Violence At Work: The Various Types

Violence At Work: The Various Types

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in the United States has established various types of the Human Resource issue– Violence At The Workplace.

The first type or, “Type 1- Criminal Intent”; the criminal has no personal or reasonable connection to the business or any employees. Instead, the incidence of violence is usually related to other crimes– this can include, but is not limited to; robbery, shoplifting, and trespassing.

A large percentage of workplace homicides are in fact, Type 1. If your business involves the handling of money or say, prescription drugs—then your business may be at a higher risk for this type of violence.

The next type of workplace violence is “Customer/Client” (Type II). This occurs when the violent offender has a legitimate connection with the business. This can include a customer, client, patient, student, or inmate.

Many customer/client incidents of violence have been known to occur in the healthcare industry. Incidents have frequently occurred in settings such as nursing homes or psychiatric facilities. People who deal with patients are the likely victims in this situation. Other roles such as Police services, flight attendant, and teachers, are at risk of becoming victims to this type of violence.

Despite the unpredictable risk of working in these fields, only approximately three percent of workplace homicides have been a result of Type II violence. However, this type of violence results is majority of non-fatal occupational violence incidents.If your job involves dealing with criminals, mentally ill, or stressed and confined individuals (Such as airline passengers after a long delayed flight), then you, or your business may be at risk for workplace violence.

Worker on Worker violence (Type III) is violence that occurs when an employee or former employee of the business, attacks or physically threatens another employee. Type III violence occurs approximately 7 percent of the time.

Any workplace can fall victim to this type of violence, however businesses that neglect to operate criminal background checks when hiring and businesses that are downsizing; are all at a higher risk.

Finally, the last type of workplace violence is Personal relationship (Type IV). This occurs when the offender does not have a relationship with the business but rather an employee within the business. This type of violence usually includes domestic violence which involves assault or threats while at work. Approximately 5 percent of all workplace violence incidents are a result of Type IV.   Workplaces that are easily accessible by the public are at a higher risk. This includes; retail businesses, food businesses, or other businesses with only one location (thus making relocation impossible.)

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Human Resources: St. Johns Ambulance Under Investigation for Bullying

Approximately 11 current and former employees will be spoken to by WorkSafe to discuss their experiences of abuse at the hands of several managers.

Some of the allegations include; being locked in rooms, public berating, and a lack of shifts after clashing with managers.A man outside of the interviewees, claims he spent two days in the hospital after being forced to teach a first-aid class despite suffering an asthma attack.

First-aid trainer Anthony Mesman stated that he believed it to be one of the worst places he has even been employed by. Mesman claims that there was distinct atmosphere of fear in the workplace.There was previously a police inquiry into an alleged case where two managers locked a first-aid trainer in a room. However, the case was dropped because of a lack of witnesses.

WorkSafe acquired access to documents which prompted their investigation. The documents contain the testimonial of a former health and safety officer who claims that a manager constantly intimidates, harasses, and bullies trainers to the detriment of their health. This account also alleges that other managers support this behaviour within the training unit.

Ambulance Employees Australia secretary, Phil Cavanagh warned the CEO of St. Johns that a culture of bullying, harassing and victimising was brewing within the organization because of some managers.

Deputy CEO Theron Vassiliou said St John Ambulance Victoria claims that the organisation has a strong anti-bullying policy and any claims or allegations are promptly investigated and dealt with appropriately.

More information on Human Resources Training

Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/worksafe-investigates-bullying-claims-at-st-john-ambulance-victoria/story-fn7x8me2-1226229708288

OHS Training: If The Task Isn’t Safe, Don’t Do It

If the task is not safe, workers should avoid doing that task as there are rights and laws that protect workers who refuse to undertake unsafe practices, despite their boss’ insistence. The OHS Harmonisation laws have even gone further to ensure that workers are not forcibly subjected to task that they fear would endanger their health and safety.

Despite this, there have been several workers in the last month who have died in Victoria. It is important to note, that Victoria eventually decided that the implementation of Work Health Safety Act January 1, 2012 deadline was not feasible.

Just to recap, the most recent incidents that have occurred are as follows:

Worker is crushed an dies when a vehicle rolls over him.

• A cherry picker collapsed and killed a person.
• A street sweeper ran over a road worker.
• A large piece of machinery was dropped from a plane and crushed a young man
• A middle aged worker was found dead in a sewage tank
• An elderly man was gored by a bull.
• A young man died from a gas explosion in his vehicle.
• A worker died from a falling tree.

These incidents seem like freak accidents, and while many of them could be considered as such, often times they are caused by Occupational Health and Safety breaches. This recent spate of injuries and deaths may indicate that the Victorian laws designed to protect safety, need to be re-evaluated.

To add to the deaths, the Herald Sun has recently revealed that the Country Fire Authority staff has contracted cancers and other diseases which could have possibly been caused by their work.

More information on OHS Training

Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/workplace-safety-a-deadly-responsibility/story-e6frfhqf-1226224764684

Occupational Health and Safety: Owners of Exploded Factory Request Reduced Penalties

The owners of an exploded factory that resulted in the death of three men, have requested  their penalties for breaching occupational health and safety practices to be reduced since they have shown good faith in paying out compensation and admitted to the breaches .

Michael Roder SC appeared before a full bench of the South Australian Industrial Relations Court and stated that, while Quin Investments and Nikolai Kazub had accepted they had been in breach of workplace laws, those breaches were not indicative that they caused the explosion.

The explosion resulted in the deaths of Damian Harris, Matt Keeley and Darren Millington and the injuries Cameron Edson and Damian John.Last year, the company and the accountable officer faced a fine of $95,000 for two counts of occupational health and safety breaches; as well as defective equipment that resulted in the explosion.

The parties sought appeal in the Industrial Relations Court in July and it was determined that the evidence was not proof that the defective factory equipment had led to the explosion.But on appeal to the Industrial Relations Court in July, it was decided the evidence did not prove the defective factory equipment had caused the explosion.

The Prosecution stated that while the licenses for explosive manufacturing were surrendered by Quin Investments, Kazub was responsible for the operation of another explosives manufacturing factory in Norther Territory. Prosecutors have alleged that a displaced shaft in ribbon blender had rubbed against another metal surface, which triggered a chemical reaction which led to an explosion.

Ms. Chapman of the Prosecution stated that the company had botched its responsibility of maintaining the safety of its employees on the day of the explosion, and the accused parties’ safety practices were a “potentially catastrophic risk”.

Chapman has expressed concerns for a lack of record for any item in the factory. The ribbon in question had not been monitored in over two decades.Michael Roder SC for Quin Investments and Kazub stated that $20,000 of the fine had already been paid out which should be seen as a good sign of penitence for the unfortunate deaths of the three individuals and the injured parties.

Chapman has requested that the compensation order be upheld and that the same penalty be applied to Quin investments and Kazub.

More information of Occupation Health and Safety

Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/owners-of-explosives-factory-want-fines-reduced/story-e6frg6nf-1226227911705 

Fitness For Duty Training: Mining Union Supports Possible Drug Testing Rules

Unions are confident that changes to drug testing regulation for miners will ensure that recreational drug users are not marginalized.

The Fitness for Duty changes as supported by Safe Work Australia and the National Mine Safety Framework, will necessitate consent from the majority of the workforce prior to introducing urine testing for drugs.

Currently, urine testing for drugs is allowed at the discretion of the employer.

Industry group, the Australian Metals and Mining Association, is concerned that mining safety throughout the country will be jeopardized if the changes are passed.Andrew Vickary, from the CFMEU, believes the move is a didactic one for employers.Vicary asserted that getting very inebriated on a Friday evening would not affect Monday’s productivity if the employee was sober on the Monday. Furthermore, it would not be a safety risk.

He expanded  by stating that an employee would not be a safety risk if they smoked marijuana weeks earlier on a long service leave, since the substance would not be present enough in the system as to warrant impairment.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201112/s3395529.htm 

Asbestos Awareness Concerns At Kingston Work Site

An undisclosed amount of asbestos was recently brought into Kingston Foreshore by a Land Development Agency contracter. The area is said to be currently undergoing preparations for mixed use land development.

Kingston residents have expressed concern and curiosity over WorkCover’s closing of the site earlier this month. Allegedly, for over two years, the  work  at the site involved extensive earthworks and dust problems prior to  the closing of the area without an adequate explanation.

A 2.68 ha site is vacant and still remains a potential mixed-use and urban, area. The site is located north of Eyre Street and west of the Causeway. The agency has reported that early surveys discovered asbestos in the area. In addition to the surveys, a contractor has also reportedly brought in fill material with traces of asbestos in order to detect how much asbestos was present.

Early testing indicated that the trace amounts of asbestos are a result of building demolition waste.Environmental compliance officers for the Agency have detected the asbestos and subsequently enacted environmental control procedures.

The site was officially closed on December 13 by Worksafe but then the order was lifted on December 15 after the Environmental Management Plan and Occupational Health and Safety Plan were reviewed.

Civil works have recommenced at the site and the construction of roads are expected to be completed by March 2012 according to the program.The source of asbestos has yet to  be specified by the agency.

Opposition Leader Zed Seselja stated that this is one of several recent cases of asbestos contamination being discovered at proposed work sites.

More information on Asbestos Training.

Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/new-fears-asbestos-sullied-kingston-site/2399800.aspx

Hero Dies As a Result of Shoddy PPE, Inadequate training and Bad Weather

As a result of shoddy  personal protective equipment (PPE), inadequate safety precautions and bad weather, a Queensland floods hero has died. Peter Fenton was a 67 year old tugboat engineer when he was killed by a fallen crate that was being loaded onto a barge.

Fenton, with the help of a colleague, was instrumental in steering away a 200m section of river walkway during the floods in January.An investigation into his death revealed that a hook connected to the crate had a defective spring which stopped it locking into place and allowed the crate to fall on top of him.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland’s Kym Tollenaere  claims that she discovered the defective spring after the crew told her that heavy wind had caused the fallen crate.However, it was discovered through cross-examination that the health and safety officer did not discover the fault until atleast 7 hours after the death.Mr Fenton was not wearing proper protective equipment at the time.

Ship Master Umesh Madhukar Dalvi claimed that the task was a common job and there was no written safety procedure for it. According to Dalvi, there was however, a written safety procedure to unload a crate, so the crew “reversed” the method to load the crate.Dalvi stated that procedure was usually to shut down the site and warn people that crates were being transferred.He expressed his shock that something of this nature could occur on a usually routine, common job.

The investigation will look into; how efficiently the crate was rigged to the crane, the process used to lower crates, the level of adequately trained staff and the access to protective equipment.

Fenton had previously received a medal for his brave actions during the floods.

 Source: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/routine-job-killed-flood-hero-20111219-1p21m.html

OHS Harmonisation: NSW Releases Finalised Work Health And Safety Regulation 2011

The Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 has just been approved and released by the NSW Government. The regulations of course, are pertaining to the OHS Harmonisation Laws; more formally known as the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

Despite a series of obstacles, NSW has released a finalised and detailed list of regulations that fall under the WHS Act. Some aspects of the regulations pertain to the duties of officers. This includes the duty to provide First Aid in the event of an emergency. Other duties include; the duty to provide, maintain, and implement an emergency plan.. The Danger of breaching the OHS Harmonisation laws can be avoided if one simply follows the detailed regulations.

However, It is important not to be complacent and subsequently neglect some other requirements , since all requirements carry penalties. For example, the aforementioned duty to provide, maintain, and implement an emergency plan might not seem as important as Working At Heights Safety,–however, this duty is just as important, if not more. One  random breach in WHS could result in the accidental death of an employee; but the lack of a quality emergency plan can result in the deaths of many if not all employees. The guidelines for Emergency plans are as follows:

(a) emergency procedures, including:

• an effective response to an emergency, and
• evacuation procedures, and
• notifying emergency service organisations at the earliest
• opportunity, and
• medical treatment and assistance, and
• effective communication between the person authorised
• by the person conducting the business or undertaking to
• coordinate the emergency response and all persons at the
• workplace

                                                                         -(Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011)

 The Maximum penalty: for an individual officer is set at $6,000, but if a corporation is at fault, they would face a penalty of $30,000. The importance in mentioning this regulation lies in the fact that many managers might now be considered safety officers and could thus be liable for any breaches under the WHS act without even knowing it. The entire document includes information regarding liability, the types of safety officers, the various types of breaches as per industry among many other specifics.

 Code of Practice

Various drafts of the Model Codes of Practise have been released and more are expected to follow. Many are specific to each respective industry; however, three specifically affect everyone. These include “How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks”, “How to Consult on Work Health” and finally, “Managing Work Environment and Facilities”

 The Codes are intended for practical uses and are very important in ensuring the day –to-day management of workplace safety. However, the codes can also be used as evidence by the court to indicate what is known about a hazard or risk, and determining what is in fact, practical. Despite this, they are not mandatory as an employer can ensure compliance with the WHS ACT and Regulations by following an alternative method.

What Happens if you breach the WHS regulations?

The accompanying Issues Paper laid out various offences and the potential financial penalties for each. Right now the maximum monetary penalty for breaching the WHS act for standalone corporate offenders is $30,000. However, there is a possibility that this will be increased or even doubled.

The Model Work Health and Safety Act and Regulations are expected to come into effect across Australia in January 2012,

The  OHS Harmonisation laws could not come at a more appropriate time following a growing trend of work place deaths. With over 25 in total thus far, Victoria is home to 9 of them.  With OHS Harmonisation, workers will have the right to refuse or cease any conduct which they feel would endanger their safety.

Source: http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/

Construction Safety :WorkSafe Data Names Construction Industry As Most Dangerous

According to injury claim data for registered workplaces; more people suffer from injuries in the Port Philip construction industry than any other. Administrative and Support services have beat out the manufacturing industry to capture second place for WorkSafe’s injury claims.

According to the data collected by WorkSafe, 850 workers in the Port Philip construction industry, filed Construction Safety injury claims throughout the last five fiscal years. The cost of these claims have exceeded $17 million.

The data also showed that A&S services industry had 672 injury claims at a cost of $13.8 million. The release of this data comes after the launch of WorkSafe’s campaign “Homecomings”. The aim of the campaign is to keep workers informed and diligent in that matters of occupational health and safety and the effects an injury can have on a family.

Sadly, approximately twenty five people will not be home for Christmas this year as a result of Occupational Health and Safety injuries.

Rehabilitation  throughout the industries is said to cost $110 million dollarso over the next five years.

Victoria, thus far has been home to majority of this year’s workplace injury claims. Christmas time is a high pressure, but WorkSafe urges citizens to remain committed to ensuring the safety of others.

Source: http://www.melbourneweeklyportphillip.com.au/news/local/news/general/construction-workers-injured/2396920.aspx 

OHS Harmonisation: Lawyer Offers Warning to Managers

An employment lawyer has warned that managers at the forefront could potentially be at risk of prosecution for Work Health and Safety (WHS) breaches if the OHS Harmonisation laws commence on January 1, 2012.

The OHS Harmonisation laws will comprise of broader meanings of ‘officer’ responsible for workplace safety. Harsher penalties will apply if an officer fails to comply.

Lisa Berton, a partner for Kem Strang, stated that as a result of the new WHS laws; employers will have to recognize an ‘officer’ within an organization, and make compliance a top priority. Berton, warned that the broader definition of an ‘officer’ potentially means that more employees could be held responsible for workplace safety.

Kemp Strang also recommended that businesses identify who the  officers are before training is provided to accountable people under the legislation.

The OHS Harmonisation laws include new definitions of due diligence. This means that officers will have to have updated knowledge of WHS matters, understand dangers and risks of the business and minimise or eradicate them, as well as having a proper system in which information can be received and permit a timely response to incidents.

Berton warned that officers must avoid complacency in ensuring that all due diligence requirements are complied with.

Penalties for breaching officer’s duty can result in a fine of $600,000 and/or five years incarceration.

http://www.dynamicbusiness.com.au/news/work-health-safety-laws-15122011.html

Occupational Health and Safety: Mining Company’s Actions Prompts Water Quality Concerns

Illwarra Community members gathered together in Waratah Rivulet to inspect a cracked riverbed. It is believed that the cracking was a consequence of long wall mining in the area.

Some of the inspectors included environmental lobby group Friends of the Stonefly, and NSW Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham.The community members were concerned with the water quality of the rivulet which acts as a source of drinking water for southern Sydney and northern Illawarra residents.

There are also concerns that the beauty of the area has been damaged by cracks being filled with polyurethane. The community have cited concerns with the continuous trend of mining companies entering communities, leaving massive damage, and then attempting to fix the damage they’ve caused.

The rivulet has been unchanged for hundreds of thousands of years, but now large slabs of stone are eroding and falling off.

Jennifer Morgans from Peabody Energy Australia (the Mining company in Waratah Rivulet), stated that the damage can be observed from areas where the company has not mined.Morgans stated that the polyurethane is a proven method of dealing with these types of issues without affecting the water quality.

Source : http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2011/12/15/3391612.htm?site=illawarra

More information on Occupational Health and Safety 

OHS Harmonisation: ComOps Survey Says WHS Will Positively Impact Businesses

ComOps, a business solutions company, have published a press release regarding the expectations of business owners over the Work Health and Safety Act or OHS Harmonisation laws. The survey indicated that Australian managers are strongly convinced that the OHS harmonisation would positively impact operational sustainability and the organization at large. 87 percent of all managers believe the OHS Harmonisation laws would be a positive influence on business;, 68 percent of participants have indicated that the OHS harmonisation would finally achieve a true harmonisation of the WHS laws governing Australia. Three-fifths of the participants have also expressed support for the personal liability provisions.

Propose of Harmonisation

The OHS Harmonisation was developed in order to lower the potential for risks while at the same time increase accountability and visibility into workplace safety practices within businesses. A key aspect to the laws is to put into effect a legislation that would improve the quality of; transparency, communication, and reporting for each business. Business owners, executives and other managers will find their job obligations to be more concise, yet clearly defined.

The survey also provided information indicating that almost three-quarters of those surveyed, believed that creating the right culture in the business is of most importance. 68 percent of participants have already prepared their practices and systems well in time for the new legislation to commence.

However, 18 percent of participants stated their need for half a year or a whole year in order to achieve the necessary requirements under the OHS Harmonisation laws.

The survey was conducted at the Safety Show Sydney 2011 with the involvement of 218 professionals.More than a quarter of the participants represented organisations that employee over 1000 workers.

Source:http://www.comops.com.au/client_images/372485.pdf

Occupational Health and Safety: Lumber Worker Dies From Fallen Tree

A Lumber industry worker died as a result of a falling tree yesterday. Paramedics reached notified of the incident but the man had died at the scene.  Police allege that the man had  just chopped one tree when another fell on top of him. The killing tree fell when it was hit by a reversing bulldozer.

WorkSafe has sent three inspectors from Geelong to investigate the site.Colac Otwar Shire deputy mayor Lyn Russel has indicated that the death of the forestry worker would have an impact on the community.

She believes that the small town will pull together in reaction to the incident since the people tend to work hard and support each other. Only about 100 to 150 people live in the small Gellibrand community with many of the residents employed by the logging industry.

According to Russel, the incident could have occurred when they were felling or loading, but it remains uncertain.

Currently, details are still being pieced together in order to determine who, and what, was involved.

This is the ninth occupational health and safety death in approximately three weeks and the 25^th for the entire year. Many of the incidents are still under investigation and have mostly occurred during regular, routine jobs. WorkSafe officials have warned of the pressures of working during this busy and pressure filled time of the year

Source : http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/falling-tree-kills-worker/2393616.aspx

5 Reasons You Need Food Safety Supervisor Training

All of you in the food industry know that your very business depends on the customers that purchase your food and your services.  Much of your business depends on repeat customers and while you want your customers to tell their friends that your food is “To die for” you don’t want them actually dying or even feel like they are dying after sampling your wares.

So here are 5 reasons you need food safety supervisor training.

1.   There are an estimated 5.4 million cases of food poisoning in Australia per year and 60% to 80% of food-borne illness arises from the food service industry.  Food safety supervisor training just may help ensure that not a single one of 11,500 cases of food poisoning that occurs each day occurs at your place of business.  Once word gets out that someone got deathly sick from food they consumed at a specific eating establishment or from a specific caterer, that business may as well close their doors because they are going to lose the trust of the public that their establishment is a safe place to eat.

2.   Food safety supervisor training ensures that the person who is in charge of seeing that all the food in the establishment is stored, prepared, handled, and cooked safely knows how to safely do all those things themselves and knows how to pass that knowledge on to everyone else who works in the that particular food service location.

3.   Food safety supervisor training is necessary so that new food safety inspectors can learn how to go about developing food safety plans and implementing them in a manner that everyone needs to know what they are supposed to do to ensure that all the food products in your establishment get handled properly from the time the delivery truck drops off the food items until it leaves in your customer’s stomach.

4.   Food safety training will help your food supervisor know what the most common causes of food illnesses are and how to prevent the contamination that causes those illnesses.  This training will also give them tips on what to look for to make sure that everyone in the establishment is following safe food handling guidelines and what he needs to do if someone in your business repeatedly ignores the safety guidelines and plans.

5.   Food safety training will explain to your food safety supervisor and to their employer what the penalties are for serving unsafe food or food that could possibly be unsafe and what paperwork or other things may be needed to show that the food safety supervisor and every food worker in your business has the necessary training to safely handle food and that proper supervision is given to ensure that food is safely being handled and that your food preparation and service area is sanitary.

The bottom line is that your entire business not only rests on the way your food is cooked and presented to the client but, also on the fact that your food continues to be safe for them to eat without worry that they will become sick from the improper handling or food preparation.

Occupational Health and Safety: Canberra Construction Death Investigated

Investigations have been launched following the Occupational Heath and Safety death of a construction worker in north Canberra.

The father of two died when he was struck by a grader working on the new West Macgregor housing project.

ACT branch secretary  of the Construction, Foresty,Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), Dean Hall stated that the worker was a union delegate who was very well respected in the industry.

Currently, the incident is considered a “tragic accident”.

Hall stated that investigations will be conducted at all major construction and civil sites in the ACT. Also, continuous meetings will be held in order to keep workers informed of the current happenings as well as to collect donations on behalf of the family.

Work safety commissioner for ACT, Mark McCabe, stated that inspectors will be collecting all the names and information of witnesses to the incident.

In order to conduct a thorough investigation, at least two months will be needed.

The investigations are being conducted in order to understand what exactly went wrong, what caused the injury, and whether it could have been avoided. From the investigation, it will also be determined as to what steps must be taken to ensure that a similar incident does not occur again.

Systems of work will be looked at, in order to determine if they need to be examined throughout other sites from the same contractor.

The building will remain closed until the investigation has concluded.The vehicle has been taken into Police custody on behalf of the coroner.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-12/man-dies-on-act-building-site/3727160?section=act 

5 Reasons You Need OHS Harmonisation Training

As most of you already know the new WHS act is designed to save red tape and provide consistency in how the OHS laws are enforced across all of Australia.  As with any change there is going to be a learning curve and it may take some time to get up to speed on exactly what the new law entails. OHS harmonisation training can help you get up to speed on the the WHS act sooner rather than later which is going to benefit your company more than you may have ever thought possible.

Here are 5 Reasons Why You Need OHS Harmonisation Training:

The new WHS act is going to institute many new laws, rules, and regulations, and significantly change other laws.  It is going to be essential that companies know and understand what these new laws and changes in laws are in order to stay in compliance and avoid negative consequences. OHS Harmonisation training is geared to help you understand what these new laws are and what is expected of your business and each of you individually.

1. Under the new WHS act Businesses and officers of that business can face stiff penalties for breaching OHS laws even if no accident has occurred.  OHS harmonisation training is designed to help you understand who is considered an “officer” and under what circumstances and help you understand what constitutes a breach under the new laws.  Having a clear understanding of what constitutes a breach of OHS laws can save your business up to 3 million dollars in fines and individuals $600,000 in fines and the possibility of up to 5 years in jail.
2. OHS harmonisation training will give you a clear understanding of the Proactive role that officers of the company are required to undertake in ensuring a safe work environment for all employees and the steps you need to take and the records you will need to keep in order to fulfill your “due diligence” under the law.  These records will help protect both individual officers of the business and the business itself should any questions arise regarding the safety practices at your company.
3. OHS harmonisation training will help you understand what the judiciary will be looking at in determining whether or not a company or PCBU did everything “reasonably practical” to ensure a workers safety.  Knowing how the definition of reasonably practical will be looked at by the court before you end up there and doing everything you can to comply with the legislative intent of the term reasonably practical will help you avoid stiff penalties and possible jail sentences.
4. Under the new WHS act, the PBCU and officers no longer have to prove they followed procedures it is the prosecutions burden to prove you did not but, you need to be aware of what the prosecution needs to do to establish that proof and what you need to do in order to protect yourself and your company.  You don’t want some little mistake in paperwork or a careless statement to provide the proof the prosecution needs of your failure to comply with the law.  OHS harmonisation will help you to clearly understand what the prosecution will need to prove their case and how you can protect yourself should a prosecution arise.

The goal of OHS harmonisation training is to help you protect your business and yourself by making sure that you understand what the new WHS entails and what you need to do to comply with all the changes that the WHS act has instituted.

NT Opposition Claims NT WorkSafe is Ill Equipped For OHS Harmonisation

The Opposition for the Northern Territory claims that the NT WorkSafe is not properly equipped to police occupational health and safety legislation to meet a national agreement.The Opposition stated that the OHS Harmonisation had not yet been agreed by South Australia, WA, Victoria, or Tasmania, yet the Territory was rushing to meet the January, 2012 deadline.Shadow A.G John Elferink is concerned about unions granted ability of entry and civil prosecutions that could occur under the OHS Harmonisation laws. He stated that the laws do not protect the right to silence

However, he says that the organisation, WorkSafe, is not prepared for the job.Elferick stated on record his concern over the abilities of the Northern Territory’s WorkSafe because, as he stated, the organisation is in a “state of decay”.  Thus he is not confident in their abilities to effectively police the legislation.Business spokesperson for the Opposition, Dave Tollner, stated that NT WorkSafe does not have any concern for the well-being of business owners.

He believes that NT WorkSafe is “contaminated with union members in the NT. Tollner expressed his disappointment that NT WorkSafe is not entirely focused on workplace safety, rather, they are focused on providing a good spot for “washed-out” union officials

The Treasurer stated that anti-union criticism of OHS laws were wrong in the past, and the Liberals oppose the OHS Harmonisation laws because they have an aversion to unions.
Source :http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-01/20111201-worksafe-nt/3707070?section=nt

Occupational Health And Safety : Fallen Stone Slab Kills Worker

A man has died after being crushed at a kitchen bench manufacturer in Perth. The man died when a slab of stone fell on him at Bayswater factory.WorkSafe investigations indicated that it appeared that the slab had fallen from a pallet when the pallet was shaken by a forklift bumping into it.The accident joins a set of numerous  occupational health and safety accidents that have occurred at industrial sites in Australia this month.

WorkSafe Victoria stated that two workers had died in the last 24 hours, one had been reported missing and another was in the hospital with critical injuries. 21 deaths have occurred thus far in Victoria; a fifth of which have occurred in the past 21 days.Victoria has moved for a postponement of OHS Harmonisation legislation.

Other Victoria workplace deaths have involved a 26 year old worker who died when a heavy piece of machinery dropped from an overhead crane. The man has since succumbed to his injuries. Another worker suffered critical injuries when he was crushed while working on a dock leveller. He remains in treatment at the hospital.

WorSafe director Ian Forsyth stated that the recent events were a reminder over the importance of workplace safety.  He added by stating that the worst consequences of a workplace incident are not only felt by the individual but by the family and loved ones— these affects can last a lifetime.

 Source: http://www.myfen.com.au/news/worker-crushed-to-death-by-stone-slab-at-kitchen-m

Human Resources: Harassment in the Workplace

When one hears talk of “bullying”, initial thoughts can automatically equate the word with elementary school, wedgies, and being picked on by the “bigger kid”. However, bullying is a very real reality for many people – adults included—and it is still every bit as wrong as it was in elementary school. The only difference is that the school has been swapped with an office building, or a factory, or any other kind of workplace. While wedgies may not be the norm, and your lunch money may not be at risk, bullying can be every bit  as demeaning as it was in school.

 What is Workplace Bullying?

Workplace bullying includes verbal, physical, psychological abuse conducting by a higher up office employee (or employer) or another person (s) at work. If you (or a fellow employee)  are constantly subjected to hurtful remark that demean you, your work,  or really any characteristic that you identify with; then it is considered workplace bullying. If you are a manager, not dealing with workplace bullying can cause your employees to be less active, less confident, depressed, and isolated.

It is important to receive the proper Human Resources training in order to ensure that your business maintains its Workplace Compliance requirements. Moreover, it is important for employees to receive the training to ensure the well-being of all employees which subsequently would ensure that performance stays on top.Managers who have received quality training will know how to identify and deal with bullying in the workplace. Having the quality knowledge from a Bully Prevention Training course will teach you or your employees how to look out for the signs of bullying so that it can be avoided all-together.

Other Forms of harassment in the workplace include; sexual harassment and discrimination.

Sexual Harassment can include any unwelcomed physical contact, overtly sexual comments, sex based insults as well as other  inappropriate and uncomfortable acts.
It is the responsibility of the employee to ensure the well-being of employees and thus, free of sexual harassment. Having the right training in sexual harassment can teach people to understand their rights and responsibilities as dictated by the equal opportunity and discrimination legislation.

Discrimination is another form of harassment in the workplace. Receiving the proper training would provide the knowledge needed to comprehend what inappropriate workplace behaviour is, and how to avoid it. Training in discrimination and equal employment opportunity (EEO) would ensure that employees are compliant with the anti-discrimination legislation, and would enable participants to receive a Certificate of Competency. Discrimination awareness will teach people to treat everyone with respect and without harassment.

If you or an employee initially does not like the job, then they definitely don’t want to be bullied  as well. Alertforce’s Compliance Certified Human Resource courses will teach participants how to identify, deal with, and essentially—prevent workplace harassment; while maintaining a productive workforce.

Human Resources : ACT Proposes New Unit to Fight Bullying

ACT Green have presented a bill in the Legislative assembly that aims to tackle workplace bullying.

Recently, a survey conducted by the ACT Government, indicated that more than 1600 public servants had been bullied or harassed in the past 20 months. The Greens stated that workplace bullying is a harmful and sinister practice that costs the nation billions of dollars each year.

ACT Greens aim to institute a special department within WorkSafe that would manage bullying complaints from the government workers.3 specialised positions are to be set up in order to look into the complaints.The hope is that by having these different specialised positions that each issue will be looked at in a thorough and empathetic manner.

The Australian Human Rights Commission have estimated that cost of this Human Resources issue is in the billions, and this is discounting the effects on health. Furthermore in contributes to a large number of lost work hours.  It affects business as well as people.

Despite the costs involved in organising the unit, it is believed that the cost of bullying far outweighs it.

The proposed legislation will also focus on workplace fatigue, customer aggression and occupational violence.

Other states have allegedly introduced similar legislation.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-05/act-greens-workplace-bullying-bill/3712434?section=act

What Does PCBU Mean Under The OHS Harmonisation Act?

With the new Work, Health and Safety (OHS Harmonisation) Act about to become effective in the next couple of months it is essential that those working in every industry understand not only the rules and regulations that will be put into place but, also the role that everyone has in terms so making sure that the work environment is safe. To do that the OHS has changed some terms to make understanding who has responsibilities under the new regulations clear. One such term is a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU).

In the past, old regulations often used the term employer but, that term often lead to misconceptions regarding exactly what duties and obligations were assigned to whom. In order to clear up any misunderstanding the term PCBU has taken the place of the term employer. Under the Work Health and Safety act a PCBU is any person or entity that conducts a business or undertaking. This may be an individual, a corporation, or a charitable organization.

The PCBU has the primary duty of care to ensure as far as reasonably practicable the health and safety of all workers that it engages.  However, it is the duty of each officer of the PCBU to ensure that the PCBU complies with those duties and obligations.

Here are some of the duties of the PCBU.

• The PCBU must share all relevant information on health and safety with the workers.
• The PCBU must provide workers with an opportunity to share their views and express concerns about safety issues with the PCBU and it’s officers.
• The PCBU must advise workers of relevant outcomes in a timely manner.
• The PCBU must involve any relevant health and safety representatives in the process.

In determining what is reasonably practicable the PCBU and it’s officers should consider

The likelihood of a risk or hazard occurring. Would a reasonable person concerned about safety be able to foresee this particular risk or hazard is likely to occur if some preventive measure is not taken?

• The degree of harm that may arise from that risk or hazard
• What the person knows or should know about this risk or hazard and ways of minimizing or eliminating the risk.

The Availability of Ways of Minimizing the Risk

Whether the cost of eliminating or reducing the risk is disproportionate to the risk itself.

The PCBU needs to look at all possible health or safety issues from the point of view of what a reasonable person could predict would happen and how they would try to minimize the dangers. The PCBU is not expected to think of or consider those hazards that are extremely unlikely to occur only those which a reasonable person would “know” are likely to occur.

The Main thing to remember is that while the Person conducting a business or undertaking has the primary responsibility for following all duties and obligations that it is the officers of the PCBU that must be responsible for seeing that the PBCU complies with those duties and obligations or they can incur personal fines and penalties whether or not an incident actually takes place.

Fitness For Duty During Holiday Season

As we enter the Holiday season; some may risk over-indulging in the festivities which could potentially have a harmful effect on the workplace. In the event that the celebrations seep into the workplace, it is important to have the right training in dealing with issues pertaining to Fitness for Duty.

Now is as good a time as any to refresh your employees on the current drug and alcohol work policy or introduce a new program into your workplace. AlertForce is dedicated to effectively educating and informing staff about the effects of drugs and alcohol in the workplace. Our Fitness for Duty training will explore the many issues pertaining to drugs and alcohol in the workplace and will ensure that your business meets the OH&S/HSE requirements.

The amount of workplace accidents that occur because of alcohol and drug use is bewildering. Alertforce offers quick, concise, and above all — effective, training that is specific to employees. Alertforce also offers the same in-depth training program for managers and supervisors. Each program brings and indepth understanding to the consequences of alcohol and drug use in the workplace

Affectively understanding drug and alcohol policy can ensure that you legally and morally deal with the issues in a manner which benefits both the company and the employee. Alcohol and drug use in the workplace can lead to high costs in dealing with injuries, truancy, lost production, workers compensation, and finally, rehabilitation (Safework.sa.gov.au).

According to the International Labour Association…

about a quarter all injuries in the workplace are a product of drug and alcohol use. Furthermore, an estimated 300k employees in Australia are said to partake in drugs and alcohol. If that isn’t a frightening enough concept,  up to 15 per cent of fatal work place injuries are a result of alcohol/drug abuse.

Those who do not follow the workplace drug and alcohol policy can end up injuring themselves and others, can lose their jobs and ultimately, their families.

According to SafeWork, those who abuse harmful substances are much more likely to recover from their addiction if they are employed. Thus it is best to take preventative action now before the use of drugs and alcohol result in loss of employment.

Drug and Alcohol use is covered by the (South Australian Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act 1986). Which states:

Enjoy your holiday celebrations but ensure that you know and understand your workplace Drug and Alcohol policy. Quality training is available. Remember it is a time of celebration, not a time of tragedy. Don’t go overboard on the office party eggnog !

Source: http://www.safework.sa.gov.au/contentPages/docs/resDrugAlcoholGuidelines.pdf

Dangerous Goods: As Fiskville Cancer Toll Hits 15, WorkSafe Investigates.

CFA’s Fiskville training college has recently been inspected by WorkSafe following a Herald Sun investigation that links 15 deaths to the site.The inspection by WorkSafe comes after CFA initiated its own investigation into Dangerous Goods usage at the site in the 1970s and 1980s.Former Environmental Protection Authority ( EPA) deputy chairman will now serve as chair in the CFA case regarding chemical usage at Fiskville.

CFA has pledged their cooperation with WorkSafe investigations.Families who would like to report of any health problems concerning the training college, can do so by accessing the email account that was set up for that purpose.

Heads of CFA have indicated their dedication to resolving the allegations and reassuring workers that the site is now safe.

Many who have worked at Fiskville are reportedly concerned, according to an opinion piece  written by CFA executive Mick Bourke.  Bourke attributes the use of the toxic chemicals to a “ different time” when “attitudes, understanding and work practices were different”.

He stated that since then the work practices of the CFA have changed dramatically and positively.A former CFA volunteer by the name of Rick Jakob, has developed a cancerous tumour on his spine . He claims that volunteers regularly set fire to gasoline on creek beds during his time at Fiskville.

Jakob has expressed concerns that until the late 1990s water could have been contaminated as there was no treatment, and thus, it could have entered waterways.

A State spokesperson has stated that regular briefings are being received regarding the CFA investigation

Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/worksafe-acts-as-toll-hits-15/story-fn7x8me2-1226216677916

Human Resources : Fellow Workers of Harassed Employee Walk Off the Job

Workers of an Aurora employee have walked off the job after a fellow employee was fired upon making harassment claims.

The electrical worker complained that the supervisor inappropriately touched him, shot him in the head with toy gun, and poked him.  Aurora has confirmed that the worker has been sacked. The anonymous worker had already received a suspension on base pay for approximately five months when he made a claim with the Anti-Discrimination Commission.

Dino Ottavi, an advocate for the worker, stated that it was a shocking case of victimisation. He continued by stating that Aurora had avoided natural justice by firing the worker prior to the commission inquiry.

It is alleged that Aurora has paid out atleast $60,000 of the public’s money on legal defense. The discrimination claim was received much earlier than his suspension.

The worker has a family and is at risk of losing his house.

Aurora People and Culture general manager claimed that they had commissioned an external investigation which found that only one out of 17 harassment claims had any substance. The team leader was said to have been counselled on the outcomes of the investigation into harassment claims against him. Investigations into this Human Resources issue are continuing.

http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2011/12/09/283101_tasmania-news.html

Occupational Health And Safety: WorkSafe Investigates Sweet Sweeper Death

WorkSafe is currently investigating the death of a road worker who was struck by a street sweeper in Melbourne.

The worker was conducting road maintenance at a work site on Canterbury Road in Bayswater when he was run over by a reversing street sweeper. Despite attempts of another road worker to raise the alarm, the man had already died when paramedics arrived. The street sweeper  was taken a hold of by WorkSafe until they are finished investigating the occupational health and safety issue.

Worksafe spokesperson Michael Birt stated that this month is the busiest month of the year which is causing many workers to feel pressure to meet tight deadlines.

Birt emphasised that these accidents are not freak accidents but rather the result of routine jobs. Thus it is not a matter of luck or just “occupational hazards”/

Source: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/worker-dead-in-street-sweeper-tragedy-20111201-1o7m4.html#ixzz1fu9IWeaz

Chain of Responsibility: Australian Post Pleads Guilty In Forklift Accident Case

The Australian Post will have to face a fine after a forklift accident left an elderly contractor without a lower right leg. The federal work health and safety board have been investigating the case of the injured Toowoomba Mail Centre worker since last December,

The accident took place on a loading dock for the Australian Post. AP have since pleaded guilty for failing to control traffic in a bus in a busy area.

Justice John Logan, the judge for the case, was allegedly disappointed with Australia’s chain of responsibility, and the inadequate concern for the implementation and maintaining of safety policies and training at the centre.

Australian Post are set to pay $160,000 for the injury.

The board has  yet to comment on the case. When prosecution was declared last year, the Work Health and Safety Group General Manager, Neil Quarmby declared that they are focused on working with employers and employees to ensure the safety of everyone.

Australian Post will have to pay out $80 000 in costs.

Source: http://www.supplychainreview.com.au/news/articleid/77299.aspx

OHS Harmonisation: Queensland & NSW Approve

Queensland

The Queensland Parliament has approved several aspects of the occupational health and safety harmonisation laws ( OHS harmonisation laws). The Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act was approved albeit with minor changes that would enable it to function in accordance with Queensland jurisdiction. The Work Health and Safety Regulation was approved on November 24,2011. Significant pieces of legislation are as follows:

• Confined Spaces;
• Hazardous Manual Tasks;
•  Work Health and Safety Risks;
• Asbestos Awareness in the Workplace
• Asbestos Removal
• Dangerous Chemicals labeling
• Noise Control and Hearing Loss
• Working at Heights safety

The WHS regulations will be implemented on January, 1, 2012. Systems will be put into place in order to help the smooth transition into the new requirements

New South Wales

NSW recently confirmed the January start for WHS act. A training grant of $550 thousand will be offered in ordered to help small business comprehend the new laws.The government is taking steps to ensure that businesses are properly informed about the OHS harmonisation laws, by offering workshops and seminars.

Applications for the training grants must be submitted prior to January 30, 2012.

Source: http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/law/whslaws/legislation/index.htm

Working At Heights: No Christmas Banners

No Christmas greetings will be displayed throughout Rockhampton’s main streets because of workplace health and safety concerns with working at heights. Councils have been informed that the usual season’s greetings banners are no longer permitted to be hung from light poles. Because of the recent strict controls and the risk of significant insurance claims, the banners are no longer acceptable.

Banners will also be prohibited from being hung on the Bruce Highway—the northern and southern entry points into the city.Michael Rowe, acting general manager of community services, claims that the problem has arisen from stricter guidelines by Transport and Main Roads.

Despite no incidents in the past over the injury of staff while erecting or dismantling banners, it is now considered a liability as it is no longer a safe bet.Corporate event organisers will also be prohibited from setting up banners.Councillors have been informed that the lack of highway banners will be compensated for by an increase in Christmas decorations at other locations.

Small festival banners will exist on East St, Quay St and along the Riverside Boardwalk  and lights will hang on Morgan’s main street, Keppel Sands, on the council offices in Gracemere, at Queens Park, and various other locations.

Source: http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/story/2011/11/29/banners-become-a-christmas-casualty/

SA Risks Nixing on $33 Million OHS Harmonisation Award

South Australia risks missing out on the $33 million incentive payment it would have been awarded had SA decided to pass the OHS Harmonisation laws.

Early last week, the Upper house voted to delay the WHS bill. The Government desired to have the bill passed this week in order to implement it from January 1. Now that it is delayed the bill will not be discussed until later next year. South Australia  has essentially turned down $ 33 million in COAG payments by not implementing the Harmonised OHS bill by Jan 1, 2012.

Since the legislation was not passed by SA, then the Commonwealth must reconsider whether or not the payment can be awarded to SA.

.The Opposition’s frontrunner Rob Lucas has accused the Government of neglecting the anxieties from Industry organisations.Opposition frontbencher Rob Lucas, who moved to delay the Bill, has accused the Government of ignoring the concerns from industry organisations.SA Unions have strongly supported and campaigned for the implementation of the new laws, since they believe the laws are needed to prevent fatal workplace injuries.

The concern of some is that the new laws would essentially give union bosses the power to enter work sites themselves when they have OHS concerns, and cost an additional $20 thousand for a new house.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/safety-bill-may-cost-south-australia-33m/story-e6frea6u-1226211767084

Occupational Health And Safety : Man Dies in Sewage Tank

A man has died following his attempt to collect samples in a sewage tank. The middle-age lab technician disappeared after he was last seen carrying out the routine sampling.  Melbourne Water went to the site and spent hours  draining the tank, where they eventually discovered the man’s body. It is believed he fell in to the tank and subsequently died. Most of his equipment was found nearby.

His dead is the sixth occupational health and safety death in the last 11 days. Worksafe visited the scene while divers searched for the man’s body.Earlier this week a young man from Craigiburn died at the hands of a 150-kg piece of machinery struck him while he was at a boat manufacturing business.

WorkSafe executive director stated that the deaths indicated the need to remember how important occupational health and safety was  for many industries at this time —their busiest time of the year. Other workplace incidents that have occurred was the killing of a 73-year old farmer when gored by a bull, the  death of a man from a  fallen cherry picker, and the death of another man caused by a crushed vehicle at a factory.

21 workplace deaths are said to have occurred this year.

Source: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/water-worker-dies-after-falling-into-sewage-tank-20111201-1o978.html

Tasmania Joins Other Parliaments In OHS Harmonisation Delay

The Harmonisation of Occupational Health and Safety laws have met another obstacle now that another Parliament has decided to delay the commencement of the OHS laws. Tasmania’s decision follows that of South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia.

Tasmanian Parliament has voted to amend the OHS Harmonisation bill to delay implementation for a year. The vote was a landslide, with 11 – 3 votes in favour of the amendment. The Bill will return to the Lower House where further discussion will take place in March of 2012.

Senator Abetz stated that the Labour party should delay the commencement of the Harmonised OHS laws for an additional year in order to decide whether true harmonisation can take place. He believes this needs to be done in order to avoid rushing into anything  and “implementing another Julia Gillard mess”.

Source: http://www.international.to/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3710:gillard-whos-to-blame-this-time-julia&catid=80:politics&Itemid=120

SafeWork Releases OHS Harmonisation FAQ Page for Volunteers

SafeWork Australia has released a FAQ page that answers some questions one might have regarding volunteers and the OHS Harmonisation laws.

Firstly, the page  explains what constitutes as a “volunteer” under the WHS act. More specifically, the faq page explains the manner in which volunteers must comply with the WHS act and subsequently, the duties owed to the volunteer under the act.For those who are unsure whether or not the harmonised laws apply to their volunteer organisation; the FAQ page states that: “A volunteer organisation owes duties to its volunteers under the WHS Act, where it conducts a ‘business or undertaking’ (whether for profit or not), and is not a ‘volunteer association’ as defined by the WHS Act.”

Are You Liable?

The page  further states that volunteers can indeed be held liable if they are found to have acted in a manner that caused injury to themselves or others in the workplace. However, if a volunteer decides to be an “officer” (which has duties), the volunteer would not be prosecuted under the WHS act for failing to uphold his/her duties. This immunity from prosecution is intended to prevent discouragement of volunteers from becoming officers. However, A volunteer worker, who has breached his duties in a working capacity, can still be prosecuted.

Lastly, the page states that all businesses are required to provide their volunteers with the proper PPE (personal protective equipment), if the job requires the use of such.

Source: http://safeworkaustralia.gov.au/Legislation/FAQ/Pages/FAQ.aspx

SA Votes To Delay Harmonised OHS Laws

Amidst controversy the Upper-House has decided to block the implementation of the OHS Harmonisation laws.

It was the desire of the Government to have the proposed laws passed this week so that they could take effect from January 1,2012.However, the chamber voted thinly by 11 -10 votes to postpone any further discussion of the bill until February, 2012.Opposition spokesperson, Rob Lucas stated that the Liberals attempted to garner support from minor parties and independents in order to defer the debate.

The Bill was introduced in April  and it’s goal was to harmonise state and federal worker safety laws.

The  Housing Industry Association has expressed concerns that the laws would cost an additional $20,000, while other groups have supported the laws citing that it would give unions more power over health and safety issues.Industrial Relations Minister, Russell Wortley has rejected the concerns of the HIA, and said that the Opposition’s move was disgraceful.

Thus far, WA and Victoria governments have pledged their goals of delaying the legislation by up to 12 months in their respective states.

Lucas has stated that NSW has already amended the model  OHS Harmonisation Bill while WA has implied that they will soon do the same. Lucas also believes the Victorian government will follow suit.

Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/liberals-block-safety-laws/story-e6frea6u-1226209587512

Occupational Health and Safety: Fatal Tanker Explosion Results in Charges

An exploded tanker that caused two occupational health and safety deaths has resulted in charges being laid on two companies.

As a result of failing to provide and uphold a safe work environment which directly caused the death of two workers; Baker Hughes Australia and Oilfields Transport Services have been charged.

Leon Mobbs and Geoff Lucas died in 2008 when emptying a load of barite powder, the tanker exploded and killed them.Workers allegedly encountered problems when the powder (that was too moist) clogged the tanker. The men attempted to empty the tankers into the silos.

While allegedly depressurising the tanker, the inside was manually scraped down and then re-pressurised in order remove the powder. Upon doing this the tanker exploded which resulted in the deaths of both Mobbs and Lucas. The case is scheduled to appear in the Broome Magistrates Court in January 2012.

Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/charges-laid-over-tanker-explosion-deaths/story-fn3dxity-1226210225208

Who Is Deemed To Be An Officer Under The Work Health And Safety (OHS Harmonisation) Act?

With the new Work, Health and Safety Act and all of the changes that go with it about to become effective over the next few months it is important to have a clear understanding of this act as a whole and various parts specifically. One of the areas where corporations and businesses are due to see a big change is the responsibility of the officers of a business to actively ensure that their businesses comply with the new OHS harmonisation laws and regulations. Failure of officers to do so can result in a personal fine of up to $600,000 and/or 5 years in prison.

Therefore it is of paramount importance for businesses to know just who is deemed an officer under the Work Health and Safety act. Under this act an officer is defined as:

• Any director or secretary of a corporation
• Any administrators or Liquidator of a corporation
• All officers in an unincorporated association
• Any other person who makes or participated in making decisions that affect the corporation or business as a whole.
• Any person who makes or participates in making decisions that affect significant part of the corporation or business.
• Any person who has the capacity to significantly affect the corporation or business
• And any person on whose instructions or wishes a business or corporation is used to acting on.

Under the new guidelines all officers must exercise due diligence to make sure that their company complies with all of its safety obligations including:

• Keeping current on all work health and safety matters
• Understand the operations of the business and know and understand the risks and hazard associated with those operations.
• To make sure that the business has the necessary resources to minimize risks to health and safety and that those resources are being used properly.
• Make sure that the business has and implements all the necessary processes for complying with the laws which include: reporting incidents, consultations with workers, ensuring that workers get the the proper training and instruction regarding work, health and safety
• And ensuring that health and safety supervisors get the training they need to perform their job correctly.

By taking the time now to understand just who is deemed an officer under the new laws and making sure that all those who are deemed officers have the training and are prepared to take on their new more active roles in overseeing the safety of the workers and the business you can avoid some costly future mistakes.

Remember under the new guidelines officers may be liable for any breach of safety even if no incidents or accidents occur. This could be costly to both the individual officer and to your company as a whole. So, it is essential that every officer has the training necessary to understand their obligations and how to carry them out before the January 1, 2012 deadline. Being prepared will help your business make a smoother transition.

WorkSafe Pleads For Safety During Holiday Season

The deaths of six workers in 20 days have led WorkSafe to pressure people to be careful as the holiday season approaches. WorkSafe investigators were called to the scene of a case in which the body of a middle-aged workshop employee was found.The worker, is believed to have died last Friday, after he sustained a cut on his arm from equipment. Various other work related deaths have occurred in the past 20 days which were often the  result of workers not taking the proper precautions.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch, made a plea for people to take the proper precautions and be careful in the workplace. Four incidents in the last eight days were workplace deaths. Investigations are continuing in each unique case. The recent sequence of workplace related deaths have been deemed‘unusual”.

Mcculock acknowledged that people are under pressure in anticipation of the holidays, but he stressed the importance of family and the subsequent affects a death can have on them.WorkSafe implements about 10,000 inspections a year, half of which are related to work-related incidents.Despite work related deaths being at a 20- year low; there has been a recent trend of occupational health and safety deaths .

Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/12135311/deaths-prompt-site-safety-plea/

Home Renovators Need Asbestos Awareness

The fifth annual Asbestos Awareness Day ceremony will present an unadulterated caution to home renovators.

The ceremony that takes place yearly in Latrobe Valley community is an event in which people gather in remembrance of asbestos victims of the past and present.Gippsland Trades and Labour Council secretary, John Parker announced that home renovations were the most recent asbestos-related issues. The ceremony was attended by affected family members and workplace representatives.

Vicky Hamilton of the Asbestos Related Diseases Support group , said despite the last harmful type of asbestos being banned, there still exists an inadequate amount of community awareness.Hamilton stated that asbestos continues to exist in large amounts throughout the community and in homes. Thus people  are at risk for potential exposure on a daily basis. Hamilton expressed her concerns that asbestos related cases would continually increase for decades to come.

Parker asserts that diligence by government was needed to avoid illegal dumping by home renovators. It is Parker’s desire that one day the Asbestos Awareness Day will just be a memorial day, and not a day for remembering new victims. This story comes after issues arose with popular DIY home renovation reality TV-shows. Issues arose because the shows do not provide asbestos awareness or  any warning; nor  do they express the need for proper asbestos training.

Source:http://www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au/news/local/news/general/home-renos-the-new-issue/2372406.aspx

Occupational Health and Safety: Man Struck By Loader

A man in his seventies has died after accidentally being struck by a reversing skid-steet loader.

A spokesperson for the police stated that the man was run over by the loader in a carpark, around noon   The machine was being used to do work at parkland near a shopping centre, where the man was hit. The man was taken to hospital with severe  injuries  but the situation did not initially seem to be life threatening.

WorkSafe has sent inspectors to investigate the cause of the accident, and to interview witnesses of incident.WorkSafe WA commissioner stated that any work-related death is tragic, and he offered his condolences to the man’s family.

The circumstances are still unclear, therefore investigations by WorkSafe will continue.

More information on occupational health and safety

Operator Rescued From Fallen Crane

The life of a crane operator was spared yesterday after his crane tumbled over a bridge. The worker was operating the crane while working on a bridge, lifting steel. Suddenly, the crane went over the edge and fell 28 metres.

After falling some distance, the worker became trapped within it. People attempted to free the man, who had been knocked out unconscious. After attempting various methods that further endangered the man, the rescuers decided to dig below the cab so that there was ample room to rescue him. Their method worked and after 2 hours, he came out alive. He was then hoisted up with ropes in order to pull him to safety.

Presently, there is no indication as to the cause of the crane falling. The crane is relatively new and works well.

Source: http://www.vertikal.net/en/news/story/13627/

More information on Cranes, Hoists and Slings

Working At Heights: Man falls from lift,dies

A man from Lara, Victoria, died when he fell almost 15 metres from an aerial lift.

The man fell at the residence that he was  pruning trees at. The man fell from the platform and plunged to the ground. Attempts were made to save his life through the use of CPR, first by civilians on the scene, and then by paramedics. However, they were unable to save him and he was declared dead on the scene.

The man was allegedly not using a harness or lanyard when he fell to his death. WorkSafe is currently working alongside the police in order to understand the circumstances behind this  working from heightst incident.

Surce: http://www.vertikal.net/en/news/story/13651/

WorkSafe Releases Data On Occupational Health and Safety Claims

WorkSafe Victoria has disclosed that the average expenditure on rehabilitation for injury cases in Bayule, exceeds $10,000.

WorkSafe Vic. data for the past financial year, displayed that over $5 million was claimed as workers compensation by businesses. 490 people were reportedly injured and needed rehab in Banyule, and the average cost was $10,205 each. Within this same financial year, businesses in Nillumbik Shire Council claimed compensation payments in excess of $1 million. 133 people were said to have received compensation, at an average cost of $8627 each.

This data was released as part of the WorkSafe campaign “Any day now” , that aims to remind workers that inspection can happen at any point which means that employers and employees should work to maintain the safety standards of their company prior to inspection.WorkSafe Victoria Health and Safety head, Ian Forsyth stated that unsafe practices were still being discovered, such as missing guards on machinery,and other types of breaches that can potentially cause injuries.

WorkSafe had also recorded a greater volume of prosecutions in the new financial year, charging 45 workplaces in the past four months .Forsyth stated that WorkSafe has been inspecting, investigating and prosecuting occupational health and safety breaches.

Source: http://www.banyuleandnillumbikweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/millions-claimed-by-injured-staff-worksafe/2357238.aspx

Hobson’s Bay Pays Out the Most In Occupational Health and Safety Claims

Since 2006, Hobsons Bay has accumulated the second highest number of occupational health and safety cases in the Western region. It was a close second to Wyndham.

Currently WorkSafe is at work to ensure that safety improvements be met prior to inspection. This comes following news that Victoria was home to the safest workplaces in all of Australia.The new WorkSafe campaign “Any Day Now” commenced last night and has arrived following the Government’s yearly report regarding work-safety incidents.In Hobsons Bay, 4681 claims were made, with the total payout from July 2006 to June 2011 exceeding $100 million.

Despite having more WorkSafe claims, Wyndham has paid out approximately $96 million in compensation.The only injuries recorded in these statistics are injuries that required the worker to be off work for 10 or more days, or those who had treatment which costs more than $580.Overall, there were 17,720 claims in Western Australia, and a total payout in excess of $366 million.

The most common issues are those pertaining to dangerous manual handing practices, damaged storage racking, unguarded machinery, unsafe scaffolding, unsafe dangerous goods storage, and inadequate forklift safety.

According to the report, Victoria boasts the lowest number of injuries per-thousand workers out of every state.

Source:http://www.starnewsgroup.com.au/star/williamstown-altona-laverton/322/story/144648.html

Supreme Court’s Occupational Health and Safety Compliance, A Concern

Lawyers claim that if the Supreme Court building were to be investigated by occupational health and safety inspectors, it would be condemned.The Law Society has requested that a 10-year plan be drafted that would layout plans to renovate and revamp the historic building. Premier Jay Weatherhill was the one explicitly called out in their request for these improvements on the building and on the entire Victoria Square precinct.

The president of the Society, Ralph Bonig stated that for over ten years, consecutive governments had ignored a desperate need for bigger courtrooms with disabled access, improved infrastructure (including modern audio/video equipment), and refurbished elevators that connect courtrooms to the basement cells.

Bonig stated that their Supreme Court is the worst of its kind in Australia, and continues to be embarrassment to the nation.The facilities throughout the building allegedly fail to comply with occupational health and safety regulations.  The Law Society stated their disappointment that some senior magistrates such as the Chief Justice are unable to attend proceedings at the court simply because they are confined to a wheel chair.

Chief Justice Doyle hopes that improvements of the facilities would make it possible to stream court hearings live across the internet

.Investigations will continue, and improvements are currently under consideration. Attorney General John Rau stated that he believes this to be an important issue since new facilities are required in order to meet current standards.

 Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/states-courts-are-worst-in-the-nation/story-e6frea6u-1226193925635

Schools Under Pressure Over Occupational Health and Safety Laws

Victorian  schools are lowering monkey bars and banning students from bringing their own sunscreen and liquid paper to class because of “absurd” safety regulations.

Schools in Victoria are currently in the process of removing monkey bars and prohibiting students from bringing their own sunscreen lotion and liquid paper as per safety regulations.Heads of the scholastic institutions have been critical of the severe occupational health and safety rules that they believe are taking the “fun out of schools”.

Reports have indicated that staff are feeling over-burdened with the increasing level of safety-related demands.Some complaints stem from teachers now being required to wear masks and surgical gloves when applying band aids.

Principals have been forced to keep track of common glue sticks, and inspecting the chemicals found in clay. These types of demands have forced them to fill out hundreds of pages of OHS forms and spend hours of time researching chemicals.

Smaller schools have reportedly suffered from  the list of demands,since many of them lack the resources in order to make the changes. Many members of staff believe that the regulations have gone too far, since staff are working significantly longer hours of work because of the OHS demands.

 Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/safety-gone-mad-in-our-schools/story-fn7x8me2-1226193570176

Occupational Health and Safety: Youth Falls of Ride

A youth has allegedly suffered a broken arm after she was thrown from a carnival ride at an art and agriculture show.

The teen who also received a cut on her head is currently recovering at the Royal Children’s Hospital. The incident occurred at a ride that was contracted for the Lilydale Show. It is alleged that another girl fell from the carriage as well, and is being treated for her injuries.

The ride has since been shut down by WorkSafe investigators, who are currently looking into the matter.The Lilydale Agricultural and Horticultural Society secretary, Jodie Nagel, has stated that said the conditions surrounding the occupational health and safety incident are being looked into since numerous possibilities exist.

Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/children-hurt-in-fall-from-ride-at-lilydale-show/story-fn7x8me2-1226200424963

James Hardie To Appeal Asbestos Victim’s Compensation

Simon Lowes is a  father of two, and a mesothelioma sufferer ( previous story here). He was granted more than  $2 million in  compensation after it was discovered that he contracted the disease by being exposed to asbestos waste when he was playing in a park as a child. Lowes has expressed his great disappointment that the company has decided to appeal the court’s decision.

The Supreme Court endowed $2.07 million in damages to Lowes after it was decided that James Hardie had caused,or significantly contributed to his cancer.Mr. Lowes was exposed when playing in asbestos waste dumped by James Hardie at the popular Castledare miniature railway site in Wilson in the early 1970s. The site was commonly frequented by children and Hardie had received warnings about dumping their previously by their safety inspector.

Lowes ‘lawyers have stated the he is very disappointed with James Hardie’s decision to appeal, since the company is now going to spend more time and money avoiding responsibility for his illness. After an arduous and long trial, mixed with the suffering of an illness, Lowes was hoping it was over. Lowes hopes that the company will reconsider their position, thereby accepting that they are responsible for exposing him to the deadly substance. Lowes, was three-years old when he was exposed to asbestos, he is now a 42 year-old parent.

More information on Asbestos Training

Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/11929189/company-appealing-asbestos-payout/

Asbestos Training: Air Quality Monitoring Persists For Another Year

The State Government has stated that air quality monitoring on asbestos removal projects, will remain mandatory for an additional year.Industrial Relations Minister, Russel Wortley, after undergoing the pressure of lobby groups, has stated that the current rules would remain for period of 12 months.

OHS Harmonisation and Asbestos Removal

South Australia will (over the next year) lobby for the mandatory air-monitoring for “Class- B removals”, in the harmonized occupational health and safety regulations. Wortley has stated that the decision of the government is a response to the concerns of industry affiliates and stakeholders.The asbestos that will require air-quality monitoring is the non-friable type of asbestos. Non-friable asbestos is commonly found in solid material and cannot be crushed manually when in a dry state.

Andrew Butler, a committee chairman for Steering, went on record to say that the 12-month transitional period to uphold air-quality monitoring is a significant improvement .There are concerns that dropping the mandatory monitoring would risk exposing workers to the deadly substance and subsequently, exposing them to a deadly disease. Wortley asserted in a conference, that diseases related to asbestos exposure continues to kill hundreds of Australians each year and plagues thousands of them with symptoms. No indication yet on if the air-quality monitoring will be a permanent addition to the harmonised laws.

More information on Asbestos Training

Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/another-year-of-asbestos-air-tests/story-e6frea83-1226201847135

Fatigue Management: Truckers Won’t Have to Break Rules To Get By

Truckers will no longer feel as compelled to exceed or disregard the work safety limits  since the Federal Government has pledged to introduce a plan that would increase the driver’s wages and decrease their death toll.

Earlier in the week, a survey was released indicating that many truck drivers felt like they needed to speed, overload their trucks, or take drugs in order to stay awake for long hours. The survey said many of them believed that the only way they could make ends meet was by breaking the OHS regulations.

A tribunal has been set to unveil binding pay and conditions for truck drivers by July 2012.  The tribunal is set to include  members from Fair Work Australia and health and safety experts.

Drivers indicated on the aforementioned survey, that they felt pressure to break fatigue management regulations. A quarter of them stated that they drove too fast in order to meet deadlines.Trucking accidents cost $2.7 Billion last year in federal funds. The government believes that the changes would make the roads much safer. This new initiative will be rewarded for the reasonable work that they do, but that there would no longer be any financial incentive to break OHS regulations.

Working at Heights: WorkSafe Shuts Down Crane At Dam Site

Amidst concerns regarding safety practices, things were expected to take a turn at the Cotter Damn enlargement project. A worker who has exposed issues at the worksite allegedly faces potential disciplinary action from his employer.

WorkSafe ensured that the use of a tower crane has been discontinued. The reason for the crane being labeled as ‘unsafe’ has yet to be revealed, however it’s manufacturer has produced a written confirmation of its present condition which means that it may soon be determined that it is safe to use.

The project, which reportedly costs over $360 million has been plagued by a trend of occupational health and safety issues.

Three months ago, work was delayed when anxieties arose pertaining to temporary structures that were organised alongside a wall of the dam.

Other safety issues cited by WorkSafe include unsafe use of electrical power, electrical coolant, scaffolding, formwork and the failure to use proper safety harnesses.

Construction Forestry Mining and Energy representatives have expressed outrage over a veteran crane operator potentially facing punishment for blowing the whistle on the site. The operator has since received two official warnings but he may face additional penalties. Despite the disciplinary action the worker has been forced to endure, a spokeperson for the company stated that all employees are encouraged to report safety concerns.

Please visit this link for courses on Working at Heights

Source :http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/safety-concerns-halt-crane-at-cotter/2364166.aspx

Truckers Over The Limit

Truck drivers claim that the only way to make ends meet is to disregard speed limits, over pack their trailers and neglect truck maintenance.

A survey conducted by the Transport Workers Union displayed that 56 per cent drivers had to neglect vehicle maintenance because of the weight of the economic pressure. Approximately 30 per cent explained that they had to drive well over the speed limit, and 40 per cent believed they had to work longer than is legally permitted. 17 per cent claim they felt pressure to hold a illegally outsized truck load.

Union secretary Tony Sheldon stated that the results confirm a growing crisis throughout the industry.

According to Sheldon, there has been an increase in fatalities.In 2010 there were 142 countrywide deaths as a result of crashes involving trucks. Other stats indicate that 72 per cent of all car crash deaths involving trucks were the deaths of occupants of other vehicles.

The survey was conducted with the involvement of 715 transport workers and included included long and short-haul drivers and couriers.The union desires an independent industry body to monitor pay rates, contracts and working conditions to ensure the mental and physical well-being of drivers. There was no mention in the article regarding the newly introduced national trucking regulatory body.

 Source : http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2011/11/21/278571_tasmania-news.html

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National Trucking Regulator Introduced

 Interstate drivers ought to see less convoluted regulations with the coming formation of a National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.Legislators for Queensland had indicated that by 2013, the regulatory body will be solely responsible for managing unified vehicle laws in all states except Western Australia.

The establishment of the regulator was issued this week, other states are projected to follow in within the coming months.

This new trucking regulator will mean that truck drivers will no longer be forced to adhere to different rules throughout different states. Vehicle Configuration,driver behaviour, and fatigue management will all be regulated by the NHHVR.

Peter Garske, CEO of the Queensland Transport Association stated that the new regulator would mean a more profitable industry

Source:  http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201111/s3368754.htm

Union Leader’s Permit Remains Revoked

Union frontrunner  Joe McDonald has received a rejection on his permit to enter work areas. The decision was put forth by the WA Industrial Relations Commission.  Mcdonald is the head of the Construction,Forestry, Mining and Energy Union and was seeking the reassignment of his work permit.

Mcdonald relinquished his permit in 5 years ago when he was found guilty of criminal assault regarding an incident that occurred in 2002.

WAIRC declared that Mcdonald’s conduct since the incident has indicated that if he was granted permission for entry, that he would likely act improper manner that would hinder an employee or employer during their workday.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the State Government and Master Builders association pressed for the refusal of Mcdonald’s permit.

The CCI was pleased with the decision, as they believe that workplaces should be free of heavy-handed union tactics.

Source: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/mcdonald-denied-worksite-entry-permit/story-e6frg13u-1226198286268

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Orica Plant Leaks Dangerous Chemical

Orica chief executive, Graeme Liebelt believes that the recent leak of the carcinogenic chemical,hexavalent chromium, into a suburban town should be considered “not serious”. Libelt made this claim at the same enquiry in which the company admitted to having lost control of the ammonia plant.

Variations from operating procedure merged with other factors to ”overwhelm” a containment system were  initiated to capture overflow during a procedure to restock supplies of hexavalent chromium, the inquiry revealed.

A nightshift worker immediately realised there must’ve been a chromium leak when he saw yellow spots on the plant. He believed the problem had been immediately resolved until he was warned of yellow liquid seeping through the pin-holes. This discovery prompted a decision for emergency shut down.

Ark Griffin, a local and editor of the Stockton Messenger, advised the committee that he had discovered skin lesions and other symptoms of chromium VI poisoning following a walkthrough of an area well out of of Orica’s official clean up zones.

Various prominent individuals are calling for the plant to be permanently shut down.Orica still maintains their statement, that the leak is “not serious”. The inquiry continues

Source:http://www.smh.com.au/environment/orica-chief-denies-toxic-chemical-leak-serious-20111115-1nhag.html#ixzz1dvDvUk2M

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WA Refusing To Accept National OHS Harmonisation Laws

According to a November 10th news report Western Australia is refusing to accept the new National OHS harmonisation laws that are to be signed up by January 1, 2012. This is causing a great deal of concern for the Australian council of trade who state that the WA government’s refusal is jeopardizing workers lives.

It has been pointed out that up to 21 workers are killed in WA each year and at least one worker is seriously injured every 30 minutes. With statics such as these one has to wonder why the Western Australian government would be reluctant to accept any OHS regulations that might prove to provide more safety to workers in Western Australia. However, according Government spokesmen the government feels that they were not given enough time or information about these guidelines and are concerned with the impact that such guidelines might have on the smaller businesses.

However, the unions feel that by refusing to accept the OHS guidelines, WA is sending the wrong message to employers and feel that the Barnett government should be concentrating on the rights of workers to have a safe working environment and rights of these workers families to know that their family members will be returning home from work safely.

Questions About the New OHS Harmonisation Laws

Questions and concerns that the new OHS harmonisation laws may actually create a less safe work environment in some areas and some other areas of Australia have also shown a reluctance to accept the new national guidelines as they stand. The question that no one seems willing or able to answer is what safety assurances will workers have if these new guidelines are not accepted.

The entire purpose of the OHS is to ensure that the workplace is safe for workers and that all workers get the training they need to help to insure their own safety and the safety of their co-workers and their workplace in general. If the OHS regulations are accepted or agreed with will that leave workers in WA and other areas with no protection in the workplace and no safety training?

These are question that WA needs to answer before they decide to completely reject the OHS guidelines and subject millions of workers to a lack of any safety protection what so ever. In the end it seems as though federal guidelines will prevail and those areas that are non compliant will be in for legal battles and possible fines for failing to comply with guidelines set down by OHS. However, what will happen in the end remains to be seen.

In the meantime, a 2000 signature petition was handed to the WA government on Thursday demanding that it sign up for the new regulations by January 1st. Only time will tell if the government will heed the demand issued by this petition. If the new regulations are accepted then WA will have a full year to comply with the new regulations. For the sake of the workers in WA it is hoped that the government makes the right decision for its workers.

Electrician Found Dead At Hotel

An electrician has been killed while doing work on  a luxurious hotel. The exclusive hotel the electrician was working at is the Palazzo Versace.  Paramedics were called to the scene when the man was found floating in the hotel pool. It is alleged that the electrical contractor was replacing a pool light when he died.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by the emergency service workers. The cause of death remains unknown but it is not considered suspicious.  Workplace Health and Safety continue to investigate the incident  and to determine if it was indeed an electrical safety issue.

Source:http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/worker-found-dead-at-exclusive-hotel-20111116-1nhty.html#ixzz1dpCdtZUL

Fitness For Duty Study Reveals Drinking On The Job

A study has shown that one-tenth of people regularly consume alcohol while on the ‘job’. This was the first study of drug and alcohol consumption in workplaces throughout Australia.  According to Ken Pidd, deputy director of the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, numerous individuals believe that consuming alcohol at their workplace would not impede on their fitness for duty.

Pidd’s study was conducted on nearly 1000 workers, with the aforementioned percentage of people claiming to regularly consume alcohol on the job. 5.6 per cent of workers said they were ‘ under the influence’.

While Pidd is surprised at the figures he attributes the results to the number of workers who enjoy “after-work drinks” in office.

Despite this, Pidd stated that fatalities still occur to and from the office, which insurance still covers.

He said the study could  not differentiate between those that occasionally used alchol at work and those that usually did.
Source: http://www.theage.com.au/national/drinking-at-work-common-study-20111115-1nh9v.html#ixzz1dp6fsgWd

Some Businesses Get Extension On OHS Regulations

Businesses will be able to postpone implanting new occupational health and safety regulations, if the changes they have to make require a long period of time.  The extension will grant businesses 12 months until they have to implement.

Federal Workplace Relations Minister Chris Evans will declare publicly that Safe Work Australia has arrangements to assist businesses in the transition into the new system on January 1. Evans said the extension would be granted to businesses that have to fulfil the model regulations which subsequently would require the completion of several duties

Western Australia and Victoria are the only two states that haven’t yet signed off on the new OHS regulations which ultimately means they are at danger of not receiving several millions of dollars in Federal payments.

The federal government have promised up to 450 million dollars in rewards  to all states that agreed to the OHS laws and meet requirements on time.

Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/industrial-relations/firms-get-grace-on-ohs-laws/story-fn59noo3-1226190694160

Owner Builder: Rogue Surveyors to be Marked

Surveryors who have received continuous complaints and those who have only been practicing for three years, will receive tougher monitoring and inspection. These new rules fall under the recent strategy by the Building Commission to eliminate rogue operators. Municipal building surveyors will receive an audit at a minimum of once bi-annually.

All private surveyors who have only been in their profession for three years, and surveyors with numerous complaints from consumers will also be heavily monitored. Building Commissioner Tony Arnel said the change would lead to more charges and deregistrations of surveyors to give better client security for Victorian household owners. The commission has dealt with a consistent boost in protests between builders and home owners as of late, but until now have not targeted the surveyors who actually approve builders’ work.

In the past couple of years, 54 inspections have spearheaded to four deregistrations and 19 fines. The leader of the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors- Victoria has supported the tougher measures because it would limit sub-standard work.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/building-rogues-targeted-20111113-1ndsj.html#ixzz1dfE8JgpA

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Top Union Says WA Endangering Workers Over OHS Laws

A prominent union body has criticised WA government for declining to approve the new countrywide occupational health and safety (OHS)  laws. The Australian Council of Trade Unions stated their belief that the Liberal government was jeopardising workers by neglecting nationwide safety standards. All states except WA and Victoria will be adopting it. ACTU stressed the national importance of safety standards and the assurance that every worker and their family feel safe.

It is alleged that the governments decision poses a risk to worker’s lives since 21 workers are killed each year in WA on average and someone is injured at work approximately every 30-minutes.The president of ACTU believes that the government is sending the wrong message to company heads.A government spokesperson stated that the government had not received adequate time and information by the federal government. They refused to make a decision until they had analyzed the full impact of the regulations, particularly on its affects on small businesses.

There is some concern that the laws might have a weaker outcome for WA workers.

Queensland has also allegedly indicated that they will not sign up for the mining section of the laws.Union secretary Simone Mcgurk stated that all workplace ministers had a meeting and discussed and agreed to harmonise the OHS laws in 2009, thus giving the government ample time.All states have been given 12 months to implement the laws. Meanwhile Mcgurk and ACTU have participated in a large petition to get WA to sign off on the laws.

Source: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/unions-claim-workers-safety-endangered/story-e6frg14c-1226191590298

Senator Calls For Asbestos Awareness On Reality TV

Popular reality TV series’ The Block and The Renovators are receiving criticism because they do not warn DIY renovators about the risks of asbestos exposure.

Labor senator Lisa Sigh stated to Parliament that there should be a disclaimer displayed during the programs to inform the audience of the various dangers when doing renovations.Senator Singh has found support from asbestos campaigners when she claimed that the popular shows should develop a corporate conscience and provide asbestos awareness information.Singh stated that the shows have an responsibility to inform people that asbestos can be found in fibro sheeting, water, drain and flue pipes.

She continued by saying that no one would welcome a spike in asbestos related disease cases in over 20 years and have it connected to the popularity of DIY home renovation.The high ratings of the show indicates that there is a captive audience and thus it is important for companies to be corporate citizens.Every year there are more and more cases of with mesothelioma, a disease usually caused by asbestos exposure.

Recently a report warned of the possibility of a third-wave of asbestos related illnesses.Asbestos Diseases Foundation president Barry Robson claimed that it would not be demanding for the programs to have disclaimer warning of the dangers.Cases of asbestos related diseases are increasing.

The Nine Network has indicated that it improve its education on asbestos dangers in the next season of The Block.

A spokesperson for the network stated that they understand the dangers and the need to inform the public.

Asbestos Training is available to any prospective renovators.

The Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/reality-renovators-exposed-to-deadly-disease/story-fn7x8me2-1226190639118

Asbestos Training: As Important Now As It Ever Was

In light of recent asbestos exposure cases Asbestos Training remains as vital as ever before. One must educate themselves and acquire an understanding of the proper measures on how to deal with asbestos incidents so they can avoid potential exposure.Simply because Asbestos is not something that is still used today, does not mean it is no longer a risk.

 “Just like the thousands of tonnes of unexploded mines that were dropped in past wars, asbestos continues to creep up and claim its victims.”

Recently a man, Simon Lowes, was awarded $2 million, after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, which the judge ruled was caused or at least contributed to, by the actions of companies; James Hardie and their subsidiary Amaca. The ‘actions’ the judge was referring to was the careless dumping of asbestos waste at a children’s railway and orphanage.

This victim of asbestos was affected by the substance when he was a mere child playing in field years ago. It is important to note that construction sites renovation projects continue to turn up asbestos contaminated zones.

As far as other occupational health and safety risks goes, It would not be a drastic exaggeration to say that Asbestos Awareness training is one of utmost importance—if only because it can save the lives and futures of innocent children. James Hardie, the accused company, received a warning from their safety advisor around the same time Lowes was exposed.  The warning was regarding their dumping of asbestos waste at the exact site that Lowes received exposure at.

It is imperative for companies to ensure that they have employees trained in asbestos awareness so that if they are ever faced with a warning like the one James Hardie received, they will act accordingly, and undertake the proper measures.

It is alleged that many ACT businesses could potentially still contain ‘’fluffy’’ asbestos unbeknownst to them. This is because many buildings were “out of the scope “of the $100 million effort to remove asbestos in the 1980s.

Because of this oversight, over 50 families may be at risk of exposure since they live in contaminated zones. This “fluffy” fibre asbestos is actually more dangerous than the typical asbestos found. Being exposed to it by a broken roof tile is potentially life threatening.

With quality asbestos training available, there is no reason why any worker should improperly handle asbestos. Quality training enables participants to become fully competent and aware in the management of Asbestos and of all compliance requirements. Receiving Asbestos Awareness training, or having your employees receive this training, is a good business decision (as it could save your company $2 million See: James Hardie case), and an ethical and moral decision.

Exploding Bus Leads To Fire Safety Upgrades

An exploding bus has forced NSW authorities to introduce new safety measures.

Union bosses demanded the upgrades on the Mercedes-built, gas-powered vehicles after one was engulfed in a fireball in July.Bus drivers held a snap strike on October 18 after video footage of the drama emerged, forcing hundreds of gas buses off the road.The State Transit Authority (STA)  has confirmed that it intends to carry out four safety upgrades.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union divisional president Chris Preston has since expressed his support for the move.It is alleged that with the new improvements –and in the event of a fire–  the situation will not be able to escalate as quickly and as much as it did on the exploding bus.

There are still concerns over the fact that the cause of the fire is still undetermined.

New fire suppressant materials, an advanced warning system in the drivers cabin and more staff training, are some of the safety upgrades included.

A Fire Safety checklist is also being compiled, in the event of another explosion.

The model of bus that exploded was designed by Mercedes, and they are currently 255 of them in use.  They are the only model that is of concern; a number of other buses from other manufacturers will remain untouched.

The matter is considered closed as unions demands have appeared to attended to.
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/exploding-bus-leads-to-safety-upgrade-20111107-1n3em.html#ixzz1dAcWRNej

Stressful Jobs Carry Financial Toll

Son Sues Parents Over Workplace Accident

After successfully suing his own parents following a workplace injury, a man claims there aren’t any ill-feelings between him and his parents.

The mid-thirties man was granted $844,000 when he sued his family in the Supreme Court after he suffered devastating back injury. The incident occurred while he was operating a harvesting machine on their tobacco farm.

The court found that the  individual had contributed to his injury and thus he received reduced compensation. He received 70% less compensation, which left him $400,000 for his pain and suffering and almost four hundred and fifty thousand dollars for loss of income

Despite finding that his parents had in fact not been negligent, they had indeed breached occupational health and safety regulations.The man had previously been directed by doctors to cease his work on the farm when he suffered a back injury in a car accident eight years ago. The accident required him to receive spinal surgery.

Despite claiming there is no ill will between the parties, he intends on appealing the reduced compensation decision.

 Source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8369415/son-sues-parents-for-workplace-injury

Construction Safety Training For A Deadly Work Sector

The Construction industry is considered to be one of the most dangerous work sectors to be in. In Australia, the average number of construction-related deaths is about 10 per 100,000 people.  According to a study in 2006, construction industry workers experienced approximately 86 injuries per 1000 workers.

This number is nearly 25% higher than the national average for injuries for all workers in Australia*.Between 2005-06, there was approximately 877 000 workers in the construction industry and approximately 75,700 of these workers experienced a work-related injury. The most common injuries that occur are sprains, and cuts (abrasions).

Construction Related Injuries Are Often The Result…

..of inadequate training, unsuitable work practices, carelessness, and inattentiveness.

You or your employees are considered high risk when commencing a new job. For example, if you were a new contractor to a construction site, you will initially need to familiarize yourself with your new work environment.  You might also be required to learn the site procedures and the proper tasks that need to be done. Often times, new employees are not privy to the various hazards their workplace possesses.

It is important to note that accidents in the construction industry do not only occur to those who are new to the job. For example last week a respected foreman in his 60s, died from a collapsing piece of apparatus. This did not occur because the man was inexperienced—in fact he had ample experience– this occurred  because construction safety regulations were not tight enough or properly implemented.

Ensuring that your employees are efficiently trained, will benefit both you and your employee, and will ensure that work is done quickly, and more effectively.

Construction safety can be comprised of various elements that include (but not limited to), basic construction safety training, construction safety fundamentals, and managing hazards and risks.Working in the construction industry, one can be exposed to hazardous materials such as wet cement products. Cement dermatitis and burns are caused by cement’s abrasive nature.

Regardless of your experience,, one accident can radically change your life and the lives of those around you.  Safety should always be a priority– from the time the idea is conceived until the last brick is laid.With the proper training accidents can be prevented. One must be diligent and ensure that safety is not neglected. One slip, one fall, could ultimately result in a career stall. Make every day a safe work day.

Construction safety  is not simply about keeping the workers safe, but also the public at large.

Source: http://safeworkaustralia.gov.au

Locals Call for Tighter Restrictions on Coal Seam Gas

The speedily developing coal seam gas industry has the capability to revitalise elements of countryside Australia, but if feebly supervised will lead to ”environmental and social disaster”, the National Party’s new gas guideline says.

The party, which has been deplored by some farmers for being too intimately connected to mining corporations, will encourage  more regulation and tighter ecological security, principally on farmland.

Almost sixty percent of the nation’s existing and proposed coal seam gas operations exist within federal electorates held by National MPs.

The party adopted five philosophies that it says will administer its policy towards the industry, which aims to drill up to 40,000 gas wells through Queensland and NSW in the next decade.  The party assured the public that no drilling would progress without validation that it would not damage the surroundings, and key rural land would be categorized  as “no-drilling” zones. Landholders should receive monetary restitution based on gas extracted from their land, and the territories that are known as gas paddocks should observe a ”fair share” of the profits speculated back into their communities.

The policy stated that seam gas must not be developed near residential areas. In an assembly, it was decided that if these conditions are met, the industry could prove to be beneficial to Australia.The federal independent MP Tony Windsor is discussing stronger national regulation of the industry, and has made his backing for the government’s mineral resources rent tax conditional.

The National Farmers Federation is not backing Mr.Windsor’s stance saying that while several farmers are concerned about the impact of the industry on water, they have no desire for national oversight. They believe higher regulation would lead to ”a huge army of environmental police who are going to be tramping over farms all over the place, imposing their will on operations other than coal seam gas”.

Source : http://www.smh.com.au/environment/water-issues/nationals-want-tighter-controls-on-coal-seam-gas-20111106-1n1z0.html

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Defense Force Women Subjected to Sexual Harrassment

A majority of female learners at the Australian Defence Force Academy state the organisation is a protected and giving location, despite a high profile investigation that determined  approximately three quarters have been victims of low-level sexual harassment.

Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick said there have been  significant improvements over the treatment of women since the Grey Review but more was needed.

”ADFA today is a vastly improved institution with a culture that has evolved significantly since the 1990s,” she continued, ”[However] our review found widespread, low-level sexual harassment, inadequate levels of supervision, particularly for first year cadets, an equity and diversity environment marked by punishment rather than engagement and cumbersome complaints procedures.Ms Broderick was queried to investigate the treatment of women at ADFA in April after a sex scandal involving Skype.

Members of her group have expressed themselves  to 300 of the 1100 cadets. The commissioner’s inquiries into the behaviour against women are continuing.

Ms Broderick made 31 recommendations and stated that the Government and Defence required recommitting to ADFA as a ”centre of tri-service excellence” as a issue of urgency. The organisation had suffered  and there was ambiguity over its role.Ms Broderick said the high incidence of low-level harassment did not involve lawless individual acts.

Sexual tales, sexy antics, sexy comments and inquiries about people’s personal lives all assisted to a sexualised environment.

Broderick stated that the vulnerability of women at ADFA to such misconduct was recognized by investigators showed by a previous cadet.That cadet had indicated in her proposal  there was a strong trend of  the commodification of women, especially as sexual objects. Female cadets  were treated as sexual objects rather than professional colleagues.

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Foreman’s Death Causes Work-site Walk-off

Workers sauntered off the job at 20 worksites throughout the southeast in an emotional response to a construction safety– death of a foreman this week.

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union workplace health and safety co-ordinator ,Andrew Ramsay stated that union members at several sites throughout the area have decided on a motion to walk off their jobs in disapproval of the construction-related death.

Walk-offs are due to be held at sites right through the state following the death of the 65-year-old foreman.

The well-respected foreman died when a piece of heavy machinery fell on him and killed him. The death was the 12th workplace related death at Queensland construction sites this year. Last year there were eight incidents. This is the second of two similar incidents this month.

Towards the end of September, a worker died after he was smacked in the head by a plunging beam while working at the Airport link project.

Mr Ramsay said workers’ determination to take a day off after a work-related death to present respect
for the deceased had been a merger practice for years but had happened rarely in recent memory.
The practice had been now been revived, because workers feel as if they have been pushed to their limits. They are fed up. Workers were allegedly very upset over the foreman’s death since he had worked with them for many years and had been very respected.

Mr. Ramsay said the foreman was going to retire this Christmas.

The incident continues to be investigated.

Source: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/unions-walk-off-worksites-after-foremans-death-20111102-1mvgu.html

Falling Machinery Takes Foreman’s Life

A senior foreman has died at a constructions site located at the University of Queensland. The worker died when he was struck by a piece of machinery.

The Workplace health and Safety co-ordinator from the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union ,Andrew Ramsay, claims the man was struck by a formwork shutter when workers were attempting to lift the piece of machinery by crane.

Allegedly, a lifting point broke on the shutter which caused the part to swing and fatally struck the worker. The police have stated that that the man was dead upon arrival, despite attempts to revive him through CPR.

Work has been temporarily halted at the construction site while the workers are receiving counseling  from the CFMEU’s Mates in Construction service.

This is the 12^th fatal incident in Queensland this year that was construction related. Last year, there were only 8 incidents. Ramsay has called for safety walks from  workplace health and safety inspectors into the site.Investigations continue to determine the cause of the man’s death.

Source: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/worker-crushed-to-death-at-uq-20111031-1mrg0.html

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Two People Injured at Cattle Stations

Two separate incidents on isolated cattle stations have led to the hospitalization of a man and a woman. A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesperson claims that the woman was injured upon falling off her motorbike while gathering cattle.

The woman was not wearing safety apparatus and subsequently suffered a fractured collarbone and elbow as well as several abrasions and cuts. The woman was taken to the hospital where her injuries were treated.

The man who was injured around the same time, was discovered in an ‘altered state of consciousness’ after he was knocked out at a cattle stationIt is unclear if the man was knocked out unconscious by a cow or by an opening gate.

He will be airlifted to another medical facility where he will have his head injuries treated.

Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/two-injured-on-remote-qld-cattle-stations-near-burketown-and-llanarth/story-e6freoof-1226178977803

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Asbestos Victim May Seek Additional Compensation If Appealed

As previously reported, a victim of unjustified exposure to asbestos was awarded $2 million. However, in the event that James Hardie (The accused company) decides to appeal the court’s decision, the victim has discussed pursuing further charges.

Simon Lowes was awarded 2.07 million dollars when he sued James Hardie’s subsidiary company, Amaca. Lowes decided to sue when he was diagnosed with mesothelioma—a disease caused by his exposure to asbestos.  Evidence showed that the company had ignored their own safety experts warnings to halt the dumping of asbestos waste.

Lowes lawyer,Michael Magazanik told the media that he wished James Hardie would not appeal despite their claim that they would. Magazanik believes that James Hardie should give up their attempts at appealing. Magazanik stated that his client has already endured a tiresome trial and suffered through very aggressive cancer—James Hardie should just accept the court’s decision and let Lowes get on with his life.

Magazanik continued by stating that it was ‘unbelievable’ that the company continued to dump asbestos waste at a children’s playground at least until 1971.

Source : http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/man-42-wins-207m-asbestos-compensation-claim-against-james-hardie/story-e6frg13u-1226178467424

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Cheese Factory Fined For Death

A dairy products manufacturing company in Victoria was ordered to pay fines and face a conviction following the death of a man. The company was convicted for unsafe storage practices that resulted in a death. The company, Fonterra Australia was fined $300,000 in a Melbourne court. The death of the man resulted from a one tonne bag of salt collapsing on to him Fonterra pleaded guilty to a charge regarding the death of a forklift driver three years ago at the factory.

The judge ruled that it wasn’t until the man’s death that a safety system was developed and implemented. WorkSafe stated that all businesses are required to ensure the safe storage of all bulk products or stock. The stacking of salt bags was deemed unsafe because the bags were not level enough to safely keep the bags on the top from falling . Safety failures regarding Routine tasks are often the cause of workplace injuries.

Source: http://www.safetowork.com.au/news/company-fined-after-man-dies-in-cheese-factory–1

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Man Awarded $2 mil. For Deadly Asbestos Exposure

A man has been awarded $2 million by the Supreme Court after being exposed to asbestos.

In an over 300 page judgement by Supreme Court Justice Michael Corboy, Simon Lowes was granted approximately $2 million in damages – the highest amount ever awarded in Western Australia for an asbestos case. Lowes, a father of two,was exposed to asbestos when it improperly disposed of by James Hardie, at a railway for children and an orphanage.

Lowes has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, which the judge has ruled was caused or at least contributed to, by the actions of James Hardie and their subsidiary Amaca.  Lowes stated that the actions by Hardie is a breach of duty that was “unforgiveable” and speculated that many employees of the company must have “guilty consciences”. He is still waiting for an apology by the company.

Lowes continued by stating that no amount of money could aid his health but his priority is his two young daughters, aged 10 and 13.

Despite becoming ill from 2006, he was only diagnosed in 2009 with mesothelioma.

The damages awarded included over $1 million in loss of future earning capacity, a quarter million in general damages, and $140,000 in loss of past earnings.It was revealed in trial that Hardie had been dumping asbestos on the grounds of the orphanage where the waste was used in conjunction with the railway, to fill a swamp and to cover roads.

It was in the 1970’s when four- year old Lowes, was playing in the asbestos unknowingly and innocently covering himself in the deadly fibres.James Hardie’s argument was that I was acceptable behaviour in the 1970s to dump asbestos. This is contrary to an internal memo written in 1971 by a safety officer, that stated the dumping was unwise.

Despite James Hardie’s best efforts to deny him compensation, Lowes endured the exhausting legal battle, painful surgeries, and constant monitoring and treatment for his disease.There is evidence that indicates that James Hardie has dumped asbestos across Australia.

Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/10881325/2m-compo-in-childs-railway-asbestos-case/

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First Aid Training – A Skill That Saves Lives

Why Is It Important?

Every day, no matter how mundane that day may be, we are faced with potentially life threatening situations.  It may not be your life in danger, or even anyone you know personally, but simply having the right skills, could save a life.

Whether you work at an office, factory, retail store, or even at a home; first aid training is important knowledge to have. Obtaining the proper training can be the one deciding factor between life and death for an individual. Simply having the knowledge to know how and when to act when you’re first person on the scene, is one of the most important aspects to saving someone’s life.  Acting without training, even if your intentions are good–could be critical.

The Key To Saving Lives…

The key to safety is prevention. If you are aware that every other worker in your workplace has the same quality First-Aid Training, than you have that confidence and safety assurance in your everyday life. That sense of security can ultimately limit the amount of accidents that occur. Furthermore, in the event that something happens, preventative measures can make all the difference in saving that person’s life. Even if the situation isn’t as serious as one might initially suspect, the act of ‘covering all bases’ could prove vital in saving a life, or preventing the situation from escalating.

First Aid Training isn’t only about treating immediate issues, but also promoting recovery. First Aid Training teaches participants how to star the recovery process for illnesses or injuries. This can mean tending to a wound, applying plaster, or adding new bandages. The person trained in first aid will have the knowledge to deal with cuts, scrapes or bone fractures. They also know how to maintain the condition of an ailment until further medical assistance arrives (Paramedic).

Basic First Aid training is not just monumentally important for you to have as skill, but for the good of society. Many acquired skills are undertaken because they are required for your profession, or because they look appealing on your resume’— having First Aid Training contributes to something much larger—Human Life.

In the Queensland Ambulance First Aid course, you will learn how to respond to and manage an unconscious casualty, perform CPR, assist with respiratory and cardiac emergencies,’bleeding and shock,musculoskeletal injuries, poison control, bites ;and injuries to the head,spine,chest, abdomen and pelvis.

Posties Fear Getting Hit By Vehicles

Mean spirited dogs are no longer considered the mailman’s biggest threat,now reversing cars have become the number one concern. Approximately 200 postal delivery workers have been hit by reversing cars within the past year.

Victoria had 77 incidents of postmen being stuck by reversing vehicles, making them the area where this type of accident most frequently occurred. New South Wales and Queensland have both experienced 33 incidents of workers being hit, 22 in South Australia, and 21 in Western Australia.

Throughout the country, there has been 186 recorded incidents in which motorcycle postal workers were struck this year. Postal workers will be delivering postcards throughout the region in the next few days to remind residents to be diligent in their precautions when backing out of their driveways.

Source: http://www.theage.com.au/national/posties-send-word-to-stamp-out-hazard-20111024-1mgdi.html

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AlertForce Launches New OHS Harmonisation Training

Harrassment Claim Dismissed

A sexual harrassment complaint  was dismissed after the alleged victim failed to appear at the proceedings

The Gold Coast Hotel worker complained of sexual harrassment after a male boss allegedly made a comment regarding her “huge knockers”.

The Queensland Civil Administration Tribunal dismissed the worker’s complaints after she failed to appear at a manditory conferenc ewith the target of resolving the issue.

The alleged victim, Amy Harron, cited in her complaint that the boss, Mr.Potts commented on her “huge knockers” following an interview for a job. She also claims that she overheard Potts commenting that he had “never employed an unattractive girl”. Harron continued, stating that Potts had discussed her brother in unflattering terms; calling him a “dickhead” and stating that he intends to steal his girlfriend.

Harron has forwarded the issue to the Human Resources Department.

Harron has requested not to be supervised by Potts but was presented no other alternatives. Harron wants to avoid being continually vilified, and feeling “hurt” and “humiliated”. Potts has admitted to making the comments regarding the worker’s physical attributes, yet claims it was meant as a “one-off” and was not meant to harm anyone.

Despite this, Harrons failure to appear has caused the complaint to be dismissed.

Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/hotel-workers-sexual-harassment-claim-knocked-back-due-to-non-appearance-at-resolution-meeting/story-e6freoof-1226175024135

CPR Saves Crushed Man’s Life

First Aid training A middle-aged man luckily escaped with his life after being crushed in an accident at his workplace.

The worker was operating a cherry picker machine at an Altona North factory when the accident occurred.
Upon the arrival of paramedics, it was discovered that the worker’s coworkers were performing CPR on him, which is thought to have saved his life.

The coworkers discovered him, released him and removed him from the area which was contaminated with asbestos.

The man received a collapsed lung which required the paramedics to insert a large needed into his chest. This act cleared the trapped air and blood and allowed his lungs to inflate.

CPR and First-Aid continued while adrenaline was given to stimulate his heart.He remains in the hospital in critical ,but stable condition.

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Source: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/crushed-worker-fights-for-life-20111020-1m9db.html

Truck Driver Impaled on Fence

A truck driver from Victoria was impaled by a 2 metre high fence when he tried to jump over the barrier in order to fetch his keys.

Colleagues had to hold up the 30-year old until emergency workers arrived at the scene and freed him.Upon reaching the Alfred hospital, the man still had a large spike puncturing his leg. He will undergo surgery shortly.

No word yet on if there will be any investigations int0 any breach of occupational health safety procedures. The man was found by paramedics to be in considerable pain. He was subsequently given pain relief through an inhaler and later, a drip through his arm with more pain medication.

In order to cut him out, the fire services had to leave the metal spike in his leg.

Source; http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/workers-hold-man-aloft-after-horror-fence-impaling-20111020-1m8os.html#ixzz1bHO1jw5k

Asbestos Potentially Exists In Hundreds of ACT Businesses

Many ACT businesses could potentially contain ‘’fluffy’’ asbestos unbeknownst to them. This is allegedly because these buildings were “out of the scope “of a $100 million effort to remove asbestos in the 1980s.

According to reports, approximately 50 families in the Queanbeyan region have continued to live unaware of the dangerous toxic fibres hanging above them.

Fluffy fibres are more dangerous than the asbestos commonly found in the walls or wrapped around pipes.Exposure caused by a single removed or broken roof tile is enough to be deadly.A former ACT Asbestos Removal Program general manager has stated that commercial properties throughout the Canberra region could contain the fibrous form of asbestos since the homes were outside of the clean up region.

The bill to clean up the asbestos could cost anywhere up to $100,000. The council told them to just ‘tape up” their vents for safety.

The Government has yet to take up responsibility for the terrible safety measures given out with regards to the Asbestos Awareness and removal.

Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/asbestos-warning/2325091.aspx?storypage=2

Air Quality And Safety Issues Cause Health Staff to Vacate

Approximately 80 staff members of the ACT Health Directorate were required to vacate the city centre in Canberra after being informed of air Quality and Safety concerns.

Staff have resituated themselves from the Moore Street office to a former emergency services office located in Curtin.The cause of the problem is currently being investigated; however a lack of ventilation in the faulty air conditioning system might be to blame.

Access to the closed off area is currently prohibited but there are no health concerns currently associated with people attending appointments on the first four levels of the Moore Street building. The Directorate director has stated that the issue continues to be a top priority as is the health and safety of the staff.

There is no evidence to indicate that the problem exists in other areas of the building, however an air quality assessment has been allegedly requested.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-14/act-health-staff-relocate/3571472?section=act

Crippled Crane Saved By Two Others

An almost completely collapsed crane came very close to crashing through residential buildings until it was removed.The thirty-tonne crane was attempting to load material for a pool into a backyard when it lost its stability and nearly collapsed into the homes.

The crane did however crash through a carport, causing damage to pool, fence and guttering.Fortunately, two additional cranes were added to the scene to help lift crane out of danger to residents and their homes.
Top of the crippled crane was subsequently removed. Residents of the neighbourhood claimed that workers were working on the rig for majority of the morning.The owner of the pool is grateful that no one was injured in the incident.

It is currently unclear as to what caused the crane to collapse.

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Bus Drivers Face Safety Problems

Adelaide bus drivers are allegedly working under absurd schedules that put their lives, and the lives of the public, at risk. Operations have recently commenced for Transfield. The company won a contract of over $500 million to run approximately thirty-three percent Adelaide’s buses, in April.

Passengers have cited complaints with the punctuality of the buses since they have often arrived late or not at all.
One report stated that passengers cannot rely on when you would get picked up or when you were going to be taken home. Another report speculated the possibility of the drivers not knowing where they should pick people up as they are not familiar with the routes before commencing.

Despite Light-City Buses (who operate under Transfield) denying these accusations, an anonymous source claims that there are significant flaws in the turnaround times and reposition times for the drivers. This causes a strain and problems for the drivers and could potentially be in breach of safe work practices.

The source also believes that drivers speed and drive unsafely in order to meet their times for pick-ups.
The Transport Workers Union has denied the case and has claimed that no-one has contacted them to inform them of any problems with work-hours.SafeWork SA has been informed of the concerns regarding occupational health and safety issues and has commissioned inspectors to speak with company officials about how those concerns.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-10/bus-delays-adelaide-transfield/3458978?section=sa

Man Dies in Kennel Fire

A man believed to be welding a tin shed at a pet kennel,has died following an explosion.The Fire Safety incident occurred at Lake Adams Boarding Kennels in Mariginiup. Witnesses allege that the man was working on a car inside of the shed at the time of the explosion.A female animal-care worker heard a loud explosion which prompted her to run to the scene where she found the shed in flames with the roof and walls blown off.

Fire and Emergency Services officer, Allen Gale, claims they only discovered the workers body upon extinguishing the fire. He continued by saying the firefighters only discovered that someone had been caught inside when they went into the burning structure.It is currently not known if anyone else suffered any injuries but a 200m exclusion zone has been set up around the property.

Investigations continue.

Source: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/man-killed-in-explosion-at-boarding-kennels-20111011-1lj0c.html

Two Men Suffer Serious Burns in Fire

A man has been airlifted to Adelaide where he will receive emergency treatment for serious burns he received in a fire. The man has suffered burns to approximately 60 per cent of his body, but he is currently in stable condition.

Another worker was with him, and also suffered serious burns. The two men were performing a normal cable maintenance job when contact with an 11,000 –volt cable caused an explosion and a fire.Both men reportedly  had to be hosed down by the firefighters and had to be cooled. Fire officer , Paul Miles stated that both men appeared to be seriously burnt ,however they remainedconscious.Reports allege that the scene appeared to be very “nasty” and one of the workers appeared blackened.

The explosion created a power outage that left 500 customers without electricity.The Fire Safety incident is currently being investigated by WorkSafe, however an independent inquiry indicated that this was a likely scenario brought on by a lack of funding.

Source: http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/10/11/265585_ntnews.html

ACT Calls For Federal Coverage on Asbestos Issues

The ACT Government wants the Federal government to offset the cost of removing asbestos waste that has been dumped throughout Canberra.

Recently, asbestos was discovered when an old sports field was being upgraded. Various asbestos irrigation pipes were uncovered and it was revealed upon further investigation, that a larger area was contaminated.This discovery is only the most recent, in a set of asbestos related issues lately.Environment Minister Simon Corbell believes there is a possibility of other contaminated sites being discovered. He also stated that these sites are the result of poor building practices, whereby waste was dumped in the most ‘convenient’ spot.

Questions have emerged concerning the handling of the dangerous material that has been uncovered. Corbell believes that the Federal Government needs to contribute to this disposal of this waste since he believes the pollution to be caused under the “Commonwealth’s watch”. A representative from the Master Builders Association claims that workers are learning how to deal with and increase awareness of asbestos.

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Source :http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-07/act-asbestos-clean-up-bill/3337846?section=act

Asbestos Causes Sports Field Closure

While updating a popular sports field workers uncovered asbestos irrigation pipes. The asbestos was discovered at Lyneham sports field and the contamination appeared to cover a wide area.

The ACT Government had the entire area closed off while the upgrade was being completed which means only the workers could have potentially faced exposure. The government has assured the public that support is being offered to those exposed to the dangerous substance.

Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, Simon Corbell, stated that they are concerned with the safety practises being carried out at the site and as such, safety practices will be investigated.Mark McCabe, Work Safety Commissioner said the area will not be worked on until the site is deemed safe. Concerns have arisen regarding the use of soil from the site at various locations.The EPA has taken over the site and investigations will continue.

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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-05/asbestos-found-at-lyneham-sports-field/3300026?section=act

Tug Boat Crew Exposed to Asbestos

Tug workers were exposed to asbestos while doing maintenance work on a BHP tug boat.According to the Maritime Union of Australia, workers were exposed to chrysotile—also known as white asbestos—upon removing material from the tug boat.

Two weeks prior to this event, workers walked off their worksite when they found asbestos in another tug boat at the same port, Port Hedland. The workers returned to work when the company was ordered to implement precautions that would minimize the risk of asbestos exposure to employees.

The MUA claims that workers were exposed to the dangerous substance for up to 24 hours, while one employee could have possibly exposed his family to asbestos when he returned home in his asbestos-covered work clothes.The MUA stated that as far as they know right now, all of the company’s ( Teekay) tug boats could be contaminated and thus they believe an efficient asbestos management program needs to be in place.

BHP Billiton claim that they are aware of the contamination from a ‘small amount’ of asbestos exposure.

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Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/10400781/tug-workers-in-bitter-asbestos-row/

Recent OHS Problems Show Need for Adequate Training and Adherence to OHS Guidelines

Despite the fact that most businesses from all over Australia strive to follow OHS guidelines and provide training to their employees and managers recent activities by certain businesses, questionable accidents, and court findings only stress the need that adequate training and adherence to OHS guidelines is still needed across the board.

Man Trapped In Freeze Raises Questions About Training

According to a September 16^th ABC news update a man operating a forklift overturned in an industrial freezer and was trapped there for two hours before rescue crews were able to get him out. Taken to Sunshine hospital the man suffered only minor knee injuries but, so far there is no information how the accident happened causing the forklift to overturn. But, it seems likely there will be questions to insure that the 20 something worker had adequate training in the running of heavy machinery and that all safety precautions were followed.  At the very least there will probably be some investigation on how such accidents can be avoided in the future.

Boral Closed For Asbestos Findings And May Face Stiff Sanctions For Ignoring Employees Warnings

In a September 16^th report in the Canberra Times the building material giant which had it’s site shut down due to the finding of asbestos on the factory floor at it’s Fyshwick distribution centre may be in a world of hurt since the Construction, Forestry, Mining, and energy union decide to take the building company to court over the company’s refusal to allow them to investigate workers complaints about asbestos hazards at the centre twice in the last month. With ACT Work Safety Inspector Mark McCabe vowing to refer builders who ignore asbestos safety concerns to the Director of Public Prosecutions and ask for stiff fines the building giant may come under some heavy fines if it is found that not only did Boral ignore safety concerns about the proper handling of this dangerous material but, actually tried to keep their actions from being discovered while ignoring employee warning and complaints and putting their health at risk.

While it seems as though workers at the facility did receive adequate training in spotting and reporting asbestos concerns the management of the company either lacked or ignored the training that should have had them dealing with these concerns in a timely and safe manner.

These incidents and others like them point out that there is still a very real need for OHS training and refresher courses to insure the safety of employees and the public while helping businesses avoid stiff penalties, lost production time, and prosecution. Only through adequate training and adherence to the OHS guidelines can Australia hope to keep every workplace safe for both their employees and the public at large.

By business owners making sure that everyone has adequate and appropriate job related training and preforming safety checks and insuring that all safety procedures are being followed they can avoid the stress and worry of being closed down, taken to court, and paying huge fines for injuries or dangers that are entirely avoidable. Now would be a great time for all businesses to update their employee and managerial training to help make sure that all safety precautions and guidelines are understood and being followed.

Fatigue Management : More Trucking Accidents Occur at Start of Week

According to findings by the trucking industry and the Roads and Traffic Authority, majority of truck accidents occur at the beginning of the week – Mondays and Tuesdays.Over 70 percent of accidents occur on the outward portion of the driver’s journey and often times, within 100 km of the trucker’s departure.

It is alleged that drivers are possibly leaving to go to work on Sunday night or very early on Monday morning. They get away with it and are considered fit for duty because according to their logbooks; everything checks out. However, there is nothing to indicate whether the driver had a busy weekend and is fatigued.

However, the Transport Workers Union attributes the high level of accidents to heavy workload and possible drug use.

Almost 40 percent of accidents in 2009 occurred on a Monday or Tuesday.

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/truck-accidents-more-common-at-start-of-week-20110929-1kzcq.html

Protest at Airport Link Over Occupational Health and Safety

The recent death of an employee has caused a delay on construction at the Airport Link.While employees for Thiess John Holland have remained on the site, no work is currently scheduled.

TJH has confirmed a 40 year-old employee has died from a falling beam. The employee has remained unnamed.

His death has caused an uproar that has led to a ‘stop-work’ protest and march comprised of 500 employees. The protest is regarding concerns with occupational health and safety issues at the construction site.An anonymous worker has contacted the media and stated that almost 20 members of his team have suffered from chest infections because of inadequate ventilation.

Workers are reportedly meeting further in the week to discuss health and safety issues and the subsequent action that must be taken.Currently,The Electrical Trades Union is pursuing a comprehensive safety audit that could potentially delay construction for an extended period of time.

Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/union-angry-that-airport-link-is-open-despite-death-of-worker/story-e6freqmx-1226156948448

Victoria Calls for Delay of Reformed Safety Laws

The national reforms for occupational health and safety laws have encountered another obstacle. Victoria is currently trying to get the reformed laws delayed for a full year.

Assistant Treasurer for VIC,Gordon Rich-Phillips has requested the delay due to the state’s belief that not enough time has been granted in order to properly assess the consequences of the reformed laws.Despite Victoria actually supporting the harmonization of the laws, they could not approve said laws until a proper benefit and costs projection was made.

Victoria is not the first one to speak against the implementation since Western Australia has also supported a delay.Other concerns with the laws are that they could make it more difficult to terminate employees found using drugs and alcohol at mine sites.

However, Resource Minister Peter Hatcher has stated that there would indeed be a nationally consistent drug and alcohol prevention approach (throughout the three mining states) that would increase the standards of safety for all mine workers.

Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/second-state-wants-work-safety-reforms-put-on-hold/story-e6frgczx-1226150173763

Worker Sets Workmate on Fire

A rail worker in Queensland has suffered severe and life threatening burns after a fellow worker decided to pour gasoline on him and set him ablaze.

The man charged has described the incident as ‘mucking about and horseplay’ but that horseplay caused serious bodily harm and left his 21-year-old workmate permanently scarred.

Neville Cifuentes has been charged for causing serious bodily harm and faced a three-year jail sentence. Cifuentes is up for parole next year.The incident occurred in 2008 but was only reported 2 years after the incident occurred.

Cifuentes apparently tricked his workmate into thinking he was going to burn something else and then set him on fire.The victim was engulfed inflames and fell to the ground where his other workmates ran to his aid.  The victim required extensive skin grafts and had to take antibiotics for various infections in his soft tissue.

The act has been described as ‘monumental stupidity’.

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Source: http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2011/09/27/he-threw-petrol-on-his-mate-and-set-him-alight/

Crane Safety Issues At Desalination Plant

A cracked crane has caused the evacuation of Victoria desalination plant.

Over a hundred employees of Thiess Degremont were sent home with pay, after the crack was detected in the pumping station.The crack was found to be located in the weld on a tower crane. Workers were sent home since there weren’t any other activities that they could accomplish while the crack existed.

Claims of mismanagement against Thiess Degremont have been blamed for the crack. Workers have claimed that they have waited three weeks for tools to be delivered when they could have simply bought them locally.

Because of the crack, a job that would normally take 10 minutes will now take two days while parts are delivered.

Unions have indicated that other incidents of mismanagement have caused three month delays.. Meanwhile, the company has fired 160 workers for low productivity.

The company has denied that mismanagement is the reason for lack of productivity.

Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/crane-crack-sends-wonthaggi-desal-plant-staff-home/story-fn7x8me2-1226147251527
Learn more about Cranes, Hoists and Slings Training HERE

Fatigue Management Training- Don’t Sleep On It.

When one considers the level of workplace accidents caused by fatigue, it is surprising that Fatigue Management training is not mandatory for a variety of professions. If you work in the transport industry, a factory, or in healthcare; obtaining fatigue management training is an important factor in avoiding serious injury to you or others. Fatigue Management is not just important in the aforementioned industries either; fatigue is a major safety concern throughout a multitude of industries, if not all.

Fatigue is a Physiological Condition

Fatigue is commonly referred to as the physiological condition caused by a lack of (or problems with) sleep, long hours of exertion, and stress. Thus, if you are a truck driver in Australia, and it’s not uncommon for you to drive for 14+ hours for consecutive trips; then you may be at risk of fatigue. Fatigue in the transport industry can obviously lead to disasters that can cost innocent lives. Those mere two seconds you accidentally close your eyes on your drive from Melbourne to Walla Walla, could result in a tragic loss of life. If you work in the healthcare industry, falling asleep on the job, could mean that a patient misses out on treatment that could possibly save their life!

Now that Fatigue Management training is offered online, there are very few reasons why you wouldn’t enrol in the training program. Spare time is rare- you’re constantly working shifts, going on long drives, and getting very little sleep. However, since the training is offered online, you can do it at your own convenience, so you can become educated and certified without feeling the pressure of having to fit ‘everything’ into your day. Let’s face it, after working a 12 hour shift, 24 hours just doesn’t seem like enough time in the day.

Fatigue Management Training

Fatigue Management training is a great way to help avoid becoming a car-accident statistic; it will help you avoid making a mistake you could regret for the rest of your life. Though it may seem like a daunting prospect, it is not impossible to find a balance. Fatigue Management Training will help ensure that you find that balance.

Don’t sleep on your decision to get training now, because for as long as you put it off, more stress will continue to pile up. Don’t wait until it’s too late, fatigue is one of the leading causes of work place accidents for a reason—people do not make it a priority. Your safety and the Safety of others should be TOP priority. Staying safe isn’t something you can get tired of.

Gas Explosion in Perth Building

A gas explosion in Perth has caused a building to completely evacuate. Luckily, workers in the building avoided serious injury despite the explosion causing furnature and office supplies to careen across the building.

According to reports, workers in the building smelled a strong scent of gas permeating throughout. The gas explosion was allegedly caused by an exploded hot water gas boiler.The explosion was powerful enough to cause cupboards and doors to blow off of their hinges, as employees narrowly escaped.Since the explosion was lower down in the building, workers were concerned that the explosion would have trapped them at the upper half of the building.

Staff was sent an email informing them to evacuate the premises upon the occurrence of the explosion.  The damage bill is estimated to reach $5000.Apparently, some workers were believed to under-estimating the seriousness of the explosion upon hearing  alarm. Luckily, wardens were able to evacuate the buildings occupants safely and efficiently.

Source: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/gas-explosion-city-building-evacuated/story-e6frg13u-1226142907974

More information on Office Safety can be found here

WorkSafe Accused of Bullying

WorkSafe, the agency that investigates cases of bullying and other human resources/occupational health and safety concerns have found themselves being accused of bullying. The accusation has been subject to requests for independent inquiry.

The Age has conducted an investigation that determined that many employees find themselves working in a environment built on fear and bullying by their bosses.About 100 bullying cases have been investigated by WorkSafe over the last five years. Over 20 of the bullying incidents occurred this past year.Senior executives at WorkSafe have indicated that they were aware of approximately 8 bullying-related cases that are being investigated.

According to a former employee (in an interview with The Age), employees are very afraid to talk about the incidents of bullying.  The former staff member can’t fathom how WorkSafe can advise others how to deal with bullying incidents, if the organisation  itself  has its own cases. This investigation follows the sudden resignation of a prominent executive who was accused of bullying and discrimination.

Employee morale at WorkSafe has apparently dropped drastically, according to an employee survey. The survey indicated that one third of employees felt that their bosses did not care about them, their safety, or wellbeing.

An inspector for The Age has stated that one department of  WorkSafe contains some of the biggest bullies than in any other department. A cold, fearful environment exists that has left many employees in tears on a daily basis.

Source: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/bullying-alleged-at-worksafe-20110918-1kg5r.html

Problems Companies Face When They Don’t Take OHS Regulations Seriously

The poor economy has many companies trying to find ways to cut expenses and save money in the daily operation of their businesses. Unfortunately, some of these companies decide to save money by refusing to follow OHS safety regulations, thinking they can save money on training and other safety aspects. The reality however is that companies who fail to take the OHS regulations seriously may be opening themselves to a whole host of problems that could leave the company in financial turmoil and embroiled in court battles.

Safety in the workplace is the right of every employee who works for your company and OHS is the entity that was established by the Australian government to see that every workplace is as safe as reasonably possible. Ignoring the guidelines and regulations will create more problems for a company than many companies can handle. Here are just some of the problems a company may face when they don’t take OHS guidelines seriously.

OHS Regulations & Work Stoppages

If you are not complying with OHS regulations then OHS has the right to close down your business until you do comply with those regulations. If you consider how much losing a day of production or work may cost your company it is easy to see that the money you think you are saving is just a drop in the bucket compared to the amount of money you will be losing if your business is shut down for a week or even a day.

In addition, to losing production and the money that it generates you can also lose clients or customers. Your customers are not going to want to work with a company that can’t deliver their orders due to avoidable work stoppages.

No OHS Training Equals Devastating Fines

If you think work stoppages will be expensive that is nothing compared to the fines your company may face if a worker gets seriously injured and it is determined the reason was because your company failed to provide adequate safety training or failed to have the correct safety procedures in place. In a recent court decision made just this week (August 10) a mining company was fined $90,000 dollars for failing to provide proper training or follow proper safety procedures and these fines are sure to get larger the more companies who ignore the OHS regulations.

Such high fines could well result in your company failing to make a profit or worse having to close their doors because they can no longer afford to keep producing. And these fines don’t include individual law suits that may be filed by workers who are injured or families of workers who died due to your failure to take the OHS regulations seriously.

There really is no need for any company to go through any of these problems. OHS guidelines are clearly laid out and there are a variety of OHS safety training courses available to both you and the employees to help ensure that everyone understands what safety procedures need to be followed in order to make the work place safe for everyone.

In the long run following those OHS regulations will save you money, time, and help keep your employees safe and your business productive. So isn’t it time you started taking those regulations seriously?

Construction Safety Concerns at Dam

Construction on an important part of the Cotter Dam project has been halted following construction safety concerns. WorkSafe called for the emergency stop upon finding safety concerns with the construction workers for the dam wall.

WorkSafe stated that inspectors would investigate the site to determine if work could continue safely.WorkSafe prohibited concrete placement on the right-side of the dam all until they are satisfied that there is no longer a safety risk.

The Cotter Dam project is a $363 million project that has so far remained within budget regardless of a set of delays and obstacles it has been subjected to.

WorkSafe has ordered the site to improve in areas such as scaffolding, formwork, and other things. Most recently, WorkSafe had ordered the closure of a Fyshwick building after independent tests revealed that there was asbestos in the factor floors.

Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/safety-concerns-stop-work-on-cotter-dam/2291048.aspx

OHS News: Mining Company Fined

OHS News: Mining Company Fined $90,000 After Pleading Guilty To Failing To Maintain A Safe Working Environment Stemming From A 2007 Incident That Seriously Injured A 15 Year Old Boy

If you think that failing to follow OHS policies and procedures is not a costly mistake then perhaps you can learn a lesson from the August 10^th ruling that left a mining company $90,000 dollars poorer from a 2007 incident in which they admittedly failed to maintain a safe working environment that resulted in severe injuries to a 15 year old apprentice.

The young man was injured when a 10-tonne tray attached to a dump truck crushed him resulting in severe facial fractures and lacerations as well as significant back and leg injuries.

The incident took place in Western Australia and it was learned during the course of the hearing that the tray on the dump truck was being held in place by hardened bars instead of the usual safety pins. The safety pins could not be used on this truck due to damage to the eyelets that hold the pins so the company made the decision to use the hardened bars in place of the pins.

The court found that the mining company failed to properly train it’s employees, that it did not ensure that proper isolation procedures were followed, and that company policy did not require employees to physically lock out machinery while it was tagged.

The company did improve safety procedures after the the incident but, that did not change their failure to provide adequate safety for the young man that resulted in his injuries.

In another mining case settled just the day before the mining company and it’s supervisor were found not guilty of any OHS breaches. In this case stemming from another 2007 incident it was found that the coal mining company and it’s supervisor not only had all safety procedures in place but, the supervisor actually held weekly safety meetings. It was actually the employee who despite having an induction training course refused to follow safety procedures which resulted in his injury. The company was held blameless.

The lesson to be learned from this incident and the resulting decision is that taking the time to ensure that safety procedures are in place and used properly and that all employees receive adequate training may seem costly but, the consequences of not ensuring adequate safety may be costlier still both to the companies and the employees who work for these companies.

In these two cases settled only a day apart the results were completely different. The company that went out of it’s way to try ensure safety was held blameless while the company that failed in it’s duty to adequately insure that safety procedures were in place paid dearly for their mistake.

In the end, it is clear to see that by ensuring that safety procedures are in place and that employees have adequate safety training your company can save themselves from huge fines that may well cripple or completely destroy your company.

City Council Employees Face Ethics Committee

Over 60 City Council workers from Brisbane have been caught committing various prohibited and unethical acts.

The charges are varied; ranging from impersonating a police officer to downloading pornographic material.

The council employees had received over 110 complaints for unethical behavior. 65 of those cases were confirmed while 11 are still currently being investigated.11 employees have had their employment terminated, nine resigned, 25 received a warning and an additional 20, received a final warning.

A council truck driver has since been fired for drink-driving and striking three parked cars. Another employee was let go after it was discovered that the worker accessed drug and pornography related websites.

The deputy mayor has expressed his disappointment that the actions of few have tainted the reputation of the city council.

The Brisbane City Council actively employs over 9000 workers.

Click here for more info on Human Resources Courses

Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/brisbane-city-council-employees-caught-by-ethical-standards-unit/story-e6freoof-1226134313404

Plankers Risk Potential Working at Heights Death

WorkSafe is currently prosecuting a pair of workers after pictures of the workers “planking” at a worksite were found on social networking site, Facebook.

The two workers are being prosecuted for failing to take reasonable caution for their  health and safety while working at heights. One worker was found to be planking on top of a platform four metres off the ground while the other worker was planking on the tines of a forklift that was was situated approximately two metres from the ground.

Planking is the viral phenomenon that involves people lying down fully stretched horizontally, in dangerous and unusual places.Between 2006 and 2011, WorkSafe insurance payments have been given out to 7018 workers who ‘fell from heights”.Costs and treatments for these accidents exceed over $200 million.The reprimand for this recent incident will be decided in court this week.

Source: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/workplace-plankers-to-face-court-20110908-1jyem.html

AlertForce wins City of Sydney Eco-Drive Tender

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AlertForce Launches NSW Food Safety Supervisor Training

Australia’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) training company, AlertForce, has recently launched online supervisor training that will enable participants to adhere to the new Food Authority laws that have recently been passed.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Sep 07, 2011 – In light of the new NSW Food Authority laws, Food Safety Supervisor training is now mandatory for any business that handles or serves food. The deadline to receive this training is October 1st. Any food – serving business that fails to meet the deadline is subject to a $660 fine.

Since the training is online (https://alertforce.com.au/food-supervisor-safety/), participants will be able to engage in the program at their own speed and convenience. The courses will be essential for anyone working in a business that delivers food in most states of Australia. Successful Participants will also receive a Food Safety Supervisor certificate from Access Group Training (NTIS 90867).

AlertForce’s complete FSS training is composed of two elements. The first component is the Accredited Food Supervisors Certificate (Implement food safety procedures), while the second component is the Accredited Food Handlers Certificate (Follow Workplace Hygiene Procedures). These courses are delivered in commercial partnership by Access Group Training (NTIS 90867) who are on the NSW Food Authority approved list and issue government certificates.

“AlertForce’s food safety courses help you meet your food handling requirements with maximum ease at minimum cost. Now with these new laws it is imperative for food-serving businesses to receive our quality Food Safety training to avoid subsequent fines!” says Brendan Torazzi, AlertForce company founder.

Upon completion of the FSS training, participants will be receive their certificate in the mail, which they can then post to inform others that they are skilled in food handling and can manage other food handlers in commercial settings.

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AlertForce specialises in delivering fast, competency-based OHS training through interactive short online courses to mitigate risk and health and safety hazards in Australian workplaces.
View Original PR here: http://www.prlog.org/11649935-alertforce-launches-nsw-food-safety-supervisor-training.html

Investigations to Commence into Helicopter Crash

An investigation by The Australian Transport Safety Bureau  is currently being conducted into the helicopter crash that resulted into the death of a worker.

A survivor of the crash has since been rushed to the hospital after sustaining multiple injuries.

While no one is certain as to the causes of the crash, the helicopter was commissioned to carry out a geological survey over Collier National Park Range.

Investigators are on  currently on their way Perth to do an occupational health and safety assessment of the incident.

The investigative time will also speak to the lone survivor in order to gather more information about the accident.

Investigations Continue in Fire Safety Incident

Workplace health and Safety are currently investigating an incident that left two workers with severe burns. Investigations are being conducted regarding fire safety regulations.

The two men suffered burns to their face and their head while conducting a welding process in the Airport Link tunnel at Kedron.

The incident occurred when a fire ignited while the men were welding. Both the ambulance service and firefighters arrived at the scene to deal with the incident in the tunnel wall.The men were subsequently taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital to care for their burns.

An Airport Link spokesperson stated that every worker was evacuated and the emergency services were onsite to escort the two remaining workers.

Workplace Health and Safety continue their investigations, while the two workmen have since been released from the hospital.

Source : http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/two-men-burned-in-airport-link-tunnel-fire/story-e6freoof-1226128616174

Worker Falls from Heights, Manager Fined

The manager of a storage company has been fined $2500 after a working at heights injury. The manager, Craig Robert Lee pleaded guilty for failing to prevent adverse effects on an employee’s safety which resulted in serious injury.

Although there was a sign cautioning “No Entry Unsafe Surface”, Lee ordered a worker to go through the area and unscrew a mesh panel.Shortly after, another worker was walking on the unscrewed mesh panel when it buckled and the worker fell almost 3 meters.The worker suffered from a fractured spine,  a fractured pelvis as well as other internal injuries.

WorkSafe Commissioner Lex McCullock stated that falls were one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities. 15 workers  in West Australia died from falling in the last four years.

Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/10149533/manager-fined-2500-after-workplace-fall/

Electrocution results in $100,000 fine

The electrocution of a Gold Coast insulation worker has resulted in fining of his employers. Titan Insulations has pleaded guilty for failing to provide a safe work environment that adhered to electrical safety requirements.

The magistrate has since ordered the company to pay 100 thousand dollars in fines within the next 2 years. The magistrate Paul Cluck said that despite the company efforts to enroll its staff in electrical safety training—they failed in ensuring that their staff did not use metal staples.

Two directors of Titan Insulations had been formally charged with failing to comply with the Electrical Safety Act. However, these charges have been dismissed.

Families of the deceased have stated their approval of the verdict.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-30/charges-dropped-over-insulation-electrocution/2862714

Asbestos Awareness Training for 10,000 Workers?

The discovery of an abundance of asbestos, has lead the potential mandatory enrollment in asbestos training for more than ten thousand ACT building workers. The government is also considering an awareness campaign aimed at the general public.

Contaminated Soil

Soil has been found to be contaminated throughout the area especially around big building projects. 160 Thousand tonnes of asbestos contaminated soil was recently found at a work site. Other large quantities of contaminated soil have been found recently.

According to the government, action is needed to deal with the enormous quantities of this deadly substance.

Multi-agency task forces are being assembled in order to quickly and effectively deal with asbestos issues. A draft strategy is also currently being  assembled for a Regulators meeting.

Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/asbestos-finds-spark-plan-for-risk-training/2272286.aspx

Hastened Safety Laws Endanger Miners

Unions have cautioned that the new safety regulations being rushed through by Canberra and the states, face the potential of endangering the lives of many miners working in at risk. This confined spaces issue, has caused the NSW Minerals Council and The Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union’ to voice their concerns.

The NSW Minerals Council has stated their support for CFMEU’s request that the National Mining Safety Framework’s implementation be delayed for six months.

The union’s mining division’s general secretary, Andrew Vicors stated that the national standards were left open to public comment for six months prior to the start date of the regulations. Vicors added that despite the framework being due in February, additions to the new regulations weren’t free to the public until last month. According to Vicors, the deadline had been cut to January, leaving only eight-weeks  for the consultation period. He said a number of cuts to air and methane monitoring, the banning of breathing apparatus, as well as problems with the level of escape routes and the level of ventiliation,:are worrying the union.

Vicors believes that disastrous events like the Pike River tragedy wouldn’t have occurred if New Zealand had adopted the same safety laws of NSW. He attributes the subsequent strengthening of NZ safety laws, to their government’s recognition of the recent tragic events.He has pressed Julia Gillard and various other politicians to delay the new safety laws.A representative from Senator Evans has indicated that the government might lengthen the period of consultation and the execution of the framework.

Source:http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/rush-on-safety-regulations-will-put-miners-at-risk-say-unions/story-fn59niix-1226121570510

The Benefits of OHS Training Online

While OHS training is mandatory it used to be that it was often difficult for companies and employees to get their training when they needed it. Having to travel to distant locations, over night stays, and other inconveniences often caused businesses to have to slow down or even shut down losing time and money so that training could be established. However, changes in technology and the way OHS training is provided makes getting that training easier, simpler, and more convenient for both employers and their employees. OHS training online has become the new way to study and this method of studying provides a wealth of benefits.

No More Waiting For Training Openings

Prior to OHS training courses being offered Online, there were only a certain number of places where training took place and only so many instructors to provide that training. This often meant that businesses and employees found themselves waiting until there were openings so they could get the mandatory training they needed. With online training there is no waiting since the courses can be taken by many different people in many different places and only one instructor is needed to supply that training. Best of all, it means that employees of the same business can take their training at different times of the day allowing shift production to smoothly continue without being interrupted for people to attend their training sessions.

Saves Travel Time And Money

By having the option of getting OHS training online companies and their employees save both travel time and money. No longer do people need to spend hours on the road, worry about overnight motel costs the cost of gas or eating out to get the training they need. Online training brings the training to each individual company and their employees saving the expense and frustration often caused by traveling to a distant location.

No Business Slow downs

Because the OHS training comes to the company there are no business slowdowns or stoppages from having to travel for a day or more of training. Each manager, owner, or employee can take their training and still be available to work their shift, and the business is never left short handed nor does it suffer a slow down while one area or another is off getting the training they need to comply with the regulations and guidelines. This helps the business to be more profitable and the employees to spend less time away from their families and other things they need to accomplish.

More Standardized Training

Online OHS training can actually help to standardize the training companies and employees get. With regular classroom set ups in order to keep up with the demand for training several instructors for each type of training were needed. This often meant that some companies got the best instructors while others got instructors who were not as experienced or good at their job. However, since online training means one instructor can train thousands of people at one time, companies who offer this training can pick the best instructor for the job and ensure that every training session is the best.

OHS training online is definitely a new way to study. It’s proving itself to be through, complete, convenient and the best options for many companies today allowing them to get the mandatory training quicker and easier while still serving to help create a safer and healthier working environment.

Oil and Gas Company Fined

An oil and gas company, Santos has been subjected to fines for breaching occupational health and safety laws. These fines are the result of a  2004 gas leak that injured a worker. At the time of the explosion, 13 employees were said to be working within the vicinity.

The workers fled for their lives upon seeing a gas cloud and they eventually shut down production of oil and gas. Luckily all workers avoided any serious injuries despite the potential dangers.

The company appeared in the Industrial Court where they pleaded guilty to one count of unsuccessfully maintaining a safe work environment. Santos was subsequently fined over $80 thousand dollars in addition to legal costs.Since the explosion, Santos has spent over $ 40 million dollars to fix the plant and improve safety precautions.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-22/santos-fined-moomba-explosion/2850122

Senator Fights for Asbestos Awareness

Senator Singh from Tasmania has vowed to continue to fight against the threat of asbestos.

Since being elected to Parliament almost 6 years ago, Singh has worked with Julia Gillard to help eradicate the Howard Gov. WorkChoice laws.

For her first speech in senate,  Singh said her experience as a minister had made her deeply concerned about the suffering of workers riddled with asbestos-related ailments.

Singh stated that Tasmania has had a dark history of asbestos.In the days of Goliath Cement, where hundreds of workers were eventually afflicted with deadly asbestos related diseases.

Singh has continued to fight for asbestos poisoned victims and has even established the Asbestos Free Tasmania Foundation, where she serves as chief executive.

http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2011/08/17/253951_tasmania-news.html

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Melbourne Prositute Sues Brothel

A prostitute in Melbourne has sued the brothel she worked at after being assaulted and having a gun pulled on her. The event took place when the woman refused to have unprotected sex with a customer who then attacked her and attempted to rape her. The woman has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in addition to the physical injuries she sustained.

The unidentified woman finally escaped but only after the customer threatened her life while wielding a gun. The man allegedly pointed at the woman’s head said he could do anything he’d like to her and there wasn’t anyone to stop him. The woman blames the lack of security and occupational health and safety precautions at the brothel she works at. According to the woman, the brothel allows customers to have unprotected sex with the workers. Despite winning a claim for the attack on her, she is now discussing the possibility of suing her former employer for the permanent harm she received working at the brothel.

Source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8272220/prostitute-sues-brothel-after-beating-gun-attack

Bullied Police Woman Recieves Compensation

Roberta Barnettt,a former policewoman has been granted over $100,000 after she complained of bullying while being a policewoman.. The Policewoman was bullied following a incident in which she refused the advances of a senior female officer.

Work Health Court had previously determined that  Barnett had been mentally injured from her experiences at work and had faced excessive punitive action from her female senior staff sergeant.Barnett faced dismissal in 2008 after she remaining on sick leave for an extended period of time.She will now receive over 90 thousand dollars in compensation for lost income. She will also receive funds to cover her medical costs.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-13/20070713bully/2793590

NSW Food Safety Laws and How to Stay Safe!

Minister for Primary Industry, Katrina Hodgkinson, claims that a new food-safety initiative would be strictly voluntarily. There is no way to ensure that it will always remain so. If a time comes when the “Scores on Doors” rating system, stops being voluntary, then employers will be happy to know that their staff, and their establishment has met all the high quality food-safety standards of their region through the food safety training they’ve received. “Scores on Doors” will be a voluntary program that would display food –safety ratings for patrons to view. Similar programs exist overseas but are typically mandatory.

Hodgkinson is determined to keep the program voluntary for now, in order to maintain transparency and openness. However, not all owners of food businesses are against the idea of it being a compulsory program. Some believe that making the rating system compulsory will ensure prevent businesses from pursuing unsavory practices in their food business.

The “Scores on Doors” rating system assigns each volunteer food business a five, four, or three-star rating based on food-safety inspection results. Each establishment will then be given a certificate to display their results for all patrons.
Compulsory ( “Scores on Doors”) programs throughout Europe and North America have shown success. Now, in many countries the results of safety inspections can be found online.

A possible solution to ensure high-quality food-safety standards is to compel all lower-rated businesses to undergo Food Safety Training until the safety rating of their businesses improve.

Or, rather than wait for the “Scores on Doors” program to be made mandatory; businesses who refuse to volunteer can undergo online Food Safety Training so that they understand and maintain high quality Food Safety..

Currently NSW is under a year-long trial for the volunteer “Scores on Doors” rating system.

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Accredited Food Supervisors Certificate SITXFSA001A Implement food safety procedures includes SITXOHS002A
The course is suitable for supervisors who manage food-handling staff and is accepted food safety training by the relevant State Government Authorities. This course is delivered in conjunction with Access Group Training (NTIS 90867).

Union Concerned about Occupational Health and Safety

Since the assaults on workers in Darwin, The Miscellaneous Workers Union has stated that it is very concerned about the occupational health and  safety of detention workers. The union does not believe that the centre for detention workers, Serco, has the appropriate safety precautions in place for its staff members.

Two inmates will face charges in court for assault for assaulting numerous workers.The union has since stated that the incident is one, in a growing group of assaults that have been occurring to workers.The site is a safety concern for the union because of it risks the safety of not only workers but clients as well. Miscellaneous Workers Union continues to struggle to make light of the issue in order to prevent future assaults.

Workers were said to have sustained cuts and bruises after one of the detainees wielded a knife. The union wants to see an end to the assaults on the Serco employees and for safety to be a priority.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-14/detention-workers-union-calls-for-great-safety-for-workers/2838436

Outback Community Concerned About Asbestos

The residents of a desert area known as Yuendumu, are concerned about asbestos in the dirt and in junk throughout the community. The government claims that it ensured the removal of all asbestos materials found to be in a poor condition.Despite this, the local board said that that there still concerns throughout the community.

The board also reiterated the government’s stance that there were no signs of asbestos risks in the area any longer.However, asbestos is still said to be found in many desert communities.

The Federal government has made it clear that they sent out specialists to each community to ensure that all asbestos risks were taken care of and removed but long term maintenance is the responsibility of the residents .

Source:http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/08/09/252481_ntnews.html

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Asbestos Fears Prevent Demolition

Regardless of the community efforts to prevent the demolition of a closed down kindergarten building, the demolition has since been prohibited amidst asbestos fears.

WorkSafe has stated that the demolition work will be held up until trained asbestos specialists removed the asbestos in the building.

WorkSafe is also awaiting a proper demolition plan since there was a problem with the electrical testing conducted by contractors. The council also stated that they will ensure that all safety precautions are made within the work site. The site will remain closed until the council has deemed the site safe and all the requirements are adhered to in a satisfactory manner.

Community Council members have been attempting to save the building from demolition and a committee was started in its name.  Efforts to save the building have lead to the arrests of some respected citizens who are attempting to save the building after it sheltered 300 people from blazing fires that occurred on Ash Wednesday.

Source: http://origin.berwick-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/protests-continue-at-cockatoo-kindergarten-site/

Click for information on Asbestos Awareness Training

Apprentice seriously injured. Company fined.

A mining repairs company is has been charged with a $90,00 fine after an occupational health and safety incident resulted in the permanent injury of a 15 year old apprentice.

The company, ATS Mining Maintenance has pleaded guilty for not providing and upholding a safe workplace, which ultimately resulted in serious harm to an employee.

The accident occurred when the apprentice and two fellow employees were performing maintenance on a dump truck. The tray of the truck allegedly weights 10 tonnes and was raised by metal bars instead of the standard safety pins that are used. One of the employees started the truck while the apprentice was still beneath the tray. The tray then collapsed as the metal bars failed  and crashed ontop of the apprentice. The apprentice sustained serious facial injuries as well as spinal and leg injuries.The WorkSafe WA stated that the incident was a reminder of the importance of having safety lockout methods in place

Despite proper safety instructions being available the employer made no efforts to ensure that the proper procedures were followed. The company’s negligence  has resulted in the serious harm of a young person .

Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/9993132/90-000-fine-for-apprentice-injury/

Methane Risk at Mining Facility

The risk of a methane leak has caused an underground coal mine to close in Hunter Valley.

Workers were told to halt all procedures at the confined space until a proper investigation has been conducted. The Department of Trade and Investment closed the facility after becoming aware of unsafe levels of methane.

The vice president of the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy union, Robin Williams stated that the mine has been experiencing ventilation troubles.Williams said that while the closure will cause lead to financial losses, the facility had long been experiencing problems.

The resources minister for New South Wales has requested a report on the status on the issue and has stated that the department will continue to work to ensure that the issue is dealt in a acceptable manner.

The minister claims that the safety of the workers to be the most important matter.

Source : http://www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/methane-fears-shutdown-coal-mine

Doctors Take Fatigue Risk Survey

Several hundred doctors working in West Australia will document the amount of hours they work throughout the week  in order to ensure that it isn’t unsafe. This campaign to combat risks of fatigue occurs 5 years after another survey found that majority of the doctors were at risk of fatigue. Almost two-thirds of the doctors were considered “high risk” for fatigue.

The purpose of this year’s survey is to indicate if there has been any improvement over the last 5 years.The Australian Medical Association for WA stated that doctors with high levels of fatigue were more likely to commit a medical error, malpractice and, other accidents.

The doctors who volunteered to complete the survey will promptly receive a risk assessment pertaining to the hours they work. The AMA will discuss any safety concerns with their hospitals management.

Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/9876029/doctors-given-say-on-unsafe-work-hours/

Electrical Safety: WorkSafe Investigates Melbourne death

A man was electrocuted and his co-worker suffered serious burns when their cherry picker connected with a power line. The incident that took place in Melbourne occurred in the afternoon. Paramedics were unable to help as flames engulfed the area.  The worker allegedly died on the spot. WorkSafe, have continued investigating the electrical safety accident

WorkSafe claims to believe that the men were employed with a plumbing service and were conducting maintenance on the roof when the accident involving the power lines occurred

The flaming cherry picker was stuck in place and subsequently delayed the paramedics access to the workers.

Source http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/worker-electrocuted-another-burned-as-cherry-picker-bursts-into-flames-20110714-1hfbz.html#ixzz1S89sh7gJ

Worker Dies in Construction Safety Accident

A fatality involving a crane operator has occurred at a Karratha construction site. The man was a worker at Pelago West Apartments when he succumbed to his accident. He was allegedly crushed by a large piece of concrete that apparently fell off of a crane.

Interviews will be conducted by WorkSafe West Australia, as the investigation into the cause continues. The executive director from WorkSafe WA stated that the construction safety death was a tragedy

An organizer from Australia’s Worker’s Union has implored the government to increase its levels of safety inspections.This incident occurred after the recent  crane related death of a young contractor  and the injuries of a middle aged contractor

Source : http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/9836068/workman-dies-in-karratha-accident/

Worker’s Life Saved by First-Aid Training and Jokes

They say laughter is the best medicine. .. In Ken Nicholson’s case, the attempt to achieve laughter saved his life.

Nicholson, a Penrice Soda electrician, was making his way to restart a machine when his fellow employee Chris Carter, followed behind him. Carter says that he followed Nicholson because he was curious about where he was headed and he wanted to joke around and give him ‘a hard time’. When Nicholson reached a certain point, he remarked that he was ‘feeling funny’ and then promptly collapsed.

Carter immediately called for help and requested a defibrillator through his radio. While waiting for the defibrillator to arrive Carter attempted to perform CPR . Carter had noticed that his workmate had stopped breathing and despite not having any experience performing CPR, his instincts took over. Eventually other workmates returned with the defibrillator and utilized it according to the first-aid training that they were required to undertake.

Nicholson believes that his heart attack would have claimed his life had Carter not followed him. Nicholson also believes that Carters fast response was key in his survival.

St. John Ambulance claims that less than 10 percent of Australians claim to be savvy in the process of applying basic first aid.  Chief executive from St John believes that more workers should volunteer to do a first-aid course. The chief executive also claims that since the recent natural disasters, about 50k workers have enrolled in the day- long first aid courses.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/spend-a-day-with-st-john-save-a-life/story-e6frea6u-1226103769117

Sydney Nurse Stabbed With Butter Knife

A Sydney nurse has been hospitalized after being stabbed numerous times with a butter knife. It was 4:30am and the nurse was purportedly working at a computer when she was stabbed. This occupational health and safety case occurred when the nurse was punched in the face,then stabbed numerous times in the breast, arm, and back area. A fellow nurse then got involved and secured the patient with knife.

The injuries the nurse sustained were reported as not being fatal and the nurse has since been released from the hospital.

The patient faces charges of wounding a person with the intention to cause serious bodily harm as well as the charge of recklessly causing serious bodily harm.

Truck Driver Breaks Fatigue Laws

A truck driver, Terrence Michael Edwards, has been convicted for breaking fatigue laws .The worker was caught by a SAFE-T-Cam that indicated Edwards had worked the maximum amount of hours that one could work. It was discovered in court that Edwards had worked for 18 hours within a 24 -hour period.

The legislated maximum is 12 hours.  Edwards was convicted after driving from Brooklyn, Victoria to Welshpool, Western Australia. He has subsequently been fined over eight thousand dollars.

The SAFE-T Cam is system of cameras placed at key positions on the road. It records incidents such as failure to take required rest stops.

BHP Fatigue Management Issue

The Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union has alleged that the government of Queensland has collapsed to the pressures of BHP Billiton and has subsequently opted to leave out the dangers of fatigue in the safety guidance for the mining industry. The union stated that the governments adherence to BHP wishes has lead to the abandonment of the plans to minimize the risk workers face when working continuous 12-hour shifts and then traveling long distances to get home

There has been ample concern within the coalmining industry over the risky commute to work. The government has still not taken action regarding the  24-recommendations that a coroner made in a report following three fatigue-related deaths of commuting coalminers.

An example of one of the recommendations is for the government to implement a succinct definition of a safe level of fatigue.

A union safety officer has stated that he was aware of several coalminers who had died on highways as well as over 20 car accidents. Miners in the area often drive up to two hours a day on top of working a 12-hour shift. Others have even reported longer commutes.

The company that operates the mining facility claims to have various initatives to minimize the risk of workplace fatigue. Some sites have allegedly provided ‘napping sites’ for workers to use prior to driving home or before a shift.The union has continued to push for an industry standard (for fatigue levels) however, the company has no heeded their suggestions.

The Number of fatigue-related road deaths continue to rise as the amount of production increase

Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mine-bosses-banning-fatigue-alert-union/story-e6frg8zx-1226101629582

Natural Disasters lead to Occupational Health and Safety Overhaul

Due to the number of natural disasters that occurred in Queensland this year, many companies found inconsistencies in their occupational health and safety policies.

A Survey conducted by ComOps has indicated that more than three quarters of the companies in Queensland are considering having their risk management evaluate their current OHS policies.

The survey involved 65 individuals and involved risk management staff and senior executives.

Since many companies have found inconsistencies in their policies, safety has become a number one priority for some. More than a fifth of managers have decided to invest more resources into occupational health and safety risks.

However, important obstacles were noted in dealing with OHS. Some complained about the high cost of investment into OHS, while others claim that OHS simply is not a high enough priority currently.

Despite this, the survey has indicated that recent natural disasters have risen awareness  of OHS and the need to evaluate its current status.

If a policy overhaul is completed, then Queensland might have the proper tools in dealing with a potential disaster.

Source: http://www.cfoworld.com.au/mediareleases/12715/queenslands-natural-disasters-result-in-ohs-and/

Riot At Training Centre Causes Injuries

A worker who works with youth at the Magill Training Centre has reportedly suffered from a gash four inches deep at the backside of his head. This occupational health and safety injury was sustained during a riot at the centre.

The secretary for the Public Service Association said that the most seriously injured worker is fortunate not to have suffered more fatal injures.

The youth worker was purportedly hit in the ribs and upon falling to the ground, was then struck on the back of his head with a chair. The worker was then supposedly punched in the face until other staff members intervened.

Not only are several staff members injured, but also approximately $100,000 in damage was caused by the hours of violence.
The youth accused of the riot are all 15-years-old and have since appeared in the Adelaide Youth court. They are each being charged for three counts of aggravated assault causing bodily harm, among other charges.

Source : http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/staff-threatened-action-over-riot-at-magill-training-centre/story-e6frea83-1226092535980

Harrassed Teen Plumbing Apprentice Takes Life

Tragically, a teenage plumbing apprentice took his own life last year after allegedly being harassed and tormented at his workplace. This has lead to the prosecution of MRAEL Pty Ltd and a Whitsunday for failing to ensure a safe workplace which includes Human Resource issues such as harassment .

The company the teen worked for is apparently trying to challenge the charges after arguing that the laying of the charges occurred outside a 12-month statutory period allowed by law.

The Company’s  (Paul Smith Contracting) attorney, Paddy Cullinane said the Workplace Health and Safety Act required a company to be charged with an offence within one year of the charge of the alleged offence or six months after the employer is made aware of the offense

The teen last worked at Paul Smith Contracting in April 08,2010 and filed a complaint on April 11. Sadly he committed suicide on April 17.

One of Queensland’s most renowned lawyers Senior Counsel Michael Byrne flew to Mackay to argue the case for the Division of Workplace Health and Safety.

Byrne said the complaint was not the death of the youth but that that the employer had no system in place to deal with harassment or ill treatment of children in their workplace.

Source: http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2011/06/28/battle-in-court-over-suicide-of-young-plumber-batt/

5 Ways To Tell If OHS Training Is Working For Your Business

OHS requires Safety and Health Training in almost every occupation from office workers to hazard waste. They have rules and regulations for land and sea and it is up to each company to ensure that they and their employees have the necessary training and competence to get jobs done in the safest healthiest manner possible.

While most businesses want a safe and healthy work environment for their employees they often find themselves wondering if all these OHS training programs are really doing any good. So, here are 5 ways to tell if that OHS training program is working for your business.

1. Are workers demonstrating skills and competency with using machine and adhering to safety procedures they learned in the OHS training? Is someone in management dedicated to making sure OHS guidelines and regulations are met? After all, no training program is going to be successful unless implemented and followed.

2. Do workers feel free to report any safety or heath concerns and are those concerns addressed by your company to further reduce the risk to the employee? If your OHS training program is working, your employees should be more aware of safety or health risks on the jobs and feel free to talk to you about those risks and suggest ways to minimize those risks.

3. Has there been a reduction in accidents, worker compensation claims, and overall absenteeism? One of the best ways of knowing if the OHS training is effective is when there is a noticeable reduction in accident and worker claims regarding various on the job health problems. When the work place is safer, workers tend to take less time off work.

4. Has the general atmosphere in the work place lightened? Do your workers look and act more comfortable when performing tasks? Is there less complaining? Overall, do workers seem less stressed and seem to enjoy their jobs a little more? The safer a worker feels on the job, the more job satisfaction they experience and the less need the feel to complain. It may take some time but eventually, if your OHS training is working, there will be an overall general improvement in workers attitude.

5. Is productivity improving? The safer the workplace, the healthier the work environment the more productive your business will become. When workers are allowed to concentrate on their jobs rather than spending time worrying about their safety or their health, the more they can accomplish during regular working hours. This cuts down on the need for overtime and overall increases the businesses bottom line.

One of the main goals of OHS training to help employers and their employees understand that safety and health is something that everyone needs to be aware of and want to improve. While it is the employers job to minimized health and safety risks as much as possible, the employees mush make effective use of the equipment supplied, the training they are given, and the procedures they learn in order to help keep themselves and the workers around them safe and healthy. If everyone from that warehouse clerk to upper management understands their role in keeping your business and each other safe and healthy then OHS training does indeed work.

Assaults on Paramedics: An Occupational Health and Safety Risk

There is a struggle underway in trying to discover new and original ways of lowering the amount of occupational health and safety risks for paramedics.

According to the Department of Community Safety; a paramedic received a abrasion on the head after a nine-year-old kicked him while he was treating a 21 year-old skateboarder.

The DCS has stated that there has been a rise in paramedic attacks. In 2008-09 there was 107 attacks. In the last 2 years the attacks have increased to 229.

While the assaults are rarely committed by children, the number of cases is consistently increasing.

Often times cases pertaining to alcohol, drugs and mentally disturbed people, have enhanced the risk.

The department has expressed disappointment in the fact that despite being one of the most trusted professions, these paramedics have to be concerned about their own safety.

Non-Profit Organization to be prosecuted by WorkSafe

A non-profit organization named Community Connections will be the first NGO to be charged by WorkSafe following allegations of wrongful dismissal after an employee raised occupational health and safety concerns.

The Department of Human Services is also investigating the charitable organization, which could result in the organization’s closure. A spokesperson from DHS has confirmed that a review is being orchestrated.

Community Connections is a non-profit organization that allegedly aims to cater to thousands of people in the southwest.

This will mark the first time a non-profit organization has been prosecuted for breaching section 76 of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act. Section 76 regards the offense of dismissing, injuring or negatively modifying a worker’s position solely because the worker expressed safety concerns.

The maximum fine for breaching this section is $305,350.

The matter is now being addressed within court.

Source: http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/community-connections-to-be-prosecuted-by-worksafe/2222962.aspx

Confined Spaces -Queensland mineworker killed at Pike River

A Queensland mineworker was working in New Zealand’s Pike River when he died from an explosion within the confined space that trapped and killed 29 other men.

Kim Joynson’s husband,Willie was killed after previously expressing safety concerns at the mining facility that he worked at. The Pike River Royal Commission has revealed that the facility had major safety issues that were not attended to. Willie was in fact in discussion with mine operators regarding his concerns when he died.

Willie’s wife hopes that the Royal Commission will bring to light, the issues with the Pike River mine. Although a section of the mine has been declared safe to reenter, Joynson may not have her husband’s body returned to her for years. An investigation has begun that will observe and report the possible causes of the explosions at the mine and the subsequent loss of life. The investigation will also examine the occupational health and safety regulations in place for mining in confined spaces .

Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/pike-mine-victim-willie-joynsons-widow-says-her-husband-had-safety-fears-before-disaster/story-e6freoof-1226083806360

Worker at BHP Dies in Crane Accident

A 23 year-old-worker was crushed  to death by a BHP Billiton crane.  BHP has since halted its Port Hedland (where the accident occurred) port and rail operations following the death of the worker.

The incident which occurred at an iron ore loading facility  is currently being examined by the Department of Mines and Petroleum to ensure that it is adhering to the proper occupational health and safety codes.

According to Gary Wood from the CFMEU,  BHP’s safety record has not been impressive until this year. Between 2008 and 2009, five logging deaths were recorded.

Apparently, hazard plans have been in development and the results were promising but numerous incidents continued to occur.

Source: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/port-hedland-bhp-worker-crushed-in-crane-crash-20110707-1h3ef.html#ixzz1RO7nCv6L

4 Ways OHS Training Can Save You Money

While most business owners would agree that safety in the workplace is desirable and necessary they sometimes allow concern for the bottom line to overcome their better judgment when it comes to safety. However, it is necessary to look at the bigger picture and in doing so, owners and managers will have a clearer picture how OHS training can actually improve profits by saving the company huge amounts of money.

Here are 4 ways that OHS training can save your company money:

1. Reduces the number of accidents and worker accident claims. When a worker is injured on the job due to unsafe work conditions, the company often ends up paying huge amounts for that workers medical care and continues to pay in huge insurance premiums. OHS training programs helps both business owners and managers and workers to understand how and where they can institute safer worker conditions. The safer the work place is, the fewer accidents, the lower the number of accident claims filed by employees. Over time, this can lead to lower accident insurance premiums saving your company big money and resulting in larger profits over the long term.
2. OHS training is mandatory. Having that training for every member of your work force will result in less fines for noncompliance and less costly shut downs. A company that is forced to pay huge fines and is shut down until they get proper OHS training can suffer thousands of pounds in lost revenue each day. Having the proper OHS training is one way to eliminate these unnecessary and costly fines.
3. OHS training can lead to reduced worker stress and less missed work time. An unsafe work environment is much more stressful to work in than one where workers feel they can do their job without risking life and limb. When OHS training is applied across the board, workers feel safe in the work environment and less stressed when doing their jobs. Lowering the stress levels for employees results in less missed work and more consistent work team that the company can depend on.
4. OHS Training actually increases production. Believe it or not, OHS training actually can increase production. When everyone knows the right and safe way to do a job, they can accomplish that job more efficiently with fewer accidents. Accidents or the fear of accidents can halt production and interferes with the workflow that is being done. When everyone feels that work environment is safe, they can concentrate on the work at hand which in turn improves production levels making the company more money.

Safety in the workplace not only benefits employees but employers as well and that can be seen in the bottom line. When a company is paying out less money in medical compensations and fines and has fewer work stoppages, their profit margins go up and companies find they can make more money with less production required.

Company breaks Occupational health and Safety act

A truck driver almost perished after being crushed while working for a skip bin hire company, in Engadine.

Investigations have determined that the man was working in an unsafe environment and the accident could have been foreseen and thwarted.

The company SAE Investments and its director have plead guilty to breaking the Occupational Health Safety act 2000, and have since been subject to fines exceeding  $80 000. SAE Investments have also been ordered to pay the legal costs of the worker.

The incident that injured the employee occurred when a vehicle’s hydraulic breaks released causing the truck to roll down a hill and crush the worker.

The accident has left the worker with a severed nerve, injured liver, fractured ribs, pulmonary contusions and a fractured knee.  He also sustained serious cuts and lacerations to the face, arms, abdomen and legs.

The worker is not going to be able to return to work for up to eight months.

Steps are being taken to improve safety.

Source: http://www.theleader.com.au/news/local/news/general/skip-bin-accident-was-preventable/2213466.aspx

Contractor Breaks Occupational Health and Safety Codes

After failing to disconnect the electricity to a building that was being demolished, a contractor now faces a financial penalty of $5000.

The demolition contractor, Michele Antonio Galluccio is guilty of demolishing a site without following the occupational health and safety codes. He has since been fined at Perth Magistrates Court.

Gallucio did not ensure that all lines of electricity were cut when he began the demolishing of the building.

Not only did Gallucio cause great risk by not severing all sources of electricity of building, but he also potentially endangered the lives of civilians since the facility was still open to the public due to a fallen barrier.
A WorkSafe Executive stated that this sort of occurrence is a reminder of the importance of upholding safety standards when involved in a field such as demolition.

Not disconnecting the electricity to the building, created the possibility of electrocution for employees.

Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/9785587/contractor-left-power-on-during-demolition/

Plant fined for ignoring WorkSafe’s notice of ‘ working at heights’ risk

Hitachi Plant Technologies, a scaffolding company , has been ordered to pay a fine of $2000 for not abiding by a WorkSafe improvement notice regarding a working at heights risk. The company had previously signed a compliance slip, which they did not honour.

The company has pleaded not guilty to the charges and was subsequently fined.

In March, WorkSafe inspectors noticed that there was solid guard rails at the ladders which created the risk of workers having to climb over the rails to access the scaffold. Thus the rails created enhanced the potential risks of falling from heights. WorkSafe subsequently gave them an improvement notice and two weeks later, the company signed a compliance agreement indicating that changes had been made.

In the week following, inspectors once again arrived at the site to see solid guard rails at the ladders.

The event indicated that the company continued to disregard WorkSafe’s recommendations and duties to ensure the safety of workers. The WorkSafe WA Commissioner said that the events that took place are a reminder that notices must be ignored and action will be taken when they are .

Man loses leg in mining accident

A man has allegedly lost one of his legs and had the other one crushed following a mining accident  at Fortescue Metals Port facility in Port Hedland.

A spokesperson from the company has confirmed that there was indeed an accident at the facility and the man is seriously injured. The spokesperson said that the facility was on maintenance shutdown during the accident. The man was subsequently rushed  by helicopter to a hospital in Perth.

It is believed that a Hydraulic ram failed and subsequently caused the accident. This is the second case like this, after the death of a worker at BHP Billiton,

The State Secretary of the   Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union ,Kevin Reynolds , stated that this is the most serious type of accident but less serious accidents also occur every day.

Reynolds claims these accidents are the result of the government did not provide Occupational Health and Safety inspectors or union officers.
Reynolds also claimed the workers would complain had they not been in fear of losing their jobs.

The man in the accident is currently in stable condition.

Source: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/mans-legs-crushed-on-fortescue-worksite-20110710-1h8ic.html

2.2 million Australians over-working; risking fatigue

According to data compiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 21 percent (2.2 million) are working more hours than they should be ( on average 46.9 hours a week).  Of these over-workers, majority is likely to be males between the ages 35-64, who have high-income professions such as lawyers or doctors. Over- working can often lead to fatigue

This is a contrast to the 1.4 million workers, or 14 percent of the workforce, who desire more hours at work.  Being over-employed seems to correlate with age, since it appears the likelihood seems to increase as one gets older.

26 percent of male workers, who had children, desired to work less hours, while 19 percent of women with children, desired to work less.

53 percent of over-employed workers were more likely to desire less hours of work because of family concerns, while almost a quarter wanted less hours for work and recreation.The report also states that the number of work related deaths rose in 2008-2009, however the number of occupational health and safety deaths have fallen since.

Working long hours can often times lead to fatigue, and subsequently fatigue related injuries and deaths, thus companies have had their employees enroll in Fatigue Management training.

Source : http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/overworked-australians-yearn-for-a-social-life/story-fn59niix-1226084465841

WorkSafe gets Kudos for Occupational Health and Safety Ruling.

A committee that deals with the death of prisoners while in police custody, are embracing the charges WorkSafe set for the death of  Mr. Ward.

Mr. Ward is the elder Aboriginal who died from a heat stroke due to sweltering temperatures from within the prison van.

According to the coroner, the two drivers of the van, the driver’s employer, and the Department of Corrective Services are responsible for the death of Mr. Ward. Despite the coroner’s statement, the Direction of Public Prosecutions refused to pursue the case because he didn’t believe there was a chance of conviction.

The Deaths in Custody Watch Committee spokesperson gave a kudos to WorkSafe for their decision to prosecute and to carry out their duties in the support of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The WorkSafe WA commissioner stated that the case is a prime example of how far the occupational safety and health legislation extends.

The Attorney General has stated that he intends to follow the WorkSafe case very carefully to see if they provided a safe work environment. The Department of Crrective services  face a fine of $285,000 and $15,000 in legal costs. The potential fine was $400,000.
Source : http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/19/3116507.htm

First Aid Training: Saving Lives

First Aid Training: Saving Lives And The Quality Of Life In The Work Place And Beyond

You never know when the unexpected will happen. Every day at one place or another someone suffers a heart attack, takes a fall or suffers an unexpected accident while those around them call for help and stand there helpless until help comes. Sometimes, that help arrives too late and a person is dead, a family devastated and those who were there deal with the shock of watching someone they knew, loved or worked beside die while they stood helpless by. Had anyone had first aid training, the ending may have been different.

Workplace first aid training is a requirement and due to it being required lives are saved daily that may have otherwise been lost. While this training benefits those in the workplace and provides a safer environment this training reaches well beyond the doors and windows of that warehouse, office building or food service. It reaches into your homes and your neighborhoods.

Thanks to work required first aid training, many more people than ever before know what to do should an emergency situation arise and they do it. Skills people learned through a work related first aid class have been used to save lives in situations that are both surprising and unexpected from hiking accidents to natural disasters. Having someone on hand who knows what to do can mean the difference between life and death and complete recovery and paralysis or other conditions that lower the quality of life.

First Aid Training Doesn’t Have To Be Work Related

Although OHS requires first aid training for schools and work environments everyone is free to take these classes and prepare themselves for the unexpected. You simply need to have a desire to learn and have the time to take the course.

In many cases, courses are offered online and while these courses are considered basic, they can provide you with the information you need to deal with all sorts of emergency situations including:

• performing CPR
• bleeding and shock
• traumatic injuries
• poison and bites
• shock
• extreme temperatures
• and more

Being prepare for emergencies can give you peace of mind, build confidence and prepare you for the unexpected. While it is always the hope that no one should ever need to use their first aid training it is good to know that you are prepared should the need arise. It is a wonderful way to help protect your family and your community.

First aid training may not interest everyone but, for those who are interested it is good to know that training is available at a reasonable price and that you can take it from the comfort of your own home or work site. The more people who have first aid training the less likely it will be that a situation arises where everyone stands helplessly by not knowing what to do should the unthinkable happen.

ID: DYCE8JBUVVM3

Occupational Health and Safety Panel Loses Some Power

A Medical panel, WorkCover, was established with the purpose of investigating occupational health and safety cases but has since been denied of its power.

The Full Court of the Supreme Court has ruled that the WorkCover panel does not have the power to completely deny injured workers their compensation. The Full Court reached a decision of 2-1 , that stated that the Workers Compensation Tribunal is the only institution that can resolve injury claims upon hearing all sides of evidence.
Unions who have petitioned for the panel to be abolished since its introduction in 2008, have welcomed the court’s decision. Lawyer, Stephen Dolphin implied that the panel negatively affects its most susceptible people; the injured workers.

It is said that the Full Court’s decision is a major blow to the panel that attempted to commandeer the court system.
When the government changed WorkCover’s legislation in 2008, many people complained that the laws were unconstitutional, since injured workers were denied the right to legal council and the right to appeal.

Now, because of the Full Court’s decision, the panel can only give an opinion regarding injured workers claims and the Tribunal did not have to accept the suggestion.
SA Union has stated that the panel should be abolished and the money should be used to train injured workers so they can return to work sooner.

Nearly 25% of workers at a plant risk fatigue

Nearly twenty-five percent of workers at Adelaide’s desalination plant are at a high risk of fatigue, while nearly two-fifths of workers are at a moderate risk.

The union representative said that the workers are subjected to lengthy hours of work, occupational bullying, and stress. The project is allegedly huge and it has enormous amounts of pressure behind.

Many workers were apparently often found to be working upwards to seventy hours a week.  Long hours coupled with workplace bullying is apparently the major cause of stress at the plant.

A report found that nearly forty percent of six hundred surveyed workers were found to be at moderate risk of lack of sleep and fatigue.

The Adelaide Aqua SA Water and construction union compiled the report.

Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/desal-plant-workers-under-stress/comments-e6frea83-1226085169793

Occupational Health and Safety investigation into death of worker

A man working at the Townsville show is in critical condition after a large piece of steel fell onto him. The 24 year old was rushed to the local hospital at 9 pm where he was said to have been suffering from spinal cord  injuries.

This accident occurred only days prior to over 60 thousand patrons are expected to attend the show. It is a four day show and it is one of the largest events within the community.

Occupational Accidents Do Occur

The Townsville Show manager, Chris Condon, claims the accident came as a shock  and despite being in the industry for a long time, this is the first time he’s seen such a thing occur.

He inferred that the people working at the event are trained in the safety risks presented in this  type of work .The ride that caused the accident of the worker has since been under scrutiny and many safety inspections have taken place since the accident.

The manager stated that safety is the number one priorty of the Townsville show.

The  case is now being investigated by Occupational Health and Safety . The show boasts of having more than 30 rides to offer its patrons. Previously, more than 55 thousand people attended the Townsville show and despite the accident, the show will go on this year.

Source: http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2011/07/01/244211_news.html

Occupational Health And Safety: Big Brother Is Watching Out For You

If you are an employer or an employee, you can almost feel the subtle shift in the room’s temperature when an OHS inspector sets foot on the premises. In some cases, everyone becomes overly busy, in others nervous, some give a put upon sigh, while in other work places it is business as usual. Why does one person produce so many effects upon so many people? Because this inspector is a Representative for Occupation Health and Safety a government agency that oversees that each business is abiding by guidelines and rules that are set to protect the health and safety of the employee, employer and the public at large.

For some employers the rules set down by Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) seem to be little more than interference in their business practices that cost them money and sometimes time. It sometimes seems every move they make is watched over by Big Brother (the government).

The truth is that Big Brother is watching.

But he is watching out for you. Keep in mind that the job of Occupational Health and Safety guidelines and training is to reduce the number of injuries, deaths, property damage, legal liabilities, illness, worker’s claims against employers and missed time at work due to accident and health risks in business that could affect the lives of not only the employers and the employees but also the public at large.

More than a century ago before Occupational Health and Safety became a government agency and today in countries that lack government guidelines. Workers were expected to work in environments that lacked ventilation and proper lightening for long grueling days given little time for food or water and sometimes locked in during working hours to prevent them from leaving. Work related injuries were rife and those who were injured or became ill due to the working conditions were fired with no benefits and no recourse of action.

Death on many jobs was simply a part of earning the money to live and safety measures were not undertaken because of the bottom line. When workers had enough, riots would issue damaging or completely destroying the business and resulting in harm or death to employers and managers of these businesses.

As times changed, more and more employers began trying to offer better working conditions for their employees by establishing rules, cleaning up, better working environments and through training. However, accidents and illness still occurred due to the lack of knowledge on the part of many employers on how to properly evaluate risks and minimize them and the unwillingness of employees to adhere to the guidelines for safety that were set down. This resulted in good employers going broke trying to see to the needs of employees who became ill or injured on the job. Insurance helped to alleviate some of the financial burden on employers but did little to make workplaces safer.

Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines

Then along came Occupational Health and Safety, they set down minimum guidelines to help protect health and Safety. Individualizing these guidelines to fit the needs and the risks in various fields of work. They offered training to help make Employers aware of health and safety risks and to teach employees how to do their jobs in a manner that would pose less danger of injury or illness to them.

Today, Because Of OHS, businesses are thriving, the workplace is become safer and the public is protected to a greater degree than ever before. This has ended up saving employers money and giving employees a safer, better place to work.

Fire Safety at Clubs and Pubs

Fire safety issues in both pubs and clubs are the topic of investigation these days for Newcastle Police officers and New South Wales Fire and Rescue. A joint operation was conducted last weekend in an effort to tackle fire safety concerns in pubs and clubs throughout the city. Adam Gilligan, a Compliance Services Manager claims that the operation is focusing on various priority issues, such as fire safety exits being blocked, smoke detection, alarm systems and capacity issues.

The Importance of Fire Safety

Gilligan implied that it is imperative that measures are set to alert patrons and staff in the occurrence of a fire and to evacuate them safely and quickly.

An concentrated effort is being made to ensure that every building upholds the required fire safety codes and measures. Throughout their investigation, a number of  issues were found in a variety of  establishments relating to fire exits, smoke detectors and fire alarms. Those who broke the regulations can be subjected to fines and prosecution.

Gilligan says the operation will ensure that pubs and clubs are aware that they must ensure the safety of  all of their patrons and staff.  The operation is set to be continuous and those who endanger their patrons may not only face fines  but also immediate closure.

Source : http://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/about_newcastle/news_and_events/media_releases/media_releases/fire_safety_targeted_in_pubs_and_clubs

Human Resource Executive Sues Pacific Brands

Salley Berkeley is former executive currently in the middle of a unlawful dismissal lawsuit against Pacific Brands,   her former place of employment. The lawsuit for  $9 million was filed after  the human resources manager, found herself and her staff dismissed from their jobs. Apparently 10 HR staff members at Pacific Brands’ office will eventually lose their jobs.

Ms. Berkely claims that she’d complained to her HR manager, Melanie Allbion, about Ross Taylor (head of the underwear department at the company) who she claims bullied her. Pacific Brands has outright denied any allegations of bullying despite Berkeleys version of the events.

Berkeley had apparently requested a pay raise after being appointed to a new managerial position
According to documents presented in the lawsuit, Ms.Allibon purportedly told Berkeley that there was no more money and the options were that either she took the job or she didn’t.

Ms. Allibon also apparently supported Taylor after receiving a very negative email from Berkeley containing comments from her staff regarding their desire for a pay raise.

Taylor was (according to documents) apparently very upset over the email he received and has yet to overcome it.
A directions hearing is set for the 22nd of July.

A Human Resources department deals with issues such as equal opportunity employment, harassment and workplace bullying.

OHS Training – Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Training Now Available Online

Every shore-side worker dealing with dangerous goods transportation will be excited to learn that they can now take the proper (and required) Dangerous Goods (IMDG) training courses online with AlertForce.com.au.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 05, 2011 – Australia’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) training company, AlertForce, is currently the only company that offers online Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) approved Dangerous Goods training courses for Amendment 35-10 of the IMDG code (see: http://www.amsa.gov.au/Shipping_Safety/cargoes_and_dange …).

Since Amendment 34 of the IMDG Code, these courses became mandatory for any shore-side employee who works with dangerous goods transported by the sea.

“Failing to complete this training can result in delays, fines, or rejected consignments. By taking part in these regulation-approved online training classes, companies can ensure that their reputation is secure and intact.” said company founder, Brendan Torazzi.

Since the training courses are online, AlertForce has created a cost effective way to get the proper occupational health- and-safety training courses for a variety shore-side professions such as:

– Container Packers and Consolidators
– Port Staff
– Shippers and Forwarders
– Shipping Line Operations and Booking Staff
– Stevedores
– Cargo Surveyors

The courses in the IMDG training focus on aspects such as; descriptions of various dangerous goods classes, labeling, marking, stowing, and packing. Everyone enrolled in training will be taught the functions that pertain to their daily professions.

The Dangerous Goods safety training class is $225.00. Upon signing up for the class you will receive your login details and tax invoice via email. Any company that is involved in exporting shipping Dangerous Goods overseas (including Tasmania) and needs to produce MO41’s is affected by the AMSA requirements and requires training.

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AlertForce (https://alertforce.com.au) specialises in delivering fast, competency-based, interactive short online courses to mitigate risk and health and safety hazards in Australian workplaces.

Source: http://www.prlog.org/11570593-ohs-training-dangerous-goods-imdg-training-now-available-online.html

Food Safety Supervisors: Mandatory Training Required by October

All NSW Food Businesses Require Mandatory Government Training By October 1, 2011

Under the regulations set forth by the NSW Food Authority, many hospitality and food retail businesses are running out of time to appoint a trained Food Safety Supervisor to their businesses. By October, 1 2011 a large number of businesses involved with the preparing and selling of food, must not only appoint a trained safety supervisor but, must notify the proper enforcement agency (usually the local council) or face fines and perhaps in some cases prosecution.

How Many Food Safety Supervisors Does My Business Need?

The number of food safety supervisors you need depends on your business. For example, a supermarket chain needs at least one food safety supervisor per location. While a single restaurant only needs one supervisor for the restaurant regardless of the number of shifts.

Who Is The Food Safety Supervisor?

The food safety supervisor is appointed by the owner. In a small businesses the owner may appoint himself, in larger businesses it could be the manager, head cook or someone who is specifically hired for the job of being the food safety supervisor. Regardless of who the supervisor is he must have the required training for the job and the certificate to prove it.

The training for the food safety supervisor is over and above the training that is require by all food handlers to take. The training must be completed through a recognize training organization and the supervisor must show the skills and competence necessary to be awarded a Food Safety supervisor certificate that is valid for 5 years after which time a refresher course is required to renew the certificate.

Once a qualified food supervisor is appointed, the owner must notify the relevant enforcement agency within 7 days of the appointment giving them details of the Supervisor. The supervisor then has the authority to supervise and train all food handlers in food safety.

The business must also keep the certificate on file and present it when requested during a food safety inspection.

If for any reason your Food Safety Supervisor leaves your employ you must appoint a new supervisor within 30 days and notify the appropriate enforcement agency of that change.

What Businesses Are Affected By This Regulation

With a few exceptions most of the businesses dealing with hospitality and food retail will be affected by this new law. That includes the following businesses:

• Restaurants
• Cafes
• Takeaway shops
• stationary and mobil caterers
• bakeries
• pubs
• clubs
• hotels
• Temporary food premises such as food stalls at festivals and community events
• mobil food vendors (those selling food from a truck)
• supermarkets that sell hot food.

What Happens If My Business Fails To Meet The October 1, 2011 Deadline?

You can fail to comply with these regulations in 4 ways.

1. You fail to appoint a new Food Safety Supervisor within 30 days of the original or last supervisor leaving.
2. You fail to notify the relevant agency of the food supervisor within 7 days of their appointment.
3. Business does not notify the relevant agency within 7 days of the business becoming aware of the change in details of the food safety supervisor.
4. Business fails to keep a copy of the FSS certificate on the premises and does not produce it when requested during inspections.

These failures to comply can result in fines of up to $330 for an individual or $660 for a registered company. In addition according to the 2003 regulations serious breaches may be prosecuted as well.

The changes in regulations and the appointment of a Food Safety Supervisor is necessary to help ensure that proper food handling and safety measures are maintained on a day to day basis. A trained food safety supervisor will need to know the safe way to handle food as it applies to all staff.

The owner will still be responsible for any breaches in food safety. By ensuring that a supervisor is available to supervise, instruct and maintain the proper handling of the food it is the hope of the NSW food authority that everyone will benefit from this new regulation and provide for a safer work environment both for those handling the food and the customers who eat the food.

Manual Handling: Different Courses For Different Jobs

What do health care professionals, dockworkers, construction workers and office workers all have in common? Most are required to do at least some heavy and awkward lifting. Therefore, it is important to know how to lift and move heavy or awkward objects without causing injury to oneself.

Of course, lifting a patient and moving them from a bed to a chair isn’t the same as lifting and carrying a half dozen 8 by ten boards and that is why there are different manual handling courses for different types of jobs. While the basics of manual handling remain virtually the same, you don’t lift things all in the same manner and the different types of risks can’t be minimized in the same way.

While a winch may make lifting that heavy load easier in a warehouse or on a construction site, it isn’t going to do the job in an office nor a home for the elderly. So courses need to be designed to address the special issues and problems in the different fields.

Manual Handling Tips For Employees

While many people think that manual handling courses are designed to help ensure that employers are in compliance with their need to evaluate the risk of manual handling to their employees and minimize the risk as much as possible, these courses are also geared towards giving employees tips in lifting and other techniques that will help them to minimize their own risk as well.

Safety in the workplace is a joint effort and manual handling classes are geared just towards helping the employer and the employee jointly understand how to recognize, report, evaluate and minimize the risk creating a safer work environment for all concerned.

That is why manual handling classes go beyond the mere basics and actually design classes to help employers and employees in individual fields deal with those issues that are relevant to them. After all dealing with patients is far different than dealing with a box of printer paper and the ways of lifting them are different as well.

In fact, in the health care profession, the risk of injury is not just to the employee but the patient as well and this issue is unique to that field and an important issue to be addressed. However, learning the proper way to move a patient isn’t going to be of much interest or use to that warehouse worker who spends his day loading and unloading crates nor to that construction worker who needs to get those roofing tiles raised to a roof.

By designing specific manual handling courses for specific trades it is possible to cover more issues that are pertinent to the individual business rather than simply give generalized information that may be of little benefit to anyone. By individualizing each manual handling course, you are increasing safety for each profession.

So if you need to take a manual handling course look for one that is specifically designed for your field. Not only will you get the most for your money that way but you will also have more information in which to help create a better and safer work environment.

Warehouse Safety: Hay Processing Plant fined 10,000 for Injury.

A man from Muchea, West Australia has suffered an injury to his arm after catching it in a hay-baling machine.

Hay Australia Pty Ltd has plead guilty to charges of failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment for its employee. The company was subsequently fined $10,000.

Hay Australia’s business is mainly breaking down large bales of hay into smaller ones, which are then exported.The process of breaking the bales down involves organizing bales into “good bales” and “bad bales” and then sending them to an accumulator where they are then pushed down by a hydraulic rams into individual stacks and then picked up by a forklift.

Working from Heights Incident

The incident involving the injured man occurred when he noticed a conveyor being blocked. After attempting to fix the problem a fallen bale caught the man’s sleeve and pulled his arm between the bale and the accumulator.

The ram then caught the man’s right forearm and fractured it.

WorkSafe commission for West Australia said the incident is another reminder of the importance of guarding machinery and locking it before attempting any repairs or modifications.The commissioner indicated that the proper warehouse safety training is available, and it is disappointing to continuously hear of similar cases happening.

Source: http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/Corporate/Media/statements/2011/June/Hay_processing_plant_fined.html

Warehouse Safety: Two Companies Fined $193,000

Manufacturers fined 193,000 for injured employees.

In 2007 three men suffered serious injuries after a one-tonne pallet fell on top of them. Recently, the two companies, Zac Pac and J.I.T Offset have been fined for $193,000 and ordered to pay legal costs for the injuries of the men .  Both companies operate in the same facility in Ingleburn Sydney.

The incident occurred when the three men were attempting to clean up fallen sheet metal until two and half pallets (weighing more than a tonne) fell onto all three of them.

Two of the workers suffered from soft-tissue damage and lower-back muscle problems along with cuts and bruises. The other gentleman fractured his spine, dislocated and fractured his elbow, and sustained cuts and bruises to his head. As a result, the worker was not able to work for two months.

An investigation by WorkCover determined that the safety precautions at the facility were insufficient and that this type of injury was predictable and preventable.

The investigation also determined that the companies had failed to provide safe work practices to the employees, failed to conduct risk assessments, failed to provide warehouse safety training, failed to provide sufficient supervision, and failed to inform the employees of the potential risks.

Source  : http://www.mathandling.com.au/news/nsw-manufacturers-fined-193000-after-pallets-fal

Thanks to OHS Training, Workplace Deaths Have Fallen

Australia’s workplace deaths have dropped by more than 25 percent in the past year. In the last year the number of workplace deaths have dropped from 111 from its previous number, 151.

The number of injuries or illnesses have also dropped slightly from six percent to five percent .

Occupational Health and Safety

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has indicated that the decrease can be attributed to a stronger focus by both the government and employers in ensuring that employees enrolled in occupational health and safety training courses.

This trend of decreasing rates of fatalities and injuries must continue in order to adhere to the reduction targets in place.

According to the ABS, most of the fatalities at work were of people between the ages 35 and 54. 80 percent of the deaths were in industries such as construction, agriculture, manufacturing, transport, and mining. The ABS has singled out transport workers, tradespersons or labourers as the professions in which a majority (over 75 percent) of the accidents occur.

Interestingly, the most common causes of fatalities were cases involving transport accidents, falling from heights, or being struck by falling or moving objects.

The Report also indicated that men between the ages of 45 and 54 were more likely than women to suffer an injury.

Source:  http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/workplace-deaths-down-by-a-quarter-abs-20110629-1gqi4.html

Perth: Painting Company Fined After Worker Falls Working from Heights

Matrics Painting pleaded guilty to failing to provide their employee with a safe work environment thereby causing serious bodily harm to the worker. The company was subsequently fined $15,000.

The worker was tasked with painting a building and was 5.63 meters when he fell from the scaffolding. The director of the company was assisting the employee until the director stepped down from the scaffolding, leaving his employee.

The director then proceeded to adjust the scaffolding, which caused it fall over with the employee still on top.The employee suffered serious injuries to his legs.The director broke the Code of Practices for scaffolding when he adjusted it while an employee was still occupying it.

The WorkSafe Commissioner for the area said safe systems must be implemented when there is a risk of somebody falling.  The Commissioner also shed light on the fact that 15 workers have died in less than four years after falling from working at heights.

Source: http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/Corporate/Media/statements/2011/June/Painting_company_fined_15000_o.html

New OHS Training Asbestos Awareness & Owner Builder Courses Launched

AlertForce, a registered training organisation (NTIS 91826) of NSW has officially announced the launch of two new OHS training courses to their online portfolio which include an asbestos awareness removal course and an owner builder course.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Jun 28, 2011 – The Asbestos Awareness & Owner Builder NSW course are both online courses that are designed to provide short interactive training to mitigate Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) risks in the workplace in order to help companies and individuals meet the new OHS training mandatory compliance guidelines. They are open to individuals, companies, and sales channel partners who wish to keep updated in these fields.

AlertForce is one of the few organisations in NSW that offers OHS training online in order to help companies meet OHS training compliance guidelines in a more convenient and organized manner. Allowing individuals and corporations to take this training in their spare time without the necessity or expense of traveling or the hassles of trying to fit training sessions around business and work commitments.

The new Asbestos training is actually offered in two training sessions. A short asbestos awareness training that provides the skills necessary to trade persons, employees and those controlling work premises to identify asbestos or possible asbestos containing materials and ensure that proper steps are taken to reduce the risks posed by this material. The Asbestos B removal training will allow competent persons to remove bonded asbestos. Successful completion of this course will allow competent people to receive their Queensland class B asbestos removal license. It will also allow residence of other states to use this license as evidence to obtain relevant worksafe or workcover licenses.

The new Owner Builder NSW course will give those who are planning to build their own homes or do major renovations to their older homes the skills, knowledge, and information needed to meet the OHS owner builder regulations and guidelines competently and safely. This training is require by all persons who plan on building their own home or doing renovations valued at more than $12,000.

For more information about these OHS courses visit AlertForce at: https://alertforce.com.au

# # #

AlertForce specialises in delivering fast, competency-based, interactive short online OHS training courses to mitigate risk and health and safety hazards in Australian workplaces.

— end —

Press Release can be found here: http://www.prlog.org/11561985-new-ohs-training-courses-launched-online-for-australia-asbestos-awareness-removal-owner-builder.html

Confined Space Training: No Little Thing

Laymen probably shake their head in confusion when they hear about confined space training and the first thing that pops into their minds is those small work cubicles in their office. They really don’t think of the thousands of people each day who go into manholes, underground vaults, silos and numerous other places. Even if these places came to mind, they probably wouldn’t be aware of the hazard’s these people face. Nor do they understand that a confined space does not have to be small only have a limited way to get in and out and pose dangers from gases and lack of oxygen.

Each year lives are lost because people were not aware of the risks and dangers posed by confined spaces, but before confined space training became mandatory far more lives were lost. Thanks to these training courses, workers now understand not only the dangers they face but also how to test for many of these dangers and even what to do to deal with them.

Reasons Why People Go Into Confined Spaces

There are many reasons why employees need to enter confined spaces. In some cases, they need to make repairs or conduct inspections or installations. In other cases, emergency personnel may need to go into a confined space to cut off gas lines or conduct a rescue.

At one time people were sent to do this type of work without knowing all the risks or how to minimize them. Today the confined space training not only makes employers and employees aware of the risks involved but also insures that they know how to operate the necessary equipment that will make entering these places and performing their jobs safer.

Hands On Experience In A Safe Environment

One of the best aspects of confined space training is that people taking the training actually get hands on experience in a confined space environment without all the hazards of course. This part of the training not only gives employees practice in a confined space but can also actually help employers identify employees who may not be suited to this kind of work.

There are literally hundreds of people who suffer from claustrophobia and don’t even know it until they are put to the test and then they panic putting themselves and possibly others at risk. By actually getting to practice in a confined space employers can actually see if any of their employees suffer from such problems and if so can then elect to place them in jobs where they are less likely to panic.

These people who go under our streets, into silos and vaults in order to install lines and pipes, make inspections and repairs are doing a service for their community. Confined space training allows them to do that service in a safer manner that benefits them and us all.

Working in confined spaces is not a job for everyone but, those who do it and do it well deserve to be well trained and safe.

Dangerous Goods Training: The Follow Through

Dangerous good training programs are extremely helpful in covering the rules and the regulations for everyone involved in working with dangerous goods but this training also covers the proper way to store, handle and transport these goods so that they pose less of a risk to your employees, your company, the waterways and the public at large.

However, because this training covers a lot of material in a small amount of time following through on the dangerous goods training at your own company will help ensure that you are not only in compliance with all the rules and regulations but that you are ensuring the safety of your employees as well.

If you are looking for some easy and low cost ways to follow through on that dangerous goods training here are some tips that can help you do that.

Posting The Important Main Points Up In Specific Work Areas

Using posters that serve as reminders and check lists can help employees remember the main points they learned in their dangerous goods training. For example, in the storage area you can post up signs reminding employees of special storage safety procedures, checking seals and where and how they can store containers containing dangerous goods.

Posters can also be used in the transport/shipping area as well. Reminders to wear safety clothing and to wash properly may seem a bit silly but can do wonders to increase the safety of handling dangerous materials.

Manual Handling Spot Checks

Spot checks can alert you to any mishandling of dangerous materials and is a great way to follow through on that dangerous materials training. It also has the added advantage of keeping those employees who tend to get lazy and take short cuts on their toes and complete their jobs properly for fear of sanctions such as time off work for being careless.

The Benefits Of Follow Through To You The Employer

Taking time to follow through on that Dangerous goods training has many benefits for your company. First if you keep records of your spot checks and post reminders on the handling and transport of these goods and an accident happens you have proof that you exercised due diligence in trying to protect your employees and the community.

Second, failure to comply with the rules and regulations of handling and transporting dangerous goods can cost you a ton of money both in fines and hold up on transporting. By following through the training, you are much more likely to stay in compliance than you are by simply just assuming that everyone understands what they learned and are applying it.

Third, by following through on the training you will earn the reputation of someone who really cares about their employees and the public’s well fare. In the long run, this may well lead to more business as people and other businesses will see you as someone to trust.

So take that Dangerous Goods Training one step further and follow through by spot checks and reminders and create a safer environment for all.

Make Manual Handling Training Courses More Relevant

How Good Record Keeping, Frequent Re-Evaluation, And The Old Fashioned Suggestion Box Can Make Manual Handling Training Courses More Relevant.

Manual handling training courses are designed to help cut down on work place injuries and the risk of work place injuries for those who need to those who need to physically handle heavy materials in the course of their work. Manual handling courses are offered for the health care industries, office workers, warehouse personnel, and the construction industry.

While manual training courses are great at making sure that employers know their duties as far as finding ways to make manually handling of materials less stressful on the worker as well as making the worker aware of different things that can reduce the risk of manually moving materials, these courses are not going to significantly reduce work place injuries in and by themselves. It is going to take some real hands on experience (pardon the pun) to make these manual training courses truly effective.

It All Start With Record Keeping

Almost all companies have one or two problem areas where the risk of injury seems higher than anywhere else. By keeping good records, you can pinpoint these areas and then set out to discover why more injuries are occurring at these points or with specific jobs. By targeting these specific problems and finding ways to make handling the materials here easier and safer, you can reduce your injuries and risk of injuries significantly.

This will result in your employees missing less time, better overall production, and you will save money in the long run.

Frequent Re-Evaluation

Making changes to make handling those heavy loads easier is one thing but following up on those changes to make sure that they are really making a difference is important as well. By taking the time to frequently re-evaluated safety measures and given situations, you are able to better pinpoint those changes that work and those that don’t. In those rare cases where the cure turns out to be worse than the initial problem, you can go back and try something new and hopefully safety.

The Suggestion Box

If you really want to make those manual handling courses count then try putting up a suggestion box. The fact is that the employee is the person who is required to manually handle materials on a day-to-day basis and they may simply see risks and solutions that you as the employer may not. By allowing your employees have some say in the safety of their work environment, they will feel more a part of the company and the solution. In fact, by allowing your employees to have that say in their safety you just might discover that bogus claims of injury fall as well as those legitimate ones.

While manual handling courses are necessary and beneficial it what you as a company does after the course is completed that is going to make the real difference. Having a safe work environment not only leads to more employee satisfaction in the long run but it can also save you money.

Why you need Asbestos Awareness?

Most people think that because there has been a concentrated effort towards asbestos awareness that the problems regarding asbestos are a thing of the past or at least declining. Sadly, this is not the case, due to the long number of years between asbestos exposure and the development of problems experts believe this problem is going to be with us for many years to come.

For that reason, it is essential that asbestos awareness continue both in terms of safety and helping those suffering from Asbestos exposure.

Each year new young people join the workforce. These younger people may simply be unaware of the dangers that asbestos exposure poses for them in the workplace or their home. For that reason, we need to keep reviewing our asbestos awareness programs in order to prevent yet another generation from being exposed to this deadly material. Making those new to the workforce understand the dangers of asbestos and assuring that they know how to safely handle this material will save money and lives down the road.

In addition asbestos awareness should make people aware if they have work related asbestos diseases the dust disease board stands willing and ready to help their families. Knowing where to go to get the help you need is an important part of any asbestos awareness program and can provide help and hope for those suffering from asbestos related diseases and their families.

The Risk Of Asbestos Still Exists

It is also necessary to keep in mind that the dangers of asbestos still exist. While asbestos has been removed from many older buildings, schools, and public places there are still older factors, ships and other places that still contain asbestos. As long as asbestos and asbestos-based products are still around the risk will continue. Therefore, it is essential that Asbestos awareness programs continue in order to provide valuable information regarding this material. Making sure that your employees are aware of these risks and know exactly what to do to report and minimize the risk of asbestos related diseases is essential to protecting your employees and guarding their welfare both now and in the future.

Don’t wait until the next Asbestos awareness week to address this issue with new employees make sure that they know and understand the risks now. Forewarned is forearmed so they say. So make sure that each and every one of your employees has the knowledge they need to protect themselves.

Don’t Stop Your Efforts

Most importantly it is important that no company stop their Asbestos awareness efforts as experts predict that this problem will be on the rise until at least 2018. Making your employees aware of this problem, the risks and the help that is available can ensure that future generations are safer and healthier than the ones that have gone before.

In the long run, it will save your company, your community and all of Australia millions of dollars that is now being spent to address and deal with this problem. This is something we all need to do together.

5 Reasons Why Your Business Needs Manual Handling Training

Did you know that over 30% of the injuries happen in the workplace?  Injuries can be really damaging to business owners as they will have to compensate for the injuries, have their insurance premiums go up, and will lose the manpower they need to run their business.  That’s why businesses need manual handling training to prevent these kinds of accidents.

It is estimated that work place injury costs around $373 million to businesses in New South Wales alone.  Businesses need to be aware of how workplace injury can affect them.  It may seem like training may be unnecessary for your particular business but you always want to be prepared for the worst case scenario.

Here are the top 5 reasons:

The first reason is that you will lose the manpower you need to run your business. When your workers are injured, your business will slow down and somebody will have to work extra hours to make up for the missing person.  The extra hours means that you have to pay for overtime, costing you extra money.  A manual handling course really can make a big difference.

The second reason why manual handling training is important is because of insurance rates.  When workers get injured on the job, the compensation premiums will go up.  This will eat out the profits of your business.  Getting the training will help prevent injuries and therefore reduces your rates.  In order to find out more, you should speak to your insurance company once you have put a training plan in place.

The third reason why you should consider a manual handling course is because of the regulation fines in Australia.  Various states such as New South Wales require that you there are training in place.  If it is found that there was no training, your business could be fined.  On top of worker turnover, this is another cost that you want to avoid.

The fourth reason is that training also improves worker morale.  Training programs encourage teamwork and when your workers know that they you have their best interests at heart, morale will go up.  Workers will also be able to help each other point out mistakes and contribute to the overall well being of the team.

The fifth reason your business needs manual handling training is because your productivity will improve. Employees will be able to transport objects faster and for a longer time if they know how to properly lift, push, carry, hold, or pull objects.  This will improve your investment into your employees.

As you can see, there is simply no reason why you shouldn’t make a manual handling course mandatory for your business.  Aside from avoiding fines and cutting your risk, you are also improving your business functions and protecting your team.  You should talk with a instructor or business that can train your employees for you so you can make it effective as soon as possible.

The Latest Amendment 35-10 of The IMDG Code Affects Businesses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

http://www.prlog.org/11530750-the-latest-amendment-35-10-of-the-imdg-code-affects-businesses.html

AlertForce is Now a Registered Training Organisation in OHS Training

Potts Point, New South Wales  April 21, 2011 –

Especially in our ever more litigious age, occupational health and safety issues are more important than ever. There are always dangers in the workplace, in some industries more so than in others – but regardless of the type of business, proper safety training is always a must.

Naturally, businesses seek out workplace health and safety training from firms which have a long track record of success and comply with all applicable regulations – and Alertforce, one of the most experienced OHS firms in Australia has just announced that it has received certification as a Registered Training Organization.

Alertforce has a sterling reputation as one of the nation’s leading OHS training firms and given its twenty year history in the business and the recent RTO certification, it is uniquely well positioned to provide Australian businesses with the occupational health and safety training their employees need to perform their tasks efficiently and even more importantly, safely and in compliance with national and local regulations.

Alertforce has in-depth expertise in occupational safety training in the areas of electrical safety, confined spaces, fire safety, food safety, forklift and warehouse safety as well as office safety, just to name a few of Alertforce’s many OHS training specialties. The firm is designed to be able to offer the necessary training in workplace safety issues to businesses across all economic sectors and is a well known quantity in occupational safety. With their announcement of RTO certification, Alertforce has managed to raise their profile even higher; and it is clear that this is a firm which has as bright of a future ahead of it as it does a successful past.

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AlertForce specialise in compliance training for Workplace Health and Safety. AlertForce are now an Registered Training Organisation (NTIS 91826).

For more information on Alert Force, please visit https://alertforce.com.au

Media Contact:

AlertForce
G05/1a Tusculum Street
Potts Point NSW 2011
Phone: 1300 627 246
Fax: 02 9012 0684
https://alertforce.com.au/contact/

Owner Builder Course: For The Ultimate Do It Yourselfer

Are you pretty handy with a hammer and nails? Have you always wanted to try your hand at building your own hunting retreat or buying that old house and fixing it up yourself? If so, the Owner Builder Course NSW was designed specifically for you.

The owner builder course is a requirement for those of you who live in NSW and want to build your own house or do renovation work costing more than $12,000. However, there is a lot of important information that you get from this course that will make your building project go much smoother.

In the Owner Builder Course NSW You will learn:

• What licenses you need to apply
• How to deal with hazardous waste
• How to negotiate for the best deals on lumber and other items you need

And you also learn about hiring sub-contractors for installing electric, gas lines and other essential parts needed to make your home complete. Best of all you can complete most of the course online.

Building or renovating your home is the ultimate do it yourself project and the Owner Builder course gives you all the information you need to do the job well. Not only does this course cover the laws and regulations related to the building trade. But it will teach you how to plan your work, budget your time and read and understand building plans and specifications.

By the time you finish this course, you will have the information you need to tackle this once in a lifetime project and do it with confidence.

The owner builder course will make it possible for you to turn that dream into a reality and for many people it turns out to be one of the best experiences of their lives.

Even If You’re Not Planning To Build Or Renovate Your Own Home, This Course Can Save You Money

Even if you are not planning to actually build or renovate your home yourself, the owner builder course can save you a lot of money. Many construction companies get their building materials cheap and then mark them up for you, that cost added to the labor can really be significant. By taking this course, you can negotiate for the materials yourself, saving that extra money you are being charged.

Since construction companies bill you for all the work they do, you often end up paying labor costs for someone who is waiting in line to get the proper permits and licenses. By knowing what you need and getting them yourself you are only going to be paying the construction company for the actual time they spend working on your house not waiting in line.

So whether you have dreams of doing the work yourself or just a desire to save thousands of dollars in needless expense the owner builder course is just what you need to make it all happen. What’s even better is that you will be learning a lot of new and interesting things about building.

Fatigue Prevention with Proper Management & Awareness Training

With more and more people working longer and longer hours, fatigue in the workplace has become a real concern. Courses on Fatigue management teach how to assess the risk of injury or financial loss and ways of lowering that risk.

While assessing these risks are important, and everything possible needs to be done to mitigate these risks, one very important aspect of risk management seems to be getting less attention than it deserves. That is: preventing fatigue in the first place.

Fatigue is the Problem: But Why?

The problem is that even though fatigue causes problems in the work environment, lowering production and increasing the chances of accidents not all “causes” of fatigue are work related. Poor sleeping habits due to a newborn or stress at home can lead to fatigue that can affect job performance. When you combine these causes with those work related causes that leads to fatigue then prevention becomes a pretty tricky issue.

However, there are still things that you can do that will lessen or prevent fatigue in some cases, which will result in a more productive and safer work environment.

Here are just a few low cost things your business can do to help lessen or prevent fatigue:

• Rotate jobs whenever possible during the workday. Changing jobs two or three times a day helps employees stay “fresh” and more alert. Of course, there are some jobs where this is impossible but whenever it is possible it could result in your employees feeling less fatigue.
• Break Time Exercise Opportunities. Getting outside in the fresh air or simply getting a bit of exercise during breaks can help fight off that fatigue. Placing a basketball hoop in a convenient location or even supplying a place where employees can sit at a picnic table can help fight fatigue and re-energize someone before they get too tired.
• The Scent of Citrus. As silly as it may sound aroma therapy has proven to work and the scent of citrus can clear the mind and make your employees feel more energetic. You can use citrus candles in the lunchroom or waft a citrus scent through work areas to help your employees feel less tired.
• Prepare a handout for getting sufficient sleep at home. You can also do a little research and prepare a handout for all your employees that gives them tips for combating stress and offering ways to relax and ideas that promotes more restful sleep at home.
• Encourage your employees to come to you when they feel fatigued. If your employees feel that they can come to you when they are feeling overwhelmed with fatigue, the chances are that you can deal with the situation before an accident occurs and someone gets injured or worse.

Doing what you can and taking a few small steps that may help reduce or eliminate fatigue before it occurs can help make your fatigue management plan go that much smoother and save you and your employees money in lost wages, financially expensive mistakes, injury or worse.

Fatigue Management Training a Must for Garbos

Today’s story on Sydney’s garbage truck drivers illustrates the need to have sound fatigue management practices in place for truck drivers. Former garbage truck drivers said they were required to work marathon shifts, which lead to fatigue related mistakes. They said they were on the road regularly for 14 hours and sometimes up to 17 hours.

Garbage truck driver Tony Farrow was dismissed when he refused to keep driving on a particularly long shift. He said he was constantly working 14-15 hour shifts. Driving a 22 tonne garbage truck is not like driving a car, when your manoeuvring the vehicle you only have a little room for error and when you are fatigued you start making little mistakes, which can be very unsafe for everyone.

Heavy vehicle drivers need to get fatigue management training

Heavy vehicle drivers such as garbage truck drivers are the most affected by fatigue related causes. This is because they work long hours in their line of work. Fatigue management is an important aspect of ensuring that we function at optimal rates. It is important for heavy vehicle drivers to undergo fatigue management training to obtain proper fatigue management skills.

The Transport Workers Union said that most of the council garbage drivers had no fatigue management training.

Under NSW law, truck drivers are allowed to work one 12-hour shift every 24 hours, or up to 14 hours if they and their employer have fatigue management training and accreditation.

Drivers and their employers should be trained in basic fatigue management training to manage fatigue. The training ensures both the drivers and employers have the knowledge of how fatigue arises and how to tackle cases of fatigue. Online fatigue management courses are a convenient way to get accreditation.

The Difference Between Asbestos Awareness and a B Class License

Asbestos is a dangerous material. Just how dangerous it may be depends a great deal on your exposure to it. Workers in certain fields where asbestos was once used as a matter of course may come in contact with this material unexpectedly in the course of their work. In other cases, there are people who remove this material from businesses for a living.

So What are the Key Differences?

The type of Asbestos training you need depends a great deal on the risk this material will expose you too. That is why it is important to understand the difference between Asbestos awareness training and the more detailed Asbestos training for a B class license. This will explain the key differences between the two types of training.

Objectives Of Asbestos B Class Training

The first key difference in the two types of training is the objective of the training itself. The objective of the Asbestos training for a Class B license deals with actual asbestos removal. The people who take this training are people who know what bonded asbestos looks like and already have had some experience dealing with asbestos.

Asbestos awareness training does not deal with asbestos removal but rather keeping workers safe who may hold jobs where they may run into asbestos in the course of their work. This training is geared towards teaching workers how to recognize the presence of asbestos rather than removing it as a matter of course.

What Asbestos Awareness Training Focuses On

Asbestos awareness training focuses on a worker being able to recognize what asbestos material looks like, the likely place where it may be found in the course of their work, and what action they should take should they run into this material in terms of reducing their risks, reporting the asbestos etc.

This course’s main focus is on keeping workers from unknowingly subjecting themselves to the risk of asbestos exposure rather than focusing on the safe removal of the material.

What Asbestos Training For A B Class License Focuses On

Training for the B class license on the other hand focuses on the safe removal of the material by trained professionals. This training focuses on making sure that those actually dealing with asbestos removal knows how to control exposed asbestos material. Part of the training deals with how to minimize the risk of exposure to asbestos fibers, and ensuring that those taking the training know how to use the personal protection equipment that will help to minimize their exposure.

It should be remembered that Asbestos training for A B class license only deals with the removal of bonded asbestos materials such as fibro. Those wishing to remove unbonded asbestos will need to have training for an A class license.

Knowing which training course is right for you is not only necessary to be in compliance with the regulations dealing with this dangerous material but also in giving you the right training you need to reduce your risks and better perform your jobs.

Does the IMDG Code Affect My Business?

In most cases, people are creatures of habit and really aren’t fond of change, businesses especially hate change when it comes to the institution of new rules and regulations that have to be followed and learned. However, in the case of the IMDG code amendment 35-10 change may actually be a good thing for your business.

How Does The Latest Change in the IMDG Code Affect My Business?

The IMDG (International Maritime Dangerous Goods) code is a lengthy and complicated set of rules designed to prevent marine pollution and to protect our environment and our seas by seeing that proper precautions and emergency procedures are in place. Because of all the rules and regulations contained in this code, it is often difficult for businesses and those in their employ to fully understand all safety procedures involved. This can cause your business to lose time, money, and have a difficult time ensuring that all regulations of the code are enforced to guarantee the proper shipping of dangerous or hazardous goods.

The new IMDG amendment 35-10 is actually geared to helping ensure that all businesses and their employees understand and can apply the code. What this amendment does is make it a requirement for all people working with the shipping of dangerous material by water to have training in the code itself to ensure that those employees understand the code and can apply it when working with dangerous material.

In Australia, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority oversees that such training does take place and that all people who work with shipping dangerous materials by sea have taken the course and know and understand the regulations associated with their specific jobs.

Who Needs To Take This Dangerous Gods Training Course?

Everyone who is involved in the shipping of dangerous goods by vessel needs to take the dangerous goods training course. This includes shippers, container packers, booking staff, port staff, and cargo inspectors as well as anyone else who works in trades where the IMDG code applies.

Where Do I Have To Go To Take This Dangerous Gods Training Course?

The good news is that the IMDG amendment allows this course to be offered as an E course, which means that you can take it in the comfort of your home or from your work facility. The course is divided into segments. At the end of each segment, a test will be given to ensure that you are competent before moving on to the next segment. At the end, those who have successfully completed the course will be able to print off a certificate showing they have completed the required training.

How Do I Prove I Have Completed the Dangerous Gods Training Course?

The nice thing about this E Training is that it is less costly than classroom training would be, making it more affordable for business owners to ensure that all their employees have the required training necessary. It also allows each individual to complete training at their own pace, making it possible for them to take the training without taking time off from their jobs.

Overall, this change in the IMDG requirements will actually, help businesses involved with the shipping of dangerous materials ensure that they do so in a safe manner that is in compliance with the code. This may in the long run help to prevent accidents that could end up costing your business huge fines and a ruined reputation.

Book Your Dangerous Goods Training Now!

Who Should Become a NSW Owner Builder?

With the shaky economy and the slowly recovering job market, it has become necessary for many people to put off realizing their dreams or at least to find more cost efficient ways of realizing them. If you have been wanting to build that dream home or renovate that home you are already living in but, don’t have the money to buy the materials and pay the full cost of labor then you might want to look into becoming a NSW owner builder by taking an Owner Builder Course NSW

What Is A NSW Owner Builder?

For those of you who are not quite sure what a NSW owner builder is, it simply means that you live in the New South Wales area, own the home where the renovations are to be done or the property where the home is to be built and meet the qualifications set down by NSW department of Fair Trading to become an owner builder including taking a department of fair trading approved owner builder course to qualify to build your own home. This course must be taken through an accredited registered training organization so make sure that you are dealing with such an organization before signing up to take the course.

Of course, not everyone has the skill set or the desire to build or manage the building of their own home. However, many people who think that they lack the necessary skills find that after taking the NSW owner builder course have a clear understanding of what is required and some training on how to achieve their goals in the proper way find that becoming an owner builder is not only doable but, also makes sense.

What Are The Benefits Of Becoming An Owner Builder in NSW?

There are actually quite a few benefits to becoming an NSW owner builder. First is the cost savings. It is estimated that by building or at least controlling the building of your own home that you can save up to 30% of new building costs and up to 50% of the costs on major renovations. In addition, you will have control of the building project instead of leaving it the hands of some construction company that you know little about. Then of course, there is the sense of accomplishment that goes with taking on a really tough project and turning it into something you will live in for years to come.

What If I Have No Idea Where To Start as an Owner Builder?

A lot of people who have become a NSW home builder had no idea where to start in the beginning. That is one of purposes of the NSW owner builder course. This course will teach you about the skills and knowledge you need to tackle this new role. In addition, you will learn the basics of the home building act and why it was put in place.

The course also covers useful information about statutory and recommended insurances, what licenses you will need, contracts, the approval process, building materials and how to handle occupational and hazardous materials.

One of the great things about this course is that you can complete most of it online at your own pace although you will have to complete some work safety training in a physical environment.

Once you have completed the course you can then decide if becoming a NSW owner builder is right for you. If you decide it is not, at the very least you have a clearer understanding of what your building contractor should be doing and how he should be doing it. If you decide to tackle the project yourself, you will have the comfort of knowing that you have the acquired the skills and knowledge needed to get the job done right.

Book Your Owner Builder Course Now!

OHS Courses that Benefit Specific Industries

The National OHS Strategy of 2002 – 2012 outlines specific goals to achieve by 2012. In research, they have found that there are certain industries that file more Worker Compensation claims than others. These include building and construction, transport and storage, manufacturing, agriculture, forestry and fisheries and health and community services. Through awareness and OHS courses, the percentage of accidents and illnesses has steadily decreased since 2002.

OHS Courses Help with Company Safety

Understanding the types of safety that are most important in your industry can help you determine what form of OHS Courses will be most beneficial to your employees. For example, manual handling tasks account for more than 35% of the reported injuries in Australian workplaces. This course could apply to each of the industries listed above and many others, placing employees at risk. The Manual Handling Training Shift Materials Safely Using Manual Handling Methods – TLID107C is an excellent course that addresses skills in shifting loads, compliance according the legislative rules and certain control measures that should be put into place.

OHS Courses on Hazardous Substances

OHS Courses on Hazardous Substances is another training class that can help reduce injury from chemical burns, identifying substances and proper packaging. Those in the transport, warehousing, distribution and storage industries can gain knowledge into why handling of dangerous goods is critical to health. Material safety data sheets, labeling, placards and classes of substances will also be learned. Emergency equipment and processes should an accident occur if paramount in this type of exposure and a Hazardous Substances Course covers this as well.

OHS Courses Online

There are many companies that now offer OHS Courses online, through the mail or making visits to industries for hands on learning and demonstrations. Accredited certification can be obtained at the end of each course and quality employees to teach new hires. More basic programs are also available for learning the most recent changes of the OHS rules and regulations or basic first aid for certain types of injuries. These can be added as your employees become trained on OHS Courses as ongoing classes.

Select Your OHS Course Provider Carefully

Make sure that the company that you choose to provide materials for OHS Courses have been degreed and licensed in your particular trade. For instance, the team of PeopleSafe Australia has all worked previously for the Master Builders Association, making them a perfect match for the construction industry. Ongoing workshops are a way to keep your employees sharp and always aware of accidents if certain procedures are not performed.

Start by finding the course that yo u are looking for online.  Next, select a respected training company that has the background and credentials to get you started. Building a safer workplace is the ultimate goal and with everyone joining in, the National OHS Strategy will be a success by 2012.

Fatigue Management needed at Jetstar?

Wow the papers are all a buzz today with the ‘princesses’ emails circulated by management. Classic example of where fatigue management is not being taken seriously by some senior management. The letters border on workplace harassment and bullying. Read the following article from the Herald Sun – very interesting.

ONE of Australia’s most experienced pilots has defended his Jetstar colleagues, branded “princesses” in an email from a supervisor.

Qantas A380 pilot Captain Richard Woodward, who is also the vice-president of the Australian and International Pilots Association, said that concerns about fatigue were serious.

He said research showed pilots who were tired caused problems, and changes were needed to ensure that pilots were more alert and to improve passenger safety.

“That doesn’t mean there was an accident in the waiting, but it did mean the crew were tired and making mistakes,” he said.

“We are working with the airline to try to introduce a proper risk-management system,” Capt Woodward said.

The Jetstar pilots were sent an email ordering them to “toughen up, princesses” from a pilot manager after colleagues complained about being tired after flights between Perth and Singapore.

AlertForce are the experts in Fatigue Management Training. The road transport industry has been grilled since 2008 and before, it may be now time that aviation comes under similar scrutiny. You look at our fatigue management courses here.

Should we take the Owner Builder Course NSW?

The idea of becoming an owner builder is received by many people with mixed reactions. Many simply think they can’t become good owner builders while others ignore the idea feeling that it’s such a daunting task.

The advantages and benefits of building your home are include cutting costs that would have been incurred in hiring the services of a builder and giving your home the desired finish. However, being an owner builder requires that you have an owner builder permit. Owner builder permits are only issued to trained owner builders and this means that you have to take an owner builder course NSW.

How Long is the Owner Builder Course

The owner builder course takes a few days to complete for you to be competent. The Owner Builder course can be done online or by attending classes. The first step towards getting your owner builder permit, is to find the best institutions that offer the kind of owner builders course you are looking for. It is wise to consult widely by sourcing information either from friends or simply scouring the internet. You will find out that some institutions offer different designs of Owner Builder courses that are geared towards simply to getting through whilst others make obtaining your Owner Builder Permit a pleasant experience. Just like building, it may not be wise to go for the cheapest Owner Builder Course as you may pay extra in other ways – for example time taking to complete or costly mistakes whilst managing a project. By making a list of your concerns and requirements, you will roughly understand the available options for you.

Getting Your NSW Owner Builder Course

Remember that to obtain a  Owner Builder NSW Permit, you have to complete training from an accredited registered training organization (Course Code 91509 NSW Course in Owner Builder Compliance). This simply means that before you enrol yourself on any owner builder course in any of the institution across the country; ensure that the institution is accredited to offer such kind of training. The Owner builder NSW course consists of five modules that have to be covered comprehensively for you to be deemed competent. If you are doing the course online, it is mandatory requirement by WorkCover NSW that you complete CPCCOHS1001A: Work Safely in the construction industry (White Card) in a face-to-face environment.

After getting your owner builder permit, seek construction permits from your local authorities to avoid any disturbances when the construction has kicked off. At this point, you can do research about the recommended construction materials and get them delivered to your building site. Ascertain that you have the right quality and quantity of the building materials. This is necessary in a bid to avoid building faulty structures. As a good owner builder, it’s also advisable that you make a cost breakdown on your construction expenses. This will guide you to avoid running into financial damages while you are still at your construction. It is also strongly advised relevant insurance before you start your owner builder project.

Book Your Owner Builder Course NSW Now!

Harassment Training

If a person is extending behavior that is offensive, disturbing or threatening to you then this is known as harassment. Harassment can take place almost anywhere with a number of cases taking place in work environments and educational institutions. It is wise to know how to deal with this kind of behavior and that’s where harassment training comes in.

Like with illnesses where it is better to prevent the possibility of acquiring them, harassment training also aims at preventing the occurrence of such related acts. The training is structured to create awareness of what harassment is. The only way to understand how to deal with or avoid harassment is by understanding what exactly it entails and in what forms it presents itself. The training addresses the harassment process from when it presents itself to how someone can find themselves being victims of harassment. Harassment training extensively tackles how to deal with harassment including what measures a victim can take and what repercussions would be available to the party who initiated the harassment. The training also addresses the law’s standing on harassment matters and the process of filing a legal complaint.

The most common trainings offered, with regard to harassment, are sexual harassment training and Ethics and Code of conduct training. Sexual harassment involves behavior that is deemed as suggestive in a sexual manner, intimidating or geared towards coercing one into sexual activity. A number of work places have their staff go through this training since a record of 40 to 80 percent of women and 10 to 15 percent of men are likely to go through it in their working lives. Faculty members of most educational institutions are also required to go through sexual harassment training. The Ethics and code of conduct training is usually undertaken by employers and their employees. The code of conduct training is geared towards understanding how to relate to each other in a working environment without crossing the harassment line. It also instructs those undertaking it on how to carry out their designated roles according to company policies and within the legal scope.

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Food Safety

Supervisor Training (NSW legislation)

Although the main role of the Food Safety Supervisor is managing the client’s food facility, the food safety supervisor has a number of tasks that he has to fulfill. The supervisor can also be employed to look at food distributions or to monitor food packaging. In addition to that, he has to be dedicated to educate employees regarding the requirements of Food safety training. It is usually his role to give technical training to the employees in the food facility. This food safety training could include the administering of safety tests and all the safety information. Due to the every changing method in the food safety, the supervisor has to attend various lectures to augment their skills. The Food Safety Supervisor typically requires a food safety certificate.

The best food safety supervisor is required to hold a bachelors of Science degree. This should be in addition to 5 to 10 years of experiences in the field. The candidate must have good and coherent organizational skills as well as be able to book for travel arrangements. If planning to obtain a food safety certificate, it is imperative that one considers a few aspects of the school to ensure that it meets all the NSW legislation requirements.

The best food safety program usually has a two full courses. This food safety courses usually covers all the issues related to the field. This ranges from meat selection to food storage, cheese selection, fish and other foods. The students are also taught how to identify when the food is rotten, at the verge of being spoilt and when it is spoiled. This is a critical part for any training school in food safety.

The food services inspectors and the public health inspectors go through intense food safety training. These programs include microbiology as well as safe levels of the fungus, bacteria and other contaminants of the food. These safety personnel are also trained to conduct laboratory tests on the food offered on sales to help evaluate their safety levels. This leaves the aspirants with many job opportunities. Many people are moving to this career thereby leading to the formation of many schools offering the food safety training. However, care has to be taken when choosing the right school for ones training. The failure to comply with the NSW legislation can subsequently lead to a total waste of time.

The key to enrolling to a reputable school is checking their food safety certificates. The courses offered and the certification status of the school has to be checked. The level of the food safety certificate offered is dictated by the requirements of the program. Requirements vary from one state to the next. This means that one has to know the requirements of their area before enrolling to any school. Know if it meets all the requirements in the entire course.

The acquisition of one food safety certificate is not the end of the learning process. In most cases, the certificates expire only after a year. One will hence need a refresher course to maintain the certification. Most of the private training and community colleges offer the refresher courses. Make sure the training is current at all times.

Food Hygiene Certificate

The purpose for enroling in a food hygiene certificate course is to raise the understanding required to attain high levels of handling food. This needs to be done in a safe and hygienic manner. Upon completion of the food hygiene course, learners are expected to have acquired skills on a wide of techniques for ensuing that food safety is correctly observed. In addition to this, food handlers and food supervisors also learn the three crucial steps of food safety, which include the hazards, sources as well as the source of control.

Students are also expected to learn the desired temperatures for food storage and how to handle the same through the process of sale. They are also required to learn about food pests and how they can be controlled. This is coupled with principles that can be used to clean and disinfect the work place to prevent food contamination.

The First Step

Anyone who is interested in serving food to the masses must have a food hygiene certificate. This is regardless of whether they intend to run a 5 star restaurant, a public function or a fast food joint. This is because the rules of food hygiene applied are the same. It is also required by law to have some basic training as it safeguards the health of those eating from your food establishment. For this reason, this is the first step towards running any operative food business. A food hygiene certificate is important as it ensures that people do not face the risk of suffering from food poisoning once they eat your food. The food hygiene course teaches learners some of the imperative regulations that need to be followed when preparing food.

Online Training

Once you have decided to pursue some food hygiene courses, consider enroling in online classes. The internet has made it possible for people to attain a food hygiene certificate conveniently and flexibly. In essence, an individual is able to complete the entire training by using tutorials and online food hygiene course quizzes. Once through with the training, and deemed competent, you can get your food hygiene certificate online giving you the opportunity to operate without any issues. Note that the food hygiene certificate is only awarded and delivered to you if you successfully pass the exams. Some of the benefits associated with online training include the following.

• Flexibility: This is important as it gives you the time to study while sticking to your other commitments.
• Low cost: It gives you the opportunity to lower the costs of getting your food hygiene certificate.
• Legitimacy: If you choose legit food hygiene courses, you are guaranteed that they are registered and hence, you will eventually get your certificate upon completion of the course. As a result, you also get to a accredited food hygiene certificate that will be accepted if a health inspector comes calling.

What You Need To Know about Food Hygiene Courses

At this point, it is important to note that you need to be aware of the NSW food legislation which will come into force in 2011. Some 36,000 food businesses are expected to be affected. This is important as it contains some guide on food hygiene standards and addresses other issues like, labeling and packaging amongst others. Note that the most important aspect to remember at the end of the day is choosing a food hygiene certificate online program that meets all your needs.

Food Handling Certificate

Who needs a Food Handlers Certificate?

Food is a basic need that everyone needs to live and survive. As such, there are safety measures that are related to any food handler since it goes into your stomach and body. There are food safety programs that are available for people who plan to deal with and work in areas of food. The food handling certificate is a course (Accredited Food Handlers Certificate SITXOHS002A Follow workplace hygiene procedures) that is best suited to help people meet the legal obligations that are related to food safety. It is an important course for staff working in the food industry or any place where there is handling of food before it is served, especially to customers or clients. This food handling certificate is required in most states of Australia.

There is an online food handlers certificate that is meant to help those who cannot go for the physical classes. This program may take a shorter time as you potentially can do the food handling certificate from home. The food handlers certificate is typically completed in 2-4 hours. It has questions that you have to answer at the end of each quiz and upon completion, you can download proof of competency and a nationally accredited food handling certificate is posted to you in the mail. The process of getting a food handlers certificate is therefore quite straightforward.

This online Food Handling course can be paid for using the credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard or American These are available in different languages therefore you can choose the one that you are comfortable with. Express or by other methods as found on the website. This program provides the curriculum and testing methods that are valid for the food handling certificate. It has a food safety manual and materials for testing. Within the food handlers certificate course, text is narrated as well appearing in written form, therefore this may be helpful for people from non-English speaking backgrounds.

There are some basics for the food handlers certificate online that help to ensure that you are competent. Some of these basics include the fact that you have unlimited attempts at each quiz. Questions for the food handlers certificate come from a random bank so if you don’t get the answer right at first there is no need to worry, you just attempt the quiz again. You need to get 90 percent in all the quizzes in order to pass the course and your highest attempt is always recorded. The length of time it takes to complete the food handling course varies from 2 to 4 hours depending upon your skill, experience and computer literacy. You have 90 days to complete the course from your first login.

You don’t need to complete the online food handling certificate in one session. You may decide to save the progress you make anytime you answer the questions. The course is divided up into a series of modules and we advise you to aim to finish the food handlers module once you start one (each module lasts for approximately 10-15 minutes). Each of the food safety modules has a presentation and quiz that has to be completed. There is a function that allows you to pause in case you are unable to complete the session and therefore you can resume when you come back. The food handlers certificate is open to anyone who handles food.

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Drug and Alcohol Awareness

Compliance

The smooth flow of duties and responsibilities in the workplace can turn out to be messy if this is left to be done through without proper consultation and a risk management approach. This is why compliance training comes into the picture. It is the process of training and educating employees on the policies, rules and regulations that govern their daily obligations in the workplace. Most companies and organizations now spend time and money OHS Compliance issues in order to avoid costly injuries and/or law suits.

Compliance Training usually covers many topics of interest depending on the organization, the industry it operates within and its code of conduct or ethics. Some of the general areas that might be covered include methods of dealing with competitors, health and safety risks, how to protect the organization’s trade secrets, how to manage the companies records and various other regulations mandated by law. One will notice that some of these aspects are not just for mere smooth running of the company, but for its survival in the business field as well. Such issues like company’s secrets are what actually make it be unique and survive the tough competition.

Most companies, if not all, have their policies and procedures made available to all employees. But this is not usually enough especially as far as unforeseen circumstances are concerned. For example, in the case where an employee’s mistake puts the company on the defense line, despite the code of conduct stipulations, prior compliance training would always have the company and the employees prepared for this eventuality. It could also help to avoid such circumstances should there be tell-tale signs of such. Compliance training also serves the purpose of demonstrating an Employers Duty of Care as well as an audit trail that competencies have been achieved.

Other issues like workplace discrimination and harassment also serve to bring in respect while performing one’s responsibilities thereby avoiding conflicts. Therefore, the crucial role that compliance training offers cannot be overemphasized.

Bullying and Harassment Training

Many people these days find it hard to cope at the work place due to constant bullying and harassment from other workers. These activities affect a person mentally and even physically and as a result, the person does not deliver or perform well at work. In most instances, the victims do not actually know that they are being harassed, as some tend to think that these acts only involve physical contact. It is for this reason that there are number of bullying and harassment training courses offered to help those who are affected.

The work of these centers is to first enable one understand what these acts entail, what actions should be taken against those found treating others inappropriately. Harassment at work include acts like sending someone emails that are sexually suggestive, displaying offensive wallpapers or screen savers, making offensive or suggestive racial comments about someone, this comments may also touch on the other person’s religion, personal life and so on. Not only are these acts illegal but they also end up affecting the people subjected to them.

Bullying on the other hand can be defined as treating another person in a manner suggesting that they are less favored at the work place. This can be done either directly or indirectly through acts like yelling or screaming at someone, isolating certain employees from the rest, abuse (verbal and physical), intimidation, assigning employees meaningless or impossible to accomplish tasks, undermining other people’s performance by knowingly withholding important information and so on.

From this description, you can see that these acts have more to them that most people may not know. That is why it is important that people are trained in order to have knowledge on what bullying and harassment training entails. Bullying and harassment training is fit for both the employers and the employees, as it will also enlighten them on what the law says about these issues.

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Basic Fatigue Management

Fatigue is a kind of tiredness that can be both physical and psychological and it can take time to repay lost sleep (known as a sleep debt). For physical fatigue, one is not able to perform physically as he used to do before having the condition, and for psychological fatigue, concentration ability is altered. On-going fatigue can easily weaken the immune system of an individual and hence making that person susceptible to diseases and ailments. Even then, fatigue can be considered important as it warns the body of about an impending problem. Fatigue can be caused by poor nutrition, poor lifestyle and lack of enough rest, depression, anemia, low hormone levels and other disease infections. We like to say that sleep is the golden thread that ties your health together.

Basic fatigue management is a program that allows operators (usually those involved in transportation industry like truck drivers) flexibility between working hours and rest hours. The Basic Fatigue Management program does this by training you on the risks that are associated with long working hours and night hours to ensure that they are properly managed (TLIF1007C Apply Fatigue Management Strategies). In short, basic fatigue management allows a driver to work up to 14 hours per day. Through fatigue risk management alterations can be made to reduce the risks involved with fatigue. Companies must also become accredited with State Transport Authorities before applying for basic fatigue management accreditation. The requirements are numerous but the basic of all is that an operator must create and maintain a fatigue management system that will meet the six basic fatigue management standards that can be audited. The six basic fatigue management standards include rosters and schedules, fitness for duty, knowledge and awareness of fatigue management, duties and responsibilities of operators, documentation and records and finally a review that verifies that activities are in line with the fatigue management program.

Application of a fatigue management system

Before considering applying for the basic fatigue management, an operator should have knowledge of his obligations as stipulated under the business rules, ensure implementation of fatigue management system that contains the standards, and he should undergo a personal independent audit of fatigue management system, with the assistance of an approved auditor who will issue the report. There needs to be at least one supervisor trained in basic fatigue management (TLIF6307A Administer the Implementation of Fatigue Management Strategies).

On the completion of the above, one becomes eligible to apply by submitting your basic fatigue management policies and procedures for an entry audit. Application involves completion of an entry audit form that will contain correct contact information, which should be signed by an auditor. Relevant transport authorities sign off on this and issue the company with a basic fatigue management number that needs to be used by all drivers on the daily work diary sheet.

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Chain of responsibility – about ‘extended liability’

The Road Transport Reform (Compliance and Enforcement) Bill includes enhanced general extended liability offences.Chain of responsibility is a simple process of ensuring that everyone does their bit in managing fatigue risks in the road transport sector. Any person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission of an offence by another person will be taken to have committed the offence and may be found guilty, even if the principal offender is not found guilty or even prosecuted. Those who work in the transport industry may need to complete their chain of responsibility training.
Any person who causes or permits the commission of an offence or coerces, induces or offers an incentive to a person to commit an offence will be guilty of an offence.
It will also be an offence to discriminate against a person who has reported or raised concerns about road law breaches, for example, by dismissing an employee who raises concerns about breaches of driving hours requirements.
The chain of responsibility for each of the parties in dangerous goods transport is defined by drawing a distinction between the primary liability of the person responsible for ensuring that a particular requirement is met, and the secondary liability of a person who is responsible only to the extent that he or she knew, or reasonably ought to have known, that the obligation was not fulfilled.
Under these laws, packers, loaders, manufacturers, consignors, schedulers, prime contractors and drivers have defined legal responsibilities that correspond to their respective duties in the loading and transport of dangerous goods. The extent of their liability (primary or secondary) reflects the extent of their control over these duties.
When one of the parties in the chain of responsibility is a body corporate, there is also potential for a director, company secretary and senior manager to be held personally liable for a breach committed by that body corporate unless the person was not in a position to influence or control the body corporate in relation to that breach, or, if the person was in such a position, took reasonable steps to prevent the breach.
Chain of responsibility training covers extended liability and all other aspects of chain of responsibility necessary to ensure workers are compliant with the Health and Safety legislation.

Asbestos Training Courses – Asbestos Detection Procedures

Asbestos training courses outline the necessary procedures for safe risk assessment of asbestos containing material (ACM). Asbestos awareness training is an important part of workplace health and safety.

You will find your asbestos training gives relevant instructions in sampling and analysis of ACM. It is important that samples of materials suspected of containing asbestos are taken only by competent persons and are analysed only by accredited laboratories. The sample should be representative of the suspected ACM (e.g. for the walls of multi-storey buildings, at least one sample should be taken on each floor). If there are any variations in the appearance, texture or colour of the material, additional samples should be taken.

The samples should be adequately labelled to enable identification of the address and specific location from which the material was sampled and should include the date of sampling and the batch identification number.

Where necessary, any damage caused by the sampling of a suspected ACM should be repaired without causing further disturbance to the ACM. If there are inaccessible areas that are likely to contain ACM, the person with control should presume that asbestos is present.

Rather than taking samples to determine whether a material contains asbestos, the person with control may simply presume the material contains asbestos. Once such a presumption has been made, the material must be treated as an ACM, with work practices and disposal criteria as required for the presence of asbestos, until the material is removed or testing has confirmed that it does not, in fact, contain asbestos.

The list of common ACM may be used as an aid in determining which materials, if any, may be presumed to contain asbestos. The full list should be found within the asbestos awareness training course.

As indicated earlier, if there are inaccessible areas that are likely to contain ACM the person with control should presume that asbestos is present in these areas. For example, it may be reasonable to presume that wall cavities or ceiling spaces contain ACM such as asbestos insulation.

It may also be more cost effective in other circumstances to apply the presumption instead of sampling and analysing suspected ACM, as would otherwise be required to rule out the presence of asbestos.

The workplace’s register of ACM must state all the presumptions made about materials in the workplace. For example, a generic presumption statement in the register might read, ‘All wall cavities are presumed to contain asbestos’ or ‘All underground conduits are presumed to contain asbestos.’

Online asbestos awareness training is the quickest way to complete your training. Make sure your asbestos training course meets WorkCover and WorkSafe requirements.

Fatigue management – some ways to reduce fatigue

If you work in the transport industry, you could be required to complete a fatigue management course. Basic fatigue management will instruct you on your responsibilities under the new legislation.
Fatigue management requires a multifaceted approach.

Some important factors include:

POWER NAPS

Taking a nap is not a sign of inability to cope with fatigue or being a poor driver; it is good fatigue management practice.  When any opportunity to nap and rest occurs, take it.

PLAN YOUR TRIPS

Most passenger and freight schedules will hinge on pickup and delivery times and dates.  It’s up to you and your Manager or Fleet Controller to plan the details of your Safe Driving Plan to include sleep periods, food and rest stops and extra time for sleeping, should you need it.

You safe driving plan should also include possible delays in your trip due to road repairs, break downs with other road users, flat tyres, wet weather or flooding. Your fatigue management course will detail how to complete your Safe Driving Plan.

DIET

You don’t have to be overweight to be a truck driver.  Eating high calorie, and fatty foods can make you sleepy even if you have had enough sleep. Big meals take more time to digest and can reduce alertness.  Drink plenty of water and eat sufficient food to keep you going.

Here is a list of recommended foods to eat.

• Breads & Cereals: 4-5 servings daily selected from rice or pasta and bread
• Vegetables and Fruit: at least 4-5 servings daily of fresh, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables.
• Meat and Meat Substitutes: 1-2 servings daily of lean beef, lamb, veal, chicken or pork.  Ask for you meat to be grilled rather than fried.
• Milk or Dairy Products: 3-4 servings daily of milk, cheese or yogurt.
• Fats: Butter and Margarine: Maximum of 1 tablespoon of butter or table margarine daily.
• The typical Australian diet is too high in fat, sugar and salt and too low in carbohydrates and dietary fibre. Few people set out to eat a lot of fat, sugar and salt, but these come with many of our favourite foods such as burgers, chips and ice cream.

Complete your basic fatigue management course to ensure you comply with the recent safety legislation.

General load restraint awareness

The carriage of loads brings with it a great amount of risk.

This risk is increased if you and your colleagues do not adhere to safe load restraint practices. Load restraint training is designed to help you reduce the risks.

The load restraint training courses available will cover all areas of load restraint in detail. It is clearly stated in the Performance Standards in the Load Restraint Guide that a load restraint system must be capable of withstanding a force equal to 80 percent of its weight in the forward direction, 50 percent of its weight in the sideward and rearward direction, and 20 percent of its weight in the vertical direction.

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In simplified terms, this means that a load that is restrained so it doesn’t shift is required to withstand forces of at least:

1. 80% of its weight in the forward direction
2. 50% of its weight sideways and rearwards
3. an additional 20% of its weight vertically

The load restraint guidelines are proven principles – they are not just devised to make life harder, but they are designed to make life safer – yours and the lives of others.  They relate to the maximum acceleration or “g” forces (in the Performance Standards) that a vehicle will meet in all conditions. Load restraint training informs drivers of these and all other relevant guidelines for risk reduction.

If a load is restrained to these standards it will not move or fall off in all normal driving circumstances, including the hardest of brake stops – to the point that skid marks are left on the road, or the vehicle rolls over.

After completing your you will know how to appropriately:

1. Select the correct vehicle
2. Arrange loads properly
3. Restrain loads according to the guide

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As part of your adherence to the key elements of load restraint, consider the following:

1. select the appropriate restraint method based on the “g” forces likely to act upon the load
2. select the correct vehicle to carry the load
3. arrange the load to ensure adequate stability, steering and braking and not to overload tyre axles
4. restrain the load using either tie down, direct restraint or a combination of both

If you fail to adhere to any of these elements , then you are in breach of the law and are liable to be prosecuted.  It is not enough to pay “lip service” to the key elements of load restraint.  The consequences can be dire. Complete your load restraint training to ensure you are armed with the relevant knowledge.

Your adherence to the key elements of load restraint should also take into consideration the driving techniques used for laden vehicles, the restraint methods for general freight, methods for calculating restraint requirements, vehicle capabilities and the load restraint equipment capabilities.

You’ll find that the Load Restraint Guide, together with the load restraint training available, provides you with information on all of these areas.

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The risk management approach to asbestos awareness

Asbestos training among other things, focuses on detailing the risk management approach to asbestos in the workplace. Risk management is a common concept in business practice and ensures that safe systems of work can be established from detailed risk management plans.

What you will learn from your asbestos training is how to identify asbestos in the workplace and adopt an accepted risk management approach. You will also learn about asbestos registers and asbestos management plans. How do you identify asbestos in your workplace?

Asbestos training courses provide employers with the knowledge required to keep their workplace safe. As employers are required by law to manage risks to all persons in and around the workplace, it makes good practice to adopt a risk management approach so that consistency in applying the law will avoid making mistakes in managing those risks. Asbestos awareness training is an important part of this.

The problem is that ACM can release asbestos fibres into the air whenever they are disturbed, and especially during the following activities:

1. any direct action on asbestos containing materials (ACM), such as drilling, boring, cutting, filing, brushing, grinding, sanding, breaking, smashing or blowing with compressed air
2. the inspection or removal of ACM from workplaces (including vehicles, plant and equipment);
3. the maintenance or servicing of materials from vehicles, plant, equipment or workplaces;
4. the renovation or demolition of buildings containing ACM.

Non-friable ACM that has been subjected to extensive weathering or deterioration also has a higher potential to release asbestos fibres into the air.

Asbestos training covers risk management procedures: a detailed approach to risk management starts with an on – site assessment and an asbestos register. All premises should have an assessment and a register, even if they are new, because second hand plant and equipment brought into a building may contain asbestos. It is also good practice to have a building assessed and recorded as being asbestos free. This simple statement that establishes a baseline condition. Then any second-hand plant and equipment brought into the building needs a check for asbestos and removed prior to installation if asbestos is found.

Persons with control of premises must ensure all ACM in their workplaces are identified, as far as practicable. More specifically, there is a need to:

1. identify the locations of all ACM and determine whether any inaccessible areas are likely to contain ACM; and
2. identify the types (e.g. asbestos cement sheet, asbestos lagging on pipes and flues, ACM gaskets in plant or machinery) and condition (i.e. damaged or intact) of ACM.

Asbestos training courses are a very valuable tool for keeping workplaces safe, and are available online.

The food handling certificate – principles of safe food handling

There are two principles that guide the safe handling of food:

1. The prevention of food contamination, and
2. Controlling bacterial growth in food.

If you work as a food handler, you may be required to complete your food handling certificate. Food safety training will outline all the principles of safe food handling. Time and temperature control are the most effective practices against bacterial growth in food.

As a food handler you need to be aware of temperature control at every stage throughout the production process because bacterial growth is greatest when food is left in the danger zone.

What temperature range marks the ‘danger zone’ of foods, where bacterial growth is greatest? The danger zone is between 5 and 60 degrees Celsius. Foods left in the danger zone are susceptible to dangerous levels of bacterial growth. Food safety training will educate you on these and other important facts.

The Food Safety Standards require you to keep foods at 5 degrees Celsius and below or at 60 degrees Celsius and above to minimise the growth of harmful bacteria in the foods you handle.

And time control is just as important. Consider this: when you minimise the time food spends in the danger zone, harmful bacteria don’t have the opportunity to grow to levels that could cause a food safety hazard such as food poisoning. As a food handler, it is your legal responsibility to understand about such hazards. You can do this by obtaining a food safety certificate.

A handy rule is the two hour four hour rule. You can apply this rule to all high risk, ready to eat foods which have been held at a temperature within the danger zone, between 5 and 60 degrees Celsius.

1. Refrigerate immediately after 2 hours
2. Use immediately between 2 and 4 hours, and finally
3. Discard the food after 4 hours in the danger zone.

By removing the opportunity for bacteria to grow and multiply, you are minimising the risk of a food safety hazard in your workplace.

Ready to eat food should be discarded after 4 hours at in the danger zone. Remember that the ‘2 hour 4 hour rule’ applies to all high-risk, ready to eat foods, so for this scenario, calculate from the time of cooking at 5.30pm to discard at 9.30pm.

Finally, monitoring and record keeping are also used to maintain the hygienic handling of food. It may be necessary for you to monitor and record the temperature and appearance of foods on food safety check sheets as a part of your workplace food safety program. A food safety course will advise you on these and many other food handling requirements. Make sure you have your food handling certificate before applying for a job that requires one.

Manual handling in healthcare – preventing injuries due to lifting

If you work in the health care industry you may need a manual handling certificate. A manual handling course provides employees with the knowledge required to prevent injuries due to manual handling. Many organisations have introduced ‘minimal lifting’ or ‘no lifting’ approaches as a part of their manual handling risk management, which also involves manual handling training. This type of approach focuses on the use of equipment to reduce injuries caused by patient lifting and other patient handling. The provision of manual handling equipment and aids is a risk control measure that attempts to control risks at their source.

This approach involves:

1. consulting with staff in the trial and purchase of manual handling equipment
2. providing appropriate lifting aids and equipment to assist staff in moving/transferring patients
3. manual handling training of staff in the correct use of the aids and equipment, in manual handling
4. techniques and in patient assessment
5. assessing patients to determine their specific manual handling needs and standardising the method of handling
6. encouraging appropriate patient mobility and independence
7. prohibiting manual lifting (including team lifting) except in emergencies;
8. providing adequate levels of appropriately skilled staff
9. enforcing the use of equipment through supervision and post- manual handling training support.

Manual handling training provides advice on the principles of the minimal lifting approach. It assumes your organisation already has policies and programs supporting the implementation of risk management strategies.

Nursing unions have introduced no-lift policies from about 1997. Ideally, all facilities would follow a ‘no lifting’ policy, where lifting is eliminated or minimised. Any handling which involves manually lifting the whole or a substantial part of the resident’s weight is avoided. Facilities implementing ‘no-lift’ policies have drastically reduced their manual handling injuries.

Basic fatigue management – some sleep tips for on the road

If you work in the transport industry, you may need to complete your basic fatigue management training. Fatigue management training courses provide drivers with the knowledge required to keep themselves and others safe on the road.

Here are some strategies to assist you as a driver in fatigue management.

1. Find a quiet truck bay or rest stop
2. Use dark curtains and liners to keep out light in the vehicle cabin.
3. Make sure your sleeping berth is well ventilated.
4. Take eye shades and earplugs with you.
5. Turn off your mobile phone and radios.
6. Take time to change out of your work clothes as you would at home.
7. Drink plenty of water.
8. If using a motel, rent one away from the highway and railway lines to reduce noise transference.
9. Have a cool cabin to sleep in or an air conditioned room.

Working long hours will make you fatigued in several ways:

1. It stops you resting and sleeping.
2. It may have you on the road in the early morning when the body clock turns alertness down.
3. It may make you bored and drowsy.

As you can see fatigue management is an important skill for drivers. Many drivers are required to complete a basic fatigue management course to ensure they are compliant with the current transport laws. Fortunately, can be completed online.

Asbestos awareness – what must employers do?

Employers must ensure that employees and other persons are informed of the dangers, hazards and risks involved and of any precautions that should be taken. Asbestos training will inform employers of exactly how to do this.

Asbestos training courses provide employers with the knowledge required to keep their employees safe.

Employees must be provided with:

1. Asbestos awareness training
2. Safe Work Method Statements including emergency procedures.
3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (available for use if required)
4. Facilities to safely wash and remove PPE and clothing before they leave the workplace (if required to handle ACM)

Employees are to be notified in writing if asbestos work is being carried out.
All persons must be warned, by the use of signs, labels or other similar measures, of the presence of asbestos or asbestos-containing material in a place at which work is being carried out around asbestos.
Employers must identify, and implement measures to prevent any disturbance of asbestos-containing material while work is being carried out. For example, if asbestos is encapsulated, or sealed, the employer cannot allow any asbestos fibres to be released into the air – they must seal off the asbestos and areas where it exists.

An employer must ensure that procedures are in place for:
• The cleaning of premises at which asbestos work is carried out;
• The laundering and cleaning of personal protective equipment used for asbestos work;
• The containment of asbestos waste; and
• The disposal of asbestos and asbestos-containing material safely according to Environmental Protection Authority standards and guidelines (e.g. disposed of to a legitimate hazardous waste facility).
An employer must ensure that no asbestos-containing material, including asbestos cement, is reused in connection with the carrying out of construction work.
An employer must not allow the use of high-pressure hoses to clean the surface of asbestos-containing material, including asbestos cement or any structures that consist of or contain asbestos, during the carrying out of construction work.

As you can see, asbestos training is a very valuable  tool for helping to keep workplaces safe from the hazards of asbestos. If you work in the building industry you may be required to complete your asbestos awareness training. Asbestos training coursescan be completed online.

Asbestos death toll underestimated. Asbestos Training Courses can help!

According to a recent study entitled ‘Global magnitude of reported and unreported mesothelioma’, the number of deaths related to asbestos exposures worldwide has been dramatically underestimated, as some major asbestos-using nations are failing to report any related cancers. (more…)

How chain of responsibility laws affect your business

If you’re involved in road transport, you may need to undertake chain of responsibility training – read on. Under the national approach to road transport chain of responsibility laws instigated by the National Roads and Transport Commission and now implemented by States, Territories and the Commonwealth, all who exercise control over conduct that affects compliance will have responsibility, and may be made accountable for failure to discharge that responsibility.

This includes primary producers, miners, manufacturers, retailers, importers, exporters, tourism operators and all other parties involved in road freight and passenger transport. This is achieved by the clear identification of the responsibilities of various parties and holding them legally accountable for breaching them.

This approach is far more direct and effective in securing accountability for non-compliance than the previous laws, and enables all parties to know their legal obligations from the outset.

The chain of responsibility laws are designed to apply to all road transport offenses, ranging from minor breaches of log book recording to actions contributing to a serious spill of dangerous goods from a truck.

Chain of responsibility training focuses on highlighting the specifics of the legislation. What you will learn is the concept of a responsible person and about enhanced general extended liability offenses. You will also learn about Special chain of responsibility provisions for mass, dimension and load restraint.

Did you know that driving hours and speeding are also addressed in chain of responsibility legislation? These facts are also part of your chain of responsibility training.

The importance of load restraint summarised

There is an identified need to improve the awareness and understanding of load restraint issues, including the contents of the Load Restraint Guide. The importance of load restraint training can be measured in the security of the load and the protection of lives, both those of the drivers and other road users.  It is vital that all involved in the carriage of loads display a professional attitude toward the importance of load restraint and have a clear understanding of the chain of responsibility. Load restraint training is an important part of this.

The penalties involved for incorrect load restraint practices can be either on the spot fines or prosecution in a court of law. As well, the Court may apply a jail sentence.  Either way there is disruption to the carriage of the load and in many cases severe financial repercussions.

The safe carriage of loads affects us all.  It is your responsibility to ensure you undertake load restraint training, including knowledge of the relevant documents which outline the procedures for the safe carriage of loads.

Load restraint guidelines are based on proven principles and the ability of load restraint equipment to apply the necessary restraint forces.  Being aware of current load restraint guidelines is vital in the safe carriage of a load.

Load restraint training focuses on general load restraint awareness, and also includes key elements of load restraint practice. We will also explore common beliefs regarding load restraint and case studies involving load restraint.

Drug & alcohol awareness training: what managers need to know

Managers can benefit from drug and alcohol awareness training so they are alert to changes in performance and changes in patterns of attendance.

Drugs and alcohol can affect a worker’s fitness for duty. Some drugs will mean workers respond to some things quickly – others cause workers to not react at all. Some drugs will stop a worker from walking properly, or standing up, or staying awake. Some drugs will make a person unconscious, or even die.

All drugs can be harmful and can affect the way the body works and how the mind thinks. For this reason, you have to be very sure that any drugs workers are taking will not put them or anyone else in danger in the workplace.

If they are given a drug they need by the doctor, and they are taking it as the doctor has instructed, it can help them do their job better. For example, if they have asthma, and use their medication properly, it can mean they will not have an asthma attack so they do not have to take time off work.

If workers have epileptic fits from time to time, the tablets the doctor prescribes can stop this happening, making work safer for them and for others.

Using alcohol or drugs at work can affect fitness for duty, causing workers to make mistakes. This can cause big problems. They or other people could get hurt, or the work they do might have to be thrown out and done again by someone else. This would mean that your workplace loses money.

Drug and alcohol awareness training can help managers recognise signs of drug use. Here are some things that can happen at work if workers use drugs that they should not use, or drink alcohol, affecting fitness for duty:

• workers could hurt themselves or anyone else around the workplace.
• workers could make a mistake with their work and cause your workplace lose a lot of money.
• it can have a bad effect on you and others around them

A few of the things that could happen to workers if they take drugs they should not be taking, or drink alcohol at work, are:

• they can get very tired and stop thinking clearly.
• their speech could get slurred.
• they can feel sick and could vomit.
• they can stop thinking quickly and become unsafe.
• they can start to feel very confused and act differently than they normally would.
• they may move more slowly than usual.
• they could get angry
• they won’t be able to operate machinery and equipment safely and could have an accident.

Managers should consider drug and alcohol awareness training to prevent unfortunate mishaps at work. For example, workers who take drugs or drink alcohol at work could also have a bad effect on other people:

• they might make someone else have an accident
• a worker might ruin someone else’s work or property
• they could scare other people or they might feel uncomfortable
• other workers may not want to work with them

Important food safety supervisor information – hazards of bacteria

If you are a food safety supervisor, you will need to do your food safety supervisor training. This food safety training will qualify you to handle food as well as manage other food handlers in commercial settings.

A food safety supervisor needs to understand food hazards, including bacteria. Did you know that bacteria are the most common cause of food poisoning? While some bacteria are actually beneficial, others can cause food to go off, known as spoilage bacteria. Bacteria are found everywhere. In fact there is not a place on Earth where bacteria are not found.

Bacteria are very small living organisms known as micro-organisms. They are made up of a single cell and a cell membrane. Look at your hands: you will not be able to tell that right now there are over one million bacteria on them.

More bacteria mean greater risk. Controlling the number of bacteria, particularly harmful bacteria, is the first step in preventing serious illness from contamination. Your food safety supervisor training will equip you with the knowledge do this.

Whatever their shape or size, all bacteria live, grow and multiply. They live and grow by absorbing their food and water through their membrane and excreting their waste products back through this membrane.

Sometimes, the bacteria themselves are toxic but it’s also the process of growing and the waste they produce that cause food poisoning and food spoilage.

Bacteria need specific conditions to live grow and multiply. In the right conditions, bacteria will grow very quickly and can divide into 2 in about 15 minutes.

Without water, bacteria stop growing and can die. In fact bacteria themselves are made up of mostly water.

Have you ever wondered why dried & salted foods were common before refrigeration? Salting removes moisture through a process called osmosis, creating an environment in which bacteria cannot survive.

Living things need protein. Without a food source such as protein, bacteria cannot survive.

Can you guess which foods bacteria will thrive in? Moist foods, with a neutral pH that are high in protein. These are potentially hazardous foods because bacteria can live, grow and multiply to dangerous numbers.

Foods that have the right conditions to support bacterial growth and that may contain harmful or pathogenic bacteria are termed ‘high risk foods’.

High-risk foods include:

Seafood, meat and small goods, poultry, dairy and egg-based foods, soups, stock and sauces, fruits (including rockmelon, watermelon, blueberries and fruit salad), pre-made salads, pate and soft cheeses, ice-cream, cooked rice and pasta.

Consider this: it can take as little as 4 and half hours for 10 bacteria to multiply into over 1.3 million in ideal conditions. With potentially millions of bacteria on dirty hands alone, and one thousand on a single hair, food left uncovered or unrefrigerated is easily spoiled or contaminated by bacteria.

Did you know that the bacteria in milk can survive pasteurisation and still cause a carton of unopened milk to go off?

For further important food safety information, supervisors should complete their food safety supervisor training online to meet their compliance training obligations.

Basic fatigue management guidelines for sleep

Whether you are an owner, driver or transport business, a fatigue management course is the best way to meet your Chain of Responsibility and Fatigue Management requirements. Basic fatigue management will equip you with useful information to help you both professionally and personally. As a professional driver, you will be at your best, most alert and safest when working during the morning, the late afternoon and the early evening.  You will be at your worst performance level between 1am and 6 am when the body clock turns your body actions and alertness levels down.

Drivers who got less than 6 hours sleep in 24 hours experienced 4 times as many dangerous situations while they were driving.  Getting enough quality sleep is essential to your safety; and you should aim to get 7 ½ continuous hours of sleep where possible.

Transport delivery schedules must take sleep breaks into account as part of.  The trip plan or schedule must include adequate time for 7 hours sleep and time for the driver’s other essential activities.

If you are driving and getting little or no sleep at night, you are going to have to make up for it during the day.  During the day, your body clock will turn your alertness up resulting in a poorer quality of sleep.

Try to get as much sleep as possible at night, and take another nap during the afternoon siesta period if necessary to improve your level of sleep.

Taking naps at every opportunity can helps to compensate for those nights when you don’t get enough sleep.  Remember naps are not a substitute for 7 ½ hours of continuous sleep at night.

To get a good benefit from a nap you will need to achieve a period of 15 to 20 minutes duration.  A longer nap period of 30 to 40 minutes is even better when possible.  In some instances a 5 minute nap is of benefit although not really long enough.

SLEEP DEBT

If you get less than 7 ½ hours sleep each night you will build up a ‘sleep debt’.  Each day you go with less than 7 ½ hours sleep, the more fatigued you will be and the more unsafe you will become on the highway.

Take every opportunity available on your days off to have a good long night of sleep.  Before your next long trip ensure that you have fully repaid your “sleep debt” from the previous trip or trips.

SLEEP TIPS AT HOME

If you have trouble getting good quality sleep, here are some tips:

• Try to setup your bedroom at home or wherever you sleep to be as comfortable as possible, so that you can sleep better.
• Find the best room temperature to get to sleep.  It is most likely to be between 18 and 22°C and can be achieved by an air conditioner.
• Turn down the volume of the ring tone on your phone or turn it off.  Wear earplugs to reduce noise and ask the family to be extra quiet when you are sleeping.
• Hang extra thick curtains over the windows to reduce light coming into your room and wear eye shades or patches as another strategy.

There may be other things that you can do which is unique to your sleep patterns or sleeping environment. Online fatigue management courses are probably the best way to complete your fatigue management training.

Asbestos awareness training – some legal requirements

Where asbestos containing materials (ACM) may be present or suspected in the workplace, asbestos awareness training courses educate you on the health and safety risks of asbestos. On completion of asbestos training, participants should be fully competent and aware in the management of asbestos and aware of all compliance requirements, with qualifications from a competency based asbestos training course that is accepted by the government.

A code of practice is available in relation to health and safety issues in your workplace. They are practical documents that assist in implementing safe workplace procedures. They may also be used by a court as evidence of an employer’s failure to implement the duty of care responsibility. An asbestos training course will fully detail your responsibilities and how to fulfill them.

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 there are responsibilities for controllers of premises. A controller of premises that contains asbestos or asbestos containing material must ensure that Risk Assessment and Control Measures are carried out.

A controller of premises must ensure that:

A register, in which the type, condition and location of all asbestos and asbestos containing material in any workplace, is prepared, recorded and maintained. For example, if it is contaminated roof tiles or in the walls of a building a register must be kept of these details.

Any action taken to control asbestos and asbestos containing material in the workplace or in plant at the workplace is to be recorded in the asbestos register. The register must be easily accessible to everyone in the workplace, including contractors and visitors (e.g. electricians, plumbers and others who may perform work in asbestos contaminated areas).

The Register must also include details of assessment concerning the asbestos that took place before any work was carried out.

Employers are required to identify, assess and control both stable asbestos and asbestos in processes. Asbestos training will properly outline how to carry out these requirements.This involves requirements in the design of workplaces and plant, labelling, notifying WorkCover in certain circumstances, controlling the exposure, providing training, and consulting with employees and health and safety reps.

An employer must ensure that asbestos work is carried out within the legal requirements of the NSW OHS Legislation. Complete your asbestos awareness training to gain a full understanding of other important asbestos facts such as health risks.

Food safety training – understanding food safety hazards

A food safety hazard is something that is dangerous and likely to cause harm to food. As a food handler, it is your legal responsibility to understand about food safety hazards You can do this by obtaining a food safety certificate

Understanding the key risks which lead to food contamination and applying safe handling practices will help prevent a food safety hazard in your workplace. Completing your food handling certificate will ensure you have the knowledge to do so.

If you work in a high risk establishment, such as an aged care facility, be aware that special additional procedures also apply.
Food safety training will help you easily identify hazards. Food can be unsafe for a number of reasons, including:

• Chemical contamination
• Natural toxic foods
• Food allergens
• Physical contamination and
• Contamination by harmful bacteria

Did you know that many chemicals are used in the production, processing and preserving of food? Insect sprays, cleaning products and baits are all common chemicals that can cause food poisoning if used incorrectly.

Remember to thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables before use to remove any traces of pesticides and herbicides.

Different chemicals may need to be treated in different ways: check the labels and material safety data sheets to find out how they should be used and which safety precautions to be aware of. Always follow the instructions and ask your supervisor if you are unsure.

Store chemicals away from food or the equipment that comes into contact with food, such as utensils, benches and preparation materials.

Have you ever had to modify food production to cater for a food allergy? Food safety training will ensure you are prepared for this. Nuts, fish & shellfish, wheat, egg, dairy and soy account for the majority of food allergies which are caused by the naturally occurring chemicals in these foods, called food allergens.

Allergies are specific to each individual, with side effects ranging from mild stomach discomfort to death in extreme cases.

Symptoms may include:

• Anaphylactic shock
• Severe swelling
• Eczema
• Nausea, vomiting & diarrhoea
• Stomach cramps & congestion, and
• Shortness of breath

There is no cure for allergies only avoidance and being prepared for any severe reaction that may occur.

A food safety course will advise you on these and many other food handling requirements. Make sure you have your food handling certificate before applying for a job that requires one.

Manual handling training – learning to work with your body

You only get one body. Most of us get it in good order and condition. Then spend the rest of our lives trying to break it, ruin it or just plain neglect it. A manual handling course will help you understand the effects of manual handling injuries and the value of, and the need for, correct manual handling practices.

The more wear and tear the body gets the shorter it’s useful life. You don’t want to be reckless at work and find that you cannot enjoy the later years of your life because of chronic injury and pain. You only get one body. Look after it!

If you are involved in any form of manual handling in the office, warehouse or as a healthcare worker, manual handling training will help you understand the requirements of the Manual Handling Regulations and Compliance Code, and earn you a

The human skeleton is made up of all the bones in our body. Where the bones connect is called a joint. This is where bones may pivot to provide us with flexibility and movement. Joints are usually coated with a smooth surface to make movement easy and painless. It is this coating and the cushioning material that often damaged when we put too much stress on our joints. Especially in the spine.

The power and strength in our movements is caused by our muscles. Muscles attach to the bones with ligaments so that the effective result is tugging on a lever to produce movement and power.

Our arms are designed as levers. Muscles act on the bones and the joints are designed for bending, twisting and lifting forces. The arms are designed for us to pick up and move objects.

Our legs are also designed as levers. Muscles act on the bones and the joints are designed for bending twisting and lifting forces. The legs are designed to be very strong and powerful to lift us up and move. The leg muscles are very powerful and the bones are strong. The legs should be used for any safe lifting.

Manual handling training is also important in showing you the basic anatomy and function of the spine. Up to one third of all work injuries in Australia occur during manual handling. Most of the reported accidents involving manual handling tasks cause back injury although hands arms and feet are also vulnerable.

Sometimes the person injured never fully recovers or requires a long period of rehabilitation before they are able to work again. This is why having a manual handling certificate is so valuable.

Asbestos awareness training: the health effects of exposure to asbestos

Where asbestos containing materials (ACM) may be present or suspected in the workplace or home, online asbestos training courses offer a convenient way to educate you on the health and safety risks of asbestos. Asbestos training is a good idea for anyone coming into contact with asbestos. Asbestos becomes a health hazard when fibres become airborne and are inhaled or swallowed. Asbestos containing material is not generally considered to be harmful unless it is releasing dust or fibres into the air where they can be inhaled or ingested.  Many of the fibres will become trapped in the mucous membranes of the nose and throat where they can then be removed, but some may pass deep into the lungs, or, if swallowed, into the digestive tract. Once they are trapped in the body, the fibres can cause health problems.

Health effects depend on length, diameter and composition of fibre. Disease is usually associated with long-term exposure in occupational or para-occupational setting (immediate family or live near asbestos mine or factory) Risk depends on how much and how long.  Asbestos training provides comprehensive information on how to avoid or manage these risks.

Because it is so hard to destroy asbestos fibres, the body cannot break them down or remove them once they are lodged in lung or body tissues. They remain in place where they can cause disease.

All forms of asbestos can potentially cause:

Non cancer:

• pleural plaques
• asbestosis

Cancer:

• lung cancer
• malignant mesothelioma

An asbestos awareness training course provides the skills and knowledge necessary to help managers, controllers of work premises, trade persons, employees and others identify asbestos containing materials (ACMs) or suspected ACMs, and to ensure that appropriate action is taken. Asbestos training can easily be completed online.

Basic fatigue management training

Heavy vehicle drivers are the most affected by fatigue related cases. (more…)

Fatigue Management in Practice

Fatigue, if not properly managed, can lead to serious problems.  Symptoms that result from fatigue include (more…)

Learning Fatigue Management

It has been noted that driver fatigue ranks among one of the leading concerns for road safety. This means that all drivers who are constantly driving trucks and other vehicles on major highways need one course or another to enable them learn how to manage fatigue while they are on the job.

This is the reason why there are online fatigue management schools from which drivers can take an appropriate and relevant fatigue management course. Under such a course, three main categories will be dealt with. These categories include standard hours, basic fatigue management and advanced fatigue management. It is important that drivers understand all categories since it is only then when they will effectively be equipped to deal with fatigue and reduce its adverse effects.

Truck drivers potentially become drowsy and discover that they have drifted into a micro- sleep. This is very risky since maximum attention is required on the road at all times even if there are no other vehicles apart from yours.

It is risks such as this that have made it important for truck drivers and other professionals who are constantly on the road to learn fatigue management. This is the only way they can be sure of themselves. The fatigue management courses they will undertake will enable them to get a better idea of how to reduce and eliminate altogether the risks of fatigue. Online fatigue management courses are often the easiest way to receive fatigue management training.

It is impossible to overstate the importance of any fatigue management course. This is the main reason why various legislations are now being passed to compel all truck drivers to take these courses. Needless to say, anyone would agree with such legislations since they will help to make our roads safer and to make the work environment more conducive and secure for truck drivers.

Workplace Harassment Training

Workplace harassment has been defined as using undesirable physical or verbal conduct towards another employee of an organization. With this kind of understanding at the back of the minds of the administration and staff members of organizations across the world, the problem of work place harassment can become a thing of the past.

Workplace harassment training basically includes what is actually considered workplace harassment and what specific measures or steps an employee should take in the event that he or she has been harassed at the workplace. Experts and teachers of these principles argue that the best way to counter this vice is by incorporating training in the orientation procedures of any new staff member in an organization. Some governments have designed rules that direct that clear procedures addressing workplace harassment be given to employees.

All inclusive workplace harassment training should comprehensively cover the consequences that employees who harass their colleagues or customers will face in case proved guilty of committing the offense. Note that for training to be successful, some of its codes of action or/and operation must be categorized. If this is not carefully tackled, a strict supervisor might end up being judged as propagating workplace harassment while on his formal line of duty. This should go as far as classifying some of the actions that should be considered workplace harassment or not. Although some behaviors whether physical or verbal are outright harassment actions, others can be based on various factors and should be regarded as such.

Good workplace harassment training may at the end of the day be very beneficial to any organization. It will help the administration run efficiently without having to deal with litigations emerging from this misconduct. It will also help boost productivity due to increased employee turnover and suitable working conditions.

What is Manual handling training?

Manual handling training is a process of training that spells a professional’s guidance and regulations that are to be used in carrying out the stipulated task. The manual handling training includes information on the risks involved and how injuries are likely to occur, use of mechanical aid equipment, appropriate systems of work as stipulated on individual grounds, information on how to carry out safe manual handling and involvement of practical work that gives room to a trainee to do things right. The essence of manual handling training is to facilitate a healthy and safe working environment for both the workers and those around that working environment. Health care workers just like any other workers have their manual handling training that also spells out the guidance and regulations of their work.

Health care workers are responsible for taking care of others everyday. While this is so, they are also faced with a number of health and safety hazards at their work stations.  Employers have a responsibility of ensuring that their employees have safe and healthy working environments and the risks involved are significantly reduced by avoiding manual handling processes and operations that could otherwise be hazardous. It is an obligation that is in relation to health care workers to consider the age of the workers and the commonly used equipment to reduce the risk of injuries in the workplace.

Nurses and other health care parishioners take their manual handling courses or training before they are assigned to work in any health care hospitals or institutions. Health care manual handling courses can be found in many medical training schools and institutions and also in health care provision centers. You can also opt for online training through relevant websites.

In some countries like the United Kingdom, manual handling is subject to legislation. There are a number of areas that entail manual handling at work. They include Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1992), Lifting Operation and Lifting Equipment Regulations (1998), the Health and Safety at Work Act which was implemented 1974, Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (1998) and the Manual Handling Operations Regulations (1998).

Health care workers can contribute to improved working environments by relating to their respective manual handling operations in their work places that they once learned during their manual handling training courses. Finally, a healthy and safe working environment is enhanced and facilitated by the cooperation of employees and employers commitment and relevance at the workplace.

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Health and Safety Training

Health and safety training is ranked among the most important things that any business can offer to its employees. The extent to which this ought to be carried out will vary from one business to another and for this reason, it is important to ensure that you understand your needs first before seeking out the same. In essence, health and safety training will aid them understand many things which including the following.

• Ensure that they learn how to work safely without running into any health risks.
• Enable them understand the businesses health and safety policies, how you intend to bring them to effect and what they are supposed to do to meet the requirements.
• Ensure that your workers understand fully well their health as well as any safety responsibilities they have to uphold not only for themselves but fellow employees and any other people on the business premises.

In addition to this, there are instances when new staff members are recruited on a monthly basis. When they come in, they don’t understand some of the factors that matter most to your business and as such, it is important to ensure that they go through health and safety training. Also, those who have been in the business for a long duration needed to be reminded about the health and safety regulations that they ought to uphold.

It is important to note that health and safety training would be pointless if the employees don’t assimilate what they are being taught. As such, it is advisable to consider using additional teaching material such as DVDs, pictures and online training to ensure that this information is passed along. In the event that there is no one in the company who can train workers on the health and safety training programs available, it is ideal to consider hiring a specialist in the field. This is an important aspect as it ensures that your business will not lose business simply because your workers messed up in one of these areas.