cheap prices but they not only pose a great health and safety risk, they also erode the market share of genuine manufacturers. And that’s not all. The contractors buying or installing a counterfeit electrical product could be fined, lose their licence or possibly be put behind bars.
Standards Australia announces Smart Grid Road Map
16 September, 2011Smart grid technology has been commissioned by the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism.
Large-Scale Solar Policy Roadmap
12 September, 2011Australian solar technologies are being rolled out across the world but locally we're not getting the jobs and other economic benefits that come with these major projects, says Matthew Warren, the Chief Executive of the Clean Energy Council. He said the country needed to capitalise on the interest Solar Flagships had generated among the international investors, who were sinking billions of dollars into projects in other countries.
CSA gets accreditation to test ANSI's third edition of Medical Electrical Equipment Standard
19 August, 2011CSA has received first accreditation in the world to test ANSI's third edition of Medical Electrical Equipment Standard.
Mastering the possibilities of DALI
03 August, 2011 byDigital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) is a protocol set out in the technical standard IEC 62386 for network-based systems that control lighting in buildings.
Boarding the home automation bus
03 August, 2011 by Ian Richardson, Chairman, KNX AustraliaEnergy efficiency in buildings is a focus of many building owners, occupiers and residents in the commercial and residential sectors. Recent discussions on energy costs, efficiency and carbon tax regulations have highlighted a growing need to be aware of better ways to increase the efficiency in buildings.
New ISO standard aims to build confidence in the global carbon market
25 July, 2011A new Standard to address climate change and GHG emissions has been published by the International Organization for Standardization ISO.
Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk batch software update
21 July, 2011 byRockwell Automation has expanded the application development capabilities of the FactoryTalk batch software to help users design and run batch applications more rapidly. The software features intelligent recipe capabilities, secure operator overrides, expanded data collection and reporting and improved material management capabilities. The software, seamlessly integrated with the scalable PlantPAx process automation system, provides solutions ranging from small, basic sequencing to large, complex batch applications.
How will the carbon pricing mechanism impact your business?
11 July, 2011Under the carbon price, around 500 of the biggest polluters in Australia will need to buy and surrender to the government a permit for every tonne of carbon pollution they produce. The carbon price will start at $23 a tonne, rising at 2.5% a year in real terms.
