How to Identify Asbestos: A Comprehensive Guide
Asbestos is a grouping of six naturally occurring minerals made of long thin fibres.
The fibres in this material are resistant to fire, heat, and chemicals. They can be used as construction materials.
Asbestos was commonly used in insulation, roofing, flooring, and other building materials until the late 1970s when asbestos health hazards were discovered.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about identifying asbestos and asbestos awareness course 11084NAT training.
Asbestos Identification
It’s not always easy to identify asbestos. It can be hard to identify asbestos without the right training and experience.
How do you identify asbestos at home?
The fibres of asbestos are so small that they are nearly invisible to the naked eye. You can ask asbestos testing professionals to test a suspected material for asbestos. It is possible to positively identify asbestos in certain circumstances.
Check the label of the insulation to find out if asbestos is present.
If you can access the paperwork, look up the name and manufacturer on the label. The manufacturing label will have a date between 1940 and 1980. This means that it is more likely to contain asbestos.
Still unsure if the material is asbestos?
Some asbestos products can have a pattern that appears as small dimples or shallow craters on the surface.
Materials that were later used in place of asbestos did not leave the same texture.
This is not a foolproof method of identifying asbestos, but it could be a good indicator if asbestos was used in your home.
Asbestos can be detected by means of markers.
Manufacturers often mark products such as insulation with a symbol indicating the use of asbestos fibres.
If information is provided that discloses asbestos use, the label will say either AC (contains asbestos) or NT.
It is not recommended that homeowners go looking for asbestos in their homes.
You may unknowingly expose yourself to toxic fibres if the material contains asbestos and is friable.
When trying to identify the presence of asbestos in your home, it is best to have an expert analyse the material.
Asbestos Testing Guidelines
Only professionals with experience can take a sample of asbestos, for example:
- Asbestos removalists and asbestos testers are licensed professionals.
- Occupational Hygienists.
- A laboratory accredited.
WHS Regulations 419
According to Safe Work Australia, a PCBU cannot carry out, direct, or allow workers to carry out asbestos work, except under prescribed circumstances.
This includes manufacturing, supplying, or transporting asbestos or asbestos-containing material (ACM), removing it, using or installing it, or handling, treating, or disposing of asbestos.
A national asbestos ban came into force on 31 December 2003. This included a prohibition of work in the workplace involving ACM or asbestos.
This prohibition is not applicable if asbestos was used in the following types of work:
- Research and analysis that is based on real data.
- Identification and sampling in accordance with WHS Regulations.
- Maintenance or service work carried out on non-friable ACM or asbestos, installed or fixed before the 31st of December 2003 in accordance with WHS Regulations.
- Removal or disposal of ACM or asbestos, including demolition, in accordance with WHS Regulations.
- Display, preparation, or maintenance of an item or artifact that contains or is made of asbestos or ACM.
- Management of asbestos in situ that was installed before the 31st of December 2003 in accordance with WHS Regulations.
- Disturbs asbestos in mining operations that are not asbestos extraction or exploration.
- Laundering asbestos-contaminated clothing in accordance with the WHS Regulations, or
- The regulator may approve the method used to manage asbestos-related risks.
- Work that is carried out according to a prohibited asbestos warning issued under section 19B of the Act.
Is Asbestos Awareness Training Mandatory?
Anyone whose normal job duties reasonably likely expose them to asbestos must undergo asbestos awareness training. Although it is not legislated in every state of Australia (except the ACT), employers are increasingly using the 11084NAT Course in Asbestos Awareness as the gold standard of training (largely to future-proof any future claims).
Examples include:
Workers who enter ceiling cavities
- Electricians, plumbers, carpenters and joiners, plasterers and painters; gas fitters; demolition workmen; and floor finishers.
- Emergency services workers.
- Building and construction workers.
In the ACT, there is a mandatory secondary course for electricians and plumbers called 10852NAT Course in Working with Asbestos Containing Materials.
The 11084NAT course in asbestos awareness has been nationally accredited. This course is designed for workers who could be exposed to ACMs or asbestos.
It is aimed at electricians and builders, handymen, air conditioning installers, cleaners engineers, landscapers, and demolition crews.
This AlertForce training can be completed within four hours and will teach you how to properly identify asbestos-containing materials.
In the ACT, it is mandatory for workers who have a reasonable likelihood of working with asbestos or ACMs to complete that course.
Most quality safety officers recommend that, although other jurisdictions may not require this type of training, they avoid non-accredited asbestos training because employers, PCBUs, or job sites might not recognise the certificates issued by these courses.
11084NAT Course Outcomes
This course provides participants with knowledge and skills to:
- Understand the risks to your health and safety when you work or encounter asbestos.
- Be aware of the possible locations for it in your workplace.
- If asbestos is suspected or detected, follow the correct procedure.
Why Choose AlertForce to Complete Your 11084NAT Course?
We offer nationally accredited training and qualifications that are in line with National Training Packages, under the National Framework of Training.
The training is designed around the real-world workplace.
Our team is comprised of professionals with decades of experience in various fields, including the building industry as well as industrial cleaning.
Our trainers are experts in asbestos removal and know what’s happening within the industry.
Our training not only raises awareness about asbestos at work, but also gives you information that you can share with your family.
Format for Asbestos Awareness Training Course
This is a four-hour face-to-face asbestos awareness classroom-based training program. Training is also available via live webinar.
The participants will learn what asbestos is, how to identify it, and its long-term health effects. They will also learn what they should do if they find asbestos.
Asbestos Awareness Training ACT Accreditation
All successful participants will receive at the end of their training a Statement of Attainment,
The accreditation documentation for on-site training will be sent to you or your company within five days of the course’s completion.
This training is available in all Australian states. If you need this training but are not located in Sydney or ACT, don’t worry!
Call us, and we can give you a quote for coming to your location.
How to Become a Certified Health and Safety Representative (HSR)
Creating a workplace environment that values health and safety relies heavily on the presence of Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs).
HSR’s play a crucial role in upholding occupational health and safety regulations, highlighting the importance and necessity of their position.
Are you considering pursuing certification as a health and safety representative for your career path?
Here’s a straightforward guide to help you obtain your HSR certification.
Why Is HSR Important?
According to Safe Work Australia, sections 68 and 70 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 outline their role’s responsibilities and powers.
The HSR, along with their deputy, are both in a key position to collect information about the safety and health concerns at their workplace.
Consultation is used to resolve these issues.
They consult with PCBU representatives, including managers, supervisors and committees.
After completing HSR training, an HSR worker in a group can be instructed to stop unsafe work. This is if an HSR has a reasonable belief workers may face serious health and safety risks.
The directive will only be issued when the issue has not been resolved by consultation or the risk is so immediate and severe that it would be unreasonable to consult first.
An HSR may also issue a Provisional Improvement Notice (PIN) if it has a reasonable suspicion of a violation.
Why Become an HSR?
Certified health and safety representatives play an important role in maintaining a healthy work environment.
They ensure that employees can focus on their jobs without having to worry about possible health and safety hazards.
They are the ‘guardians of safety’ who ensure that the legal standards of health and safety, not only are met but also consistently adhered to.
You will gain valuable skills in communication, problem-solving, and decision-making by serving as the liaison between management, and employees, on matters of health and safety.
You will also learn about health and safety regulations, which can be beneficial to you in many different industries.
Being an HSR can offer enhanced career security and advancement opportunities.
The demand for HSRs who are certified and skilled is increasing as companies place greater importance on employee wellness.
This role provides not only career stability but also opportunities for advancement within the realms related to workplace safety and employee wellbeing.
How to Become an HSR
Be sure to have the qualifications, skills, and experience in place before you commit fully to HSR training and certification.
Basic Qualifications: To become a health and safety representative, you must have completed your high school education. Many employers also prefer candidates who have a bachelor’s in occupational safety and health regulations.
This is not a set rule.
HSR is an area where people with degrees in biology, health sciences, engineering, or chemistry can also enter.
Skills: As an HSR, you must be able to react quickly and be proactive.
To handle workplace accidents and health emergencies efficiently, you’ll need to have strong problem-solving abilities.
It’s important to anticipate potential risks and hazards to ensure safety.
Foresight and attention are therefore essential.
Communication is also important. You’ll interact with many people, from the top executives down to employees at the bottom.
Experience: Many employers value candidates who have practical experience managing and implementing workplace security procedures. Hands-on experience with real-life issues can also be extremely valuable.
Some employers will also require you to possess specific training or certifications. It’s important to know the requirements for each job.
Even if it is not required, certifications in First Aid or CPR, as well as other related fields, can add an edge to your resume.
Remember that these are the basic requirements.
Certification Process for HSR
To become a certified health and safety representative is to fully commit yourself to promoting workplace safety and good practices.
The journey is a step-by-step one that includes training, certification application, and ongoing recertification.
Training Requirements for HSR
The first step to becoming a health and safety representative is to understand the HSR training requirements.
AlertForce’s HSR Training Programs cover a wide range of essential topics, including risk assessment, hazard recognition, emergency response, and regulatory compliance.
To demonstrate their understanding of the material, participants must pass an exam after completing HSR training.
Some certifications require a certain amount of experience in the field.
These training criteria can help individuals who want to become health and safety representatives lay a solid foundation for their certification.
Examination for HSR Certification
The next step in the certification process is to take an exam.
Preparation for the assessment is essential. This includes studying the course materials, attending study sessions, and asking advice from professionals in the HSR sector.
Application for HSR Certification
You’ll be required to apply for HSR certification after passing the exam.
Some regions require you to submit an examination declaration form as proof of your successful completion.
The Health and Safety Authority will issue your HSR certificate once it has been confirmed.
Recertification for HSR
HSR certifications must be renewed every 3 years. This is done by taking the 1-day AlertForce refresher course.
Recertification for HSR ensures:
- Knowledge is always updated.
- The qualification remains valid.
It’s important to stay abreast with industry changes, regulations and best practices. This can be done through ongoing training and opportunities for professional growth.
Powers and Duties of an HSR
Roles and responsibilities of an HSR go far beyond simply ‘looking for hazards.’
Your co-workers will look to you as their eyes, ears and voice in matters of workplace safety and healthcare.
Worker Representation
An HSR’s main duty is to represent their group of workers during discussions about safety awareness, safety protocols and health issues.
This includes:
- Intermediary between employees and management.
- Ensure that employees’ concerns and complaints about safety are taken seriously and addressed.
Workplace Inspections
HSRs are responsible for a daily proactive inspection of the workplace.
This includes:
- Assuring compliance with equipment safety standards.
- Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and monitoring its correct usage.
- Verify the accuracy and visibility of warning signs.
Incident Investigation
HSRs who are certified play a vital role in the investigation of incidents involving health and safety.
HSR will take part in the following:
- Investigating incidents to find out the cause.
- Formulating strategies to avoid occurrences repeating.
Safety Management
An HSR is more effective in the long term.
- Keeping safety records and important documentation properly.
- Participating in developing safety protocols.
- Organising safety training.
- Attending safety committee meetings.
Positive Safety Culture
The HSR also works to promote an overall positive culture of health and safety in the workplace.
Included in this is:
- Safety issues addressed proactively before they become worse.
- Raising health and safety awareness in the workplace.
- Leading safety discussions and drills that are informative.
A certified health and safety representative can be a leader in the promotion of a healthier and safer workplace by assuming these roles.
In a Nutshell
Being a certified health and safety representative offers many benefits that protect employee wellbeing and increase work productivity.
You can reduce the risk of workplace accidents and injuries by enhancing your knowledge of safety awareness and safety protocols.
The HSR certification also demonstrates your commitment to creating a healthy and safe work environment that boosts employee morale and promotes the overall success of an organisation.
As a representative of health and safety, prioritising your own professional development is not only beneficial to you but also for your colleagues and the entire company.
How to get a Forklift Operator Certification in Canberra
Are you considering a career as a forklift operator in Canberra, but also wondering: is a forklift operator training necessary?
In short, yes.
In Canberra, operating a forklift without proper training and certification is not only dangerous but also illegal.
Whether you are looking to enhance your employability or simply comply with Workplace safety regulations in Canberra, obtaining a forklift operator training is important.
Our step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of acquiring your forklift certification in Canberra, ensuring you are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to operate a forklift safely and efficiently within the ACT region.
Understanding Canberra Forklift Certification Process
In the manufacturing and warehousing industries, handling heavy machinery like forklifts is part and parcel of daily operations.
But manoeuvring such equipment isn’t a walk in the park — it needs hands skilled in safety and productivity. That’s where a forklift certification comes in.
While obtaining a forklift certification in Canberra, it’s also essential to understand the requirements involved in the process.
Are You Eligible for a Forklift Certification in Canberra?
1 – Forklift certification eligibility criteria: To be eligible for forklift operator certification in Canberra, you must be at least 18 years old and physically capable of operating a forklift safely.
Some training providers may also require a valid driver’s license and the ability to understand and communicate in English.
2 – Forklift certification prerequisites: Before enrolling in a forklift operator training course, some providers may require individuals to undergo a medical examination to ensure they are physically fit to operate a forklift. Additionally, having a basic understanding of workplace health and safety practices is also beneficial.
Forklift Certification Benefits
Canberra forklift job prospects: Employers in Canberra prioritise hiring individuals with proper forklift certification as it demonstrates a commitment to professionalism and adherence to industry standards.
Having a forklift certification can set you apart from other job applicants and increase your chances of landing a forklift operator position.
Being a certified forklift operator opens doors to a wider range of job prospects, including higher-paying positions that require advanced skills and expertise. In a competitive job market, having a forklift operator certification gives you a valuable edge and boosts your credibility as a skilled forklift operator.
Promoting Workplace safety: Certified forklift operators are well-versed in the safety protocols and procedures necessary to prevent accidents and injuries in the workplace.
Proper forklift operator training ensures that forklift operators understand how to handle forklifts in various conditions, such as tight spaces, uneven surfaces, or while lifting heavy loads. This knowledge not only protects the forklift operator but also their colleagues and overall promotes workplace safety in Canberra.
Additionally, certified forklift operators are also aware of how to inspect and maintain the equipment regularly, reducing the risk of mechanical failures that could lead to accidents. By prioritising safety through training and certification, operators contribute to a safer work environment and minimise the chances of on-the-job injuries.
Canberra’s Regulatory Framework
According to WorkSafe ACT regulations, Canberra’s regulatory framework regarding forklift operation is governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
This legislation mandates that all forklift operators must be properly trained and certified to ensure their own and others’ safety in the workplace.
Employers in Canberra are legally obligated to provide their workers with the necessary training and certification to operate forklifts.
Canberra’s regulatory framework also includes regular inspections and audits to ensure that all forklift operators are compliant with safety regulations.
Failure to comply with these standards can result in hefty fines and even legal action against employers and employees.
What Kind of Work Licence Is Required in Canberra for Forklifts?
In Australia, a high-risk work permit is required for any work of a residential, industrial, or commercial nature in general.
Work involving high risk includes the use of specific machinery, erecting scaffolding, and performing dogging or rigging.
You don’t need to have a high-risk licence if the work is:
- Completing the training required to obtain a high-risk work permit.
- Under the supervision of an individual who holds a high-risk work license.
You must be qualified and experienced to do work that is high-risk.
According to Access Canberra, It is a requirement for operators of a forklift to have a high-risk work licence in Canberra.
Forklift operators are required to hold a Forklift license classes LF and LO.
- Forklift truck (LF).
The holder can operate any forklift other than an order-picking truck. - Order-picking Forklift Truck (LO)
The holder is allowed to operate a forklift truck used for order picking.
Where to Get Forklift Training in Canberra?
For those aiming to enhance their forklift operating skills in Canberra, AlertForce offers a diverse range of forklift training programs tailored to accommodate various experience levels and specific industrial needs.
At AlertForce, we recognise the importance of comprehensive forklift training in promoting workplace safety and efficiency.
Our array of training courses caters to beginners, providing fundamental skills, as well as experienced forklift operators looking to refine their expertise or specialise in industry-specific applications.
AlertForce forklift training cover essential aspects of forklift operation, including equipment handling, forklift safety protocols, and emergency procedures.
We understand that different industries have unique requirements, and our specialised training programs reflect this diversity.
With Canberra workplace health and safety experts, experienced instructors and state-of-the-art facilities, AlertForce ensures a high-quality learning experience.
AlertForce’s transparent fee structure covers the training program, materials, and any additional costs, allowing individuals and companies to plan their budgets effectively.
As an experienced forklift training course provider, we are committed to excellence, staying abreast of latest industry standards and offer training that not only meets but exceeds Canberra regulatory requirements.
Invest in your professional development and workplace safety – choose AlertForce for unparalleled forklift operator training in Canberra.
What Is Considered Working at Heights? A Closer Look
Heights can be one of the most dangerous work environments, requiring heightened awareness and attention to safety.
It’s important for workers to recognise and report any unsafe conditions they encounter while working at heights to prevent accidents and injuries.
By knowing what to look for and taking swift action, workers help create a safer environment for themselves and their colleagues.
What Is Working at Heights?
Working at heights is a term that is commonly heard, especially in industries such as construction, cleaning, telecommunications and others.
But what does it really involve?
Simply put, ‘working at heights’ refers to carrying out tasks in an area where falling from a significant height could result in personal injury or worse if proper precautions are not taken.
This can involve various activities like working on a ladder, rooftop, or even on a delicate surface.
While the concept may seem straightforward, understanding the risks involved makes defining what constitutes working at heights anything but simple.
It underscores the importance of comprehending the need for and methods of following appropriate safety measures.
Ultimately, ensuring tasks are carried out safely should always be the top priority.
Common Types of Height-Related Work
Some common types of height-related work that are frequently encountered in various industries are:
Construction Work at Elevation | Maintenance Activities at Heights |
Roofing | Window cleaning |
Scaffolding erection | Exterior painting |
Steel erection | Gutter maintenance |
High-rise building construction | Antenna installation |
Bridge construction | Sign maintenance |
Common Working at Heights Hazards
Hazards such as unstable surfaces, lack of guardrails, unprotected edges, and inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE) can pose serious risks to workers working at heights.
Falls are the most common cause of fatalities in the construction industry, making it imperative for workers to be vigilant of these potential dangers.
Other hazards include poor weather conditions, improper training, faulty equipment, and inadequate supervision.
It’s crucial for workers to be aware of these risks and report any unsafe conditions immediately to prevent accidents or injuries.
Height Safety: A Vital Consideration
Working at heights is no walk in the park; it involves juggling the demands of the task while keeping gravity in mind.
Height safety encompasses a wide range of precautions and actions taken to safeguard workers from the dangers associated with elevated work.
If you’ve ever questioned the seriousness of this issue, without intending any pun, think about this alarming fact; falls from heights rank high among the leading causes of workplace fatalities and serious injuries.
The risks include injuries from falls like fractures and head trauma to more grave scenarios like accidents near power lines or fatal falls.
So, why do we present these facts so bluntly?
It’s because understanding these hazards clearly underscores the significance of prioritising safety when working at elevated levels.
Addressing these risky aspects related to gravity necessitates a comprehensive set of measures that no responsible employer should overlook.
This includes providing essential personal protective gear such as harnesses, helmets and lanyards, along with strict work procedures like ensuring safe access to heights and maintaining secure work platforms – all crucial steps in preventing accidents.
Remember that complex formula we talked about earlier. The greater the height, the greater the danger.
As workers ascend, they must always be mindful of safety measures.
Ensuring height safety is crucial; it serves as both a physical and symbolic lifeline for workers suspended in the air.
Giving it proper consideration guarantees that working at elevated levels is not a risk but a carefully planned endeavour with safety as the top priority.
Exploring Workplace Safety Measures
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is important for workers to minimise these risks and ensure their safety while on the job.
PPE for height work is specifically designed to protect workers from falling or suffering injuries due to hazardous conditions.
Types of PPE for Height Work
Some common types of PPE for height work include:
Full-body harness – Distributes the impact of a fall across the body.
Safety lanyard – Connects the harness to a secure anchor point.
Safety helmet – Protects the head from falling objects.
Grip gloves – Enhances grip on tools and surfaces.
Safety goggles – Shields the eyes from debris or foreign objects.
Implementing a Fall Protection Plan
Employers must provide correct fall protection equipment, such as harnesses, lanyards, guardrails, and safety nets, and ensure that workers are trained in their proper use.
Regular inspections of the equipment and work site are also necessary to maintain safety standards.
Furthermore, it is imperative to establish WHS duties and clear guidelines and procedures for working at heights, including safety protocols for accessing and exiting elevated work areas, as well as precautions to prevent falls.
Continuous communication between employers and workers regarding safety procedures and regular safety meetings to address any concerns or issues are vital components of a successful fall protection plan.
Emergency Preparedness and Response
In the event of a fall or other emergency, workers must be well-trained on how to respond quickly and appropriately to minimise injuries and ensure their safety.
With regular training drills and simulations, workers should familiarise themselves with emergency procedures and evacuation routes, enabling them to act decisively in case of an emergency.
Employers should also have rescue plans in place, including procedures for onsite first aid and medical assistance.
Being prepared for emergencies is critical in protecting workers’ well-being and preventing accidents from escalating into more serious incidents.
Risk Assessment
A risk assessment entails a comprehensive examination of the work environment, tasks involved, and the employees performing them.
It involves breaking down each aspect of the work, identifying associated hazards and assessing the possible consequences of these risks.
The main goal is to pinpoint every possible danger related to working at heights, ranging from obvious to subtle risks.
Risk assessments should not be a one-time occurrence. It’s advisable to conduct them regularly to adjust to changes in personnel, equipment, job requirements, and surroundings.
A construction site today may have a different appearance in a week or a month, leading to potential changes in risks as well.
Start by evaluating where the work will take place. Whether it’s on top of a building under construction, a shelf in a warehouse or a tree in a park. As each location poses unique hazards.
To assess risks accurately, various factors like duration, frequency, equipment used, and weather conditions must be taken into account.
Additionally, the workers themselves play a crucial role.
Their physical fitness, training, comfort level, and individual health conditions can significantly influence the overall risk assessment.
Risk Management
You must eliminate or minimise the risks associated with working from heights, according to Safe Work Australia.
It is also important to provide safe exits and entrances, especially in areas where there are risks of falling.
You should always work on solid ground or in a stable construction.
If this is not possible, then you should provide and maintain an adequate system of protection against falls.
Such as:
A fall prevention device, such as barriers, scaffolding, or elevating work platforms, can help prevent accidents.
- A work-positioning system, such as an industrial rope access.
- A fall-absorbent system can be used – such as a safety net, or a catch platform.
- It may be necessary to combine these controls to reduce the risk.
- When planning to work at height, consider fall prevention.
A fall prevention device that is already installed should not require any adjustments. Work procedures should be in place to show how the fall prevention device is installed, used, and maintained correctly.
Work positioning systems can be any structure or plant that supports or positions a worker at height. Temporary work platforms are not included. Work positioning systems must be used safely by workers and supervisors.
If other safety measures fail, fall arrest systems will protect workers. Make sure workers are properly trained on their use and upkeep.
AlertForce Working at Heights Training Program: Elevate Workplace Safety
Tailored Training for Specific Needs:
- AlertForce offers specialised Working at Heights Training Program.
- The program is designed to cater to the specific needs of workplaces where tasks are routinely performed at height.
Comprehensive and Customised Approach:
- AlertForce’s training goes beyond generic safety guidelines, offering a comprehensive and customised approach.
- Addresses the unique challenges and environments of each workplace, ensuring relevance and effectiveness.
Active Employee Involvement:
- Actively involves employees in the training process.
- Encourages participation, questions, and feedback to create a sense of ownership and responsibility among the workforce.
Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation:
- The program includes a robust monitoring and evaluation system.
- Regular assessments ensure that the training remains effective, identifying areas for improvement and adaptation.
Promoting Proficiency and Confidence:
- AlertForce’s program aims not only to meet safety standards but also to enhance proficiency.
- Fosters confidence in employees to handle height-related tasks safely and efficiently.
Ensuring Ongoing Compliance:
- The training program aligns with latest Australian regulatory requirements, ensuring ongoing compliance.
- Regular updates and adjustments are made to reflect any changes in safety standards or industry best practices.
Creating a Safer Work Environment:
- AlertForce’s Working at Heights Training Program contributes to the creation of a safer work environment.
- It establishes a foundation for continuous improvement in safety procedures, reducing the risk of falls and injuries.
Conclusion
From above, it’s important for employees working at heights to undergo thorough AlertForce training programs to ensure their safety and the safety of those around them.
Recommended training includes courses on fall prevention, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), hazard recognition, and emergency procedures.
By investing in the necessary training, employers can equip their employees with the knowledge and skills needed to work safely at heights and reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.
Bear in mind that safety should always be the top priority when working at heights.
However, these measures alone are not foolproof solutions. Regulations concerning working at heights are in place to standardise safety procedures and ensure that no lapses occur. They establish legal responsibility, promoting diligent compliance with safety standards across different sectors.
Are You Implementing Silica Awareness in Construction?
Most construction workers are familiar with the various hazards they face on job sites, but one lesser-known yet highly significant danger is respirable crystalline silica (RCS).
These fine dust particles can lead to serious lung diseases, including silicosis, lung cancer, and respiratory conditions.
Being aware of the risks associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica is crucial in ensuring the safety and health of workers in the construction industry.
RCS is dangerous as it’s easy for people to breathe it in, it is difficult to see in normal lighting, and it can remain in the air hours after it becomes airborne.
RCS risks can be generated by tasks such as grinding, cutting, polishing, and crushing materials that contain at least 1% crystalline silica.
Dry sweeping and compressed air can also cause RCS to become airborne.
Silica: Know Your Construction Materials
The first step to any safety strategy is knowing your construction materials, especially when respiratory hazards such as respirable crystalline silica are involved.
The mineral crystalline silica can be found in many construction materials. Concrete, granite, tiles, bricks, and drywall are some of the worst culprits.
It can also be found in places we wouldn’t expect, like grout, rocks, and soil.
Even the ground under our feet can contain silica.
But then, it gets complicated.
How?
These materials aren’t hazardous if they aren’t disturbed.
Once these materials are cut, ground, or drilled – the problems begin.
The processes create dust that is small enough to be inhaled.
This dust can become lodged in lungs and cause severe health problems over time.
The dust that these materials create is the real danger. This is why certain construction activities, such as sandblasting and stone cutting, rock drilling, concrete mixing, and grinding, are to be avoided.
What is the key message here?
Know Your Construction Materials.
Be aware that silica can form during these activities.
This is an important step to reducing RCS risks, and ultimately keeping workers healthy and safe.
Regulations and Guidelines for Silica Awareness
According to Safe Work Australia, under the Model WHS Regulations, PCBUs specific responsibilities include managing the risks of health and safety when handling, producing, and storing dangerous chemicals, including silica.
PCBU’s responsibilities also include monitoring workers’ health and ensuring that the workplace exposure standards for crystalline silica are not exceeded.
By selecting and implementing controls using the hierarchy, it is possible to manage risks and reduce worker exposures.
- Substitutions, for example, choosing a product without crystalline silica on a worktop.
- Use of enclosures and automation for dust-generating tasks.
- Engineering controls that minimise the risk of exposure, such as local exhaust ventilation, wet cutting (water suppression), or tools with dust-collection attachments.
- Administrative controls include good housekeeping policies and shift rotations, as well as modifying the cutting sequences.
- Personal protective equipment, including respiratory protective equipment that is appropriate (generally at least a half-face respirator with a P2 rating) and clothing that doesn’t collect dust.
The Prohibition of Engineered Stones
Commonwealth, state, and territory WHS ministers have accepted Safe Work Australia’s recommendations to ban the use of all engineered stones in order to protect workers’ health and safety.
Safe Work Australia will amend the model WHS Regulations to prohibit a PCBU from performing work or to direct or allow a worker to perform work on or with engineered stone. This prohibition does not apply to engineered stones installed before the prohibition.
Safe Work Australia has developed a national framework for ensuring that anyone who works with engineered stones installed before the ban does so in a safe manner.
The ban will come into effect in July 2024.
Silica Awareness in the Construction Industry
Any construction company should prioritise creating a Silica Awareness Program that is effective and efficient.
These steps will help you create a program to educate and protect your employees against the dangers of Respirable Crystalline Silica.
Step 1: Create a Taskforce: Assemble a task force consisting of key stakeholders such as site supervisors and occupational health and safety officials, along with workers themselves. This group will help shape the Silica Awareness Program’s policies, guidelines, and strategies.
Step 2: Risk assessment: Identify the operations that could lead to silica contamination, evaluate current controls, and identify where additional measures or improvements are required.
Step 3: Training and Education: Inform employees of the dangers and effects of RCS. You can do this through regular safety meetings or by specialised training.
Step 4: Prevention Strategies: Implement preventive strategies such as dust control strategies, proper methods for handling materials containing silica, personal protective equipment (PPE), health surveillance programs, and appropriate dust control techniques.
Step 5: Open Communication: Maintain open lines of communication between all parties to ensure that safety practices are reinforced and policies are adhered to. Workers should be empowered to express their concerns and suggestions about safety issues.
Step 6: Regular Evaluation: Perform regular evaluations of the program to determine its effectiveness. Consider the feedback of workers, changes to work processes, available technology, and new information regarding hazards and risks associated with silica exposure.
The education of workers is crucial in reducing RCS exposure.
It’s not enough to have the right tools and strict rules.
It is about creating an environment where safety is valued, and a culture of knowledge is promoted.
This includes recognising and addressing the risks posed by RCS and other materials, as well as the prevention and management methods.
Other Protective Measures
1 – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the first line of defence for your construction crew against RCS.
Full-coverage respirators, full-coverage face masks, and even special clothing are all available to keep silica from settling on the workers’ clothes.
To filter out silica dust, choose N95-rated or higher masks and replace them regularly.
Remember that PPE is not a solution you can just set and forget. It is just as important to train your crew in the proper maintenance and use of PPE as it is to invest in high-quality equipment.
2 – Housekeeping practices – We’re not advocating daily Spring cleaning. Regular site cleaning and maintenance are crucial to controlling RCS.
For example, water can be an effective tool. Dampening surfaces and using tools that are powered by water can help reduce dust generated during drilling or cutting.
If water isn’t an option, vacuuming using approved dust collection systems will help stop silica from escaping into the workplace.
3 – Technology for silica reduction – Dust control systems on machines and tools can make a big difference in the reduction of silica. Technology can save lives. From integrated water delivery systems to HEPA-filtered vacuum systems to remove dust at its source, technology is a lifesaver.
Where can I enrol in silica awareness training program?
AlertForce’s Silica Awareness Training is an in-depth study of the dangers associated with silica.
It provides participants with vital knowledge that will help them navigate safely through environments where silica can be a problem.
This course is designed for workers and employers who may be exposed to silica dust.
You will learn about the different types of silica and the health risks associated with crystalline silica.
We focus on real-world application so that you are not only familiar with the theory of silica safety but also competent in practical safety protocols.
All our trainings are designed in accordance with the most recent safety protocols and guidelines.
Enroll in our Silica Awareness Training to improve your knowledge, protect yourself and your co-workers, and create a safer working environment.
This course will provide you with the following key insights:
- Silica source identification: Familiarise yourself with the many sources of silica and their environments. Also, learn how they react with different materials and equipment.
- Health surveillance programs: Explore the physiological effects silica can have on your health, from respiratory conditions to chronic illnesses, and learn the importance of early intervention.
- Safety protocols: Using a combination of theoretical knowledge, and practical demonstrations, you will master the art and science of implementing robust measures to reduce and manage exposure risk.
Regulatory Standards: Stay up to date with the latest safety regulations, guidelines, and standards that govern exposure to silica. This will ensure that you are always in compliance and informed.
Is Manual Handling Training Necessary for Workplace Safety?
It’s imperative to understand the significance of manual handling training for ensuring workplace safety.
Manual handling tasks, such as lifting, carrying, and pushing, are common in various industries and can lead to serious injuries if not performed correctly.
Proper manual handling training equips employees with the knowledge and skills to handle heavy loads safely, reducing the risk of accidents and promoting a safer work environment.
Hazardous Manual Tasks
- Certain manual tasks can cause stress on the body, which may lead to musculoskeletal disorder (MSD).
- Hazardous manual tasks include any tasks that require someone to lift, lower, push or pull, or carry a person, an animal, or a thing (Safe Work Australia).
- Repeated movement.
- Repeated or sustained force.
- High or sudden force.
- Maintaining or awkward postures.
- Vibration Exposure.
Importance of Manual Handling Training?
Manual handling training aims to educate employees involved in any type of manual handling tasks at their workplace on how to carry out their tasks safely without putting themselves or others at risk. It also provides guidance on what steps to take in the event of workplace incidents.
To prevent injuries and avoid workers’ compensation claims, it’s important to conduct manual handling training.
This type of training complements existing protocols that may already be in place, such as guidelines for using specific equipment and performing tasks safely.
It helps both employees and management identify risks and implement control measures to reduce those risks.
Proper manual handling training also includes instructions on how to safely carry out manual tasks and report any issues.
All employees involved in manual tasks, supervision, or management, as well as workplace health and safety representatives, should undergo manual handling training.
Moreover, personnel responsible for equipment maintenance and task planning should also receive the necessary training.
This training should be incorporated into employee orientation programs and regularly reviewed to ensure effectiveness.
The Repercussions of Inadequate Manual Handling Training
Without proper manual handling techniques, accidents and injuries can occur.
From strains and sprains to more serious musculoskeletal disorders, common injuries from manual handling tasks can be debilitating and costly.
Poor lifting techniques, overexertion, repetitive movements, and awkward postures can all contribute to these injuries.
These repercussions go beyond mere physical trauma to the worker.
They result in:
- Economic costs,
- Losses in productivity,
- Decline in team morale.
It can be distressing to witness a colleague get injured, which can disrupt workflow. Manual handling training serves as a preventive measure that ensures safer working conditions.
Benefits of Manual Handling Training
Ensuring workplace safety is paramount, and receiving thorough manual handling training is equally vital to prevent injuries and foster a safe work atmosphere.
Enhanced Workplace Safety
A sense of security fosters employee retention and motivation to perform at their best. It also bolsters your reputation as a responsible employer and helps avoid reputational harm from incidents related to manual handling.
Cost-Effective Measures
Investing in manual handling training reduces expenses linked to workers’ compensation claims and penalties for non-compliance.
Legal Compliance
Businesses are obligated by law to provide occupational health and safety training, including manual handling instruction to their staff.
By investing in manual handling training, you demonstrate your dedication to creating a safe and healthy workplace for employees involved in manual handling duties.
Stay Ahead of the Competition
When employees undergo manual handling training, they work safely, mitigating common risks and minimising the potential for business disruptions caused by staff shortages or work stoppages. Prioritising the safety of your employees and preventing incidents can give you a competitive edge over your competitors.
Reduction in Injuries
Training on how to lift, carry, and move objects correctly can prevent strains, sprains, and other physical injuries that commonly occur in the workplace. Additionally, employees who are trained in proper manual handling techniques are less likely to experience fatigue, ensuring they can perform their tasks efficiently and effectively.
Psychological Well-Being
When employees feel safe and supported in their work environment, they are more likely to experience reduced stress and anxiety levels. This leads to a more positive attitude towards work, increased job satisfaction, and a higher level of motivation among employees.
To further enhance the psychological impact of a safe work environment, organisations can provide ongoing support and resources to employees. This can include regular check-ins, access to counselling services, and opportunities for feedback and improvement.
Critical Aspects of Manual Handling Training
Risk Assessment Training:
- Educates employees on identifying inherent risks in physical tasks.
- Equips them with the skills to minimise identified risks.
Proper Technique Training:
- Focuses on correct methods for lifting, carrying, and moving objects.
- Emphasises understanding ergonomics and maintaining proper posture to prevent injuries.
Equipment Usage Training:
- Educates employees on the appropriate use of equipment in manual tasks.
- Aims to reduce strain on workers and enhance overall safety.
Health and Fitness Education:
- Highlights the influence of physical fitness on the ability to perform manual tasks safely.
- Includes exercises, stretches, and dietary guidance for maintaining overall employee well-being.
Emergency Response Training:
- Prepares workers for unforeseen incidents despite preventive measures.
- Includes first aid and emergency protocols to enable prompt action, potentially saving lives and reducing injury severity.
Comprehensive Approach:
- Each element contributes significantly to ensuring workplace safety.
- Prioritising these aspects fosters a safer work environment, enhancing the well-being and productivity of the workforce.
Linking Manual Handling Training and Injury Prevention
The connection between manual handling training and preventing injuries is undeniably significant.
By providing employees with the necessary knowledge and skills to handle tasks safely, workplace accidents are minimised significantly.
This simple concept represents a crucial relationship that plays a key role in reducing the occurrence of work-related injuries.
This correlation is also evident through improved overall employee health and morale, reduced injury related attrition rates and increased productivity. These aspects collectively contribute to creating a safer and healthier workplace environment.
Investing in this area of employee training equates to investing in a workforce that is safer, healthier and ultimately more productive.
When employees are knowledgeable about the right techniques and safety protocols, the risk of injuries decreases, benefiting both the employer and the employee.
How to Implement Manual Handling Training?
AlertForce is a leading provider of manual handling training courses in Australia, aligning with the highest industry standards.
With a commitment to workplace safety, AlertForce delivers comprehensive programs designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary for safe manual handling practices.
All AlertForce’s manual handling training courses are tailored to meet Australian standards, ensuring compliance with regulations and promoting a culture of health and safety in the workplace.
AlertForce’s manual handling training covers a range of topics, including proper lifting techniques, ergonomic principles, risk assessment, and injury prevention strategies. The training is delivered by experienced instructors who engage participants through practical demonstrations and interactive sessions.
By enrolling in AlertForce’s online courses on manual handling, individuals and organisations enhance their understanding of safe manual handling practices, reduce the risk of workplace accidents, and create a safe workplace culture.
Conclusion
In conclusion, manual handling training is crucial for enhancing workplace safety. It helps in teaching proper techniques for handling materials and reduces the chances of work-related injuries.
The link between a robust manual handling training program and a safer work environment is vital for businesses engaged in physical tasks.
The consequences of improper manual handling are a stark reminder that this training aspect should not be underestimated.
Injuries resulting from negligence or lack of training can have significant impacts on productivity, compensation expenses, and overall employee morale.
Therefore, manual handling training goes beyond just ticking boxes; it is essential for shaping the well-being and occupational health of the workforce.
Consistent training is essential. It should not be seen as a one-time event but as an ongoing effort to ensure that employees consistently follow correct procedures.
Training should not be reactive, implemented only after an incident occurs, but proactive to prevent incidents from happening in the first place. By maintaining regular training sessions, businesses can prioritise safety standards and ensure that employees are proficient in safe practices.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Remove Asbestos?
Asbestos is a hazardous material that was commonly used in construction and other industries until the late 1970s.
It was later discovered that exposure to asbestos can cause serious health issues, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.
As a result, authorities have implemented strict regulations for removing asbestos.
But do you have to be qualified to remove asbestos?
Let’s explore the certification and qualification requirements for asbestos removal.
Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure
Inhaling asbestos fibres may cause serious health problems, such as lung cancer, asbestosis (a type of pneumoconiosis) and mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibres are very small and can be easily inhaled. They can then become trapped in the lung and cause scarring and inflammation over time.
It’s important to understand the health risks of asbestos exposure.
Even a small exposure can cause serious damage.
To avoid any health risks, it is vital to use caution and seek professional assistance when handling asbestos-containing material.
Asbestos Types and Its Risks
Asbestos is made up of six types of naturally occurring mineral fibres.
They are chrysotile (asbestos), amosite (asbestos), crocidolite (crocidolite), tremolite(actinolite), and anthophyllite.
The six types of asbestos vary in colour, texture and fibre quality, but they all pose serious health hazards when disturbed.
Asbestos in Everyday Life
The minerals in these rocks are highly prized because of:
- Strength.
- Heat resistance.
- Insulating capabilities.
You can find them in many products and materials, from floor tiles and shingles to automobile brakes and even certain textiles.
Asbestos removal is not only important, but also dangerous and requires professional assistance.
Since December 2003, asbestos has been banned in Australia.
National legislation
Australian Border Force
Australia is one of the few countries in the Asia/Pacific region to have a complete ban on all six kinds of asbestos.
Local standards in many countries allow for low levels of certain types of asbestos, despite their known danger to human health.
Even though goods manufactured outside Australia may be labelled “asbestos-free”, they still contain small amounts of asbestos.
Australia does not allow the import of these goods except under very limited circumstances.
Work Health and Safety laws and environmental laws are in place across all Australian states and territories to prohibit unauthorised asbestos supply, transportation, use, or handling.
The Australian government discourages DIY asbestos removal.
In ACT and NSW, the law restricts all asbestos removal work to licensed asbestos removalists.
What Is Necessary for Asbestos Removal Professionals?
Asbestos exposure can lead to asbestos-related illnesses. You must have a license to remove asbestos.
You must also have specific training and work experience to be licensed by NSW for the asbestos removal business.
If you wish to be an asbestos remover, you must have a Class A or Class B asbestos removal license.
You must hold a Class A (fire doors and safes only) asbestos removal licence if you wish to remove fire door and safes.
A Class B asbestos removal license is required to remove more than 10 m2 of non-friable asbestos.
According to Safe Work Australia, you must provide asbestos awareness training for all of your employees who are:
- Removing asbestos from less than 10 m2 and/or
- Those who work in the construction industry, such as electricians, plumbers or renovators of bathrooms and kitchens, are at risk for asbestos exposure.
The training should be tailored to the job and include:
- Asbestos identification.
- Asbestos: safe handling.
- Suitable control measures.
Asbestos Removal License
Class A license
You’ll need:
- A general construction induction (or NSW Statement of Training Number).
- Copies of the qualifications CPCCDE3015A and CPCCBC4051A for asbestos removal (remove friable asbestos).
- Evidence of at least three (3) jobs involving friable asbestos over a period of 3 years.
Class B license
You’ll need:
- A general construction induction (or NSW Statement of Training Number).
- Copies of the qualifications CPCCDE3014A and CPCCBC4051A, (remove nonfriable asbestos).
- Evidence of at least three non-friable removal jobs (no older than five years) over a period of 12 months.
Experience Evidence
Class A license
- asbestos removal control plans.
- Notes from Toolbox Talks.
- Air-monitoring reports.
- Smoke tests.
- Clearance certificates.
- Safe work method statements.
- Photos of your work.
- A reference letter signed and dated by an employer or organisation on letterhead.
Class B License
- Invoices.
- Tipping receipts.
- Contracts of Work.
- safe work method statement.
- Photos.
- A reference letter signed and dated by an employer or organisation on letterhead.
Qualification Requirements
Asbestos removal requires certification, but there are other qualification requirements that must also be met first.
The qualification requirements can vary by country or state, but they generally include:
Age requirement: 18 years of age is the minimum required in Australia.
Physical condition: The removal of asbestos can be physically demanding. Therefore, individuals must be in good health to do the job safely.
Background check: Some Australian states may require that individuals pass a background test before they can obtain an asbestos certification.
Training: As previously mentioned, individuals are required to complete a course of Asbestos training and pass an examination to be certified.
Asbestos Certification Types
Asbestos Contractor/Supervisor: This certification is for individuals who oversee asbestos removal projects and ensure that all safety protocols are followed.
Asbestos Inspection: Asbestos inspections are responsible for identifying asbestos and assessing its presence in structures and buildings.
Asbestos Management Planner: This certification is for those who create and implement asbestos management programs for buildings and structures.
Asbestos Project Designer: Asbestos project designers create plans and specifications for asbestos removal projects.
Asbestos worker: Asbestos workers remove asbestos from structures and buildings.
Asbestos Removal Training
Anyone planning to work in asbestos removal must undergo the appropriate asbestos removal training.
It’s not a recommendation but a necessity.
AlertForce’s Asbestos removal training courses are designed to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to do the job safely, without putting their health at risk.
AlertForce ensures that its courses are aligned with the local regulations to ensure that all participants understand and can comply with safety protocols.
The courses combine both theoretical and practical demonstrations to give a thorough understanding of asbestos removal.
Training is divided into three types, depending on the level of risk and the type of asbestos work. Each is unique and tailored to the level of asbestos work.
Basic Awareness Training – This entry-level course focuses on recognising asbestos-containing materials and understanding the associated risks.
Non-Licensable Work Training: A detailed course designed to prepare trainees for low-risk asbestos work that does not require a license. These tasks could include drilling holes into asbestos-containing materials or removing asbestos-coated tiles.
Licensable work training: This is the highest level of training and prepares workers to perform high-risk tasks involving asbestos material that requires a license. The training includes sessions on the use of protective clothing, respirator protective equipment, waste packaging, and decontamination procedures.
Always remember that asbestos removal training should not be a one-time training.
It needs to be updated annually to stay up with the changing Australian standards and regulations.
Our training reduces asbestos-related risks and protects not only workers but the entire community.
How Do HSRs Identify Potential Workplace Hazards?
Workplace Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) play a crucial role in ensuring the workplace safety and well-being of employees by identifying and addressing potential hazards in the workplace.
By conducting regular inspections, consulting with workers, and reviewing incident reports, HSRs can pinpoint areas of concern that may pose risks to workers’ health and safety.
Let’s investigate how HSRs identify potential hazards effectively and proactively mitigate risks in the workplace.
What Is a Workplace Hazard?
A workplace hazard is defined as any potential source of harm or adverse health effect on a person.
Workplace Hazards come in various forms, including physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and psychosocial.
It’s important to note that hazards are not limited to substances or objects but can also be related to work practices, procedures, and the overall work environment.
Identifying hazards is the first step in HSR’s risk management process.
HSRs can effectively assess the associated risks and implement control measures to mitigate or eliminate them, ensuring the safety and well-being of employees.
Types of Hazards in the Workplace
Physical Hazards – such as noise, vibration, temperature extremes, and mechanical energy.
Chemical Hazards – including exposure to toxic substances, gases, vapours, and flammable materials.
Biological Hazards – such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that can cause infections.
Ergonomic Hazards – related to the design of workstations, tools, equipment, and tasks that may lead to musculoskeletal disorders.
Psychosocial Hazards – encompassing factors like workplace violence, harassment, stress, and high-demand work situations.
Who Are Health and Safety Representatives?
HSRs are the ‘guardians of safety’ in the workplace.
They are responsible for ensuring that the workplace is both a safe and a comfortable place to work.
These individuals are also the ones who are in the forefront, keeping an eye out for any possible dangers or risks that could befall their colleagues.
HSRs: What is their role?
Comprehensiveness: The role of an HSR is comprehensive and requires a high degree of diligence and attention.
Main Goal: The main goal of an HSR is to prevent workplace accidents and subtle threats.
Safety Culture: They work not only to reduce workplace accidents, but also foster a safety culture amongst their employees.
Intermediaries: These intermediaries act as a link between workers and management in matters of health and safety, ensuring that their voice is heard, and their concerns are addressed.
What Is the Connection Between HSRs and Workplace Accidents?
What is the exact relationship between Health and Safety Representatives and workplace accidents?
You might think that their role is limited to checking the emergency exit signs or if first aid kits in the workplace are stocked.
Not exactly!
HSRs are directly and quantitatively linked to workplace accidents.
They act as a shield to protect employees from potential danger. Their efforts reduce workplace accidents dramatically.
HSRs first conduct regular safety audits.
They inspect every corner of the workplace for any potential hazards.
These inspections are deliberate and thorough and aim to identify and correct any irregularities that may have developed into hazards.
Regular inspections of the workplace are a way to eliminate threats and prevent mishaps before they happen.
HSRs also spend a lot of time ensuring that all employees understand the safety protocols and have Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
HSRs also create a culture of safety in the workplace. Encourage safety dialogues and push for safety training to make everyone champions of their own safety.
HSR Training Courses
Health and Safety Representatives must be properly trained to identify and manage workplace hazards.
They need to undergo extensive training to acquire the necessary skills.
The skills of HSRs will enable organisations to empower them to identify workplace hazards and assess the risks.
They can then propose effective solutions to reduce these risks.
According to SafeWork Australia, HSRs have the right to attend up to a five-day training course in workplace health and safety, plus a one-day refresher course every year.
Without training, HSRs cannot direct workers to stop unsafe work or give a Provisional Improvement Notice (PIN).
Encouraging HSRs to attend training to ensure they have the knowledge and skills to perform their roles effectively.
You must let an HSR attend the course they have chosen (approved by the regulator), as soon as possible within three months of the request.
Where Can I Find HSR Training?
AlertForce is a leader when it comes to delivering high-quality Health and Safety Representatives (HSR) courses.
These training courses are approved by SafeWork Australia and ensure that participants have the skills and knowledge needed to create a safer workplace.
AlertForce is committed to excellence and employs trainers with real-world expertise to bring their experience into the learning environment.
Our courses cover essential topics like risk assessment, hazard identification, and effective communication.
What sets AlertForce apart is its innovative and interactive learning approach to HSR training.
The training courses incorporate practical scenarios, case studies, and hands-on exercises to enhance the learning experience, ensuring that participants apply their knowledge effectively in real-world situations.
AlertForce also places a strong emphasis on compliance with relevant Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations 2017, keeping the training content up to date with the latest industry best practices.
Participants in AlertForce’s HSR training courses not only gain valuable insights into occupational health and safety but also acquire the confidence and skillsets necessary to fulfill their roles as effective Health and Safety Representatives in their workplaces.
What Are the Essential Safety Measures for Working In Confined Spaces?
Just entering a confined space can present serious risks to workers. So, it’s crucial to properly identify and assess potential risk hazards before any work is conducted in these environments.
Common risk hazards in confined spaces include poor air quality, limited entry and exit points, and hazardous materials.
By conducting a thorough assessment, including air monitoring, testing for toxic substances, and evaluating potential engulfment risks, you can help ensure the safety of workers and prevent severe accidents in confined spaces.
That’s why it is profoundly crucial to understand and implement the correct confined spaces safety measures when working in these areas.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key aspects of occupational safety measures, hazard prevention, and confined space regulations that are essential for anyone working in confined spaces.
What Is a Confined Space?
A confined space, in its simplest terms, is a location characterized by its restricted access and egress.
These areas are not designed or purposed for human occupancy in the long term. Think storage tanks, sewers, tunnels, silos, and the like.
While the concept might sound relatively straightforward, one cannot underestimate the potential hazard identification of these enclosed spaces present.
From hazardous atmospheres laced with air contaminants to the risk of engulfment or cave-ins, the confined spaces hazards are as diverse as they are menacing.
Occupational safety measures matter, especially in these walled-in, hard-to-reach confined spaces.
Understanding occupational safety measures not only safeguards individuals working within these confined spaces, but also upholds the overall integrity of the working environment.
It contributes to enhanced efficiency, and improved workers’ morale, and let’s not forget that it’s also part of compliance with work safety regulations.
Let’s get into it then, shall we?
Examples of Confined Spaces
Confined spaces surface in a myriad of forms across various industries.
Examples might include:
- Tanks
- Manholes
- Pipelines
- Silos
- Underground tunnels
- Complex machinery
- Large storage containers
Confined Space Hazards
Confined space hazards can be split into three primary categories:
- Atmospheric Hazards: These often-unseen dangers include oxygen deficiency or enrichment, and the presence of toxic or flammable gases. For instance, decaying organic matter could reduce oxygen levels, while welding work may release harmful fumes.
- Physical Hazards: These dangers are typically more visible and comprise challenges such as unstable structures, flooding, or the risk of engulfment by materials like sand or grain.
- Biological Hazards: Enclosed spaces can sometimes host disease-causing organisms or host environments conducive to their development, such as Legionella or mould in poorly maintained ventilation systems.
Crucial Safety Measures for Confined Spaces
- Risk assessment – This entails a carefully thought-out plan that identifies all potential hazards and provides direct applications to mitigate these risks. Going in blind increases the odds of an incident, so a thorough hazard risk assessment is your best first step.
- Ventilation in confined spaces – Confined spaces often come with poor air quality that could lead to everything from minor discomfort to severe health complications. A robust ventilation system must be on hand to rapidly expel harmful substances and reinforce the supply of fresh air.
- Hazard control measures – These might cover areas like locking out or tagging out equipment to cut off energy sources, setting up fall protection measures, and implementing measures to prevent objects from falling into the confined area.
- Regular monitoring – Regular monitoring is another safety measure you cannot afford to gloss over. Confined spaces need to be continually examined for changes in conditions that might lead to harm.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Safety helmets, respiratory protection, shoes, and gloves can provide some level of protection in the event of a mishap. Each worker must have proper PPE, and it needs to be regularly maintained.
- Rescue Plan – Finally, it is essential to have a rescue plan in place. Things can go left in a heartbeat, and without a plan to expediently evacuate and provide first aid, the consequences could be severe.
Legal Requirements for Confined Spaces
For workers involved in designing, manufacturing, importing, supplying, installing and constructing equipment and structures, the objective is to avoid the necessity of someone entering a confined space and mitigate the possibility of accidental entry.
In cases where this is not feasible, the following steps must be taken:
- Reduce the need for individuals to enter the confined space as much as possible.
- Ensure that safe entry and exits are provided.
- Minimise (or, if possible, eliminate) any risks to the health and safety of those who enter the space.
Work Health and Safety Act (WHS)
According to the Work Health and Safety Act (WHS), it’s the responsibility of a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) to make sure that they provide necessary information, training, instruction and supervision to protect the health and safety of all individuals involved in their work activities.
The PCBU must also ensure that the information, training, and instruction given to workers are suitable and sufficient, considering the nature of their work. They need to understand the risks associated with particular work and control confined space safety measures.
Additionally, it is important for the PCBU to ensure that this information is communicated in a way that is easily understandable for those receiving it.
Workers should undergo training from a competent person to acquire the skills needed to perform their tasks safely.
Training and Education for Confined Space Work
Despite the potential confined space hazards involved, working in confined spaces is a necessary aspect of many industries.
Proper training and education are crucial to ensure the workplace health and safety of workers who may be exposed to various risks while performing tasks in these environments.
Worker Training Programs
A necessary component of confined spaces safety measures work is the implementation of worker training programs. These programs are designed to educate employees on the potential confined space hazards they may encounter, how to properly use safety equipment, and the necessary protocols for working in confined spaces according to Australian workplace safety and in compliance with safety standards.
Training courses also cover emergency procedures and communication protocols to ensure that workers are prepared for any situation that may arise.
Workers must undergo thorough training to understand the specific risks associated with working in confined spaces and how to mitigate them effectively. By participating in training courses, employees can develop the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate confined spaces safely and confidently and in compliance with safety standards and the legal requirements for confined spaces.
Emergency and Rescue Training
The emergency and rescue training component of confined space work is critical for preparing workers to respond effectively in case of an emergency.
This training course covers procedures for handling emergencies such as accidents, injuries, or equipment malfunctions, as well as techniques for safely rescuing individuals from confined spaces.
Programs that focus on emergency and rescue training equip workers with the skills and confidence needed to act swiftly and decisively in high-pressure situations.
By simulating various emergency scenarios, training programs help individuals develop the necessary competencies to protect themselves and their colleagues in confined spaces.
Record-Keeping in Confined Spaces and Documentation
The maintenance of records and documentation is a crucial aspect of ensuring compliance with workplace health and safety standards in confined spaces.
Proper documentation includes records of training, permits, rescue plans, and testing results, like atmospheric monitoring, among others. These records not only demonstrate compliance but also serve as valuable resources in the event of an incident or inspection.
Compliance with record-keeping requirements when working in confined spaces is not just a matter of paperwork; it is a fundamental component of a comprehensive safety program aimed at protecting workers from the dangers associated with confined spaces. Keeping detailed and accurate records can make a significant difference in ensuring the well-being of employees and the legal standing of employers.
According to Safe Work Australia, records must be kept for the following minimum durations:
- training records – two years.
- risk assessment – 28 days after the work to which it relates is completed.
- confined space entry permit – until the work to which it relates is completed.
- notifiable incident – all records must be kept for two years after the incident.
All these records must be made available to any worker upon request.
Conclusion
Taking this into account, it’s crucial to implement a comprehensive confined spaces safety plan when working in such spaces.
Essential occupational safety measures include proper training for all workers involved, thorough risk assessments, adequate ventilation, continuous monitoring of atmospheric conditions, and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment.
By following these safety guidelines, employers can reduce the hazards that come with working in enclosed areas and guarantee the welfare of their workers.
AlertForce Confined Space Training Courses
AlertForce excels in delivering comprehensive confined space training courses, ensuring safety and compliance for workers across diverse industries in Australia.
Our expert trainers impart vital knowledge on risk assessment, hazard identification, and emergency response protocols.
Participants gain hands-on experience in navigating confined spaces, utilizing specialized equipment, and executing rescue procedures.
Our courses adhere to industry standards, empowering individuals to mitigate potential dangers and safeguard themselves and their colleagues.
With a focus on practical skills and theoretical understanding, AlertForce’s confined spaces courses instill confidence and competence, equipping participants with the expertise needed to operate safely in confined environments. Click here for more information.
Why Is Australia Banning Engineered Stone?
Engineered stone has been a popular choice across the construction and interior design industries for decades because of its durability and aesthetic appeal. So, what are the reasons behind Australia being the first country to ban engineered stone? And how will this ban affect the Australian construction industry on the whole?
What Is Engineered Stone?
Engineered stone, also commonly known as quartz surfacing, is a composite material manufactured using crushed stones bonded together with an adhesive. Often regarded as the darling of modern construction materials, engineered stone is practical, durable, versatile, and provides years of aesthetic appeal – think lavish countertops, sleek floorings, and beautiful wall panels.
But despite its popularity, engineered stone has become a workplace health and safety issue linked to serious health risks for workers involved with cutting and handling. This is the primary reason behind the Australian government’s move to ban engineered stone.
The Durability of Engineered Stone
Engineered stone is incredibly resilient, boasting properties such as:
- Scratch-resistance
- Heat-resistance
- Ability to withstand standard wear and tear
This toughness makes it perfect for high-traffic areas, able to withstand the demands of both residential and commercial settings without significant damage.
Aesthetics of Engineered Stone
Beyond its hard-wearing nature, engineered stone offers aesthetic versatility with:
- A variety of colours and designs
- Technology-enabled mimicry of natural stone appearance, including marble and granite
- Capability to introduce vibrant colours and unique patterns unachievable with natural stones
Uses of Engineered Stone
The uses of engineered stone are varied, and it’s commonly used in:
- Kitchen countertops
- Bathroom vanities
- Wall claddings
In commercial settings, it’s often used in floorings, reception counters, and backsplashes.
Understanding the Engineered Stone Ban in Australia
The Australian government’s ban on engineered stone is driven by occupational health concerns and comes into effect for the majority of Commonwealth jurisdictions from 1 July 2024.
Also known as reconstituted or artificial stone, engineered stone is composed predominantly of silica, a common mineral found in most types of stone.
Prolonged exposure to and inhalation of silica dust, a by-product of cutting, grinding, and polishing engineered stone, can lead to silicosis – an often fatal lung disease. Silicosis is an irreversible condition and can also lead to other life-threatening complications, such as tuberculosis and lung cancer. The rise of silicosis cases associated with the engineered stone sector has sparked widespread discussion around a ‘silicosis crisis’ in Australia, motivating the ban.
Impact of the Ban on Australia’s Construction Industry
The engineered stone ban impacts the Australian construction industry in a number of ways.
Material choices: Engineered stone is highly versatile and used widely in construction. By banning engineered stone in Australia, the options of materials available to builders decrease. This impacts design creativity and aesthetic standards and can delay or obstruct construction projects.
Costs: Engineered stone is cheaper than its natural-stone counterparts, offering a more affordable option for builders and homeowners. With a ban on engineered stone, builders may need to revert to higher-priced natural stone — like granite or marble — or consider alternative lower-cost materials with a possible trade-off on durability. Any cost changes are likely to ripple outwards, creating wider industry price shifts, and probable budget increases for homeowners or business owners looking to construct or renovate.
Industry impact: The ban also reshuffles the deck for workers in the construction industry. Any transition necessitates adaptation and learning. Moving away from engineered stone implies a need for new skill sets, as workers may need to become familiar with different materials, their properties, the tools needed to manipulate them, and associated safety measures. All this has the potential to cause temporary inconveniences or delays in construction schedules as the industry learns and adapts.
Alternative Construction Materials
In the wake of the engineered stone ban, there are some potential replacements that builders can consider.
Natural stone: This includes marble and granite. Aside from its aesthetic appeal, natural stone is highly durable and is an investment that can span generations if maintained properly. The downside of natural stone is the material and installation costs which can be significantly higher than engineered stone.
Quartz: Engineered stone often includes significant amounts of quartz. Nonetheless, 100% quartz products make for a safer, though somewhat pricier, alternative. With its natural resistance to scratch and heat, quartz also allows plenty of room for versatile design choices.
Concrete: Concrete’s versatility and customisation ability make it another considered option. Enabling an assortment of colours and textures by manipulating the mix’s elements, concrete is both accessible in terms of price and application.
Recycled glass: This option is a pivot from harmful to sustainable – a trendy eco-friendly choice that blends well with most design aesthetics, from contemporary to rustic.
While none of these materials offer the exact set of benefits that engineered stone does, each alternative material has unique strengths. The construction choice will depend on a variety of factors which includes: the desired look and feel, budget, sustainability goals, and availability.
Future of Construction Policies in Australia
The ban on engineered stone will be a catalyst for readjustment and new possibilities borne out of evolving industry policies. The ban marks a pivotal shift in Australia’s construction policies and focuses forward on what else may be in store. Some trends to keep an eye on include:
A more stringent examination of building materials and construction processes. Rigorous safety and environmental checks may become the norm, not only for raw materials but also for engineered ones, scrutinising the complete lifecycle of materials from production to disposal.
Green building incentives. Australia, like many other nations, is facing the challenge of climate change. To mitigate the construction industry’s impact on the environment, we may see a rise in incentives for the use of sustainable construction materials, like reclaimed wood and recycled metal, in an effort to lower carbon footprints.
Workers’ safety, already a critical aspect of construction guidelines, could achieve even greater importance. Given the significant health issues associated with engineered stone, protective measures to safeguard tradespeople working with potentially harmful materials may result in revised policies.
Digital transformation. Technological advances, digital tools and artificial intelligence have the potential to enhance efficiency and safety.
Public consultation. All stakeholders – large and small – could become a more integral part of policy-making with better opportunities to voice concerns and suggestions on policy-making.
Staying Informed to Keep Your Workplace Safe
If your staff come into contact with silica and are based in the construction industry, it is now mandatory by legislation to train your staff. Click here to find out more about our Canberra silica awareness training courses.
Established 2008, AlertForce are the ‘Health & Safety Training People’ specialising in compliance training for work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS). No matter what your WHS/OHS training project may be, we can help you with your change. We offer quality online, face-to-face and/or blended training approaches to create fast, flexible and competitive WHS/OHS training and compliance solutions. Our courses are designed for in-depth knowledge and understanding. We are innovators committed to help our customers Australia-wide with solutions that make business sense. Please contact us on 1800 900 222 for your training and consulting requirements
Government look to roll out ACT Silica Legislation nationally
What is silica dust?
Silica is an abundant mineral found in the earth’s crust, it has a wide variety of industrial uses. Crystalline silica dust, which can become airborne, if not properly contained, can become hazardous to workers who inhale it.
Silica dust is generated when certain workplace mechanical processes are performed on natural stone or synthetically manufactured products such as cutting, drilling, polishing, grinding and crushing.
In some cases, these silica particles can be so small that they’re not visible to the naked eye; those kind of particles are called respirable silica dust particles. If inhaled too deeply, respirable silica dust can lead to irreversible lung damage.
Which workplace activities generate silica dust particles?
Workplace activities that generate respirable silica dust particles includes:
- Fabrication and installation of composite (engineered or manufactured) stone countertops,
- Excavation, earth moving and drilling plant operations,
- Clay and stone processing machine operations,
- Paving and surfacing,
- Mining, quarrying and mineral ore treating processes,
- Tunnelling,
- Construction labouring activities,
- Brick, concrete or stone cutting; especially using dry methods,
- Abrasive blasting with blasting agents containing no more than 1% crystalline silica,
- Foundry casting,
- Angle grinding, jack hammering and chiselling of concrete or masonry,
- Hydraulic fracturing of gas and oil wells,
- Pottery making.
Do rocks and rock products contain silica?
Rocks | Silica (%) |
Granite | 25 to 40 |
Shale | 22 |
Natural sandstone | 67 |
Engineered stone | >90 |
Aggregates, mortar and concrete | various |
What happens when you are exposed to silica dust?
Exposure to silica dust can lead to a variety of serious health issues, including:
- Acute Silicosis – Intense exposure to very high levels of silica dust causes severe inflammation and an outpouring of protein into the lung.
- Accelerated Silicosis: Exposure to moderate-to-high levels of silica dust, leads to inflammation, protein in the lung, and scarring (fibrotic nodules).
- Chronic Silicosis: Long-term exposure to lower concentrations of silica dust causes shortness of breath.
- Lung Cancer
- Kidney Damage
Best silica control measures?
A Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) is the concentration of a hazardous chemical (such as respirable crystalline silica) in the air a worker breathes, that is not expected to result in any adverse health consequences or excessive injury. WHS laws at the federal, state and territorial levels mandate adherence to the WES.
There is a limit of 0.05 mg/m3 (8-hour time weighted average) for exposure to respirable crystalline silica (silica dust) in the workplace.
The prolonged exposure of workers to silica dust should be minimised using PCBUs to the maximum extent possible. If there is any doubt that the exposure standard is being exceeded, or if there is a concern for an employee’s health, then air monitoring must be performed.
When it comes to the use, handling, generation and storage of hazardous substances like silica, PCBUs have special responsibilities under the model WHS Regulations. In addition to ensuring that employees are not exposed to more crystalline silica than is allowed by law, PCBUs must also monitor their employees’ health.
Selecting and executing steps using the hierarchy of controls can help manage hazards and worker exposures to silica:
Hazard isolation – using safe work design principles to designate areas for tasks that generate dust and appropriate worker positioning during these tasks, using enclosures and automation to conduct dust generating tasks substitution measures such as sourcing composite stone benchtops with a lower percentage of silica
If the risk of exposure to generated dust persists despite the use of engineering controls such as local exhaust ventilation, water suppression (wet cutting), or the use of tools with dust collection attachments, then the following measures should be taken:
- Good housekeeping policies;
- shift rotations;
- Modifying cutting sequences; and
- Personal protective equipment, including appropriate respiratory equipment (generally a minimum of a P2 efficiency).
In most cases, a combination of controls will be necessary to ensure the safety of employees.
Safe Work Australia’s response to silica exposure at work
Safe Work Australia’s CEO Michelle Baxter is taking a stance in response to the continued issue of respirable crystalline silica at work. At the end of February, Australia’s work health and safety ministers agreed to implement Safe Work Australia’s additional regulation recommendations for high-risk activities involving silica containing materials, as well as further investigate a prohibition on engineered stone.
Additionally, ministers recognised the necessity to increase awareness and changing behaviours in order to educate PCBUs and workers about the risks involved with working with silica. In order to achieve this, Safe Work Australia has already begun carrying out initiatives proposed by WHS ministers while consulting various stakeholders including industry and unions for a unified national approach. After their call-out for submissions, SWA received over 100 responses from different sources that contributed to informing their report for WHS ministers for consideration and decision making regarding this issue.
How to ensure that silica dust exposure is within WES standards at your workplace?
In order to ensure that the Silica Dust Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) is not exceeded, business owners and managers may need to take additional precautions or modify existing practices.
To reduce the risk of silica dust exposure to your employees, consider the following five measures:
- Evaluate your exposure to silica dust in the workplace.
- Ensure that your employees are not overexposed to silica dust by reviewing the preventative measures you have in place.
- If the silica dust levels at your job are unknown, you should arrange for air monitoring.
- You should consult with your staff and any health and safety reps (HSRs) to discuss the lowered WES, its potential effects on the workplace, and any necessary training changes.
- If there is silica dust in the workplace, either in the air or on the surfaces of individuals who work with it, you should evaluate your health monitoring programme for employees.
Nationally Recognised Silica awareness courses
AlertForce’s health and safety Silica courses outlines the outcomes needed to recognise the hazards and risks inherent in working with products containing crystalline silica. It also explains how to plan and implement safe work practices that reduce exposure to the mandatory limits. 10830NAT is the national course code.
If you are a person conducting a business, the above guide will help you understand the risks of Silica further and help you make safer decisions faster. See Safe Work Australia
Ep 33 Tap into Dr Susanne Bahn’s innovative online safety & mental health program
Ep 32 Special Counsel Jeremy Kennedy explains how new NSW legislation wipes ability to insure
Ep 31 Sarah-Jane Dunford juggling 3-4 health and safety businesses incl Hunter Safety Awards
Wow Sarah-Jane is dynamic and fast moving. At 40, she’s very busy running Riskology Consulting, the Hunter Safety Awards, a new software project as well as the local branch of the Australian Institute of Health & Safety (formerly SIA).
Ep 30 Steve McLeod, Fire and Safety Australia / NSCA owner, explains how he did it!
Ep 29 Kate Smolenska Bulletproof performance is helping workplaces do just that
Ep 28 Bob Alford re-invented himself from a Weapons Instructor NSW Police to the Director Operations Worksafe ACT
James Hardie Pay Out Handyman in Asbestos Settlement
In a landmark settlement, asbestos manufacturer James Hardie settled with a local Adelaide home renovator who developed mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. The settlement marks an interesting development in asbestos-related case law in Australia.
Home renovators tend to face the biggest risk of exposure. Australia banned the use of asbestos in 2003, however, many older homes still can contain harmful fibres.
In Amaca Pt Ltd v Werfel [2019] SASC 29, Amaca, formally ‘James Hardie’; a major products manufacturer that utilised asbestos in its products over several decades, was found at fault for failing to educate renovators about the dangers of the materials used within the manufacturing of its products.
Here is a closer look at this case and how it highlights the need for asbestos awareness training.
Renovator Was Diagnosed with Mesothelioma in 2017
The story begins in the late 1990s. Mathew Werfel was renovating several homes. Mr. Werfel was exposed to asbestos fibres whilst sanding and painting the eaves of the house. As with many home renovators, Mr. Werfel assumed that the eaves on the home were safe. He outlined that you cannot easily detect the difference between asbestos sheeting and gyprock with a simple physical inspection.
Despite the enacted asbestos ban in the Australian building industry, older homes may still possess materials made with the deadly material.
After a mesothelioma diagnosis in 2017, Mr. Werfel sued James Hardie (Amaca); the manufacturer of the eaves on the homes that he renovated.
Defence lawyers for James Hardie argued that Mr. Werfel was a smoker and that the balance of probabilities couldn’t be established as the plaintiff had insufficient evidence linking exposure to his rare form of cancer. However, upon appeal, the South Australian Employment Tribunal ruled in favour of the plaintiff and awarded Mr. Werfel #3m in damages.
Part of the Third Wave of Victims Exposed to Asbestos
Mathew Werfel is not alone. He is part of a ‘third wave’ of victims coming forward with claims for mesothelioma linked to asbestos exposure.
The first wave includes those exposed to the material in the mining industry and workers in asbestos factories. The second wave includes the tradesmen who used the material.
The first two waves involved direct exposure to the material before the dangers were widely known. The third wave includes victims exposed to the material after the ban, mostly through untested materials in homes and buildings.
In 2018, over 700 Australians filed compensation claims for mesothelioma. Over half of those claims were against James Hardie and the majority involve home renovators.
To assist in the settlements, James Hardie established the Asbestos Injuries Compensation Foundation (‘AICF’). However, some analysts expect the future awarded claims will exceed the $1.8 billion that James Hardie has placed into the AICF.
Advocates want James Hardie and other manufacturers to take responsibility for their past mistakes. Whilst these companies have already ceased manufacturing with asbestos, people want to increase awareness of the dangers of exposure.
Asbestos Awareness Training for Renovators
One proactive step that renovators can take is learning how to identify harmful fibres. Understanding the types of materials that are most likely to contain asbestos allows renovators to avoid work that involves direct exposure.
After World War II, builders used asbestos cement for over half of all homes built in New South Wales. By the late 1960s, about 25% of all homes in Australia had asbestos cement cladding. The harmful material has not appeared in domestic building materials since the late 1980s. Homes built before 1990 may contain some form of an asbestos product.
Through awareness training, home renovators can develop the skills and knowledge needed to remain safe while completing renovations on older homes.
The case against James Hardie is just one example of the dangers of exposure. If you currently work as a home renovator, ensure that you understand these dangers and how to avoid them. Consider enrolling in an awareness training program.
How WHS Laws Can Send PCBUs or Business Directors to Jail
Australian courts are holding individuals accountable for major work health and safety breaches. If you are a business owner (‘PCBU’) or director, failing to comply with WHS legislation may result in legal action.
The past few years have seen an increase in prosecutions brought against PCBU’s for failure to take reasonable care and negligence. This includes several high-profile incidents where directors received lengthy jail time.
What Led to the Increased Penalties for WHS Breaches?
Before the recent cases that resulted in jail time, organisations typically received fines for incidents that resulted in death or serious injury. However, several accidents in recent years have attracted more public scrutiny.
In 2013, a wall surrounding a construction site collapsed, killing three pedestrians. In 2014 within the Royal Adelaide Show, an eight-year-old girl died from injuries sustained from an accident involving an amusement ride. Another similar case involved a malfunctioning ride in 2016 when four passengers were killed in Queensland’s Dreamworld Theme Park.
These cases resulted in fines but no jail time for the PCBUs or supervisors responsible for maintaining the safety of the equipment and general environment.
After a review of model WHS laws, a committee recommended several changes to the penalties for recklessness and negligence in the workplace. Two of the biggest changes include the addition of an industrial manslaughter offence and increased financial penalties.
In fact, several recent cases have involved significant jail time and fines for those found responsible for violating the health and safety laws.
Company Director Receives Six Months Imprisonment
In one example involving jail time, the courts found a company director in Victoria guilty of breaching the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic) following the death of a worker after a fall from a forklift.
The incident occurred at Maria’s Recycling Emporium. The operator of the forklift, Maria Jackson, was also the owner of the second-hand goods and recycling business. Ms. Jackson did not have the required licence for operating a high-risk vehicle.
Mr. Robbie Blake was inside a recycling bin and removing scrap steel on a raised forklift operated by Ms. Jackson. When the forklift was raised 3m and as Mr. Blake was removing the steel, the bottom of the bin fell out from underneath him. Mr. Blake was dropped three metres, with the bin then falling from the forklift and onto him, resulting in his death. Ms. Jackson pleaded guilty to failing to provide a safe system for work and recklessly engaging in conduct that places a worker in danger of serious injury. The courts sentenced the director to six months imprisonment and charged a $10,000 fine.
Director Receives One-Year Prison Sentence
After the death of a worker due to a fall from a height of 5.9 metres, a director received a one-year prison sentence and a $1 million fine. This case marked the first category 1 offence prosecuted in Queensland.
The original verdict found Gary Lavin and his company, Multi-Run Roofing, guilty of reckless conduct. The judge found that Mr. Lavin had not installed the necessary height safety rails due to a proposed $5,000 cost. However, the courts later threw-out the conviction and scheduled a retrial due to misdirection to the jury.
What Is a Breach of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011?
Recent cases that resulted in jail time for PCBUs and directors involved breaches of the WHS Act. A breach occurs when PCBUs, officers, or workers fail to comply with WHS legislation. This includes failure to follow WHS regulatory requirements or taking action that places a person at risk of an injury or illness.
An example of a breach includes working at heights without the proper safety precautions or allowing unlicenced operators to use forklifts or other specified equipment.
Under the WHS Act, there are now four categories of punishable offences. When PCBUs fail to comply with the current laws, their penalty may depend on the category:
- Industrial manslaughter;
- Category 1 offences;
- Category 2 offences; and
- Category 3 offences.
Industrial manslaughter remains the highest penalty. When the negligence of a PCBU or senior officer results in the death of a worker, they may face up to 20 years imprisonment.
For a corporate body found guilty of industrial manslaughter, the courts may fine the corporation up to $10 million.
The remaining three categories involve situations where a person fails to comply with WHS duties. Reckless conduct is a category 1 offence. PCBUs found guilty of this offence face up to five years in jail and a fine up to $600,000.
These categories also apply to workers. If a worker engages in reckless conduct, he or she may face up to five years in jail and a $300,000 fine.
Category 2 and Category 3 offences also include hefty fines but no jail time. These offences include situations where a corporation, PCBU, officer, or worker fails to comply with WHS act laws, exposing workers to a risk of death or serious injury.
What Are Infringement Notices?
In many cases, organisations, PCBUs, and individual workers do not face immediate prosecution for breaches of WHS requirements. Instead of prosecuting breaches of the WHS Act, inspectors may opt to issue infringement notices. These on-the-spot fines range between $144 and $720 for individual workers. For PCBU’s and organisations, they may receive fines between $720 and $3,600 for infringement notices. Inspectors have the right to issue these notices for emerging risks.
While some organisations may receive infringement notices, there has been a steady increase in prosecutions for higher-category offences.
How Can PCBUs Avoid Jail Time?
In the end, it is the responsibility of every employer to provide a reasonably safe workplace and to follow the requirements of WHS legislation. You should also provide officers and health and safety representatives with the resources needed to complete their duties.
If you are a PCBU, director, or supervisor, regularly review your WHS system for compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. As these laws frequently change, it is essential to continually review and revise safety practices.
To avoid jail time and financial penalities, stay up to date with the latest trends and recommendations for workplace safety, including any changes to WHS legislation. Ensure that you are taking every reasonably practicable step to reduce risks and hazards.
Labour Hire Business: What Are the Top Health and Safety Responsibilities?
Due to the constantly evolving nature of employment, more organisations now rely on labour hire to assist their business needs. Businesses are discovering the potential value of outsourcing some or all of its operations. Unfortunately, many labour hire agencies and the host organisations that hire the workers fail to understand their duties under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) (the ‘WHS Act’).
For example, an agency may assume that host organisation remains solely responsible for the health and safety of their ‘temporary’ or ‘seasonal’ workers. The truth is, both parties have responsibilities under a shared duty of care principle. The following information helps break down the key health and safety duties of a labour hire business in simple terms.
Who Is Responsible for Accidents Involving On-Hire Workers?
In the past, the courts would often fine the host organisation for violations of the WHS Act that has resulted in either an injury or illness. However, the Australian Government has since implemented stricter guidelines for labour hire agencies for WHS Act violations. In several high-profile cases, the courts have penalised the labour hire businesses for a range of breaches to the WHS Act.
One major example is the decision of Boland v Trainee and Apprentice Placement Service Inc [2016] SAIRC 14, the agency failed to consult with the host employer regarding the enacted safety measures across its operations. This was the first time that the courts prosecuted a labour hire agency for its failure to consult with the host employer under section 46 of South Australian version of the WHS Act (Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA)).
Safe Work Australia outlines that in most cases, the labour hire agency is typically responsible for workers’ compensation for injuries or illnesses. However, the labour hire business and the host business must work together to minimise risks.
What Are the Responsibilities of the Agency?
WHS duties have previously solely required to be enforced on the host employer. Under varying versions of the WHS Act, labour hire agencies have clear objectives and responsibilities for the required risk mitigation measures to ensure the protection and safety of its on-hired workers. Under WHS legislation, the agency must ensure that workers are placed in safe work placements environments that have been risk assessed by both the employer and the labour hire company.
Labour hire businesses do not have direct control over the safety of temporary workers. They still need to take every reasonable step possible to place workers in a safe environment. This includes the following steps:
- Induction;
- Assessment; and
- Monitoring
These steps are exclusive to the labour hire industry. Before placing a worker, an agency needs to provide the worker with general information about the host workplace. This includes potential workplace hazards and the steps needed to control any risks.
Labour hire agencies need to consult with the host company to ensure they provide necessary training to on-hire workers. This involves an assessment of the placement. The agency should gather information about the work environment. If they feel that the host employer does not provide a safe work environment, it is the duty of the agency to withhold placement until its WHS concerns are addressed and rectified.
As part of the induction process, the labour agency should determine if any training is required. In high-risk work environments, such as construction or mining, all workers need to complete necessary training through a registered training organisation. It is the responsibility of the agency to ensure that the on-hire workers have completed the required training.
How Can a Labour Hire Agency Provide Safe Placement?
The best practices for complying with WHS Act legislation include the requirement to consult and coordinate with the host employer. Labour hire agencies need to review the safety records of the host company before agreeing to place an on-hire worker. Additional steps include:
- Gathering information;
- Visiting and auditing the worksite; and
- Implementing hazard controls.
Agencies need to assess the host employer, the type of work being conducted, and the work environment. Agencies should also gather details related to the materials and substances that the workers may be exposed to and the equipment that they will operate. This includes ensure Safety Data Sheets (‘SDS’’) are readily available.
To evaluate these details, the labour hire agency should send a representative to visit the worksite. Workplace visits enables the agency to evaluate WHS risks and the steps taken to reduce exposure to hazards. This visit should occur prior to placing an on-hire worker with the host employer.
Before placing the worker with the employer, the agency needs to be satisfied with the control measures in place. The agency does not have control over the actions taken at the worksite, but they can control whether to place a worker with the employer.
What Are the Responsibilities of the Employer?
The labour hire agency and the host employer need to coordinate to ensure on-hire workers are working within a safe work environment. To comply with WHS legislation, the employer should consult with the agency. The employer needs to provide details of the work environment and the nature of the work being performed.
The employer also needs to list any skills or training needed to complete the work or adhere to safety procedures. The agency and the employer should confirm who will provide the required equipment, WHS information, and training.
As a final precaution, the employer should verify that the labour hire agency has insurance policies, including workers compensation and public liability insurance.
What Are the Responsibilities of the Workers?
On-hire workers face greater risks at the workplace, as they often have less experience and knowledge of the hazards. Many temporary workers also fail to understand their rights and responsibilities under the WHS legislation.
Workers need to follow all reasonable health and safety practices. If a worker is unsure of how to safely complete a task, they should stop work, ask a supervisor and request additional instructions.
Last Thoughts on Health and Safety Obligations for Labour Hire Agencies
Everyone has a duty to comply with WHS legislative requirements. Labour hire agencies, host employers, and on-hire workers need to review safety measures and follow any necessary precautions.
Ultimately, labour hire agencies are not exempt from WHS prosecutions. Regardless, the labour hire agency must ensure that it takes every reasonable step to ensure on-hire workers receive placements at organisations with effective health and safety policies. For more information about the duties of all parties involved in the labour hire process, review the WHS legislation in your jurisdiction.
Ep 26 Dr Lisa O’Brien, CEO of The Smith Family, explains how education is changing the lives of Australia’s disadvantaged children
Ep 25 Wayne Reilly shares his global experiences solving safety problems at Rio Tinto and across different industries
Ep 24 An accident as a young electrical apprentice changes career for the good!
What Is the 10852NAT Course in Working Safely with Asbestos Containing Materials?
Work Health and Safety Regulations cover a wide range of safety training including the previously known 10559NATCourse in Working Safely with Asbestos Containing Materials.. This course is now known as 10852NAT Course in Working Safely with Asbestos Containing Materials.
The 10852NAT Working Safely with Asbestos Containing Materials is a mandatory training program for any Plumber or Electrician working in the ACT.
The course teaches you the knowledge and skills to assist in identifying asbestos and minimising exposure.
What Is the Training Requirement for 10852NAT Course in Working Safely with Asbestos Containing Materials?
As of July 1st, 2019, all tradespeople working with materials that may contain asbestos fibres must complete the 10852NAT (previously known as 10559NAT) course. This regulation applies to workers in Canberra and the rest of the ACT.
Previously, workers only needed to complete training for the removal of asbestos containing materials (ACMs). The ACT Government and industry groups developed the new requirements to help bridge the gap between the various training programmes.
The ACT Government passed amendments to the WHS Regulation 2011. The regulations now state that anyone in occupations that may involve working with ACMs needs to complete an approved programme. Examples of occupations that may include exposure to asbestos include:
- Electricians
- Gas fitters
- Plumbers
- Cablers
- Air-conditioning mechanics
- Emergency services workers
- Building and construction workers
10825NAT Course in Working Safely with Asbestos Containing Materials course does not replace 11084NAT Course in Asbestos Awareness (previously 10675NAT). The ACT Government added 11084NAT Course in Asbestos Awareness (previously 10675NAT) as a mandatory training course in 2014. 11084NAT Course in Asbestos Awareness (previously 10675NAT) is also a prerequisite for 10852NAT Course in Working Safely with Asbestos Containing Materials.
Besides completing the awareness course, you need to arrive wearing high-visibility clothing and safety boots. Participants must also be at least 16 years old.
Changes to the WHS 2011 regulations do not impact the removal of asbestos. Workers still need to complete the necessary courses to receive a license for the safe removal of friable or non-friable asbestos.
How Is the Training Delivered?
10852NAT Course in Working Safely with Asbestos Containing Materials is not available online although there is a requirement to do the final theoretical assessment online in a face to face class environment (your training provider will provide you with the necessary equipment to make that happen). You must complete the theoretical and practical training face to face. The program includes classroom instruction and practical application.
To complete the program, you need to enrol through an approved registered training organisation (RTO). Only enrol in courses approved by E-Oz Energy Skills Australia.
AlertForce is accredited through E-Oz Energy Skills Australia to deliver 10852NAT Working Safely with Asbestos Containing Materials.
Why Do You Need to Complete an Asbestos Containing Materials Course?
10852NAT Course in Working Safely with Asbestos Containing Materials is a mandated requirement for Plumbers and Electricians working in the ACT. Asbestos remains an ongoing threat to the community, especially for those who work in the construction industry.
If left undisturbed, ACMs do not create a significant health risk. However, when workers handle the materials improperly, tiny fibres may become airborne.
The airborne fibres increase the risk of various health issues including respiratory and lung diseases. Asbestosis and mesothelioma are a couple of examples of diseases that workers may develop.
Amendments to the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 now require the Nationally Accredited training. The changes to the regulations enhance the protection of workers who carry out minor work or routine maintenance on ACMs.
How Much Does the 10852NAT Course in Working Safely with Asbestos Containing Materials Training Cost?
The average cost of the program is roughly $500. However, a variety of factors influence the cost. You may find that the price is slightly higher or lower at different RTOs or regions.
Some companies also offer discounts for training involving large groups. If your company has a group of employees who require training, enrolling all at once may reduce the cost.
Can my business get training funding?
In certain circumstances businesses who are related to the construction industry in the ACT will be eligible for training funding. AlertForce are able to organise this on behalf of your business if you meet the eligibility criteria. You can check Training Fund Authority website here or call us to discuss your staff eligibility.
What Will You Learn by Completing the 10852NAT Course in Working Safely with Asbestos Containing Materials?
A person competent in this unit will be able to identify asbestos containing materials and implement the necessary controls measures before performing work that may involve activity that will potentially liberate the asbestos fibres from their bonding material.
The program also includes practical application, allowing participants to demonstrate their understanding of the techniques discussed in the class.
The general course content includes:
- Work site preparation practices
- Safe methods for drilling and cutting
- Decontamination practices
- Using personal protective equipment (PPE)
By the end of the training, you should understand how to identify ACMs and work safely around them. This involves the use of PPE to protect against exposure along with safe cutting and drilling techniques to limit airborne fibres.
What Accreditation Will You Get?
After completing the course, you receive a Statement of Attainment. The statement provides proof that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to safely work around asbestos containing materials.
10852NAT Course in Working Safely with Asbestos Containing Materials is the approved course in the ACT. If your job requires you to work around ACMs, you now need to complete this programme. However, if your job requires the removal of asbestos, you still need to complete CPCCDE3014A or CPCCDE3015A.
A copy of the AlertForce support letter from Energy Space is here
More information can be found at the Access Canberra site here.
Ep 23 Dallas Adams tragically lost 2 family members to workplace fatalities & now is using this to spread his safety message
Brendan: Welcome to Episode 23 of the Australian Health and Safety business podcast. I’m Brendan Torazzi, the host of the show. Today, I’m with Dallas Adams from DC Adams Group. Is that right Dallas?
Dallas: That’s it. Thank you.
Brendan: Thanks for coming on the show. It was just yesterday that we had a chat. You’ve got a really a heartfelt story I feel that perhaps I’ll let you introduce what has happened over the last 15 or so years for you and how you’ve turned this into a massive positive for other.
Dallas: It’s pretty heartfelt. What I have felt in the last 15 years now is two workplace fatalities. I’ve actually experienced four in my time in construction that I’ve been involved in and personally involved in too. Out of those four, two of them were family members. From those two family members I’ve developed and now presenting a presentation I call Why Safety Matters? I’ve got a background that spans over 25 years in mining, underground construction, tunnelling and I’ve also got an electrical trade.
Brendan: If we rewind back because you weren’t originally in safety were you? It was these incidents that have kind of propelled you down this avenue.
Dallas: It’s only been the last two years since developing Why Safety Matters but I think when you say I haven’t been in safety, when you’re in construction safety is there. I think everyone is involved in safety not just the safety professionals or safety department. It’s just broaden in different ways I supposed. What I believe and specially my involvement in construction over 25 years coming in 25 years ago, it wasn’t probably as strong as it is today but saying that awareness was pretty full on but then the last two years I actually went back to school. I did my cert 4 and my diploma in work health and safety purely because of what I was talking about, what I had experienced and wanting to learn more about it and to understand what is involved. That is where I have come with my safety side even though what I present is a safety story but it’s more a personal story that I wanted to get out there and share which is what I call Why Safety Matters.
Brendan: I think you raised a really good point that it’s not an us and them mentality when it comes to safety. It’s really everybody has to play their part to make sure that workplaces are safe.
Dallas: I didn’t make that up. I think that was just how it was for me. You’re always told to slow down, look out and look up and things like that. That was really our way of communicating when it came to safety. You had your safety advisors and everything like that which were good but you never really went to them as much as you do now in my experience way back then but now I believe they would be the most important part of the construction process now what they have to do from what I’ve learned and what I’ve experienced. They play a real critical role.
Brendan: Are you comfortable sharing exactly what happened with those two fatalities? From what we spoke about yesterday that to me is the story that really brings it home to every worker that I think a lot of people go through life thinking that oh, this stuff could never happen to me. When it does happen to you that is when it becomes super real.
Dallas: This could never happen to me. It was my family. I’ve been involved in this industry for so long. My father was a tunneler and a miner. My grandfather was a tunneler and a miner. My brother and I were third generation. We were born into this industry. To think that my brother and my father lost their lives in the industry. It was hard. It took a toll on me. It took a toll on my family. Developing Why Safety Matter was through emotions and what I had experienced and through that pain but what I had done with it was I turned it into something that I believed was a positive. I looked at a new direction to go with what I had experienced.
My father’s accident was involved on a tunnelling project in 2017. My father was struck by a pressurized water pipe that dislodged from its bracket. His injuries from that bracket that broke and that pipe that hit him unfortunately the injuries were very sever and my father lost his life not long after he was struck. My brother’s accident was in 2004 when he was working in an underground mining project. He was operating a tunnel boring machine and was killed in a rock fall. Both those accidents they definitely had their toll on me. The outcomes and the consequences were the same but what I had done with both of them was totally different.
My brother’s accident 2004, I pretty much bottled it up and I couldn’t speak about it. I had to go back to work to maintain my lifestyle and I just kept it quiet in my own mind which affected me personally yet I had to get back to work and carry on with what I was doing.
Brendan: How old were you at that time?
Dallas: I was 29. I just started a young family. We were living in Sydney. I was working on a tunnelling project in Sydney and my brother was working in a mine in the Hunter Valley. He was actually working with my father at the time. My father and my brother were working together and his accident occurred when they were on shift together. From that time to my father’s accident, I didn’t speak about what was involved or anything. I definitely wasn’t doing what I’m doing now. My brother’s accident, I struggled to come to terms with it. I couldn’t accept what had happened. I struggled with grief. I was very angry and things like that which took a toll over that time. I didn’t actually know how to talk about it to be honest as well. I was told about getting help and posters were there and all that sort of stuff but I was probably in that frame of mind that you didn’t want to talk about it. It hurt that much to be able to talk about it.
Brendan: What about your dad at that time? Did he get support from where he was working? What was the follow up from that?
Dallas: To be honest, no. He was very similar. He had come from that old school mentality as well. I definitely saw that change in him that is for sure. It was instant. He changed. His moods. Things that he was doing naturally became pretty hard. He was quite good at social events and drinking and having a good time to just shutting up shop, not wanting to go out or do things that he used to do. I thought in my mind that is what is he did as well so that is pretty much I went about it as well thinking this is just what you do which took a toll on all of us to be honest. It wasn’t easy. I supposed ones that were around us they took the brunt of it as well.
Brendan: I can feel it but I can’t imagine what that would have been like.
Dallas: That is why I developed Why Safety Matters and I’ve been doing what I’ve been doing over the last two years. You can only imagine when you read about it which I had done prior to. I have been involved or been around mining incidents and stuff like that too or read in the papers. We had toolboxes on someone that has been killed in the mine and all that sort of stuff but until you’re involved in it that it’s hard but what I wanted to do was to bring that reality out as much as I could or the best way that I could. I thought by developing something and then going out and physically doing it myself would not only help others but would also help me which it has. It has definitely helped me to be able to do what I’m doing now.
Brendan: Share the story with many and lighten the load and also make a difference at the same time. It’s amazing.
Dallas: I think helping people too also is a positive and that helps you knowing that you can help someone else is also taken that pressure off me bottling it all up. That is what I had been doing for 13 years prior to my father’s accident 2017 where I wasn’t doing any of that. I was bottling it up and the pressure was mounting and mounting over that time. My father’s accident that was something that came out from left field. You’re never ready for anything like this but I had to step up the best way that I could. When I talk you can definitely see the emotions of how it affected me but to be able to contain them is hard. For me, I had to.
Brendan: That was the trigger turning point that you went okay, I’m going to turn this into a positive and help myself and really spread a message that I’m sure without a doubt is changing a lot of lives and actually getting cut through with people that don’t take safety as seriously as they need to.
Dallas: I’ve been presenting it for the last two years across Australia and New Zealand. The feedback has been great and very inspiring for me to hear. That was the trigger and the turning point for me in my life. That is the direction that I went down. It actually encouraged me to find out more which is why I went and studied work health and safety. That was just the start of many doors that I wanted to open because I think our industry gives you a lot of opportunities but you still have to go and look for those doors if you really want them. As brutal and as tragic as my father’s accident was it actually got me off my little comfort zone and started knocking on these doors which has been amazing. It’s something that I would love to encourage other people to do without going through this event or this tragic event that I’ve gone through.
That is how I want to deliver it because there is so much to learn and I just started off with safety because of my message but the direction that I’m heading is along the lines of trying to learn as much as I can, spread a good word, tell people that construction is important for not only you as a job but for so many other people in the way they live and the way they live and the way they want to live for Australia and for a city and for everything like that. Bring the bigger picture of what we’re doing so you’d really feel proud of doing what you’re doing.
Brendan: I wanted to focus in on the last two years. How did you open that first talk because obviously that was probably one of the hardest ones to open? How did you get started with Why Safety Matters?
Dallas: I’m actually originally from New Zealand. My father was working on a Sydney project. I lived in Brisbane. My father’s accident was in Sydney. We had to come to Sydney and we had to go through all the coroner and all that sort of stuff straight after dad’s accident. When I had come from my job and all that down to Sydney, I naturally met the company, the management and everything like that. They were there waiting for our family to turn up. During that time from Brisbane to Sydney my head was spinning. To get that phone call not only the first time but the second time to get that phone call my head was spinning but because I had been in the industry so long. I had mates that were on their project or I had cousins, relations and all that sort of working on these projects as well. My phone was ringing red hot minutes after the word got out after my father’s accident. My head was spinning. We got flown down to Sydney, met and taken to the hospital.
My initial thoughts coming from 13 years of being angry and depressed about my brother to wanting to come down there and go what the hell to meeting a man at the airport who had driven from that project through Sydney traffic to wait in the airport to meet a family that he is going to meet for the first time with this sort of news. I stepped off that plane and I felt sorry for him to be honest. I felt he didn’t want this. No one wants this but this is what has happened.
What they did from thereon and I take my hat off to them. You can’t plan for this. It blew me away. That period of that time there is a process that you go through. We went through the hospital. We viewed my father and all that sort of stuff. Then from there he goes to the coroner and you go through that stage. You’re waiting. You’re waiting there. With our culture and what we’re from and what we believe in we’ve got to make plans. Thirteen years prior we had to do the same thing. Our plans back then were to take my brother back to New Zealand where we’re from. In this case I didn’t even live in Sydney. I thought about it. I have spoken to my mother and I said, I don’t want to do that I’m afraid. I need to do something here, right here. My friends that I’ve been with for the last 20 odd years in these projects here. I want to do something here. She agreed. She said okay, let’s do it.
I had my father serviced in Sydney. I was told, I didn’t count them but it was close to 2000 people that turned up. I had a eulogy and I spoke but I was blown away with the support. I think from that moment if I can send a message to 2000 people on that day. What can I do for the industry? I didn’t realize what was involved. I almost jumped the gun. I thought at the time like the weekend after hang on, shit. The support was really, I had 2000 people at my father’s service supporting me but I had thousands of others out there as well. I consider myself lucky. The project that my father worked on, the company, they opened the door and said, Dallas there is opportunity here if you wanted to do something and I did.
We started it August 7, 2017 I did my first presentation of Why Safety Matters. I’ve done some hard things in my life but it was one of the hardest things that I ever had to do but it was unreal. It was a relief to finally get it out and to open up about my brother’s accident because I haven’t been able to do that in any shape, way or form, anything prior to that but to finally get it out was life saving for me. From thereon they networked for me. They helped me in so many ways. Then our industry as big as it can be it’s quite small and unique. Once the word got out that I was doing this presentation, I was talking about my brother and my father wanting to help and build an awareness sort of side of my story and my messages. It just opened up for me. The doors were opened. It’s being ongoing for the last two years now.
Brendan: Is it a full time thing for you now?
Dallas: It has been. I still miss what I was doing. I didn’t leave what I was doing because I didn’t like it. I actually loved it. I loved every part of it but I just felt this was probably more important in my life at this stage. It made me feel good which is what I wanted to do. Everyone wants to feel good about something in their life and this was making me feel good. I had the support. The network was great and I was meeting so many other people within the industry that I would have never have met any other way which have been great for me as well opening those doors. Safety has been a highlight but there’s other opportunities that I’d like to go from there. One of them for me is training, mentoring, the educational side of our industry. Educating young kids or even people that have come from a different background but want to give tunnelling or construction a go and giving them the heads up of what I’ve experienced without scaring them but then encouraging them. Giving them that insight or that heads up of what it’s like but then putting a big of gloss in them so that they’re excited about what they’re going into and changing a few things that could possibly better the industry. Putting my own little touch on a few things that hopefully will help the future and things like that.
Brendan: It sounds like you’ve been put in a unique position to really make a difference.
Dallas: When someone asks me what do I want to do that was the first thing that I said. I want to make a difference. I probably didn’t know back then what sort of difference but now two years later chipping away at little things that have opened up other avenues. It’s definitely making a difference.
Brendan: How long does the talk go for when you give this presentation or are there few different variations?
Dallas: Not really. If a company wanted me for a conference obviously they’ve got a scheduled and I’ve been given half an hour. I don’t like delivering a message and taking bits out. If I gave a full presentation you’ve got to give me an hour because you’ll feel the full effect of it. That time is every part of my presentation there’s a journey within the presentation itself. There’s so much to absorb. The question and answers are just as important too. Even if there’s so much to absorb people will sit there wanting to ask me something but they’ve got to word it the right way because it’s so emotional and so effective. After that hour, I stay around. That is probably the most important part for me. I don’t want to leave that project or that conference knowing that people actually wanted to talk to me about certain things one on one or face to face or privately which is beautiful. That is brilliant but a 45 minute presentation you’ll still get the same effect. Half an hour I don’t want to rush things.
Brendan: It sounds like 45 minutes is the minimum. I can only imagine the amount of questions that you’re going to have. You could do probably half an hour of questions.
Dallas: It can be but obviously there’s different speakers. Like I said, different setups. Conferences obviously they’ve got the spaces which fair enough. The thing I like about them is you have those interval breaks and you can always come and talk to me during them. Projects, when I get a toolbox talks or meetings like that, pre-starts and all that. I can stay for as long as I want or whenever the project wants me to.
Brendan: Thank you so much for sharing your story today with us. If listeners want to get in contact with you how is the best way to do that?
Dallas: I have a website www.WhySafetyMatters.com.au.
Brendan: I guess that is probably the easiest way and LinkedIn. Thank you so much. If you’ve been enjoying the show don’t forget to subscribe and share it with friends. See you next time.
What Is Silica Dust and Silicosis?
Dust is often overlooked as a potential workplace hazard. Unfortunately, dust contains harmful particles.
When stone or concrete is cut, the particles floating through the air likely contain silica dust. This dust increases the risk of a variety of health issues, including silicosis.
To remain safe, tradespeople and even DIY enthusiasts should know more about silica dust and how to reduce exposure.
So, what is silica? Here is what you should know to protect yourself or your workers from the dangers of this dust. We have known about ‘stone dust disease’ since the Greek and Roman times with it being written about in the 16th Century by Agriola.
What Is Silica and Concrete Dust?
Silica is silicon dioxide. It is a naturally occurring mineral and a major component of rock and soil. Different types of silica exist, including non-crystalline and crystalline forms of the substance.
Quartz is the most common crystalline silica mineral. Most types of rock and products containing rock contain varying amounts of silica. For example, the composite stone may contain up to 90% silica while granite typically contains 25% to 40% silica.
When workers crush, cut, drill, grind, saw, or polish stone or man-made products containing silica, they release silica dust into the air. The dust particles are incredibly fine. Some are so small that they remain invisible. To see the particles, workers often need to use a beam of intense light.
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) refers to the fraction of airborne silica dust that poses a health concern due to its microscopic size. The microscopic particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, increasing the risk of silicosis.
What Is Silicosis?
Silicosis is a potentially deadly health condition caused by exposure to silica dust. It is a lung disease that often occurs years after exposure due to the buildup of silica.
When you breathe in the tiny particles, the dust settles in your breathing passages and lungs. The silica particles cause scarring. The scarring stiffens the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.
Besides trouble breathing, people suffering from silicosis may notice the following symptoms:
- Phlegm
- Coughing
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Swollen legs
- Shortness of breath
- Blue lips
Three types of silicosis exist — acute, chronic, and accelerated. Acute silicosis may present symptoms in a few weeks or a couple of years after exposure to silica. The symptoms develop rapidly after a short exposure.
With chronic silicosis, symptoms may not show up for decades after exposure to low or moderate levels of silica. This is the most commonly diagnosed type of silicosis. The symptoms may appear mild and then slowly progress.
Accelerated silicosis first presents symptoms five to ten years after heavy exposure. The symptoms appear suddenly and then accelerate quickly.
All types of silicosis are serious and potentially fatal. People suffering from silicosis are at greater risk of developing tuberculosis and lung cancer.
Exposure to silica can also lead to chronic airway obstruction and simple chronic bronchitis.
Exposure to Silica dust can also lead to a condition similar to Multiple Sclerosis (Nervous System Damage) called Systemic Sclerosis, scleroderma myositis and related syndrome.
How Long Does Silica Dust Stay in the Air?
Silica dust is incredibly light and can remain airborne for long enough to travel outside of the immediate area. In a confined space without proper ventilation, the particles can accumulate.
PCBUs have a responsibility to maintain a reasonably safe work environment, which includes limiting exposure to health hazards such as silica dust. OHS regulations specify that workplace exposure should not exceed 0.1mg/m3 during an eight-hour work day. To keep track of the levels of silica dust in the air, work sites with a significant presence of silica dust should have air monitoring equipment.
The use of ventilation systems can help reduce the amount of dust in the air. In fact, studies show that local exhaust ventilation can remove up to 99% of the dust in the atmosphere.
Where Is Silica Dust Found?
Silica dust is found in a wide variety of common masonry and construction materials, including:
- Concrete
- Stone
- Bricks
- Tiles
- Gravel
- Sand
- Clay
- Soil
Some glass and plastic materials also contain small amounts of silica. Crystalline silica is extremely tough and temperature-resistant, making it a suitable ingredient in a variety of products.
Cutting, grinding, or demolishing materials that contain silica releases the dust into the air. It is fine dust 100 times smaller than a single grain of sand. The particles are so small that they may remain undetected.
Quartz is the most commonly found type of crystalline silica, comprising 12% of the Earth’s crust. Any activity that involves mining or quarrying involves silica and the resulting dust.
Sand and sandstone contain the highest amount of crystalline silica. These materials contain between 96% and 100% silica while demolition dust contains 3% to 4% silica.
What Is the Best Respirator/PPE for Avoiding Silica Dust?
The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is one of the recommended solutions for reducing exposure to silica dust. This typically involves the use of a respirator to help filter particles from the air.
Respirator masks receive ratings based on the assumed protection factor (APF) and the occupational exposure limit (OEL). The standard ratings include P1, P2, and P3.
SafeWork Australia recommends that workers be clean shaven and wear a minimum of a P2 efficiency respirator mask. Workers should also wear clothing that does not promote the collection of dust particles.
Besides respirator masks and appropriate clothing, the use of ventilation systems, water suppression, and tools with dust collection equipment help reduce exposure.
In some cases, PCBUs or supervisors need to implement shift rotations / modify cutting sequences / have extraction at source equipment to help limit the presence of dust particles in the air.
Silica dust is a major concern when working with materials containing crystalline silica. To limit exposure and the health risks related to silica, ensure that your workplace complies with WHS / OSH legislation, including the use of the hierarchy of controls.
Ep 22 Liam O’Connor’s story about fast start up Tasman Rope Access innovates on Scaffolding
Brendan: Welcome to Episode 22 of the Australian Health and Safety business podcast. I’m Brendan Torazzi, the host of the show. Today, I’m with Liam O’Connor from Tasman Rope Access. Good morning Liam.
Liam: Good morning, Brendan. How are you?
Brendan: I’m well. Thanks for coming on the show this morning. Tell me a little bit about what Tasman Rope Access does.
Liam: We’ve been around since early 2015 when we sort of jumped on board with the original company Tasman Power. The board of directors came together and identified a niche in the market for rope access. The best way that I can put it for anyone that is listening that doesn’t know what it is. When you walk down the street and you see guys outside on the side of buildings cleaning the windows that is what we do effectively but we basically put men and women on to the ropes across oil and gas, mining, agriculture, defence, civil construction and a whole range of industries. There’s never a quiet day as you can imagine.
Brendan: Presumably like in oil and gas what sort of work would they be doing when they attending to machinery?
Liam: It all depends on the specific work. A lot of the time it’s wrapping pylons and a lot of blasting and painting, protective coating applications, that side of things. Basically wherever scaffolders are required. We can stick people on ropes down there and away we go. When it comes to just the one or two services it’s very varied so we tend to have quite a few services done in the same work order.
Brendan: How many people do you employ in the rope access business?
Liam: There’s about 450 members of our crew worldwide. On our books we checked the other day just over 410. We’ve got over 250 technicians out across Australia. It’s nice and busy. We just can’t keep up with the work at the moment unfortunately.
Brendan: I’ve come across IRATA a little bit before. What is the difference between IRATA training and say you’re working at heights ticket? Do you need both?
Liam: The IRATA is split into different levels. When you first come in to the industry you do a Level 1. That is a five day course with a half day assessment at the end of it. It teaches you a whole bunch of passing knots. The foundations of rope access. Then you get given what is called a logbook. You get given the card and then all the way through your career you get your hours signed off and the type of work by your Level 3 who is the rope access safety coordinator for that area. You want to do a thousand hours logged and then you pass a year you’re eligible to sit with the Level 2s. It’s a little bit more intensive and then from there it’s another thousand hours. Then you can basically become a Level 3. We do find that the younger guys and girls don’t tend to go to a Level 3 straightaway simply because they’re off the ropes. They set the area up. It’s affectionately known as pole polisher in the industry. They lean on a pole and make sure everyone is all right. They perform rescues. That is a nice specialized gig for them.
Brendan: People getting in the industry it sounds like they genuinely love being on the ropes so to speak whereas Level 3 is more of a manager or a supervisor or something like that.
Liam: It’s a very special type of person in the rope access industry with the height alone. We’ve got guys in their spare time they go skydiving. We’ve got a couple of Red Bull sponsored guys. I’ve got emails the other day from a group of guys on their break and they’re climbing glaciers. It’s an adrenaline junkie sort of industry for sure.
Brendan: It’s a lifestyle.
Liam: It is and these guys live and breathe it. It’s a lot of fun.
Brendan: How do you play into all of this Liam? Have you gone through that IRATA training yourself? How did you get to the role you are now and what do you do?
Liam: Basically I fell into it. Like most people I was completely oblivious to this whole industry. It was very underground at that point in time. Now it’s sort of become more mainstream especially with mining picking up the rope access side of things. Basically I was made redundant from a previous role. I was working for a national engineering company. Like everyone who goes through redundancy you go through that full range of emotions when you basically come to re-assess everything. I applied for a job with a company called Tasman. I got pulled in for an interview. They said, we’ve got HSC manager role. Would you be interested? We’ve got this little side project going on at the moment called Tasman Rope Access with a brand new general manager who is being relocated from the east coast to help build it and basically I’ve gone on like a house on fire. After a year another operations manager jumped on board.
The three of us pretty much since early 2016 have been building the Tasman Rope Access side. On top of that I also look after Tasman Power, the electrical side of the business as well. It’s about 150 to 180 sparkies out in the field at any one time. Then the board of directors which own the company based in South Australia. I have taken a step up to the group role with them so I’m working across South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland subsidiaries as well. It’s a very full on especially the time difference between WA and the rest of the states especially in the summer months.
Brendan: Is the bulk of Tasman Rope Access in WA or is it national?
Liam: It is national. About 60% of the work is across West Australia. About 10% to 15% is South Australia. The remainder over in our Queensland office as well. We just branched into Mount Isa and Weipa and a couple of other places around there.
Brendan: The company is pretty young. I know that you’ve got Tasman Power. Why do you think there was such a gap in the market? Presumably all these companies, all these industries needed these services. What was happening before?
Liam: The issues is people look at someone dangling off a rope and they automatically go no. That is not coming on to my site. It’s more about the educational piece with the interesting Australian standards. There is a rope access standard but it hasn’t been updated for two and a half decades. The same goes for working at heights. It’s a self-regulated industry with the accreditations by IRATA on top of that and then as they realize the potential reductions in dropped objects and scaffolding risks. That poor boy over in Sydney the other week. It’s a prime example. It’s self-regulated and there’s Level 3 self-influence down the field as well. The clients see the safety side of things as a positive after a little education session on what rope access is and then on top of that where to access pretty much any area without the need for scaffolds so you save all the money on the scaffolding costs and the additional tradesmen and the time lost between changing permits and changing up the equipment. It’s a safer option and on top of that it’s a safer and more time effective option as well.
Brendan: It’s a real win-win for everyone.
Liam: It is, yes.
Brendan: Go back a little bit for me. How did you start your career in health and safety?
Liam: First of all I got my gig with Rio Tinto as a graduate. It was a three month position then extended to six. At the end of six I jumped over to BHP at the start of the mining game. I’ve been involved ever since. I moved over to now Gibson Mining, Tallering Peak, Extension Hill and there was another one in Koolan before all the fun went down there with the actual thing collapsing. I moved on to Sodexo up in Karratha. From there I moved into that national role with the engineering company. That was 2012 I believe. I’ve been here since 2015. It’s just fun and games ever since.
Brendan: You were a graduate at Rio. Did you have tertiary qualifications?
Liam: I’m one of those weird guys who likes to study a little bit of everything. I’m an undergrad in OHS through Edith Cowan. My main background with the qualifications is pretty much all legal because back in 2010 almost I think it was I could sort of see the whole market was sort of shifting towards a national harmonization and obviously with that comes a whole bunch of legal compliance and the corporate governance that goes on top of it as well. I started studying law, international business law, business, commerce, a lot of commercial stuff. It’s definitely come in handy especially as the career has sort of grown and the work of safety sort of figures itself out over the next couple of decades as well.
Brendan: What do you see when we were speaking before you mentioned mental health. How does that sort of play into what you’re doing now? Is it an issue for people working on sides of buildings and that sort of thing or are they generally pretty up because they’ve got adrenalin pumping and it’s an exciting job?
Liam: It’s more the remoteness. I’m going through a whole rant but I’ll save your listeners. Basically the way it works is the guys and girls work away. They’re away from their family. They’re away from their support network and on top of that you’ve got a whole range of emotions going on because the whole mind is all over the joint between disjointed sleep, between transitioning from days to nights and back again half the time and then 12 hour shifts and then travelling to and from site. Sometimes the food is not too fantastic and the gym routine gets thrown out. On top of that you’re expected to Skype the wife, the husband, the kids and keep some form of sanity. For us, the main thing that we really focus on with our crews is that if anything personal comes up that you need to go sort out. We don’t need to know the specifics but just know you can be flying out at any time.
Brendan: That is amazing. I wouldn’t imagine that many companies would take that approach.
Liam: We have to. First of all the rope access industry is one big family anyway. Secondly I much prefer someone being able to have the ability to leave site and go sort the issues out and then potentially the complete opposite and this thing happening which it does happen the mining or the gas industry a fair bit. It just doesn’t really get too much exposure to be honest. For us, we’ve got all the basic stuff in the background, all the healthy eating and engagement and the real community sense and the recognition programs. On top of that we’ve also got the professional development that goes on internally. We have taken people aside and said look, this is your PD program that we envision you for the next three to five years. We do have traditionally a younger workforce on average. The moment that we find out what they’re all about, what they want to do with their career we can sort of come in and say look, this isn’t just a shot. You’re not just looking for this 10 days of work and then you’re gone away and then come back for another three. We want to bring you on board for the next three to five years and start and develop you as a person and in your career as well.
Brendan: For the younger people listening to the show is it either paid well? I guess it depends on what level you are in some ways.
Liam: It is. Level 3 is obviously gets paid the most because of the way that it works is you can’t actually have a work area set up without a Level 3. Level 1s and 2s you’d be looking at about four weeks’ worth of courses. I’m not too sure of the rights from other companies but it’s very well paid. It’s definitely more than that because down the road we’re working a buzz off it for sure.
Brendan: I guess what you’re saying is with the four weeks of training can anyone pick it up or do you have to have to have a special skillset to do this type of work?
Liam: The entering to the industry is rigging and dogging but we do have the majority of our workforce who tried qualified welders, a few fitters, electricians. As long as someone is pretty savvy with how to use a hand tool the company can take them under their wing and teach them what they need to get done out in the field.
Brendan: It’s not just being on the ropes. It’s actually being able to do stuff while you’re on there as well. Do people tend to stick around for quite a while?
Liam: We found we’ve got a good retention rate in the low 90% simply because we focus so much on the culture of the company. I’m not saying that everyone holds hands and skips off into the sunset. We’re really particular on the culture and just because someone has a rope access ticket doesn’t mean that they come in straight on to our books. We hold everyone against our values as a company and where they’re going to fit in with the crews, ourselves and that is where that social impact program that we’re running currently as well. Our values align with different contractors out and we’re happy to fill gaps and use the company as an instrument for positive change.
Brendan: How do you grow it from here? Is it a challenge getting enough staff?
Liam: We’re doing a lot of trade expos at the moment just raising the awareness. We’re going to schools. We’re going to trade colleges, word of mouth. The website and social media in particular has been massive in getting that out, getting that positive awareness about the industry and the need for people into it as well. There’s not many technicians in Australia that qualify for the rope access at this point in time and definitely not enough to keep up with the works that is going around. For us we’ve really started to think outside the box of where we’re trying to source quality candidates from. We jumped in with the Wirrpanda Foundation. There’s a whole bunch of aboriginal, Torres Islanders and indigenous candidates coming through which we’re taking in and training up. That has been a really successful program for us. Another one we’re currently with Defence Force Transition program pulling in a whole bunch of qualified ADF veterans which for me is a phenomenal program which we’re very proud of.
Brendan: Just tell me a little bit about how that would work. It’s ex-army or ex-military looking for the next step in their career.
Liam: We go through an organization called With You, With Me. They’ve got a database full of veterans. We say to With You, With Me we’ve got this position. These are the qualifications that you need or the training. Go find people on our behalf. They basically act as an HR consultancy agency. They send us all the resumes and in return we hold what we call assessment days. We run them through this is rope access. We do have a lot of people come in. They yes, this is amazing and then they realize that it’s quite a high height that they have to work from. They suddenly realize that they’re scared of heights. Not for them. We basically run through everything that is rope access, answer any questions, put them on the days and part of the With You, With Me is basically they receive government funding to be able to assist that veteran into new employments.
It’s fantastic because from a safety point of view I’ve got people out in the field that have been tried, tested and proven and trained by the best organizations in the southern hemisphere in you can’t argue with the worst situations. If anything goes wrong not that we expect them too but if anything happens out in the field our medical response crosses management incident response. I know I’ve got one or two people in each and every crew, in each and every shift that can essentially take on that situation on my behalf.
Brendan: It sounds to me like the risks are it’s obviously not for the faint hearted, working at heights and being in remote areas but what would you say are the sort of the key safety risks? Is it around that wellbeing angle?
Liam: Everything in Australia, some of the animals, it’s the equipment. For us, the environment in itself is very hazardous. Obviously remote. You’re working away. Emergency service officers, sometimes they can be half an hour away if anything does go wrong. On the mental health side of things the risks doesn’t stop the moment the work and the tools are dropped, put on the floor. That’s it. We’re done for this shift. It’s the source of that governance and that sort of oversight in the camps as well to make sure that our crews are all right. For us the risk, the mental health is huge for us and on top of that obviously the dropped objects and any governance that has got to do with working at height as a whole, making the rope areas are set out, the rope detectors are used, carabineers are properly locked in. Just the absolute basics and to say the rope access technicians as a whole because they face that risk pretty much in the face every second of every shift they’re very open to safety. They’re very open to hearing different viewpoints. If you talk to any roper they will literally talk your head off all afternoon about rope access.
Brendan: I’m also thinking fatigue management would have to be a bit of an issue as well.
Liam: It is. We’re going through a big overhaul internally with the way that we’ve managed the fatigue. We’ve been given a whole bunch of documents from our clients and we’re going through making sure that everything fits over the planning software and the internal management system that we have here. We’re basically going to be saying this is the maximum amount of work that you can work over a three month period.
Brendan: If it’s fly in, fly out work and you were saying 12 hour shifts how long would they typically go on, would they be flying in for?
Liam: It all depends on the shots sometimes. Two to four week long shots, other times it’s two or three days and it’s always the holidays. It’s definitely a range of work especially with the dates and the times and the locations as well.
Brendan: It sounds like there’s never a dull day Liam.
Liam: It’s fantastic. It makes the week go so much quicker. I’ll be a 100 by the time I retire.
Brendan: Where do you see sort of the future going with Tasman Rope Access or just with the industry in general? Do you see anything sort of on the horizon that is of interest or coming up?
Liam: There’s a few things with Tasman going on. Obviously we’re setting up a few more offices across Australia later on the year. That is quite exciting getting involved in the new areas and bringing the rope access industry into new areas which currently don’t have it. From my point of view I’d love to see the social impact program be further cemented into the company. We’re able to bring more candidates through and bring more quality people into the rope access industry from a whole walk of different streams of life. The rope access industry as a whole, it’s amazing now even the innovation. Two years ago rope access was considered innovation now it’s almost rope access the norm. Now we are moving into drones and UAVs and a whole bunch of suspended decking services. We’re going to see a lot more integration of technology definitely into the rope access sector in a way that things work.
Brendan: That sounds amazing. I’ve got five very short questions for you before we wrap up. How old are you?
Liam: I’m 31.
Brendan: What do you like to do to keep fit? It doesn’t sound like you have too much time Liam.
Liam: I’m in the gym every morning, box every second morning. By the time I realize I’m getting punched regularly in the head it’s time to go to work. I’ve got a young dog as well working long shifts and he keeps more than busy at night training him and getting all the energy out of him.
Brendan: How many hours sleep are you getting each night?
Liam: Normally about five to six.
Brendan: Do you have any personal achievements you’re looking to do in the next 12 months?
Liam: University studies mainly and then continue the Zero Harm metric that we have made internally since 2015. Two big ones but we’re working towards it each day.
Brendan: If you could be remembered for one business achievement what do you think that might be? In other words what is your legacy? What do you like to leave behind?
Liam: I like the fact that I’m assisting those who potentially couldn’t get into the industry to be able to come into the industry and get that crack, a brand new lease on life especially that social impact program that we run. That is something which I’m quite proud of internally and the rest of us are as well.
Brendan: If people want to find out a little bit more about Tasman Rope Access what is the website?
Liam: TasmanRopeAccess.com otherwise we’re on Instagram, Facebook and then LinkedIn as well.
Brendan: That is excellent. Liam, thanks very much for coming on the show today.
Liam: Welcome. Thanks for having us Brendan. I appreciate it.
Ep 21 Guy Lenoir has a knack of sniffing out risky workplace situations!
Brendan: Welcome to Episode 21 of the Australian Health and Safety business podcast. I’m Brendan Torazzi and today, I’m joined with Guy Lenoir. It sounds very French. Is that your background?
Guy: Yes, heritage is certainly French and a few other bits and pieces in there as well. It’s a bit of a mangle. Think of Renoir the painter. Just put an L in front.
Brendan: I know you’ve been involved with safety for quite a number of years. Can you tell us a little bit about your journey? How you fell into the world of safety?
Guy: I joined the workforce in about 1983 and I got into mining in about 1987. I’m a machine operator, process operator. I worked through several across in the Northeast, Gold Coast, (0:01:28.2) area and Black Flag. It’s actually when I was working at Bow and Arrow, I was working out there with a fitter and I started getting involved in mines rescue. I had my occupational first aid certificate. I always had sort of a bent towards safety because everyone that seems to get hurt they always came to me to get themselves fixed up.
Brendan: Was that because of your first aid?
Guy: It was solely just first aid. That was very the attention in those days is that safety and first aid that they’re the same thing whereas they’re not one. One is a reaction to the other. My manager at the time he actually died from (0:02:21.1) from his exposure (0:02:23.7) but I’m very grateful for him for giving me a start but they saw in me to have the potential to be something different more than just being a fitter and he encouraged me to do some safety courses and the like. He was the one that nominated me to become the safety officer for NMC Management.
I got involved in mines rescue. I had been headhunted up by industrial mine management at the time by a fellow by the name of Andy McDonald. I got involved with Black Flag Mines Rescue. It was actually during one of those events where we each had to do a recovery which left a quite indelible mark on me in the sense that it took a long time to recover the person due to having to stabilize the backs and everything. More so from the top down, I knew the fellow as well. It was a young bloke, not long married, had a baby. In a week or so ago I was having a beer with him and now we’re recovering him. It was a really emotional period there. That was in the day that we didn’t think about using psychologists and the like. It was more let’s get over it. Let’s go and have a barbecue and have a beer and talk about it sort of thing.
Brendan: The therapy was just getting drunk.
Guy: That seemed to be the way. I think sometimes it’s still the way with some people. They hide it.
Brendan: Can you talk about that rescue? What actually happened?
Guy: It’s basically a scab come off and the back sticks. It wasn’t tied. They didn’t have bolts in and he got squished.
Brendan: It was a fatality.
Guy: Yes. It just took a long time to get to him because we couldn’t advance because the ground was unstable. It was really an underground mine basically.
Brendan: Do you think that was sort of a real turning point for you personally to advance more into a career in safety?
Guy: Most definitely. That was my real trigger. A lot of scars with me. It has never left me. Kind of probably detected from my voice change but it’s still with me. The whole point is I’ve gotten to save lives. I’m one of those real passionate crusader at times. I’ve certainly mellowed over the years but still very passionate about it as well hence why we have formed the business back in 1996 to be a difference.
Brendan: Your business is called Switched onto Safety.
Guy: SOS, Switched onto Safety.
Brendan: You’ve been going since 1996. It’s coming up to almost up to 25 years in a couple of years’ time. What do you do? How do you help companies?
Guy: In a number of ways. We do a lot of contact management. We’re auditors. We audit the companies on how their contacts are performing. How they’re meeting legislative requirements. I do a bit of mentoring as well but mentoring supervisors not mentoring safety people per se. Mentoring supervisors because a safety person is an adviser, is guidance, is assistance. It’s what I term a power processional. We support the engineers, the metallurgists, the supervisors. It’s not an ivory tower of position personally. It’s a by position where we put on our overalls, you stick on your danger tag and you get underneath the bugger or the machine into the workplace and you work with the people. I’ve had that privilege of coming from the workshops basically.
Brendan: You’re not just talking about stuff in theoretical terms. You’ve actually been there on the coal face and you understand what actually happens in reality.
Guy: Absolutely. I’ve seen it. I have the ability to actually see things. It’s not a picture really. If you’re in a picture you can’t see the picture yourself because you’re one of the pixels. You’ve got to have the ability to step outside of the picture so that you can see the whole what is going on and what the relations and interactions that are occurring out there.
Brendan: Are you working mainly in mining still or have you gone much broader?
Guy: I’ve gone out of mining. We have a number of public and state government pedal contracts so assist in that like there as well as private companies. We do a lot of what they term gap analysis audit but it’s really just developing action plans for organizations and the techniques to achieve legislative compliance. A lot of people that I’ve come across the industry is they think their system is the law but the system is not the law. The system is the way we go about meeting the legislative requirement.
Brendan: Often I come across companies and they have policies and procedures and they all look nice and beautiful. They might be ISO accredited or other accreditations but there seems to be gap between these policies and procedures that sit on a shelf and what is actually happening in reality. How do you help companies I guess take that step to make sure that what they say they do is actually what they’re doing in reality?
Guy: That is one of the significant challenges is the wallpaper on the wall and converting what that wallpaper says to it’s all non-fluffy/airy stuff that they say but do they actually walk the talk. I approach it from that area. I run a program where I actually go up with senior management, directors. They’re not known to the people on projects and stuff. It’s a bit like that TV show that the bosses one, where the bosses go to the workplaces and see what is going on. It’s a bit like that one.
Brendan: Undercover Boss I think that is what it’s called.
Guy: It’s not to catch people or anything like that. It’s actually to see the reality of what is going on, the pressures that people are under out in the workplace because we have this plethora of paperwork. A colleague coined the term paper safe. It’s so apt that term paper safe. Paper will not make you safe. Having knowledge and knowing what you are doing and how we apply lessons learned to our younger people working in the industries as well so they’re not getting the bad habits. Somebody took the safety shortcut is decreasing the value of your life. It’s not just going to happen. We got out into the field with the bosses so to speak. We just go and have the look and see what is really going on, what are the interactions going on and show the actual disconnect between the systems and the reality of what people are actually doing in the workplace.
For instance I’ve been in audit not that long ago and I wasn’t with the bosses. It was a second party audit that I was doing on behalf of the principal. The contractor said all the right things in their safety planner but it was not evident out in the field. I’ve actually picked up some not good work practices basically unsafe work practices. Not throwing back pilings when they’re moving them and everything. I said to them you’ve really got to think about these things. You’re teaching young people here. You’re an old hand who is under a lot of pressure. They’re undermanned, under resourced as well. I can see that but that is not the excuse. It really bothered me. It bothered me so much that I couldn’t sleep very well the weekend after the audit. I actually wrote an email to the project director about my concerns and stuff because they don’t seem to be taking that seriously on site.
The unfortunate thing is I’ve got a call about four hours later that an incident had occurred on site. One of the blokes had lost his lower leg in a traumatic incident. That was actually something that I have actually picked up and that I had observed and I’ve informed them about. They were in such a rush to get the job done to meet the timeline, the timeline that is on the wall that they’ve got to be at this stage at this stage. At some point he said that is not achievable. It looks like it works on paper but in real life something has happened.
Brendan: I guess that is the challenge for every business really balancing the safety and commerciality of their operations so that everyone wins.
Guy: That is the eternal challenge. There are no new incidents. We see the same things occur year in year out. I have a bit of a bent towards this silicosis, black lung, pneumoconiosis side of things at the moment. We actually had eradicated out of most industries during the seventies and early eighties. Now we’re in the 21st Century and it’s reared its head in a very ugly way where we’ve got 28 year olds dying from silicosis and it’s something that we have known about since Greek times. We stopped them basically.
Brendan: Let’s go into that a little bit guide for people that don’t know about silicosis. Tell us about what that is and what is happening at the moment.
Guy: Silica, that (0:16:10.5) all the rest, it finishes material so you look at your cement, you look at your bricks and the dust there. The dust that you see is not the dust that follows you because that is the dust that gets collected by your mucus membranes and you blow it out and everything. It’s the find dust that gets down to your lungs. It actually starves your lungs and damages the tissue. It actually causes hardening within the lungs. That is silicosis in itself. It’s different to asbestos.
Brendan: How is it that we managed to eradicate it and now it has come back? That seems really odd.
Guy: I have a theory on that one. It’s that it’s simply that we are not applying lesson learned. It’s in law. We’re a bit fractured in this country in a sense that each states is different but we’re all the same really. I don’t understand why we don’t have just one law that covers the whole of Australia.
Brendan: They’re trying to do that.
Guy: In the UK, they’re smaller than us. They’ve got three to four times the size of the workforce of that. They have half the fatalities of us. That has got to be a red herring there straightaway.
Brendan: Do you think it’s our geographical size? Is that what makes us different to the UK or do you think we’re just a little bit immature in our thinking?
Guy: One, geography is a perception thing. It doesn’t matter. That person who is sandblasting or whatever in Queensland is no different to the one that sandblasting over in WA. I think we’re quite immature in how we approach these things. I feel like there’s an element of self-preservation in there that people don’t want to rock the boat as well. They have a mortgage. They have a family. You have that safety, security concept running in the back, your self-preservation side of things running in the back of your mind. I think that is where my difference is I was told I was too strong. When I went to job interviews I was too strong hence why I formed the business SOS.
Brendan: You mean strong in your opinions about how safety could be ran.
Guy: Strong in my point of view in the sense that are we doing this the best way we can without affecting the health and safety of someone. It might take half an hour longer to do something but we get the job done right the first time and not affecting anybody else. That is where I come from. I supposed it’s like stepping on toes. I don’t have a problem with stepping on toes. It’s a value set. That is what safety in health is. It’s a value set. It’s the values that we place in ourselves.
Brendan: It sounds like you’re in the right line of work really because that is what companies are engaging you for to pick up stuff and you’ve given the information and you point out what you found and I guess it’s up to them to act upon that.
Guy: We say that but what I would like to do is I actually have the people working for them going around so they have the understanding to make sure and they’re not repeating those things as well. Being in safety is not just about pointing out where they’re not doing it well. It’s also about pointing where they are doing it well.
Brendan: That is right. There’s often that perception of just focusing on the negative but of course there’s positives as well.
Guy: Most definitely. It’s also acknowledging people that they are doing it well because that gives people a sense of fulfilment and they’re more likely to continue acting in that way as well. It’s like in the old days I’ll be down in the hole underground and I’ll get the job done quickly. The shift boss knew how I did that quickly and he didn’t give me a pat in the back. It’s me that is taking the risk when I shouldn’t have really been taking that risk to get that job done that quickly.
Brendan: We’re going to wrap up the interview now. That time went very quickly. I’ve just got a few short questions to ask you before we wrap up. How old are you?
Guy: I’m 53.
Brendan: What do you like to do to keep active or fit?
Guy: I haven’t exercised in ages. I actually like being in nice, calm environment. I actually sit and lean against a tree and feel the life that is around me. A little bit more spiritual on those side of things.
Brendan: It almost sounds like meditation in itself really.
Guy: Most definitely. I’ve seen some horrible things in my life and I’ve dealt with some very horrible people as well. It’s quite toxic actually. We don’t look after ourselves very well. We don’t look after our health. I’m not just talking on the physical side of things. Our mental health is very important. That is how we approach things. This is sort of a consideration that we have to have within the workplace is that if something can be done in that person’s life they might not be a 100% thinking on that job.
Brendan: How many hours sleep are you getting each night?
Guy: I don’t get much sleep at all. I probably average about five hours of sleep.
Brendan: Do you have a website? How can people be in contact with you?
Guy: We’re very much into knowledge sharing. They will find the company SOS, Switched onto Safety on LinkedIn and please follow. It’s a very good knowledge sharing platform. We’ve got the obligatory website as well which identifies all the things that we do because we also provide products as well. One of my passions is in savings lives so we do do defibrillators as well. It’s not just about setting up the systems and measuring them to keep it but we are into saving lives too.
Brendan: Thanks very much for coming on the show today. Remember if you’re enjoying the show don’t forget to like us and share it with some colleagues or friends.
Ep 20 Daniel Scott from $3.8B property giant Cushman Wakefield talks emergency management
Brendan: Welcome to Episode 20 of the Australian Health and Safety business podcast. I’m Brendan Torazzi, the host of the show. Today, I’m with Daniel Scott who is an emergency management advisor. Good morning, Daniel. How are you?
Daniel: Good morning, I’m very well. Thanks. As yourself?
Brendan: Fantastic today. Thank you for agreeing to come on the show. Tell me a little bit about what you’re currently doing in relation to health and safety.
Daniel: My current remit is actually very specialized which has been very interesting. I’m working purely in emergency management. I’ve been doing that for the last nine months. It’s been really interesting going into a very pointed area of health and safety something that I wasn’t really expecting to happen. I quite enjoyed the general nature of health and safety across the whole lot of different industries, across different groups of people generally not specializing in one particular area. It’s very broad and diverse but the emergency management side has been a very big eye opening aspect for me in this role.
Brendan: I think of emergency management as hopefully something that doesn’t happen too often but does that mean that there’s lots of sort of I don’t know time sitting around between emergencies or is it not like that?
Daniel: No, not at all. This is honestly where I thought it would end up. I actually thought there would be a lot of time between projects and between working on things. Honestly this has been one of the most intense positions I have held in the last it’s been nearly 10 years that I’ve been directly in health and safety in lesser capacities of being in health and safety for 12 years. This has well and truly been the most intense role that I’ve held.
Brendan: What put you down this trajectory? What was the lead up to you putting your hand up to say okay, I’m going to move into emergency management?
Daniel: That is interesting. I came into the service provider industry from chemical manufacturing. I spent a lot of my early career in sort of high risk industry. What actually brought me here was some experience I had with asbestos. We had quite a bit of construction going on in the place that I worked. We had to handle asbestos on a fairly sort of regular basis just because of the legacy of construction materials used in the time that this place was constructed. There was a gap in the business that I ultimately ended up being contracted to that necessitated us to have some experience with asbestos handling and asbestos registers and that sort of thing.
I came in and managed that aspect. I brought them to the common standard of up to best practice. Then from there I went into sort of more generalist health and safety role. This secondary gap opened up. They said, you did quite well with the asbestos side of things. Do you want to manage the emergency management for us? I went sure. That sounds like fun. Not really having a solid grasp of what of this is going to mean. It was very eye opening from the time I came into this role.
Brendan: Do you think that people in the health and safety role or with a health and safety background you get to a point in your career where you learn enough so if you don’t know how to do something all the other experience helps you work it out?
Daniel: Yes, definitely. A lot of my early experience in other industries that I have worked in that I can call on in every role that I’ve held. From communicating with people to finding new and interesting ways to do things there’s always experience that you can on from your early career, from other careers, from friends and family. My dad was a health and safety inspector. There’s a lot of experience to call on there as well. It’s a whole range of places that you can call experience from.
Brendan: Define what is considered to be an emergency in current role. It sounds like it’s ongoing so if an event happens that triggered an after flow of effects after that event or what exactly would be defined as an emergency?
Daniel: There’s lots of things that can be defined as an emergency. Because I work in the financial sector now there’s a whole range of regulatory governance that sits in the background that can impact what is considered an emergency. Where we might have for example a power failure that is considered an emergency because the business needs to be able to continue what is it designed to do. Then the emergency aspects kick in and we start shipping people around from one place to another to make sure that processes can continue. We start looking at making sure that any critical aspects of those jobs are being diverted to other places and that sort of thing. That is all considered an emergency.
That comes from a range of regulatory places in the financial industry but then on a more physical aspect we have say, a building fire for example, a flood, anything like that is also considered an emergency because we have a lot of, it is the financial sector and there’s a lot of folks on the financial sector at this point in time we’ve got to look at things like aggressive or angry customers. We’ve got to look at aspects of a potential for a lone shooter or something along those lines. We’re always looking at what potential emergencies crop up.
Brendan: It’s not just reactive. It’s also being proactive to make sure that if it hits the fan you’ve got all the systems in place to act pretty quickly.
Daniel: That is exactly right. That takes up the bulk of the job to be honest. There’s not a lot of reactive aspects to this role which is good.
Brendan: Give us a flavour for the size of the organization that you’re working for in terms of are they looking after properties or how many staff? What is the geographical footprint?
Daniel: The geographical footprint of the organization that I work for being Cushman and Wakefield is global. They have offices all over the world predominantly America, Europe but then we’ve got a growing footprint in the Asia Pacific region as well which is really good.
Brendan: I’m just having a quick look online. It’s listed on the New York Stock Exchange $8 billion of revenue per annum in 2018. It’s pretty big.
Daniel: They are quite big. The US stock exchange is a recent development as well. That only happened last year. It’s a big step forward for the organization which is great.
Brendan: They essentially manage big office blocks do they? Is that the main core of the business?
Daniel: There’s really two main cores of the business. One core of the business is real estate sales and the other side is property management we look after. We look at quite a few large office blocks around Australia and in Asia. We also contract out to other organizations to look at their real estate for them. It’s a full end to end service provision.
Brendan: I guess that would be interesting with as you were saying with some of those older buildings maintaining asbestos registers and even some of the technology in buildings now. It really varies depending on building ratings and all that sort of thing.
Daniel: It does very much so. With the way technology is running now there’s a much bigger focus on stay in touch with what is happening in that space and making sure that we’re keeping abreast and putting steps in place to make sure that these things are taken care of that our customers remain in the forefront of these things as well.
Brendan: Does your role go down to things as micro as office block we’re looking after in Melbourne, the air conditioning systems have malfunctioned and it’s either too hot or too cold?
Daniel: It goes right down into that detail. That then means that we’re dealing with building managers, property managers, owners and making sure that we’re keeping on audit that they are keeping on top of those things that those air conditioners are being properly maintained. Every aspect of the building is being maintained appropriately. We have a very strong connection with the landlords, with building managers and owners and then down into the employees as well. I deal very directly with employees in the emergency management front.
Brendan: How big was the emergency management team?
Daniel: There’s one of me. I look after the emergency management of the company that I’m contracted to. Then I’ve got at the moment around about a thousand wardens and then we’ve got first aid staff on top of that as well. It’s quite a big role.
Brendan: Even managing just the training must be massive with the different wardens and first aiders in different places.
Daniel: We have contracted that to a third party, the delivery of the training but then it’s also making sure that each location knows that the training is coming that they are able to take people away from their core job to sit through training say 45 minutes to an hour. There’s a lot that goes into that to organizing those aspects.
Brendan: It sounds like it would be really interesting. There would never be a dull moment with all those moving parts. I mean constantly putting out fires I’d imagine.
Daniel: That is very true. It is. It’s getting better the more that we’ve been focusing on these things and we’re getting a lot of, I’d have to say credit to the senior management of the group that I work for. They are extremely committed to making sure that this works properly. That in itself has been one of the best.
Brendan: If it is being led from the top then everyone knows how important it is.
Daniel: Yes, definitely. The support is fantastic for this which is really good.
Brendan: I guess for the listeners that maybe they’ve just finished their health and safety degree at uni or something like that. Would you have any advice on how they can start their career in health and safety because it seems like how did you get to where you are? What was your sort of pathway?
Daniel: My pathway is a little bit uncommon. When I started working for in chemical manufacturing I started out as a casual worker on the floor and I didn’t have any formal qualifications or anything at the time. I got really curious about how we made sure that the products that we were handling, the way that we were handling them that all the processes that were in place were adequate that they were in fact keeping you safe. That got me into looking at safety data sheets. Then from that it got really closely tied in with the safety officer at the time. It was his encouragement that led me down the path to studying a diploma and then from that I was given a role in health and safety, a minor role in health and safety. I was develop and maintain and monitor processes and make sure that what we were doing was genuinely safe.
From there I decided that I wanted my career trajectory to go down the route of health and safety and are committed to studying a degree. That was how I got to ultimately where I am now is down to just being just really curious about what was going on at the place that I was working and having that questioning mentality of is this genuinely safe not sort of saying this is not safe. It’s all about understanding that what you’re doing is safe and having the right processes in place to not deviate from what is the accepted process and what is the genuinely safe practice. That was what really got me down this particular pathway. From there I wanted to expand it to different industries and look at more senior and leadership roles in health and safety. That is what landed me where I am now.
Brendan: Do you think that if you look at sort of tertiary studies or some kind of a cert or a diploma of WHS versus just practical experience? Do you think is it both?
Daniel: Yes. You can have a lot of book knowledge but applying book knowledge in a practical world is very difficult. I think that is where some industries run into problems is that there’s a very strong focus on book knowledge rather than practical understanding of what is actually going on. That is to the detriment of the industries that go down those roads. I think one of the great things about safety is that it’s really been built on practical knowledge rather than book knowledge. Book knowledge is being sort of more and more well attributed to the industry but there’s still a big focus on practical.
Brendan: It sounds like you started doing practical stuff and then you went down and got the quals and study to back that up and practice up some theory.
Daniel: That’s it. I think that is where this industry really has been born from which is a big benefit to the success of the industry but also I think it’s been a detriment to the way that some people view the industry. That view I think is steadily changing which is really good.
Brendan: That is great Daniel. I’ve just got five short questions to ask you before we wrap up today. Can I ask how old you are?
Daniel: I’m 34.
Brendan: What do you like to do to keep active or fit?
Daniel: I run. That is my mainstay but I also get up early in the morning but I have a workout regime early in the morning. I do push ups, sit ups, chin ups. That is sort of daily workout routine.
Brendan: How many hours sleep are you getting each night?
Daniel: I don’t want to talk about that.
Brendan: I hope all these emergencies aren’t keeping you up.
Daniel: No. I’ve got other things to do that sometimes keep me up at night but I do attempt to get anywhere between, I have to be honest. I don’t get any more than six hours sleep at night. I try in between four and six but that is my sleep ratio. I do not recommend that for everyone. I would say that right out loud but I function quite well on that.
Brendan: I guess you have to know what your own limits are. If you could remembered for something over your career in health and safety what would you like to be more remembered for do you think? It could be something small as well so whatever comes to mind.
Daniel: I like to be remembered for making health and safety not scary, not a problematic issue for everybody. That is what I would like to be remembered for.
Brendan: If people want to connect up with you what is the best way of getting contact do you think?
Daniel: LinkedIn is a really good way.
Brendan: Search for Daniel Scott on LinkedIn.
Daniel: You’re more than welcome to throw my phone number up as well. I answer my phone all the time.
Brendan: If you’re happy to share that.
Daniel: I’m more than happy to share that. Part of the reason for that is since I’ve got into the emergency manage space I’ve realized it’s really been a part of the industry that hasn’t had a lot of focus but it really needs it. It’s something that can be a really strong factor in a well-balanced and well-functioning health and well-functioning health and safety system in the business.
Brendan: Do you want to share your number now or you can give it to me offline. I can put it in the show notes whatever you prefer.
Daniel: I’m happy to do both. My number is 0405029675.
Brendan: Thanks very much Daniel. Remember everyone if you’ve been enjoying the show don’t forget to subscribe and share the episodes with friends. See you next time.
Daniel: Thank you so much Brendan.
Ep 19 Nick Jans talks about ‘Leadership Secrets of the Australian Army’ and WHS/OHS lessons
Brendan: Welcome to Episode 19 of the Australian Health and Safety business podcast. I’m Brendan Torazzi, the host of the show. Today, I’m joined with Nick Jans. Good morning Nick, how are you?
Nick: I’m good. Thanks Brendan and you?
Brendan: I’m having a great start to the day. Tell me a little bit about you’ve recently written a book. Tell us about that.
Nick: It’s Leadership Secrets of the Australian Army. It was published about the middle of last year by Allen & Unwin. It’s about the way that the leadership practices, the long held leadership practices that have been used in the Australian military translate very readily into other spheres and about my analysis of what those practices are and why they translate so well. The sort of part of the subtext is my frustration that A, the Australian military doesn’t do a lot to even recognize just what this translation might be and how it might benefit the rest of Australia. Secondly, therefore Australians in general have a fairly distorted view of what military leadership is all about. They see it as being very dictatorial and autocratic and command and control and men shouting at other men that sort of thing.
Brendan: In other words what we’ve seen in movies.
Nick: Yes, precisely so.
Brendan: You’re really well placed. You’ve had a really long career with the army. When did you first get involved with the Australian army?
Nick: I joined in 1961. I went to the World Military College in Duntroon and subsequently graduated. I went into artillery. I served for 25 years full time. I separated for about a decade while I pursued academic and management consultancy activities. Then the military became one of my clients and then I gradually sort of drifted back to them and ended my career with a number of years as an army reservist attached to the Australian Defence College in Canberra where I could actually contribute to their leadership program and just as importantly study all of the really interesting stuff that was starting to come out about research into leadership to help us understand that magical process better.
Then there was a sort of turning point. I live in a delightful little Victorian country town called Marysville which just over 10 years ago was devastated in the Black Saturday bushfires. My wife and I were amongst those who joined the community leadership group to help the community get back on its feet. That particular experience which was the first time that I really practiced leadership since I had hung up my military boots some couple of decades earlier. That was the first time that I relay had the opportunity to practice leadership but had some inkling of what it was all about. Previously I would just be sort of working by instinct or working with kind of a script or formula which I really didn’t understand like the vast majority of leaders I suspect. That gave me some deep and intellectually exciting insights into the leadership process and I thought I’ve got to write a book about this because everybody should know about this stuff.
Brendan: Leadership these days, I mean you’re constantly seeing it bandied around particularly in health and safety is the industry that I’m involved with. Often we say that the middle managers, supervisors trying to put them on leadership courses and teach them those skills what do you think if anything is lacking these days?
Nick: A lot of stuff really. Number one, a proper understanding of what leadership entails and how it actually happens. I’ll just give you one particular example of how these misunderstandings manifested. That is that people imagine leadership as a sort of someone who rallies the troops in times of emergency and gets people around him or her and takes the team through to a better place. That of course is part of it and what people don’t understand is the ability to do that is founded invariably on a long term set of connections between that person who becomes a leader and the other members of the team whereby that leadership group builds up credibility and trust and what not that I’d like to call leadership capital that they can draw on when those sorts of emergencies happen. That is the first thing. Leadership is a poorly understood process. Who can blame people? It is fairly nebulous. It is one of those things. It’s like falling in love. You know when it’s happening but you can’t really explain it.
Brendan: It takes some time to build and I guess it can be lost pretty quickly as well.
Nick: That is the ironic thing. It’s very much a trust thing. It’s very much a sort of an emotional process leadership. It can vanish very quickly if a leader is clumsy or inauthentic or dishonest.
Brendan: Is there a leadership bank as well in your opinion? For example we’re all humans so we’re bound to make mistakes including leaders from time to time.
Nick: If you build up that leadership capital and you make an honest mistake then your team will forgive you especially Australians. We are a very egalitarian mob and a very understanding mob. We have a good feel for human frailties. If you mess up your team will forgive you so long as you’ve been building that trust and so long that it isn’t a big thing and especially if like the best Australian leaders you come back afterwards and say sorry guys, I cocked up here. This is the reason and I’m going to make sure it won’t happen again.
Brendan: In other words you need to authentic. People can smell it if you’re not I would take it.
Nick: People can smell it if you’re not. This is another thing. There’s this expression authentic leadership is bandied around a lot. I don’t think that is understood particularly well. To me the fundamental criteria of authenticity is are you pursuing the goals that you are pursuing? Are you doing that for the team or you’re doing that for you? People can very quickly smell whether you’re doing it for you. If they sense that it’s for you and not for the team they will drop you like a hot potato.
The other fundamental reason why leadership doesn’t work in sort of take a group and middle managers and bang them on a course kind of model is that is way too late. Leadership development has got to start very early. It comes out of the fundamental character of the individual. You’ve got to begin, it really should begin with a person thinking about themselves as someone who is prepared to do what leaders do and that is step forward in times of need whether that need is critical or impending and do what is needed to be done for the team. Leadership is a very complex set of skills and it takes a long time to develop. The earlier you start the more likely your leadership attributes are likely to be found reliable in times of test.
Brendan: It’s a skill that I guess you need to chip away at but some people are just like you mentioned the fires that you’re involved with. Obviously you have that background to be able to lead. How were you able to step forward in that time and for people that didn’t know you and command that leadership?
Nick: I was known within the community. In times of emergency people will look to anybody who seems to be plausible. There were members amongst the leadership group who were brand new to the district. Because they were accepted by the other members of the leadership team and because they were saying things that made sense and seem to have benefited the community they were accepted but in my case and in the case of most of the other members of the leadership team we had been people who had the opportunity to build up relationship within the community and to build up some sort of reputation for respect I suppose if it doesn’t sound too pompous. For example every year on Handshake Day it would be my privilege to lead the march down the main street. Basically command the Handshake parade. People got to know me as that kind of person who wore uniform with a fairly senior rank. There was some level of trust that extends from that kind of activity. I have been involved in the golf club and I was known as a person who called out penalty shots against himself.
Brendan: I’m hearing some context in the authenticity side. Just getting back to this you’re saying that a lot of business these days it sounds like they’re becoming more reactive rather than proactive developing leadership skills.
Nick: I think so, yes. In part it’s not their fault. They don’t really understand the process and they’re going on yesterday’s model but this is where I think my book is important. The book clearly points out the reasons why that doesn’t work and will not work too well in the future and suggests some ways in which contemporary organizations can take their leadership development program by the scruff of the neck and work out a better way to do things.
Brendan: How long did it take you to write the book?
Nick: A lot longer than I thought it would because I was searching for a simple but not simplistic model in which to construct the leadership process. I did by I finally came by what I call the three Rs of leadership and that is Represent, Relate and Run the team. A leader is someone who is seen by the team to represent their interests. This is who also someone who is a worthy representative of what they stand for. That is the first R, Represent.
Relate, you relate to people in ways that show that you consider them to be important contributors to the total process that you respect what they are going to offer and further that you will do what you can to build the potential for contribution even more by giving them coaching and mentoring and so forth. The third is Running the team. You run the team in ways that firstly make working with you intrinsically satisfying, that the journey becomes just as important as the actual end point. Secondly that people as part of that become bonded and thinking about themselves as unified entity as a cohesive group. When people think of themselves as a team it’s so much easier to actually direct the process and to influence the process.
Brendan: That is brilliant. I love that model. As you were saying that I’m thinking about a side project that I’m working on at the moment where I’m bandying a group of different stakeholders and I could really relate to that three Rs. It really fits nicely. The simple ideas are not always easy to come up with but they’re universal aren’t they?
Nick: Indeed they are. I really do think that this is something which is universal. You look at any good leader, any good leadership team you’ll see that it fundamentally comes down to the three Rs. The important thing about is once you as an embryo leader, as a potential leader, as a would be leader have got these three Rs in your mind it becomes comparatively easy to test your preferred reaction to any particular situation against that particular model. You’re doing something and you’re sort of checking off is this one of the three Rs and how does it connect with the other two elements of the model and so forth. It’s very useful to have a simple but powerful model in the back of your mind to guide you in what you do and to help you evaluate how well it went afterwards.
Brendan: I’m curious. Did you write the book and then take it to publishers or did you start first with the concept?
Nick: I got it half-finished and then I sent it the concept to a couple of publishers. Allen and Unwin was the second in fact. To my delight they said yay.
Brendan: That is amazing. You hear all these stories that people get rejected by all these 60 to 70 publishers before they found someone. The second one must be hitting the nerve out in the community.
Nick: I hope it is.
Brendan: Allen and Unwin, do they have you out promoting the book? How did people find out about it? When I heard about the title I went wow that is such a catchy title. I can imagine that would be of interest to a lot of people.
Nick: The title was the idea of my publisher Elizabeth Weiss at Allen and Unwin. It wasn’t my idea but I thought it was a very clever one because you often hear about titles which have those sort of The Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun for example. It makes the person oh, I wouldn’t have thought that Attila the Hun have leadership qualities, more a dictator. When you think about it you realize that it must have been a lot more than that. The same with the Australian army. People don’t think about army leadership in any other way except autocratic. The possibility that it might be different as of course would sort of pique your interest.
Brendan: Have you been doing the rounds, talks, book signings that sort of thing?
Nick: Yes, we had all that stuff happened in the middle of last year. It was a mad flurry of weeks and it still goes on to a certain extent. I talk to community groups and I take a box of books with me. Afterwards there is a nice little sort of book signing series of events.
Brendan: The other question I had for you is do you know whether it’s available as an audio book?
Nick: I don’t know about the audio book but it is available on Kindle.
Brendan: Tell me a little bit about your views with leadership within health and safety.
Nick: I think it’s fundamental Brendan. It’s not just through personal example and so forth but there are at least two main ways in which leadership can affect the degree of diligence of OHS observance within a team. The first is to take that level of observance, OHS observance from just compliance to commitment. When a team feels well led and it feels well knitted together by a good leader. That is one of the things that good leaders do. They knit things together and make them feel a cohesive entity. Everybody wants to contribute to the effectiveness of that team and when the leader makes it known that part of this is OHS practices apart from the self-interest involved then people will go along with that because they believe if that is what the rest of the team stands for then that is what I stand for too. We are observing OHS because we are a good team. We are a professional team.
The second way, off the top of my head, is a more indirect way. It’s the effect that good leadership has on team stability and on staff turnover. People in teams that are well led want to stay with those teams. The longer they stay with those teams the more they get in the groove of what that team does is a matter of routine including compliance and commitment to safety procedures. It’s a bit difficult to make those OHS requirements work if every two or three weeks you’ve got a new member of the team. He has to learn the process all over again and you have to keep close watch on them and so on. The fact that people will tend to stay with you if you’re running a good, cohesive team is a great asset in that sense.
Brendan: That’s been great Nick. Thank you for sharing your journey and all about the book. I think there would be a lot of listeners out there that would be keen to read that. Can I just ask you a few short questions before we wrap up?
Nick: Sure.
Brendan: I wanted to ask how old you are.
Nick: I am 75.
Brendan: What do you like to do to keep active?
Nick: I am a keen gardener. We have a wonderful garden in Marysville. It’s something that we built up before the fire and then it was devastated in that bush fire. Then my wife and I brought it back. She is the leader in this particular process by the way. I’m just a team member. I also cycle a lot.
Brendan: On average how many hours sleep do you get each night?
Nick: I’ve just returned from an overseas trip and getting over jetlag so that is a difficult question. I reckon seven or eight.
Brendan: The last question I have and this is a bit of a funny one. What would you like to be most remembered for in business or personally, anything you like?
Nick: The way that I judge the success of my life is I look at my grandchildren and see what terrific kids they are turning out to be. I think anybody in that lucky situation can say to themselves I must have done something right.
Brendan: That is brilliant. If people want to connect with you LinkedIn is the best place would you say?
Nick: LinkedIn or they can go to my website which is LeadershipSecrets.com.au.
Brendan: The name of the book for anyone who is interested is Leadership Secrets of the Australian Army published in 2018 by Allen and Unwin. Thank you very much Nick for your time today and great to have you on the show.
Nick: Thank you very much Brendan. All the best and good luck with your podcast.
Ep 18 Rebekah Jensen from Queensland Government talks about the changes to HSR Training
Brendan: Welcome to Episode 18 of the Australian Health and Safety business podcast. I’m Brendan Torazzi, the host of the show. Today, I’m with Rebekah Jensen who is the manager of Work Health and Safety Electrical Policy from the Queensland government. Good morning Rebekah, how are you?
Rebekah: Hi Brendan. I’m good, thanks. How are you?
Brendan: I’m well. Thanks very much for agreeing to come on the show today. Tell me a little bit about what you do Rebekah.
Rebekah: I’m the manager for the Work Health and Electrical Safety Policy team here with the Office of Industrial Relations in Queensland Government. Basically my role involves policy development around a range of work place health and safety issues. In particular a lot of my work involves the creation of legislation to improve safety outcomes for working in Queensland and just the day to day of managing the policy business in this portfolio of Queensland government.
Brendan: To get into that role did you do law at uni or was it something that you learned overtime through practicalities of working with health and safety?
Rebekah: I do have a legal background. I have worked in a number of different policy agencies across Queensland government. I also did start my early career as well here in the department in another role, in an industrial relations focused role. It’s just sort of been a little bit of everything to get here.
Brendan: I’d imagine there is never a dull day. What sort of stuff are you working on at the moment?
Rebekah: It’s never a dull day at all. The work programs in the area at the moment is extremely varied. One of the key instruments that we work on at the moment is the development of various industry codes of practice. Your listeners would probably be aware that there has been a lot of media coverage around the risk posed by respirable crystalline silica to workers particularly workers in the stone bench top industry. There is a lot of work going on in that area at the moment. We really do a grab bag of issues. There’s something new coming up every day. A lot of it is urgent and important and requires a quick response. It’s never a dull day.
Brendan: That is the thing that you have to prioritize all the time I would imagine. What is more important than other issues and get a bit of a list happening I’d imagine.
Rebekah: Lots of list making for sure.
Brendan: What I originally approached the department about was the changes health and safety reps. For those of our listeners that don’t know could you just give us a bit of a background on what has changed with HSRs in Queensland.
Rebekah: If it’s okay with you Brendan is just have a chat about what the role is and what it entails for those who are not familiar. Basically Health and Safety Reps or HSRs were established under the Work Health and Safety Act in recognition of the effective participation of workers in their own work health and safety interest is a really important way of improving health and safety performance in the workplace. It’s really about getting that engagement on the ground amongst workers.
In terms of how the framework actually operates. Basically health and safety reps are elected by their own work groups within a workplace. What I mean by work group is basically a group of workers on a work site who share a similar work situation, involved in similar kind of tasks on the site. The act actually allows for one or more work groups at each workplace. There can be more than one work group and more than one HSR.
The act gives HSRs some important powers. This includes the power to inspect their workplace from a health and safety point of view, to be present at interviews around health and safety incidents and also to receive and share information regarding health and safety matters with the management at their work site. They can also request establishment of health and safety committees to help guide the work health and safety approaches in the work place. Probably most significantly is if an HSR becomes aware of a safety issue on the site they actually have the power to direct work to cease on the site and they can issue a provisional improvement notice. That really requires the business or what we call person conducting a business or undertaking in the legislation to basically fix up or take actions that they need to take to prevent a breach of the act.
Brendan: In practicality do you see that happening much across industry?
Rebekah: What I can say is at the moment we’ve got 4500 HSRs across Queensland. We’ve got 481 businesses who have HSRs in their sites. What this has resulted so far is 12 provisional notices being lodge with the regulator. It does happen.
Brendan: Not fantastic that we’ve got the PINs being registered but just all that detail on what the stats are.
Rebekah: The role of health and safety representatives is not window dressing. There is real functionality to it.
Brendan: I imagine if you’re an HSR you’re only going to issue a PIN when you’re banging your head against the wall and you can’t get things resolved. That is kind of the last straw so to speak.
Rebekah: That is right. It’s always important to as an employer is to approach these kinds of relationships in good faith and positively.
Brendan: Those stats that you’ve got is that since the new legislation has been introduced? Maybe we’ll just circle back because there’s been a change now that the training for HSRs wasn’t mandatory and now in Queensland it is mandatory.
Rebekah: Correct. I’d have to take the question about the total period that fall on notice. I’m not entirely sure but if you like I can start talking about the specific changes that have happened in Queensland for HSRs.
Brendan: That would great.
Rebekah: It’s probably important for people to understand the genesis for the changes and why they’ve been made and where we’ve come from in this regard. I guess a lot of people would be aware and certainly in the industry, in the safety industry will be aware that in 2017 it was a best practice review of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland undertaken. This followed on from the terrible tragedies that we saw at Dreamworld and at Eagle Farm in Queensland. I guess the review really highlighted the unique role that HSRs have to play and contributing to making workplace safer.
Previously the legislation set out that persons conducting a business or undertaking have an obligation to train HSRs but this is only where it was requested by the HSR. What the review found was that a lack of compulsory training for HSRs was sort of hindering their ability to carry out their duties effectively and overcome I guess the concerns and just deal with their concerns about potential reprisals for taking action in the workplace, that sort of thing.
As a result the review made three key recommendations concerning HSRs. The first one was to basically reinstate provisions that were repealed in Queensland in 2014. That related to a requirement for employers to provide the work health and safety regulator here with a list of HSRs and Deputy HSRs for each work group. The second one was to require mandatory training for HSRs within a certain period of time of them being elected to the role and for this training to be refreshed at regular intervals. The third one was to require businesses to forward to the regulator a copy of all the Provisional Improvement Notices that were issued by HSRs.
In response to these recommendations the government took action and we amended the Work Health and Safety Act to strengthen the functions of HSRs. If it’s okay with you Brendan, I’ll just talk through now what those changes were.
Brendan: Great, thank you.
Rebekah: Probably the one that is potentially that is most interested to listeners today concerns the training of HSRs. That is obviously particularly interesting for any RTOs out there that are listening. There is now a requirement for HSRs and their deputies to complete mandatory five day training course. That has to be done now within three months of their election to the HSR role. When a training course isn’t reasonably available, for example it might be a case of geographical remoteness and limited access to training then in that case the training needs to be taken as soon as applicable.
All the HSRs have to take refresher training. That consists of a one day course. That has to occur at least once every three years. What that means in practice is that the first refresher training has to occur three years after the initial training has been taken by the HSR.
Going back to the provisional improvement notices. It’s important to note that until an HSR has completed that approved training, they don’t have the power to issue those notices. That is really a reflection of the responsibility involved in kind of making that call on the work site. That is an appropriate kind of way that the legislation recognizes that. The legislation is quite clear now that if a worker chooses not to undertake the training that is required and within the time period that is set out they forfeit their eligibility to act as an HSR and they’ll have to be replaced in that role in the workplace.
Brendan: I’ve always I guess not understood clearly. Does it affect every single industry, every single business and what is the minimum amount of employees that you would have to have in a business before you need to have a committee?
Rebekah: It’s certainly the minimum number of employees that you need before you have an HSR is very low. I’ve have to confirm that for you but certainly it’s not an excessive number as I recall it.
Brendan: I might circle back to you on that. If you’re a small business with five people I would imagine it wouldn’t be practical to have these arrangements in place.
Rebekah: I’ll have to check for you because I don’t want to give the wrong information.
Brendan: 481 businesses, it does sound like a lot but I would imagine there are a hell of a lot more businesses in Queensland than that.
Rebekah: That is correct. I think one sort of key priority for Queensland government over the next 12 months is really to work with RTOs and with industry to kind of increase the number of HSRs across the state to really improve the quality and robustness of the training that is on delivery for HSRs.
Brendan: The program at the moment as I understand it’s prescribed in the sense that the department provides the training materials is that correct? Or is it up to RTOs to provide those materials?
Rebekah: I have to confirm that for you. What I do know is that the training courses have to be approved by the Work Health Safety Regulator here in Queensland. I believe there is a list of approved RTOs that can be found on our website as well. While we’re on that topic it’s probably relevant to note as well that there’s actually a place on the website the RTOs can apply to become an approved HSR training provider. On the website there’s a page for RTOs and there is a publicly available application form and a guide as well. That is something if there are any RTOs listening who are keen to be involved in that registered training that would be the way to start those inquires.
Brendan: When did the legislation actually come in, beginning of this year or last year?
Rebekah: What I’ll do is I’ll just clarify because there’s been little changes along the way that sort of relate to that question. Basically the mandatory requirement for HSR to complete their five day training course was introduced on July 1 last year. The requirement initially was for HSRs to complete that training course within six months of their election to the role. From February 1 of this year the timeframe is actually reduced to three months. What this means in practice is a worker who is elected to an HSR role on or after February 1 this year has to undertake their training within three months of their election. Any HSRs who were elected before February this year have a six month period from the date of their election to undertake their training.
There’s just been a couple of changes. This change was made to factor into account the fact that some workers who might be nominated or who might fill the role of HSRs can be on short term contracts. We know there is a link to short term contracts and industries that have high safety risks. We just wanted to make sure that we weren’t excluding people because of the nature of their employment.
Brendan: It’s good to have that background of why the changes were made. I guess putting sort of an objective hat on I guess particularly with private businesses if they don’t have to do the training then they probably won’t. I probably not going to say that for everyone but a lot of businesses unless they’re told that they have to there’s always some other pressing issue that needs to be addressed.
Rebekah: That is exactly right. It’s not so much a question of willingness. It’s more we all know that there are lots of work involved in running a business and lots of priorities and lots of competing time and cost priorities. Enshrining it in legislation is just a way to make sure that it does happen and HSRs do have the skills and training and support that they need to really perform effectively as a function of the workplace.
Brendan: It’s underlining for industries that it’s important.
Rebekah: That is exactly right. As I have said before it’s not a nominal role. It is something that we take seriously and is a position that really has a lot of potential in terms of achieving positive workplace change.
Brendan: What are some of the other things that the department have, I guess it’s an ongoing process to educate the community that this a new requirement and it’s needed. What other things do you know that the department are doing just to get the word out there?
Rebekah: I am not entirely sure of our broader engagement platform for HSRs. What I do know is that the department does have some mechanism in place to kind of continue to engage and work closely with RTOs for the next 12 months as they’re going to work on those training courses and I guess to maximize the opportunities there as well.
Brendan: The RTOs are the messengers in a way.
Rebekah: Correct. They play a key part in the safety industry and that is one major way that we could increase HSR representation.
Brendan: That is fantastic. Did you have anything else that we needed to add Rebekah before we wrap up?
Rebekah: No. I’d like to get back to you though on that number of employees and work groups. I’ll get into that and provide you with a clear answer on that one.
Brendan: What I’ll do is I’ll just include those stats in the show notes so that people have that info on the minimum number of employees that are required before you need to put on HSR roles in place.
Rebekah: That sounds great. Thank you.
Brendan: If people want to find out a little bit more about this online what would they Google to get to the departments?
Rebekah: It’s a little bit of a maze to get to the right page.
Brendan: That is why I’m suggesting to Google it rather than read out a web address.
Rebekah: What I can say there is work site Queensland website and if you search health and safety representatives or RTOs on that website in the search bar the relevant links will come up under there. We’ve got that list of approved RTOs. We’ve got the application forms and guides for RTOs as well. Also obviously lots of general information on HSRs and the role that they play as well.
Brendan: Thanks very much again for agreeing to be on the show. You’ve been very generous of your time and information. Hopefully we can get the word out there a little bit more.
Rebekah: No worries. It’s my pleasure.
Brendan: Thanks Rebekah.
Rebekah: Thanks very much. Bye.
Get onboard: what you probably don’t know about IMDG but should
If you or your organisation is involved in any capacity with the transportation by sea of dangerous goods then you need to know the what, why and how of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. The best way to get on board is to undertake IMDG training. And if you think it’s just for the seafaring types, then think again. Training is also compulsory for shore-based personnel who are engaged in the sea transport of dangerous goods. So whether you are on the high seas or a land lubber, IMDG training is the only way to make sure dangerous goods get from A to B safely and securely.
Just to recap, the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code lays out the rules for safe transportation of dangerous goods by sea. Its main objectives are to:
- Protect human life
- Prevent marine pollution
- Facilitate the safe movement of dangerous goods
The IMDG Code applies to all ships which are subject to the following two conventions:
- International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS 1974) – this covers the safety implications of dangerous goods onboard ships;
- International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) – which covers the pollution aspects for ships carrying dangerous goods
The IMDG Code lays out what constitutes dangerous goods and regulates how they are to be transported. The IMDG Code requires that such goods are correctly and safely:
- Classified and identified
- Packed
- Marked and labelled
- Documented
- Stowed on board the vessel
- Segregated from other goods with which they might react dangerously
Emergency response actions must be comprehensively documented and easily available and the Code also contains security requirements to minimise the risk of terrorists accessing and misusing dangerous goods.
The transport of dangerous goods is, unsurprisingly, a dangerous business and there are multitude of ways in which terrible accidents can happen. Dangerous goods constitute about 10% of all containerized shipments worldwide and have caused around 30% off all shipping incidents. Maintaining the integrity of dangerous goods in shipments is therefore crucial to keeping all stakeholders – and the marine environment – safe.
In order to stay up to date with the rapid changes in the maritime industry, the International Maritime Organisation periodically publishes changes to the IMDG Code.
Changes can include, but are not limited to, issues such as:
- Important amendments to terminology
- Amendments to certain dangerous goods classifications
- Updates to stowage and packing instructions
- New segregation groups
- Updates to the list of dangerous good categories
The most recent changes incorporate the 2018 edition (featuring Amendment 39-18). The changes are optional for the 2019 calendar year but become mandatory on 1 January 2020 for two years. Likewise, the 38th amendment became mandatory on the 1st January 2018 and included changes regarding the packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTUs). The amendment is extensive and will require training in order that employees are in full compliance with the Code’s requirements.
According to shipping company Hapag Lloyd, non-compliance in the transportation of dangerous goods and restricted commodities is estimated to be the root cause of a major shipboard fire every sixty days. Chapter 1.2 of the amended code clearly references the CTU Code with exporters of dangerous goods now under mandatory obligation to secure their products inside the shipping container in a way that conforms to the CTU Code.
It is essential that organisations use the correct version of the Code and have their staff fully trained and competent in the requirements of the code. Referring to an outdated code can have dangerous consequences, especially given the rapid changes that can take place in the industry. With lives and the environment at stake, IMDG Code training should be a no-brainer. The loading of goods in maritime environments is fraught at the best of times but add dangerous goods or hazardous commodities to the picture and the risk increases hugely. Reduce that risk with effective training. Our IMDG Code general awareness training includes but is not limited to:
- Descriptions of all classes of dangerous goods
- Labelling, marking and placarding requirements
- Packing, stowage, segregation and compatibility provisions
- Purpose and content of dangerous goods transport documents
- Emergency response documents
Give us a call today about your training options – when it comes to dangerous good shipping, everyone needs to be sea worthy.
Dave Malcolm talks health and food safety at Marley Spoon
Brendan: Welcome to Episode 9 of the Australian Health and Safety Business Podcast. I’m Brendan Torazzi, the director of alertforce.com.au and also the host of this program. We’re working towards building Australia’s first online health and safety marketplace. Today, I’m joined by Dave Malcolm from Marley Spoon.
Dave: I’m really good Brendan, how are you?
Brendan: great, thanks. We’ve come out this morning to the DC Center at Strathfield. Tell us a little bit about Marley Spoon, what you do Dave.
Dave: Marley Spoon is a meal kit delivery business. What that means for customers is we design 12 new recipes every week. Our customers and subscribers can go online and choose what they want to eat and then we deliver these fresh ingredients and recipes to their homes so they can cook meals at home.
Brendan: how long is the business been going for?
Dave: we launched Marley Spoon in Australia in the middle of 2015 as a sort of a tree startup so they’re quite young. I released the business and we’ve been scaling ever since so about three and a half years old.
Brendan: were you first in the marketplace in Australia. Tell us a little bit about you found out about this concept?
Dave: Marley Spoon actually exists and was sort of ideated in Germany. We operate in six countries globally including the US. Australia currently being the largest market. Over in Australia there are some other competitors in the landscape so we’re essentially a fast follower. Our competitors launched maybe three years ahead of us and then we came into the market with a slightly different customer proposition.
Brendan: out here this morning there’s lots of safety signs everywhere and it was quite strict in the way that we got the tour around the factory this morning. How has it changed over the last three and half years? Has it changed?
Dave: when you have a food business and you’re developing a product which you’re shipping into customer’s kitchens week in and week out. Food safety, quality assurance is of paramount importance in everything we do. It’s absolutely essential that customers trust us to deliver not only amazing ingredients, high quality produce that they couldn’t procure themselves and delicious recipes. Everything has to be saved and when you’re dealing with proteins like your chickens and things need to be shipped and maintained in a cool chain from the producer right the way through the manufacturing process into the logistical final mile to the home. Food safety is very important. It’s always been very high in our priorities. Apart from just the consumer food safety we obviously have a big facility here that you’ve just been around. There’s forklifts and racking and all of the usual things that you’d expect to see. Looking after our staff and employees is highly important as well. We take it very seriously and as I hope you’d expect from anyone that is supplying you food.
Brendan: you’ve recently taken the business into the public arena. In other words you’ve launched it on the stock market. What was the reason for that?
Dave: I think fast growth startups require a lot of capital. Food is expensive as anyone that goes and purchases groceries in the traditional way requires. When you’re scaling a business obviously to reach profitability. We need financial capital and you’ve seen the FC, the Fulfillment Center today. Automation and driving efficiency through that platform is critical and that requires investment. That is the main reason and of course funds will go into marketing and helping grow the business as well. It’s an essential part of growing the business.
Brendan: I’m not sure how many of the numbers you can share with us but tell us the year on year growth like you were telling me a story just now when you started just three and a half years ago you were personally hand picking the boxes and buying the stuff from Cole’s.
Dave: it’s nice to reminisce. We used to operate out a very tiny facility for a short period of time. When we launched the business, there was myself, Ralph Weber, my business partner, Chef Olivia Andrews. We sort of tasked with launching the Australian business. We went from shipping one box to 10 box to a hundred box to tens of thousands of boxes every month. The growth has been phenomenal. It’s continuing to move in the right direction.
Brendan: customers as I understand have a complete flexibility over their meal choices. Tell me a little bit about how that works, how the customers choose what they want?
Dave: this is the magic really I think behind the scenes. What we try and offer, what we do offer is 12 new recipes every week to our customers and they can go online and select exactly what they want to eat from a variety, from a menu if you will. In preparing that there’s obviously quite a long ideation phase from when the culinary team decide what they want to present to the customer. Then we have to procure that, forecast for it. Obviously test those dishes in our test kitchen and then it comes in and gets produced and sent out. Every week we present to our customers what we believe they want and if they want to amend their dishes they can go online and simply select whatever they want to receive and it just turns up at their house and they can cook it. The idea from a customer side is it’s incredibly simple but obviously from a procurement and production aspect it’s quite the opposite. It’s very complicated.
Brendan: do you find that customers would, do they supplement the Marley Spoon offering like for example it’s kind of like eating out at home what you’re doing. It’s something special. Are the people night in night out or do they tend to do other stuff as well?
Dave: the majority of people who use Marley Spoon cook with it three nights a week. That tends to be the sweet spot. Families are a bit more. We’ve recently actually tried introducing breakfast options as well. The idea is to alleviate that mid-week cooking stress. Four o’clock every afternoon you’re trying to decide with your partner or housemates what are we having for dinner and we get rid of that problem for you. It becomes part of people’s routine. We’re a flexible subscription business. The idea is that people use us week in, week out but of course when people are away they make pause.
Brendan: how many nights a week do you eat Marley Spoon?
Dave: I’m very lucky because I eat Marley Spoon all day at work because all the test dishes arrive at a table in the middle of the office but I subscribe three nights a week.
Brendan: I was going to ask are there sometimes some things outside of your control that maybe would affect I dont know, the quality of the food or tell me a little bit about obviously things do go wrong sometimes for all businesses. Can you think of a time where how you had to change or react or modify the way you operate?
Dave: you’re right. There are always challenges in every business. I mean they’re easy ones to isolate. We might forget to put something in a box for example. We solved that with FSQA so and checking and automation but there’s bigger things which I think are probably more interesting outside of the operational things to look at. In Australia we’re currently having a drought and it’s very important to forecast exactly how much beef we procure. We look at long range forecasting and pricing. It’s important that we also present the same price to the customer. There’s no variation in the product offering. These are challenges that we have to absorb within the business through really robust planning, forecasting and data analytics to understand how these external impacts such as the weather are actually going to affect our customer base. We would never ship anything that is below our standard in terms of quality of food. There’s very rigid testing when our producers ship to us in terms of temperature quality in line with the expectations of our customers.
Brendan: I’m curious. The team that come up with recipes you have a kitchen where they’re whipping up this stuff in the background or how do they come up with the ideas and how is it tested before you release it to market?
Dave: we actually do that in another facility in Sydney actually in our support office which is where all the other business functions are. We do have a big kitchen in the middle of the office that also functions as a photo studio where we shoot all of our content as well for eth recipe cards. We’ve got a team of very talented recipe writers who all work for Marley Spoon and they come up with great ideas and then they speak to the procurement team to insure that the ingredients they want are in season and can be sourced sustainably. They test cook them and we eat them. Then they get the thumbs and they get presented to the customers but that whole process can take several months.
Brendan: you’re planning how many months in advance on your meals?
Dave: on average maybe 12 weeks ahead of schedule. Then of course we plan the seasonality and sustainability. It’s very important that we have a business that is environmentally focused as well. We work with the cadence of the suppliers so for example with salmon, the fisheries will decrease supply in certain types of the year. We slot in to all of that to make sure that we’re delivering a sustainable product from end to end so the whole supply chain is managed in that way.
Brendan: does that mean that the supply chain is changing every quarter. Obviously you have people that provide staple ingredients but…
Dave: we develop very close relationships with key suppliers. That doesn’t change so much but the complexity of their business means that it’s constantly in flux. Our procurement and culinary team have massive jobs.
Brendan: how many staff are you up to now?
Dave: I think we’re just shy of 300 in Australia. Obviously a lot of that workforce is in the fulfillment centers. Then we have the other functions which work on what we call the promise side of the business, marketing, PR and all of those sort of in house functions. That has grown quite rapidly from the initial three over quite a short period of time.
Brendan: from three to 300 in three and a half years. You’ve got a lot of threes happening Dave.
Dave: it could be lucky.
Brendan: that is amazing. You were telling me or you were showing me about the Dinnerly brand. Tell me that is an offshoot of Marley Spoon or a sister or a cousin?
Dave: the easiest way to think about Dinnerly is that it’s for the more cost conscious consumer. For an Australian reference it’s kind of like Jetstar to Qantas if you want to make that sort of brand analogy. The way we achieve the low cost is that we have the same suppliers, the same produce so the quality is still top notch but we eliminate some of the niceties. For example we dont back the dishes into individual dish bags. We saved on cost operationally but again same product in terms recipes delivered to your door for you to cook at home just at a lower cost point which is significantly cheaper than you could procure those ingredients at the supermarket. An incredible offering particularly for families.
Brendan: it still gives you that creative outlet of being able to cook for yourself but you dont have to do it. Someone else is doing the shopping and the sourcing for you.
Dave: we love cooking and it’s not about delivering you take away. It’s very healthy for families to cook at home. People enjoy cooking. You still have to put it together.
Brendan: you’re not providing chefs yet.
Dave: no, unfortunately not but that is half the fun cooking with the family.
Brendan: what are the plans from here? You’ve obviously have this incredible growth story around food over the last three and a half years. What are the plans for the future?
Dave: I think obviously we have big aspirations in terms of feeding as many people as we can within Australia and the other territories that we operate in. I think the ambition is to continue to serve delicious food to as many people as possible whilst maintaining their supply chain for a waste free world. There’s still a small percentage of people that have used meal kits. A lot of people still shop at the supermarkets. My personal ambition probably more so than the company’s is to move people away from this kind of archaic way of shopping which is very wasteful and delivers a lot of pre consumer and consumer food waste. I mean I dont know if you know that one in five shopping bags that everyone purchases gets thrown away. The latest statistics from OzHarvest prove that. I think we want to continue growing our business was remaining waste free. We had zero food waste from day one due to the way we manage our supply chain. That is our sort of mission.
Brendan: we have listeners from all over the country. What areas do you deliver to?
Dave: we deliver all down the east coast major cities. We’re not in the Northern Territory or WA. We’re not in Perth yet but we deliver down South Australia to Adelaide as well, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane and everywhere in between. We’re not in Tasmania yet for you Tasmania listeners although some of our produce does come from there but we’ll be expanding geographically as well over the short to near term.
Brendan: when you say major cities pretty much any one on the East Coast even if you’re in a regional area?
Dave: the easiest way to check is to visit the website and punch in your post code. It’s pretty extensive so I think we cover about 65% of the population.
Brendan: is that how it’s expanding? Is it word of mouth? Tell me a little bit about how you’re growing?
Dave: we have a very talented marketing team. You might see us on TV or on buses. We market direct to consumers but I mean because people enjoy the product and when they change their way of living and they understand the kind of value proposition of getting food delivered to their home we get great word of mouth, lots of referrals and of course that is a great way to grow your business through word of mouth. We strongly encourage people to talk about Marley Spoon.
Brendan: I’ll ask some questions to wrap up the interview. I did have actually one other question. Thinking about health and safety as the company grows do you think that it will change more or is it just more of human resources to manage? You talked about automation.
Dave: when it comes to food safety and quality assurance there are strict guidelines in place in Australia which we adhere to. We’re scrutinized as expected and we passed these tests. I think we want to be compliant and exceed all standards that would be expect from a business such as ours. We’re already there as a safe business but of course as you go and add more people it’s always a priority.
Brendan: that does mean that you’re getting regular visits say from New South Wales Food Authority to keep an eye on what you’re doing and hopefully add some value wherever they can?
Dave: we want to work with people as closely as possible and like you said earlier when you have a business when you’re asking for consumer trust you want to work very closely with the authorities to insure that you’re delivering the highest quality possible.
Brendan: how old are you now?
Dave: I’m 42.
Brendan: what do you do to keep fit?
Dave: I love long distance running so ultramarathon running and going to the gym when I can.
Brendan: I mentioned to you before I dont know how you sleep at night. How many hours sleep do you get per night?
Dave: I’ve really started to prioritize sleep actually. I’m not a great sleep but I’ve got a nine year old son. I try to go to bed fairly soon after him. I work with an international team so I have lots of global conversations as well but I try and get eight hours.
Brendan: you talked a little bit about your personal goals but what are you looking to achieve personally in the next 12 months?
Dave: I think continuing to be a better entrepreneur, be more organized, be more efficient. There’s constant improvement that you can do on yourself as well as your business. I think the biggest challenge for people to work in businesses that are growing rapidly and all entrepreneurs as well is maintaining your health because it’s very easy to get sucked in and work nonstop. Personally I think boundary setting would be a good one for me.
Brendan: finally what business achievement would you like to be most remembered for?
Dave: I never really thought about that personally because as you’ve seen by the volume of people we have here it’s just a massive team effort but I really enjoy working with my team so I think anything around building high performance teams as well I’d like to sort of associate myself with.
Brendan: if people want to find out a little bit more about Marley Spoon and Dinnerly where can they find you?
Dave: I’m very easy to find online at MarleySpoon.com.au or Dinnerly.com.au. If anyone wants to reach out to me you can find me on LinkedIn quite easily.
Brendan: that is fantastic. If you’re enjoying these podcasts make sure that you subscribe and share it around. We look forward to speaking to you next time on the health and safety podcast.
Asbestos awareness is worth it: this story shows why
Just when we thought the nation’s insulation woes were over, Mr Fluffy rears its ugly head again. Mr Fluffy loose-fill asbestos was used as insulation in houses in the ACT and NSW in the 1960s and 70s. It wasn’t until the late 1980s and early 90s that the government conducted a mass clean-up of the potentially lethal substance.
Approximately one thousand Mr Fluffy homes in the ACT were declared safe to live in. But in 2014 it was discovered that the houses still contained asbestos with traces of the potentially deadly fibres found inside the living areas of some homes, on pillows, in children’s cupboards and central heating systems. In the years since then, more than five hundred of the almost nine hundred homes acquired by the ACT Government under a buyback scheme have been demolished.
In at least two of the recent cases, owners were alerted to the asbestos by people working on the house. In 2016, for example, asbestos was identified by a tradie trained in asbestos awareness. Asbestos awareness training was mandated by the ACT Government in 2014 for all workers working with asbestos or asbestos containing materials and it is a fantastic result to see asbestos awareness training pay off in such an important way.
Having tradies who are trained to identify the possible presence of asbestos or asbestos-containing materials is a hugely valuable resource especially given that asbestos will for many years yet be a scourge on Australian buildings. As Councils and State Governments create ways for communities to manage and eliminate the threat of old asbestos – as in the Canberra buyback scheme or places like the town of Holbrook in NSW – the demand for workers trained in asbestos awareness and removal will continue.
As we know, dodgy insulation is not the only asbestos legacy Australia has to deal with. As the renovation renaissance in this country continues, so too does the risk of exposure to the asbestos and asbestos-containing materials that exist in so many Australian houses. So fraught with risk is renovation in older houses that since 2014, claims due to renovations have outstripped other causes, exceeding expectations and raising insurance claim projections.
So tradies who have recognised expertise in asbestos awareness and assessment are a valuable resource. If you are a home owner looking to transform your fixer-upper, then it’s worth dealing with tradies who are trained to spot asbestos when they see it. Image being that Canberra tradie who spotted the Mr Fluffy asbestos – talk about hero of the hour! That kind of expertise can go a long way to saving people a lot of grief and a lot of pain.
If you are a tradie looking to get trained up or you’re a would-be renovator wanting to know what to look for in a builder or a tradie then here are some essential tips:
- There are two types of removal licence and a licence to be an asbestos assessor:
- A Class A licence allows you to remove friable and bonded asbestos along with asbestos-contaminated debris or dust.
- A Class B licence allows you to remove non friable or bonded asbestos, like fibro sheets
- To be eligible for a removal licence, you must have, among other conditions, a competent supervisor with industry experience.
- A licenced asbestos removalist will have proper documentation confirming their expertise. This is a good way to check that you’ve got the right people for the job with legit qualifications. And for licenced tradespeople, it’s a useful way to prove your credentials.
- Removing asbestos without a licence is can result in hefty fines. And if done incorrectly poses a risk to everyone involved. Check with your relevant Work Health and Safety body if you’re unsure.
Adding asbestos awareness, assessment and removal training to your range of capabilities as a tradesperson is an effective way to make yourself more in demand for a wider range of jobs. Companies employing teams of tradies will also benefit from great value group training and the knowledge that, when your team are on the job, they are in the best position possible to be on alert for asbestos. As long as asbestos contaminates Australian homes – whether via insulation like Mr Fluffy, or other materials – workers need asbestos training to ensure asbestos never gets a second chance to harm.
Check out our asbestos awareness, assessment and removal options here or give us a call now to arrange a training session.
Western Australia’s asbestos woes show that asbestos management training is still in hot demand
Just when you thought dealing with the asbestos that Australia already has was hard enough, it turns out we must also be on the alert for imported asbestos.
The Australian reported this month that the iron ore minder, Fortescue Metals Group, imported about 3500 Chinese-made rail carriages containing asbestos for use in the Pilbara region in what amounts to one of the largest breaches of the national ban on asbestos imports since it came into action fifteen years ago.
It’s not the first time asbestos has entered the country via Chinese imports. It has been detected in building materials, children’s crayons, quad bikes, motor vehicle parts and other products. In 2016, asbestos was found to be present in the roofing panels of the Perth’s Children’s Hospital and in building materials in Brisbane’s William Street tower with both cases linked to Chinese company Yuanda.
The law dictates that importers are responsible for ensuring their materials do not contain asbestos and companies can be fined more than one million dollars if they are in breach. In the case of Fortescue Metals, the asbestos was only detected in late 2017 despite the carriages having been imported between 2007 and 2014. The group has been ordered to replace all asbestos-containing materials in the rail cars by next year. Fortunately, it seems that no employees were exposed to risk and the Australian Border Force has not pursued a prosecution in this case.
Forescue Metal Chief Executive Elizabeth Gaines explained that WorkSafe was advised immediately it was discovered that asbestos was present and expert asbestos assessors were engaged to investigate: “An expert was engaged to test the component and conduct a risk assessment to ensure work procedures met or exceeded the relevant codes of practice… Fortescue has engaged licensed asbestos-removal services to replace all affected components in line with WorkSafe requirements.”
So the market for asbestos assessment and removal is not just confined to old houses. Those trained in asbestos awareness, assessment and removal have skills that are in demand across a range of industries, as this story demonstrates.
Western Australia’s asbestos troubles don’t stop there, however. With the ever present spectre of the tragic town of Wittenoom hanging over it, a Pilbara council is now concerned that people could be potentially exposed to asbestos if mining giant Rio Tinto is permitted to construct a railway line through a controlled area near the doomed town to service one of its ore mines. The Shire of Ashburton have formally objected to the placement of the rail line which would be built in the Wittenoom Asbestos Management Area, passing just 4km north of the town.
Kerry White is the President of the Shire of Ashburton and said the local council was concerned about the risks associated with the railway line’s planned alignment and the possibility of claims for compensation. While a detailed Asbestos Environmental Management Plan has been approved by the Department of Health, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and the EPA, she says the Shire’s “on-going position [is] that the serious nature of the human health risks associated with asbestos exposure should principally be avoided, rather than managed.”
West Australian President of the Asbestos Disease Society of Australia, Robert Vojakovic agrees, saying that the rail line in its planned alignment would be disastrous because the speed and mass of an iron ore train would send fine asbestos particles into the air over a vast distance. He insists that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos.
Whatever the answer to this particular dilemma is, the point remains that the need for asbestos training is not going anywhere. Wherever there is asbestos – whether it’s in old buildings, new imports, or defunct mines – those trained in its assessment and safe removal will be needed. Asbestos management skills are a unique set of expertise which can only be developed through training and education. If you’re trying to figure out the best place to start with asbestos training, take our quick quiz which will give you a good idea of what your needs are. Or feel free to give us a call to discuss your training options.
Avoid dodgy demolitions with asbestos training – it could save you thousands
Asbestos is back the headlines again this month as two developers in Melbourne were charged $120,000 each for failing to properly secure asbestos-riddled waste at the site of a demolished inner-city pub and then for dumping it in the city’s north-west. The developers’ company was fined a further $300,000. Magistrate Richard Pithouse unleashed on the developers, saying he would have sent them to prison for “such a blatant breach” if the legislation allowed for it.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supported the magistrate’s decision. “The directors and company in this case have shown blatant disregard for the environment, for public health, for community,” said CEO Cathy Wilkinson. “It’s unacceptable and EPA Victoria puts on notice illegal dumpers… We don’t want asbestos uncontrolled in the environment.”
The historic former Carlton Inn was illegally demolished late in 2016. Three days later the EPA noted that debris on the site was likely to contain asbestos. Samples were taken and the asbestos finding was confirmed. Despite orders to adequately contain the debris, a pile of rubble from the site was found just days later at Cairnlea, opposite residential homes and just 350 m from a childcare centre. The remaining debris at the Carlton site was also not adequately managed.
As far as asbestos safety breaches go, it was an epic one. The attempt to abrogate responsibility by illegally dumping the debris elsewhere failed dramatically when a serial number on a brick in the pile identified it as having come from the pub site. Yes – that’s a massive fail all round from developers Raman Shaqiri and Stefce Kutlesovski. As the magistrate said: “I hope everyone knows your names.”
Needless to say, we’re pretty sure Shaqiri and Kutlesovski didn’t take part in any of our excellent asbestos training courses here at AlertForce! But you can. And not just to avoid fines (though that’s a good reason) but to ensure that you, your workers and the environment you’re operating in is safe from exposure to asbestos.
The best way to understand what is at stake when it comes to working around asbestos is through training. There is simply no room for a cavalier attitude or a careless approach to asbestos and our training courses demonstrate why steady, informed and prepared beats ad hoc, spontaneous and reckless every time.
Looking at the case above, we can give some examples as to what breaches were made and how training can prevent you from making errors when it comes to handling asbestos. As usual, you want to check your state or territory’s legislation to make sure you’re on top of your obligations (don’t worry – our training is nationally recognised) but generally speaking the requirements that apply to construction demolition work are outlined in the WHS Regulations and each state provides extra information of what is required when asbestos is involved. Here are a few key rules:
- Asbestos should be removed as far as is practicably possible before demolition
- Airborne asbestos fibres and dust must be minimised as much as possible
- Soil scraping and excavation is required if the structure being demolished contains asbestos
- An asbestos removal control plan (ARCP) must be prepared by a licenced asbestos removalist before any asbestos is removed
- Asbestos removal must be carried out by those holding the appropriate A or B class license
- Certain removal and demolition work must be reported to the appropriate Work Safe authority
- Any workers involved in the project must be given appropriate training
Clearly, our dodgy developers in Melbourne didn’t abide by many – if any – of these rules. Believe us when we tell you that asbestos awareness, assessment and removal training costs a whole lot less that $300,000.
Asbestos awareness training will ensure that your workers are alert to the possible presence of asbestos, will know it when they see it, and will understand what safety precautions and notifications must be made. Our Class A, Class B and supervisor’s training will ensure that any asbestos or asbestos containing materials are removed according to the legislation and with minimal risk to workers, community and residents.
Demolitions are a hazardous business. Add asbestos to the mix and things get even trickier. So get safe or get fined. Call us today to sort out your asbestos awareness, assessment and removal training.
All at sea about IMDG? Here’s your essential guide to IMDG training – what it is and who needs it.
International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) code is the international guideline for safe shipment of dangerous goods or hazardous materials by water. The Code is designed to protect crew members and prevent pollution and is intended for use by all of those involved in the shipping or dangerous goods or hazardous materials – not just the mariner. So if you’re participating in any way with the transport and shipping of dangerous goods and hazardous materials then IMDG training is for you.
What are dangerous goods and hazardous materials?
Hazardous materials are the ones that can have short- or long-term health effects and that is how they are classified. They might be solids, liquids or gases, pure substances or mixtures. When used in the workplace they might produce vapours, fume, dusts and mists and could be industrial, laboratory or agricultural chemicals. Exposure to hazardous materials can result in:
- Poisoning
- Irritation
- Chemical burns
- Sensitisation
- Cancer
- Birth defects
- Diseases of certain organs such as skin, lungs, liver, kidneys and nervous system.
Dangerous goods, on the other hand, are classified according to their immediate physical or chemical effects like fire, explosion, corrosion and poisoning, affecting property, the environment or people.
Either way, mishandling hazardous materials or dangerous goods is bad news. So no wonder there are so many rules and regulations about how we work with and transport such nasty stuff.
Classification is key
Because transporting dangerous cargo is a process fraught with risk, learning how to categorise the goods and associated level of danger is an important part of IMDG training. There are nine classifications which identify the dangerous or hazardous materials and the risks associated with them as follows:
- Classification 1 is for explosives – they might be a low or high explosive risk
- Classification 2 is for gases – they might be toxic, inflammable or neither
- Classification 3 is for liquids
- Classification 4 is for solids – they might be combustible, toxic or self reactive
- Classification 5 is for substances that may oxidise
- Classification 6 is for substances that are toxic
- Classification 7 is specifically for radioactive materials
- Classification 8 is for materials that can corrode or erode
- Classification 9 is for any other substance that cannot otherwise be classified but is deemed dangerous or hazardous.
What are some of the main features of IMDG knowledge?
Every crew member engaged on a ship and involved directly with dangerous cargo must understand a variety of important points from the IMDG Code including:
- How to classify dangerous goods and identify the shipping names of dangerous goods
- How the dangerous cargo should be packed
- The different types of markings, labels and placards used to identify various dangerous goods
- Safe practices for loading and unloading cargo containing dangerous goods
- How to interpret transport documents accompanying dangerous goods
- How to handle dangerous goods when the ship is on its voyage
- The best practice to contain and fight fire involving dangerous cargo on a ship
- Prepare dangerous good loading/stowage plans taking in to consideration ship stability and emergency preparedness
- Prepare correct dangerous goods declarations for port authorities and land transit purposes
What’s with all the amendments?
The IMDG code was created following recommendations of the United Nations and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The first report was produced in 1956 and the code started being drafted in 1961.
Obviously there have been huge changes and development in maritime transportation over the decades since then and the code has to stay up to date with those changes, as does training. That’s why AlertForce offers the most up to date training in IMDG so you are on top of the latest amendments to the Code. Our courses are compliant to Amendment 38-16 of the IMDG Code. This amendment became mandatory on 1st January 2018 and refresher training must be done every two years by those who have completed initial training.
Since 2010, training has also been compulsory for shore-based personnel engaged in the sea transport of dangerous goods.
So whether you have never received dangerous goods training before, are looking to update or refresh your qualifications, or need to update your training to cover the latest amendments, AlertForce has got you covered. Make sure your sea legs are safe before you hit the high seas and give us a call today to discuss training options.
The reminder we needed that asbestos safety matters more than ever
Asbestos management training is essential for a whole array of reasons: it helps businesses fulfil their legal (and moral) obligations, it keeps workers safe and protects the community, it promotes a culture of safety which can help businesses attract and retain staff, and it gives businesses a competitive edge.
Businesses that neglect to use good practise when dealing with asbestos and fail to fully educate and train their staff, pay the price. Unfortunately, they also force their workers and the community to pay a price by perpetuating the horrendous legacy of asbestos in Australia.
In a recent case, for example, land owners is NSW are being warned to be wary of accepting landfill after the disappearance of 600 truckloads of debris containing asbestos from the Green Square Sydney development site. Investigators have tracked down some of the 17,000 tonnes of asbestos-contaminated waste but the location of much is still unknown. NSW Police believe some of the waste is on a rural property north of Sydney. “We spend ages working to get this property,” said the owner, Soraya Van Tilborg. “It all looked very legitimate, everything seemed in order.” She says she doesn’t even want to imagine what her children and family may have been exposed to.
Asbestos-containing materials can only be legally disposed of at EPA licensed landfill facilities. “But the high cost of removal of asbestos-containing materials and charges to legally dispose of it places a huge responsibility on those operating in the industry and the ‘rewards’ for misusing that responsibility are irresistible to some,” said SafeWork NSW licensed asbestos assessor Tony Milligan.
But consider this cost instead: the EPA’s Mark Gifford said the illegal dumping of asbestos could be punished with penalties up to $5 million in addition to prison sentences. This current case, believed to be linked to organised crime, was one of the largest ever investigated by the EPA. “Waste crime is a significant issue and one that we have taken seriously enough to develop and implement a waste crime taskforce in the EPA,” said Gifford.
So you might be thinking this all sounds like an episode of The Sopranos and wondering what organised crime got to do with your legit business. Well hopefully nothing at all. But the point is, crimes around asbestos dumping are being committed by both large-scale fraudsters and small-scale operators. Whether the illegal dumping is the action of a vast criminal network or the action of a couple of developers trying to cut costs, it’s still a crime. Recent cases show that the EPA and other authorities are deadly serious about catching and punishing those who play hard and fast with asbestos.
Perhaps it’s time to remind ourselves of just why the reckless management of asbestos is taken so seriously. And there’s no better reminder than Australia’s asbestos ground zero – the West Australian town of Wittenoom, where asbestos was mined from the 1930s until the 1960s. Only three residents remain in what is effectively now a ghost town with a tragic history of asbestos-related illness and death. In August this year a memorial was unveiled in Perth to honour the 4000 West Australians who have died from asbestos-related illnesses. The Chief Operating Officer of Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia, Melita Markey, said that Western Australia had the highest incidence of malignant mesothelioma cancer in the world and the memorial served to honour those who had died but also to remind us of how important it is to monitor and regulate today’s work environments for safety.
Asbestos safety in workplaces is the key to keeping workers and communities safe and the most effective way to promote that safety is via education and training. Whether your business just needs its employees to be asbestos aware or requires people with the skills to assess and remove asbestos, AlertForce can provide the training you need. Our asbestos management courses cover everything you need to know – including how to safely and legally dispose of asbestos so that you don’t end up the subject of an EPA investigation, in court for breaking the law or, or handing over hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines for breaching the legislation. Be asbestos aware and asbestos safe. Help break Australia’s terrible legacy of asbestos-related illness through education and training. Give us a call today so we can set you up with the courses that meet your needs.
The locations you didn’t know needed WHS training more than ever
Work health and safety can be challenging at the best of times. But working in remote environments adds a new dimension to those challenges as does the extreme climates and weather conditions of many remote locations. Work health and safety training is invaluable when it comes to being able to properly identify, assess and control the hazards and challenges associated with remote or isolated work and develop appropriate policies and systems so that businesses and workers can be on top of their WHS responsibilities and requirements.
AlertForce has a base in Darwin and the experience and resources to respond to the Northern Territory’s variety of developments. The construction sector continues to flourish in Darwin and with it the demand for training in manual handling, asbestos management, working at heights, HSR training and traffic control to name just a few. The consequences of PCBUs failing to meet their work health and safety obligations are serious. Earlier this year, for example, NT WorkSafe charged two companies and their respective directors when a worker fell and was seriously injured at a residential construction site. The regulator alleges that there were numerous failures by the employer and companies to comply with their legislated duties including a lack of due diligence, lack of fall or edge protection, failure to induct new employees, and failure to adequately supervise the site. The potential penalty for each company is as much as $1,500,000 and $300,000 for the company directors.
In another example, a manufacturing and building company in Darwin was charged by NT WorkSafe late last year with five breaches of the Work Health and Safety legislation for illegal asbestos removal work including giving the workers no training or appropriate safety equipment. A maximum penalty of $1,500,000 for a body corporate and $30,000 for each breach of the regulations would apply.
Darwin might still feel like a frontier town in many ways, but its remote location doesn’t exempt businesses operating there from their legal obligations when it comes to work health and safety.
Outside of Darwin in the remote indigenous communities of the Northern Territory, the challenges associated with work health and safety can be significant and complex. Consultation with communities about how projects should operate is crucial and many communities are endeavouring to involve their own people in working on infrastructure and development projects. AlertForce trainers are experienced in educating and training a diverse range of participants and will work with local councils and corporations to establish effective training programs that meet the needs of their particular communities.
The presence of asbestos in towns like Yuendemu, Barunga, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, for example, presents all kinds of difficulties, not the least of which is the vast distances and huge costs of removing asbestos from such remote areas. Local councils and indigenous corporations will need to work together with government representatives, certified asbestos experts, community leaders and training providers like AlertForce to find the most efficient and effective ways to manage and remove asbestos. Members of such communities have long identified this an opportunity to train and employ locals to identify and remove asbestos on country. Education and training are important steps in empowering communities to take action around risks and issues which directly impact them, and asbestos training is an important part of this process.
The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency’s 2017 Remote Australian Communities: The Asbestos Legacy report highlights successful local workforce development for asbestos removal in remote indigenous communities citing the Tiwi Regional Council and Tiwi Land council as a standout example of productive partnering to raise awareness of asbestos in remote communities and the Victoria Daly Regional Council in gaining its own asbestos removal licence.
Providing businesses and workers in remote parts of the country with high quality workplace health and safety training, not only ensures that PCBUs meet their legislated obligations and promotes workplace cultures where health and safety are seen as core values, it is a strategic enabler of economic growth.
Give us a call today to discuss ways in which AlertForce can meet the training requirements of your remote workplace projects. AlertForce is particularly excited to have the opportunity to work on the ground with indigenous trainees who can then use their skills to help build and maintain their communities.
Three types of WHS training that your local council should book today
We recently looked at Aon’s latest risk report for councils and local government. The report identified workplace health and safety as a substantial risk area for councils – in fact, it came in at number three on a list of ten top risks. Furthermore, it found that over a fifth of councils were not regularly auditing their workplace health and safety requirements.
Councils need to be at the top of their game when addressing workplace health and safety. Because of their role in the community and the fact that many of their employees are from the community they serve, councils are under a spotlight when it comes to workplace health and safety. There is a level of transparency required and expected of councils that mean taking short cuts will inevitably come back to bite the council on the you-know-what. It’s true that doing the right thing just because everyone is watching isn’t necessarily the best reason – but sometimes it’s the reason that spurs action. And action can be an effective way to ultimately create lasting change in a culture.
Aon’s risk report identified that cultivating an environment in which workplace health and safety is made an ongoing priority is one of the most effective ways for councils to mitigate risks. Ongoing training and assessment for councillors and employees demonstrates that worker wellbeing and safety is always top of mind. Senior management must demonstrate that they believe workplace health and safety training is:
- an investment, not an expense;
- a key performance indicator;
- essential to the council’s ability to serve its community properly
AlertForce offers many different courses in workplace health and safety training. There are three which experience shows us would benefit local councils:
- Asbestos awareness, assessment and removal
- Traffic control
- Strategic Incident Analysis Training
Asbestos Training
A quick glance at recent news will show that councils have an active and important role to play in the identification, assessment and removal of asbestos. Given the potential dangers associated with working with asbestos, high quality training is essential – not to mention legally required – for any council employee or contractor who is going to be working with or around asbestos or asbestos containing materials. AlertForce offers a range of training covering asbestos awareness, Class A and B licences in asbestos removal, and supervising asbestos removal.
Traffic Control
Council road workers are a sight everyone is used to – they are a constant in so many communities. But complacency on the road – from workers or drivers – can lead to carelessness which can result in accidents. Make sure your council road workers are up to date with the best training on offer. AlertForce provides on site training that is practical and user-friendly. Yes, theory is important but without the ability to apply it correctly in real-world scenarios, it won’t be much good. Our traffic controller and traffic control planning implementation training is nationally recognised and will ensure that your workers are thoroughly prepared to operate safely on the roads.
Strategic Incident Analysis Training
Strategic Incident Analysis is at the very heart of developing a safe workplace environment. It is a set of strategies and protocols for figuring out why an incident happened, how to prevent it from happening again and how to continually improve workplace safety. Based on the principles of ICAM (Incident Cause Analysis Method), our training delivers material that is thorough, accessible and practical. SIA is not just for the most obviously hazardous workplaces like mines or construction sites. It applicable in any workplace and given the huge array of areas covered by council workers, it offers the most robust structure for creating a culture of workplace health and safety.
Even in the smallest communities, councils play an important role. The range of services they provide and the sheer variety of work environments they are involved in – aged care, roads and traffic, recreation, administration, recycling, waste removal, building – inevitably means that their workplace health and safety needs are complex and demanding. By placing health and safety at the very heart of their operations, councils will see the benefits not only to their workers but to the quality of services they deliver and to their bottom line. Providing education and training is not only a legislated requirement, it is the best way to do business.
Give us a call today so we can talk you through our training packages.
Why embracing RU OK Day is essential to workplace health and safety
RU OK Day is a national day of action to remind us all to ask the question “Are you OK?”. While the ultimate goal of the initiative is to make every day RU OK Day, this year the national day is being held on the 13th September and presents a great opportunity for us to remember that mental health is as much a workplace health and safety issue as working at heights and dealing with dangerous machinery. Work health and safety has traditionally focussed on physical risks but problems relating to psychological health in the workplace are significant and can be just as damaging.
What’s more, managing work-based risks to mental health in the workplace is a responsibility under the Work Health and Safety Act. The Act requires that workers and other persons be protected against harm to their health, safety and welfare and that a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must ensure that that they eliminate or minimise such risks as far as is practicable.
Comcare reports that the majority of psychological injury claims are not due to big traumatic events. Rather, they are the result of the work environment and are classified as relating to work pressure or harassment and bullying. Other risks to mental health in the workplace can include:
- Restructures and redundancies
- Uncertainty around job security
- Inappropriate or poorly implemented performance management and discipline processes
- Interpersonal conflict
- Fatigue which can reduce emotional strength and resilience
- Return to work processes following injury
Mental health issues can affect anyone in any industry though some industries do appear to have a higher rates of mental health distress. For example, recent reports commissioned by suicide prevention charity MATES in Construction show that the suicide rate for men in the industry is about double the rest of the male working population. A 2014 PWC report found that 25.1 percent of construction workers had experienced mental illness over the previous 12 months. The average rate for Australian men is approximately 18 percent.
There are a variety of stresses in the industry – not one single cause for these tragic statistics. Chris Lockwood, CEO of MATES in Construction explained to Vice Media that there are a variety of stresses in the industry, not just one single cause for these tragic statistics: “The work coming in blocks, long working hours in the industry, projects running behind time… higher drug use in the workforce. The combination of these factors, including the difficulty in having a health work-life balance, can create a spiral of problems and a dire predicament.”
RU OK Day is a reminder that sometimes asking the question of a friend or colleague or employee can make all the difference. The RU OK Day coach sheet available on their website explains why asking is so important. Asking if someone is OK can:
- Provide the space or opportunity for a person in crisis to reach out
- Let the person know that you have noticed them
- Let the person know that you care
- Let a person know they aren’t alone, despite what they might think
RU OK encourages us to listen without judgement and to employ the USA strategy – understand, support, act. Understand how the person is feeling, talk about ways in which you can support them or help them find support, agree on a plan of action to help them figure out their next steps.
Unfortunately, there is still a stigma attached to mental health struggles which can make it even more difficult for workers to reach out for help. While the tide is turning on how we as a society approach mental health, for many sufferers it is a source of shame, embarrassment and confusion. By making it an integral part of a safe and healthy workplace environment and embracing initiatives like RU OK Day, employers and workers can help people not to suffer in silence.
We are all likely to suffer from challenges to our mental wellbeing at some point in our lives. Often work, or a combination of circumstances including work, will be a contributing factor so it is essential that workplaces have the resources and the willingness to destigmatise mental health issues and deal with them appropriately, effectively and compassionately.
You can visit the RO OK Day website here and please don’t hesitate to call us if you’d like to discuss ways in which AlertForce can help make your workplace healthy and safe for all.
On the edge: new report shows WHS is a major area of risk for local council.
Health and safety issues have been identified as a key risk for councils in Aon’s annual risk report on local government. In fact, health and safety ranks third on a list of ten, having jumped up from position five in 2017. Moreover, a fifth of councils were found to be not auditing their workplace health and safety requirements.
The report presents these findings as an opportunity for councils to manage their risks better by investing in best practise strategies and processes that promise greater protection. Some of these strategies involve quite simple steps that can have a big impact on reducing the human risk. And it’s no surprise that investing in quality workplace health and safety training is one such step. In making workplace health and safety a core value of local government work practices, councils are enacting a strategy that will serve them well financially, increase their productivity and ability to attract and retain staff, and see their reputation in and relationship with their community improve.
If workplace health and safety training is seen as an add-on, or an expense, or a set of boxes to be ticked, it simply will not work. “Every manager, every employee, every contractor needs to view their working day through a WHS lens,” says the report. Work health and safety won’t function successfully if it is just demanded from on high – it must percolate through the entire organisation so that a culture of safety and wellbeing can flourish.
The AON report recognises that smaller councils may struggle with resourcing more than their larger counterparts but notes that every council, like every business, is bound by legislation that requires it to keep employees, contractors and other workers safe from risk as much as is reasonably practicable.
By putting work health and safety on the back burner, councils risk the following:
- Increased workplace incidents. Aon records that trips and falls account for nearly 24% of claims. Moreover, an ageing workforce can add additional concerns for work health and safety in councils. For example, older employees engaged in physically demanding jobs may become more prone to injury and older employees may be less engaged with digital communication methods like email. Councils must consider how their safety updates are being communicated to the whole demographic of their workforce.
- Increased insurance premiums. The report shows that councils that proactively manage risks and employ best-practice claims management are viewed more favourably by insurers.
- Low staff morale: “The relentless need to do more with less is having an impact on local government employees. Staff feel pressured to perform and undervalued, which risks lowering employee engagement and motivation as staff feel simply overwhelmed.”
- Reputational issues. Given that council workers often live in the community they serve, a lack of care around their safety and wellbeing will resonate locally, reducing the council’s ability to attract new talent and undermining the confidence of their constituents.
- Low productivity and poor service delivery. Poor employee engagement, low morale, and a culture which is unsupportive of training and education can stifle enthusiasm and productivity, leading to absenteeism and poor-quality delivery of council services.
Cultivating a working environment in which workplace health and safety is placed front and centre is the most effective way to mitigate these risks. By investing in education and training, councils demonstrate to their workers that their wellbeing is always top of mind. The ripple effects of that investment are dramatic and impact not only on a council’s bottom line, but on their ability to provide services to the communities they are elected to serve. Aon’s report suggests the following steps to create councils which thrive on rather than battle with workplace health and safety:
- Ongoing training and assessment for councillors and employees – workplace health and safety must be practised at every level of management so that the culture is modelled by those at the top, not just demanded employees;
- A consultative, holistic approach of workplace health and safety whereby employees are asked about the behaviours they are seeing in the workplace and how they would respond to scenarios and risks
- Institute “near miss” reporting schemes to help identify and avoid injuries or accidents before they happen (refer to AlertForce’s Strategic Incident Analysis training).
Councils can be shining examples of how a culture that values workplace health and safety can serve its employees, its community and its bottom line as a business. So give a us a call today to discuss you council’s training needs and knock workplace health and safety off that list of risks!
Crime doesn’t pay: how asbestos training makes you the good guys every time
Safe assessment and removal of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials is no simple task. It requires proper training, careful planning and strict adherence to legal requirements. The penalties for failing to comply with those requirements can be substantial as some companies and individuals have discovered through their reckless flouting of the law and of public safety.
This month has seen the NSW Environmental Protection Authority commence prosecutions against a Sydney man who has been charged with three offences in relation to a property near Spencer on the Hawkesbury: land pollution (including asbestos), unlawfully transporting waste and using a property as a waste facility without authority. Each offence carries a maximum fine of $250,000. “The NSW EPA takes these types of matters seriously,” said the EPA’s Chief Environmental Regulator, Mark Gifford. “Our environmental laws are in place to help protect the environment and the community.”
In May we saw serial asbestos offender Dib Hanna gaoled on multiple charges relating to the illegal transportation and dumping of asbestos. He is the fist person in NSW to be imprisoned on such charges and was also ordered to pay to publicise his crimes in the press. The authorities were sending a message loud and clear to anyone considering flouting the rules when it comes to asbestos management.
In July this year, Dial A Dump Industries was fined $23,000 for failing to adequately cover asbestos waste at its Eastern Creek landfill in 2016 . Moreover – like Hanna – it was ordered to pay the $25,000 legal costs of the Environmental Protection Authority and to publicise its conviction in Inside Waste magazine. Another strong message from the EPA that they are not mucking around when it comes to punishing inadequate treatment of asbestos waste and will keep a close eye on known offenders like Dial A Dump.
Operators like Dial A Dump are experienced in the field and would be aware of what the requirements are. So why take such a risky shortcut? Was it the poor call of an overstretched team manager? An attempt by senior management to cut costs? Whatever the reason, it could have been prevented with more vigilant adherence to the rules regarding asbestos removal. When proper asbestos awareness, assessment and removal training is taken seriously by senior management, these kinds of work health and safety failures can be avoided. It’s not only larger organisations that are in the EPA’s sights. Individuals and small operators are, under the law, obliged to be just as thorough in the managing of asbestos waste.
And it’s not just the EPA you’ll have breathing down your neck if you mess with asbestos. Taking proper care with asbestos assessment and management and providing the necessary training to deal with it is a key responsibility of a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) as defined by the Work Health and Safety Act. The WHS Act requires that, as far as is reasonably practicable, that workers and others are not to be put at risk from work carried out. Moreover, the PCBU is to ensure that workers are not to be exposed to airborne asbestos and that the asbestos exposure standard must not be exceeded. Officers, such as company directors, are responsible for carrying out due diligence to make sure such care is being taken which includes making sure the right kind of training and education is being provided to help eliminate or minimise those risks.
There are different levels of training required for different kinds of work involving asbestos. For example, a plumber or electrician may need to remove small amounts of non-friable asbestos in the course of their work on a property and are permitted to do so without a Class A or B licence – but they must be trained in the identification and safe handling of asbestos before doing so. Our nationally accredited Asbestos Awareness training course covers this requirement.
A Class A or B licence is mandatory for anyone removing friable asbestos or larger quantities of non-friable asbestos. Moreover, a licenced asbestos supervisor must be present or readily available for to oversee such work – we offer supervisor training here. The regulator must be notified of the works being carried out and asbestos waste must be disposed of at an authorised site.
Assessing, removing and disposing of asbestos waste is no walk in the park but with proper training, the wellbeing of workers and the community can be protected and your profits can stay in your pocket instead being lost as payment for fines. So be the good guys every time and get your asbestos training up to date.
Give us a call to discuss asbestos assessment, removal and supervision training packages today.
How training is the best way to get asbestos out of our news headlines
Another week, another round of asbestos-related news headlines. It just goes to show that asbestos and the damage it can cause continue to be a major source of concern. As long as asbestos still exists in buildings across the country, training to identify and remove it safely will be essential to businesses, local councils and homeowners.
The biggest headlines of the last several weeks came out of the US where a controversial and highly technical new rule has put the spotlight back on the way asbestos is managed in that country, one of the few developed countries that has not place an outright ban on asbestos. The US Environmental Protection Agency maintains that the new rule will place tighter regulations on the use of asbestos whereas its critics claim it will allow for wider use of asbestos.
Fortunately, in Australia we don’t have to worry about that kind of controversy given asbestos has been completely outlawed here since December 2003. In Australia it is illegal to import, store, supply, sell, install, use or re-use asbestos and asbestos-containing materials. That doesn’t mean, however, that asbestos-related risks are not still significant. Approximately one third of all Australian homes are likely to contain asbestos and if your home was built before 1990 then it is extremely likely to contain asbestos or asbestos-containing materials. Some of the areas you might find asbestos include:
- Roofing and gutters
- Gables and eaves
- Walls
- Vinyl, carpet and tile underlay
- Imitation brick cladding
- Fencing
- Sheds
- Splashbacks in wet areas
- Telecommunications pits
- Window putty
- Expansion joints
- Packing under beams
- Concrete formwork
With the fervour for home renovation showing no signs of slowing down, it is essential that anyone dealing with asbestos in the home is properly trained and equipped to deal identify, manage and remove asbestos. That includes builders, tradies, contractors and the homeowners themselves. Proper asbestos awareness training will mean that anyone in contact with the substance during the course of renovations is alert to the risks and how best to mitigate them. AlertForce runs a range of asbestos awareness, assessment and removal training courses to suit all needs and levels of expertise.
Sometimes the presence of asbestos in a building creates a public risk such that the entire building must be demolished. We saw an unfortunate but necessary example of this recently in the NSW town of Holbrook where residents are saying a sad farewell to a much loved 1900s building containing loose-fill asbestos. The building has been purchased by Property NSW and the councillor of the Greater Hume local council are currently reviewing a DA by the Public Works Advisory to demolish the building. Colin Kane is the environment and planning director and, while acknowledging the heritage and aesthetic value of the building, has recommended the demolition be approved. “There is a public benefit in maintaining people’s health by fully demolishing the building… (and) it should take precedence over the loss of a building with aesthetic and heritage value,” he said.
Holbrook has benefited over the last two years from a community assistance package put into place to help residents whose homes were affected by loose-fill asbestos insulation. The Greater Hume community was “hit hard by this deadly product”, said Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation, Matt Kean, and the extra support was going a long way to help. The local council has also pitched in with funds to help affected residents.
Where contaminated houses have been demolished and the land restored, the Great Hume local council has shown interest in purchasing the now safe allotments with some talk of health-related facilities in the making.
The Holbrook example shows not only the staggering impact that asbestos can have on a community and its residents but the way in which local council can take part in both assisting those residents and then helping revitalise land once affected by asbestos.
Local councils are an important part of any community’s on-going battle with ridding their neighbourhoods of asbestos and will benefit from ensuring their staff and contractors are properly training in the identification, assessment and removal of asbestos. In this way residents and local council can work together with contractors to ensure a safer, more viable community and to make the most of federal and state funding issued for that purpose.
Let’s work together to make asbestos news good news. Give us a call today to hear about our asbestos training options.
Why health and safety training should be the construction industry’s number one priority
The construction industry can be a dangerous one to work in and it has been identified as a national priority to reduce the number and rate of fatalities and serious claims by the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-2022. One of the key ways of ensuring that reduction takes place, is the provision of work health and safety training.
As well as being an industry filled with potential hazards, the industry is known to be one in which time pressures are constant and the demands to complete different phases of construction by particular deadlines are relentless. This combination of a hazardous industry and a highly competitive landscape can be disastrous for workplace health and safety if training is sidestepped or scrimped on in the name of saving costs or extending work hours. No one wins when safety comes second.
SafeWork Australia has identified these telling statistics in the construction industry:
- Worker fatalities are relatively high with 3.0 fatalities per 100,000 workers.
- Serious claims are high with 8.1 serious claims per million hours worked.
- Workers aged 45-54 account for the highest proportion of worker fatalities and serious claims, followed by workers aged under 25 years.
- Falls from a height accounted for the largest proportion of fatalities (30%), while muscular stress from lifting, carrying or putting down objects accounted for the highest proportion of serious claims (16%)
The construction industry accounts for approximately 9% of total employment with that figure expected to grow strongly – and above the national average – over the coming years. So the need for consistent, high quality training will only increase and the necessity for the industry to make workplace health and safety a core value of any undertaking will intensify.
While much workplace safety will seem like common sense, to dismiss it as such will ultimately endanger workers. Training and investment in making safety a daily priority is important not just for junior workers new to a site, but for more experienced workers who have a lot to contribute and will often themselves be facing the challenges of working with new equipment, new techniques and evolving technologies. The figures above show that both young and older workers experience a high rate of workplace accidents: safety is for everyone.
Remember, if you are a person or business conducting an undertaking (PCBU), then according to the Work Health and Safety Act, your duty of care involves:
- Ensuring the health and safety of your workers and that they are not at risk from the work being carried out;
- Providing and maintaining a safe work environment – including machinery, structures, substances and systems of work;
- Provision of and access to adequate facilities for the welfare of workers;
- Adequate supervision and monitoring of workers’ health and safety; and
- “the provision of any information, training, instruction or supervision that is necessary to protect all persons from risks to their health and safety arising from work carried out as part of the conduct of the business or undertaking.” (Division 2, Part 19f)
Some of the hazards construction industry workers face include:
- Falls from height
- Falling objects
- Exposure hazardous materials
- Injuries from operating machinery
- Motor vehicle injuries
- Dust inhalation
- Working in confined spaces
Most, if not all these hazards can be prevented or avoided by providing proper work health and safety training. The most obvious benefit of course is that training prevents injuries and fatalities. Other benefits of providing work health and safety training include:
- Reduction of overall construction costs by reducing penalties and fines, compensation claims and associated administrative costs, and legal expenses
- Higher productivity thanks to fewer injury-related absences and time spent managing turnover and new or temporary staff
- Higher workplace morale which in turn can lead to higher productivity
- More efficient and successful recruitment and retention of workers
- A competitive edge thanks to a good health and safety record
When workplace health and safety is seen as a key performance indicator and a core company value, everyone wins. A robust and regular training program is key to any work health and safety framework so give AlertForce a call today to discuss making health and safety training front and centre to your construction industry projects. We provide health and safety training that addresses all the risks and hazards listed above.
Why tradies and training are a work health and safety match made in heaven
August is Australian Tradies National Health Month but as far as we are concerned, it’s Tradies Month every month of the year. Tradies and work health and safety training go hand in calloused hand – not because they don’t know what they’re doing, but because they work in some of the most hazardous workplaces in the country and deserve the absolute best training to keep themselves and their colleagues safe.
Tradies are the technicians and trades workers, labourers, and machinery drivers and operators that make up nearly one third of the country’s workforce. From your friendly local sparky to the crew in hard hats on the building site, tradies are working on jobs big and small across the nation. Given the nature of their work, it won’t come as a surprise that they are at risk of injury. But when you consider that they make up half of the serious workers compensation claims, well, that gives a pretty stark picture of the challenge they are up against when it comes to work health and safety and the need for training to help reduce those statistics.
Some of the work health and safety challenges that tradies can face include:
- Working at heights
- Working in confined spaces
- Working around/in vehicles
- Working with asbestos and other dangerous materials
- Working with tools and machinery
- Lifting, carrying and putting down objects
- Repetitive movement or strain
- Trips and falls
- Fatigue and mental health
For tradies who are independent operators, it’s essential to stay on top of work health and safety skills as well as your trade expertise. One without the other is not much good and a safety trained tradie is a much better bet for jobs than an untrained one. Being able to present as a highly skilled tradesperson whose safety training is certified and up to date makes employment opportunities a whole lot more attractive. If you are an employer or a team leader, then you are also going to want people on the job who don’t put themselves or others at risk. Workplace injuries are bad for the injured worker, demoralising for the other staff, and can cause work delays and administrative headaches for the employer. Workplace health and safety training is small price to pay to eliminate these kinds of risks.
AlertForce offers a wide array of training options that will keep tradies on top of their safety game. Here are just three that experience shows us are essential:
Work sites are inherently dangerous, largely because of the potentially dozens of moving parts operating at any given time. Effective traffic management in and around a work site can be the difference between control and chaos, between danger and safety. Tradies are often involved in the operation of machinery and vehicles on worksites and a tradie who is trained in traffic control has one more great skill to offer an employer and will be an invaluable resource on any worksite.
Check out our range of national certified Traffic Control training courses today. We offer on-site training that is practical, user-friendly and up to date.
Asbestos Awareness and Removal
Tradies work up and close and personal with a huge array of buildings and materials. For many more senior tradies, the horror of asbestos has been part of their whole professional lives. But for many, including younger tradies, asbestos is unfamiliar, hard to identify and not fully understood to be as dangerous as it is. Asbestos awareness and removal training will ensure that tradies put neither themselves, their colleagues, or the community at risk by teaching them how to recognise and safely plan for the removal of asbestos in a building.
Remote Area Training
AlertForce has the experience and the expertise to provide work health and safety training to tradies across the country and in Papua New Guinea. We provide training courses in the remote Northern Territory including to those young tradies looking to improve their skills and experience in remote indigenous communities. We believe that high quality training should be available no matter where you are and that all tradies deserve to be safe on the job. You can read more about our remote area training experience here.
Our message has and continues to be that work health and safety training is an investment, not an expense. Given the huge proportion of tradies that make up the Australian workforce and the risks they face on the job, training for tradies should be a no-brainer. Make Tradies Month really count by enrolling in training courses today. Give us a buzz and we can talk through your options.
Why asbestos training matters – subsidies or no subsidies
The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA) was established by the government in 2013 and has proposed that asbestos removal be funded by a tax on building materials. ASEA’s Chief Executive Officer believes that subsidies are needed for homeowners to be incentivised to take action to remove asbestos from the millions of homes across Australia that still contain it. Whether this proposal is developed and implemented remains to be seen. But either way, it shouldn’t fundamentally change your approach to asbestos awareness and removal. Diligence is key and can only be properly achieved via certified training programs that address asbestos awareness, identification and removal.
Here are a few salient facts to remind us why asbestos remains something to take very seriously:
- Approximately one in three houses across Australia has asbestos containing materials in it
- If your house was built before 1990 then you should assume it was built using asbestos until it can be confirmed otherwise by a licenced expert
- Don’t assume that your real estate agent will be able to give accurate information about whether the property you wish to buy contains asbestos – they are not licensed experts
- Approximately 700 die each year from mesothelioma
- The overall number of asbestos-related deaths is around 4000 per year
- Since 2014, asbestos-related disease claims due to exposure during home renovations have exceeded expectations and outstripped what were previous the main causes – mining and manufacturing
If incentives are introduced to homeowners to remove asbestos from their properties, then we’d hope that they were implemented and regulated in such a way as to avoid some of the disastrous outcomes of other government-incentivised schemes such as insulation and child care. Because one thing is for sure: if the subsidies do eventually get the go ahead, the market is likely to be flooded with dodgy operators looking to take advantage and many a homeowner will find themselves at risk of exposure or fines due to poorly executed work or illegally dumped asbestos.
When the ABC reported on ASEA’s proposal this month, many homeowners and would-be renovators may have thought to themselves that it could be worth holding off on renovations until such a time as they are subsidised. It’s impossible yet to say whether this is a good idea. What isn’t a good idea is sacrificing high quality training and diligence to the possibility of a cheaper job. Whether a reno on an asbestos-containing house become something that can be subsidised or not, asbestos awareness and removal training will be crucial for anyone involved in works on the house, including the homeowner.
If you’re a homeowner and you plan on having any kind of involvement with a renovation to your property, then you need to be fully aware of where asbestos could be hiding in your house, for example:
- Roofing and gutters
- Gables and eaves
- Walls
- Vinyl, carpet and tile underlay
- Lining behind wall tiles
- Imitation brick cladding
- Fencing
- Sheds
- Splashbacks
- Telecommunication pits
- Window putty
- Expansion joints
- Packing under beams
- Concrete form
Then it’s time to contact a licensed asbestos assessor who can do a detailed analysis of your property so you can plan your next steps. If you are going to remove asbestos, your best option is to get a licensed asbestos removalist to do the job. Most states will allow you to remove small amounts of certain ACMs from your house but have very strict rules about how it’s done and where it’s disposed of. For example, in NSW you can remove 10sqm of bonded asbestos from your home but you must follow the EPA guidelines meticulously in order to do so.
Either way, an asbestos awareness course is a good idea. AlertForce offers an online option which can be perfect for a homeowner who is just busting to give their property the Grand Designs treatments. For those wanting to take things a step further or wanting to employ a team they know is properly prepared for the task of identifying and removing asbestos, enrol in our nationally accredited asbestos awareness course and asbestos removal courses.
We’ll report back with any developments regarding the subsidies or other incentives for homeowners to remove asbestos and in the meantime, we encourage you to stay safe and get training for anyone who may be exposed during the course of home renovations. Give us a call today to discuss your options.
Don’t just phone it in: 3 surprising work health and safety challenges telecoms companies need to be ready for
The telecoms industry is vast and it is competitive. While Telstra still dominates the national telecoms landscape, its market share will continue to decline as new operators leverage off consumer demand for more competitive rates. Opportunity within the industry is rich. But in their rush to find a wedge within the sector, telecoms operators will be tempted to cut corners in an attempt keep costs down. One of the areas most susceptible to cost cutting in any business is work health and safety precisely because it is so often seen as a cost rather than an investment. But it is one of the areas any business – least of all a telecoms company – cannot afford to risk a substandard approach to work health and safety.
With an ever-increasing array of providers to choose from, consumers and employees are in a powerful position to take their business or expertise elsewhere if their provider or employer is found to be careless with workers’ health and safety.
The telecoms industry has a range of general work health and safety needs that are common to many other workplaces, but it also has some diverse and specific work health and safety training requirements including:
- radiofrequency radiation exposure
- working with electricity
- working at heights
- manual handling
- noise and vibration
- plant and machinery
- working in confined spaces
There are three other work health and safety challenges that telecoms companies must also be prepared to face. They are areas of training that may not spring obviously to mind for the telecoms industry, but they are essential nevertheless.
- Traffic control
Telecommunications operations – the NBN installation for example – will inevitably take place near roads. With open pits and manholes or live electrical wiring exposed during works, pedestrians and drivers need to be safely directed to ensure they are not at risk. Similarly, telecoms workers must be kept safe from traffic in the course of their operations. It’s this simple: traffic control training saves lives.
Book your traffic management course today to ensure worker and public safety while your workers are out and about conducting operations in trafficked areas. It’s three years since the RMS introduced a nationally recognised competency-based framework for traffic control training including a three year mandatory recertification – so if your workers are due for recertification, now is the time to get it done. We off courses in traffic control and implementing traffic control plans and our training is on-site, user friendly and efficient.
- Asbestos awareness training
Many a telecommunications workers will know what it’s like to crawl through basements, attics, under floors, and between walls to get access to or install lines. It can be physically demanding work in environments which can take you by surprise. And we are not talking about rats! Asbestos is still common in Australian homes built before 1990. Being aware of it is essential for any worker who might be in a position where they are in close contact with it and especially if they might be having to cut, sand, or drill it. Legislation requires that employers train any personnel who are working around asbestos to complete asbestos awareness training so that they have the skills and knowledge to identify asbestos. Many telecoms industry workers will be too young to remember when the tragedy of asbestos-related illness become front page news in this country, so it is essential that they are taught to take the risk of asbestos exposure seriously.
- Strategic Incident Analysis
Strategic Incident Analysis is at the core of creating a safe workplace. It is a set of strategies and protocol for figuring out:
- Why an incident occurred;
- how to make sure it doesn’t happen again;
- how to anticipate and mitigate accidents; and,
- how to continually improve the safety of any workplace.
If you’re thinking that incident analysis is only for hazardous workplaces like factory floors, building sites and the like, think again. Accidents can happen anywhere, and they can have a devastating impact on the workplace. Personnel involved in operations, maintenance and HSE (health, safety and environment) management can all benefit from SIA training, whether they are training to become a Lead Investigator or to build on their knowledge and skills as support staff.
With an increasing market share up for grabs and the jury very much in on the issue of work health and safety being good business, telecoms companies have the opportunity to lead the way on work health and safety initiatives in an increasingly digitised world where workplaces will face unique challenges associated with the changing face of technology. Don’t just phone it in. Make workplace health and safety a core value of the telecommunications industry by booking your training courses today.
6 minute read: the truth about traffic control training for NSW local councils
Time sure does fly by. So we shouldn’t be too surprised to learn that it’s been three years already since the NSW Roads and Maritime Services introduced a nationally-recognised competency-based framework for traffic control training. That was 1 July 2015 and given that legislation requires refresher training every three years then – yep, you guessed it – it’s time to get your traffic control training done and update your certification.
Local councils – that means you!
It is crucial that councils ensure their traffic controllers are properly certified and we urge local councils to enrol in Traffic Control and Traffic Plan Implementation training today so that works are not delayed or compromised by controllers whose certification has expired.
Councils use traffic control for a range of requirements including:
- Worker and public safety around roadworks
- Worker and public safety around construction sites
- Worker and public safety during events
Traffic control and management in any of these contexts involves organising and supervising a variety of moving parts and the ability to identify risk, mitigate them, and adapt quickly and safely to changing conditions. It is so much more than casually swivelling a stop/slow bat from time to time!
On-site, user-friendly traffic control training
Effective council traffic controllers require high quality training that is accessible, user-friendly and unencumbered by unnecessary bureaucratic or administrative demands. Traffic controllers work very much in the real word – they are right in the midst of the action and training must focus on the skills they need to develop and the circumstances they might encounter. Here at AlertForce we are committed to training that is user-friendly where information is delivered efficiently and effectively. We conduct our traffic control training on site so that your workers get real world instruction in the context they will be applying it. If there was ever a time to get out of the classroom, it’s for traffic control training.
Recertification – not just ticking a box
While many councils might be tempted to view traffic control recertification as an inconvenient box-ticking exercise, we encourage it to be seen as an opportunity to add value to your team of council workers by providing high quality training that won’t just repeat stuff they already know but will introduce them to the very latest techniques and strategies in a fresh, new way. Traffic control training is an essential part of any council’s work health and safety framework and as such, it is an investment, not a cost.
Training, assessment and certification (or re-certification) can only be delivered by an RMS approved Registered Training Organisation (RTO) who can deliver recognised National Competency Based training. This ensures that trainees get the highest quality instruction and nationally recognised certification.
Listen up, local councils – update your worker recertification today with the following courses:
Traffic Control
- Correctly direct road users using a stop/slow bat
- Understand stopping sight distances
- Maintain traffic incident reports and the relevant Traffic Control Plans for the site
- Assess and respond to changes in conditions and environment e.g. weather conditions, increased traffic, road conditions
- Implement risk assessments for personal safety
- Communicate effectively using a range of devices and methods e.g. 2-way radios
Our Traffic Control Training includes the following nationally recognised units of competency:
- RIIWHS201D Work safely and follow WHS policies and work procedures
- RIICOM201D Communicate in the workplace
- RIIWHS205D Control traffic with a stop/slow bat
Implement Traffic Control Plans
- Identify and understand the safety implications of traffic control
- Manage traffic control devices in accordance with the TCP
- Communicate effectively using a range of devices including a two-way radio
- Check, clean and store equipment
- Select an appropriate TCP to suit the site conditions e.g. traffic volume, weather, road conditions, and adjust/adapt as needed
- Assess a location, identify topographical landmarks and carry out associated risk control
- Assess a TCP for any unexpected hazards or risks
- Plan for emergencies
- Understand speed, types of vehicle, traffic density, sight lines, environmental conditions and the way they inform or effect a TCP
- Monitor traffic controllers
Our Traffic Control Training includes the following nationally recognised units of competency:
- RIIWHS201D Work safely and follow WHS policies and work procedures
- RIICOM201D Communicate in the workplace
- RIIWHS302D Implement traffic management plan
AlertForce is currently offering recertification training at extremely competitive rates. This is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of a terrific offer and get your council workers recertified in line with the legislation today. AlertForce is your one stop shop for traffic control training – no fuss, user-friendly, practical, up-to-date training that will see your council ready for any traffic control challenges it might face.
Contact us today to discuss arranging group training for your council workers.
Three reasons why workplace health and safety is good business
The limited view of workplace health and safety is that it begins and ends with making sure “wet floor” signs are in place or that workers are wearing helmets or that machinery undergoes monthly checks. Yes, these things are important. But work health and safety contributes in a whole variety of ways to the performance of an organisation. Any organisation which aims to excel when it comes to recruitment and retention, high productivity, reputation, and competitive edge must commit to a robust work health and safety framework which is integrated into every facet of the organisation.
Health and safety governance is as important as any other aspect of governance. It is core to an organisation’s overall risk management function and a key responsibility of directors.
KPMG Corporate Responsibility Reporting Survey, 2017
Recruitment and retention
An organisation’s attitude to workplace health and safety along with its implementation of work health and safety policies and procedures can directly impact on staff morale. A company that cuts corners when it comes to keeping its workers safe and healthy will have a harder time retaining those staff and attracting new staff. A company’s reputation for taking health and safety seriously makes it a desirable place to work and impacts significantly on its ability to recruit quality staff. Training and education are an essential component of any work health and safety program and workers whose skills are fostered and developed are more likely to build a long relationship with their employer and are more likely to be invested in their work in a way that contributes positively to productivity and staff morale.
Make your commitment to workplace health and safety – including dedicated training programs – a key component of your recruitment drives to attract the best staff available. A company that demonstrates such a commitment is a company that shows respect for its employees and their continued development.
- Communicate workplace health and safety initiatives effectively to existing staff and during the recruitment process
- Demonstrate commitment through the active participation of managers in the program
- Celebrate achievements
- Constantly work to identity barriers or enablers to workplace health and safety. Think about the kaizen approach
- Make your workplace health and safety a key part of your company’s public profile
Work–life balance, health, and wellness are key recruitment priorities for the next generation of employees.
Joseline Sikorski, Certified Health Executive, President and CEO, Ontario Safety Association for Community and Healthcare
Productivity and performance
Safe and healthy workplaces are more productive. Research indicates that organisations investing in improved work health and safety initiatives are likely to see a positive return on that investment with businesses benefiting in a number of ways including:
- Reduced workers compensation premiums
- Reduced compliance premiums (e.g. Work Cover)
- Reduced absenteeism
- Reduced costs associated with absenteeism and return-to-work processes
- Reduced costs associated with staff turnover
- Higher levels of productivity because of staff morale
- More efficient work practises and lower operating costs
- Improved brand perception and customer loyalty
While measuring performance and productivity in relation to workplace health and safety does present some challenges, there is a demonstrated link between a strong workplace health and safety culture and higher productivity, quality performance workplaces.
Competitive edge
An exemplary work health and safety record along with a demonstrated commitment to best practices is increasingly seen as key performance indicator in the business world and can give an organisation that all-important competitive edge when it comes to winning clients, contracts and tenders. A company that has an efficient, engaged staff, high levels of productivity, and low absenteeism is clearly a better bet than a company that suffers from low morale, high staff turn over, and a poor safety record. For example, in his article on the competitive advantages of occupational health and safety in port workplaces, Hassanzadeh explains that ports that have unsafe cargo handling practices will drive away potential clients in what is an increasingly competitive global market. Safe working port environments show higher productivity and yield higher profits than those with shoddy health and safety records.
With a growing ethical consumer movement and increased demand for transparency around worker safety, there has never been a more important time for organisations to meet their business and moral imperative to deliver on workplace health and safety.
More than ticking boxes
Workplace health and safety initiatives are often perceived by employers to be an expense rather than an investment. They are viewed as a box-ticking exercise – a way to avoid penalties but nothing more. Evidence, however, supports findings that a strong workplace health and safety framework with demonstrated engagement from management, results in better performance, higher productivity, and an improved reputation. With these qualities comes a significant competitive advantage. Organisations who ignore the moral and business imperative to implement a comprehensive workplace health and safety framework including a robust training program, do so at their peril.
I speak about health and safety often and take a visible leadership role. Along with encouraging our managers to walk the floor, I make safety the first agenda item and talk about the elements of a sustainable safety culture when I visit any of our locations.
Elyse Allan, President and CEO, GE Canada
Give us a call – we’d love to help you make workplace health and safety a priority today.
Why training is key to asbestos management in remote Northern Territory
Here at AlertForce, we love an opportunity to head north to Darwin. We’ve been running training courses in some of the more remote areas of the Northern Territory for a while now and it’s a great opportunity to see work health and safety in action in different environments and communities. The territory has some truly unique challenges when it comes to creating safe work environments – cyclones, humidity, blazing sun, huge distances just to name a few! In the Northern Territory businesses, local government, and indigenous corporations are going to require specialised expertise and targeted resources, including education and training programs, to responsibly and effectively manage asbestos.
Barunga
Exposed asbestos has been found on the outskirts of Barunga, a remote indigenous community about 400km south-east of Darwin. It looks as though the asbestos was dumped many years ago and finding the culprit now will be a long shot. The dangerous legacy of the dumped materials, however, remains and residents are concerned about the wellbeing of their community, especially of their children. Workers from the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics came to investigate the site in May this year along with an asbestos contractor. They are mapping the area and conducting tests on samples of material but in the meantime, residents continue to fret about the exposed waste and want to see it cleaned up and removed as soon as possible.
Tennant Creek
In 2017, residents of Northern Territory town Tennant Creek discovered that their children had been unknowingly playing in a rundown building containing asbestos. The fear now is that the children have been exposed and their health put at risk. Testing has since revealed asbestos in other demountable buildings in Tennant Creek and WorkSafe NT has been working with the Asbestos Disease Support Society to put adequate safety measures in place so that the buildings are sealed off.
Alice Springs
Patients and staff were exposed to potentially dangerous asbestos fibres during the installation of air-conditioning at Alice Springs Hospital last year. Both the Territory Opposition and the NT’s Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) both called on the Government to take urgent and direct action on asbestos in the Northern Territory with fears that many government owned buildings contain asbestos. CFMEU divisional branch secretary described it as an “ever growing… major health issue.”
Yuendumu
The residents of Yuendumu, 300km north-west of Alice Springs are concerned about legacy waste on their outskirts of their town where old dump sites are full of asbestos containing materials which put their community at risk.
In May last year, the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA) found that, while asbestos is an issue in all parts of Australia, towns like Yuendumu face unique challenges in dealing with asbestos. For example, the cost of removing asbestos in remote towns is three times higher than for non-remote areas.
Who is responsible?
Asbestos control is now the responsibility of the Northern Territory Government after a motion was passed at the 2017 NT ALP conference to include the issue in the Public and Environmental Health Act. Given the considerable challenges faced by communities in the NT, local councils and indigenous corporations will need to work with government representatives, certified asbestos experts, and community leaders to find the most efficient and effective ways to manage and remove asbestos. As local Barunga resident Mr Bush says, there is an opportunity here to train and employ locals to identify and remove asbestos on country. “They should give us Indigenous people that’s living here a chance to do a course or go and do it through a small business so that we can all achive one goal,” said Mr Bush.
Education and training will be vital to any efforts to eradicate asbestos from remote communities. Considering the vast distances and huge costs associated with removing asbestos from remote areas, it seems to make sense that the communities themselves would be involved in asbestos management. Training community leaders to identify asbestos where it is present will keep residents and children safer while the logistics of removal are figured out.
AlertForce trainers are experienced in educating and training a diverse range of people and will work with local councils and corporations to establish effective training programs. Contact us today so we can work with you to manage the problem of asbestos in remote regions.
Get trained or get an expert – renovations and asbestos safety
Last month we saw serial asbestos dumper Dib Hanna jailed after a slew of offences relating to the illegal transport and dumping of asbestos. The gravity of the punishment – which includes Hanna having to pay for print advertisements that describe his crimes – not only suited the long list of crimes but served to act as a serious warning to anyone considering similarly reckless and dangerous behaviour.
Hopefully it will ultimately act as a deterrent, but this week’s headlines show that there are still people out there prepared to dice with the health of the community and the environment by illegally dumping asbestos.
SafeWork NSW has cautioned Newcastle and Hunter Valley renovators to be wary of a tradesman who is offering cheap, cash-only asbestos removal services. Minister for Better Regulation, Matt Kean, says: “I’m urging all property owners to be aware of an unlicensed trader in the region who is offering quick and cheap quotes for asbestos removal. We all know the devastating impact asbestos can have on a person’s health. So it’s absolutely critical this dangerous product is only handled by a licenced professional. If an operator offers to remove asbestos from your property for cash, do not engage them, and report them to SafeWork immediately.”
Given the extensive coverage and campaigning around asbestos safety over the last couple of decades, there are few excuses for renovators – residential or commercial – to not know that asbestos removal is a responsibility to be taken seriously. To flout the regulations is not only to put yourself and your community at risk but can result in criminal prosecution.
Now that’s probably enough finger wagging for the moment. Here’s a recap on some of the stuff you need to keep in mind if you’re a would-be renovator and have decided to give your home The Block treatment.
A renovating recap
- There are two types of asbestos that you need to be aware of: Friable and non-friable asbestos. Best not to mess with either until you’ve consulted a licenced assessor. And if you’re not sure if asbestos is present at all, assume it is until you can be told otherwise by an expert. You won’t always be able to tell just by looking at something if it contains asbestos and asbestos can be found in a whole lot of unexpected places in houses. Get a licenced assessor to come and check it properly for you before you decide on your next move.
- If you are just sealing or painting asbestos cement surfaces, then you can do this yourself – so long as you follow the right safety precautions. E.g. make sure your work space is ventilated at all times.
- If you are undertaking any work that involves sanding, drilling, cutting etc then put your tools down and find yourself a licenced expert. That is the kind of work that will release asbestos fibres into the air and requires specialist attention. Even scraping, scrubbing and hosing can be dangerous.
- In some states, including NSW, you can remove up to 10sqm of bonded asbestos as long as the strict guidelines around packaging and removal are followed. Anything more than that, and it’s time to hire a qualified asbestos removalist or get yourself trained and certified.
- Make sure that any asbestos assessors or removalists you use are licenced. You can check your state or territory WorkSafe site to see whether their licence is current. You don’t have to take their word for it – make sure you ask to see their documentation and follow it up with the regulators. A new register will be put in place this year that shows whether a removalist had received any penalties.
- If someone is offering a cash-only removal service, then steer clear of them. Asbestos removal is a highly regulated activity and those doing it properly will do it by the book.
Remember what is at stake: workers exposed to asbestos during mining and product manufacturing were previously the main groups affected by mesothelioma. Since 2014, claims due to renovations have outstripped other causes, exceeding expectations and causing KPMG to raise its claim projections. Don’t be part of the third wave. Get trained or get an expert today.
What is kaizen and why is it essential to workplace health and safety?
Our Strategic Incident Analysis (SIA) training is based on the principles of Incident Cause Analysis Method (ICAM). It is a series of strategies for understanding why an incident occurred, how to prevent it from happening again and how to use the knowledge gained to continually improve workplace safety. It is this last aspect of SIA that concerns us today – the principle of continual improvement, or ‘kaizen’.
Kaizen is the Japanese word for “change for the better” or “improvement”. Kaizen has been practised in Japanese business for over sixty years and integral to the word – if not to its literal translation – is the idea of continuous improvement. The principle of kaizen was made famous in the western world via a book on the subject by Masaaki Imai and has been most famously practised at Toyota. It is now used by businesses of all kinds around the world.
With its focus on always striving to make processes, procedures, and work environments safer, kaizen is central to any robust format of incident investigation. It is about looking at the individual processes as well as at the big picture, being alert to possibility and opportunity, and being committed to more than just ticking boxes and filing away an incident report once it’s finished. With kaizen, nothing really ever finishes. There is always possibility for more change – hence continuous improvement.
Other key features of kaizen:
- It often involves small, inexpensive changes rather than huge overhauls
- Changes must be monitored – not just implemented and left
- It’s fluid – changes can be further adapted as required
- It involves everyone in the workplace – from the CEO to the line workers
- “every defect is a treasure” – that is, every mistake is a opportunity for improvement
- It humanises the workplace – that is, it doesn’t focus on efficiency at the expense of worker wellbeing but recognises that wellbeing is essential to productivity.
Benefits of kaizen include:
- More efficient processes and systems
- High quality products and services
- Better customer service
- Improved workplace morale
- Better employee engagement
- Cleaner, safer workplaces
Kaizen and workplace safety
Kaizen connects powerfully to frameworks for workplace safety, such as Strategic Incident Analysis, in a number of important ways:
- Kaizen empowers employees to participate in building a safe workplace. It gives workers the agency – indeed, the responsibility – to address safety issues immediately. Having an appropriately trained health and safety representative (HSR) and a health and safety committee (HSC) can be a useful way of developing an engaged and active workforce who feel like they have a voice when it comes to workplace safety issues.
- Kaizen requires constant engagement. Results and data must be monitored and analysed so that changes can be made as required. Similarly, work health and safety is not a static thing – it is a constantly developing set of processes and generating of ideas that resonates perfectly with the concept of kaizen.
- Kaizen works in conjunction with other methodologies that are essential to SIA i.e. the 5 whys technique and the swiss cheese model. Together these models seek to identify and address areas of weakness in a system and they depend on the involvement of everyone in the workplace, not just senior management.
Work health and safety training
Masaaki Imai believes that education and training for all employees is fundamental – he’s our kind of guy! One of the best ways to empower and engage employees is to make the conversation and action around creating a safe workplace everyone’s business and making that happen effectively involves quality training. Work health and safety training has a wide range of benefits, but in the context of kaizen and its role in SIA, there are two in particular we’d like to point out:
- Training demonstrates to employees that you take them seriously enough to invest in them
- Training shows employees that you value what they have to say about workplace health and safety
Engaging your workforce in an ongoing commitment to creating a safe workplace and training them to be alert to opportunities for continuous improvement i.e. kaizen, is key to our Strategic Incident Analysis course. Keen to know more? Give us a buzz today.
Illegal Dumping
Big news this month as Dib Hanna becomes the first person in NSW to be given a prison sentence under the 2014 anti-dumping laws described in the Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation.
The crime
Hanna has a long history of brazenly dumping asbestos around Sydney and had, until now, got off with fines and a suspended prison sentence. This time, with the 2014 legislation well in place, he was not so fortunate.
Hanna had done a letter drop to various Sydney residents offering free clean topsoil, clay, crushed bitumen, shale and the use of an excavation machine.
What he actually ended up delivering to the properties was 461 tonnes of waste including pipe, rubble, terracotta, ash, wood, fibre cement sheeting and asbestos.
The punishment
After his extradition from Victoria, the NSW Land and Environment Court sentenced Dib Hanna to three years in prison with a non-parole period of two years and 3 months for one charge of illegal transport of waste and four counts of illegal dumping of waste.
In addition, Hanna has been ordered to clean up the waste, pay the legal costs of the NSW Land and Environment Court and make a series of newspaper advertisements about his crimes to publish as a deterrent to others.
Illegal dumping of asbestos puts the health and wellbeing of the community and the environment at risk and this penalty sends a strong message that it will not be tolerated.
The message
It won’t be news to anyone reading this that the illegal transportation and dumping of asbestos is a criminal act and a quick review of the Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation will reveal the slew of breaches Hanna made. But even those of us who work in the industry were pretty surprised to see someone jailed for these crimes. It is as serious a message from the Land and Environment Court regarding asbestos as we have seen – and we welcome it. Given his history, this has been a long time coming for Hanna, and anyone who knows what a horrendous blight asbestos can be on health and the environment will be cheering to see this serial dumper finally getting his just desserts.
What does it have to do with work health and safety?
Whether you are an individual or a PCBU, your responsibility to manage the handling, transport and removal of asbestos is a serious one and the example above shows us that the courts mean business when it comes to flouting laws around asbestos. So it has never been more important to have yours and/or your staffs’ training up to date and to ensure that whomever is conducting work on your behalf must be following the relevant rules. If you know the rules regarding asbestos management but the people who work for you don’t, then chances are things are going to go wrong at some point.
Homeowners – what’s worse: the health risk or the legal risk? Don’t take either!
Despite the success of asbestos awareness campaigns, home renovators continue to put themselves and their families at risk via exposure to asbestos. Home renovations shows like The Block have seen a surge in the popularity of the DIY approach to renovations and experts are concerned that we are to see more asbestos deaths related to home renovations. In 2016 the Public Health, Research and Practice Journal released a study that found about six in 10 mesothelioma sufferers had done major home renovations involving asbestos materials. The worry is that the trend will continue and even increase. In this light, Hanna’s reckless disregard for the wellbeing of the people he targeted is all the more horrifying.
Don’t risk it. Asbestos-related diseases are not only suffered by tradies and big company workers – homeowners are the third wave of potential victims. Know what to look for and how to deal with it safely but getting trained today.
If you still need a good reason to resist illegal dumping of potentially contaminated material in the process of your renovations, then check out the EPA’s latest set of fines issued to those who got busted. And as we now know, a fine could be the least of your worries.
Employers – safety or bust
The legislation couldn’t be clearer: your responsibility is to provide a safe working environment and reduce the risk of harm to health and wellbeing as much as possible. Your responsibility to the environment is equally important. Thanks to a robust asbestos awareness campaign, employers are now aware of their ethical and legal obligations to their workers. But when it comes to the environment and the greater community, breaches are still all too common. The penalty points are there in black and white, but perhaps it will take the example of someone like Dib Hanna to show that mismanagement of something as serious as asbestos will be met with something as serious as prison.
Getting work health and safety right in local government
Local government is a hugely diverse sector and covers a wide variety of roles. The work health and safety challenges that come with that scope and variety are considerable. But, with vigilance and a strong focus on high quality training, local government can be a leading example when it comes to robust work health and safety policies and practise.
Local government roles can include:
- Community services
- Aged care
- Children’s services
- Garbage collection and recycling
- Road construction
- Libraries
- Maintenance of recreational areas e.g. sports ovals, parks, playgrounds
- Public events
- Administration
Some of the associated work health and safety risks include:
- Dealing with hazardous waste
- Working alone
- Transporting people and equipment
- Fatigue
- Slips, trips and falls
- Working at heights
- Manual handling
- Road and vehicle safety
- Working in confined spaces
- Work-related stress
- Workplace bullying
- Public safety
This list is by no means comprehensive but gives some indication of the sheer quantity of work health and safety issues that a local government must be on top of at any given moment.
Staying on top of the legislation
Making sure that all work health and safety policies and procedures are compliant with the relevant legislation is essential to not only ensuring a safe environment for workers but for ensuring that local government departments are not unnecessarily involved in expensive and time-consuming legal action. Yes, workers compensation claims are a fact of working life, but with a strong framework in place and a commitment to work health and safety as a core value, such claims can be reduced or at least handled more efficiently.
Having a dedicated work health and safety advisor is recommended – i.e. someone who is completely across the legislation and any changes that come up and can communicate those changes so that policies and procedures reflect them.
Similarly, as is the case with any business, knowing your relevant industry bodies and maintaining membership with them can be an effective way to be kept in the loop about amendments to legislation and any other relevant updates.
Experience has shown us a few key areas upon which local government should focus:
Duty of care & duty to consult
If you are a person or business conducting an undertaking (PCBU) then you are responsible for the health and safety of those in your workplace, including visitors. That is your duty of care as laid out by the legislation. Local government must therefore be clear about:
- When and where they are acting as a PCBU e.g. this could include someone occupying accommodation managed by a local council for the purposes of a work project
- Who exactly is covered by the term “workers” – e.g. volunteers and visitors along with regular staff
- What the duty of care entails e.g. the provision and maintenance of safe work systems, the provision of training and supervision, the monitoring of health of the workers
A PCBU also has a duty to consult which means there must be:
- Consultation, cooperation and coordination between duty holders
- Consultation with workers upon issues that are likely to affect them
There are strict rules about how and when consultation must occur and associated fines for failure to do so of up to $100,000.
We have seen time and time again in our work that communication is one of the cornerstones of an effective work health and safety framework and, like any business, local government must be aware of these obligations and act accordingly. communication is one of the cornerstones of an effective work health and safety framework.
Training
Part of the duty of care is, according the Act:
the provision of any information, training, instruction or supervision that is necessary to protect all persons from risks to their health and safety arising from work carried out as part of the conduct of the business or undertaking.
The provision of quality training to local government workers is a responsibility that can tend to be overlooked but that local government must be vigilant in meeting. Given the pace at which work environments and tasks can change, it is crucial that local government workers are given up-to-date high-quality training in order to be able to carry out their jobs effectively and safely. Asbestos management continues to be an area in which local government finds itself involved and must address with exceptional care. Failure to meet its legal obligations when it comes to handling and disposing of asbestos can have serious consequences which not only impacts the integrity of health and safety systems, but can see managers liable for those failures.
Contact AlertForce today and make sure your local government department is ahead of the game instead of playing catch up when it comes to work health and safety.
Why work health and safety training is crucial in remote and developing economies
Distance and tough climates don’t stand between AlertForce trainers and our clients. It takes more than a bit of humidity and a few extra miles to stop us going from where we are needed! And we are proud of the relationships we have built up and the training programs we have developed in and around Darwin and in Papua New Guinea where long distances and tough climates are very much a way of life and where work health and safety training have never been more important.
How work health and safety training can contribute to economic growth in PNG
Papua New Guinea is the most populated of the Pacific Island countries. Like many developing economies, the large majority of its population work in farming with the remaining 15% or so working in the market economy. It has demonstrated strong economic growth over the last five years, but research shows that it continues to face a number of significant challenges including weakness in governance, infrastructure, human development, business development, public financial management, security and service delivery. The remote locations of the country’s mining operations present some extremely difficult hurdles to developing and maintaining effective work health and safety.
And yet a robust work health and safety framework accompanied by high quality training is crucial to continued economic growth. In fact, it can be argued that work health and safety is as much a strategic enabler to economic growth as infrastructure spending is. We all know some of the key benefits of work health and safety including increased productivity, increased workforce morale, reduced staff turnover, higher quality of work. In a developing economy, these benefits can take on particular significance given their relative newness and the positive impact they can have not just in a particular work place but on a whole community and economy.
This shift in making work health and safety a core value in any workplace can be a difficult one in emerging economies where many organisations see it as a luxurious add-on or just as a box to be ticked for compliance. Understanding that work health and safety initiatives – especially training programs – not only increase productivity but impact positively on the bottom line, is still something that is not always fully recognised. As Hital Meswani’s research shows, making work health and safety a key performance indicator for business and leveraging a good WHS record as a competitive advantage, is plain good business.
Meeting the work health and safety needs of Darwin and the remote Northern Territory
With its tropical climate and frontier vibe, Darwin can sometimes feel as much a foreign land as PNG does to an eastern seaboard city dweller. Which, of course, is one of the reasons we like going there so much! Through in a laidback atmosphere combined with a reputation for hard work when hard work is required, and Darwin is an always popular destination for our WHS trainers.
While some of Darwin’s recent major projects, like those connected to the Icthys LNG project, are nearing completion, other developments are taking off. For example, non-residential building approvals have increased substantially over the last couple of years and the associated developments will support the construction sector for a number of years to come.
This means there is demand for high quality training in the areas of manual handling, asbestos management, traffic control and HSR training – all areas in which AlertForce can deliver specialised training. In fact, no matter what your WHS or OHS Training needs may be, we facilitate training solutions effectively for your business.
Development projects – both large and small scale – are also taking place in the Territory’s remote indigenous communities where training programs need to be tailored to the specific needs of the populations of those communities. AlertForce is excited to have the opportunity to work on the ground with indigenous trainees who can then use their skills to go on and help build and maintain their communities. We also recognise that a one-size-fits-all approach is not always appropriate or useful. Where, for example, literacy rates may present a challenge to the standard delivery of training modules, our trainers employ a range of teaching strategies and techniques to ensure that the material is delivered effectively.
AlertForce is glad to be part of the move toward safer, more productive and more profitable workplaces in communities which have suffered from a lack of focus on this area. We relish the opportunity to work with clients from diverse backgrounds in a range of locations where trainees can take on skills that then feed back positively into their economies and environments.
Give us a buzz today about your remote location work health and safety needs.
Do robots wear high-vis? Future technologies and workplace health and safety
“Technology is a key driver of the future, because of its effects and how it will disrupt the way things are done.” Peter Gahan, Director of the Centre for Workplace Leadership
That new technologies are changing the way we live won’t come as news to anyone. After all technology saturates every aspect of our lives – home, leisure, exercise, travel, education, entertainment. It’s at work, however, that some of the most dramatic and far-reaching effects are being experienced. We are already seeing the impact of automated tasks, increased digitisation and a move toward a gig economy. But we need to prepare also for what’s on the horizon: major advances in robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and cyber-physical systems.
These changes will inevitably affect the legislation around workplace health and safety as well as the reality of health and safety on the ground. Work Safety Australia has partnered with the CSIRO’s Data61 to produce a report that examines exactly what these changes and impacts will be and how we can prepare for them.
The report identifies six ‘mega trends’. Sounds serious, right? Well, it is. But it’s exciting too because of the opportunities those trends will create. Let’s take a look at them:
- The extending reach of automated systems and robotics
As the cost of these technologies decreases, their capabilities increase and with them, their ability to take over tasks that people have previously done.
- Increasing workplace stress and mental health issues
New technologies can both contribute to a rise in stress, anxiety and depression in the workplace and act as tools to help alleviate those conditions. It’s all in the way they are applied.
- Rising screen time, sedentary behaviour and chronic illness
Screen time has increased dramatically for both adults and children and, as manual jobs become more heavily automated, people’s jobs are more and more sedentary. The rise of diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes must be considered in this context.
- Blurring the boundaries between work and home
Larger numbers of workers are entering into arrangements that allow them to work full or part time from home which can disrupt the more traditional boundaries between work and home life.
- The gig and entrepreneurial economy
The increase in freelance task-based work that can take place online sees a disruption to the traditional employment models.
- An ageing workforce
An ageing population makes for an ageing workplace and older workers are having to stay in jobs for longer.
Given these shifts and projected changes, we must ask ourselves whether our workplaces are ready from a health and safety perspective. Do work health and safety laws and codes of practice effectively cover, for example, freelancers who work in the ‘gig economy’? Are current health and safety frameworks able to accommodate the rise of automated systems and robotics in the workplace? What kind of new associated risks might there be to consider? What impact does technology in the workplace have on mental health and wellbeing and on a work/family balance? How can technologies be leveraged to build healthy work environments rather than undermine them?
While workplace scenarios are likely to be complex and informed by many factors, it’s not hard to guess at some of the ways in which technology now and in the future will impact the work health and safety frameworks of our workplaces in both positive and negative ways. For example:
Possible negative impacts | Possible positive impacts |
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These are just a few possibilities – the CSIRO report details numerous such aspects of the changing face of technology and safety in the workplace – but many of them can be addressed now and workplaces who are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace will be doing just that by being vigilant in the provision of high quality training and the building of an engaged and supported workforce who can anticipate and prepare for those changes together.
Our training courses at AlertForce always use the most current information, technology and techniques available and follow the most up to date legislation and codes of practise. Start getting ahead of the game today so you are ready for tomorrow. Give us a buzz to discuss our course options.
Local councils and asbestos management
Just like commercial businesses, local councils need exemplary training and education to develop a culture in which asbestos safety is taken seriously. Under the Work Health and Safety Act, a local council – and anyone delegated to conduct work on its behalf – is a ‘person or business conducting an undertaking’ (PBCU) and as such has a primary duty of care to ensure workers and others are not exposed to a risk to their health or safety. A senior manager in the council, for example, could be held personally liable for negligent actions that cause damage or injury to a person or property and it is therefore essential that local councils have a comprehensive policy in place to address all activities around the safe management and removal of asbestos. Training and education are the cornerstone of any such policy.
What are the obligations of local council when it comes to asbestos?
The ongoing legacy of asbestos use in Australia means that local council has a crucial role in working with government and communities to manage and remove asbestos safely and thoroughly.
In partnership with the Heads of Asbestos Coordination Authorities (HACA), Local Government NSW (LGNSW) developed a Model Asbestos Policy (MAP) in 2012 which was reviewed and updated in 2015. The Model Asbestos Policy was developed so that local councils had a consistent and comprehensive template on which to base their own policies and which complied with the necessary Work Health and Safety legislation.
Local council has important obligations in two respects:
- To the residents and public who occupy the Local Government Area (LGA)
- To the workers in council workplaces
Those obligations include the following responsibilities:
- Educating residents by providing access to information and advice on the:
- Prohibition of the use and re-use of asbestos containing materials (ACM)
- Requirements in relation to development, land management and waste management
- Risks associated with exposure to asbestos
- Safe management of ACMs
- Safe removal and disposal of small quantities of ACMs
- Managing land – the council is responsible to managing public land and must do so with appropriate care where that land is or may be contaminated by asbestos including naturally occurring asbestos
- Managing waste when the Council is the appropriate regulatory authority including:
- Issuing clean-up notices to address illegal storage or disposal of asbestos waste or after an emergency
- Issuing prevention or clean-up notices where asbestos waste has been handled unsatisfactorily
- Issuing penalty notices for improper transport of asbestos
- Applying planning controls to dispose of asbestos waste on site and seeking advice from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)
- Operating or contracting a business to operate licensed landfill facilities that accept asbestos waste.
Local council is obliged to operate according to a wide range of legislation including, but not limited to:
- Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 (NSW)
- Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW)
- Local Government Act 1993 (NSW)
These responsibilities are clearly significant and wide ranging so having an asbestos management plan that is regularly updated and reviewed is key to ensuring that all obligations are met. Education and training of council staff – including those in senior positions – is the most effective way for councils to ensure they are meeting their responsibilities.
Unfortunately we have seen cases where training and education have been left by the wayside and a council’s relationship with the community has suffered as a result. Failure to notify workers of potential exposure, failure to develop and maintain an adequate asbestos management plan, and failure to adequately train employees can be disastrous for a local council but are breaches that can be relatively easily addressed with quality training. Creating a culture of responsibility and action within local council is an important way to make sure everyone knows how to do their bit to build as asbestos-aware environment. Recent cases have shown that this culture must be instilled at the most senior levels – if respect for legislated processes is not in place at the top of the council hierarchy, then it doesn’t stand a chance anywhere else.
There are plenty of good news stories as well. Our favourite recent one appeared in the Illawarra Mercury and reported Shellharbour City Council workers busting an illegal asbestos dumper who got embarrassingly bogged in the process of the committing the offence. Nice work, Shellharbour City Council!
If you are looking to train up new council workers or give senior managers an opportunity to brush up on their asbestos safety know-how, give us a buzz to discuss your training options today and save yourself a world of trouble tomorrow.
“But why?” Using the 5 Whys Method Effectively in Strategic Incident Analysis
You know how little kids have that tendency to ask “Why?” over and over again, and no matter how many times you answer them, they just keep saying “But why?”? It can be very cute and, let’ face it, a bit frustrating for mum and dad, but the thing is, those little kids are on to something. The more you ask “why?” the more likely you are to get to the bottom of something. And when you’re investigating the root cause of an incident, that is invaluable.
What kids do naturally in an effort to find out exactly what’s going on – and notice how they never settle for the first obvious answer – we grown ups need a methodology for. It’s called the 5 Why Method and is a key component of our new Strategic Incident Analysis (SIA) training, which is based on the principles of Incident Cause Analysis Method (ICAM).
A bit of background
Sakichi Toyoda developed the method in the 1930s and it came into popularity in the 70s. Toyoda was one of the founders of Toyota Industries – a company renowned for its “go see” philosophy which meant that decisions were made based on an understanding of what was happening on the shop floor, not in the vacuum of a boardroom. This close observation of systems and engagement with the people who have real, day-to-day experience with the processes in question, is at the root of the 5 Why method and has been a remarkably successful and much copied strategy.
How the 5 why method works
The 5 Why technique seems simple – and to an extent it is – but to yield the most useful results it needs to be applied properly. So no, you can’t get away with responding with an exasperated “because I say so, that’s why!” in the way you might to your five year old. Until there is sufficient evidence to support the root cause you end up revealing, you need to keep asking questions. In fact, then, your 5 whys might very well turn into 10 whys. Conversely, you might find the root cause after three whys. But always be wary of quick answers. The theory is that immediately obvious issues will always have underlying problems – the key is to keep peeling back the layers until the true root cause of an incident is discovered, not just the symptoms.
How to carry out the 5 why method
- It is essential that you talk to the people involved in the incident. There’s no point trying to gather information and evidence without that interaction
- Define the incident in a clear statement that doesn’t make reference to any possible causes
- Ask why and keeping asking why until a verifiable root cause is identified
- Identify corrective actions
For example:
A new site worker on the site slipped on a wet floor and fell over, injuring their wrist in the fall.
Why? They weren’t wearing non-slip boots
Why? They hadn’t been issued with correct safety gear
Why? They hadn’t had a safety induction
Why? There was no one to conduct the training
Why? Because there is only one person qualified to conduct the safety induction and they were off sick.
Root cause: Insufficient staff available to conduct safety training and inadequate process for ensuring that non-inducted workers are permitted on site.
Corrective strategy: train more workers to be able to give a safety induction and introduce a checklist to be completed before new worker is permitted on site.
The root cause is almost always going to point to a process, not an individual. Be cautious of any answer that blames a person or thing e.g. “The fall happened because Brad wasn’t in the office” or “The fall happened because the floors are wet after yesterday’s rain”. Those things might well be true but they don’t take you anywhere useful. The most effective counter measures are those that change processes, improve systems – the aim of the game is to always address the cause, not the symptoms.
Next time you’re investigating an incident, remember to get in touch with your inner kid and ask “why?” as many times as you need to until you get an answer you are satisfied with.
Keen to know more? Give us a call to discuss our new Strategic Incident Analysis training today.
What on earth does Swiss cheese have to do with work health and safety?
Good question. Let’s back up a bit so we can put it all in context. We have recently launched our new Strategic Incident Analysis (SIA) training here at AlertForce. SIA is a set of strategies for figuring out why a incident occurred, how to prevent it from happening again and how to use the lessons learned to continually improve workplace safety and mitigate risk in the future. Developed in consultation with experts in the field of incident root cause analysis and risk mitigation, our SIA course takes the principles of Incident Cause Analysis Method (ICAM) and delivers them in a fresh new, accessible and practical framework.
One of the key principles of ICAM (ICAM training) is the Swiss Cheese Model developed by Professor James T. Reason. It’s got nothing to do with it being anyone’s favourite sandwich filling and everything to do with understanding how accident causation works in the context of risk management. This is – briefly – how it works:
- Reason compares human systems to layers of swiss cheese
- Each layer is a layer of defence against mistakes and failures
- There are “holes” in each layer because no system is perfect, and humans are fallible, but if something gets through, it usually gets stopped by another layer of defence
- Things go wrong when failures are able to get through every layer i.e. where the holes in each slice of Swiss cheese line up
- This is what leads to workplace accidents and incidents
Ideally, when it comes to workplace safety, we want all our systems or layer of defence to be intact. In reality, however, all systems have weaknesses – the “holes” in the cheese. We put into place extra layers around those weaknesses but occasionally circumstances collide in such a way that all the weaknesses coincide and the whole defence structure is breached. When the holes momentarily align, the circumstances are in place for what Reason calls “a trajectory of accident opportunity.”
These failures in the defence layers arise from a combination of two factors:
- Active failures
- Latent conditions
Active failures are the unsafe acts of people connected to the system e.g. slips and fumbles, mistakes and lapses, violations of codes or procedures.
Latent conditions arise from flaws or frailties in the wider system e.g. decisions made by management or designers, problems within workplace culture, outdated policies and procedures. They are elements that can remain dormant in the system for a long time before coming to light when an incident occurs. Here’s an example:
- A dump truck reverses into some scaffolding on a construction site causing damage to the vehicle and the structure and injuring a worker on the ground.
- The active failure here is most likely the driver’s failure to adequately control the truck – perhaps the driver didn’t use a warning device, didn’t check the area before moving, and/or didn’t adequately communicate with workers and traffic control staff on the site.
- Upon further investigation it is found that the driver was insufficiently trained to operate that kind of heavy vehicle but was under pressure from supervisors to get the job done by a certain time. The latent failure here then is management’s focus on productivity at the expense of training and safety and the workplace culture that meant the employee did not feel empowered to question the direction they were given.
- The outcome could be a review of training standards, with more rigorous training put in place, and the implementation of updated safety protocols to ensure inexperienced workers are not charged with jobs they are not qualified to do.
This is a very simple example but one than illustrates the layers of responsibility involved and the importance of looking beyond the “who’s fault was that?” question and examining more deeply the larger factors at play in any accident. Addressing those latent conditions – we might think of them as the holes in the cheese that have been there so long we barely even register them anymore – is central to the continual improvement of safety in any workplace.
Once failures in the various layers of defence have been analysed and dealt with, your Swiss cheese will start looking a bit more like a block of good, solid parmesan.
Why traffic control training is more than holding up a sign
At AlertForce we know that one of the keys to successful training is making material accessible and practical. All the theory in the world won’t help you if you don’t know how to apply it in real world situations. And it doesn’t get more real world than traffic control. With potentially dozens of moving parts at any given time, effective traffic management in and around a work site can mean the difference between control and chaos. We can conduct training on site at your workplace so that you can see exactly how to put into practise the skills you learn to safely control traffic.
Why Nationally Recognised Training matters
In 2015 the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) introduced a Nationally Recognised Competency Qualification framework for all traffic control training to ensure:
- Standards of competency that are recognised across Australia
- A nationally consistent approach to and standard of traffic control training
- Flexible training and assessment options
- Easier recertification
- Tailored training and assessments
Training, assessment and certification can only be delivered by an RMS approved Registered Training Organisation (RTO) – like AlertForce – who can deliver recognised National Competency Based training. This ensures that trainees get the highest quality instruction and nationally recognised certification.
Traffic Control – not just swivelling a sign
Learning how to be a safe and effective traffic controller is not just a matter of swivelling a stop/slow bat back and forth when you feel like it. Yes, it’s a good entry point for those wishing to take the first steps into traffic management, but just because it’s a starting point doesn’t mean it isn’t extremely valuable position. Construction, utility and other kinds of work sites are always potentially hazardous because of the intersection of vehicles or mobile plant with pedestrians and workers. Traffic controllers are therefore crucial to everyone’s safety. Our training will ensure that a traffic controller can:
- Correctly direct road users using a stop/slow bat
- Understand stopping sight distances
- Maintain traffic incident reports and the relevant Traffic Control Plans for the site
- Assess and respond to changes in conditions and environment e.g. weather conditions, increased traffic, road conditions
- Implement risk assessments for personal safety
- Communicate effectively using a range of devices and methods e.g. 2-way radios
Our Traffic Control Training includes the following nationally recognised units of competency:
- RIIWHS201D Work safely and follow WHS policies and work procedures
- RIICOM201D Communicate in the workplace
- RIIWHS205D Control traffic with a stop/slow bat
The next step: Implement Traffic Control Plans
This is the ideal course for those who already have experience as a Traffic Controller and are looking to further their skills in the area or for those who are required by their employer to set up and work with Traffic Control Plans at a work site. It requires a different skill set that builds on Traffic Controller knowledge. Our training will ensure that personnel in charge of implementing traffic control plans (TCPs):
- Identify and understand the safety implications of traffic control
- Manage traffic control devices in accordance with the TCP
- Communicate effectively using a range of devices including a two-way radio
- Check, clean and store equipment
- Select an appropriate TCP to suit the site conditions e.g. traffic volume, weather, road conditions, and adjust/adapt as needed
- Assess a location, identify topographical landmarks and carry out associated risk control
- Assess a TCP for any unexpected hazards or risks
- Plan for emergencies
- Understand speed, types of vehicle, traffic density, sight lines, environmental conditions and the way they inform or effect a TCP
- Monitor traffic controllers
Our Traffic Control Training includes the following nationally recognised units of competency:
- RIIWHS201D Work safely and follow WHS policies and work procedures
- RIICOM201D Communicate in the workplace
- RIIWHS302D Implement traffic management plan
Identify, assess, adapt
Traffic control and management on a work site is about supervising and organising a whole lot of moving parts and the ability to identify and mitigate risk and adapt quickly and safely to changing conditions is an essential part of being involved in traffic control. We will take trainees through processes step by step and deliver information in a clear, accessible way that means they have the skills to not only perform their duties but to step up when the unexpected happens, as it inevitably does on work sites. High quality training leads to confident and competent personnel who can become integral to the safe functioning of a worksite. And that is invaluable.
Check out our training options here and give us a call today so that your work site is safer tomorrow.
What kind of asbestos training do I need my employees to do?
Negotiating the requirements – legal and ethical – around removal of asbestos can be a tricky business. As an employer, it’s important that you get a handle on what your obligations are and know exactly what training you and/or your employees need to complete. The training options can be broken down into the following categories:
- Awareness
- Removal
- Assessment
- Supervision
Before we go on to look at the different courses available, there’s one question that comes up from time to time that’s worth addressing: “I’ve done some asbestos training – can’t I just pass on the information to my employees?”
Nope. You’re probably an expert at your particular job. So are we. And our job is teaching nationally recognised courses in all areas of work health and safety. Asbestos management and removal requires special expertise and knowledge. You wouldn’t expect to be able to teach an employee any other skilled job (forklift driving, pipelaying, crane operation etc) in one afternoon over a cup of tea, so why would you expect it of asbestos removal? Get it done right the first time with comprehensive, nationally recognised training.
Asbestos Awareness Training
Who should do it?
Legislation requires that employers train any personnel who are working around asbestos to complete asbestos awareness training. This is not a course that teaches asbestos removal (over the 10m2 permitted in some states); it is a course that provides the skills and knowledge to identify asbestos.
Why should you do it?
Aside from the fact that is required by law, having employees who can identify asbestos is a key part of your organisation’s safety framework. The more people who can identify and be aware of it, the less risk there is of it being unwittingly damaged or made dangerous in the course of operations. It’s not about being paranoid, it’s about being sensible. And remember, many employees are likely to be too young to remember when the horrors of asbestos-related illnesses became front page news. This is a way to teach them how to take the risks surrounding asbestos seriously.
This course can be done online or, for groups of 15 or more, we can arrange onsite training.
CPCCDE3014A Remove non-friable asbestos and CPCCDE3015A Remove friable asbestos
Who should do it?
Legislation requires that all workers involved in removing non-friable or friable asbestos (click here for a recap on asbestos types) must have nationally recognised training to do so. As an employer, you must make this training available to anyone you are charging with the responsibility of removing asbestos or an employee who needs to update their training. Remember, those who are trained in the removal of non-friable or bonded asbestos, cannot be involved in the removal of friable asbestos. The two types of asbestos removal require specific knowledge and expertise – they are not interchangeable.
A CPCCOHS1001A Work safely in the construction industry or “white card” is a pre-requisite for both courses.
Why should you do it?
Again, it’s the law. Aside from that, as an employer it is your ethical, community, and environmental obligation to ensure that dangerous or potentially dangerous materials are safely disposed of. The fines for not following protocol are substantial as is the associated risk to your organisation’s reputation. Having workers who are properly trained in the safe removal of asbestos ensures a safe and more productive workplace.
CPCCBC4051A Supervise asbestos removal
Who should do it?
The individual who is going to direct the removal of any asbestos must be a licensed Asbestos Supervisor. You can do this course if you have a Class A or Class B asbestos removal license (see above courses) and are looking to develop the scope of your skills in the asbestos management and removal industry. The Asbestos Supervisor makes sure that all associated stakeholders – from employees to regulators – are informed as to any asbestos removal undertakings and are supplied with the necessary training and equipment. In addition, a Supervisor must mitigate risk, implement health and safety procedures and comply with all legislation regarding asbestos removal.
Why should you do it?
Because, like any other significant operation, the removal of asbestos requires careful and comprehensive planning, experienced and responsible direction, and a point of contact for all staff and stakeholders.
As with the two previous courses, a CPCCOHS1001A Work safely in the construction industry or “white card” is a pre-requisite for this course. A Nationally Recognised Statement of Attainment for CPCCBC4051A Supervise Asbestos Removal is issued to successful participants.
CPCCBC5014A Conduct Asbestos Assessment Associated with Removal
Who should do it?
An Asbestos Assessor is required to inspect and measure the levels of airborne asbestos fibres in a workplace. This course teaches the specialised skills and knowledge along with use of a range of measuring devices.
Why should you do it?
An Assessor has an essential role to play in gathering data about the presence of asbestos, planning for asbestos removal, and monitoring, documenting and evaluating data. At the end of the day, only one person can tell you whether a site is safe for reoccupation after asbestos removal and that is your Asbestos Assessor.
A Nationally Recognised Statement of Attainment for CPCCBC5014A Conduct Asbestos Assessment Associated with Removal is issued to successful participants.
If you have any questions about what kind of course you or your employees should be doing, give us a buzz – we will be more than happy to talk you through the options.
Eight questions to ask before removing asbestos from your property
Removing asbestos from your property is serious business. If you’re doing it yourself, then make sure you know what the legal requirements are and stick to them. If you’re getting in the experts, then have a good sense of what their obligations are so you have peace of mind that they are getting the job done safely. Here are a few key questions to ask before you undertake asbestos removal:
1. How can I tell if its asbestos?
You can’t tell if something contains asbestos just by looking at it. You can make a pretty good guess by taking into account the age of the house and the kind of material it is, but beyond that, specialised examination by an accredited expert is required. It’s best to err on the side of safety and assume that, if the material is likely to have been installed before 1990, then it will contain asbestos.
2. All asbestos is the same, right?
Nope. The three main types of asbestos used in a wide range of materials are:
- Chrysotile (white asbestos)
- Crocidolite (blues asbestos – and widely regarded as the most potentially lethal)
- Amosite (brown or grey asbestos)
But for the purposes of identifying asbestos containing materials in your property, the two categories you need to be aware of are:
- Unbonded or friable asbestos which is where the raw mineral is used as lagging or insulation and easily gives off harmful fibres and dust;
- Bonded or non-friable asbestos where asbestos is mixed with other materials like cement and is less likely to release fibres or break up.
If disrupted, however, bonded asbestos can still be dangerous. Once it’s broken up, it releases fibres into the air.
3. But if I’m not using power tools then I don’t have to worry, right?
Wrong. It’s not just drilling or sanding that you can’t do. There are a number of things you need to avoid doing around asbestos, including but not limited to:
- Don’t use high pressure hoses as they can spread loose fibres or dust
- Don’t drag one sheet of, say, asbestos fibro over another – same reason: it can spread fibres
- Don’t walk around on asbestos cement roofs – if they’ve deteriorated there’s a danger of falling through
- Don’t scrape or hand sand asbestos surfaces – again with the risk of spreading fibres
4. So is removing asbestos a job for me, or should I get the experts in?
If you’re just sealing or painting asbestos cement surfaces, then you can do this yourself using the usual safety precautions for that kind of work e.g. making sure there is adequate ventilation. If you are planning on doing any kind of work that might disrupt the asbestos fibres – i.e. sanding, drilling, cutting, significant house renovations – then it’s definitely a job for the experts because this is the kind of work that will release asbestos fibres into the air.
5. But can’t I remove small amounts of asbestos myself?
In NSW, yes, you can remove up to 10sqm of bonded asbestos but only by following extremely strict guidelines. Otherwise you must hire a qualified asbestos removalist or gain the appropriate training and certification yourself.
6. What kind of asbestos removal licences are there?
There are two types of removal licence and a licence to be an asbestos assessor.
A Class A licence allows you to remove both friable and bonded asbestos as well as asbestos contaminated debris or dust. A Class B licence allows you to remove non friable or bonded asbestos, like fibro sheets.
To be eligible for a removal licence you must have, among other conditions, a competent supervisor with industry experience.
7. How do I know if they are legit?
Ask to see the licence documents of your asbestos removalist before engaging them for work and make sure that all their workers have completed the appropriate training. Don’t be afraid to ask! It’s your property and your wellbeing and your money – so make sure you get the right people for the job. Check with your relevant Work Health and Safety body if you’re unsure and be aware that you can be fined for engaging a non-licenced removalist.
8. Do I have to let anyone else know?
Your licenced removalist is required to let the relevant state regulatory body know about any transport of asbestos before it happens. Again, you are entitled to ask your asbestos removalist if they have done so. If you’re doing some major demolitions, then it’s likely that you will have had to get council permission and this will have involved alerting your neighbours – they might want to make themselves scarce on the day that the asbestos is being removed. Likewise, you need to let any other tradespeople or visitors to the property know that asbestos is being managed so they can take the appropriate precautions.
Asbestos removal is no walk in the park. It requires careful preparation, planning and specialised training. If you’re looking for training options, give us a call so we can tell you about our accredited asbestos removal training courses.
DIY home renovations and asbestos – what would-be renovators need to know
In the era of Renovation Rescue, The Block, The Living Room and countless other home makeover TV shows, the DIY home renovation has never been more popular. In 2017’s March quarter alone, Australians spent $2.1 billion on alterations and additions to homes, and many of those renos would have started with the homeowner themselves wielding a sledgehammer through walls or knocking down old sheds.
Yes, homeowners are hurling themselves into renovations with enthusiastic abandon and while their intentions might be good, the results are often disastrous. And we’re not just talking about a wonky kitchen shelf or a badly tiled bathroom. Take a look in any city hospital emergency room for the array of DIY injuries that are on the rise – cuts at best, missing digits or limbs from inexpertly wielded tools and machinery at worst. Exposure to asbestos might be an invisible threat that doesn’t land you in emergency straight away like a severed finger will, but it can have even more sinister long-term effects. Which is why, as a homeowner, you need to be fully aware of what you’re getting into when it comes to renovating a home that contains asbestos so you can either get trained up yourself to remove asbestos safely, or make sure you know when it’s time to call the experts.
Asbestos in Australia – what every homeowner needs to know
Up until the mid-1980s, Australia had one of the highest uses per person of asbestos in the world. That’s right – we just couldn’t get enough of the stuff. So if your house was built before 1990, then chances are it has asbestos in it somewhere – in fact, around one third of all Australian houses contain asbestos. Asbestos was officially banned in Australia at the end of 2003.
As a homeowner looking at renovating your place, there are two types of asbestos containing materials (ACMS) that you need to be aware of:
- Non-friable asbestos is the type that has been mixed with other materials like cement. It is very common in buildings in Australia and if it gets damaged or broken i.e. if you take a jackhammer to it without proper preparation, it is likely to release asbestos fibres into the air. Not good.
- Friable asbestos is a substance that contains asbestos that crumbles or turns easily to powder, like insulation. Again, if you go ripping into the old insulation in your house without proper protection, those particles will come airborne. This is not only hazardous to you and anyone else working on your house, but irresponsible to the wider community.
Where is asbestos likely to be found in the home?
Asbestos was used extensively in building so there are lots of potential asbestos sites in your home. It might be found in any of the following:
- Roofing and gutters
- Gables and eaves
- Walls
- Vinyl, carpet and tile underlay
- Lining behind wall tiles
- Imitation brick cladding
- Fencing
- Sheds
- Splashbacks
- Telecommunication pits
- Window putty
- Expansion joints
- Packing under beams
- Concrete form
What you shouldn’t do
If you think you might have asbestos in your home (and it’s best to assume you do until an expert can give you a definitive answer), do not, under any circumstances, drill, sand, cut or saw it. In fact, don’t even scrub or scrape it. While it’s true that bonded asbestos material (the non-friable stuff) is often quite stable, once it’s damaged or messed with, it can become dangerous. And I think we’d all agree that a beautiful new kitchen or a shiny new bathroom is not worth the risk to your family’s health.
And another thing, don’t even think about trying to offload it on your nearest curb or a handy skip for a council pick up. Not unless you want to face thousands of dollars’ worth of fines and get run out of town by angry neighbours. Illegal dumping of asbestos is exactly that: illegal.
What you should do
Take a breath, put the sledgehammer down, and take a good look at your house. Click here for a useful guide to help you identify where ACMS might be found in your house. Then it’s time to contact a licensed asbestos assessor who can do a detailed analysis of your property so you can plan your next steps. If you are going to remove asbestos, your best option is to get a licensed asbestos removalist to do the job. Most states will allow you to remove small amounts of certain ACMs from your house but have very strict rules about how it’s done and where it’s disposed of. For example, in NSW you can remove 10sqm of bonded asbestos from your home but you must follow the EPA guidelines meticulously in order to do so.
If you’re keen to do the job yourself or plan on doing a lot of home renovating, then consider getting yourself properly trained up for asbestos removal. AlertForce offers a range of asbestos removal courses that, once completed, will allow you to get on with your renovating dreams safely and responsibly.
What is ICAM anyway?
We are excited to be introducing a terrific new training course here at AlertForce in May. Based on the ICAM model, our Strategic Incident Investigation training will offer the best, most clearly explained, accessible and practical training on incident investigation that you can get. Investigations that identify the causes of an incident and ultimately mitigate risk are good investigations and that’s what we are all about training you to provide.
What is the role of ICAM as investigation methodology?
Accidents happen. It’s a fact of life and a fact of work. Analysing them, learning from them, and ultimately reducing their occurrence is the best way to deal with them and ICAM is the most effective investigation methodology for doing this.
ICAM stands for incident cause analysis method. It’s a safety initiative for use in a whole array of industries including aviation, road, mining, rail, security and health that was developed by the CEO of Safety Wise, Gerry Gibb, and draws on the work of Professor James Reason. You might be wondering what a psychologist has got to do with industrial safety. Well, Reason is an organisational psychologist with expertise in the area of human and organisational error. So yep, he knows his stuff when it comes to the human tendency to, well, stuff up.
ICAM is about going beyond the obvious or superficial reason for an accident or incident. Rather, it aims to identify the underlying factors that may have contributed to the incident and to the context in which they occurred. In this sense, it’s a holistic approach that takes into account any weaknesses that might be lying dormant with the organisation itself. ICAM takes into consideration things like organisational culture, training, communication and operating procedures. When you can nail down to this level, you can start to build a system that is more resilient and less likely to produce errors.
And
What is the role of an ICAM investigator?
It’s not quite like CSI and definitely not as glamorous, but an ICAM investigator takes their work just as seriously as Horatio Caine takes his grisly murder investigations and the questions they must answer in the course of an investigation are actually pretty similar. They boil down to:
- What happened?
- Why did it happen?
- What are we going to do about it?
- What have we learned that we can share?
These are known as Absent or Failed Defences.
The next step is to look at the Individual or Team Actions that contributed to the incident. These are the mistakes or violations of procedure that led to the accident and might involve something like an employee mishandling a piece of equipment or machinery.
Then you’re going to take a good look at the Task or Environmental Conditions that influenced the human and equipment performance. For example, was the staff member adequately trained for that particular task? Where they provided with the right tools? Were they under pressure to get the task finished faster than was reasonable?
The answers to these sorts of questions will inevitably lead you to look at contributing Organisational Factors which could include things like workplace culture, and management decisions. Often these organisational issues have been there, undetected until a perfect workplace storm reveals them.
Once you’ve got the root causes analysed, it’s time to get some recommendations in place. These might range from immediate improvements like issuing maintenance workers with non-slip shoes, to bigger picture learnings about communication between different departments or updated policies and procedures for a particular area of a workshop.
The ultimate aim of an incident investigation is not just to identify what happened in a particular incident, but to make a system more robust and less likely to promote or encourage situations where adverse situations can arise.
There’s no question then as to the benefit of incident investigation training to an organisation. The ability to thoroughly investigate workplace incidents should tie in with the rest of the organisation’s work health and safety measures. Having investigators who understand what needs to be done in the wake of a workplace incident is critical to contributing to providing a safe work environment.
Our new course in incident root cause analysis and risk mitigation at AlertForce will make the ICAM methodology accessible and easy to understand. ICAM is pretty dense stuff with a lot of theory to take in. And we know that there’s nothing worse than leaving a course feeling so overwhelmed that you can’t even remember what you learnt. Our course breaks down all the essential information you need to know into a format that will leave participants knowing that they have what it takes to undertake investigations thoroughly and effectively.
Our course will be up and running in May. If you’re keen to enrol or just want to find out more, give us a buzz and we can make sure you’re notified as soon as the course opens for applicants.
Some related health and safety articles
Reduce risk on construction sites with nationally accredited traffic control training
One of the major risks associated with construction sites is that posed by the coming and going of traffic of all kinds – trucks, diggers, cars, utes, lorries, cranes, forklifts, bikes – you name it, they’ve at some point rumbled on through a construction site. Add pedestrians and site workers to the mix and the potential for serious accidents is high. Commenting in the wake of a tragic accident on a road upgrade site in Adelaide, the CFMEU claimed that 2017 saw about one death per week on Australian construction sites. While not all of these were traffic-related incidents, the figure is a sobering reminder that when it comes to construction sites, work health and safety has never been more important.
Critical to minimising risk is the implementation of high quality training. You can’t just stick anyone in the middle of the road with a slow and stop sign and hope for the best. Like any other skill, traffic control is one that requires time and specific knowledge. If you’re the PCBU, then it’s your responsibility to make sure your staff are given that appropriate training. In fact, the PCBU on a construction site (and that might include the principle contractor) often has extra responsibilities when the business or undertaking involves carrying out high risk construction work. These can include:
- Ensuring a safe work method statement (SWMS) is prepared before commencing works; and
- Preparing a Work Health and Safety (WHS) management plan for construction work costing $250,000 or more
AlertForce can provide on-site training for small groups that is nationally accredited under the Roads and Maritime Services Nationally Recognised Competency Qualification framework. Getting your training done on a live site is the most effective way to ensure your traffic controllers and associated workers know what they need to do.
So what are the major risks associated with traffic on and around construction sites?
SafeWork Australia has identified the following areas as high risk when it comes to traffic and construction sites:
- The interaction of pedestrians and vehicles: simply put, the more you can keep people and vehicles apart from each other, the better. Keep pedestrian access and vehicle access separate.
- Vehicle movement: if vehicles are moving, then they’re dangerous. Minimise movement on sites as much as possible and limit the number of vehicles operating at any one time.
- Reversing vehicles: just as they are on a residential street, reversing vehicles can be a threat to safety on a construction site. Keep traffic flow one way where ever possible and get warning systems in place. You know the drill – flashing lights, warning alarms, dash cams, radios, the works. And if you don’t, then it’s time to give us a buzz.
- Signs and visibility: high vis signage and uniforms are not just for decoration. Used effectively, they can be a very powerful way of alerting people to potential danger.
This is the short version. For a thorough analysis of the hazards on your site, refer to this checklist.
Is a traffic management plan necessary?
You bet. A traffic management plan is an essential part of your approach to work health and safety on a construction site. It should outline the business’s commitment to mitigating risk on the site and should have practical, enforceable controls that deliver a safe working environment. It might cover issues such as:
- Pedestrian and traffic routes
- Designated unloading areas
- Requirements for special vehicles like cranes
- Details of how often and where pedestrians and vehicles interact
- The responsibilities of those controlling traffic on the site
In addition, the plan should consider how the construction site will change over time and must be adjusted as needed to account for those changes.
What does the traffic controller do?
A traffic controller on a construction site will have a range of duties depending on the work being done. They are likely to include:
- Coordinating and setting up signage
- Using stop/slow signage
- Using radios to communicate
- Interpreting plans and drawings
- Maintaining a clean work environment
- Communicating with drivers, pedestrians and visiting contractors about the safe movement of vehicles and mobile plant.
There’s no getting away from it – construction sites, by their very nature, are filled with potential hazards, not the least of which is the cross over of vehicles or mobile plant with pedestrians and workers. Traffic controllers – properly trained and certified – are therefore essential to the safe functioning of the construction site environment.
Get your people trained on a live site for the best experience under our nationally accredited courses. We only operate in small groups and our competitive rates make AlertForce your best choice for training. Give us a call today so we can work together to eliminate accidents from Australian construction sites.
What commercial property owners need to know about asbestos responsibilities Part 2
Last week we started looking at the obligations of a commercial property owner in regard to asbestos management in NSW, the ACT, the Northern Territory, South Australia and Tasmania. In this section we are going to check out the legislation on this issue in Western Australia and Victoria where there are some big differences.
Quick recap
Up until recently, owners of commercial buildings had the burden of responsibility for the management of asbestos. When the Federal Model Work Health & Safety legislation came into play and was implemented in most of the country, the onus of that responsibility was moved from the owner to the lessee or, to use the technical term, the person with management or control of a workplace.
This change, however, has not yet been implemented in Victoria and Western Australia where the legislation still states that the responsibility for minimising risk and ensuring the safety or a workplace still lies largely with owner of a commercial property.
As we mentioned last week, if your business operates in multiple states, this can mean significant differences in the way you will have to enact your organisation’s work health and safety regulations. And if you are a commercial property owner in Victoria and Western Australia, then you need to be aware of your legal duties under the relevant act – especially, say, if you have only previously owned properties in other states where those duties are quite different.
In Victoria
- If you own a commercial property and lease or rent the building or part of the building to a business or businesses then you do have obligations under the OH&S Act 2004 and the associated 2007 regulations. To quote section 26 of the Act you must “ensure so far as is reasonably practicable that the workplaceand the means of entering and leaving it are safe and without risks to health.”
- Yes, you can delegate the responsibility for dealing with asbestos to a property manager but the legal buck, so to speak, ends with you. When it comes to health and safety, you, as the property owner, are ultimately responsible for making sure the workplaces in your property are safe. So make sure your property manager knows what they’re doing.
In Western Australia
Under the OS&H Act 1994 (yep, just to keep things confusing, they say OS&H rather than OH&S), your duties as a commercial property owner are very similar to those in Victoria. You can delegate some of your responsibilities, but the legal duties remain yours alone. You’ll need to do things including, but not limited to:
- Identifying and labelling any asbestos in the building
- Maintaining an asbestos register and making it available to the workplace
- Ensuring that any contract or maintenance workers are made aware of the presence of any asbestos in the building
- Making sure asbestos is removed in accordance the relevant Code of Practice
What about employers? Does that mean we are off the hook in Victoria and WA?
Absolutely not! While it’s likely that the Model legislation will be introduced in Victoria and Western Australia sometime in the future, be aware that in the meantime the existing legislation in those states does not in any way exempt employers from legal duties regarding maintaining a safe workplace. Yes, the owner of the building has certain obligations but yours as an employer are equally important and they are extensive. As an employer you must control the risk around exposure to asbestos in the workplace, identify asbestos, and control asbestos-related work. Just last year, the maximum penalty for a company in reckless breach of Victoria’s OH&S Act doubled to more than $3 million. Ouch.
As is so often the case with work health and safety issues, consultation is your best bet and building owners and employers are likely to be discussing many of these issues. Communication and cooperation will be key to getting the best and safest results.
Remember, check your state legislation and/or get legal advice about exactly what your obligations are and be aware there are differences and inconsistencies between the states and territories. Unfortunately, we cannot yet assume that one law applies in all jurisdictions. When that day comes, our lives will be a little bit easier!
In the meantime, if you are looking for nationally accredited asbestos removal training courses, then check out AlertForce’s options here or get in touch to discuss what we can do for you.
What commercial property owners need to know about asbestos responsibilities Part 1
When it comes to commercial properties, just who is responsible for health and safety around asbestos? It’s an important question and one you want to make sure you have the right answer to. Unfortunately, it’s not an entirely straightforward one due to differences across the states. We are going to outline some of the basics around commercial properties and asbestos management here but to make sure you’re on top of the latest rules and regulations it’s always a good idea to check your state’s legislation. You can check out updates and amendments to your jurisdiction’s implementation of work health and safety laws here.
What are my responsibilities regarding asbestos management if I’m a commercial property owner?
In the past, owners of commercial buildings were largely responsible for the management of asbestos. This changed with the introduction Federal Model Work Health & Safety legislation which moved the onus of responsibility regarding asbestos on to the lessee.
Just to complicate matters and keep us all on our toes, the Federal Model Work Health & Safety legislation has not yet been implemented in every state with Victoria and Western Australia not having enacted these laws as part of their state legislation. With commerce being increasingly fluid and borders mattering less and less to businesses, this can make things tricky to say the least. If you’re confused about where you stand with your interstate businesses and WHS duties, get yourself some legal advice.
In the meantime, we’ll give you some information about what your obligations as a commercial property owner are likely to be if you live in NSW, Queensland and South Australia. Come back next week when we’ll look at Victoria and Western Australia.
In New South Wales, Queensland, ACT, Tasmania, Northern Territory and South Australia
Ok, let’s start with an of important definition. NSW’s Work Health & Safety Act 2011 defines a person with management or control of a workplace as: “a person conducting a business or undertaking to the extent that the business or undertaking involves the management or control, in whole or in part, of the workplace” (Section 20). The definition does not include someone who occupies a residence unless they are effectively running their business from that residence. Queensland, the ACT, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, and South Australia all have identical or very similar definitions.
If you’re a property owner but you have nothing to do with running the business that takes place on the property, then your obligations with regard to asbestos management will be greatly reduced from what they once were. However, you may still have some responsibilities pertaining to works carried out on the property and, in any case, you’ll want to be on top of any action or developments regarding asbestos so keeping communication open with the person in control of the workplace on these matters will be a good idea.
Perhaps, however you’re a property owner who also runs a business or undertaking on the premises and therefore has management and control of the workplace. If that’s the case – i.e. you own the property that you are running your business in – then you are the person with management or control of a workplace and as such have primary responsibility for the safe management of any asbestos in the building. Yours is the primary duty of care as set out in Section 19 of the NSW, Queensland, Tasmania, Northern Territory, ACT, and South Australian Acts, and this extends not just to your employees but to the health and safety of any person coming in and out of the workplace.
One of your main tasks will be the preparation and update of an asbestos register and an asbestos management plan. You can check out some templates here to get you started. The best way to get an understanding of the entirety of your obligations is to read your state’s Act. Go straight to the source because that will give you the most up to date information. It can take a little getting used to reading legislation but with practise you get used to it. And remember, while the states have a lot of similarities in their legislation, it’s best not to assume that one is the same as the other. Some differences do apply. For example, the laws around when a building was built with regard to whether a register and plan are required, vary across the states. But the major differences are in the laws of Victoria and Western Australia and we will take a look at them next week.
In the meantime, feel free to check out the asbestos training we provide here at Alert Force and give us a buzz if you have any questions.
The who, what and why of HSRs and why HSR training is worth it
Health and Safety Representative (HSR) is a position that carries real and serious responsibility in the workplace. If you are a business owner, then don’t be tempted to treat the election and training of your HSR like a box-ticking exercise – there is too much at stake for that and ultimately you are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace. And if you are an HSR, then make sure you are clear on your obligations, so you can carry out your duties properly.
If this is new territory for you, don’t worry, there’s plenty of great resources around to help you get sorted and we’re covering the essentials here, so you can get a good grasp on what being an HSR is all about. Likewise, if you’re a business owner, we will cover the fundamentals, so you know what you’re in for.
Either way, prepare yourself – there’s a bunch of acronyms coming your way! But they’ll be rolling off your tongue in no time. If you lose track, we’ve included a quick reference guide at the end of this article to remind you what stands for what.
So what is an HSR?
HSRs are elected to represent a ‘work group’ about health and safety in their workplace. Like most representative positions, this involves facilitating communication and plenty of it. In the case of HSRs, that communication will be between workers and the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) on issues of workplace health and safety.
Just to be clear: it is not the role of the HSR to fix health and safety issues in the workplace. Rather it is their role to represent the interests of the workers in such matters.
Is having an HSR compulsory?
No, it isn’t. But if a worker requests an HSR then work groups must be assembled so that one can be elected. Then the PCBU consults with the HSR going forward. If an HSR or a group of five or more workers request the PCBU to establish a Health and Safety Committee (HSC) then the PCBU is obliged to make that happen.
The negotiations around organising work groups can themselves get a bit complicated. There’s a good explanation here of how that negotiation process can work and what needs to be done if disagreements arise.
In brief, then, it’s not mandatory to have an HSR (unless one is requested) but it can be a great idea for a PCBU to assign the position in any case so there is a means for employees and employers to communicate effectively about work health and safety issues. And can you bet that issues will arise.
What kinds of responsibilities does an HSR have?
Along with representing the interests of their work group, a health and safety representative monitors the health and safety of a workplace, investigates any complaints, and investigates any potential risks in the workplace. If an HSR has approved training, there are two important added powers they have:
- They can direct unsafe work to stop if they have a reasonable belief that a worker or workers may be at risk; and,
- They can issue a Provisional Improvement Notice (PIN) if they reasonably believe the Work Health and Safety Act has been breached.
HSR training is vital not just to ensure these two authorities, but so that the representative can thoroughly and effectively carry out their duties and learn how to best manage their relationship and communication with the PCBU. When it comes to work health and safety, everyone benefits from high quality training and from a relationship between the PCBU and workers that is open and positive.
What about the responsibilities of the PCBU to the HSR?
There are plenty and it’s worth knowing them in detail because the penalties for not complying with your duties to an HSR can be substantial. They vary slightly depending on the jurisdiction in which you are operating, but these are some of the major ones you need to be aware of:
- To consult and communicate with the HSR on health and safety matters
- To allow the HSR access to information regarding hazards and risks in the workplace
- To permit access to any resources the HSR may need to carry out their function
- To allow the HSR to undertake approved training
- To allow a person assisting an HSR access to the workplace
- To allow the HSR to accompany health and safety inspectors
- To allow an HSR to accompany a worker in a meeting regarding health and safety issues
You can get into more of the nitty gritty of these duties here and we recommend you do – better to get yourself up to date now rather than when or if something goes wrong.
Training serves the best interests of everyone when it comes to work health and safety. Training is something your organisation will never regret. Not training is something your business is very likely to regret one day. So get organised now and feel free to drop us a line if you’re keen to talk about what options are available. AlertForce runs certified training courses nationally including for Comcare, NSW and Queensland jurisdictions. We’ll be happy to give you the low down.
Acronyms cheat sheet
HSR – Health and safety representative
HSC – Health and safety committee
WH&S – Work health and safety
PCBU – person conducting a business or undertaking
PIN – provisional improvement notice
Education and training key to safe management of asbestos
A new year starts, and a new wave of asbestos stories hit the headlines. Asbestos discovery and its safe removal continue to be a major issue – and sometimes a major expense when it’s badly handled – for councils, businesses, tradies and individuals. And with every new headline comes the reminder that education and training around identification and eradication of asbestos remains key to keeping people safe. Without the knowledge and the know-how, the stories will continue to be frustrating and tragic. But let’s set the tone by taking a look at a few recent happier stories:
Big fine for asbestos dumper caught red-handed
First up, three cheers for the NSW Environment Protection Authority officers who nabbed a man unloading about 10 tonnes of asbestos-contaminated soil at a property in Wallacia. The EPA officers just happened to be conducting a campaign to prevent illegal landfilling at the time and videoed the load being dumped. No surprises the tip truck driver didn’t want to stop for a chat but with his number plate now on video, it was easy to track him down. $7500 later, chances are he won’t be taking that risk again. Talk about wrong place, wrong time!
Oz Day honours for long time asbestos awareness campaigner
It was great to see asbestos crusader, Serafina Salucci receive a Member in the general division of the Order of Australia on in the recent Australia Day honours. Ms Salucci was diagnosed with mesothelioma 11 years ago and has worked tirelessly to raise awareness on the dangers of asbestos exposure. She played a key role in petitioning the Australian Government to set up the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency in 2013.
New asbestos safety campaign launched in Victoria to keep tradies smart and safe around asbestos
Just last week, WorkSafe Victoria has launched a campaign targeted at making tradies more alert to the presence and dangers of asbestos. While many tradies are aware of how dangerous asbestos can be, they don’t necessarily know how to identify it and because so many tradies are involved in drilling, sawing, sanding and demolition, they are particularly vulnerable to it.
These are all encouraging stories and strategies that demonstrate how fundamental education around safe asbestos handing and removal remains. All the good intentions in the world won’t make up for the dangers attached to unsafe removal of asbestos. And not knowing is not a good enough excuse – not given the huge media exposure and legislative changes that have occurred over the last couple of decades. This goes for individuals as well as businesses. When it comes to asbestos identification and removal, shortcuts are not an option. Get educated, get trained and do it right.
If you’re a homeowner
Just steady on before you go all DIY on your new “renovator’s dream” home. Just because you’ve seen a few episodes of The Block and Backyard Blitz doesn’t mean you should go wielding a sledgehammer straight away on that old shed down in the back yard or on the walls and ceilings in your soon-to-be dream home. If it was built or last renovated before the mid-1980s, then chances are it’s riddled with asbestos. And you won’t be able to tell just by looking. This handy guide will help you figure out what you might be dealing with and how to proceed.
If you’re a business
Think about what’s a stake. This is not the time to do things on the cheap. There are strict laws regarding management of asbestos in a workplace and if you’re the one in charge then chances you know your obligations under the Work & Health Safety Act 2017 are to ensure the health and safety of your workers. If asbestos has reared its ugly head in your workplace or you even suspect it might be present, then act now and get a team trained and ready to go.
If you’re a tradie
Don’t take the risk. Remember, just because you can’t see asbestos, doesn’t mean it’s not there. Again, if you’re dealing with a property built before the mid-1980s then in all likelihood asbestos will be present somewhere in the structure. Yes, it’s your employer’s responsibility to make sure you are properly informed, trained and supervised but it’s also your responsibility to take reasonable care of yourself and make sure you follow all procedures regarding identification and removal of asbestos.
Education and training is crucial to the responsible management of asbestos. If you’re keen to get your asbestos know-how on, then give us buzz so we can talk through what your asbestos education and training options are or take a look at what’s on offer here and do your bit to make sure the headlines stay positive.
Why training matters in today’s workplace
In June last year, the assistant minister for Vocational Education and Skills Karen Andrews announced a major review of the legislative framework governing regulation of the vocational education and training (VET) sector, saying that the review will look at whether Australian Skills Quality Authority’s (ASQA) legislative powers enable the agency to effectively protect students, employers and the public against providers that don’t meet quality standards.
According to Andrews the independent review supports the Australian Government’s significant improvements to the quality and reputation of the VET sector.
“A review of the NVETR Act will determine if the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has appropriate legislative capacity to efficiently and effectively regulate the sector,” said Andrews.
“Professor at Australian National University’s School of Regulation and Global Governance Valerie Braithwaite is leading the review of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (NVETR Act) and I expect a report by the end of 2017.
“The regulator must have powers to act swiftly to protect students, employers and the public against providers that don’t meet high quality standards and it will also evaluate if ASQA’s functions and powers are consistent with best regulatory practice and how well the system meets the needs of industry and students.”
“Any changes to strengthen ASQA’s regulatory approach will fuel the Government’s efforts to maintain a high-quality VET sector that works for students, employers and taxpayers,” said Andrews.
So what is VET?
Vocational education and training (VET) is an important part of any industry as it enables people to gain qualifications for all types of employment, and specific skills to help them in the chosen profession.
The are a number of providers of VET courses including TAFE institutes, adult and community education providers and agricultural colleges, as well as private providers, community organisations, industry skill centres, and commercial and enterprise training providers. It is provided through the federal government states and territories that work together to ensure that training courses are consistent throughout Australia.
It’s important to understand that when undertaking VET that it’s done through a registered training organisations (RTOs) who is registered by ASQA to deliver VET courses and services. If the RTO is not registered with ASQA, inadequate training may compromise health and safety.
Currently there are 5000 RTO’s recognised as providers of quality-assured and nationally recognised training and qualifications.
ASQA say there are a number of advantages of registered training organisations including:
- deliver nationally recognised courses and accredited Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) VET qualifications,
- apply for Australian, state and territory funding to deliver vocational education and training.
- Certificates I, II, III and IV
- Diploma
- Advanced Diploma
- Vocational Graduate Certificate
- Vocational Graduate Diploma.
What are RTO’s and what role does ASQA?
RTO’s are also regulated by ASQA in accordance with the Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2012. Accreditation means the course is nationally recognised and that a registered training organisation (RTO) has the authority to issue a nationally recognised vocational education and training (VET) qualification or VET statement of attainment following a courses full or partial completion. The Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2012 include the course design standards that must be met for accredited which is regulated by ASQA.
The Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2012 apply to all courses regulated by ASQA, including those courses that were accredited by referring state and territory course accreditation bodies prior to 2011.
The Industry and Skills Council has also endorsed the Standards for VET Regulators 2015 with the purpose of the standards ensuring:
- integrity of nationally recognised training by regulating RTOs and VET accredited courses
- consistency in the VET regulators’ implementation and interpretation of the standards applying to RTOs and VET accredited courses, and
- accountability and transparency of VET regulators.
Under Australian legislation the Standards set out by the Industry and Skills Council require ASQA to:
- use a risk-based approach to regulation, implementing processes that are fair, transparent, responsive and consistent and which uphold the principles of natural justice and procedural fairness
- use auditors and accreditation assessors who meet agreed competency requirements
- develop and implement a code of conduct for auditors and course accreditation assessors to ensure contemporary best practice approaches to regulation are used
- assist RTOs to comply with the Standards for RTOs 2015and provide information to the sector on emerging risks
- manage the scope of registration of all RTOs so that only current training products are delivered
- publish decisions to impose sanctions on RTOs, together with the reasons for the decisions
- accept and manage complaints about RTOs, and about ASQA’s role as a regulator, using publicly available processes
- report and respond to requests from the Industry and Skills Council
- make service standards publicly available, and regularly review their performance against these service standards and the regulator Standards.
- analysing complaints about RTOs, and
- engaging with industry, industry regulators and other VET regulators.
- less regulatory intervention, while those that are considered higher risks are subject to more frequent intervention.
Alertforce are recognised as one of the leading VET training centres in Australia. They offer a number of training courses in asbestos management and removal, fatigue management, working from heights, traffic control plus many more WHS courses designed to ensure workplaces are safe. https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/
Meeting WHS needs for an older workforce
The Australian workforce is changing, albeit slowly. Life expectancies are longer than ever so people are choosing to stay in the workforce longer. Changes to the official age of retirement have also impacted on decisions to continue working.
But what do older workers bring to the workplace and are there any WHS issues that need to be addressed?
Without doubt older workers offer considerable benefits in the workplace. They contribute an enormous amount like dedication, maturity, punctuality and honesty, are organised and detail-oriented, focused, attentive and lets not forget the main one; they have years and years of experience. We may live in a youth driven culture but experience carries a lot of weight to it.
But in saying that, there are a few issues that WHS professionals need to address when employing an older person. Older employees can be more susceptible to certain kinds of injuries and illnesses, bearing in mind that health and fitness affects people at different ages and at different times, so its more about personal evaluation rather than an across the board approach.
According to guidelines published by the West Australian government on older workers there are some practical WHS considerations required for ageing employees.
Workers’ compensation statistics indicate that the most common causes of injury among older workers include:
- Fractures, crushing injuries, contusions and disorders of the spinal vertebrae and other muscles, tendons or soft tissue;
- Sprains and strains, indicating muscular stress is a common problem;
- Falls, slips and trips.
Employers, they say still need to provide a sufficient duty of care for older workers, which may involve adapting work practices to suit the needs of an ageing workforce. Employers still need to provide a sufficient duty of care for older workers, which may involve adapting work practices to suit the needs of an ageing workforce including:
- Identifying or re-evaluating workplace hazards or risks from the perspective of older employees at your organisation;
- Surveying employees to discover problems they’ve identified, helping you develop an awareness of age-related health and safety factors;
- Using survey results for finding and control hazards for ageing employees, and for developing a range of WHS strategies;
- Conducting pre-placement discussions with employees to evaluate their needs and abilities;
- Continuously communicating and consulting with workers about their needs and responsibilities;
- Liaising with other health and safety officers to find the best systems and maintain consistent approaches and standards;
- Continuously monitoring and reviewing workplace practices
- Seeking medical advice where you don’t have the knowledge to assess more complicated health issues
The capabilities of each individual should be as closely aligned to the demands of the job wherever possible says the WA Government.
Arrange work tasks after considering all hazard factors, ensuring that individuals still have sufficient control over their work so they can make decisions about how to tackle and complete tasks. Individuals should also be given flexibility, where possible, to vary the timing of there own rest breaks to meet their own needs. Rest breaks can help compensate for differences in physical performance capacity and work should be scheduled to reduce risk factors.
For example older workers can experience greater difficulties in coping with tiring shift work. Redesigning shifts can reduce employee fatigue levels and minimise associated risks and problems.
They go on to say that workloads and work intensity should be constantly monitored. Work for example that involves a high work rate for extended periods is often stressful and can lead to musculoskeletal disorders. Workloads should be set with an understanding of how long it takes to achieve the desired quality, not just the quantity of work output needed.
People of all ages need time to adapt to changing requirements. When making changes to tasks says the WA government, equipment or other work factors allow workers time to change and adapt. Strength and fitness takes time to develop no matter what age, so performance demands should be set lower while workers are learning and adapting to new work requirements.
Older employees can still safely perform manual handling tasks, however the government suggests changes may need to be made to achieve a safe system of work. The weight and size of objects should be reduced where possible, distance between the object and the person lifting should be reduced and mechanical lifting equipment should be used where practical.
Workplaces can be rethought and redesigned. Changes can include things like increasing light levels, reducing glare, reducing noise levels, eliminating hazards that cause slips, trips and falls, reducing exposure to extreme temperatures by decreasing exposure or providing PPE, increasing visibility of task related objects or information.
The West Australian government says postural demands can be reduced by changes to equipment and procedures. Employers can also choose to support flexible employment conditions such as job sharing and part-time work so older workers reduce their risk of injury. Older workers have a great deal to offer their employer and with these suggestions the needs of the older workforce can meet and all that knowledge and experience can bring amazing benefits to any business.
Don’t leave your employees’ safety and business success to chance. Invest in the proper work health and safety training to ensure that your employees are best equipped to create a safe and productive workplace.
Alertforce have been providing high quality nationally recognised training for many years. Our short courses educate and up-skill workers and keeps your workplace safe from injury. Enquire today.
How to affectively manage fatigue in your workplace
Fatigue is something we all experience from time to time. Its part of living in a modern world, but fatigue is more than feeling tired and worn out. In a work context, fatigue is a state of mental and physical exhaustion that reduces a person’s ability to perform their work safely and effectively.
There are a number of causes of fatigue including prolonged or intense mental or physical activity, sleep loss or a disruption of the internal body clock.
According to WorkSafe Australia signs of fatigue include:
- tiredness even after sleep
- reduced hand-eye coordination or slow reflexes
- short term memory problems and an inability to concentrate
- blurred vision or impaired visual perception
- a need for extended sleep during days off work.
So what causes fatigue?
Fatigue can be caused by work related or non-work related factors or a combination of both. Work related causes of fatigue include excessively long shifts with not enough time to recover between shifts or blocks of shifts.
Most people are day-orientated meaning they are most alert and productive in the daytime and sleep at night. The circadian rhythms (the body clock) cause regular variations in individual body and mental functions, which are repeated approximately every 24 hours. These rhythms regulate sleeping patterns, body temperature, heart rate, hormone levels, digestion and many other functions.
These rhythms are also influence job performance and quality of sleep. Most of the body’s basic functions show maximum activity during the day and minimum activity at night, and it’s these body rhythms that affect the behaviour, alertness, reaction times and mental capacity of people to varying degrees. If these rhythms get interrupted and recovery as in sleep and rest is hard to come by fatigue can set in.
One industry affected by worker fatigue is the transport sector where drivers are pushed to capacity to deliver loads on time. The pressure of driving at night, long distances, not getting enough sleep and being awake for extended periods has a detrimental affect, not only the driver but on the safety of other drivers on the roads. The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) says a driver must not drive a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle on a road while impaired by fatigue. They suggest if you consign, pack, load or receive goods as part of your business, you could be held legally liable for breaches of road transport laws even though you do not drive a heavy vehicle. In addition they say, corporate entities, directors, partners and managers are accountable for the actions of people under their control. This is the ‘Chain of Responsibility’ (COR).
The NHVR says each person in the COR must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the driver of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle does not drive on a road while impaired by fatigue or breach road transport laws relating to fatigue. In addition to this, each person in the COR must take all reasonable steps to ensure a heavy vehicle driver can perform their duties without breaching road transport laws.
There are a number of problems that can occur from fatigue, which places workers at risk of serious injury in the workplace and under OHS laws in Australia the following must be adhered to in the workplace when it comes to fatigue:
- alertness – workers must be alert while at their place of work especially if operating fixed or mobile plant including driving vehicles
- undertaking critical tasks that require a high level of concentration
- working night or shift work when a person would ordinarily be sleeping.
- a person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers while they are at work, meaning if fatigue is identified as causing a risk to work health and safety, then suitable control measures should be implemented in consultation with workers to eliminate or minimise the risks.
- workers also have a duty to take reasonable care for their own safety and health and that their acts or omissions don’t adversely affect the health or safety of others.
- workers must also comply with any reasonable instructions and cooperate with any reasonable policy or procedure relating to fatigue at the workplace,
- workers must comply with the organisation’s policies and procedures relating to fatigue
- understanding sleep, rest and recovery needs and obtaining adequate rest and sleep away from work
- seeking medical advice and assistance if there are concerns about a health condition that affects sleep or causes fatigue
- assessing fitness for work before commencing work
- monitoring levels of alertness and concentration while you are at work
- looking out for signs of fatigue with work colleagues and working in consultation with management and supervisors
- talking to supervisors or managers if work is being impaired by fatigue that’s likely to create a health and safety risk e.g. because of a health condition, excessive work demands or personal circumstances
- assessing fatigue levels after work and taking suitable commuting and accommodation options (e.g. avoiding driving if fatigued).
AlertForce is a recognised RTO and offers fatigue management courses in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. Check our website for other states and territories. For more information on traffic control courses visit https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/fatigue-management/
Australia’s National Asbestos Profile
In November 2017, the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency released two important documents at the annual summit in Canberra reporting on Australia’s work towards the country being asbestos free.
The first one was The Progress Report, which highlights a series of case studies from across Australia to show how the work supporting the National Strategic Plan is delivered and the second one, and first of its kind in Australia, was the National Asbestos Profile.
The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency says the profile follows the template developed by the World Health Organisation and International Labour Organisation and draws on best available research and data sources to provide a historical perspective on past exposures to asbestos, as well as information on the current management of asbestos in Australia.
The ASEA says the profile provides information on the consumption of the various types of asbestos, populations at risk from current and past exposures, the system for inspection and enforcement of exposure limits, as well as the social and economic burden of asbestos-related diseases.
The document supports Australia’s National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Management and Awareness and over time will be used to measure progress made towards eliminating asbestos‑related diseases in Australia.
The National Asbestos Profile highlights the industries affected by asbestos including the estimated total number of workers exposed to asbestos in Australia and industries where exposure to asbestos is present in Australia and those industries with the largest number of workers potentially exposed to asbestos.
According to the report exposure to asbestos occurred in a wide range of occupations and industries, with the report finding there is no data to estimate with any accuracy the total number of workers exposed to asbestos in Australia. It goes on to say that historically, asbestos exposure occurred among workers who worked with raw asbestos, mining and milling it or processing it in textile or asbestos cement factories and subsequently, other workers who used the manufactured asbestos product were exposed, including carpenters, plumbers, insulation installers and automotive mechanics. The report also found that specific occupations recording high numbers of exposed workers included workers at Wittenoom, power station workers, railway workers, shipbuilders and navy workers, stevedores, boilermakers, carpenters and joiners, builders and builders labourers.
Since 2003 the use, reuse and selling of any type of asbestos has been prohibited, but the AESA says the country is left with a legacy of past consumption, with many asbestos products remaining in situ today, primarily in the built environment, which means the risk of exposure to asbestos continues and affects not only workers, but also the general population.
“The entire Australian population is exposed to background levels of asbestos with significantly lower fibre concentrations on average,” says the ASEA.
“The total number of persons diagnosed with mesothelioma in Australia between 1945 and 2015 is approximately 16,800. However, not all of these cases are a result of occupational exposure and this figure does not include other diseases caused by exposure to asbestos.”
The ASEA has established a national voluntary register to record the details of members of the community who think they may have been exposed to asbestos, including what they call non-occupational settings i.e. home renovators etc.
Since its commencement in June 2013 and up to July 2017, there have been 5,898 registrations and although the registrations do not record confirmed exposure, the data says the ASEA may be a useful indicator of actual or potential exposure events and trends across Australia.
So based on the ACMs that still exist in Australia, the workers at risk of exposure to asbestos are:
- building and construction workers
- asbestos removalists
- telecommunication and electricity providers
- waste and landfill operators
- carpenters
- plumbers
- painters
- electricians
- boilermakers
- fitters and machinists
The ASEA say the mining industry may also be at risk of exposure due to the presence of naturally occurring asbestos.
The report looked at the National Data Set for Compensation-based Statistics (NDS), which contains information on workers’ compensation claims
that involve work-related disease and found between 2008–09 and 2010–11, that 63% of compensated mesothelioma claims and 73% of compensated asbestosis claims were made by tradespersons and labourers.
As Australia was one of the highest users per capita in the world of asbestos products, the implementation of regulatory controls for workplaces, which has been happening across the country since the 1980’s, has meant the removal of asbestos materials has been carried out by licensed businesses with personnel trained and equipped to carry out the work in a way that minimises potential for occupational and environmental exposure.
The AESA suggest the now troubling aspect of asbestos for the Australian community is the evidence that shows an increasing proportion of mesothelioma cases are arising from non-occupational exposures or so-called third wave exposures that are generally associated with low-dose asbestos exposure or short term high-dose exposures and include disturbances of asbestos while living in or renovating a home containing ACM.
“The NAP provides a useful tool for other countries to learn more about the impact asbestos has had on Australia for past, current and future generations.”
AlertForce is a recognised RTO and offers Class A, Class B, Supervisor and Assessor asbestos removal courses in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. Check our website for other states and territories. For more information visit: https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/asbestos-awareness/
Traffic management in and around construction sites
Construction sites are busy places. Not only are HGV, powered mobile plant vehicles, forklifts and cranes commonplace on site and require traffic management but around the site deliveries and general traffic has to be managed especially if the works are in a residential or commercial area.
Managing traffic in and around construction sites is an important part of ensuring the workplace is without risk to workers and the general public. Vehicles move in and around the workplace, reversing, loading and unloading are often the leading cause of death and injuries to workers and members of the public.
According to Safe Work Australia the most effective way to protect pedestrians is to eliminate traffic hazards, which they say can be done by designing the layout of the workplace to eliminate interactions between pedestrians and vehicles include prohibiting vehicles from being used in pedestrian spaces.
However on some construction sites this is not possible but with traffic management systems in place and the correct training, controlling vehicle operations and pedestrian movements can be managed to ensure safety is the priority.
WorkSafe Australia say the key issues to consider for managing traffic at construction workplaces include:
- keeping pedestrians and vehicles apart including on site and when vehicles enter and exit the workplace
- minimising vehicle movements
- eliminating reversing vehicles or minimising the related risks
- ensuring vehicles and pedestrians are visible to each other
- using traffic signs, and
- developing and implementing a traffic management plan.
Prior to commencing work in traffic management, site managers must ensure the correct training has been provided and that untrained persons do not operate vehicles on site. Accidents are more likely to occur when untrained or inexperienced workers operate vehicles on construction sites.
The role of a traffic controller ensures the following says SafeWork Australia:
- Providing separate clearly marked pedestrian walkways that take a direct route.
- Creating pedestrian exclusion zones where powered mobile plant is operating.
- Creating vehicle exclusion zones for pedestrian-only areas, for example around tearooms, amenities and pedestrian entrances.
- Securing areas where vehicles and powered mobile plant operate by installing pedestrian barriers, traffic control barricades, chains, tape or bollards. Where needed ensure a competent person with
the necessary training or qualifications directs powered mobile plant when it operates near workers or other plant. - Designating specific parking areas for workers’ and visitors’ vehicles outside the construction area.
- Providing clearly signed and lit crossing points where walkways cross roadways, so drivers and pedestrians can see each other clearly.
- Using traffic controllers, mirrors, stop signs or warning devices at site exits to make sure drivers can see or are aware of pedestrians before driving out onto public roads.
- Avoiding blocking walkways so pedestrians do not have to step onto the vehicle route.
- Scheduling work so vehicles, powered mobile plant and pedestrians are not in the same area at the same time.
The traffic controller must also ensure that when vehicles are moving on site there is minimum risk. Traffic management plans ensure that there are controlled entries to sites and the number of vehicles on site at any one time is managed.
Reversing vehicles are the major cause of fatalities so it’s important to create one-way road systems and turning circles. If the site is restricted and turning circles are tight, traffic controllers must ensure that reverse systems like alarms, sensors, cameras and mirrors are used at all times. It’s also about informing co-workers where vehicles might be turning and ensuring the area is clear.
Signs are really important on site and are used to alert workers and pedestrians to potential hazards from vehicles entering and exiting the construction site and pedestrian exclusion zones.
It is imperative to safety that a concise traffic management plan is documented and traffic controllers are able to manage the plan.
SafeWork Australia suggest a traffic plan should include the following
- designated travel paths for vehicles including entry and exit points, haul routes for debris or plant and materials, or traffic crossing other streams of traffic
- pedestrian and traffic routes
- designated delivery and loading and unloading areas
- travel paths on routes remote from the workplace including places to turn around, dump material, access ramps and side roads
- how often and where vehicles and pedestrians interact
- traffic control measures for each expected interaction including drawings of the layout of barriers, walkways, signs and general arrangements to warn and guide traffic around, past or through the workplace or temporary hazard
- requirements for special vehicles like large vehicles and mobile cranes
- requirements for loading from the side of road onto the site
- the responsibilities of people managing traffic at the workplace
- the responsibilities of people expected to interact with traffic at the workplace
- instructions or procedures for controlling traffic including in an emergency
- how to implement and monitor the effectiveness of a traffic management plan.
Its important to note that the traffic management plan should be monitored and reviewed regularly including after an incident to ensure it is effective and takes into account changes at the workplace. Site inductions should also include the traffic management plan.
AlertForce is a recognised RTO and offers traffic control courses in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. Check our website for other states and territories. For more information on traffic control courses visit https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/trafficcontrol/
Safety first when working at heights
The recent death of a young tradesperson in Queensland is a tragedy and highlights the importance of training and safety when working with Elevating Work Platforms (EWPs).
EWP’s are mobile items of plant equipment designed to lift or lower people and equipment by a telescopic, hinged or articulated device, or can be combination of these from a base support. There are three types of EWP’s commonly used on construction sites in Australia, including scissor lifts, an articulating boom lift and a straight boom lift. They are efficient pieces of equipment when used correctly but safety training is imperative, in fact it is a requirement that people or persons operating an EWP are licensed operators.
There are risks associated with EWP’s and in recent years there have been fatalities on sites across Australia. Those working on EWP’s usually understand the risks they pose to people on the ground however, what’s often not fully considered is the increased crush risk to workers from the EWP platform or within the basket says the Elevating Work Platform Association Australia (EWPA).
Before operating an EWP, the EWPA suggest a thorough task, site and equipment specific hazard and risk assessment is carried out. This may include consideration of the height, reach, crush or trapping hazards, safe working load, ground conditions and terrain, restricted working space and any electrical hazards, including overhead power lines. There is also a safe work method statement (SWMS), which must be developed and followed for operating an EWP. The EWPA says measures to control crush risks must be documented in the SWMS.
Regulations that must be adhered to when working on or operating an EWP include:
- Workers must stand on the floor of the EWP only, not on the handrails or items such as ladders, scaffolding or boxes either placed on the platform floor or on the handrails.
- Various secondary-guarding devices may help prevent crush or trap injuries, depending on the type of EWP and work being done.
- Sensing device: a device activated by force or pressure that stops the movement of the EWP to minimise harm. If there are plans to fit a secondary guarding device to an existing EWP, it must have a specific engineering risk assessment including consultation with the designer/manufacturer/ supplier to determine whether there are any impacts on design registration and to ensure any proposed changes do not introduce new safety hazards or negatively impact the operation of the EWP.
- Before using EWP’s, training must be provided about the functions, safe work methods and emergency procedures. For a boom-type EWP, where the boom length is 11 metres or more, the operator must hold a High Risk Work Licence.
Across Australia each Work Safe organisation will have standardised regulations around operating and licensing of EWP’s. They will also have a minimum standard of training. For example in South Australia training was developed after two workers, on separate accidents, were crushed to death on the site of the Royal Adelaide Hospital while operating an EWP.
SafeWork South Australia says the elevating work platform minimum standard of training was developed as a result of a recommendation by the Elevating Work Platform Working Group (a sub-committee of the Industrial Relations Consultative Council), which has representatives from the South Australian Government, unions, the building industry, training organisations and the EWP Association. The minimum standard of training was developed they say to clearly specify the expectations of SafeWork SA, regarding the provision of elevating work platform (EWP) training by persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) pursuant to section 19 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) (the WHS Act).
There is also a minimum requirement of training that SafeWork SA say is required and WHS inspectors can measure whether an operator has been adequately trained to operate an EWP.
SafeWork SA says if a WHS inspector forms a reasonable belief that the worker has not been adequately trained to operate an EWP, the inspector may issue a compliance notice for additional training to occur.
Similar to the crane sector where a dogman is required for the tower crane operator, a spotter can be required to ensure the safety of an operator when working close to power lines, exclusion zones or other hazards. It is a requirement of the WHS Act in all states and territories to ensure safe work practices are being carried out. Appropriate supervision is based on the level of risk and the experience and competence of the operator.
There are hundreds of EWP’s in use on construction sites across Australia, and most are used without incident but when it goes wrong, it can result in serious injury and death so operator training is crucial to saving lives.
AlertForce is a recognised RTO and offers working from heights courses in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. Check our website for other states and territories. For more information on working from heights courses visit https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/working-at-heights/
Who’s responsible for asbestos management?
As 2017 draws to a close, it’s troubling to think that in the last week in NSW alone, there have been two serious incidents involving possible asbestos exposure.
Residents in the Sydney suburb of Chester Hill woke one morning this week to find almost 10tonnes of construction debris dumped in a local street. There was no explanation for the dumping and testing of the material is still being conducted.
SafeWork NSW have also issued a very stern warning to the Blue Mountains City Council this week about buildings in their care that contain asbestos and are accessed by the general public including a child-care centre.
SafeWork NSW have launched a full investigation into the asbestos management practices at the council and the NSW Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean issued a statement saying the investigation came about after SafeWork NSW was contacted about alleged asbestos mismanagement at several council-managed workplaces in the region.
Kean said he’d directed SafeWork inspectors to conduct a full and thorough investigation into these disturbing allegations adding this is a very significant step but it’s absolutely warranted as the number of asbestos discoveries in the mountains, and council’s poor asbestos management, are alarming.
To date SafeWork inspectors have issued Blue Mountains City Council with notices in relation to asbestos discovered in:
- a council-owned building operating as a pre-school at Wentworth Falls
- large waste piles at the council depots at Lawson and Katoomba
- buildings at Springwood council depot
- leaf litter at the rear of the yard at a council-owned building operating as a pre-school in Katoomba
- Lawson Library ceiling
- the ceilings and walls at Warrimoo Citizens’ Hall; and
- the fireplace at Heatherbrae Cottage at Lawson.
In July this year, a council spokesperson told local newspaper, the Blue Mountains Gazette that in response to notifications of Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) on a worksite and community buildings, Council acted in a timely, open and appropriate manner to the satisfaction of SafeWork NSW and council’s independent expert consultant.
A council spokesperson said the classification of ‘high risk’ by the consultant does not suggest there is clear and present danger at these locations.
“Rather the classification is applied to those locations at which a risk of exposure would be considered high in the event of ACM being disrupted. As the ACM is being managed appropriately at these sites this is not the case.”
The council went on to say the safety, health and wellbeing of community and employees was paramount and they take asbestos management seriously.
So who is responsible and what role do they have when it comes to asbestos removal and management?
According to SafeWork NSW’s Asbestos Blueprint: A guide to roles and responsibilities for operational staff of state and local government, published in 2011, there are very defined roles for SafeWork NSW, emergency service teams and local government.
For SafeWork NSW this involves liaising with Fair Trading NSW and the Australian Consumer and Competition Authority (ACCC) regarding the recall of asbestos products as well as Australian Customs and Border Protection Services on the import and export of asbestos materials. Safework NSW also conduct investigations into asbestos management of a person conducting a business or undertaking at a place of work whether for gain or profit under the OHS Act as well as Licensed asbestos removal work under OHS Act 9.
In the case of Emergency Services Organisations they will respond to emergency incidents where asbestos may be present, and will determine the extent of asbestos contamination arising from the emergency in liaison with Fire and Rescue NSW (HAZMAT). They will also provide communication about asbestos contamination information to other organisation attending the site, including the recovery committee, local council or property owners at time of handover. It is also the responsibility of the ESO when they have responded to an incident and identified asbestos to advise local council and the Environment and Protection Authority. They must also regulate the disposal of asbestos under the Protection of the Environment Operations (POEO) Act. 2.
Local Councils are responsible for the management of asbestos in residential premises (excluding oversight of removal work), and the management of the removal from domestic premises of non-licensable quantities and work not involving a business or undertaking. It is their responsibility to record existing asbestos site contamination on section 149 certificates & local government asbestos registers. They must also manage the illegal dumping and orphaned asbestos waste (excluding oversight of removal work), and provide the correct recovery operations following an emergency situation, if a site is handed over to the Council or local residents by an emergency service organisation (excluding oversight of removal/remediation work).
There is a duty of care when it comes to the management of asbestos particularly with its removal and disposal. Australia was, until recently, one of the largest users of the product in the construction of commercial and residential buildings and contamination from asbestos is a public health issue that governments at all levels take very seriously.
It is worth looking at SafeWork websites in your state or territory for further information on what your role is when it comes to asbestos management.
AlertForce is a recognised RTO and offers Class A, Class B, Supervisor and Assessor asbestos removal courses in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. Check our website for other states and territories. For more information visit: https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/asbestos-awareness/
Why are WHS laws important when working in construction?
Construction sites are extremely busy places with many subbies working side-by-side completing various tasks. The work is strenuous and generally involves heavy lifting and working from heights. Heavy vehicles come and go off-site all day and often there are tower cranes or all-terrain cranes operating in and around the site. It is an environment of productivity but also high-risk.
It is also an environment where consultation, cooperation and coordination are essential to ensure the health and safety of everyone on site but not only so that injuries and deaths are prevented, but as a requirement under the model WHS Act.
Construction work can be defined in many ways. Essentially its any work carried out in connection with the construction, alteration, conversion, fitting-out, commissioning, renovation, repair, maintenance, refurbishment, demolition, decommissioning or dismantling of a structure, or preparation of a building site.
In 2015 an industry profile was complied by Safe Work Australia who found the most common work-related injuries experienced by workers in the construction industry were:
- cuts and open wounds (31%)
- sprains and strains (21%)
- chronic joint or muscle conditions (16%).
It was found that these injuries were mainly due to:
- hitting or being hit by an object (31%)
- lifting, pushing or pulling objects (30%)
- falls from a height (15%).
According to WorkSafe Australia, when it comes to work-related fatalities, the statistics from the Construction Industry Profile show that between 2003 and 2013, 401 workers died on construction sites in Australia, with the majority of those (28% or 112 workers) involving falls from heights. They included:
- 40 involved ladders, mobile ramps, stairways and scaffolding
- 32 involved a fall from a roof
- 17 involved buildings under construction or demolition.
Other fatalities during this period were made up of:
- vehicle collisions 16%
- electrocution 15%
- being hit by a moving object 12%
- being hit by a falling object 11%
- being trapped between or in equipment 8%
- other causes 9%
Site managers are responsible for each step of the process on site and that includes safety, but before work even commences commissioned the site must comply with WHS regulations. This means consulting with the designer of the build about safety matters and giving the designer and the principal contractor for the project information about safety matters.
It is law in Australia that a PCBU who carries out construction work must manage and control WHS risks associated with that work, and ensure a construction site is secured from unauthorised access.
The principal contractor for the project is also a PCBU and under WHS law must be aware of the WHS duties that apply says Safe Work Australia.
Australia has a strict code of safety for construction sites and a very powerful union with the CFMEU but there is also the model Code of Practice for Construction Work, which provides practical guidance to achieve the standards of health, safety and welfare required under the model WHS Act and Regulations.
In order to carry out construction work, it is a requirement to complete an introductory safety-training course called ‘general construction induction training’ or as it is commonly called ‘white card’ training.
Under the Australian WHS Act, a PCBU must also make sure every worker has completed white card training, including those who have completed training in the past but have not carried out construction work in the last two years. Once a person has completed that training they may apply to a WHS regulator for a white card. It is important to note that each state and territory in Australia has different requirements and state recognition for white card training so its always advised that you check with your state or territories Safe Work website. However, white card’s issued in one state or territory or by the Commonwealth are generally recognised Australia wide. Some types of construction work such as operating certain types of cranes or carrying out scaffolding work do require a high-risk work licence.
The Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012–2022 has identified the construction industry as a priority due to the high number and rate of work-related fatalities and serious injuries. Safe Work Australia recently reviewed the first five years of the plan with recommendations for the next five years.
The Strategy is aiming to reduce the incidences of serious injury by at least 30% nationwide by 2022, and reduce the number of work-related fatalities due to injury by at least 20%.
Since the Strategy launched, Safe Work Australia and all states and territories have been working collaboratively with the industry, unions, relevant organisations and the community to reduce traumatic injury fatalities and injuries in the construction industry.
AlertForce is a recognised RTO and offers white card training in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. Check our website for other states and territories. For more information about white card training courses visit https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/whitecardtraining
The asbestos awareness checklist and what you need to know
Its currently Asbestos Awareness Month and asbestosawareness. com.au have launched a campaign aimed at people who work in the building sector and home renovators titled ‘Go Slow! Asbestos – it’s a NO go’.
Although asbestos products were banned in the 1980s for use in commercial and non-residential properties, it continued to be used in multiple locations prior to December 2003. There are strict requirements regarding the management control and removal of asbestos from any building with asbestos.
Under the Work Health & Safety Act 2017(WH&S) it is a mandatory requirement that those with management and control over the work place, develop and implement a definitive and effective framework to ensure the health of workers and others are not put at risk.
Asbestosawareness.com.au have a number of online fact sheets including a Handbook, which has been developed in line with the WH&S Act, the Codes of Practice; How to manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace, How to Safely Remove Asbestos and the Work Health and Safety Consultation Cooperation and Coordination.
According to Asbestosawareness.com.au most asbestos incidents happen when somebody disturbs asbestos because it hasn’t been identified or suspected or they are not properly trained to remove it correctly.
Incidents of asbestos exposure are often unexpected and often people are unsure of what to do so asbestosawareness.com.au have provided a checklist on what can be done to secure the site and ensure no one is exposed.
It includes the following:
- stop work immediately
- leave the area and alert nearby workers
- report the incident to a manager or Safety Manager
- workers or the person controlling the workplace who believe a worker or workers have or may have been exposed to asbestos or ACM must be decontaminated as soon as possible;
- clothing must be treated as asbestos waste and disposed of in the asbestos waste bags with any disposable PPE and wet wipes used for decontamination. Any item that can’t be decontaminated such as socks must also be disposed of as asbestos waste
- workers suspected of being exposed to asbestos or ACM should undertake a baseline medical examination as soon as practical after the exposure.
- inform workers and isolate the area
- inform workers to clear the workplace until the hazard has been contained
- establish a suitable exclusion zone (minimum of 10 metres) using barricades and warning signs to restrict access. The size of the zone should be based on the nature of the disturbance and advice from hygienist. Anything less than 10 metres will require asbestos air monitoring to be conducted at the exclusion zone boundary
- consult a licensed asbestos assessor, occupational hygienist or competent person for advice should access within the exclusion zone be unavoidable (for example for essential maintenance), prior to entering the exclusion zone;
- minimise disturbance of the material and workers must wear minimum PPE of P2 respirator (P3 preferred), disposable coveralls and boot covers should emergency access to the exclusion zone be required.
- install warning signs
- asbestos warning signs must be positioned at all points of entry to the contaminated area
- if NO warning signs are onsite, use danger flags or normal warning signs as a temporary measure
- if asbestos is assumed or confirmed, warning signs should be obtained for use when asbestos or ACM is being removed or used in the case of an unexpected find
- evaluation of the incident by the Safety Manager will determine if the relevant Safety Authority should be notified such as in incidences of uncontrolled escape, spillage or leakage of asbestos; and
- notify the regulator immediately or within a maximum of 24 hours after becoming aware of the incident if the Safety Manager determines it is required
- engage a licensed asbestos assessor, occupational hygienist or competent person who will inspect, test and assess the area and the material and provide advice for remediation/decontamination
- engage a licensed asbestos removalist to safely remove the asbestos and decontaminate the area in accordance with regulations
- air monitoring should be conducted by a licensed asbestos assessor, occupational hygienist or competent person with the analysis conducted by a NATA accredited testing facility
- no unprotected persons are permitted into the affected area (except asbestos removalists) prior to a Clearance Certificate being issued
- after decontamination and air monitoring has been completed a licensed asbestos assessor, occupational hygienist or competent person can conduct a clearance inspection and issue a Clearance Certificate prior to reoccupation
- after remediation of the site has been concluded, you must conduct a thorough investigation (as soon as is reasonably practical) to learn why the incident occurred to prevent reoccurrence
- record the outcome of the investigation in the AMP to prevent reoccurrence. Develop corrective actions and communicate with workers.
- if inadequate training was deemed responsible, ensure workers undergo appropriate training
- review and amend the AMP as necessary based on the outcome of the investigation
- if it was deemed necessary by the Health and Safety Manager to notify the regulator immediately or within 24 hours following the incident; notify the regulator that the site has been remediated, that the situation was investigated and remedied (such as updating and making the Asbestos Register accessible or increasing training of workers) and if health monitoring is being conducted
- you may be required to provide the regulator with copies of all documents associated with the incident including results of any air monitoring and Clearance Certificate
AlertForce is a recognised RTO and offers Class A, Class B, Supervisor and Assessor asbestos removal courses in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. Check our website for other states and territories. For more information visit: https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/asbestos-awareness/
What is WHS and what does it mean for your business?
As we fast approach the festive season, WorkSafe bodies across Australia are issuing warnings for workplaces to be more vigilant with workers safety especially in high-risk workplaces like construction where the demands to “finish the job” can overtake safety procedures.
What Is WHS?
The Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act is the successor to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) laws used in the Commonwealth of Australia to promote greater workplace safety. The WHS Act includes a wide range of policies, standards, and codes of practice for businesses to follow.
The WHS laws were created to reduce workplace health risks and hazards. Every business has obligations under WHS regulations. The WHS is a national policy with specific procedures for maintaining a safer work environment. Here is a closer look at what this means for your business.
Prior to 2012, workplace health and safety (WHS) laws were known across Australia as occupational health and safety (OH&S) laws, however in order to make them more consistent, state and territory governments unilaterally agreed in 2012 to develop model laws (WHS Act and Regulations), that could form the base of each state and territories health and safety laws.
So how is the WHS Act implemented by businesses across Australia?
As it stands across Australia, Comcare administers the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act) and Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (WHS Regulations). The current WHS Act and WHS Regulations states that Comcare provide the framework to ensure the health and safety of workers and workplaces by protecting workers and other persons against harm to their health, safety and welfare through the elimination of risks arising from work, in accordance with the principle that workers and other persons should be given the highest level of protection against harm to their health, safety and welfare from hazards and risks arising from work as is reasonably practicable. Comcare also states the WHS Act and WHS Regulations promote continuous improvement and progressively higher standards of work health and safety.
Under the current laws a “person who conducts a business or undertaking” (PCBU) must ensure the health and safety of workers engaged by the PCBU while the workers are at work in the business or undertaking, so far as is reasonably practicable. SafeWork Australia says the PCBU is required to manage risks by the following:
- eliminating risks to health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable
- if elimination is not reasonably practicable, minimising the risks so far as is reasonably practicable.
Under the current legislation, the WHS Act imposes other duties on PCBUs and other persons in relation to workers and workplaces, and it provides for consultation, representation and participation to further the objects of the Act, which can include things like workplace arrangements for example working groups, health and safety representatives and health and safety committees.
The WHS Regulations make more detailed provision for topics covered by the WHS Act and includes providing more specific obligations and prohibitions for certain types of work. In some cases, a person can seek an exemption from requirements imposed by the WHS Regulations.
SafeWork Australia has published an online fact sheet, which outlines what is work for the purposes of the model WHS Act and says the following criteria may assist in determining if an activity is work for the purposes of the WHS Act:
- the activity involves physical or mental effort by a person or the application of particular skills for the benefit of another person or for themselves (if self-employed), whether or not for profit or payment;
- activities for which the person or other people will ordinarily be paid by someone is likely to be considered to be work;
- activities that are part of an ongoing process or project may all be work if some of the activities are for remuneration;
- an activity may be more likely to be work where control is exercised over the person carrying out the activity by another person;
- and formal structured or complex arrangements may be more likely to be considered to be work than ad hoc or unorganised activities. The activity may be work even though one or more of the criteria are absent or minor.
They go on to say that work does not include activities of a purely domestic, recreational or social nature. Organisations who also do things other than social, domestic or recreational nature would be PCBUs but would only owe duties in relation to ‘work’ and only so far as is reasonably practicable.
So to make the legal jargon a little simpler to understand and to know if your business falls under the PCBU, WorkSafe Australia has listed a few examples of businesses or undertakings where this applies:
- retailer
- wholesale business
- manufacturing business or importer that is on-selling the imported goods
- owner-driver of their own transport or courier business
- fast food franchisor and the operator of the fast food outlet (the franchisee)
- self employed person operating their own business
- government department or government agency
- local council
- school
- Partnerships and unincorporated joint ventures. (Where the partnership or joint venture is unincorporated, each partner is a person conducting the business or undertaking of the partnership or joint venture).
- builder (including principal contractors and sub-contractors)
Safework Australia plays a crucial role in all matters relating to WHS and is the lead developer of national policy that improves work health and safety and workers’ compensation arrangements across Australia. It does not regulate or enforce WHS legislation, that’s where Comcare comes in.
However, as a business owner, contractor or sub-contractor, under the current WHS laws which are applicable across all states and territories, the WHS requirements set out in the acts must be met – or be prepared – you may face substantial penalties if you don’t.
Are WHS Laws the Same Throughout Australia?
Individual state and territory governments are responsible for adopting the codes of practice and health and safety laws outlined at the federal level. At the top of the framework is the WHS Act, which creates national uniformity for work health and safety regulations. States and territories incorporate the national strategies into their legislation and recommended codes of practice.
For example, the specific health and safety requirements in the Northern Territory may vary compared to the health safety regulations in South Australia. Due to these differences, each business is obligated to review all applicable workplace health and safety laws for their region.
Safe Work Australia is the common name of the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC), which is the government department responsible for developing and facilitating health and safety laws.
Are There Penalties for Non-Compliance with Health Safety Laws?
Failure to comply with health and safety WHS laws could result in penalties including fines and imprisonment, depending on the situation. Incidents that result in injury may also require employers to pay employees workers compensation.
How to Comply with Workplace Health and Safety Laws
The best strategy for complying with the WHS Act and regulations is to complete courses offered by registered training organisations. To reduce the risk of accidents, employers should train staff on proper health and safety procedures.
Health and safety training courses help ensure that employees understand their responsibilities and the responsibilities of their employer. Some industries have additional regulations to follow. For example, companies involved in construction or mining have stricter safety policies and standards to follow compared to an organisation with an office setting.
The most common training courses include:
- White card training
- Asbestos training
- Confined spaces training
- Manual handling courses
- Working at heights training
- Traffic control training
- Health and safety representative (HSR) training
These courses offer a guide to maintaining a safer workplace in a variety of settings. Workplace accidents and illnesses cost the Australian economy $61.8 billion between 2012 and 2013, which represented about 4.1% of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). Workers are often the ones who suffer the most. About 77% of the economic loss caused by illnesses and injuries comes from lost wages.
Safety awareness is the responsibility of each employer. If you are a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), you must ensure that you and your staff follow the required WHS laws. Contact AlertForce to explore suitable training courses.
ASEA launches new asbestos awareness training course
ASEA launches new asbestos awareness training course aimed at the utilities sector
The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency is Australia’s leading peak body when it comes to all matters regarding asbestos management and safety. Established to provide a national focus on asbestos issues in both the workplace and in homes across Australia, their primary objective is to ensure asbestos issues receive attention and focus from government.
They have recently outlined a new course targeting workers in the utilities sector with a focus on the electricity and telecommunications industries.
The course titled Recognising and Responding to Asbestos Risk in the Utilities sector was launched in October 2017, and covers asbestos awareness of the various health and safety regulations in the Australian jurisdictions.
During the 2013–14 year, the ASEA began work on a project to improve asbestos training in the utilities sector, which came out of a taskforce review process following a number of incidences of inappropriate handling and the removal of asbestos-containing materials during the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN), which is a Commonwealth funded project. In recent months, there has also been a serious incident of asbestos exposure after electricians found asbestos at the Sydney Opera House, which is undergoing a major renovation.
The aim of the steering committee was to produce a model of best-practice training for the utilities sector to strengthen asbestos management practices and reduce current risks to workers and members of the public from being exposed to asbestos fibres. The project also has a secondary benefit says the ASEA which will be the raising of awareness within the utilities sector about the risks associated by asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and the safe work methods of reducing that risk.
Research and work carried out by the stakeholder committee and technical advisory group, resulted in the ASEA releasing the Strengthening Asbestos-Related Training Materials in the Utilities Sector issues paper in June 2015, which outlined areas where improvements to asbestos-related training could be made in the utilities sector and would form the essential training requirements for those undertaking skill requirements for asbestos removal and identification.
Those concepts, with sufficient support from stakeholders has been incorporated into a training programme for use by organisations in the utilities sector, and as part of a separate project that was undertaken in 2015–16.
In the second half of 2014–15, the ASEA commenced a project to identify and promote a range of organisations and individual’s currently demonstrating best practice across a variety of areas in asbestos management.
The goal of the project says the ASEA was to highlight examples of best-practice asbestos management across Australia, and promote those examples to the wider community and their industry contemporaries while encouraging them to employ similar innovative ideas or practices that lead to safer handling and management of ACMs.
What the ASEA found was there is a significant amount of knowledge within the industry and the wider community about the dangers of exposure to asbestos that is translating into a strong commitment towards workplace health and safety for the whole of organisation from the top to the bottom.
The ASEA engaged consultants to develop a definition of best practice relating to asbestos management and identify organisations that would be considered to exemplify that best practice in various areas of asbestos management.
During 2016, the stakeholder group met regularly to develop and revise the units of competency with the final validation of the course ready for roll out in October 2017.
The ASEA says that persons who complete this course satisfactorily will be able to recognise situations and locations where there might be asbestos hazard and respond in a manner appropriate to the situation and their job role. However, the ASEA say this course does not include the competencies of working with or near asbestos or asbestos containing materials (ACMs).
The course is outlined to provide knowledge and vocational education as follows:
- Recognise possible asbestos hazards and the appropriate controls.
- Describe the hazards of working with or near ACM’s.
- Identify possible events or circumstances that may increase asbestos risk.
- Describe the possible health impacts of exposure to asbestos fibres and identify different groups of individuals at risk.
- Comply with relevant work health and safety regulations.
The course aims to provide the necessary skills required to recognise asbestos hazards and act accordingly to minimise risk. The key elements of the course are as follows:
- Be able to describe the hazards when working with or near asbestos containing materials (ACMs).
- Identify possible events or circumstances that may increase asbestos risk.
- Describe the possible diseases resulting from exposure to asbestos/ACMs.
- Locate possible corridors or paths where asbestos debris or fibres might travel and settle.
- Apply the precautionary principle with regard to possible asbestos/ACM’s in the workplace.
- Speak to appropriate persons if asbestos is suspected.
- Apply asbestos hazard control using the hierarchy of control in workplace situations.
- Work in a manner consistent with the asbestos regulatory framework.
- Practice individual rights and responsibilities relevant to own job.
- Identify documentation relevant to working with or near asbestos or ACM’s.
AlertForce is a recognised RTO and offers Class A, Class B, Supervisor and Assessor asbestos removal courses in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. Check our website for other states and territories. For more information visit: https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/asbestos-awareness/
Why is Working at heights training is required?
Working at heights is the leading cause of death in workplaces in Australia. Working at heights is a high-risk job and one of the leading causes of death and serious injury in workplaces across Australia.
According to statistics from SafeWork Australia, between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2015:
- 359 workers were killed following a fall from a height—11% of all workers killed over this period.
- Half of these falls involved falling three metres or less.
- The greatest number of fatalities involved falling from roofs (59), ladders (54), vehicles (27) and horses (33).
- Workers aged 45 years and over made up 65% of those who died.
- The construction industry accounted for 37% of falls-related fatalities.
So if you work from heights how do you minimise the risk of serious injury or death?
It’s all about training courses and equipment. When it comes to working from heights the only thing that will save your life is learning the correct ways to ensure your safe alongside using the correct equipment. This includes equipment that can be used by numerous workers on site. For example installing fall prevention systems is crucial at the design and planning stage and including roof safety mesh, guard railings, barriers, scaffolding or elevating work platforms. Work procedures should be developed on how to correctly install, use and maintain the system.
In every state and territory across Australia the relevant SafeWork organisations have legislation to ensure the correct procedures are in place to prevent a tragedy on site.
SafeWork NSW has recently introduced on the spot fines for:
- employers not protecting their workers from the risk of falling from heights
- workers who undertake work requiring a licence when they don’t hold that licence, or employers who allow their workers to do so. This includes high-risk work licences, asbestos class A, B and asbestos assessor licences, demolition licences and construction induction cards.
These new on the spot fines are issued by inspectors and if the risk to workers is imminent or serious, or if the workplace is considered to be a repeat offender. SafeWork NSW says these fines are aimed at reducing the number of worker fatalities and serious injuries, and protecting workers and the community from these high-risk activities.
Industry has also raised concerns that some businesses can gain a commercial advantage by cutting corners on worker safety. Fining individuals or employers who ignore their work health and safety obligations say SafeWork NSW will assist in creating a level playing field for those who take safety seriously, while also saving lives.
This year alone, SafeWork NSW has attended 234 incidents involving falls from heights, with over half of those incidents occurring in the construction industry. The snapshot for falls for those working in the construction sector are alarming and construction workers are at the greatest risk.
- 28%of fatalities in Australia were caused by a fall from a height in 2015.
- 30%of serious claims for falls from a height were caused by ladders
- 48%of fatalities in the construction industry were from falls from a height of less than 4 metres.
There have been eight workers killed in NSW in 2017 so far, and many more receiving catastrophic injuries as a result of a fall from heights.
So what can you can do to keep you and your crew safe on site? SafeWork NSW has published the following guide, which they say will not only prevent accidents but save lives.
- Ensure work involving the risk of a fall is carried out on a suitable working platform and wherever possible undertake the work from the ground or underneath the work area rather than from above.
- Ensure adequate edge protection is in place such as scaffolding or guardrails.
- Ensure a competent person checks all scaffolds and that a handover certificate is provided prior to use.
- Ensure all open penetrations are securely covered or protected by physical barriers.
- Provide your workers with a safe means of access and egress to all relevant areas of the worksite.
- Only use fall prevention and fall arrest systems where other higher order controls are not reasonably practicable.
- Establish and test emergency procedures in relation to the use of a fall arrest system.
- Ladders should only be used for access and egress or for short-term work where other higher levels of control such as working platforms or scaffold are not reasonably practical.
- When using ladders, ensure you have three points of contact at all times and never over reach. Consider using a platform ladder.
- Provide your workers with the relevant equipment, information, training and instruction to work safely at heights.
AlertForce is a recognised RTO and offers working from heights courses in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. Check our website for other states and territories. For more information on working from heights courses visit https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/working-at-heights/
Why you need to Asbestos Removal Training
Asbestos is a known carcinogen and is the word used to describe a group of six naturally occurring mineral fibres, which belong to two groups:
Group A: Serpentine Group – comprised of only chrysotile (white asbestos)
Group B: Amphibole Group – comprised of anthophyllite, amosite (brown asbestos or grey asbestos), crocidolite (blue asbestos), tremolite, and actinolite.
Long viewed as one of the most versatile and inexpensive minerals because of its flexibility, strength, insulation from heat and electricity, chemical inertness and affordability, asbestos was often the first and only choice.
This versatility made asbestos an attractive product for many industries and according to the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency, Australia was one of the highest users of the product in the world (per capita) up until the mid-1980s. Approximately one third of all homes built in Australia contain asbestos products. This widespread use of asbestos in building materials and homes has left a deadly legacy of asbestos material.
Asbestos containing materials (ACM’s) are categorised as friable and non-friable. Non-friable asbestos, where it is mixed with other materials like cement, is the type most commonly found in our built environment. Friable asbestos is more likely to become airborne. Both friable and non-friable asbestos pose a significant health risk to all workers and others if the materials are not properly maintained or removed carefully.
In the built environment, potential health risks are posed where there is:
- the presence of ambient levels of asbestos
- weathering of ACMs
- the presence of damaged ACMs
- building and/or maintenance work involving ACMs and
- demolition and/or removal of ACMs.
The risk of exposure from the built environment differs from project to project and site to site, but asbestos has the potential to impact the entire Australian community so when removing asbestos it’s critical that the correct training has been undertaken.
Specific training requirements for asbestos work, in addition to the general training requirements, are required as part of a primary duty of care which means the company or business must provide information, training and instruction on how to remove and work around asbestos.
Employers or businesses and others who carry out removal work, or may come into contact with asbestos, must complete asbestos awareness training.
If loose fill asbestos insulation or naturally occurring asbestos is found at a workplace, you must provide training on how to identify and manage the associated risks and hazards.
Asbestos removal training for workers
Workers must complete a specified VET course before carrying out asbestos work and if you’re a worker who supervises asbestos removal, there is additional training required.
If you are already a licensed asbestos removalist, it is occupational health and safety law to provide information and training to asbestos removal workers to make ensure work is carried out in accordance with the asbestos removal control plan.
The licences are broken down into categories and include a Class A asbestos removal licence, which allows a licence holder to remove friable asbestos and non-friable asbestos and asbestos contaminated dust.
A Class B asbestos removal licence allows a licence holder to remove non-friable asbestos and ACD associated with the removal of non-friable asbestos.
Training records must be kept while the workers are carrying out the asbestos removal work and for a further five years after the worker finished. It is a legal requirement that training records be readily accessible at the asbestos removal area.
Under the Work Health Safety (WHS) Regulations set out in the training and competency requirements for asbestos assessors, asbestos removal workers and supervisors and under the Regulations, two licences have been established.
These are Class A and Class B.
- Businesses with a Class A licence are permitted to remove all types of asbestos, including both friable and non-friable asbestos.
- Businesses with a Class B licence can only remove non-friable asbestos.
The WHS Regulations also create a new license category for asbestos assessors who have the role of carrying out air monitoring and clearance inspections following the removal of friable asbestos.
In addition to this requirement, Safe Work Australia has developed two model Codes of Practice to provide practical guidance for persons conducting a business or undertaking who have duties under the WHS Act and WHS Regulations. These model Codes of Practice are: How to Safely Remove Asbestos and How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace.
It is a mandatory requirement of Safe Work Australia and its affiliated state and territory organisations to have attended and completed a registered training course in the removal of asbestos.
AlertForce is a recognised RTO and offers Class A, Class B, Supervisor and Assessor asbestos removal courses in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. Check our website for other states and territories. For more information visit: https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/asbestos-awareness/
Why it’s important to do white card training face-to-face?
White Card training is a mandatory requirement for anyone involved in the construction industry. It is a hazardous and high-risk industry where everyday new risks are presented as the project moves from inception to completion.
It’s also an industry built on subcontracting. Subbies undertake work on a number of projects managed by a number of companies and developers. Subbies come from a variety of trades including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, cementing, forklift and crane operating to name a few.
Therefore it is imperative for anyone who works in the construction sector to ensure they have the correct training, which is a requirement under Australian OHS law.
But white card training needs to be done in person with a registered training organisation and not online. Many training companies offer online courses but there are a numbers of reasons why you might find yourself off site after completion of an online course rather than onsite.
- Online white card training is not recognised by the workplace health and safety regulatory bodies. Authorities like ASQA are not supportive of white card training that’s been done online.
- Online white card training in NSW is banned.
- Worksafe inspectors recognise colleges and training groups where the training has been done online.
- A trainer must verify your photo ID on the day of training, which can’t be done online. This is a requirement by SafeWork Australia.
- While full support might be promised for online training nothing comes close to one on one training with an industry expert who can answer any question and give real-life in real-time scenarios of what can go wrong once your onsite and ready to start work.
- Training can be done onsite as well.
- No two sites are the same in construction. What might be safe on one site will not be safe on another especially in the civil construction sector.
- Face to face training provides up to date occupational health and safety information that covers civil and commercial construction alongside residential construction and explains the differences between the two.
- Face to face training course have been developed by specialist teachers in conjunction with employers, industry representatives and unions to ensure that all aspects of health and safety are covered by the course. In other words, you know what is being taught is industry standard for working on sites across Australia.
- A face-to-face trainer can provide language, literacy and numeracy (LL&N) support for anyone that needs it. This provides competency and support while training is being undertaken.
- Online training does not give you the skills to be inclusive while learning, which includes listening to others, treating others with respect and understanding racist, sexist, homophobic and other discriminatory attitudes.
Here’s what each state and territory says about training:
Worksafe ACT
General Construction Induction Training is a nationally accredited competency unit known as “Work safely in the construction industry.”
The competency unit is a formal face-to-face training program that provides workers in the construction industry with an awareness and understanding of:
- Their rights and responsibilities under Work Health and Safety law;
- Common hazards and risks in the construction industry;
- Basic risk management principles; and
- The standard of behaviour expected of workers on construction sites.
NT Worksafe
Construction workers in the Northern Territory are required to undertake general construction induction training (GCIT) delivered by an approved registered training organisation (RTO). Workers, who complete GCIT in the Northern Territory, will be issued a ‘NT white card’ as proof of their training.
SafeWork NSW
You must first complete general construction induction training with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). You will need to provide the trainer with 100 points of ID and the course fee is set independently by the RTO.
Workplace Health and Safety QLD
The General Construction Induction card provides new and existing workers with the basic understanding and knowledge needed to start or continue work within the building and construction industry. In QLD this card was formerly known as a blue card.
Safework SA
Before anyone can work on an Australian construction site, they must have attained White Card accreditation.
Issued by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), White Card holders have successfully completed a general induction-training course that provides basic knowledge of construction work, work health and safety (WHS) laws, common site hazards and how to control the associated risks.
WHS Inspectors from SafeWork SA may ask construction workers to provide their White Card for inspection, and ask the PCBU to show their induction training or other worker competency records.
Workplace Standards Tasmania
You can only get a construction induction card by:
- completing construction induction training, AND
- lodging an application at Service Tasmania (see ‘Applying for your card’ below)
A Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must ensure general construction induction training is provided to any worker engaged by the person carrying out the construction work.
Only the general induction training (classroom based) component is recognised for white, blue, red and construction induction cards.
To obtain a construction induction card, you must attend a construction induction-training course with a registered training organisation (RTO). You must provide the RTO with photo ID.
Worksafe WA
Training must be completed with a registered with RTO.
Alertforce is a recognised RTO and offers white card training in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. Check our website for other states and territories.
Is a safer, healthier workplace more productive?
Proper work health and safety practices aren’t just a collection of rules to ignore at will. Implemented right, they’re a surefire way to keep your employees, your organisation and your profits healthy – outcomes which should be the goal of any business owner.
From working in confined spaces to handling asbestos, there are hundreds of risks involved in most modern occupations. With proper training and a mindful approach to minimising these, you and your employees can focus on doing what you do best and keeping your business running smoothly.
Let’s look a little closer at how better WHS can make your business more positive, and most importantly, more productive.
Employee productivity
The healthiest employees in Australia are three times more productive than the least healthy.
A chain is only as strong as the weakest link. The old saying is apt here, as one unproductive and negative employee can have a massive effect on others and greatly affect the functioning of your business.
The best method for avoiding this chain reaction is to keep your employees happy and healthy. A recent Medibank Private study proved this, finding that the healthiest employees in Australia are three times more productive than the least healthy.
Work health and safety won’t solve all of your problems, but if it’s implemented as part of a comprehensive push to improve employee wellness, it could double or even triple your employees’ productivity. As you’ll know, more productive employees means a healthier business and a more attractive bottom line.
Health and safety as a business decision
When people talk about health and safety, the focus is forever on employee wellbeing, and rightly so. But what about the real, quantifiable benefits to your business? Research from a recent Comcare study has found that a focus on employee health and wellbeing has the following results:
- Decreases sick leave absenteeism by 25.3 per cent,
- Decreases disability management costs by 24.2 per cent, and
- Saves you $5.81 for ever $1 investing in employee health and wellbeing.
Those numbers are convincing by any measure, but that’s not all. Poor employee health and safety measures are proven to increase presenteeism, or employees showing up at work when unwell. This phenomenon has been proven by Medibank to cost the Australian economy a staggering $34.1 billion dollars every year.
On average, each Australian business loses 6.5 days of productivity annually per employee due to presenteeism – for a small business of 20 people, that’s over 3 months of manpower.
Give the right training
Each Australian business loses 6.5 days of productivity annually per employee due to presenteeism.
Your employees are your bread and butter, without them your business would quickly crumble. That’s why taking care of their health and safety at work is of paramount importance, as only then can they do their jobs to a high level.
Whether you’re working in confined spaces, controlling traffic or typing in an office, give your employees the knowledge to stay happy, healthy (and productive) at work with an Alertforce training course.
We’re one of NSW’s foremost training providers and all the courses we offer are nationally recognised, 100 per cent tax deductible, and of the highest quality. Get in touch today to find out how the right knowledge and training could improve your business’ bottom line.
Asbestos awareness is essential to the safety of Australians
A school in the Northern Territory recently evacuated part of its grounds due to the risk of asbestos exposure after infrastructure works were completed. Another report described an illegal dumping of a large amount of asbestos sheets outside a school where a number of children catch the bus. Meanwhile, Kingston Council in Melbourne is investigating a large deposit of asbestos-laced soil that was left at a public park.
Above are the highlights of Australian asbestos reporting from two weeks at the end of March alone. These shocking stories are perhaps more frightening than alarming asbestos statistics, revealing the knowledge gap and the lack of care taken by the public when it comes to handling the deadly fibre.
Here at Alertforce we’re passionate about improving Australia’s asbestos knowledge, in order to reduce the prevalence of horror stories like these. With better training, workers will know the risks of dumping asbestos, better identify the fibre and be able to handle it if they do. To help you make a start, here’s our quick guide to identifying asbestos.
Know the risk factors
The first step towards better identifying asbestos in the workplace is to know the most common risk factors. First, consider when was the property in question constructed? If it was built during the 50s, 60s, 70s or 80s there’s a high chance that it contains asbestos, as the brown and blue fibres were widely used before their ban in the mid 1980s.
However, there’s still a chance that your home contains asbestos if it was built more than ten years ago, as white asbestos was only banned in 2003, and it’s likely that some tradespeople continued to use it after then. The takeaway here is to be on high alert if your home was built before 1990, and to be aware if it was built between 1990 and 2005.
Consider what was used to build your home. If there are concrete sheets, or corrugated concrete roofs in the structure, there’s a high likelihood that they contain asbestos.
Find and identify
Asbestos can be incredibly difficult to identify if you aren’t trained in its identification and removal. It can be spotted in a number of areas around residential buildings: in pipe lagging, boiler insulation, cement sheets, bitumen-based water proofing, vinyl floor tiles and a number of other products.
Older sheets of asbestos have a distinctive dimple pattern on them, while nails used to secure asbestos sheets often had flat, rather than pointed, tips. If there are aluminium joiners outside the building in question, these are also a dead giveaway that there’s asbestos within. Some sheets may even have ‘contains asbestos’ warnings printed on them.
Knowing the common warning signs is helpful for those at risk of asbestos exposure at work. However, for the safety of you and everyone around you, it’s essential that you receive asbestos removal training if you work in an at-risk profession such as plumbing or building.
Seek help if you’re unsure
When working in a building that you suspect contains asbestos, you are legally allowed to remove 10 sqm of bonded fibre if you dispose of it properly. However, it’s strongly recommended that if you’re unsure of best practice, always seek help.
To make sure you’re on the ball when it comes to identification and removal, enrol in a short asbestos removal course with one of NSW’s most trusted training providers – Alertforce. Our courses are all nationally certified and of the highest quality, perfectly suited to help you fight back against the terrible effects of asbestos in Australia.
How much money could better WHS training save your business?
One person was injured at work every minute during the year ending June 2014, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. While not all of these accidents resulted in claims, this shocking statistic reveals the staggering truth about the dangers in the workplace.
Could better work health and safety training have prevented the costs of accidents, and how can you cover all your bases when it comes to your business’ safety?
How many claims are there per year?
During the period mentioned above, Australian workers made 106,565 serious accident and injury claims, with most of them made by males (67,765). The majority of total claims were made to cover the expenses of injury and musculoskeletal disorders (95,625) and the rest were made up of diseases caused by the workplace environment. The professions with the highest risk were:
- Manufacturing with 11,255 claims,
- Construction with 11,135, and
- Transport, postal and warehousing with 8,280.
In 2014 there were roughly 2 million businesses trading in Australia, meaning that one in 20 experienced a serious claim by a worker during this period. That surprisingly high figure shows that each and every Australian business can benefit from reducing risks in the workplace with better health and safety training.
What could a claim cost you?
According to Safe Work Australia the average claim sits at above $8,000.
According to Safe Work Australia the average claim sits at above $8,000, a number that doesn’t take into account the decrease in productivity and increased time off caused by workplace injuries.
In reality, the cost to your business of one serious accident could be in excess of $20,000 or more. That’s enough to cause serious issues for smaller businesses operating with tight cash flow.
Cover all your bases with proper training
Don’t leave your employees’ safety and business success to chance. Invest in the proper work health and safety training to ensure that your employees are best equipped to create a safe and productive workplace.
Here at Alertforce we’ve been providing high quality, nationally recognised training courses for many years now. We would love to help you keep your workers safe, and your business running smoothly by educating and up-skilling your workers on any one of our numerous short courses. Enquire today.
Does better work health and safety practice improve your business’ bottom line?
Profit is the main yardstick for success for most businesses in Australia.However, it’s important to remember that profitability and productivity are affected by countless different factors – work health and safety among them.
We all know that a safer workplace is a more effective, productive and positive place to be. But is there any hard evidence that better work health and safety practice improves your bottom line? With the help of a 2014 Safe Work Australia report, we’ve had a closer look.
The effects of poor WHS
Studies in Australia and throughout the world have left no doubt that poor work health and safety greatly affects a business’ effectiveness. In their report, Safe Work Australia quotes a number of studies, which unequivocally found that an unsafe work places result in:
- Lower productivity,
- Poor competitiveness,
- Reduced shareholder value, and
- Greater public scrutiny.
There’s no doubt that the above symptoms of poor work health and safety practice will hurt your business’ bottom line. Even more startling is evidence from a 2005 Medibank study that found the healthiest employees in Australia were three times more productive than unhealthy employees.
For those who must undertake potentially dangerous tasks, such as working in a confined space, a focus on good work health and safety practice becomes even more essential.
Economic loss from poor WHS
Injury and death in the workplace has an economic cost of $1.25 trillion a year, or 4 per cent of global GDP.
Providing an unsafe workplace is not only irresponsible and immoral, it’s also extremely costly. An estimated 128,050 Australian workers made compensation claims for serious injuries in 2011 and 2012 – that’s around 12.2 claims per 1,000 employees.
If you’ve provided a workplace that’s not up to standard, your insurance may not cover your loss and you may be responsible for paying for your employee’s recovery. Not only that, but you’ll have to cover your worker while they’re off for an average of just over 12 weeks for serious claims. The resulting loss in productivity is difficult to quantify, but it’s surely considerable.
What’s even more sobering is the cost of workplace deaths, which are sadly all too common in Australia. International Labour Organisation data suggests that in total accidents, injury and death in the workplace has an economic cost of $1.25 trillion a year, or 4 per cent of global GDP.
Safe Work Australia estimates that our national cost is closer to 5 per cent of our GDP, and that the cost per work-related death is between $11 million and $19 million. You – the employer – will bear a relatively small amount of that cost in the event of a workplace, but a small percent of $19 million could still be a massive sum.
Making your workplace better
It can be tough to measure the effects of better work health and safety, but it’s abundantly clear that they’re positive. Adopting good health and safety practice means better productivity, a more attractive bottom line and of course, happier employees.
This sets the foundations for a sustainable and successful business that serves the interests of employees, employers and stakeholders alike. For help getting your business’ work health and safety practises up to standard, start with Alertforce.
We’re one of NSW’s most trusted training providers, offering a wide range of accredited short courses from asbestos awareness and removal, to combined spaces training and everything in between.
Get in touch today to find out what we can do for your business.
The silent killer’s past: A long history of asbestos
Asbestos, a material we now know as the silent killer, refers to a group naturally occurring fibres that can be found in large deposits under the earth. They are fine, durable and fire-retardant, making them ideal for a number of applications.
We now know the dangers that asbestos poses, but for over 6,000 years we used it for everything from insulating steam engines to keeping our homes warm. Let’s look back at the long and bizarre history of asbestos, and take a moment to appreciate what proper work health and safety can do to minimise its effects.
The origins of asbestos
Asbestos deposits as old as 750,000 years have been discovered by archaeologists and it was used as early as 4,000 BC, as the wicks for candles. Fast forward around 1,000 years and Egyptian pharaohs were embalmed and buried in thick sheets of asbestos to help preserve their bodies. This practise continued and changed for thousands of years and was common in a number of cultures.
Closer to 400 BC, Ancient Greeks cremated bodies wrapped in Asbestos to keep their ashes from mixing with those of the fire. Historians say that this helped birth the word asbestos, deriving from ancient Greek term, sasbestos, meaning inextinguishable or unquenchable.
Around 755 AD King Charlemagne of France used asbestos tablecloths during feasts to prevent fires that were often caused by intoxicated revellers knocking over candles. Asbestos continued to be used this way, as a useful novelty, until the late 1800s when the industrial revolution began.
Asbestos in Australia
By the dawn of the 19th century, major Asbestos mines had opened in Canada and South Africa, America, Italy and Russia. total worldwide production increased to 30,000 tonnes annually. At this point the fibres were increasingly used in industrial and residential settings for fireproofing, soundproofing and insulation.
During this time asbestos mines starting popping up throughout the country, particularly in NSW and WA. The British Royal Commission raised concerns about its health effects after several deaths were caused by the fibre in factories throughout the UK, but nonetheless mining and use of asbestos continued at an unprecedented rate.
By 1910 world production exceeded 100,000 tonnes, and homes around Australia were being built with asbestos throughout their structures. This use peaked in the 50s, 60s and 70s when it could be found in most homes built in Australia.
At long last: Asbestos ban
As the use of asbestos increased, so too did the health dangers we now know are associated with it. In 1935 reports started emerging on the effect of asbestos dust on the lungs of workers in the James Hardie factory in Perth.
Later on, health professionals and inspectors started warning the owners of a large blue asbestos mine in Wittenoom, Western Australia, that their workers were at great risk and would contract chest diseases within six months.
In the late 1980s asbestos victims were too many to ignore, as the death toll in the Wittenoom mine climbed past 500 and several other cases starting popping up nationwide. The Asbestos Disease Foundation of Australia and workers unions pressured state and national governments to act, until finally, in December 2003 the use of asbestos and all materials containing asbestos were banned nationwide.
From here plans to safely dispose of asbestos were put into place nationwide. It’s still present in thousands of industrial buildings and homes throughout Australia, but it appears that we are finally heading in the right direction and putting the dangers of asbestos behind us.
There’s still so much work to do. If you or your employees work in at-risk professions, ensure that you have the best training available to ensure asbestos-related diseases remain a thing of the past.
Making Australian roads safer with traffic control training
The 10 years of Australian air travel up to 2014 caused fewer fatalities than an average six months on the roads in Australia. However, because roads are everywhere, we tend to forget the dangers it poses and slacken our work health and safety commitment as a result.
For those in the roadwork, traffic management and traffic control industries this can spell disaster and even death. With an eye to understanding the scale of the dangers involved and keeping traffic controllers safe at work, we have a closer look at road fatalities in Australia.
Death toll rises on Australian roads
Australia has a reasonably low road toll by international standards, but a worrying trend has emerged that may change that. From January 2015 through to December 2016, the road toll per month has risen from around 95 to almost 115, according to the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development.
Happily, we saw a slight dip again in January, but this increase is still worrying to say the least.
The risk to traffic controllers
Keeping your staff safe and your operation running smoothly should be the absolute priority.
A rising road toll may indicate that your average traffic controller’s everyday job is becoming slightly more dangerous. Either way, statistics around road traffic controller deaths are alarming. A Safe Work Australia report on accidents involving trucks shows that road traffic controllers were at the top of the list when it came to workers killed in road accidents.
Traffic controller fatalities aren’t a subject on which detailed statistics are available, but the above fact proves that there is a safety problem in the profession.
Get up-to-date, professional training
Keeping your staff safe and your operation running smoothly should be the absolute priority whenever traffic control is required. Proper work health and safety training is the key to this, as with the right knowledge and correct safety procedures in place, the likelihood of accidents can be severely reduced.
To get you and your staff started on the road towards a safer workplace, enrol online for Alertforce’s Traffic Control Training Course. We offer nationally registered courses, a 30-day money back guarantee and a track record that includes over 10,000 happy customers.
How to spot a confined workspace: WHS basics
Solid work health and safety (WHS) practice is imperative to the success of any organisation. An unsafe workplace puts employees at risk, compromises their ability to carry out everyday tasks and makes the company vulnerable to financial loss.
The first step towards making your workplace safer is identifying hazards. Seeing as confined spaces are present in so many Australian workplaces, let’s have a look at how you can identify a space that qualifies and who’s responsible for managing the risks involved.
What’s the definition of a confined space?
SafeWork NSW offers a succinct definition of a confined space in their code of practice. The following are listed as identifiers of confined spaces:
- The space is not designed or intended primarily to be occupied by a person;
- Is, or is designed to be, at normal atmospheric pressure while any person is in the space;
- Is likely to be a risk to safety from an atmosphere that does not have a safe oxygen level; and
- From airborne contaminants, including airborne gases, as well as dusts fire, explosion, or engulfment.
Identifying these spaces and putting procedures in place will make your workplace safer, and could even save someone’s life. Only 15 per cent of workplaces that suffer confined space fatalities have confined spaces procedures in place, so taking the right steps will certainly make a difference.
Who has health and safety duties in these spaces?
Only 15 per cent of workplaces that suffer confined space fatalities have confined spaces procedures in place.
Knowing who’s responsible for worker safety makes the process of confined spaces training and the introduction of procedures straightforward. According to SafeWork NSW the person who’s conducting the business (i.e the owner, or CEO) has the primary duty under WHS law. This means that it’s their responsibility to ensure procedures are in place, and that workers are adequately trained and safe.
The officers or managers in a business are also obliged to excercise due diligence to ensure that their workspace complies with all relevant laws. Lastly the employee or the worker has the responsibility to take reasonable care, comply with safety instructions and of course follow any training they’ve had.
As you can see, the responsibility for implementing proper work health and safety runs from the top to the bottom of any organisation. To protect your employees, your bottom line and your business, sign up for Alertforce’s nationally recognised confined spaces training today.
What could traffic control training do for you?
If you’re considering a career in traffic management, work health and safety or road works, a traffic control training course could take your job prospects to the next level. It can be a tough industry to crack thanks to relatively high average pay and the abundance of work available, but the right training could make you a far more attractive applicant.
In this article we have a look at how a traffic control course could help you in your job search, and in staying safe no matter what roads you’re working on.
The course
Alertforce offers a comprehensive Roads and Maritime Services approved training course ideal for most traffic control professionals. It’s nationally recognised and includes two days of theory training and one day of practical training, as well as several assessments.
Could your new career be in traffic control?
The full course will cover working safely and following procedures, communication in the workplace, controlling traffic and implementing a traffic management plan. Alertforce stands by the quality of every course we deliver.
Our courses also come with a 30-day money-back guarantee and are generally 100 per cent tax deductible – a fact that will go far towards helping you to offset the costs involved.
The pay
Due to the large amount of construction and roadwork projects underway in Australia at any given time, traffic controllers are generally in high demand.
We can’t guarantee you’ll find a job after completing one of our traffic control courses, but we can promised that with this qualification you’ll be considered a more attractive candidate.
Giving yourself an edge over the competition is always a good idea, no matter what profession you’re working in.
If you do manage to find a job, how much can you expect to be paid on average?
According to national job search site, adzuna, the average pay for their listed traffic controller positions sat at $62,814 at time time of writing. That’s a lot of money after less than a week of training.
The job
Due to the large amount of construction and roadwork projects underway in Australia at any given time, traffic controllers are generally in high demand.
As a road safety worker, you’ll be in charge of minimising risks with traffic movement, controlling traffic in a professional manner, managing traffic in emergencies and managing delays. This will include the use of a two-way radio, and working with a diverse and interesting range of people from all walks of life.
If you’re looking for the next step in your career, think outside the box and consider traffic control. Get in touch with Alertforce for more information, and to get the ball rolling on securing your new vocation.
6 absolutely mind-boggling asbestos facts
Asbestos has been called the silent killer, and with good reason. A shocking amount of people have had their health compromised by exposure to this menacing fiber, and these numbers are only expected to increase.
With an eye to keeping you and your employees safe at work, and revealing the shocking scale of asbestos exposure in Australia, we’ve put together six mind-boggling asbestos facts.
1. Australia has one of the highest mesothelioma death rates in the world
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is thought to be caused mainly by exposure to asbestos. Shockingly, here in Australia we have the second highest death rate in the world behind only the UK – according to the Mesothelioma Centre, 10,000 people have died from the disease since the early 1980s.
The most recent statistics also show that 641 people died from mesothelioma in 2014 alone. These tragic facts show that the threat is very real here in Australia, and that knowing how to handle asbestos is essential for those working in at-risk professions, such as electricians, builders and plumbers.
2. In most mesothelioma cases there was exposure to asbestos
While it was never really in doubt, these statistics from the Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health prove that mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Their data says that 88 per cent of mesothelioma cases reported exposure to asbestos at some point in their lives.
What’s also worrying is that most cases seem to come from Australia’s two most populous states – NSW and Victoria. There’s not a shadow of a doubt that asbestos is dangerous, so it’s essential to take steps to make sure you, your employees, and your colleagues are always safe.
3. Deaths are expected to increase
Sadly we haven’t even seen the beginning of the shocking affects that asbestos exposure is going to have on Australia’s public. The Mesothelioma Centre reports that deaths are expected to number around 25,000 from the illness over the next four decades.
That’s 2.5 times the estimated deaths since 1980, and shows in some cases symptoms can be delayed by years or even decades.
4. 50 per cent of asbestos claims are against one company
Perhaps the most frightening of all asbestos facts is that it’s estimated to be present in one of three Australian homes.
According to specialist law firm Henry Carus Associates, almost half of asbestos-related claims in Australia’s history have been leveled at one organisation – James Hardie, an Australian building materials company.
This firm discovered asbestos early on and rose to become Australia’s largest producer of the material. They owned mines throughout Australia and Zimbabwe to source raw products, and sold it to construction companies to install in thousands of buildings in Australia.
After court proceedings, the company has been mandated to pay 35 per cent of its operating income to ex-employees and claimants and expect to lose over $1.8 billion in the next 30 years.
If anything, this is a cautionary tale of the importance of protecting your employees as well as the potential ramifications of not doing so.
5. One in three homes contains asbestos
Perhaps the most frightening of all asbestos facts is that it’s estimated to be present in one of three Australian homes. This means it could be in the walls of your home, or in one of the rental properties you own.
It’s usually not dangerous if left untouched but it’s essential that you ensure you take the necessary care if you do happen to disturb it. Make sure that any builders, electricians and other labourers that you hire know what they’re doing before allowing them to work on your home as your safety could be at stake.
6. Most exposures occur in the workplace
It’s not surprising that most exposures to asbestos occur in the workplace. We’re not talking about office workers, but labourers who often disturb the structure of properties where asbestos may be hiding.
The Mesothelioma Centre describes the following professions as high risk – it’s essential to ensure that you and your colleagues have had proper training in asbestos identification and handling if you are listed below:
- Construction.
- Carpentry.
- Plumbing.
- Electrical engineering.
- Insulation workers.
- Shipbuilding.
If you or your employees are not fully trained, the consequences could be dire. Keep yourself, your employees and your business safe by signing up to an Alertforce Asbestos removal course today.
4 simple ways to take the danger out of working in confined spaces
It’s always best to completely avoid entering confined spaces in the workplace, but the fact is sometimes that’s not possible. Whether you’re sliding underneath the floorboards to tighten a leaking pipe, or cleaning a tank, sometimes getting into a tight spot is unavoidable.
That doesn’t mean you can’t still be safe though. Every workplace that sends workers into these spaces should have a best practice policy and safety procedures that all employees are made aware of. That way you can minimise the chances of anything going wrong, but also react better in the event that something does.
To help make sure you and your workplace are safe for the rest of 2017, we’ve put together a few basic tips for working in confined spaces.
1. Identify the risk first
If you’re not aware of the danger presented by entering a space, it’s impossible to mitigate any risks or prevent any accidents that may occur. The first step is always to be aware, and to make sure that all workers are too.
Safework Australia recommends asking the following questions when identifying the risks of entering a space:
- Is the space partially enclosed?
- Is the space not designed to be occupied by a person?
- Is the space designed to be at normal atmospheric temperature while a person is inside?
- Is the space likely to present risk from any of the following: Unsafe oxygen level, airborne contaminants or gases, engulfment by liquid or solid.
If your answer to any of these questions is yes, it may be necessary to take precautions when entering the space. Read on for a few tips to make sure that you can do so safely.
2. Use the Buddy system
“One of the key planks in efforts to reduce the number of injuries and deaths in the workplace is adequate training in occupational health and safety.”
Many health and safety practitioners recommend using the buddy system when workers enter a confined space. It’s a simple system that requires a second worker to always be present when the first is working in such an area.
The buddy should always stay in contact with the worker, either visually or via phone or radio.
That way, if the worker breaths in an airborne contaminant, becomes stuck, or otherwise runs into trouble, the buddy can quickly assess the situation and either act to help or call emergency services.
3. Proper equipment
If the space you’re working in requires ventilators, harnesses, or any other such equipment, it’s essential that you inspect it before entering and maintain it to the highest standards. Nothing spells trouble when you’re stuck in a small space more then equipment failure.
Making equipment inspection mandatory before every entry, and performing company-wide inspections on a regular basis will help ensure that your gear can be relied upon. A few hours a month could be all it takes to avoid a disaster.
4. Correct training
In the Australian Social Trends report, the Australia Bureau of Statistics is very clear about the importance of training:
“One of the key planks in efforts to reduce the number of injuries and deaths in the workplace is adequate training in occupational health and safety.”
This is particularly true of workers operating in confined spaces, where the risks can be far more extreme, especially if they’re not correctly managed. Here at Alertforce we provide high quality, nationally recognised courses covering safety in confined spaces.
To ensure the safety of your workers and protect your business, register online today for a quick but comprehensive one-day course.
Who’s most at risk of asbestos related disease?
Your average Australian worker wont be able to easily spot asbestos. Perhaps that’s why almost 10,000 Australians have succumbed to mesothelioma (a rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos) since the 1980s.
If it’s not properly identified, handled and disposed of,asbestos could affect you or your employees . To help make sure this doesn’t happen, we’ve put together a list of professions most at risk of asbestos exposure, and provided an easy method to safeguard your workplace.
Are your workers clued on on asbestos?
The professions most at risk of asbestos related disease
With the help of a 2014 Safe Work Australia report we’ve uncovered the professions that are most at risk of claiming compensation due to the effects of asbestos exposure. They are as follows:
- Carpentry and joinery trades persons.
- Construction and plumber’s assistants.
- Electricians.
- Freight and furniture handlers.
- Metal fitters and machinists.
- Sea transport professionals.
Shockingly, 73 per cent of claims over asbestos related health issues came from tradespeople and related workers such as the ones listed above. If your business fits into any of these categories, or if you think you could be affected by asbestos, take action quickly to ensure that you and your workers remain safe.
How long does it take to be affected?
Shockingly, 73 per cent of claims over asbestos related health issues came from tradespeople.
It can take months, years or even decades for the healtheffects of asbestos to show. Less serious afflictions such as benign pleural disease show up after seven years, and require little more than regular check-ups to treat.
More serious diseases such as asbestosis or lung cancer are associated with heavier exposure to asbestos, and can arise between 10 and 20 years afterwards. Most ominous of all the asbestos afflictions is mesothelioma. This can be caused by light exposure to the material and can take up to 20 or 40 years to materialise.
Putting yourself and your employees at risk is simply not worth it and should be avoided at all costs.
Training can help to keep you and your workers safe
All it takes to protect yourself and your employees against asbestos exposure is the right training and knowledge. Here at Alertforce we offer a range of courses suitable for everyone from casual labourers to asbestos removal professionals.
All our courses are nationally recognised and of the highest quality – so book a course today to start protecting yourself and your employees against asbestos.
Five reasons confined spaces training is worth your time and money
Labourers in Australia will generally accept some level of danger in their work. A great deal of this risk often comes from working in places where humans aren’t intended to be – confined spaces which often have poor ventilation allowing hazardous atmospheres to quickly develop.
As a business owner, or a worker, it’s near impossible to make your workplace 100 per cent safe. But with confined spaces training, you can go a great way towards ensuring no nasty accidents occur at work. Here are five reasons why doing so is worth your time and money.
1. It’s not just the worker’s responsibility
The onus for providing a safe workplace doesn’t just fall on the workers. When it comes to working in confined spaces, responsibility is spread across these four parties according to Safe Work Australia:
- The person conducting the business or undertaking has the primary duty under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act to ensure the safety of workers.
- The designers of equipment and structures have a responsibility to limit the need for entry into confined spaces.
- Company directors and officials must exercise due diligence to ensure the company complies with WHS laws.
- Workers must take reasonable care.
2. Your safety is at risk
The fact is, when working in certain environments, your life and wellbeing are at risk. Safe Work Australia’s statistics show that this is true, as tragically 14 people have already died in workplace accidents this year as of February 10.
Unfortunately accidents happen, and sometimes they’re unavoidable, but training staff on best work health and safety practices can help to reduce their likelihood.
3. Most accidents in confined spaces occur due to lack of training
A shocking 92 per cent of confined space fatalities in workplaces in Western Australia were due to inadequate training.
Another tragic fact is that most workplace deaths in confined spaces occur because of a lack of training and knowledge.
This information is from a Fire and Safety Australia report which states that a shocking 92 per cent of confined space fatalities in workplaces in Western Australia were due to inadequate training.
A staggering 90 per cent of these also listed ‘inadequate supervisor knowledge and supervision’ as a factor in the death. These are saddening figures that elucidate the importance of proper training and education in the workplace to keep workers safe.
4. Save money in the long run
As a business owner, your workers’ safety, and staying profitable should always be two of your most important priorities. Luckily they’re not mutually exclusive, and by taking great care to ensure that your workers operate in a safe environment, you’ll protect your profits.
Accidents cost money, in sick leave and even payouts and court costs if the worst happens. Avoid this completely by keeping your workers safe at all times by providing them with a compliant workplace and all the training necessary.
5. Give yourself peace of mind
The average business owner has a million and one things to do in a day. Cross worrying about your workers’ safety off the list by enrolling them in nationally recognised confined spaces training with Alert Force.
All of our courses are in line with the most recent legislation, and we can teach your employees all they need to know about safety in a confined space during a comprehensive one or two-day course.
Get in touch today to find out more about how we can make your workplace a safe one.
Which health and safety practices are often overlooked?
Good OHS practices have always been of paramount importance in the workplace. If they’re followed out to the letter, the chances of an accident or injury at work are lessened, but it’s when we become neglectful or overlook certain factors that problems may arise.
Here are three OHS practices that may not seem as pressing as the more obvious ones, but are no less important to keep a close eye on.
1. Correct lifting technique
Manual workers should be instructed on their very first day on the job how to correctly lift an object, no matter how large or small. Lifting with the bigger muscles of the legs, rather than the much weaker ones in the back, is a mantra drilled into employees from the start, so much so that workers may become desensitised to the advice – and not follow it.
One in three workplace injuries is caused by manual handling mistakes.
Additionally, workers may feel embarrassed about asking for help in lifting something that is far too heavy for one person, which can sometimes result in serious injury. According to the Victorian government’s Better Health Channel, one in three workplace injuries is caused by manual handling mistakes – so making sure correct technique is used is vital.
2. Staying hydrated at work
An article appearing in Safety Culture states that a worker who isn’t adequately hydrated is much more likely to improperly handle tools, chemicals or other workplace items – and be less aware of their surroundings.
A worker who isn’t adequately hydrated is much more likely to improperly handle tools, chemicals or other workplace items.
What’s more, a dehydrated employee is at much greater risk of heat stroke or cardiac complications, especially if working outside under the hot Australian sun. It’s not just the dehydrated employee who could fall victim to an injury or accident – if he or she is working in a team, those workers could be in danger, too. The classic 8×8 rule should apply here – eight 8oz glasses of water a day should provide ample hydration. That’s around 235 millilitres.
3. Work-related stress
A study carried out by the University of Wollongong found that 65.1 per cent of Australian employees reported that they were stressed to a ‘moderate to high’ level, and this largely silent condition can be the most dangerous unnoticed safety hazard of them all.
Many factors can contribute to workplace stress – an overly high workload, bullying bosses or the daily prospect of dealing with angry clients, and stress can often lead serious medical conditions, including depression. Hence, it’s important that employees are given every opportunity to talk through their issues, and seek professional help if need be.
Be sure to get in touch with the expert team at AlertForce to find out more about our range of accredited OHS courses.
The changing face of work health and safety requirements
Work Health and Safety is an industry in a constant state of flux as it reacts to changes in the business environment and Australian and state law. As a result, staying up to the minute on the current state of WHS in Australia can be challenging. Fall behind and you risk not complying with industry standards, and violating state laws – perhaps even endangering employees.
WHS practitioners also risk advising their clients or employers incorrectly, a mistake which could have high stakes in this industry! We’ve had a look at the state of change in the WHS industry, and explored the reasons why it’s so essential to keep up to date with health and safety training courtesy of Alert Force. Read on to find out more.
WHS Harmonisation
Harmonisation is an initiative by Safe Work Australia that aims to standardise work health and safety legislation across all states and territories. The reason for this is obvious – with one simple and clear set of laws and guidelines instead of several, a national standard can be set simplifying WHS for both businesses and practitioners.
This will ensure that all Australian workers have a minimum standard of WHS no matter where they work. it will also simplify the operations of companies working across several territories as they will only have to adhere to one set of rules.
Safe at Work also proposes that harmonisation will make government provision of WHS regulation more efficient, while reducing the incidence of death, injury and disease in the work place. It’s clear then that this initiative will be beneficial for you in the long run, but what does it mean right now?
Recent law changes
WHS may see rapid change across all states in the near future.
Most states have implemented some form of legislation to adhere to the harmonisation initiative. Changes are also expected soon in South Australia where a review is currently underway to assess WHS legislation in the state and adhere even closer to the Safe Work harmonisation model.
SafeWork SA Executive Director, Marie Boland commented on the model in a recent Safety Culture media release:
“The harmonised laws aim to provide workers with the same standard of health and safety protection regardless of whether they work – here in South Australia or interstate and regardless of the work they do.”
Safework NSW also updated the following codes of practice in September in order to fit the SafeWork national model:
- Hazardous manual tasks.
- How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace.
- How to safely remove asbestos.
- Welding processes.
- Managing electrical risks in the workplace.
- Demolition work.
It’s clear then that WHS may see rapid change across all states in the near future and that it’s essential to keep your finger on the pulse to avoid missing a beat.
Make sure you’re up to date
Considering the rate that these changes are being made, it’s understandable that some businesses and WHS practitioners may have fallen behind. Alert Force provides an easy solution to this problem, offering a large selection of professionally taught WHS courses.
Practitioners can brush up on NSW and national legislation and gain industry qualification through the diploma in WHS. This is an essential qualification for those looking to establish a career in WHS and will include information on the legislation around health and safety.
Businesses can also improve their WHS compliance by sending key employees to complete short courses with Alert Force. We provide a number of courses, which could be the key to decreasing your businesses costs, avoiding fines and legal trouble and of course keeping your valued employees safe.
Asbestos in your Homes: A Hidden Danger to Sydney
A hidden danger to Sydney householders and tradespeople
Fatal Attraction
The presence of asbestos is unfortunately a common occurrence in many Sydney homes. The dangers of asbestos, material that potentially contains asbestos and the steps that you should be taking to deal with asbestos risks remain less well known among the general public.
November is asbestos awareness month. ‘Get to know Asbestos this November’ aims to educate Australians about the dangers of asbestos in and around homes because Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases in the world.
Asbestos, once claimed to be the world’s miracle fibre and named from the ancient Greek word for ”inextinguishable” is cheap, strong and flexible, making it the perfect material for more than 3000 products, including insulation, vinyl tiles, carpet underlay, brake linings, roof tiles and cement sheeting (fibro).
When asbestos fibres are mixed with other materials, it produces what is called an asbestos containing material. At the time, it was easily mined and then combined to produce these products, and Australia loved it. Now, for good reason, it’s called the “Devils Dust”.
The do-it-yourself (DIY) home renovator phenomenon has exploded over the last 15 or so years presenting a new wave of asbestos related concerns. While there is a move for all home renovators to have their properties assessed prior to renovations, we are not quite there yet.
With Sydney’s love affair with renovations and DIY projects, there is an increased danger that asbestos will continue to claim and effect more lives, as unsuspecting tradespeople and homeowners replace floors, walls, ceilings and out-houses containing asbestos.
Asbestos and your Health
Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. The risk of contracting these diseases increases with the number of fibres inhaled, while the risk of lung cancer from inhaling asbestos fibres is also greater if you smoke.
People who suffer health problems from exposure to asbestos usually do not experience symptoms until many years later. Asbestos related diseases can take many years to develop. Most diseases will not become apparent for at least 10 years after exposure to asbestos and more commonly 15-20 years. Some diseases, such as mesothelioma, may take up to 40 or more years to develop.
Malignant mesothelioma is the most common of the asbestos-related diseases monitored in Australia. A total of 11,667 people were newly diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in Australia between 1982 and 2009, with men making up 85% of all cases. Since 2003, approximately 600 cases of newly diagnosed malignant mesothelioma cases have been reported each year.
A common story
The everyday humble redbrick house built in Sydney before 1987 may, without your knowledge, potentially contain asbestos. For instance, there could be asbestos cladding on the kitchen walls behind cupboards and tiles, asbestos in the fibro cement sheets on the walls of your shed, under the eaves, or in your drainage.
While you may very well be living with materials containing asbestos, your home may have a low health risk as the asbestos is “contained” (painted and sealed) and poses limited threat, unless disturbed.
It is important to recognise however, that any materials containing asbestos that has been exposed to fire or is weathered, smashed and crumbles, is known as Friable Asbestos, and must be inspected by a licensed assessor before any work commences as there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos fibres.
Managing Asbestos – Do Not Disturb
Asbestos can release fibres into the air when disturbed. It is particularly prevalent during the renovation and demolition of buildings containing asbestos, and when there is any direct impact action on the asbestos material, such as drilling, cutting, brushing, grinding, sanding, breaking, smashing, blasting with water or compressed air.
It is not always possible to detect asbestos just by looking at it. The best way to identify asbestos is by having an inspection performed by a licensed asbestos assessor, who will be able to recommend safe ways of dealing with the risks and asbestos removal. If unsure whether a material contains asbestos, the law requires you to treat it as though it does.
Tradespeople and DIY’ers
If you find asbestos in your place of work or residence (or think you have), do not disturb it. Spray unpainted or exposed asbestos with a fine mist of wood glue (PVA glue) and water (10% PVA glue) and arrange an inspection. Remember to wear an appropriate respirator (P2 or P3 rated respirator), as ordinary dust masks do not effectively prevent the inhalation of asbestos fibres.
Tradies and DIY’ers are generally unaware of the dangers of asbestos contamination and how to contain or remove asbestos properly. It is recommended before tradies and DIY’ers commence a renovation or demolition, that they appoint a competent asbestos assessor or hygienist to assess the property and complete an Asbestos Removal Control Plan.
For more information on safely managing asbestos, contact SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50.
You can find a licensed asbestos assessor, who undertakes air monitoring, clearance inspections, or issues clearance certificates for removal of asbestos, by selecting ‘Licensed asbestos assessor’ on the SafeWork NSW website. The cost of proactively doing something may prove to be lifesaving.
If material contaminated with asbestos is to be removed, it must be sealed within a container, which is decontaminated and labelled to indicate the presence of the asbestos and disposed of at a licensed disposal facility as soon as is practicable. Asbestos waste must be disposed of at a landfill site that can lawfully receive this waste. Check with your local council or landfill operator first.
It is illegal to dispose of asbestos waste in domestic garbage bins.
It is also illegal to re-use, recycle or illegally dump asbestos products or asbestos contaminated waste. Further information on decontamination and asbestos waste disposal is available in the Code of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos.
Education and Training
Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) that are registered by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) and are an approved asbestos RTO’s provide nationally recognised asbestos education and training. You can find a list of approved RTO’s on the SafeWork NSW website.
While asbestos awareness and removal courses are available to tradespeople and DIY’ers, the uptake is low. It is recommended all tradespersons and DIY’ers dealing with asbestos and renovations, complete a nationally recognised asbestos course.
More Information
Asbestos fibres may be present in a number of products found in the home. There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos fibres. Where tradespeople and householders decide to undertake work where asbestos is, or may be present, a number of guides provide useful information to minimise the risk. These can be found as follows:
SafeWork NSW 13 10 50 www.safework.nsw.gov.au
Asbestos Education Committee www.asbestosawareness.com.au
Environment Protection Authority 13 15 55 www.environment.nsw.gov.au
4 ways better health and safety can improve your construction business
The construction industry has profited immensely from Australia’s property boom. Australian Industry Group research shows that it has grown to include over 330,000 businesses and now produces almost 8 per cent of our GDP.
In this time of prosperity the aim for your business should be to differentiate yourself from your competitors – which can be a difficult task with so many of them. The best place to start could be improving your work health and safety practice (WHS). Alert Force provides a number of short courses that will make sure your employees always follow best practice when on-site.
Here are just four examples of how better work health and safety could improve your business.
1. Reducing costs
Accidents at work cost money. Whether it’s in legal fees, medical bills, damage to equipment or just lost time, the amount can start to build if you’re not taking health and safety into account.
In fact, Safe Work Australia data reveals that there is on average 35 serious injury compensation claims in the construction industry every day. That’s almost 36,000 a year. If your employees aren’t following best health and safety practice on the work-site, they’re risking decreased productivity, cost to the business and of course personal injury.
Poor training is often the cause of this. To make sure that your business doesn’t suffer and that your employees know better enrol them in a short construction safety course with Alert force.
2. Improving employee retention
There is on average 35 serious injury compensation claims in the construction industry every day.
The results of last year’s Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) report on employee turnover showed the importance of employee retention in running a profitable business.
The average turnover of businesses surveyed was 16 per cent per annum, and over half believed that high turnover had a negative impact on the profits.
Keeping your employees happy is obviously key to retaining them. A prominent psychological theory ‘Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs’ suggests that safety is one of the most important basic needs a work environment must satisfy.
Without it employees will be unhappy, turnover will be high and profits will suffer.
Interestingly, 31.67 per cent of those surveyed in the aforementioned AHRI report also said that offering training and development opportunities was the most effective method of decreasing employee turnover.
3. Avoid fines and legal action
In 2014 a Sydney construction company and it’s director were fined $425,000 and $85,500 respectively, for poor work health and safety practice. This sad case resulted in the death of a 54 year old brick layer and was the second largest WHS fine in NSW history.
The tragic loss of life far outweighed the fines in this case, but it’s an example that illustrates the financial impact that a WHS fine can have on your business. Ensuring your employees are always safe when they’re at work will not only reduce their chance of injury or death, but it will eliminate the chance of a hefty fine emptying your bank accounts.
4. Making a good impression
The benefits of being safe at work are many, but making a good impression on clients and the public has to be one of the best. With employees who are untrained in WHS best-practice, you can’t be sure that your clients wont catch them cutting corners unsafely or taking risks. This could result in complaints from your clients or start to establish a negative reputation for you and your firm.
In business reputation is everything, so don’t risk yours by not training your employees to be safe. Get in touch with Alert Force today to find out more about or WHS training courses and how they could benefit your business.
What does the Dreamworld tragedy mean for the future of the Australian theme park industry?
The recent tragedy at the Gold Coast’s Dreamworld theme park, in which four people lost their lives on the Thunder River Rapids ride, has cast a stark spotlight on health and safety standards not only at Dreamworld, but at theme parks across Australia. Though the full details of the accident have not yet been fully disclosed, the incident has sent shock waves across the resort industry, with many doubting whether Dreamworld can fully recover.
Dreamworld isn’t just any run-of-the-mill theme park. It’s Australia’s biggest, with many of the tallest and fastest rides in the country calling the resort home. During 2014, over 2 million thrill -seekers passed through the gates of sister parks Dreamworld, WhiteWater World and the SkyPoint Climb, with owner Ardent Leisure stating that the combined resorts earned a total of $100.1 million in 2014, an increase of 3.1 per cent from the year previous.
The Dreamworld incident has sent shock waves across the resort industry, with many doubting whether Dreamworld can fully recover.
An nightmare at Dreamworld
You’d be forgiven for thinking that such a profitable, high-profile theme park would have only the highest of safety standards in place. However, it appears that Dreamworld has missed the mark not only on this fatal occasion, but on several others, too.
Speaking to the Guardian Australia, Ben Swan, Queensland secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) said that there had been multiple concerns raised about the park over the past 18 months, none of which were addressed in any great detail. For example, a complaint lodged way back in October 2012 stated that several of the park’s rides desperately needed attention, with rust notably visible and even falling into pools below.
Large leaks, cracks and chips were spotted on slides, with tape used to mask the damage. Perhaps even more alarmingly, Queensland licence stickers could be seen, which would be reassuring were they not out of date. This only raised questions as to when the rides were last professionally inspected.
Who’s liable?
It appears, then, as though the recent tragedy really was an accident waiting to happen. Indeed, a Brisbane lawyer has told ABC News that she believes that the Thunder River Rapids ride wasn’t a freak occurrence. So, what was it?
“Cases like this generally aren’t just freak accidents, it’s generally a series of events or something has actually gone wrong to result in such a significant catastrophic event,” said Alison Barrett.
“If Dreamworld is prosecuted, the highest penalty is up to $3 million for a corporation. So Dreamworld itself, and then the directors themselves can also be held personally liable and face up to five years in jail and other hefty penalties,” she warned.
Dreamworld, though, have countered, stating that the ride underwent its mechanical and structural safety engineering inspection just one month ago.
What happens next?
Regardless of who or what was actually to blame for the deaths of four people at Dreamworld, the Queensland government has announced that it is in the process of launching a broad-ranging safety audit of all of the state’s theme parks, beginning with Dreamworld itself. Additionally, the government is also preparing to launch a review of all WHS processes in the state.
“This is about protecting visitors to our theme parks and restoring public confidence in Queensland’s prime tourism assets ahead of the busy Christmas holiday season,” said Queensland Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace. All of Queensland’s theme parks are set to be thoroughly inspected before the end of November. Though the true causes of what happened at Dreamworld have yet to be determined, it’s sure to shake the industry to its core.
At AlertForce, courses in work health and safety have always been at the very core of our offering. To help prevent terrible tragedies such as the one at Dreamworld, the industry is going to need skilled, trained WHS professionals to ensure such an awful accident never occurs again. With a qualification from AlertForce, you can lend a hand in keeping the general public safe. Be sure to contact our expert team to find out more.
Why should you study the Diploma of Quality Auditing?
In every professional industry across Australia, quality audits are a vital tool for recording and addressing a broad range of factors. These could include ensuring that all legal responsibilities are adhered to, checking a firm’s finances are in order, and confirming that stock take figures are accurate, amongst a raft of other tasks.
Indeed, a quality auditor requires a host of transferable skills needed to get the job done effectively – and to really make a mark on the field, they’ll need the right qualifications under their belt. This is where AlertForce comes in: Our Diploma of Quality Auditing is specially designed for those looking to get ahead in this intriguing field. Here’s what the course involves, and how it can benefit you.
Auditing essentials
It doesn’t matter in which industry you’re aiming to become an auditor, whether it’s construction, education, finance or food. The core set of skills you’ll need remain the same, which is why with a Diploma of Quality Auditing, you’ll be putting yourself at the front of the queue when hunting for a job.
With a Diploma of Quality Auditing, you’ll be putting yourself at the front of the queue when hunting for a job.
Auditing isn’t just about checking whether or not figures have been entered correctly – the profession delves far deeper than that. With the Diploma of Quality Auditing on your C.V., you’ll be qualified in the very latest and greatest auditing methods, analysing current work health and safety standards, risk management and establishing action plans to iron out any problems that arise from the audit result.
You’ll learn about the auditing process from start to finish, including how to begin and lead an audit, report on it, and manage any potential risk that could occur. Additionally, you’ll discover how to manage people performance, encourage further improvement and how to maximise employee efficiency.
What to expect at AlertForce
When you enrol in the Diploma of Quality Auditing at AlertForce, you’ll have the option of either learning on a face-to-face basis over a six-month duration, or logging into a webinar. It’s even possible to mix up the two, depending upon your learning preferences. Regardless of which option you choose, your trainer will be sure to catch up with you on a weekly basis to find out how you are getting along. This is done via an online webinar.
Because the Diploma of Quality covers so much ground in its versatility, it’s an excellent qualification to hold regardless of your experience. Perhaps you’re looking to get your foot in the door within the world of auditing, or maybe you’ve built up several years of knowledge in the industry and would like to formalise your experience.
Do you have the keen eye it takes to become an auditor?
Indeed, at AlertForce, we realise that some of our students are at different knowledge and experience levels when they begins their courses, which is why we offer Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
In short, RPL can allow you to complete the course more quickly, as you can potentially move through topics that you already have a good understanding of at a faster pace. Of course, this is of big benefit to those who already work in the industry and are looking to take the next step up the career ladder, so be sure to find out if you are eligible for RPL before you begin the course.
Money matters
If you’re worried about how you can pay the course fees for the Diploma of Quality Auditing, don’t be. As an accredited provider of a VET FEE-HELP approved course, you may be eligible to take advantage of this loan, which can cover the cost of the fee, or a portion of it, depending on how much you want to borrow. Don’t let such things as money get in the way of your educational and professional development – once you have your qualification, you won’t regret the possibilities and opportunities it grants you.
Be sure to contact the team at AlertForce to find out more about the Diploma of Quality Auditing.
What is VET FEE-HELP, and how can it assist you?
At AlertForce, we believe that money should never become a roadblock between a potential student and their education. Everyone deserves a shot at bettering their C.V. and in turn, their career prospects, which is why we’re pleased to offer VET FEE-HELP on a number of our courses. This government initiative is designed to help more people follow and achieve their dreams in education. In this article, we’re going to take a look at just what VET FEE-HELP is, whether or not you might be eligible, and a few other frequently asked questions about the scheme.
Just what is VET FEE-HELP?
In simple terms, VET FEE-HELP is a loan designed to help students pay for certain VET (Vocational Education and Training) courses. Unlike a traditional student loan, VET FEE-HELP can only be used to cover the cost of the course. This means that rent, food and other expenses must be paid for by other means.
You can use VET FEE-HELP to cover the entirety of your course fee, or just a portion of it.
However, VET FEE-HELP is still pretty flexible. You can use it to cover the entirety of your course fee, or just a portion of it, if you have a bit of cash stashed away and would prefer that route. Though there are certain limits with regards to how much you can borrow, in the majority of cases, most of the fee will be covered.
Who is eligible for VET FEE-HELP?
Though VET FEE-HELP is not available to everyone, the government has ensured that it’s relatively open to most, provided you meet certain criteria. First of all, you must be studying at an approved VET FEE-HELP provider, of which AlertForce is one. You’ll also need to be an Australian citizen or hold a New Zealand Special Category Visa that meets long-term residency criteria. If you are in possession of the former, you must enrol in at least one unit of study towards your course, in Australia.
You’re also eligible if you hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be in Australia for the duration of your course. Additionally, you’ll need to be studying an approved VET course, and must not have exceeded the FEE-HELP limit.
How much am I allowed to borrow?
As we head in 2017, the VET FEE-HELP limit has been raised by $1,490 to $100,879 for the majority of students, states the government’s Study Assist website. You should always bear in mind, though, that this limit counts for a lifetime, and can never be reset or increased by making repayments as with other types of loan. The approved courses at AlertForce cost nowhere near in the six-figure region, so you should find that your VET FEE-HELP loan will easily cover the expense, leaving you to get on with the important stuff – getting that shiny qualification under your belt!
With VET FEE-HELP, your repayments are calculated via the taxation system.
How do I pay back my loan?
Your VET FEE-HELP isn’t the same as a loan you’d take out from a bank to buy a new car. With such a loan, you’d be paying back in monthly installments until the debt is settled. With VET FEE-HELP, your repayments are calculated via the taxation system, in that they are automatically deducted from your payslip once your earnings are above the compulsory repayment threshold. For the 2016/17 financial year, that threshold is $54,869, so until you earn more than this, you won’t be paying a cent. The amount you repay each month will be determined by what you earn, from a minimum of 4 per cent, to a maximum of 8 per cent.
Which AlertForce courses are VET FEE-HELP approved?
Two of our courses allow students to apply for a VET FEE-HELP loan: the Diploma of Work Health and Safety and the Diploma of Quality Auditing. You can find out more about our policies regarding VET FEE-HELP right here, or get in touch with our team for further guidance.
Why the five-day Diploma of WHS isn’t worth your time
One of the most popular courses that AlertForce provides is the Diploma of Work Health and Safety. Lasting for a duration of six months, the Diploma of WHS teaches and hones the skills necessary to build a successful career in this important industry. As a broadly recognised, accredited qualification, the Diploma of WHS is a welcome addition to any professional’s C.V., so much so that a truncated, five-day version of the course has been devised.
As a broadly recognised, accredited qualification, the Diploma of WHS is a welcome addition to any professional’s C.V.
However, we at AlertForce believe that this version of the course offers little value when compared to the six-month rendition, and there are a raft of reasons as to why. In this article, we’re going to examine a few of them.
1. It’s nigh-on impossible to absorb all the necessary information in just five days
On the full-length version of the course, there are a number of distinct modules that must be studied in order to gain a better understanding of the WHS world. These include managing and investigating WHS hazards, risks and incidents, learning about information systems and other safety measures and initiatives. Additionally, students will also discover how to develop, implement and maintain WHS management systems, amongst a host of other points.
As such, the six-month duration of the course allows enough time for students to take in the wealth of information coming their way, analysing and demonstrating their knowledge as they do so. On the five-day version, we don’t believe that students have the necessary time to learn and absorb everything they need to. It’s possible that tutors will be skirting over the facts and potentially missing out vital details. This spells bad news for both the students and the working world – if a WHS professional’s skills are insufficient, he or she could be placing a lot of people at risk.
2. Registered training organisations should always have students’ best interests at heart
In these austere times, we know how financially squeezed many households, businesses and individuals really are. Therefore, it’s only natural that students will be looking for the best deal when it comes to their education, and the shorter, intensive version of the Diploma in WHS simply doesn’t offer good value. Priced at an average of $1,799, it’s three times as expensive as the longer course, without offering a better outcome for the student.
We at AlertForce believe that all RTOs should have a duty of care towards their students, and not be purely financially motivated.
Sure, a student may get their qualification more quickly, but without having enough time to fully grasp the finer concepts of WHS, they’ll come out poorer for the experience, both on a financial and educational level. To this end, we at AlertForce believe that all RTOs should have a duty of care towards their students, and not be purely financially motivated.
As a registered training organisation (RTO), AlertForce has always prided itself on delivering the finest possible education for its students, whilst at the same time offering value for money. We want our students to head out into the world of WHS equipped with the tools needed to succeed, and we don’t think that the five-day Diploma of WHS will properly prepare them.
3. Though the certificate has the same name, it’s not of the same quality
Of course, the Diploma of WHS has the same name regardless of how it is taught. Even so, it’s likely that a holder of this qualification will be asked, in an interview, whether they took the long or short version of the course, as this can have a big bearing on a potential employer’s thinking. After all, WHS managers have a deep understanding of their industry, and they know what is quality, and what isn’t.
Indeed, they are fully aware that the longer version of the Diploma of WHS course offers greater value and better prepares an individual for the world of work than does the shorter one. This puts applicants with the former in a far stronger position than those with the latter, so even if it does take you a little more time, the full version of the Diploma of WHS is by far the better option in the long run.
Managers value what the long course will teach you, and will understand that you’ve taken the time and effort to study in the greater detail that the extended time period allows. They will be more hesitant to employ a person that studied the five-day course, , knowing that they won’t have had the time to study and digest the information properly.
We can fully understand the appeal of the five-day diploma. Your certificate will be in the post within a short few weeks, and you can add it to your C.V. in preparation for that dream position. Certainly, it’s time efficient, and must be very tempting for those looking for a quick fix. However, before you apply and hand over your hard-earned cash, remind yourself of this: if the five-day Diploma of WHS isn’t valued by the industry, what’s the overall point of having it under your belt?
Patience is a virtue, or so the old adage goes. If you have this virtue, your time and effort will be far better spent studying the full-length course, as this will stand you in much better stead when it comes to the rough-and tumble of the job market. Be sure to get in touch with the expert team at AlertForce to find out more about our courses – we look forward to hearing from you.
How is WHS in the agricultural industry shaping up?
No matter the industry, dangers in the workplace are always going to exist, especially those where insufficient WHS measures are in place. Even so, it’s true that some sectors pose a greater risk than others, and agriculture is near the top of the danger tree, according to a new report published by Safe Work Australia.
Titled ‘Work Health and Safety in the Agricultural Industry’, the report lends an in-depth insight into injuries, fatalities and workers’ compensation across the sector, with several worrying trends indicating that stricter WHS procedures need to be put into place to reverse some of the alarming statistics.
Farming figures
It’s perhaps of little surprise that fatality rates in this industry are markedly higher than those recorded across other sectors, what with working at heights, heavy machinery, and uncertain terrain all contributing to the risk factor. Even so, there is some encouraging news – deaths are dwindling when examined over the long term, falling by almost a quarter (24 per cent) since 2003.
Fatality rates in this industry are markedly higher than those recorded across other sectors.
Additionally, the report also reveals that approximately three-quarters of deaths in the agriculture industry (76 per cent) involved vehicles, and around a third (32 per cent) of those who succumbed to fatal injuries were 65 years of age or older.
Such statistics may make for grim reading, but it also shows that there is much work to be done from a WHS perspective in this sector. At AlertForce, we offer a broad range of courses that can equip you with the tools needed to help improve WHS statistics in the agriculture industry. Whether you opt to study for the flagship Certificate IV in WHS, or one of our short courses such as fatigue management, each will lend you a greater insight into how to help prevent accidents and injuries in the workplace, agriculture or otherwise.
A focus on farming
Already, Safe Work Australia is attempting to do something about the damning statistics coming out of the agriculture industry. This October, inspectors from the New South Wales arm of the organisation are set to visit sheep and cattle farms across the state, as part of three-year initiative to improve safety standards in NSW.
Indeed, Safe Work Australia NSW granted some $18 million in safety rebates to farms statewide, and these visits are designed to see how efforts are coming along. Some 300 farmers are set to be surveyed in an effort to gain a better understanding of important safety factors, as well as to gain a snapshot of their ideas when it comes to safety on the farm.
“The visits and surveys are part of our efforts to develop sustainable improvements to safety, injury management, return to work and workers compensation so that rural workplaces are safer and more productive,” said SafeWork NSW Executive Director Peter Dunphy.
“Farmers and farm workers have proven that they are well placed to develop work health and safety solutions and we want to learn how the project has helped them, as well as connect them with other products and services that can help them improve safety.”
Why the stronger focus on New South Wales? Well, the agricultural industry remains one of NSW’s riskiest sectors, with over 1,500 injuries recorded in the three years leading up to July 2010, costing some $41 million in compensation.
It just goes to show how much work there is still to do with regards to WHS not just in NSW, but the country over. Trained, qualified health and safety professionals will continue to be in demand for the foreseeable future, so get in touch with AlertForce today to help further your WHS career.
3 reasons there will always be demand for health and safety professionals
Some 132 Australian employees have lost their lives at work so far this year, according to SafeWork Australia. Though this is six fewer deaths than at the same time in 2015, any number of preventable deaths is a stark reminder of the need for health and safety precautions in the workplace.
To help prevent accidents and injury in the workplace, health and safety laws are continually being put into place to ensure that Australia’s employees can go about their day-to-day tasks with minimal risk. There are a myriad of reasons skilled, experienced health and safety professionals will always be in demand.
Accidents can happen just about anywhere, especially if insufficient WHS measures are in place.
1. There will always be WHS hazards to deal with
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a construction site, chemical laboratory or staid office: Accidents can happen just about anywhere, especially if insufficient WHS measures are in place. Different types of work present different types of hazards, such as the perils that can come with manual lifting, exposed electrical wires, toxic substances, working from heights and even trailing computer cables.
Indeed, back pain alone – often derived from incorrect sitting posture at a desk, or poor lifting form – is the most commonly recorded workplace injury. It’s accountable for AU$4.8 billion in healthcare costs alone, with a quarter of those that suffer from it taking 10 or more days off in sick leave per year.
How can the risk of such injuries be minimised? It’s deceptively simple. Systems of prevention are devised by WHS professionals, which helps prevent accidents from occurring in the first place. Stripped to a base level, many accidents in the workplace are preventable, requiring only the expertise, attention and care from a qualified professional to make the work-related arena as safe as possible.
2. It’s not only lives you’ll be saving
During 2010/11, some 132,570 workers lodged compensation claims against their employer for a work-related injury or illness.
Of course, the core aim of WHS is to prevent injury and death in the workplace, but there are several other factors at play, too. Sound WHS principles in any given company can bolster business efficiency, especially when it comes to staff absence.
A 2014 SafeWork Australia study found that during 2010/11, some 132,570 workers lodged compensation claims against their employer for a work-related injury or illness. That’s approximately 13.1 claims per 1,000 employees – compensation money and wages that could have been saved if the proper WHS procedures were in place.
Additionally, the same source states a quarter of serious claims needed the employee to take 12 or more weeks leave from work. Therefore, as well as compensating in the form of of sick pay and the claim itself, further expense would have been required to train another to fill the gap left by an extended absence.
3. The threat of asbestos remains
The scourge of asbestos continues to loom large. Because Australia was one of the highest users of the deadly substance for over 50 years, it still remains in many homes around the country – potentially one-third of them, according to the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency. Therefore, discoveries of long-forgotten asbestos in Australia are common, meaning that there is a permanent need for asbestos awareness in the workplace to combat this constant threat.
Additionally, asbestos still finds its way into the country under the radar via imports from countries where the substance is not banned, meaning that trained assessment and removal professionals will be required for years to come. The battle against asbestos looks set to continue for the foreseeable future, and eradicating the dangerous substance for good is a long term target for Australia – and with trained, knowledgeable people in place, it can be done.
Australia will always have the need for Health and Safety professionals. At AlertForce, we offer a raft of WHS courses for those looking to get ahead in the health and safety industry. Be sure to get in contact with us to find out more.
Will we ever see the end of asbestos?
Despite the many dangers that surround asbestos, it wasn’t until the final day of December 2003 that the substance was completely banned in Australia. This means that the deadly mineral still exists in many homes and buildings around the country, so asbestos training remains a vital part of many a professional’s repertoire. Due to its versatility and low cost, Australia imported some 1.5 million tonnes of asbestos into the country between 1930 and 1983, and the substance found its way into one third of Aussie houses during that time, according to the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA).
Australia imported some 1.5 million tonnes of asbestos into the country between 1930 and 1983.
Unfortunately, as we know all too well in these enlightened modern times, asbestos is a highly hazardous substance. Those that worked with it on a day-to-day basis were at a serious risk of a range of lung conditions (due to asbestos fibres’ persistence, which refers to the amount of time they’ll stay in someone’s lungs). This prolonged irritation of the lungs can feasibly lead to the development of tumours and an aggressive cancer known as mesothelioma, an illness which has accounted for more than 10,000 Australian deaths since the mid-1980s, states The Mesothelioma Centre.
Why is asbestos still arriving in Australia?
Despite the fact that asbestos is now completely banned in Australia, it continues to be imported into the country, according to the Asbestos Industry Association (AIA), only adding to an already big problem. The AIA stated that asbestos was found in a cement compound which arrived from China, despite the presence of a certificate stating that they were free of the substance:
“Importers are accepting these goods in good faith and they’re relying on the documentation from overseas stating these products are asbestos-free,” said AIA president Michael Shepherd to the ABC.
“From what we know, customs are checking less than 5 per cent of all products that come into Australia, so it’s very difficult to identify which products are coming in and which products do contain asbestos.”
An enduring problem
In light of these revelations, the ASEA was granted an extra AU$3.4 million over two years as part of the 2016/17 Budget. Following this, the ASEA stated in its Annual Operational Plan that it would cooperate with a broad range of government arms to monitor the threat of asbestos. That’s great news, but because asbestos is completely banned in Australia doesn’t mean it is everywhere else. Far from it, in fact.
There is no ban on asbestos in several developed nations, including Russia, India, Canada, the United States and China. It’s the latter that is causing the most concern, seeing as China is easily Australia’s most lucrative trading partner.
There is no ban on asbestos in several developed nations, including Russia, India, Canada, the United States and China.
Worryingly, in a report produced by KGH Border Service, a company partnered with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, it was implied that imported asbestos is a problem too difficult to effectively police, especially as much of the substance crossing our borders originates in China.
Alarmingly, the report states that even though asbestos has been proven to be danger to public health and safety, it’s still a cheap and effective material, suitable for a range of uses.
That may be so, but it’s also widely known that asbestos is a lethal substance, responsible for the deaths of thousands. At AlertForce, we don’t believe that any substance as deadly as asbestos should ever see the light of day again in Australia. Nevertheless, it’s a problem that won’t be going away for the foreseeable future, so be sure to get in touch with AlertForce to arrange your asbestos training today.
A student’s view: The Certificate IV in WHS
When it comes to getting ahead in the world of workplace health and safety (WHS), it’s no secret that having the relevant, desired qualifications on your CV will stand you in better stead. With a Certificate IV in WHS under your belt, you’ll be setting yourself up for an enriching career in the sector, as many who have studied at AlertForce will attest to. To illustrate this point further, we caught up with Yanet Ochoa, a former student of ours who completed the Certificate IV in WHS with flying colours.
As a newcomer to Australia, Yanet was keen to expand on existing skills learned in her native country. She completed her course in mid-2016, choosing the Certificate IV in WHS to formalise her experience via an accredited, recognised certificate. She realised that to get ahead in the industry, it was necessary for her to gain the qualifications that would enable her to get her foot in the proverbial door. Even though Yanet had built up a fair bit of experience in her previous job overseas, she had no formal certificates to prove her worth.
Therefore, a course in WHS was the natural choice for Yanet to take things to the next level, so we were keen to hear her thoughts on how things are going since she finished up. Let’s take a look at what she had to say.
Why did you choose to to study for a Certificate IV in WHS?
“At the time I saw the course advertised, I was actively looking for a job. Of course, I wanted to start work straightaway, but most of the roles I found required formal qualifications, which at the time I didn’t have. I had worked in health and safety during my previous job, but aside from the experience I had there was no certificate to back me up. WHS has always been of interest to me, and I know that it is of paramount importance in every workplace around Australia today. I figured that with a recognised qualification in WHS, it would make things a lot easier with regards to securing a job.”
“I figured that with a recognised qualification in WHS, it would make things a lot easier with regards to securing a job.”
Yanet’s words just go to show how important it is to gain the qualifications necessary to put yourself at the front of the queue when looking for employment in WHS. In this competitive industry, having as much weight on your CV as possible is a must, and with a Certificate IV in WHS from AlertForce, you’re on the right path.
Why did you choose AlertForce as your training provider?
“There are a lot of training providers out there, but you simply must use the better ones. AlertForce is accredited, and has an outstanding reputation within the industry. I did a little more research online, and it was this reputation and accreditation that sold it to me. From my very first day it was excellent – very high standards, and I knew immediately that I had made the right choice.”
At AlertForce, we’ve always strived to provide the very finest in WHS and OHS compliance training. Whether online, face-to-face, or a mixture of the two, when you enrol in an AlertForce course you know that you’ll be coming out the other side with a qualification to be proud of. As a registered provider, our courses are meticulously crafted to ensure that students receive a deep knowledge and understanding of the subject matter – as they have done on countless occasions.
How did you find the course?
“The course was excellent – not only did we learn how best create a safe working environment in a range of sectors, we also studied specific legislation, were taught about educational WHS tools and how to work safely on a day-to-day basis.”
“The teacher at AlertForce was very, very good. Directly to the point, understanding and very helpful.”
“Even though I was pretty busy at the time, I still found that I had enough time to read, learn and study everything that I needed to. I found the course intriguing, and it was especially interesting to find out about Australia’s WHS/OHS standards that are already in place. Creative thinking and innovative solutions were also strongly encouraged, because it is so important to spread this knowledge, as there are so many managers, owners and employees out there that just don’t know their responsibilities when it comes to WHS. With a Certificate IV in WHS from AlertForce, we’re perfectly placed to spread this knowledge.”
“The teacher at AlertForce was very, very good. Directly to the point, understanding and very helpful – it made working through the course a whole lot easier.”
We deliver the Certificate IV in WHS as a series of five two-day courses over six sessions. Additionally, you’ll have a weekly online webinar with your trainer, who’ll provide invaluable support and advice. Students have up to one year to complete the course, but this can often be shorter depending upon experience and other factors – how quickly you finish is up to you. The Certificate IV in WHS is often seen as the perfect qualification for people looking to make their mark in WHS, or as an excellent way to formalise your experience if you’re already working in it.
Would you say that having the Certificate IV in WHS has improved your career prospects?
“Yes, definitely! When looking for a job, I found a lot, but most of them required a qualification. The Certificate IV in WHS sets you up perfectly for a career in the sector, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to build a career in this industry.”
The Certificate IV in WHS is one of AlertForce’s most popular courses, meaning that spaces are limited. Get in touch with us to book your spot, as Yanet did, today!
How to land a health and safety job in the current climate
WHS. It’s an acronym that many of us see every day, but few pay attention to – but we should. Workplace health and safety protocols remain a big priority for businesses, schools, hospitals and all manner of facilities the length and breadth of Australia, and it’s easy to see why.
Despite the best efforts of trained WHS professionals, workplace accidents, injuries and other preventable incidents continue to occur in workplaces across Australia. Indeed, Safe Work Australia states that one in 25 Aussie employees were injured at work in 2015, according to its annual Key Work Health and Safety Statistics report. These injuries have occurred in all manner of different industries, with varying degrees of severity, which is why demand for WHS professionals remains high. Let’s take a look at how to land that perfect WHS role, wherever you are in Australia.
The realities of the job market
Of course, ever since the global financial crisis hit in 2008, there have been job shortages all across Australia. The workplace health and safety sector is no different, and we understand that it can seem very difficult to get a career in WHS. Perseverance is key, though, and thinking outside the box when looking for employment can also really help. Keep at it and, with a qualification from AlertForce and a positive, can-do attitude, you’ll set yourself on the right path. It’s important to remember that, even in times of job shortages, there will always be a need for skilled, qualified WHS professionals, so don’t let your head drop.
Whether you choose to learn on a face-to-face or online basis, AlertForce have a broad of WHS courses for you to choose from.
The first step: Get qualified
You wouldn’t prepare a sumptuous meal without the requisite ingredients, nor would you attempt to fix a leaking pipe without the proper tools. The same philosophy applies to getting a job in WHS – it pays to be prepared.
This means laying the initial groundwork before you begin the application process, and there’s no better place to begin than with a qualification from AlertForce. Whether you choose to learn on a face-to-face or online basis, AlertForce have a broad of WHS courses for you to choose from. To really put yourself at the front of the queue, though, you should strongly consider enrolling in the Certificate IV in WHS, Diploma in WHS, or the Diploma in Quality Auditing.
Whichever of these certificates you have safely under your belt, you can rest assured it will put your name near the top of the list when you enter the WHS job market. You’ll enjoy the benefits that come with being taught by experienced industry leaders – each of our students are provided with a mentor to guide them through the finer points of their course, so from beginning to end, you’ll always have someone to turn to.
What’s more, AlertForce can proudly boast a 97 per cent completion rate, and we don’t shy away from going the extra mile. As such, our students not only finish their course, they come out of it the other side bursting with WHS knowledge and eager to start their careers.
Workplace accidents occur every day in Australia – which is why demand for OHS professionals is on the rise.
What are my chances of landing a job?
With a qualification from AlertForce safely in the bank, Australia really is your oyster when it comes to career opportunities in WHS. Things may seem a little difficult right now, but data released by the Australian government states that the job market in this industry is set to expand exponentially over the coming decade. That’s right – some 17 per cent more WHS professionals are projected to be employed in Australia in 2018 than there were in 2013, illustrating just how in demand WHS employees are.
Some 17 per cent more WHS professionals are projected to be employed in Australia in 2018 than there were in 2013, illustrating just how in demand WHS employees are.
The same source states that, as of November 2015, approximately 24,000 people were employed in the industry. This means that there are likely to be positions in every state in Australia, across a broad range of fields, so you’ll be able to pick and choose which industry to specialise in. To get a snapshot of the areas in big demand across Australia, as well as how much you can expect to take home, it is a good idea to browse job vacancies sites where you’ll see positions such as:
- OHS Support Officer – AU$60,000.
- Return to work (RTW) Coordinator – $87,500.
- OHS Consultant – $125,000.
- Compliance Manager – $128,000.
- RTW National Manager – $148,000.
Of course, there are a raft of other WHS jobs that you can get your teeth into. What you choose to do is completely up to you.
An alternative way to the top
There are other pathways into the WHS work arena that differ from the traditional routes. For example, you may have your heart set on a career as a senior asbestos removal specialist. Of course, the money at this level is a lot better than it would be for an entry-level position, but to reach the very top, you have to start somewhere – and that’s often a little further down the ladder. After following a course in asbestos removal, you could well land an entry-level job in this field. Stick with it and, with hard work and dedication, advancement and pay rises are only a matter of time away.
There are many jobs with a big link to WHS that require licensing – for example, operating a forklift, or a role in traffic control. Though these might seem very minor industries, they actually represent a golden opportunity to get your foot in the door of the WHS house. By starting here, you’ll gain a wealth of experience and, as companies much prefer to promote internally, you’re in with a far better shot of working your way up.
State of the nation
In a recent article, we talked about how the building boom in New South Wales was causing WHS professionals to be in great demand. This still rings true today, and as the country’s most populous state with the biggest city, it’s where you’ll find the most job opportunities. Our article on the situation can tell you more, but to really put yourself on the fast-track to a rewarding WHS career, NSW is the place to be.
Data released by the Australian government states that the job market in this industry is set to expand exponentially over the coming decade.
Sadly, the same can’t be said of Queensland. The famous mining state is experiencing something of a downturn at present, meaning that cutbacks are having to be made. This means that any new vacancies are hotly contested, lowering your chances of landing a role. Of course, the mining industry is one that is always going to need WHS professionals, and should it recover, there’s every chance that there will be a big call for such workers in the future.
How can you improve your chances in the current climate?
After the financial crisis of 2008 unemployment rose across Australia, very few industries were unaffected. Even so, the market has been steadily recovering, with the unemployment rate standing at 5.6 per cent as of August 2016, according to Trading Economics. This is the lowest jobless rate since 2013, so things are certainly starting to look up. Though the green shoots of recovery are now apparent, giving yourself the best opportunity of finding work in the current climate is still an absolute priority.
This could mean meticulously tailoring your CV and cover letter for each specific job – there are few things that an employer finds more off-putting than a a blanket application that has obviously been used elsewhere. Additionally, showing your potential employer that you’re serious about your application will also go a very long way in what can be a competitive, selective atmosphere. Unpaid voluntary work in your chosen field, researching your employer and making use of AlertForce’s wealth of industry contacts will all stand you in excellent stead when you submit that application – as will attitude and a keen eye for that hidden gem of a job opportunity.
How to boost your earning potential
We’ve already talked about how having a nationally recognised qualification on your CV can vastly improve your chances of finding employment in the health and safety sector, but did you know that holding formal qualifications can also mean you’ll have more earning power than someone non-certified? To illustrate this, payments analysts PayScale found that safety officers who lacked formal qualifications were rarely paid more than $100,000, but those with the relevant certificates had earning potential of up to $150,000 – that’s a difference not to be sniffed at!
Be sure to get in touch with our friendly, knowledgeable team to get your WHS career off to a flying start!
Why the WestConnex furore highlights the need for more WHS professionals
Any motorist who lives and works in the Sydney area has surely heard of the WestConnex motorway scheme. In short, it’s a project that entails widening and extending the M4 Western Motorway, adding a new section to the M5 South Western, and creating a new inner bypass of the Sydney CBD that will join the M4 and M5. Such an ambitious project doesn’t come cheap, with the cost looking to hit AU$16.8 billion, and the scheme itself has been labelled as the largest transport project in the city since the Harbour Bridge was built.
However, the cost of the project, as well as a raft of other issues, has seen the WestConnex motorway scheme mired in controversy, and now an alarming new development has come to light – the alleged presence of asbestos in the road base of the new motorway.
A riddled road?
News agencies across the country are reporting that a former employee of Sydney excavation company, Moits, was supplying road base riddled with asbestos for use on the WestConnex project. Of course, such claims are highly serious, and so SafeWork NSW have now got involved. They are currently investigating Moits’ practices at the recycling plant, with the end goal of figuring out whether or not WestConnex is being built with contaminated products.
Moits, though, is denying the allegations, stating that it unequivocally does not, and never will recycle anything that contains asbestos. Going forwards, Moits has stated that they will give their full cooperation to regulatory authorities such as SafeWork NSW to show them just how safe their work processes are – and that the wellbeing of the firm’s employees is not in doubt. So how did these allegations actually come about?
A serious allegation
The ex-employee in question, Daniel McIntyre, worked for Moits as a weighbridge operator, as well as a quality control trainee, at a rock and dirt recycling plant in western Sydney. Part of the facility’s main operations involves taking receipt of demolition waste from Sydney’s various building sites, which is then crushed and given a new lease of life as road base.
It was Mr McIntyre’s job to lead a team of staff in hunting through piles of rubble to discard anything that could not be put through. His team were allegedly given just 10 minutes to sift through each 30-tonne load – a small timeframe for such an undertaking.
Moits does not have the necessary licensing to receive anything that contains asbestos, but Mr McIntyre states that he and his team would regularly find sections of broken asbestos sheeting – every day, in fact.
“On some days it was quite clean, we’d maybe get four or five pieces, on other days you could have we’d pick out maybe 20 pieces. We had three guys going through roughly 30 tonnes – times five – per hour so there was no way you could pick it all out. It was impossible,” said Mr McIntyre to ABC.
“We had three guys going through roughly 30 tonnes – times five – per hour so there was no way you could pick it all out. It was impossible.”
A new lease of life
When Mr McIntyre noted that the road base was headed for the WestConnex project, as well as other construction sites all over Sydney, he called for a meeting with his management, and was promptly fired for ‘being a troublemaker’, he alleges.
“My concerns are that people there are being put at risk. And my concerns are that there is asbestos that’s free floating that’s being crushed and it’s dust and it’s being sent out into businesses and homes and other places in Sydney and it poses a potential risk to the public,” Mr McIntyre concluded.
Whether or not these claims turn out to be true or not, it just goes to show that asbestos remains a big problem across Australia. Hence, there remains a strong need for asbestos removal professionals the nation over, so be sure to get in touch with the team at AlertForce to gain your formal qualifications.
Why a workplace accident needn’t destroy your business operations
Unfortunately, workplace accidents occur every day across Australia. These range from the very minor, such as cutting your hand on a protruding nail, right through to the major – a fall from a ladder, or electrocution due to exposed wires. These incidents can occur in any workplace, from agriculture and construction, to manufacturing and mining. Though many workplace accidents can be prevented through proper workplace health and safety training, should something happen, it can have a notable effect on employees.
These incidents can occur in any workplace, from agriculture and construction, to manufacture and mining.
Say that one of your employees incurred a small injury and had to go to an emergency department for treatment. He or she may have to take a few days off work. Your establishment is given the all-clear by investigating authorities, but even so, the remainder of your employees are a little apprehensive to get on with their work. Of course, this is completely understandable – we wouldn’t be human if we weren’t a little nervous re-entering the scene of an accident, no matter how small.
The issue, then, lies in helping your employees return to previous levels of productivity, and this is by no means easy. Let’s take a look at how you can best support your team through a potentially difficult time, and return things to normal as quickly and efficiently as possible.
What is critical incident stress management?
One of the most effective ways to deal with the aftermath of an accident or an incident where injury could occur is a technique known as critical incident stress management (CISM). The method is described by Good Therapy as a style of crisis intervention designed to help support people who may have been involved in, or were affected by, traumatic events of any severity. Of course, workplace incidents can affect employees in a variety of different ways, and CISM uses a step-by-step plan to deliver a viable solution to the problem. Though there are several different methods utilised in CISM, there are a few which are highly relevant in the workplace – here are a two of the most applicable.
– Defusing
According to the Victorian government’s Better Health Channel, ‘defusing’ is carried out by an employee trained in workplace health and safety immediately after an event has taken place, with the intention of drawing a line under it and lending instant personal support. The key aim of defusing a situation is to stabilise workers, and give them every opportunity to talk over their concerns. This defusing process should happen no more than 12 hours after the incident has taken place. An open dialogue is encouraged, and after defusing has happened, a later debrief can be set up for those that require further care.
– Debriefing
‘Debriefing’ takes the defusing part of the process to the next level. It would normally take place a few days (up to a week or so) after the incident has taken place. This method takes the form of what initially appears to be a counselling session, though it isn’t strictly as such – rather, it’s a voluntary discussion designed to put the event in sharp perspective. Therefore, workers can gain a little clarity about just what has gone on, helping them come up with a plan for recovery.
Of course, it is imperative that managers and business owners understand that everybody’s mind operates in a unique fashion, That huge, burly, bearded man, seemingly so fearless, could be visibly shaken up and might need an extended amount of time away from the workplace, whereas someone usually timid in demeanour may be keen to get back to work. You never can tell.
In any case, it’s important that your staff, especially ones in a position of authority, are fully clued up when it comes to emergency management. At AlertForce, our range of courses can help prepare your employees for any eventuality, so get in touch with us to find out more today.
3 reasons why WHS professionals should still be concerned about asbestos
Asbestos. The mere mention of it has the power to send a shiver down any WHS professional’s spine. For decades, the mineral was used in the construction of houses, office buildings and barns, due to its flexibility, strength, resistance to fire and a whole host of other agreeable factors. Subsequently, asbestos was used everywhere – school roofs, home attics, ships, cement, and even in car brakes. It wasn’t until the tail-end of the 20th century that the world began to realise asbestos was a hugely dangerous substance, but a lot of damage had already been done. Asbestos was found to cause scarring of the lungs and a condition known as mesothelioma, an aggressive form of lung cancer.
Because of the perceived versatility of asbestos, Australia used the harmful mineral by the truckload. According to the Australian government’s Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA), some 1.5 million tons of the stuff were imported into the country between 1930 and 1983, and it was extensively mined for in the land Down Under, too. Few countries used more asbestos than we Australians, before it was effectively banned.
Asbestos still presents a very real danger to employees and the general public the length and breadth of the country.
Today, asbestos is all too often dismissed as yesterday’s problem, something that doesn’t affect us any longer. However, this way of thinking itself is outdated, as asbestos still presents a very real danger to employees and the general public the length and breadth of the country. Let’s look at why.
1. Asbestos still exists in buildings across Australia
We’ve already talked about the extensive use of asbestos in Australia across the 20th century. Therefore, a great number of houses, schools and tower blocks built before the mid-1980s were almost certain to contain at least some level of the stuff, with those built after 1990 less likely to be contaminated. Concerted efforts were made to remove asbestos from as many of Australia’s buildings as possible, but even so, it was nigh-on impossible to get rid of it all.
As such, the discovery of asbestos occurs with some regularity in Australia. Forgotten attics, neglected barns, and even some older schools are commonly found to be contaminated, with the ASEA stating that one-third of all Aussie buildings are thought to have been affected. Oftentimes, asbestos will lay undisturbed for years at a time, and is discovered only via accident or in the event of a natural disaster such as a cyclone or bushfire – then it becomes a big problem.
It wasn’t until 2003 that all forms of the mineral were completely banned in this country.
2. Asbestos exists across many different industries
Even though asbestos came under official regulation in the 1970s, it wasn’t until 2003 that all forms of the mineral were completely banned in this country. Of course, by then the damage had been largely done. Employees across a whole host of industries were affected, especially those working in construction, carpentry, plumbing and electrical engineering. Indeed, The Mesothelioma Centre found that those working in construction or carpentry are at the biggest risk of asbestos exposure. Harrowingly, one in 10 carpenters born before 1950 are expected to die of asbestos-related cancer, meaning that WHS professionals with proper asbestos training are an absolute must, and remain in strong demand.
3. It’s dangerously dismissed as an old problem
We’ve already mentioned how short-sighted it is to shrug off asbestos as a problem of the yesteryear, as if it’s smallpox. The truth, though, is that asbestos continues to affect people to this very day, and will long into the future. The Mesothelioma Centre states that a staggering 25,000 people will succumb to the condition over the next 40 years, with the disease toll actually rising over time. This shows that asbestos exposure, though perhaps not as widespread as it was in the past, continues to have an effect – especially when new cases of asbestos contamination are discovered almost by the day.
To find out more about AlertForce’s Asbestos Awareness Training, Assessment & Removal courses, be sure to get in touch with our expert team today.
Top 3 reasons investing in training is worth your while
Without training, professional development is near impossible. At its core, training provides the resources for growth as a modern day worker. Investing in the continued development of your team is an investment in the future of your organisation as a whole. Study after study highlights the benefits of employee development initiatives.
Yet, according to a recent Harvard Business Review study, a lack of proper training initiatives across businesses plays a key role in the current employee retention problem. In a survey of over 1,200 young professionals, with an average age of 30, respondents cited a lack of employee-development efforts as a major reason for leaving a position.
The researchers found a major disconnect between what employees wanted in terms of training initiatives and what their employers offered. While on-the-job development was highly available, there was a reported lack of formal development – including industry-based training.
Perhaps the most important finding here is just how bad these young professionals want training. They crave the opportunity to develop professionally within their given field. When you pair this desire with the considerable organisational benefits of investing in employee training – the case for professional development within your business becomes crystal clear. Let’s take a closer look at why training investments are worth your while:
1. Training drives engagement
Across industries and continents, there exists a considerable problem with employee engagement. Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report found that only 13 per cent of employees across the world are engaged in their current position.
Learning and professional development opportunities are the key to driving engagement.
When staff members are better engaged, the organisation as a whole reaps the benefits. According to Gallup, organisations leading the charge in employee engagement also performed 22 per cent better in terms of profitability and 21 per cent higher in productivity compared to businesses with low engagement levels.
So, where does training fall in the engagement equation? In an interview with CIO, Jason Weingarten, CEO of Yello, explained that learning and professional development opportunities are the key to driving engagement, especially with the largest demographic in the workforce today: millennials.
“Millennials are concerned with investing their energy and their time in organisations that will reciprocate,” noted Weingarten. “They want to make sure they’re growing inside their organisations and that they have a path to continue to do so. The fact that our survey found that salary isn’t as key for them wasn’t honestly much of a surprise to us; they’re more concerned with working well with teams of their friends, making a positive impact on the world and having a promising path to growth is really important.”
2. Training improves job satisfaction
Training initiatives go beyond engagement, they can even help improve the overall satisfaction of your team. In a survey of 1,000 working professionals by Bridge, a cloud learning management solutions platform, continuous learning and training opportunities ranked number one on the list of most important factors contributing to overall job satisfaction.
Development opportunities for your employees show them that you are committed to their growth thus increasing levels of overall satisfaction.
“In our survey, the majority of employees say continuous learning was important or very important to their job satisfaction.They cared about their growth and wanted these training opportunities,” says Jeff Weber, senior vice president of people and places at Bridge, in an interview with CIO.
“And 53 percent of respondents say they’re very likely or likely to leave their job because there are insufficient learning and professional growth opportunities. This is a major message to companies that if you’re not sufficiently providing ways for workers to learn and grow.”
3. Improve your training, improve your bottom line
At the end of the day, training your team is all about improving your core business functions. Not only does it help with engagement and satisfaction, it ultimately delivers a better experience to your customers. When you have a highly skilled workforce, you have a highly functional company – it’s as simple as that.
Supporting employee development begins with investing in training for your team.
Supporting employee development begins with investing in training for your team. In such a fast-paced business world, leaders that fail to dedicate resources to the skill advancement of their employees risk falling behind.
Here at AlertForce we are committed to the professional development of workplace health and safety teams across Australia. We provide our students with comprehensive training with personal mentorship and flexibility. Whether you opt for our face-to-face courses or our online training, you will be provided with personal support from one our experienced AlertForce mentors to help you every step of the way.
Leaders looking to invest in their team are in good hands with AlertForce. With a 97 per cent student completion rate and high levels of student support, we have got your employees covered. To learn more about what AlertForce can offer you, contact one of our reps today!
4 ways to strengthen your business’s WHS culture
Having a strong workplace health and safety culture is critical for any successful business. In the past, we’ve discussed the benefits in terms of brand value, financial savings and overall liability protection.
But what steps can you take to ensure your organisation is truly committed to WHS practices? Let’s take a look at a few key ways leaders can initiate a stronger work health and safety culture in their business.
1. Understand the expectations
For leaders, the first step to optimal WHS conditions involves gaining a complete understanding of what is required by them by law. In Australia, WHS legislation mandates that all employers provide:
- safe premises
- safe machinery and materials
- safe systems of work
- information, instruction, training and supervision
- a suitable working environment and facilities
- insurance and workers compensation for your employees
While the intricacies of legal obligations vary from business to business, these are the general standards for most operating organisations. Leaders should be mindful of these criteria when creating WHS policies.
2. Assess your current state
Once leaders have studied the requirements for workplace health and safety, it is time to take stock of where their organisation stands. Are you succeeding in some areas and failing in others?
Conduct a thorough inspection of your workplace and take note of what needs improvement. Get your employees involved by asking them what they think needs to change in terms of WHS. A qualified health and safety professional should be involved in this assessment, as they are better equipped to identify hazards or problems in your current environment.
3. Create a plan
Every organisation should have a clearly defined safety policy in place. If you don’t already have one, it is time to create one. If you do, there is always room for improvement. Take what you learned from your workplace assessment and address the pitfalls in your policy.
Make sure this document is readily available to your entire team. A plan that isn’t thoroughly communicated is useless so make sure everyone is aware of policy changes and updates.
Every organisation should have a clearly defined safety policy in place.
4. Invest in your team
Arguably the best way to improve your office WHS culture is to invest in your team. AlertForce offers a variety of courses for professionals looking to improve and solidify their WHS skills.
Whether your dedicated WHS officer wants to finally get certified or an ambitious employee wants to take the initiative and begin their journey into WHS, we offer a comprehensive learning environment for all skill levels.
How to use LinkedIn to supercharge your career in health and safety
While LinkedIn may not be viewed as the most glamorous social media site out there, it certainly holds the most value for professionals at every stage of their career.
Whether you are looking to jump start your career in work health and safety or you are trying to build your current professional network, creating a solid LinkedIn profile can be the boost you need to supercharge your health and safety career.
Create a stronger network
LinkedIn’s obvious appeal has to do with the opportunity to network. Professionals can search through a database of millions of people with varying positions across industries. This opens up a whole new level of networking potential.
However, independent LinkedIn consultant Victoria Ipri says there should be a limit to which connections you accept. Instead of accepting every pending invitation, be thoughtful in your selection to create a truly strong network.
“You should keep it to people in your industry who you think could be of assistance, and to people you know and have done work with before,” explained Ipri.
LinkedIn can be a critical tool to help you keep up with past professional connections.
Maintain and nurture your relationships
The same way Facebook may be used to keep up with old friends or family members that have moved away, LinkedIn can be a critical tool to help you keep up with past professional connections.
Just because you relocated to a new city for a new position doesn’t mean you can’t leverage the advice or connections of your old boss. Keep in touch with your past colleagues via LinkedIn and maybe they can help you out somewhere down the road.
Find your next new job
LinkedIn truly is a land of professional possibilities. Whether you are actively seeking a new job or not, your LinkedIn profile can open up the door to exciting new opportunities.
According to a 2015 Recruiter Nation survey, 87 per cent of recruiters actively search LinkedIn for new prospects. Keep the door open to new career opportunities by creating a profile.
Show off your skills
For health and safety professionals, LinkedIn can be a great tool for finding exciting new opportunities or gaining a better understanding of what skills are most important in the industry.
Your profile can create a professional portrait for recruiters, with areas on LinkedIn dedicated to special skills, past experience and even professional certifications.
Perhaps one of the best additions to your LinkedIn profile would be a WHS qualification. In an increasingly competitive job market these kinds of certifications can prove your skills to potential new employers.
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up for a course with AlertForce today!
Top 4 skills you need for a career in health and safety
Whether you’re fresh out of school and looking to start your career path or a little further down the track but need a change of scenery, it’s not always easy to know where to start. Setting your sights on a role in the work, health and safety industry is one thing, but do you actually know what your potential employers will be looking for once you start sending out CVs and turning up for interviews?
Aside from the relevant qualifications, such as Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety (WHS) or better a Diploma of WHS, you’ll need to know what type of skills are most attractive to potential employers and how you can go about building on them as your career grows. To give you a bit context and offer something to set your sights on, we’ve prepared the top four skills that you’ll need to develop to succeed in Australia’s growing health and safety industry.
- Communication skills – Be able to get your point across through multiple mediums, both in person and on digital platforms.
- Be patient – Getting everyone’s agreement on new processes or policies will take time.
- Grow relationships – Try to maintain genuine connections with all members of an organisation.
- Have an eye for detail – The more you notice, the bigger the difference you’ll make.
1. You need to be able to talk the talk
For a health and safety strategy to be effective, it needs to be one that works to unite all employees under a common cause. In these cases, it would be up to you to as a health and safety officer to communicate the various goals and objectives to your colleagues.
There are many dimensions to communicating well in the workplace.
There are many dimensions to communicating well in any role in the workplace, but many of these take on an even greater importance if you’re responsible for keeping people safe. You need to be aware of how to make yourself heard and understood across the range of mediums used to communicate in modern business. From face-to-face meetings and presentations to emails and instructional booklets, it’s essential that you know how to get a message across both verbally and with the written word.
Interestingly, Skills Australia found that a significant proportion of people around the country still struggle to communicate effectively in the workplace. This is where specific training courses and a concerted effort to improve skills can help you better ready yourself for a high-paying career in health and safety.
2. Patience will get you far
While it’s often described as a virtue rather than a skill, this doesn’t make it any less applicable to the current health and safety landscape. As a health and safety officer, you’ll be in charge of communicating with a range of stakeholders, most of whom will have their own concerns or agendas that you’ll have to take on board.
For example, the people on the factory floor are going to have different demands and motivations in comparison to managers and leaders. Working out these differences and coming to an agreement when rolling out new training regimes or policies will require you to have a combination of effective communication skills and a knack for being patient. It might take time to get things done, but staying patient and ensuring everyone is on board will have a positive effect on the business in the long-term.
3. Build relationships with your colleagues
You can probably see a theme developing here. The four skills you need to succeed as a health and safety professional all build on one another. By increasing your proficiency in one of these five dimensions, you’re naturally getting closer to mastering another as well.
Being able to build and maintain relationships with colleagues of all levels, whether superiors or peers, is dependant on your ability to communicate well and exhibit patience with difficult situations or discussions.
As a health and safety officer, you’re an important conduit between management and the employees charged with getting work done. By having a good relationship with the higher-ups, you’re able to influence and provide feedback on any new initiatives they may be looking to roll out. If you’ve also built meaningful relationships with the rest of the staff, you’ll be a respected and trusted point of contact when they need to air any concerns they may have.
4. Sweat the small stuff
As a member of an organisation’s health and safety team, everything you do or don’t notice has an impact on the way the business functions and how people do their job. In this respect, it’s actually important to sweat the small stuff. Have an eye for detail, look for things throughout the factory, office or wherever you work that may need a bit of extra attention.
Whether it’s a health and safety related task that’s impacting productivity, or a behaviour that isn’t minimising risk as well as it could, spotting it early is better than dealing with the consequences once it’s too late.
Of course, these four skills are just a few to get you started thinking about what you might need to develop to make a difference in the industry. To learn more, and to ensure your abilities are recognised by future employers, contact the team at AlertForce and find out what our OHS training courses can do for your career development.
3 reasons a WHS qualification just makes sense
In an increasingly competitive job landscape, more and more professionals are looking to stand out from the crowd. For health and safety professionals, one of the best ways to enhance your workplace marketability is by securing a certification or qualification in your industry.
By taking an online course and validating your skills, and learning some new ones along the way, you can not only solidify your spot in your current position but open up opportunities for future career advancements – including a bigger paycheck.
Crunching the numbers
According to a 2015 survey conducted by a variety of US organisations including the the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, workers with certifications in safety earned nearly $22,000 USD more than those without certifications. For health and safety professionals, certifications accounted for an increased salary of over $30,000 USD.
“The results from this industry survey highlight the positive impact that having a license or credential can have on an individuals’ professional development and overall compensation,” said American Industrial Hygiene Association Executive Director, Peter J. O’Neil.
Though these numbers are from a US study, Australian health and safety professionals follow a similar trend, with certifications generally being associated with higher positions and higher paychecks
PayScale, the world’s largest database for professional salaries, shows an uncertified safety officer’s reaching a maximum of $91,699 whereas a certified safety professional can see salaries as high as $150,000.
Looking beyond the numbers: The value of online certifications
While the promise of a higher salary is certainly enticing, the benefits go beyond the paycheck. And when professionals choose to seek out these qualifications through an online medium, the ease of completion makes getting certified even more enticing.
Let’s take a look at a few reasons why an online WHS qualification just makes sense.
The benefits of a WHS certification go beyond the paycheck.
1. Cost and time conscious: As a professional, your time is most likely stretched thin. Online certification provides thorough training in a way that is mindful not only to your busy schedule but also your wallet, explained Huffington Post contributor Tomas Laurinavicius.
2. Validation of skills: Certifications provide a recognised validation of your skills. While you may have experience to back the claims on your CV, a certification or qualification course can help prove to employers that you have a specific set of skills which have been tested by clear industry standards.
3. Innate proof of ambition: A professional that seeks out qualifications or certifications in their field exudes an admirable sense of ambition. Getting a certifications proves you are serious about your career path and are willing to the onus to advance your knowledge. This translates impressively to employers and peers in the professional environment.
Health and safety professionals with the relevant qualifications can enjoy increased employed recognition, a flexible learning environment and a gratifying validation of skills.
You’d be hard-pressed to find reasons a qualification wouldn’t make sense for your professional advancement.
Getting a qualification with AlertForce
Online courses are a great tool for professionals, yet you shouldn’t just pick any provider. In order to reap the full value of online qualifications you need more than just a static course. AlertForce prides itself on providing all its students with a mentor to help see them through the duration of their learning experience.
With a 97 per cent completion rate, we help ensure our clients not only finish their course but get the most they can from the materials. To get started on your qualification today, sign up for one of the many AlertForce courses today!
Top 10 Job Roles on SEEK for Qualified Health and Safety Professionals
The landscape for Health and Safety professionals continues to be promising. Future employment growth in the WHS field is predicted to be strong over the next five years, according to the Australian Government, and earnings for employees in this industry remain above average.
With demand growing and full-time work offering competitive salaries, now is a great time to invest in either advancing or jump-starting your WHS career with the relevant qualifications. Obtaining a Quality HSR Training Certification or better yet a Diploma of Quality Auditing can help improve your prospects for a promotion or even a starting job.
According to Paul McDonald, senior executive director at recruiting firm Robert Half, organisations across industries appreciate the formal recognition of skill that comes with certifications or qualifications.
“Keeping your skills up to date is vital to career advancement, and acquiring a general or industry-specific certification is one way to do so,” explained Mr McDonald. “Employers often support ongoing development because they benefit from well-educated, highly skilled professionals who are current with trends and able to apply what they’ve learned to business needs.”
What jobs are available to qualified WHS professionals?
Many people look to SEEK, the world’s largest online employment marketplace, when pursuing new job opportunities. As such, we decided to pinpoint the top 10 job roles advertised on the site for qualified WHS professionals. The entries were as follows:
- Senior Safety Advisor
- WHS Leader
- Injury Management Advisor
- OH&S Officer
- National HSE Manager
- Project Safety Officer
- HSE Advisor
- Safety Systems Officer
- Senior Manager OHS&E
- Executive Director, Health and Safety
This list gives a taste of the spectrum of jobs available to WHS professionals with the relevant credentials. Working in this field allows for mobility across industries as many WHS workers are employed in fields spanning from manufacturing to government services.
While the salaries on SEEK are not always displayed, the range for the above jobs spans from $50,000 to nearly $300,000 annually – showing the true potential for earnings in the field. Whether you are starting off at the beginning of this scale or the middle, qualifications provide professionals with the skills necessary to climb to the top-end of these earnings.
The professional value of WHS qualifications
WHS professionals, as a whole, are generally above average when it comes to securing various educational attainments in their fields.
On average, 38.5 per cent of WHS workers have an advanced diploma, compared to 10.5 per cent across all other occupations. Yet, only 14.8 per cent have Certificate III or IV qualifications. This means there is a serious opportunity for professionals to gain a leg up in their industry by investing in the relevant qualifications.
The underlying message beneath this is that the more qualified you are, the better chances you will have of advancing your career.
For professionals hoping to break into the WHS field, training courses can provide them with the necessary requisites to land an interview and begin their career. For seasoned professionals, upskilling allows for the chance to take on bigger positions at more senior levels with higher salaries as well.
Investing in qualifications really translates to investing in yourself and your professional advancement.
To learn more about a variety of relevant certifications for your WHS professional future, check out what AlertForce has to offer today!
3 great reasons to consider furthering your career in health and safety
Some of the most important decisions you will ever make concern the career path you find most interesting. What you study in school, and the qualifications you seek once you leave can have a major bearing on your future. As scary as that may sound. it’s really anything but.
The idea that your first job out of school or university dictates the rest of your career is out-of-date and irrelevant. Now, it’s incredibly common for people to shift not just jobs, but whole careers multiple times throughout their working lives. It’s a trend that’s mostly applicable to the millennial generation – those born between 1980 and 2000. So, if you’re part of this generation and feel like you need to try something new, why not move into the health and safety industry with a diploma in WHS?
Why is it now acceptable to change careers?
If you’re feeling guilty for wanting to investigate the opportunities in a new industry after just a few years in your current role – don’t, you aren’t the only one. According to a study from Deloitte, around two-thirds of millennials have expressed a desire to leave their current role by the year 2020.
Don’t feel guilty about wanting to change careers – you aren’t alone.
This doesn’t mean that two-thirds of this generation hate their jobs, however, but there is a greater focus on ongoing learning and personal development. If a certain job, organisation or industry doesn’t provide opportunities for people to grow professionally, they’re likely to start looking elsewhere. The same survey also found that this was the second-most cited reason for people exploring new avenues. A slim majority (51 per cent of people) looked for a role that aligns with their desire to grow personally and professionally.
Measuring the demand for health and safety employees
Put simply, health and safety professionals are a necessity for most organisations out there. Whether it’s one that operates in the mines or a manufacturing business set up in a massive warehouse, they need people who complete WHS courses to guide other employees.
Essentially, these qualifications give you the opportunity to make a real difference within an organisation, from running training sessions to auditing existing processes. Due to how influential these roles are to the running of a business, Hays reported there is significant demand for capable professionals to fill vacancies.
According to the organisation, while the industry as a whole is experiencing a need for these professionals, there are a couple of positions in particular that are in even higher demand. They are:
- Health and safety consultants – With some states and territories experiencing legislative changes, organisations are looking for consultants to ensure they react appropriately.
- Lead auditors – For health and safety campaigns to work in a business, they need to be built on plans and processes that support worker safety. Auditors have an important role in ensuring these are up to standard.
These are just two examples of currently in-demand WHS jobs that rely on people with the right qualifications. If you’re committed to changing careers, choosing one with certified demand for new people is an important consideration.
Join a world-renowned safety culture
The way a country governs its health and safety laws and regulations is important. However, it’s likely that you’ve never thought about the way another country views Australia’s commitment to keeping workers safe. While we may take the system for granted, other countries appear to hold it in pretty high esteem. Take our neighbours across the ditch, for example.
New Zealand recently went through a major restructuring of its health and safety guidelines, with its Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment reporting that the new model was directly based on ours.
So, if you want a career change that offers in-demand jobs in an industry that is recognised internationally for positive reasons, get in touch with AlertForce today to ensure you get a qualification that will put you on the right track.
How to ask for pay rise after getting a Work Health and Safety qualification
No one likes talking about wages or salary with their boss. After all, as you work with a company throughout the years, there’s no doubt you become more valuable to an organisation. Convincing your boss of this fact, however, is another matter entirely.
What if we had a solution for you? Instead of relying just on tenure and examples of your hard work, what if you could formalise your experience and value in qualification? With health and safety training leading to a Certificate IV in WHS, for example, there’s a way to grow you skill set and legitimise your case for a pay rise.
Essentially, a qualification gives weight to your cause. However, this still doesn’t mean the conversation is an easy one. If you’re a bit nervous about broaching the subject, don’t be, here’s what you need to know.
1. Back your argument up with facts
Whether you’re a great salesperson or not, there are a number of ways to add credence to the point you’re trying to make. When asking for a pay rise from your boss, simply winging it and hoping for the best is not the answer.
Can your prove that you’re worth a pay rise?
While it’s likely your boss knows you’re a great employee and offer a positive contribution to the workplace, they’ll often need further proof that you’re worth further investment from them. It’s not necessarily that they don’t want to pay you more, but more that you need to provide tangible proof where necessary.
Instead of simply reminding your boss of times you displayed certain skills or competencies, a diploma in WHS or similar qualification shows that not only have you completed these tasks in the past, but that you have the knowledge to keep performing them and other responsibilities in the future. It’s also important proof that you’re committed to the role.
2. Understand the demand for WHS professionals
Competent WHS professionals are integral to the success of organisations across a number of industries. As such, qualified candidates are constantly in demand across the country. As Hays Australia reported, this is especially true for lead auditors. As an auditor, you’d be responsible for managing everything from operational practices to the legislation that concerns your business most.
By being aware of the high demand for quality auditors, you can make a much stronger case that supports your role in the business. Simply put, you need to know that not only are you valuable to your current place of work, but also that it wouldn’t be hard for you to find a similar role either with a competing company or in a whole new industry.
This doesn’t mean, however, that you should walk in and threaten to leave if you don’t get your way, as this will only create tension. Talking about money with your employer can be hard enough without adding extra conflict. Instead, simply keep it in the back of your mind so you know how much you’re worth to your boss.
3. Be loyal and work hard
It sounds self explanatory, but it’s often something that many people forget when they’re talking to their boss about the future. Your eligibility for an increase in pay depends as much on what you’ve done in the past as it does on your new qualification.
Think of a diploma in WHS or other related qualification as the icing on a cake made from hard work and loyalty. You need to have a strong foundation to build your argument on, and then seal the deal with details of your health and safety training qualification.
To find out more about why these qualifications are so valuable to people and employers, get in touch with our team today.
NSW building boom will demand more health and safety professionals
For a bustling city of millions like Sydney, infrastructure expansion and development is key to make it inhabitable. As the city and the rest of the state continues to grow, more roads, hospitals and buildings will be necessary to avoid overcrowding and uncomfortable conditions for commuters and workers.
As developers and contractors rush to profit on the city’s potential, it’s not just work on the frontline that will be in demand. For the plethora of planned expansions and projects to go ahead smoothly and profitably, it will depend on the actions and planning of health and safety professionals. If you’re looking to get the jump on an industry that’s about to see a rapid increase in demand, it’s worth having a look at what a certificate or diploma in WHS can offer you.
The sky’s the limit in central Sydney
Sydney’s CBD is NSW’s economic hub, so it’s a centre of ongoing expansion and job creation that will see more and more people make their way into the city for both work and leisure activities. With the Australian Bureau of Statistics predicting that Sydney will be the first Australian city to hit a population of 5 million, these projects are now even more important.
Sydney will be the first Australian city to hit a population of 5 million.
However, CBDs aren’t just for business, they’re often an important cultural hub too. This is why the Central City Planning Strategy has conditions in place to ensure that any new high rises don’t overshadow public spaces like Prince Alfred Park, Harmony Park and the proposed public square by the Town Hall.
The plan’s focus on building up rather than out is where the demand for health and safety professionals will really be evident. Not only are these buildings set to reach new heights, the construction sites will be located on one of the country’s busiest cities, so having the right skills for the job will be essential.
Currently, the height limit for buildings in the CBD is 235 metres, an enforcement that could need to evolve as developers look to build up rather than out. It’s suggested that the new limit may be 310 metres – one metre higher than the Sydney Tower. However, any developer wanting to build above a height of 55 metres will need to dedicate half of the space to “office, retail, cultural or other uses”, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
It’s not all about the central city
The focus on major tower developments and high-profile projects in Sydney’s CBD will create significant competition in the region. While people who have WHS qualifications will be in demand either way, it’s always reassuring to know there are multiple opportunities on the horizon.
Currently, Western Sydney is the focus of a major plan to upgrade and improve roads in the areas. It’s a long-term investment too, expected to cost $3.6 billion and be completed over the course of 10 years. Naturally, as the project expands across the region’s roads, capable WHS staff will be essential to keep both workers and the surrounding traffic same.
The intended road and highway upgrades will link to yet another major project as well. For the planned airport set to be built at Badgerys Creek to be at its most effective, it will need to be supported by a capable road network that makes it easy for people and freight to get to and from their destination.
As with the central city projects described above, the billions of dollars worth of projects being rolled out over the next few years will create a sustained need for WHS professionals. Without the right people with the right qualifications, these jobs can’t go ahead.
To find out what you need to make a difference, contact the team at Alertforce today.
Smart & Skilled: How to get subsidised training in NSW to enhance your career
We all have certain goals and aspirations for our careers, but sometimes it’s not always easy for us to find a course or career that suits our needs. One of the most common barriers for people looking to further their education is money. Tertiary qualifications aren’t cheap, and for some people other course or alternative training options are out of their reach.
Thankfully, there is a solution. If you live in NSW and have been putting your health and safety training ambitions on hold, there may be a better way. The state’s Smart and Skilled program offers training subsidies for people around the state based on specific criteria. What does this mean for you? Your training could be fee free!
There are just a few things to keep in mind, including:
- Eligibility – You need to find out if you’re able to make the most of the program, which will depend on traits such as your age and whether or not you’re still at school.
- Course availability – Is the course you’re interested in actually available? Furthermore, will it lead to the career you’ve set your sights on?
- Training provider – Which organisation will actually meet your needs and give you the best start possible?
What makes someone eligible for the Smart and Skilled training program?
Unlike some other programs or courses you may be looking at the eligibility guidelines for, Smart and Skilled training are actually pretty simple. The state government’s website for the initiative even offers a tool you can fill out to get a quick and easy answer. However, before you do that, it’s also worth running through some of the basic requirements so you have an idea of what to expect.
First and foremost, you need to be at least 15 years old and must have left school. If you’re not sure about starting an apprenticeship yet, then a diploma in WHS can be a great way to begin preparing for the workforce.
There’s also a range of conditions concerning your living arrangements. If you live and work in the state, that’s the first step, but you also need to be either an Australian citizen or permanent resident, the holder of a humanitarian visa or even a New Zealand citizen. Since the program isn’t too restrictive on who can and can’t apply, it’s a fairly open and straightforward way to get access to cheap yet also high-quality education.
Better yet, being an apprentice or trainee won’t stop you from applying. If the qualification you have your eye on supports the focus of your apprenticeship, you may be able to secure funding for a supporting course, such as a Certificate IV in Work Health & Safety.
What courses are actually available?
The Smart and Skilled program offers people a range of qualifications to choose from, including courses in work health and safety. The initiative pairs you with a training provider too, ensuring everything is taken care of. Most importantly however, the initiative only offers courses that are integral to the state’s economy and expected to offer tangible job opportunities.
A Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety will get your foot in the door.
These offerings include the Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety, a course that’s perfect whether you’re new to the industry or looking to formalise the experience you’ve gathered so far. If you’re aiming for a career as a WHS professional, this is the course that will get your foot in the door, and it’s essential to take it on through an experienced provider.
To find out more about how AlertForce can set you up for a career in the health and safety industry, get in touch with the team today.
Mesothelioma in Australia
The use of asbestos products in Australia came to a halt more than a decade ago, but the threat of asbestos exposure — and asbestos-related disease — continues to thrive.
The danger remains real. It’s not going away anytime soon.
An estimated 700 Australians still are dying annually from malignant mesothelioma, the rare and aggressive cancer caused by exposure to toxic asbestos fibers. Twice as many will die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer.
The National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Management and Awareness was a step in the right direction. Its goal is the elimination of all asbestos-related disease, but it will require increased vigilance and many, many more years before that goal is reached.
Australia once had the highest reported per capita rate of mesothelioma in the world. Although it no longer has that distinction, it takes decades to significantly change course with asbestos.
Asbestos was once used in Australia so extensively that it became ubiquitous. The abuse and misuse of the naturally occurring mineral left more than one generation at risk of exposure.
It was once coveted for its versatility, affordability and heat resistant capabilities with almost anything. It was used so extensively with no regard for its long-term toxicity, or the damage it could do.
It still lingers today most everywhere, becoming more dangerous as it ages and becomes more brittle. Experts estimate a third of the homes and commercial structures in Australia — most of those built before 1980 — still contain asbestos products.
Any remodeling, renovation or demolition of those structures sends the asbestos fibers airborne, where they can unknowingly be inhaled or ingested.
Asbestos is in the plumbing and electrical circuits, the walls, floors and ceilings. Although those involved in new construction are not at risk anymore, those same tradesmen working on older structures are very much at risk. Anything that is cut, drilled or punctured releases the microscopic fibers.
The long latency periods (20-50 years) between exposure and diagnosis also means those who worked in various industries many years ago still could be threatened today.
Experts are expecting as many as 25,000 more Australians to die from mesothelioma in the next 40 years, despite the cleanup efforts being made today.
The professions most at risk include:
- Shipbuilders and ship renovators
- Military, especially U.S. Navy
- Construction workers of different trades
- Factory workers
- Insulation workers and technicians
- Railroad workers
Asbestos is no longer mined here. It is no longer imported. Consumption peaked in the 1970’s, although it use remained strong in the manufacturing industry for another decade. Most states and territories banned it in the 1980s, but the national ban of the product did not begin until 2003.
The cleanup has been an arduous process. Asbestos remains a part of the Australian legacy. Many asbestos-containing products, including gaskets and friction materials, millboard, cord, yard and cement articles were imported until the early 2000s. They remain in place today.
Unfortunately, the prognosis for most being diagnosed with mesothelioma is not good. It typically comes with a 6-12 month life expectancy. Although mesothelioma takes decades to develop within a person, it metastasizes quickly once it has taken hold in the lining around the lungs or abdomen.
If diagnosed early, though, the prognosis is considerably better because of advancements in therapy. A multidisciplinary approach that includes surgery, radiation and chemotherapy has allowed survivors to live two, three, four or more years.
There are now immunotherapy and gene therapy drugs being tested in clinical trials. They have shown tremendous progress, encouraging doctors to believe that mesothelioma will one day be treated as a chronic disease that someone can live with, instead of a death sentence.
The key to treatment is finding a specialty center with experience in treating it. Because mesothelioma is a rare cancer, many oncologists rarely see it, and don’t know the best ways of treating it.
The Bernie Banton Centre at Concord Hospital (Sydney, New South Wales), the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (Western Australia) and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Melbourne, Victoria) are three of the top specialty facilities.
More information about clinical trials can be found at research facilities like the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, the Australasian Lung Cancer Trials Group and the National Center for Asbestos Related Disease (NCARD).
The National Strategic Plan wants to eliminate all risks of asbestos disease in Australia by 2030. The plan includes improvement in research, identification, removal, awareness and international leadership as it pushes for a worldwide ban of asbestos.
Until then, staying safe from asbestos disease is the goal. Vigilance is the key.
Tim Povtak is a content writer for The Mesothelioma Center and MesotheliomaPrognosis.com, an informational source for mesothelioma patients and families.
SWATting up on traffic safety
In 2004 WorkSafe Victoria instigated a Safety for Workers and Traffic Campaign (SWAT) designed to increase the level of safety for roadside workers. Recently WorkSafe Victoria informed a seminar of OHS professionals that this traffic management program will be relaunched in the next year’s business plan and in conjunction with VicRoads. As such it is worth re-examining the original plan
In response to a spate of roadside worker deaths, in October 2004, the then Minister for WorkSafe, Rob Hulls (pictured right, at the launch), announced
“A state-wide blitz to improve the safety of roadside workers and reduce the number of roadside deaths”.
Hulls stated in a media release
“Victorian road users have been too casual for too long in their attitude to the safety of road workers and too often, the results have been deadly. Since the beginning of last year [2003], eight people have died in work-related roadside deaths and WorkSafe reports at least two serious injuries a month. Last year was the worst for work-related roadside deaths in half a decade with five people tragically killed and this year three people have already tragically died.”
Inspectors were going to emphasise the following issues:
- Traffic control measures including safety barriers and ensuring safe distances between vehicles and workers;
- Appropriate training for roadside workers and supervisors;
- Advance warning of roadside works;
- Sufficient hazard warnings and signage at roadside worksites;
- High visibility clothing and safety gear.
These measures seem standard in 2016 but were inconsistently applied in 2004. Traffic Management Plans were often rudimentary and not applied to all roadside worksites. Truck-mounted attenuators were not around and the technology associated with Variable Message Signs (VMS) was rudimentary.
According to WorkSafe Victoria’s Annual Report for 2005 700 roadside worksites were visited by inspectors as part of the six-month blitz.
VicRoads’ Road Design Note 06-04 of November 2015 illustrates the large range of road safety and worker safety measures that are now in place on Australian roads, including truck-mounted attenuators, jersey barriers and gawk screens. Few of these measures were in place in 2004.
The original SWAT program was to have a team of 40 Inspectors dedicated to the program with additional training on the issues for the whole of the WorkSafe inspectorate. The inspection strategy of WorkSafe has changed over that time and removed Inspector specialists. However, over the last twelve months WorkSafe Victoria has reinstated its specialist building and construction industry inspectorate under which the original SWAT program operated.
Over the last decade road authorities have also matured and accepted that construction and infrastructure projects must be integrated into the management of traffic flows rather than an activity that is done by others and that must not impact on traffic. In July 2015, VicRoads issued A Guide to Working Within the Road Reserve. Essentially this guide is about the need to talk about what works are to be undertaken and to talk with the right people, to gain the right approvals. – essential WHS requirements.
The application of the Safety for Workers and Traffic Campaign (SWAT) to the modern roadside worksite is likely to be more complex as the duties and roles of the traffic controller has become a highly technical role due to the broadened safety duties of looking after the safety of themselves, their fellow workers, motorists and other road users as well as minimising traffic movement impacts. Traffic controllers are also beholden to two regulators WorkSafe and VicRoads.
However, road construction companies and utilities companies who often need to work in an emergency have also matured in their approach to traffic management. Larger projects have additional safety inspection resources with specialists in traffic management. Traffic management plans are very responsive to the dynamic construction sites and are scrutinised by more stakeholders now than previously.
Traffic management is no longer simply a man with a stick; it is becoming a profession in its own right. Government regulators have increased their safety expectations substantially over the last decade and companies that need to work on roads and in road reserves have broader safety obligations. There is a limit to the effectiveness of engineering control measures, as outlined in the VicRoads Guide mentioned above. Engineering needs to be supported by training traffic management personnel who can implement the control measures but also “fill the gaps” that fixed controls cannot cover.
It is from this understanding that road management authorities issue various Standards, guides and handbooks, but it is also why companies like AlertForce provide training courses that are responsive to the changing legislative and regulatory expectations and changing technologies.
It is important to have safe worksites all the time but even more so when WorkSafe Victoria and VicRoads reintroduces the SWAT inspection campaign in the next year or so.
For more details on AlertForce’s nationally recognised Traffic Management courses, go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/nationally-recognised-traffic-control-training-nsw/
Is Asbestos Training any good?
Recently the Asbestos Safety & Eradication Agency (ASEA) completed a report based on an “Analysis of existing training materials used by organisations in the utilities sector”. The report followed an investigation of asbestos training materials undertaken by the former OHS manager of the Australian Workers’ Union, Dr Yossi Berger. Berger applied a specific list of criteria to the training materials which in many ways can be applied to all WHS training:
- Accurate, effective and practical information, successfully communicated, complete and uncompromising
- Teaching must go beyond the presentation of facts
- Awareness that does not normalise risk
- Development of emotional wisdom and protective unease
- Fostering of an ability to query and withstand workplace pressures …
- Historical examples of downplaying the serious health effects of exposure to asbestos
- Precautionary principle
- Emphases, demonstrations and explanations of safer work practices
- Identification and use of correct tools and procedures
- Knowledge of licencing and identification and communication of potential issues
The ASEA report found that asbestos training providers were quiet on the precautionary principle. Asbestos is one of those materials that was used or installed in Australia decades ago so the handling of the material in construction is no longer a concern. However, it occurs commonly in demolition – a process that already presents a high risk but is even a higher risk as it is a process that many want done quickly so it doesn’t impede whatever is being built on. The focus in what is going to happen rather than what is happening at the moment.
In terms of regular safety training the precautionary principle should receive move attention or is seen as more relevant because it prepares the student for avoiding hazards through job design, work task planning and resource management.
The report found that the criterion concerning fostering of an ability to query and withstand workplace pressures … was “least represented and almost completely absent across all reviewed materials”.
The report offered no reason for this absence yet the ability to question work practices and pressures is an essential element of the WHS obligation to consult and is often described as a workplace right to refuse work when one considers the task unsafe to perform.
This absence is also strange given that the training materials are from an asbestos course and that awareness of the health risks of asbestos is generally high in the community. Perhaps trainers relied on this high level of awareness to skip or downplay this unit.
A similar approach by the WHS trainers assessed may have applied to the poor representation of “historical examples of downplaying the serious health effects of exposure to asbestos”. Given that Australia remains in the middle of projected span of asbestos-related disease fatalities it is important that the historical context of asbestos use be covered in asbestos training.
The assumption that “everyone knows the risks of asbestos” is false given that Australia has a healthy rate of immigration with many coming from countries where WHS awareness is low. Only a generation ago in Australia, asbestos was still being promoted as a suitable building material. This is still the case in many countries and Australian asbestos training should be reiterating the seriousness and consequences of the mishandling of asbestos and asbestos-contaminated materials.
Part of the ASEA project was the development of a model unit of competency to “recognise and respond to asbestos risk in the utilities sector. The unit of competency includes these four elements
- “Recognise asbestos hazards.
- Implement basic asbestos hazard controls.
- Contribute to an empowering safety culture.
- Comply with regulations and workplace procedures.”
The ASEA report found
- “Elements 1, 2, 4 were addressed, to varying degrees, across most of the supplied training material.
- Element 3 was rarely, if ever, addressed in the supplied material.”
The need to establish and maintain a “safety culture” has become a mantra for the WHS profession as it is accepted that a safety culture plays a crucial role in establishing a workplace where safety is advocated and that project and site managers display a commitment to WHS through appropriate leadership actions.
Trainers may have struggled with this element as even the WHS profession continues to argue about the existence of a “safety culture”. However, the element is really a new way of discussing consultation, hazard assessment, safety management, investigation, preparation, resourcing and skill levels. Perhaps the training element was rarely addressed because asbestos handling is often seen as a blue-collar activity where safety culture concerns more white-collar and supervisory activities. Regardless, if the element exists in the unit of competency, it should be taught and to the best possible level.
The ASERA/Asbestos Awareness report concludes by acknowledging “…there is some great material being used” but also states that there are “some significant holes” in the training materials. Holes in any WHS training material is of great concern but when training is on an issue like asbestos, such concerns should be very high. As the Government continues to review asbestos training, it is time for employers and employees to not simply choose a training provider on trust but to inquire further about the trainer’s competency and whether the training materials being used are the best they can be. Safety training should never be a waste of money and should always decrease workplace risks.
For more details on AlertForce’s nationally recognised Asbestos Removal courses, go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/asbestos-awareness/
Increased OHS penalties, mental health and suicide prevention
On March 9 2016, Victoria’s Industrial Relations Minister, Robin Scott, introduced a Bill to Parliament that increased an OHS penalty to $3,000,000 but also clarified the roles of WHS assessors and those conducting WHS training.
According to the Bill’s Explanatory Memorandum, the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 allows for rules to be made concerning licensing, registration, qualifications, permits or certificates of competency, the authorisation of persons as trainers and the examination of applicants for licences, permits or certificates of competency. The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007, prescribes requirements for the types of licences relevant to high risk work.
The Bill amends the legislation so that under the Occupational Health and Safety Act people can be authorised as both trainers and assessors.
The achievement of competency is a crucial element of any safety management system and any training that provides skills competencies should be of a high integrity. Specifying who is the skills trainer, the instructor, and who is the assessor or examiner is an important part of ensure that integrity.
The Minister’s Bill is a technical amendment to existing safety laws that tidies up the situation but also indicates that Government is not ignorant of workplace skills training needs and processes.
Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing
Lately there has been an upsurge in attention to workplace mental health and the significance of a mentally healthy workplace in business productivity but also work health and safety. This movement, largely from the public health advocates, is changing the way that WHS is being considered in many workplaces and this is flowing into WHS training.
Training courses provide the necessary skills and competencies to do a job safely and properly. But those skills need to be applied within different workplaces, with different safety strategies and different corporate priorities. Work does not occur in a vacuum and skills need to be adjusted, or the application of those skills need to be adjusted to fit those safety strategies. And those strategies are going to be couched in terms of wellness, wellbeing and mental health.
Some companies are going to be assessing workers on their fitness and capacity to work. If you are grossly overweight but still able to perform the job satisfactorily and apply the right set of skills, this may not be enough anymore. Companies may expect you to lose weight or undergo medical and fitness assessments, even though weight and fitness may not be essential elements for you to do your job without creating harm.
The Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012–2022 developed by Safe Work Australia states one of the national visions is:
“promoting worker health, wellbeing and capacity to work,” (page 5)
It goes on to say that:
“Workers’ general health and wellbeing are strongly influenced by their health and safety at work. Well-designed work can improve worker health.” (page 10)
WHS professionals would interpret this statement as retuning to the basic ways work is undertaken and includes the reason for doing the job a certain way as well as the working conditions in which the task is performed an d whether the workplace fosters mental health rather than ill-health. Few employers are willing to investigate the way work is done to this extent as it could disrupt the production process and seriously threaten the business case for the business, particularly if that business has operated for some time.
Companies are applying a big picture approach to work health and safety which includes wellness and workplace mental health but the focus remains almost entirely on the physical and mental capacities of the worker instead of the conditions in which they work. Both the individual and the organisational factors need to be assessed to work safely
Suicide Prevention
Although some wellbeing advocates talk about gyms and yoghurt, there are mental stresses in the construction and mining sectors that are real and can be addressed. According to Mates in Construction:
“Construction workers are twice as likely as others in the community to take their own lives”
“For a construction worker, you’re six times more likely to suicide than to die as a consequence of a workplace incident. If you’re under 24 that gets elevated to 10 times.”
Suicide is a real risk in the construction sector due to many factors such as the fluctuating work opportunities, the uneven work hours and isolation from home and family.
There are an increasing number of organisations who can provide assistance to those who are having suicidal thoughts – Mates in Construction is one, Lifeline is another. Many companies have access to employee assistance programs that are available to employees and contractors.
For more details on AlertForce’s nationally recognised WHS training, go to https://alertforce.com.au/
WHS Training is More than Just Training
Training in work health and safety (WHS) is very important as should be, any training. But students are not often advised how to make the best of their WH&S training.
Individuals undertake training because they have a need to improve their skills, to gain new ones or to polish the existing skills and qualifications. This may have resulted from a training needs analysis conducted by the employer; it could have resulted from a WHS audit that identified workers undertaking tasks for which they were not, or insufficiently, qualified. It may also be because an employer is diligent in the administration their training register and accept that using competent and suitably qualified personnel is a crucial element of achieving and maintaining compliance with WHS laws.
Regardless of the motivation, the individual attends classes to learn.
Most students will leave their training course with a sense of satisfaction in passing the exams, be they theoretical or practical. Passing a training course is an endorsement that you have the skills to do a job safely. But having the skills is not the same as applying them.
When returning to work it is important that supervisors know how things have improved. They need to be reassured that the student has the skills AND the knowledge to use them properly. This will vary, dependent on the type of training undertaken but it is useful to discuss these skills with your supervisor who is likely to have had the same skills for much longer. This experience is an important element in reinforcing or tempering the enthusiasm one may feel.
Students want to please their employers and their supervisors and show that the training investment was not wasted. But the enthusiasm can sometimes be applied in the wrong context. For instance, in relation to working at heights training that may involve an Elevated Work Platform (EWP), a newly qualified student will want to get into the EWP to show their new skills but also to familiarise themselves with the type of EWP used on site.
But skills should never be applied without being aware of the work environment in which the article of plant is to be used. There are important safety protocols that still need to be applied regardless of the skills the worker has. EWPs often require spotters who supervise the horizontal movement of the plant, but in light of some recent fatalities, just as importantly, look at the vertical movement of the EWP, watching out for canopies, electrical wires, ceilings and other obstacles at height.
Similarly, working at heights training would qualify someone to work at height but the company, and maybe the client, will still have significant safety protocols that need to be followed. Any supervisors of heights work would continue to be uncertain of the training the student has received until the employed has showed both that they have the appropriate skills and they know how to use those skills appropriately. Any supervisor that did not have this perspective would be likely to be breaching their WHS duty of care.
As well making sure that supervisors know that the training has been successful, there is an administrative process that should be undertaken. Employees need to make sure that the qualifications are entered on the company’s training register. This is a list of employees, the training qualifications held and the expiry date of that training certification. Not only because, hopefully, the employer has paid for the training, the employer needs to be able to show that they are using only competent people to do specific work tasks, such as working at height, or operating an EWP.
Individuals, particularly in construction it seems, often maintain their own “register” of tickets. Whether this is a small folder containing all the relevant training, induction and identification cards or a tobacco tin or a small Tupperware container, does not matter. The importance is that the certifications are readily available where one is working – not in the ute, or back in the lunch shed but in one’s tool box or shirt pocket. These certifications can be called for by many people who visit the site and who need to be assured that contractors are operating to the commitments they made that won them the contract.
Students are justifiably proud of the qualifications they have achieved but these qualifications also have a legislative compliance role for employers.
For more details on AlertForce’s nationally recognised WHS training, go to https://alertforce.com.au/
Asbestos in Australia
Until around the mid-1980s, Australia had one of the highest rates of asbestos-related illnesses (per capita) in the world. Although the mineral was once touted for its affordability, ease of use, and resistance to heat fire, millions of people worldwide have developed toxic, life-threatening illnesses after coming into contact with asbestos.
Asbestos in Australia
Numerous asbestos mines sit in Australia, which made it easy for businesses to extract it and sell it to a myriad of businesses. Mining reached its heights in Australia from the 1930s throughout the 1960s, especially in the town of Wittenoom. As more studies developed about the dangers of asbestos, Australia began regulating laws on banning the mineral in the 1960s, starting with blue asbestos. In the mid-1980s, brown asbestos was banned, followed by white asbestos in the 2000s.
Prior to its ban, asbestos and asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were used to build most homes in Australia. Over a third of the homes in Australia to this day contain asbestos. The toxic mineral was also used on a number of job sites, including textile mills, repair facilities, manufacturing plants, power plants, and more.
Although it’s been years since asbestos was used prominently, people are still dying from its toxic effects. The Australian Mesothelioma Registry reports that there were 614 asbestos-related deaths in 2014 alone. This number is expected to grow and reach its peak around 2021. According to Professor Peto of the University of Melbourne, both Australia and the UK have the highest incidences of asbestos-related deaths in the world. In fact, Peto predicts that asbestos deaths will reach to around 25,000 within the next 40 years. He stated that,
“The hazards in manufacturing, lagging and shipbuilding were recognised, but the much larger workforce in construction went on being heavily exposed with no effective regulation at all. Australian builders, particularly carpenters, often had to cut asbestos cement board with power tools, which caused very high dust levels.”
The following occupations have the highest risk of developing asbestos-related diseases:
- Railroad workers
- Military
- Factory and plant workers
- Construction workers
- Plumbers
- Shipbuilders
- Insulation installers and technicians
How Does Asbestos Cause Toxic Illnesses?
Asbestos fibres are thin, odourless, and undetectable to the human eye. When these tiny fibres become airborne, they are easily inhaled and/or ingested as they permeate through the air.
Once asbestos fibres are ingested or inhaled, it’s impossible for the body to dispel of them all. Over time, the fibres attach to the surrounding areas of major organs and start irritate organ linings. Eventually, these irritations turn into life-threatening illnesses such as asbestosis, asbestos-related lung cancer, or malignant mesothelioma.
What Can Be Done About Asbestos Exposure?
With the high amount of mesothelioma cases popping up due to negligent exposure to asbestos, many victims of the lethal mineral have opted to file lawsuits against asbestos manufacturers and other companies responsible for providing ACMs to job sites. As more and more people become aware of just how dangerous asbestos is, these lawsuits are projected to grow significantly.
In the meantime, workers, as well as people who live in older homes, should always practice caution and safety. If your work around asbestos, make sure to always:
- Wear protective gear, such as a HEPA-filtered face mask and protective coveralls
- Enroll in asbestos awareness training courses (employers are required to provide training to employees who work around asbestos)
- Do not bring home any tools or clothing that came into contact with asbestos
If you live in an older home,
- Do not allow your children to play around old furnaces or in attics
- Do not attempt to repair old appliances yourself until your home has been inspected for asbestos
- Never start a renovation project without having your home checked for asbestos first
If you think you may have come into contact with asbestos, it’s extremely important to get routine medical checkups. Detecting asbestos-related diseases as early as possible offers the best chances of successful treatment.
Special thanks to Tara Connor for writing this article. For more information please visit MesotheliomaLawyerCenter.org
For more information on Asbestos Removal Training Courses please visit: https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/asbestos-awareness/
Everyone’s looking at traffic management
It is common to start an article about traffic management training with a summary of the latest traffic controller death. But AlertForce has been reporting on these deaths for some time and the fact that controlling traffic is a high risk occupation is without doubt.
Expectations of some construction and infrastructure projects are expanding some of the tasks of the traffic controller that can change the types of risks faced and the context of the work. Also as the Work Health and Safety laws settle in, in most Australian States, traffic management is receiving increased attention from project clients; many of these clients are State governments.
Site Access
The classic traffic controller is the flagmen, the Stop/Slow traffic controllers. These continue to be an integral control measure in reducing potential harm to workers but construction site and infrastructure projects are also employing traffic controllers to manage site access. They are more than gatekeepers and require a strong understanding of what is occurring on the construction site, so that they can, amongst other tasks, check and verify a legitimate delivery, ensure that the worksite is not clogged with deliveries or ensure that a visitor does not drive aimlessly around site.
Sometimes the physical site access has not been designed as well as it could have been and fails to anticipated the width, length or height of the plant or materials being delivered. This is particularly the case on construction sites that can change rapidly. Temporary or poorly-planned site access can increase the risk to the traffic controller who is usually required to get close to the vehicle in order to communicate with the driver. There have been several instances of traffic controllers being driven over, usually resulting in injuries to their lower limbs.
Traffic controllers should attend prestarts so that they understand the reasons behind traffic types, traffic volumes and any recent public or site concerns that may affect their duties. Perhaps more importantly, attending a prestart allows the traffic controller to raise any issues with site access or deliveries, for instance, that may have been unsafe or dangerous. These issues can often be resolved at the prestart and reduce the risks for the rest of the day or longer.
Controlling site access is not without its own risks. Truck drivers can be as impatient as any car driver and can be irate at having to be kept waiting, in line or even turned away – such is the authority of the traffic controller.
Client Demands
Recently one major Victorian infrastructure project provided additional training about traffic management to its safety advisers. This was undertaken as part of the Client’s OHS due diligence obligations as the Client had identified a hole in the advisers’ knowledge about traffic management and traffic controllers.
In the past such knowledge may have been picked up by a safety person on the job but more likely traffic plans and management were not looked at closely. The existence of a traffic management plan, no matter how poor, was often enough to satisfy a site walk.
Skilling up safety advisers increased attention to traffic management plans and controller activities. Many controllers are not comfortable with this level of attention but the safety adviser’s role is expanding beyond the limits of a construction site or project and they are entitled, under the WHS
laws they are encouraged, to inspect all of the safety documents and work processes related with that work site. Site safety walks are more likely to include traffic management than in the past.
This additional level of scrutiny requires traffic management plans to be accurate and to be part of, or linked to, the overall site safety management plans. It requires traffic controllers to be active participants in the prestarts, toolboxes and other consultative mechanisms on any project.
The obligations of traffic controllers and managers have not changed greatly – plans have to meet strict guidelines and codes, controllers need to set out their traffic control equipment in prescribed ways. But Work Health and Safety is changing and traffic controllers are becoming less invisible to the safety planning and auditing processes as project managers and, often government, clients are improving their understanding and scrutiny of traffic management.
Traffic controllers need to maintain their training and skills to the best standard that they can but they also must see themselves as part of the construction project and be involved in the decisions that may affect them or increase their risk.
To be accredited as traffic controller, a person must complete an approved Traffic Controller Training Course. The course must be delivered through a registered training organisation (RTO) approved by the relevant State Regulator.
For more details on AlertForce’s nationally recognised traffic control NSW training, go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/nationally-recognised-traffic-control-training-nsw/
Rail Safety Around the Country
It may seem obvious to state that not all industries are the same. A lot of safety knowledge is transferable from industry to industry but some is not. As the health of industries rise and fall in Australia, workers are also taking their safety assumptions with them to new sectors, and this can increase the risk of injury and illness. This is particularly the case with the construction of rail infrastructure which is increasing, particularly, in Australia’s Eastern States.
Just as civil construction is increasing in some capital cities so is the construction of new rail and light rail infrastructure. Rail infrastructure has remained insular for decades with “train people” believing there is something special about their industry. In some ways they are right as the operation of public transport has operated under its own legislation and “Book of Rules” which has paralleled but remained separate from occupational health and safety laws. But those barriers are being eroded as the rail transport sector comes under more regulatory scrutiny through the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator and State safety bodies, and rail safety is being measured by OHS metrics. The safety journey experienced by New South Wales’ RailCorp is an obvious illustration of this change.
Rail infrastructure is in the process of a transition from a foxed view of safety to a more inclusive one but remains based on concepts and operations that are unique. There are different words for structures, tools, plant and equipment, incident notifications and other standard workplace items and activities. For instance, a set of personal protective clothing prescribed in one State will not be allowed in another State. Some rail operators require hardhats to be worn, others do not. This inconsistency creates problems for those workers entering this sector for the first time and from other industry sectors, such as mining and manufacturing.
Many of the construction activities will feel familiar because building a railway station remains construction but the fact that trains may be continually running through the worksite introduces a substantial new hazard. And because the end user is often partly owned by the government, the project is under a lot more scrutiny than the standard construction project. There are more stakeholders and many of them want to be more engaged with the construction project than they have in the past.
This is a set of circumstances that the usual construction training has not addressed. Construction Induction training is very generic and, for working in the rail environment, is usually supplemented by awareness training. This training provides a basic understanding of the rail corridor and its contents. It discusses the rail structures, overhead power systems, rail signals and, perhaps most importantly, a system of safety protection unique to the railway called Rail Safety. All of this introduces the non-rail worker into the rail safety world. It is intended to help workers transition from a generic construction work environment into a very different one – an environment where familiar construction activities are undertaken but with different terminologies, different levels of supervision, and different accountabilities.
Drugs and Alcohol
One of the most obvious differences of working in rail construction is that the obligation to be free of alcohol and drugs while at work is reinforced by random drug and alcohol testing. There have been moves to introduce such a safety measure in the regular construction after years of trade union resistance. Rail construction has had this requirement for many years and a mandatory drug and alcohol test is part of the certification process to work within the rail corridor.
Construction companies take this obligation seriously and have even sent workers offsite after they were having after-work drinks from the back of the ute in the site car park.
Positive test results are often reported up-the line to safety regulators and government clients and are seen as serious safety management failures.
There is no “dummies’ guide to working in the rail construction” and there probably never will be as each State’s rail network is slightly different and tramwork is different from light-rail even within the same States. This places a great significance on safety training as the main method of increasing your OHS knowledge as it relates to rail infrastructure. As with most safety training, the quality of courses varies between providers. So to be able to be the most attractive supplier of safe workers in rail infrastructure, dealing with a reliable and reputable rails safety training provider is crucial.
Do wellness programs work?
Wellness programs are now found in many workplaces.
But do they improve wellness or work health and safety (WHS), both in the short term and with longer term sustainability?
“The jury is still out”, according to Julie Armour from Sydney-based risk management consultancy Working Armour.
Ms Armour says a recent review of the financial reports of Australia’s top publically listed companies by the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) found many companies now run workplace programs to “improve” employee mental health and wellbeing i.e. wellness programs.
Missing in these reports, however, was clear evidence the programs work, either from employee health – or a work health and safety (WHS) point of view, Ms Armour said.
According to the report, financial companies reported on enabling flexible workplaces, providing development opportunities, employee assistance programs (EAPs) and well-being initiatives – but only one in five disclosed absence rates.
Mining companies provided wellbeing programs and employee assistance programs (EAPs) but less than a third reported turnover rates, only 4% reported absence rates, and none reported on overtime worked, she said.
This was in addition to almost 20% of the top 100 publicly listed companies not publicly reporting on WHS.
“It almost seems like a stab in the dark; we are doing a whole lot of stuff which may cost a significant amount of money – but we have no idea if it works,” Ms Armour said.
“How do you know if you are making good investment choices when companies only report on the initiatives but not on the results?
“And how do you know such programs achieve any actual improvement? For all we know, we could be simply feathering the nests of a vast array of consulting companies profiting from the recent media hyped wave of interest in these areas. Equally we could be missing out on understanding which of these programs are most successful in improving indicators and saving money.”
Ms Armour said this was particular important in times of tightening WHS budgets. “If you are cutting your WHS budget at the same time as increasing your wellness budget, the question needs to be asked; why? There are clear monetary benefits to improving WHS – the benefits of wellness programs are less clear and we may be putting resources into areas which are less risk. We also may be ignoring opportunities for holistic expenditure where elements of both can be addressed at the same time.”
Ms Armour said there was a pressing need for companies embarking on wellness programs to identify objectives prior to starting – and accurately measure the results.
“Why spend significant amounts of money in an untargeted scattergun approach if you are not measuring for change?”
Ms Armour said when employers do attempt to measure their wellbeing indices they should invest in forms of objective measurements rather than the self-reported survey response alone.
They should identify the impact of wellbeing programs on other relevant workplace measures, such as utilisation of EAPs, employee satisfaction levels, staff turnover rates, absenteeism, or overtime worked.
Ms Armour said speakers at the Informa Workplace Wellness Conference in Sydney at the end of July 2015 identified a number of barriers to workers improving their general health and wellbeing.
These included long work hours and commute times, job insecurity, and the impact of physical work on their bodies. “It would seem that all the money spent on wellbeing initiatives could be a waste if there is no measurement of the impact of such programs on these barriers.”
Wellness program developers need to also not confuse popular programs with actual changes in wellness or WHS metrics, Ms Armour says.
“A Lend Lease example is reported where a financial workshop educating employees on superannuation and wills was its most ‘popular’ wellbeing initiative. Other parts of the wellness programs included cooking demonstrations, highlighting bad health habits, one-on-one health coaching, flu shots, cancer awareness, suicide intervention and mental health first aid.
A 12-month follow up survey found that 90-100% of the survey respondents had ‘benefitted’ from these wellness initiatives, but it was not clear how they benefitted or even how many of those involved in the programs responded to the survey.
They did indicate that they reduced their total recordable injury frequency rate (TRIFR) by half but the relevance to the wellbeing programs was not clear. They suggested that wellness programs contributed to a ‘happier and more productive’ business, without demonstrating exactly how this was determined or measured in an objective way that did not rely solely on self-reported feedback surveys.
“No one is suggesting such programs shouldn’t be conducted,” Ms Armour said. “But if you are going to spend money on them make sure you establish a baseline need, ensure the expenditure matches the degree of risk in the workplace and that you can measure if programs actually create any change in the workplace rather than just a number of superlative motherhood statements.
“Rather than manual handling consultations for example why not focus on ensuring the use of higher order controls at the design and planning phase of these types of tasks then follow up by measuring whether improved practices have been achieved. We know that talking about risk and being aware does not necessarily change behaviour! We know we shouldn’t speed when we drive but is that enough to slow us down?”
Dangerous, difficult and ‘sometimes appalling’: road management in spotlight
Working conditions in the traffic management industry are dangerous, difficult and “sometimes appalling”, according to the Workplace Rights Ombudsman’s Workplace Report on the Contract Traffic Control Industry Queensland.
Highlighting the high fatality rate and importance of traffic training courses, the report calls for among other things, all site supervisors and potential site supervisors are to be familiar with their safety obligations with respect to traffic control.
Separate fatality and injury statistics are not officially collected for the traffic management industry.
However, Australian Safety and Compensation Council (now Safe Work Australia) figures reveal 37 workers and seven bystanders were killed in work-related road and transport incidents notified to OHS authorities across Australia in 2007-08.
WorkSafe Victoria figures, meanwhile, reveal nine people were killed at roadside worksites in 2004 and 2005.
In such a dangerous industry, failure to follow strict work health and safety protocols for traffic management is tantamount to negligence, transport union the Australian Workers Union (Victoria) warns.
Union fact sheet
Collating the figures into a safety Fact Sheet for traffic management workers, the Australian Workers Union (Victoria) has for a number of years now been promoting a public campaign to improve work health and safety for traffic management workers, using the message ‘Slow Down @ Road Works – Speed Kills’.
The Fact Sheet notes a person hit by a car travelling at 50km/h has an 80% chance of being killed, but this drops to 20-30% if hit at 40 km/h. The risk of a crash causing casualties is doubled by every 5km/h travelled over the limit in a 60km/h zone (Transport Accident Commission).
The AWU says about 5,000 workers are employed by more than 100 traffic management companies in Victoria to control the flow of cars and other vehicles at road works or during special events. Most traffic management workers are casuals or labour hire employees for sub-contractors.
Despite the dangerous nature of the work, 25% of roadside worksites in Victoria were not compliant with safety standards when visited by WorkSafe Iinspectors during the Safety for Workers and Traffic (SWAT) Campaign in 2004-06, the Fact Sheet notes.
SWA draft code
Workplace injuries and fatalities are frequently linked with vehicles moving in and around workplaces, reversing, loading and unloading, Safe Work Australia’s warns.
Workers on foot are particularly at risk from moving vehicles. SWA says the safest way to protect pedestrians is to eliminate the hazard, which means removing the use of all vehicles including powered mobile plant or removing all pedestrians from traffic areas. This could be achieved by designing the layout of the workplace to eliminate the interaction of pedestrians and vehicles.
Where this is not reasonably practicable, the risks must be minimised so far as is reasonably practicable. This can be achieved by careful planning and by controlling vehicle operations and pedestrian movements at the workplace. This includes loading/unloading activities.
SWA’s draft guide for employers Traffic Management: Construction Work says the key issues to consider for managing traffic at a construction workplace include:
- keeping pedestrians and vehicles apart, including on site and when vehicles enter and exit the workplace
- minimising vehicle movements
- the risks of vehicles reversing
- visibility of vehicles and pedestrians
- traffic signs
- developing a traffic management plan.
A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) has a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that workers and other persons at the workplace are not exposed to health and safety risks arising from the business or undertaking. This duty includes implementing measures to control the risks of persons being injured due to the movement of powered mobile plant at the workplace. A PCBU also has a duty to provide any information, training and instruction that is necessary to protect persons from risks to their health and safety.
A PCBU involved in carrying out high risk construction work must ensure that a safe work method statement (SWMS) is prepared before the work commences.
High risk construction work includes construction work that is carried out in an area at a workplace in which there is any movement of powered mobile plant.
The SWMS must identify the high risk construction work, specify associated hazards, describe measures to control risks and how these will be implemented. The PCBU must put in place arrangements for ensuring that high risk construction work is carried out in accordance with its SWMS.
A principal contractor for a construction project (where the value of the construction work is $250,000 or more) also has duties that include managing health and safety risks associated with traffic in the vicinity of the workplace that may be affected by construction work carried out in connection with the construction project. This includes preparing a WHS management plan for the workplace.
The WHS management plan sets out the arrangements to manage the risks associated with more complex construction projects, and in particular this relates to the interaction and co-ordination of a number of contractors and subcontractors.
Further information on the preparation of SWMS and WHS management plans is available in the Code of Practice: Construction Work.
Information instruction and training
Under the WHS laws a PCBU must provide workers and others at the workplace with adequate information, training and instruction. A PCBU must also ensure that construction induction training is provided to workers.
All workers need to know and understand the traffic rules, site safety policies and procedures for the workplace. Instructions should be provided to visitors before their visit, if possible.
External drivers should be aware of the site’s traffic safety procedures, any restrictions on vehicle size or type and where they are to make the delivery prior to attending the workplace.
Any site-specific health and safety rules and the arrangements for ensuring that all persons at the workplace are informed of these rules must be included in the WHS management plan.
Other persons at the workplace, so far as they’re able, must comply with any reasonable instruction that is given by the PCBU. They must also take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that they do not adversely affect the health and safety of others.
Keeping pedestrians and vehicles apart
The following actions will help keep pedestrians and vehicles apart both on site and when vehicles enter or exit the workplace:
- provide separate traffic routes for pedestrians and vehicles
- secure the areas where vehicles and powered mobile plant are being used, for example pedestrian barriers or traffic control barricades
- provide separate clearly marked pedestrian walkways that take a direct route where possible
- where walkways cross roadways, provide a clearly signed and lit crossing point where drivers and pedestrians can see each other clearly
- when exiting the site, make sure drivers driving out onto public roads can see both ways along the footway before they move on to it
- do not block walkways so that pedestrians have to step onto the vehicle route
- create ‘no go’ zones for powered mobile plant (e.g. pedestrian-only areas around tearooms, amenities and entrances)
- designate specific parking areas for workers’ and visitors’ vehicles outside the construction zone’.
Minimising vehicle movements
Good planning can help to minimise vehicle movement around a workplace.
To limit the number of vehicles at a workplace:
- provide vehicle parking for workers and visitors away from the work area
- control entry to the work area
- plan storage areas so that delivery vehicles do not have to cross the site.
Where multiple items of powered mobile plant are being operated around the workplace, a person with the necessary training or qualifications should direct the plant:
- when operating in close proximity to each other
- when reversing
- where persons are on the ground
- in other situations as indicated by a risk assessment.
Vehicles reversing
The need for vehicles to reverse should be avoided where possible as reversing is a major cause of fatal accidents.
One-way systems can reduce the risk, especially in storage areas. A turning circle could be installed so that vehicles can turn without reversing.
Where it is necessary for vehicles to reverse:
- use reversing sensors, reversing cameras and mirrors and warning devices such as reversing alarms
- ensure drivers have another person to direct them before reversing if they cannot see clearly behind. The driver should maintain visual contact with the person directing them and signallers should wear high visibility clothing
- ensure workers and other people are familiar with reversing areas and reversing areas are clearly marked
- ensure operational plant movements are alerted to workers including swing radius, articulation points and overhead load movement.
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To help reduce traffic risk on construction sites, AlertForce has released a new traffic training course for employers.
The Nationally Recognised Traffic Control Training NSW course reflects the latest nationally recognised competency qualification framework for traffic control training introduced by the NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) on July 1, 2015.
Heavy-industry employers urged to ratchet up workplace health and safety training
Training both workers and senior managers, including board members, in best-practice approaches to workplace health and safety (WHS) must remain a priority if heavy industry is to further reduce workplace fatalities.
The manufacturing industry has the highest average incidence and frequency rate of serious workers’ compensation claims for the five-year period from 2004–05 to 2008–09 compared to other industries, latest Safe Work Australia figures reveal (Work Health and Safety Perceptions: Manufacturing Industry, February 2015).
In 2011-12 (provisional national workers’ compensation data), the incidence rate of serious workers’ compensation claims for manufacturing was 18.4 per 1000 workers, which was 1.6 times the rate of all industries (11.4 per 1000 workers).
Positive signs
Despite these seemingly gloomy figures, manufacturing’s performance in regard to injuries and fatalities has improved in recent times.
From a peak of 2.83 fatalities per 100,000 workers in 2008, the fatality incidence rate fell dramatically to 1.87 (2012) and 1.07 (2013) – with the 2013 figure lower than the historically “safer” sector of administrative and support services.
Whether that trend is repeated in the next set of SWA’s Work Related Traumatic Fatalities Australia figures, due out in two months, remains to be seen.
Regardless, for an industry with a long history of serous claims, training workers, line managers and senior management in best practice approaches to WHS must remain a key priority for employers if the industry is to continue to improve its performance, AlertForce believes.
Machinery incidents remain a concern
Of the four industries with the highest number of fatalities in the 10 years between 2003 and 2013 – transport, postal and warehousing (664), agriculture, forestry and fishing (629), construction (402) and manufacturing (244), manufacturing is the only one where
the proportion of fatalities due to a vehicle collision in the manufacturing industry is relatively low (23% compared with 41% nationally).
However, manufacturing has higher proportions of hit by falling object (16%), trapped by objects (which includes being trapped between stationary and moving objects and being trapped by moving machinery or equipment [19%]), and being hit by moving objects (16%) than in the other industries profiled.
These mechanisms account for between 8% and 12% of worker fatalities nationally.
Key findings
The most common self-reported exposures in the manufacturing industry were exposure to airborne hazards, noise and vibration, SWA’s Work Related Traumatic Fatalities Australia 2013 figures reveal.
Most workers with exposure to noise were provided with some type of control.
However, about one in seven workers with exposure to airborne hazards and vibration were not provided with any control measure for these hazards.
According to the majority of workers and employers in manufacturing, work health and safety activities such as using personal protective equipment, identifying health and safety risks and removing hazards are undertaken ‘most of the time’ or ‘always’.
More than 80% of manufacturing employers reported that they provide health and safety training, have a work health and safety policy, have procedures for reporting work-related injuries and ill health and procedures for controlling hazards. Generally, a higher proportion of manufacturing employers reported undertaking these activities compared to employers in other priority industries. However, small manufacturing businesses were usually less likely to undertake these activities compared to large manufacturing businesses.
Areas for improvement
A few areas for improvement for control measures for specific hazards were identified in a separate SWA’s survey, National Hazard Exposure Worker Surveillance (NHEWS).
A considerable proportion (14%) of workers who reported exposure to airborne hazards and 14% of workers who were exposed to vibration reported that no control measures were provided for these hazards.
However, despite its high rate of work-related injury and illness, the industry appears to be doing well in terms of general work health and safety activities, SWA reports. The vast majority of workers reported undertaking work health and safety activities such as using PPE provided and making work practices safe. More employers reported that their workplace undertake a specific activity compared to workers, suggesting that there is a slight mismatch between employers and workers on how consistently these work health and safety activities are undertaken.
The largest discrepancy was for discussing health and safety concerns in the workplace. Almost all (99%) employers reported this compared to 73% of workers SWA’s WHS Perceptions Survey.
Training on the up
In terms of health and safety training, the manufacturing industry is doing well, SWA reports. SWA’s 2012 WHS Perceptions Survey of Employers showed that a large majority of employers in manufacturing (87%) provided health and safety training to their workers in the last 12 months. The proportion is 71% among employers in other priority industries.
SWA’s Regulatory Burden Survey 2013 also showed the high rate of internal and external staff training among manufacturing businesses. However, both surveys indicated that small businesses were less likely to provide health and safety training compared to medium and large businesses. Increased capacity and support for small businesses to provide health and safety training and undertake other compliance activities is needed, SWA says.
Other areas that could be targeted for improvement in health and safety activities include inclusion of contractors in health and safety induction training if required and addressing bullying and fatigue.
In general, manufacturing employers and workers believed that they have the knowledge and skills to protect themselves and others at work. Both groups also had positive perceptions about management actions to improve health and safety and safety communication in the workplace. There was an expectation by employers that workers will follow safety rules in their workplace and most workers reported following organisational rules on work health and safety.
However, at least one in five workers and employers accepted risk taking if there is time pressure. More research is needed to better understand risk-taking behaviours in this industry, SWA says.
Further information can be found at: http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/swa/statistics/work-related-fatalities/pages/workrelatedtraumaticinjuryfatalities.
http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/swa/about/publications/pages/manufacturing-industry
Tougher liability laws see board and senior executives train up on WHS responsibilities
Early reluctance by boards and senior executives to acknowledge personal liability for company workplace health and safety (WHS) breaches has been replaced with acceptance and realisation they must be safety literate, a new report suggests.
The new ‘officer’s duty’ under the harmonised WHS Act is designed to make boardrooms, and those working closely with them, ensure their businesses have appropriate WHS systems that are adequately resourced and have adequate processes.
Reporting on the duty, Corrs Chamber Westgarth’s Workplace Relations Employment, Workplace and Safety Law: Mid-Year Review 2015 warns a recent decision of the Supreme Court of NSW (Perilya Limited v Nash [2015], NSWSC706, 5/6/15) opens a new door for WHS regulators to hold boards and executives accountable.
The case demonstrates that WHS regulators are seeking, and are entitled to seek, information created for board use (as long as the information does not attract legal professional privilege).
Further, the WHS regulator’s power to seek “board material” is not limited to documents that specifically refer to safety matters, as the court held that the absence of safety information in documents may prove that a WHS duty has been breached.
Corrs says board members and senior executives need to be ‘safety literate’ so they can sign off, on an informed basis, on safety initiatives and robustly interrogate their executives about safety – in much the same way that they must be financially literate in order to sign off on financial matters.
Who is an officer?
Meantime, difficulty in identifying “officers” has meant those that sit on the cusp of the officer’s definition tend to be asked by their organisations to comply with the officer’s duty, Corrs warns.
There are some concerns that the question of who is an officer will be relevant if the regulator is considering a prosecution. In order to deal with this issue, some commentators have suggested the WHS Act be amended to provide that a person, who would not otherwise be an officer under the WHS laws, does not make themselves an officer simply by complying with the officer’s duty.
“Generally, our clients suggest an acceptance of officer liability in the form set out in the WHS Act and a belief that the due diligence provisions have created an increased focus on health and safety with the potential to achieve improved outcomes in the workplace,” the Corrs report says.
“There is strong support amongst some part of the business community for the six-part ‘explanation of due diligence’ as set out in section 27(5) of the WHS Act. However, it should be noted that the Business Council of Australia wants the officer laws to be more aligned with those that apply in Victoria and in particular notes that in Victoria, officers are only liable for WHS breaches if the body corporate contravenes the legislation.”
The increased awareness of the ‘officer’s duty’ and the personal liability that flows from it has also meant boards and senior executives are casting a more critical eye over how they are affected by their partners in business.
Harmonisation has ‘significant’ prosecution impact
The Corrs report notes the harmonised WHS Act has had a “significant” prosecution impact, with defendants (particularly in NSW) now having options other than entering into a plea agreement. Under the Act, “defences are available again”, the report says.
Corrs says prosecutions stalled in most model jurisdictions about six months prior to the commencement of the model laws and did not restart “with any vigour” until 12-18 months after the model laws commenced. During that period the dominant approach taken by WHS regulators was one of “advise and persuade”.
“Prosecution action has recommenced with some vigour, although few decisions have been made under the WHS Act. However, those that have been made signal that at least in NSW, we will see a radical departure from earlier WHS judicial approaches and this will have significant impacts for prosecutors and defendants,” its report said.
In NSW, WHS prosecutions are now primarily heard in the District Court of NSW. In the first defended hearing to be determined WorkCover v Patrick Container Ports (February, 2014), Justice James Curtis considered the fatal injury of an employee who was aware of the relevant risk and the safe work method procedure he was required to adopt – but didn’t apply it. The employee had significant amounts of methamphetamine in his system at the relevant time.
WorkCover alleged a range of workplace risks against Patrick Container Ports that largely related to a lack of documented systems. Justice Curtis found that the employee had been trained about the safe procedure and his non-compliance with it would not have been changed if a documented process had been in place.
Corrs said the case signalled that the prosecutor must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant did not take all steps reasonably practicable to ensure the health and safety of its workers. This means that defendants now have options other than reaching agreement on a plea; defences exist and should be pursued where appropriate. Further, defendants should have increased bargaining power when discussing potential plea agreements.
Boundary tests
A pipeline of prosecutions is currently underway to test some of the boundaries of the ‘officer’s duty’, Corrs report says. Chief among them is will the officers of large companies be prosecuted for breach of the officer’s duty or will it tend to be prosecuted when the officer has been working close to the ‘coalface’?
Under predecessor OHS legislation, the officers of small organisations tended to be prosecuted and they were generally ‘hands on’ in the relevant operation (this led to the suggestion that there was defacto immunity for large company directors).
Corrs said the new officer’s duty was designed to make boardrooms and those working closely with them, ensure that their companies had appropriate WHS systems that were adequately resourced and had adequate processes.
Another important matter is can a company be an officer of another company under the WHS Act?
“For example can a holding or parent company be an officer for a subsidiary or operating company in circumstances where they fulfil aspects of the definition of an officer, such as being a person (albeit an unnatural person) making or participating in decisions which affect the whole or a substantial part of the company’s business?,” the report says.
With officer’s duty front and centre in the harmonised legislation, boards and senior executives will be watching with interest.
Enforceable undertakings: why they are important for WHS
On July 25, 2013, dairy company Norco Cooperative Ltd breached work health and safety laws after a NSW worker was trapped inside a garbage compactor whilst attempting to re-position loose tie strings.
The worker reached into the machine through the bottom door to release the string and was caught between the closed top door and the compacting feet as they rose up. He suffered a compensable injury to his head, but later returned to work on full duties.
After consultation with WorkCover NSW, Norco this year (2015) agreed to an enforceable undertaking for a breach of Section 19(1) of the NSW Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act) i.e. duty of care.
Activities Norco agreed to undertake included:
- conducting executive work health and safety workshops,
- developing online work health and safety and human resources induction modules for staff,
- implementing a human resources information system with work health and safety and training modules,
- updating and publishing Managing Dairy Farm Safety farmer resources,
- developing a two part Farm Safety for Children video, and
- committing to establishing and maintaining an accredited work health and safety management system and third party audits of this system.
This undertaking has a total expenditure of $221,636. WorkCover NSW accepted the undertaking because the alleged contravention did not appear to be a section 31 reckless conduct (category 1) offence. Such offences preclude the proposed undertaking from being accepted.
In accepting enforceable undertakings by companies under the mirror WHS legislation, regulatory authorities such as WorkCover NSW first note the nature of the alleged contravention and the actions taken by the company in response to the incident before agreeing to an undertaking.
They also take into account the strategies proposed in the undertaking were assessed as likely to deliver long term sustainable safety improvements in the workplace, industry and community. Any legal proceedings in connection with the alleged offence are dismissed once the undertaking is accepted and completed.
In NSW, the undertaking addresses the requirements contained within the Enforceable Undertakings – Guidelines for Proposing a WHS Undertaking.
First for SA
Meantime, in a first for South Australia, an employer has negotiated an enforceable undertaking in lieu of a prosecution under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) (the WHS Act). Workplace lawyer Luke Holland from Sparke Helmore Lawyers said the safety regulator had been “true to its word” in offering an alternative to the courtroom, witnesses and hefty fines.
Of note was the lower level of investment (than other jurisdictions) accepted by SafeWork SA in enforceable undertakings, “which is perhaps reflective of the smaller South Australian economy”, Holland said.
What is an enforceable undertaking?
Holland says the purpose of an enforceable undertaking is to improve health and safety standards at the workplace, as well as for the wider community and industry. While a prosecution may fail to significantly change the behaviour of a workplace, an undertaking ensures that substantial improvements are made.
Although there are benefits to avoiding a prosecution (and the potentially significant penalty), enforceable undertakings can involve immense costs that could potentially be greater that the penalty’s value, he says. Nevertheless, undertakings are desirable because all costs determined go straight back into the workplace and community, ensuring future compliance and avoiding further contraventions of the Act.
Holland says possible strategies that may be proposed in an enforceable undertaking include:
- implementation of special training programs to address the needs of workers, supervisors and management,
- publicity regarding the alleged breach,
- industry-wide awareness programs,
- donations to not-for-profit organisations that focus on WHS, and
- any other strategies that extend beyond compliance with the Act and provide a benefit to workers, the community and/or the industry.
The first SA enforceable undertaking
Holland outlines SA’s first enforceable undertaking as follows:
“On May 11, 2015, Adelaide Resource Recovery Pty Ltd (ARR), a recycling company, agreed to spend approximately $241,900 on safety initiatives set out in an enforceable undertaking. It was alleged that ARR had committed a category 2 offence in exposing an individual to a risk of death, or serious injury or illness, by failing to ensure the health and safety of its workers. As a body corporate, ARR faced a maximum penalty of $1,500,000.
On May 24, 2013, an employee of ARR was inspecting the mechanisms of a conveyer machine. The employee was observing the mechanisms driving the rotating shafts within the machine from a maintenance platform. The safety procedure required the mechanism to be isolated before inspection, but the employee did not do this. During his observations, the employee dropped a torch he was holding. When he reached out to grab the falling torch, his glove caught in the mechanism and his thumb was pinched. As a result the employee’s thumb was severed approximately 1 cm from the tip.
Before the incident, ARR had safety protocols, procedures, training systems, induction systems and safe work method statements in place. However, the machine involved in the incident was inadequately guarded, as it had been removed to allow for frequent maintenance.
It was noted in the enforceable undertaking that ARR had no previous convictions and that its services and products played an important role in South Australia’s recycling industry. ARR ensured the injured worker received immediate medical treatment and promptly complied with all notices issued by SafeWork SA.
As a result of the contravention, ARR spent approximately $215,050 on rectifying any deficiencies in health and safety at its workplace, including installing appropriate guarding to the machine, upgrading lighting in the area, hiring an additional construction and demolition shed supervisor, and employing a site safety supervisor. ARR also made several mandatory commitments including:
- committing that the behaviour leading to the alleged contravention had ceased and would not reoccur,
- committing to ongoing effective management of WHS risks,
- committing to disseminate information about the undertaking to relevant parties,
- committing to participating constructively in all compliance monitoring activities of the undertaking,
- retaining the additional construction and demolition shed supervisor, and ensuring they conduct spot audits, site safety walks and revising the Safe Work Method Statements in consultation with workers,
- retaining the site safety supervisor,
- publishing a safety hazard alert for its industry on the importance of adequate guarding,
- having a representative speak at a forum conducted by SafeWork SA,
- assisting in running a training program conducted by Mission Australia, and
- paying SafeWork SA’s costs associated with the undertaking.
What does this mean for employers?
It is important to note that SafeWork SA, like a number of other jurisdictions, will only consider an undertaking proposed by the alleged offender and will not propose it themselves. Undertakings will not be accepted for a Category 1 offence or where the alleged contravention has resulted in a fatality or serious injury and there is a suggestion that the offender has been reckless under the Act. There is no power to compel jurisdictions to accept a proposed undertaking, it is at their discretion whether or not they will proceed with prosecution.
Holland says there are penalties for not complying with an enforceable undertaking. In SA, SafeWork SA can apply to the court for an order to enforce compliance, with the maximum penalty for a body corporate being $250,000 and $50,000 for an individual.
More information on harmonised WHS laws, including enforceable undertakings, is available in AlertForce’s OHS Harmonisation Courses.
Senate inquiry urges overhaul of the VET FEE-HELP system
A Labor-chaired senate inquiry committee has called for an overhaul of the vocational education and training fee help (VET FEE-HELP) system, claiming existing safeguards aren’t working.
In a report to Federal Parliament this month (October 2015), the Education and Employment References Committee said there was evidence of “rampant abuse, accelerating costs, and doubling of bad debt”.
The committee said more effective ways were needed to control costs of courses for students under VET FEE-HELP, by either instituting a lower and separate loan limit or a cap on student loan amounts.
It wants the government to conduct a further review of the scheme, “so that only providers with the highest reputation for quality have unfettered access to the scheme”. The government should mandate minimum entry standards of year 12 completion or equivalent for access to VET FEE-HELP loans for diploma level courses and above, it said.
The inquiry’s two Coalition Senators defended the government’s record and opposed the call for a further review, saying in a minority report “a number of reviews, including this one, have already been held or are pending”.
“While there is more work to be done, the prompt response of the government so far to the issues raised during this inquiry is addressing the behaviour of unscrupulous VET FEE-HELP providers, protecting vulnerable students from bearing the cost of a lifetime of debt and aims to restore the integrity of Australia’s VET sector,” the minority report said.
The full committee report noted calls by some stakeholders to lower the repayment threshold to $30,000 or $40,000. However it said asking lower income earners to pay for the failure of government to properly regulate the operations of VET FEE-HELP – and for the rampant and unethical misbehaviour of some private providers – fails both the practical and ethical test.
“The committee recommends that urgent and concerted efforts are made to further raise awareness of the rights of students and existing standards relating to providers in the VET sector. This effort should focus on advocacy groups dealing with the most vulnerable members of the community, including the long-term unemployed or disadvantaged, migrants and people with disabilities.”
Under its recommendations, the Department of Education and Training (DDET) and the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) would be asked to conduct a “concerted and urgent blitz” of all providers to ensure that they are consistently complying with the national standards, especially those relating to student recruitment.
The blitz would be aimed at defending the interests of students, enforcing adherence to Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) volume of learning standards and removing non-compliant registered training organisations (RTOs) as VET FEE-HELP providers.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) would be encouraged to launch prosecutions against providers engaged or benefiting from fraud and take steps to recover monies lost. In addition, ASQA would be given powers to directly regulate brokers or marketing agents in the VET sector, and to protect students.
The committee recommended the government “caps or otherwise regulates” the level of brokerage fees paid for VET FEE-HELP students to maximum amount of 15 per cent the amount of the loan.
The government was further urged to apply, in consultation with industry and quality providers, minimum hours standards to VET FEE-HELP eligible courses.
“ASQA should be given powers to take swift and strong action against RTOs found to be providing inadequate training to their students. Closer scrutiny would be applied to the early childhood and aged care training sectors, given the concerns noted in this report. The committee further recommends ASQA improve its processes to enable it to more swiftly share information with other levels of government, regulators, government departments and law enforcement agencies.”
Under the committee’s recommendations, DEET would have to approve any instances of RTOS subcontracting out components of their VET FEE-HELP eligible training to non-registered third parties.
An Ombudsman focused on domestic students in the VET sector should be created, and the position industry-funded.
The committee said there was evidence of a “massive transfer of public wealth” from the Commonwealth and state government – and taxpayers – to private individuals “as a result of rushed rollout of demand driven entitlement schemes, particularly in Victoria and by the Commonwealth through VET FEE-HELP”.
There was a clear contrast between the actions of the Commonwealth government and that of the Victorian government, it said.
“In Victoria, the new government has acted to clean up a VET sector in crisis in that state, with the withdrawal of 8,000 qualifications and the naming and shaming of providers.”
The report will go to government for consideration.
Other reviews into VET already held or pending include:
• The Government-appointed a VET Reform Working Group, made up of representatives of students, consumer advocates, employers and providers.
• A performance audit of VET FEE-HELP be included in the Australian National Audit Office’s (ANAO) 2015-2016 work program.
• A VET Training and Assessment Working Group to consider options to strengthen the quality of training and assessment outcomes so as to maintain student and employer confidence in VET qualifications.
The Federal Government has announced it will review VET FEE-HELP in 2016-17.
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AlertForce offers a wide range of compliance training courses for industry. For more details go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/
TAFE: is it still relevant?
Faced with reduced funding from the Federal Government, cash-strapped state governments are looking at alternative models for workplace training.
In this new environment, questions are being asked whether government instrumentalities such as TAFE remain relevant.
In South Australia, ABC Online reports 500 job will be axed in the SA TAFE sector over the next four years, with the closure of some campuses “not ruled out”. It comes at the same time as figures suggesting TAFE courses in SA cost up to two and a half times more to run than private training courses.
On June 23, 2015, the Sydney Morning Herald reported a massive 83,000 drop in TAFE enrolments in NSW in the three years since 2012.
In Western Australia, meantime, the West Australian reports the number of students studying at TAFE in WA plummeted by nearly 9,000 between 2013 and 2014. WA Department of Training and Workforce data shows that 8,800 fewer students were attending TAFE by the end of last year, compared with the same time in 2013.
Based on the figures, TAFE is in trouble. Cash-strapped states and territories are increasingly looking for alternatives to infrastructure-heavy government bodies. Channelling the public purse to registered training organisations (RTOs) could be the answer.
Why are TAFE numbers falling?
With TAFE numbers in freefall, the obvious question is: Why?
Faced with mounting costs and uncertain Federal Government funding, states in recent years have opened TAFE to private competition. The long-term benefit for governments is obvious – reduced infrastructure costs, as increased responsibility for education is placed on private providers.
Opening VET to the private sector had its genesis in Victoria under the former Brumby Labor government, SMH reports. The private providers were paid according to their course enrolments and the number of hours taught.
The privatisation push, however, has not been without problems, with some training providers accused of rorting the system. Eligibility was tightened in a revised model picked up by NSW and launched this year.
Dissent in the ranks
Not everyone agrees TAFE’s fate is sealed. Federal secretary for TAFE at the Australian Education Union Pat Forward is a former member of the National Skills Standards Council (now the Australian Industry and Skills Committee) that sets down the standards VET providers must meet before they can be registered.
In a statement on June 25, 2015, Forward welcomed Federal Labor‘s announcement it would guarantee a “proportion” of vocational education funding to TAFE if elected to government.
“Unfortunately what we have seen from governments is the pursuit of a privatisation agenda, that on any measure, has been an abject failure,” Forward said.
“We have seen the proliferation of unscrupulous operators looking to cash in by charging exorbitant fees for poor quality training. This broken system is leaving students the victims: without the skills they need to get secure jobs and saddled with huge debts they will struggle to pay off.”
Forward’s model proposes limiting the proportion of government funding tendered to the private sector to 30 per cent “to ensure TAFEs retain their capacity to provide quality training to all Australians who need it”.
“We also need immediate action to regulate fees in the VET sector, and to more closely control the massive growth in student debt through VET Fee Help.
“Standards must be improved urgently, including minimum hours for courses, a ban on contracting out training to unregistered third parties, and further restrictions on how private providers are able to market themselves.”
RTOs defend position
While unions say too much government education money is going to private providers, registered training organisations (RTOs) claim the opposite.
Training and workplace development consultant Mark Jones says governments in some states have been busy clawing back money for TAFE at the expense of private providers.
In South Australia, this includes providing subsidised training places to TAFE.
While the government has denied propping up TAFE at the expense of private providers, employer body Business SA says giving TAFE the monopoly of subsidised training places “will not only severely damage private training providers, but it will also significantly harm job creation, trainees and business, particularly small business”.
“It would appear that the real reason for the State Government’s decision is to prop up TAFE after it reduced TAFE’s budget and workforce,” its spokesperson says.
“But in doing so it appears that the government is not concerned that private sector training providers will shed hundreds of jobs with some facing closure of their business.”
Business SA said the adverse impact of the TAFE monopoly was much wider than just private sector training providers.
“Business, and in particular small business, may not be able to obtain the training they need, nor afford it, given that TAFE is not equipped to provide some of the training and is typically more than twice as expensive as private providers.
Business SA said there would be widespread adverse impacts across many critical industries including agribusiness, mining, retail, tourism, food and beverage manufacturing, building and construction and civil construction.
“No one is saying that TAFE should not exist but private training providers, businesses and just as importantly jobs should not be the sacrificial lambs to ensure TAFE’s survival.”
With numbers at TAFE collages falling, and RTOs moving into their space, the future of TAFE may have already been decided. Looking forward, governments appear to be looking to a largely private model.
AlertForce believes closer consultation with all the stakeholders is needed, regardless of which way governments go.
AlertForce provides a range of work health and safety training courses for industry. For more details go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/
Taking fatigue management to the next level: trucking shows the way
In September 2015, the first operator was accredited under the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) livestock transport fatigue management scheme (LTFMS) to provide flexible work arrangements that save time, lives and money.
Goondiwindi owner driver Pat Mulligan currently subcontracts to a large livestock transport business and welcomes the flexibility that the scheme provides his operations.
“The scheme will be of great benefit during busy work periods as the livestock industry continues to function outside of a traditional working week.
“The majority of my work involves travelling long distances in outback regions over a variety of road surfaces. This flexibility helps me transport the livestock to their destination in one trip, rather than pull up short to have a seven hour break with the cattle on board, which can affect the welfare of the animals”, Mr Mulligan said.
The NHVR launched the Livestock Transport Fatigue Management Scheme on 1 July 2015 to provide new opportunities for operators and drivers who become accredited with the NHVR.
NHVR says the scheme is a response to the growing need to marry safety with job flexibility.
Among other things, the LTFMS allows operators to apply for AFM accreditation to work up to 14 hours on a day, as part of a fortnightly cycle with ‘risk off-setting’ restrictions around driving between midnight and 4am and more frequent stops for welfare checking.
The scheme provides livestock transport operators with a template to manage their work and rest hours in a way that is suitable to the unique demands they face.
NHVR says the main causes of fatigue are not enough sleep, driving at night (when you should be asleep) and working or being awake for a long time, it says.
National heavy vehicle driver fatigue laws apply to fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles.
A fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle is:
• a vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of over 12t
• a combination when the total of the GVM is over 12t
• buses with a GVM over 4.5t fitted to carry more than 12 adults (including the driver)
• a truck, or a combination including a truck, with a GVM of over 12t with a machine or implement attached.
Some heavy vehicles are not classed as fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles. These include trams, motor vehicles modified to primarily operate as a machine or implement (plant such as agricultural machinery, bulldozers, tractors, etc.) and motor homes specifically modified for residential purposes (not just built with a sleeper berth).
The laws cover all aspects of work and rest relating to heavy vehicles including:
• work and rest hours
• recording work and rest times
• fatigue management exemptions
• Chain of responsibility obligations.
At the heart of the laws for fatigue management is a primary duty – a driver must not drive a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle on a road while impaired by fatigue. Drivers may be impaired by fatigue even when complying with work and rest limits.
Chain of responsibility
Under existing transport legislation, If you consign, pack, load or receive goods as part of your business, you could be held legally liable for breaches of road transport laws even though you do not drive a heavy vehicle. In addition, corporate entities, directors, partners and managers are accountable for the actions of people under their control. This is the ‘chain of responsibility’ (COR).
Each person in the COR must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the driver of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle does not drive on a road while impaired by fatigue or breach road transport laws relating to fatigue.
In addition to this, each person in the COR must take all reasonable steps to ensure a heavy vehicle driver can perform his or her duties without breaching road transport laws.
See the Chain of responsiblity for more information.
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AlertForce is a leader in fatigue management training. If you are in trucking, freight management, mining, manufacturing or rail, AlertForce has customised courses that can help your business (see https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/fatigue-management/#course-content).
Who is protecting the protectors? Traffic controllers under the gun
A string of serious safety incidents involving traffic controllers has critics calling for an overhaul of legislative and safety protections, including traffic control training and planning.
In the most recent incident, Queensland detectives are investigating after two projectiles were fired at a traffic controller at a roadworks site on the Bruce Highway at Burpengary on September 22, 2015.
Police report the 45-year-old Sippy Downs man was sitting in a parked vehicle southbound, just after the Uhlmann Road exit, when a white sedan pulled up beside him around 9.40pm.
The front seat passenger, a male wearing a balaclava, pointed a handgun at the man and fired two rounds before the vehicle sped off.
The man managed to duck for cover and the projectiles travelled through the open front windows of the car, passing out of the vehicle and into bushland.
There was no information when this report was compiled whether the incident was a targeted attack.
The incident comes just two weeks after a 50-year-old traffic controller was struck and killed by a car southwest of Brisbane.
Shooting latest in long line of injury risks
While the shooting is far from typical, it joins a long list of occupational hazards faced by traffic controllers.
As previously reported by AlertForce, traffic controllers face an unacceptably high risk of being injured or killed on the job. A 10-year study by Safe Work Australia of truck-related fatalities put incidents involving traffic controller at the head of a list of fatalities involving “workers on foot”.
In Queensland, WorkCover Queensland figures for 2013/14 reveal more than 230 injury claims a year from traffic controllers in Queensland, costing $2.6m a year. More than 50% of injured workers were aged between 40 and 60 years old.
Costs up but days off work falling
Speaking to a Traffic Management Association of Queensland (TMAQ) meeting in Cairns in 2014, WorkCover Queensland customer advisor Pablo Aviles said total claims costs for the industry have continued to rise since 2011.
“This means that there’s more work to be done to prevent injuries and ensure safer work environments,” Aviles said.
“On the plus side, we have seen an ongoing reduction in the average days to an injured worker’s first return to work. In 2009-10, in traffic control services, the average number of days it took an injured worker to get back to work was 33.7, and it is now 19.2.
“This can help reduce the costs of claims, which can have a positive impact on premium rates.
“Similarly, the percentage of injured workers who are able to stay at work, often on a suitable duties plan, during their rehabilitation has improved from 36 per cent in 2009-10 to 50.4 per cent in 2013-14.”
‘Driver aggression’ the big problem
Driver aggression remains the biggest concern for traffic controllers, according to a 2012 survey by the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety-Queensland (CARRS-Q).
Reporting on the survey in its July 2013 newsletter, the Traffic Management Association of Queensland said driver aggression was followed by ‘working close to traffic and machinery’, ‘setting up signage’, ‘working on high speed roads’, ‘working during rain’ and ‘reduced visibility’ (during night, dawn and dusk)
The common types of incidents reported involved vehicles driving into cordoned off work areas, hitting traffic controllers, rear ending other vehicles as they approached roadworks, and reversing incidents involving work vehicles and machinery.
Many workers cited driver errors, such as violating speed limits, distracted driving, and ignoring signage and traffic controllers’ instructions as the main causes of the incidents.
While some believed that existing safety measures were effective, many argued there was room for improvement. Speed control through increased enforcement, increased public awareness, and driver education and licensing initiatives targeted to safety near roadworks were mentioned as potential improvement measures.
The researchers are currently measuring river speeds through roadwork sites.
Later phases of the research involve interviewing drivers regarding what influences their behaviour, and trialling new safety initiatives.
In Queensland and other states, regulators have moved to tighten controls around training delivery in the industry.
Recent Queensland Department of Transport and Main initiatives include:
• a state-wide review of speed signage at roadwork sites to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, compliance and consistency in the determination and placement of reduced speed zones at roadwork sites,
• increasing industry awareness of its responsibilities for ensuring road worker safety following the introduction of the Code of Practice for Traffic Management for Construction or Maintenance Work in 2008, and
• increasing public awareness through a range of activities stemming from the Workplace Rights Ombudsman’report in 2009.
To be accredited as traffic controller in Queensland, a person must complete a Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Approved Traffic Controller Training Course. The course must be delivered through a registered training organisation (RTO) approved by TMR to deliver the course.
For more details on AlertForce’s nationally recognised traffic control NSW training, go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/nationally-recognised-traffic-control-training-nsw/
Work health and safety at a glance: seven key elements explained
The national harmonised Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act 2011 requires a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to ensure the health and safety of workers it engages – or whose work it influences or directs.
The following summary prepared by employer body the Australian Industry Group looks at seven key elements of the Act.
Duty of care
A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must ensure the health and safety of all persons at its business, including visitors, are not put at risk by the activities of the business.
This “duty of care” specifically includes looking at the work environment; work systems; plant and structures used; substances used, handled or stored; as well as providing adequate information, instruction, training and supervision for work to be carried out safely. Access to facilities for the welfare of workers is also required.
“Ensuring health and safety” is defined as eliminating risks so far as is reasonably practicable, or if that is not possible, minimising the risks.
“Reasonably practicable” is defined as what could reasonably be done at the time to ensure health and safety, taking into account:
• The likelihood of the hazard or risk occurring and the degree of harm it could cause;
• What the business knows or ought to know about the hazard or risk and the available and suitable ways of eliminating or minimising it; and
• After assessing the above, the cost associated with available ways of eliminating or minimising the risk, including whether the cost is grossly disproportionate to the risk.
Specific obligations relating to risks or industries are detailed in the WHS regulations and employers must comply with them.
Codes of practice provide practical guidance on compliance. Employers should follow a code of practice unless they can show an alternative way of meeting their obligations that is at least as safe. This allows some flexibility but deviating from a code is not something you should do lightly or without good advice.
There is a specific code of practice setting out a systematic approach to managing risks. The regulations and that code both refer to the “hierarchy of controls” as part of that systematic approach.
The hierarchy is eliminate the risk so far as is reasonably practicable; if it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the risk, minimize the risk so far as is reasonably practicable by doing one or more of the following: substitution, isolation and engineering controls.; if a risk then remains, minimise the remaining risk so far as is reasonably practicable by implementing administrative controls (eg, safe work instructions, supervision, signage and training); and if a risk then remains, minimize the remaining risk so far as is reasonable practicable by ensuring the provision and use of suitable personal protective equipment (PPE).
If you control a workplace that is used by others, say by renting out a factory space, you have some WHS duties as well, set out in section 20 of the WHS Act.
Meaning of workers
Because so much work is now done in businesses by people who are not direct employees, WHS defines worker very broadly to include employees; contractors; sub-contractors; employees of contractors or sub-contractors; outworkers; employees of labour hire companies; and volunteers.
Clearly those workers who are direct employees may well work for another business, which would also be a PCBU with the same duty to protect its workers. How you should interact with those other PCBUs to jointly look after those workers, and how responsibility is apportioned between you and the other PCBU is set out in the next section, Obligation to consult … with other duty holders.
Workers and other persons at a workplace, such as visitors, also have duties under the WHS law. These duties do not in any way take away from the PCBU’s responsibilities covered in Duty of care. The worker duties are very similar to duties under current law.
Businesses should make sure their workers understand the nature of these duties and should not tolerate material breaches of them without taking the matter up with the worker in an appropriate way consistent with workplace relations laws. They are an important part of the behaviour that makes workplaces safe.
Obligations to consult, cooperate and coordinate with other duty holders
WHS laws clearly identifies that more than one person can have the same duty.
For example, a labour hire company and a host of employers both hold the duty to ensure the health and safety of a labour hire worker placed with the host employer.
Both are PCBUs with the same duty towards the labour hire worker. The following principle (in section 16 of the Act) outlines how these duties interact: If more than one person has a duty for the same matter, each person:
• Retains responsibility for their own duty;
• Must discharge that duty to the extent that they have the capacity to influence or control the matter or would have had that capacity but for an agreement or arrangement purporting to limit or remove that capacity.
In order to support this concept, section 46 of the Act requires duty holders to consult, cooperate and coordinate, so far as is reasonably practicable, with all other persons who have a duty in relation to that matter. So the labour hire company and the host each has a duty to consult with each other, cooperate and coordinate their efforts to keep this worker safe.
A business that has a duty to consult, cooperate and coordinate with another business over the safety of a worker must do so until it runs up against the actual limits of its influence or control. It will be very dangerous for a business to argue that it didn’t try to consult, or did so only superficially because it assumed it had no influence or control.
Obligations to consult with workers
The overarching worker consultation obligation is outlined in section 47 of the WHS Act. A PCBU must, so far as is reasonable practicable, consult with workers who carry out work for the PCBU and are, or are likely to be, directly affected by health and safety matter.
Consultation is required whenever the PCBU is identifying risks and how to control them; making decisions about the adequacy of facilities; proposing changes that may affect health and safety; or making decisions about procedures that relate to health and safety (section 49).
Section 48 of the Act requires relevant information about the matter must be shared with workers; and workers must be given the opportunity to express their views and raise work health and safety issues; and contribute to the decision-making process. If the workers consulted are represented by a health and safety representative, that person must be involved in the consultation.
Consultation extends to all workers whose health and safety may be affected by your actions or decisions, including contractors and labour hire employees.
Upstream duty holders
The WHS Act and regulations establish obligations on businesses who design plant or structures (section 22), manufacture plant, substances or structures (section 23), import plant, substances or structures (section 24), supply plant, substances or structures (section 25), and install, construct or commission plant or structures (section 26).
These upstream duty holders have obligations to eliminate and minimise the risks, so far as is reasonably practicable, associated with their plant, substances or structures; and to provide the necessary information to enable them to be used safely. The obligations relating to the design of and also the health and safety of those constructing them.
In relation to supplying plant, the obligations extend to those who sell second hand plant. Upstream duties have been established to focus on eliminating or minimising risks at their source. It is much easier to deal with a health and safety issue during the design phase than to try and retrofit a solution once the plant, substance or structure is in use in the workplace.
Right of entry
Legislation in most states and territories has, for many years, included a right for union officials who hold appropriate permits to enter a workplace to inquire into a suspected breach of safety law.
In a few states, these same people have also had a right to enter the workplace to consult or advise workers or to assist a health and safety representative.
The WHS laws establish a right to enter for both purposes. Other provisions in the Act and Regulations establish other circumstances where a union may become involved in the workplace.
When the rights of entry powers are being exercised, the union must comply with any WHS or other legislated requirement that applies to the workplace if requested by the PCBU or person with management of the workplace; and must not delay, hinder or obstruct any person or disrupt work at the workplace. The business cannot refuse or unduly delay a permit holder entitled to enter the workplace.
Due diligence
WHS makes it clear that where duties are held by an organisation (such as a company), there is an obligation on the officers of the organisation to exercise due diligence to ensure that the organisation complies with those duties (section 27).
In other words, those who make decisions about how a company is run have their own individual obligation to contribute to it being run in compliance with the safety laws.
AlertForce offers OHS harmonisation courses for industry. For more details go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/ohs-harmonisation-course.
Are you driving your workers’ mad?
The high incidence of workers’ compensation claims for psychological injury in Australia remains an ongoing concern for workplace health and safety (WHS) professionals.
In recognition of Mental Health Week, the ABC’s Mental As program and National Safe Work Month, AlertForce this month devotes a number of its news articles to exploring WHS programs for workers with mental health issues.
Today’s article looks specifically at wellness programs.
Professor of Education at the University of Sheffield in the UK Kathryn Ecclestone notes educational settings have become a prime policy site for psychological well-being training (now transmogrifying as “character education”).
More generally, “behavioural economics, neuroscience and various strands of psychology now combine to generate government measures of citizens’ subjective well-being, myriad devices to capture, monitor and respond to mass sentiment are used by corporations such as British Airways, Facebook and Google, and there is a huge rise in behavioural and psychological disorders and treatments,” Prof Ecclestone notes.
“Behind it all lurks deep pessimism about the declining mental health of western workers.”
Dr Ecclestone’s comments were made in a critique of William Davies’ The Happiness Industry: How the Government and Big Business Sold us Well-Being on the UK Times Higher Education website.
Workplace psych injuries are particularly relevant for employers because they involve longer periods of time away from work and higher medical, legal and other payments than most injuries.
Responding to workplace psych injury is not the only cost for business, the July 2015 Corrs Workplace Relations Employment Workplace and Safety Law: Mid-Year Review notes.
“Changes in the labour force mean that four out of every five jobs in Australia are in the services sector and the delivery of services is usually in person. This means that happy workers are good for business,” the review says.
The Corrs report notes the model WHS Act taken up by most states and territories imposes an obligation on a person undertaking a business or undertaking (PCBU) to ensure that they take all steps reasonably practicable to ensure both the physical and psychological health of their workers.
WHS regulations generally require business to apply a risk management approach to psychological risk. “This means that businesses have a duty and responsibility under the WHS Act to proactively manage risks, which includes a comprehensive and systematic approach to identifying, assessing, controlling and monitoring risks to the psychological health of their workers and to ensure that they don’t expose others to relevant risks arising from work performed in their business,” Corrs report says.
Corrs says “significant” assistance is available from the WHS Regulators’ websites in relation to how to conduct a risk assessment in relation to psychosocial hazard. However it says business is struggling to convert those risk assessments into effective action.
“Many are turning to leaders in the field such as Canada which has produced the standard known as ‘Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace”,” the report says . “This is a detailed and voluntary standard that specifies requirements for a systematic approach to develop and enable psychologically safe and healthy workplaces, the integration of a psychological health and safety management system into the way the organisation manages its business and the promotion of psychological wellness as opposed to focusing only on preventing psychological injury arising from working conditions.”
The WHS Regulators now recognise workplace bullying as a WHS risk and have introduced guidance material and campaigns, and increased interventions in this area. However, WHS prosecutions in relation to these issues are not common yet. Corrs says “it remains to be seen” if the WHS Regulators and inspectors will be sufficiently resourced to respond effectively to workplace psychological risks. “Certainly, the WorkCover NSW 2010–2015 corporate plan states ‘Research indicates job stress and other work-related psychosocial hazards are emerging as leading contributors to the burden of workplace illness and injury’.
There is little doubt that workplace psychosocial risk is an emerging WHS issue requiring a systematic response from business, Corrs says.
Damages on rise
The rapid rise of psych injuries is not the only worrying trend for employers noted in the Corrs report. In its second annual review of workplace safety laws, Corrs says a Full Federal Court decision signals an important shift in the approach of Australian courts to the assessment of damages in sexual harassment cases. The Full Court awarded $130,000 in damages to Oracle’s former consulting manager for sexual harassment by a male sales representative. The company was held vicariously liable for the sales representative’s conduct. The Full Court found that the trial judge’s award of $18,000 damages did not reflect ‘prevailing community standards’.
A five-member FWC Full Bench, meantime, has upheld an appeal by DP World against a first instance decision that constrained its ability to conduct urine tests as part of a new drug and alcohol (D&A) policy. The case involved interpretation of DP World’s enterprise agreement provision that referred to the policy’s random D&A testing regime and swab/oral testing method. Under its new national policy, which replaced site-specific policies, DP World tried to introduce a follow-up urine test when an employee had a positive swab test. The Full Bench determined that the agreement, and the circumstances of DP World’s operations, did not preclude urine testing for a second or confirmatory test. The decision is one of a number of FWC decisions in the past year that have largely supported employer rights to administer D&A tests under applicable workplace policies, and to discipline or dismiss employees who breach such policies.
The Corrs report also looks at the “myth” of ‘harmonised’ workplace health and safety legislation. It says harmonisation is the most significant step to date to relieve the regulatory headaches businesses experience operating across states. However, it was not designed to deliver a national approach to the regulation of WHS and “has not done so”. “The adoption of the model laws in six of the eight WHS jurisdictions has given business little relief from the WHS regulatory bureaucracy because WHS laws remain different in each jurisdiction. Victoria and WA have not adopted the model WHS laws and within the so-called ‘harmonised jurisdiction’ the model laws have been varied to accommodate local pressures – this means that over time, each state and territory will become increasingly divergent.”
Require WHS training to better identify WHS risk factors? Go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/
Reference sources for this article: http://www.corrs.com.au/assets/thinking/downloads/Corrs-Employment-Workplace-Safety-Law-Mid-Year-Review-July-2015.pdf
To claim or not to claim: government releases easy guide to work disease
The Federal Government has moved to end confusion in the work health and safety market over what is and isn’t an occupational disease (including lung cancer due to asbestos exposure) by publishing an up-to-date “deemed-diseases” list.
Safe Work Australia’s (SWA) Deemed Diseases In Australia report lists diseases and associated work-related exposures to streamline identification and compensation of work-related disease in Australia.
The list provides information to help anyone involved in the prevention or compensation of occupational disease. Among other things, it will assist registered training organisations, including AlertForce, educate workers on WHS best practice in at risk occupations.
SWA chief executive officer Michelle Baxter said most Australian jurisdictions had special provisions in their workers’ compensation legislation deeming certain specified occupational diseases as being caused by specified work-related activities.
“In many cases, these lists have not been updated since they were introduced and therefore do not include some diseases for which there is now strong evidence of a causal link to work-related exposures.”
Ms Baxter said the Deemed Diseases in Australia report was the result of a “thorough review of the latest scientific evidence on the causal link between diseases and occupational exposure, by an independent consultant in epidemiology and occupational medicine, Professor Tim Driscoll”.
“While the report was developed primarily for use by jurisdictions, SWA agreed to publish the report as it provides useful evidence-based information for anyone involved in the prevention or compensation of occupational disease.”
The project involved consultation via the representative membership of SWA. SWA agreed that impact assessments and public consultation are more appropriately undertaken by those jurisdictions considering revising their own deemed diseases lists.
The effect of the deemed diseases list is to reverse the onus of proof. A worker with the disease who has been exposed to the relevant exposure in the course of their work is assumed to have developed that disease because of the exposure unless there is strong evidence to the contrary. Diseases that are not included on the list can still be the subject of a workers’ compensation claim through the normal approach, where the reverse onus of proof would not apply. The deemed diseases approach simplifies relevant claims on the assumption that there is a high likelihood that the disease has arisen as a result of work-related exposures.
The deemed diseases lists in use in Australia are not commonly used as the basis for claims. There are probably several reasons for this, particularly that the lists are not up to date and are not well structured to facilitate claims to be made under deemed diseases legislation. As a result of these issues, SWA undertook a project in 2013 to develop an up-to-date Australian list, based on the latest scientific evidence.
The criteria used to determine which diseases and associated exposures should be included on the list were:
1. Strong causal link between the disease and occupation exposure.
2. Clear diagnostic criteria.
3. The disease comprises a considerable proportion of the cases of that disease in the overall population or in an identifiable subset of the population.
Not every disease that is known to be caused by work should be included on a Deemed Disease list. Where the disease is very common in the community but only rarely caused by work, it would usually be inappropriate to include the disease on the List because the vast majority of cases would be expected to be due to non-work exposures. To include every disease that has ever been shown to be caused by an exposure that occurred in connection to occupation would make the List very unwieldy and not be consistent with the Deemed Diseases approach.
Equally, it would not be appropriate to only include diseases in which occupational exposures were the majority cause. Lung cancer is a good example. Lung cancer is known to be caused by exposure to asbestos, and the most common circumstance in which asbestos exposure occurs is through work. However, the most common cause of lung cancer in the community is smoking. Excluding lung cancer from consideration because the main cause is non-occupational would mean that many people whose cancer is actually caused by occupational exposure to asbestos will find it much more difficult to receive appropriate compensation for their illness. In many instances, people may have had several exposures,
There are some infections that are likely to usually or commonly result from work-related exposures. These are good candidates for inclusion on the list, because it is likely that any individual case would have arisen due to work-related exposures in the at-risk occupations. Leptospirosis is an example of this sort of infection. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic infection caused by a range of small organisms called leptospira. The main occupational source of infection is the urine of infected animals. Persons who appear particularly at increased risk of leptospirosis include farmers (especially dairy farmers), abattoir workers, forestry workers, hunters, veterinarians, plumbers, sewer worker and transport operators. It is recommended that leptospirosis in high-risk workers be included on the list.
For other infections, the majority of cases will occur not in relation to occupational exposure, which means the infection is not appropriate to include for workers in general. However, for some specific working groups, most cases of the infection in question will be due to occupational exposure, so the infection in that work group could be reasonably included on the list. Tuberculosis in health care workers is a good example. Infections where there is not a strong relationship between the infectious disease and a particular occupational group, but where occupationally-related cases do occur sporadically, are not recommended for inclusion on the list.
AlertForce offers training in asbestos awareness training, assessment and removal (https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/asbestos-awareness/), and dealing with hazardous materials and substances (https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/hazardous-materials/)
Asbestos Awareness Training, Assessment & Removal Courses
Mining employers opt for online training to reduce costs
Online training is proving cost-effective in the coal industry, as the industry explores less expensive ways to present government-mandated mining courses.
This is reflected in latest training offerings from AlertForce, one of Australia’s largest work health and safety (WHS) training providers.
Chief executive officer Mr Brendan Torazzi said falling coal prices had seen a greater focus on cost-efficient online induction/WHS training for new employees.
“The advantages of doing theory training online include working at your own pace; there is no travel involved and there are other cost savings for employers such as the initial cost of the course,” Mr Torazzi said.
AlertForce has taken up the challenge by providing its latest induction course for new employees in Queensland’s coal industry in an online-only format.
“The online program is comprehensive and in most ways more detailed than face-to-face training,” Mr Torazzi said. “The introductory price also represents a significant discount to current face-to-face offerings – important for coal producers faced with a fluctuating coal price and rising costs. Practical skills are validated by a supervisor on the job.”
Mr Torazzi said induction training is compulsory in the Qld coal industry under Qld Govt legislation. Under the legislation, coal industry employers are required to provide refresher training every five years – with the initial 2011 start date expiring this year.
New laws raise WHS bar
Mr Torazzi said the Qld Govt introduced ‘Recognised Standard 11: Training in Coal Mines’ in 2011 to raise the basic level of training and safety in Queensland coalmines.
AlertForce has decided to offer refresher coal surface training this year in an online format following the success of a similar AlertForce offering to NBN Co workers employed on the national broadband network.
The NBN Co Safety and Awareness induction training course is a mandatory requirement under NBN Co-imposed training requirements for any person working on the national infrastructure project. While face-to-face training is offered for the NBN Safety and Awareness program, the marketplace for the training is completed “95% online”, Mr Torazzi said.
AlertForce’s GI Coal Surface Standard 11 training, meantime, is based upon materials produced by Energy Skills Queensland.
Requirements for the Qld course are:
- Broadband access
- Speak and write fluently in English
- Complete Perform CPR training or higher qualification
- For existing workers in the mining industry, a copy of your CV and qualifications
New entrants need to complete the mandatory practical skills assessment / workplace experience logbook on the job.
On successful completion of the Standard 11 course, participants receive a certificate of completion and a GI Card that allows them to access Qld mine sites.
Once the logbook is returned, a statement of attainment is issued covering the following nationally recognised units:
- Communicate in the workplace (RIICOM201D)
- Apply initial response first aid (RIIERR205D)
- Respond to local emergencies and incidents (RIIERR302D)
- Comply with site work processes/procedures (RIIGOV201D)
- Work safely and follow WHS policies and procedures (RIIWHS201D)
- Conduct local risk control (RIIRIS201D)
Mr Torazzi says “practical “skills are addressed in the online course by requiring participants to keep a logbook demonstrating successful implementation of their training.
Valued professionals
Mr Torazzi said AlertForce induction training treats new employees as “valued” professionals, building a strong early relationship between the company and the worker.
“They introduce new employees to the right people (top to bottom),” Mr Torazzi said.
“They also provide the employee with essential company history, customer, product and organisation information,” he said.
Mr Torazzi said an ideal induction course should explain:
- how employee can access supplies and equipment,
- where to get help to get the job done,
- basic duties and responsibilities, and performance standards; plus how one job relates to another,
- employment terms and working conditions.,
- company policy, rules and regulations, traditions and how things are done; and
- the company’s commitment to work health and safety; community, environment and sustainability.
The induction training should be capable of being used by all types of employees, contractors and casuals and for re-induction of existing staff.
Advantages of training
Mr Torazzi said the advantages of properly implemented induction training included:
- consistent messaging to staff,
- increased staff efficiency,
- fast return on investment for new staff ,
- a reduction in incidents and injuries ,
- saving up to 50% on face-to-face training costs,
- increased talent retention,
- mapping to nationally recognised credentials,
- improved safety culture,
- reduction in staff errors on the job, and
- better staff alignment to company values.
For more details about AlertForce’s coal mining and NBN Co induction training courses, go to either GI Coal Surface Standard 11 Training at https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/standard-11-training-generic-coal-induction-queensland/ or NBN Co Safety and Awareness induction courses at https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/nationally-recognised-nbn-safety-awareness-course/.
Apprenticeships under pressure: industry body calls for urgent changes
Apprenticeships are under pressure, with latest figures revealing falling numbers, high injury rates, fatigue management problems and a shift in training priorities.
The Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET) said a combination of the end of the mining boom, fewer manufacturing and engineering jobs, currency movements, and “relatively high unemployment” had hurt the apprenticeship sector.
The situation had been exacerbated by decisions by governments to prioritise funding (incentives, user choice) away from traineeships.
“ACPET believes these government policy and funding decisions need to be reviewed as a matter of priority,” ACPET’s submission to the Inquiry into vocational education and training in New South Wales says.
Safety an issue
A shift in government training priorities is not the only issue facing the sector, with latest WorkSafe Australia figures revealing workers aged under 25 years (young workers) account for 20% of work- related injuries experienced by all Australian workers.
The 2009-10 figures reveal an injury rate of 66.1 work-related injuries per 1000 workers – 18% higher than the rate for workers aged 25 years and over (older workers: 56.2 injuries per 1000 workers). While young male workers had higher incidence rates of work-related injury than their female counterparts, on a ‘per hour’ basis young female workers had a frequency rate of injury 13% higher than young male workers.
This corresponds to an injury rate of 66.1 work-related injuries per 1000 workers – 18% higher than the rate for workers aged 25 years and over (older workers: 56.2 injuries per 1000 workers).
While young male workers had higher incidence rates of work-related injury than their female counterparts, on a ‘per hour’ basis young female workers had a frequency rate of injury 13% higher than young male workers.
Young shift workers working on a full time basis had substantially higher incidence rates of work-related injury than their non-shift working counterparts, suggesting fatigue management may be an issue.
When hours worked were considered, young female part time shift workers had the highest frequency rate of work-related injury compared to their young male and older worker counterparts.
ACPET calls for govt reforms
The combination of changed government priorities and pressures on the sector has prompted ACPET to call for a review of government policy covering apprenticeships.
ACPET said there was no truth in speculation students and employers were dissatisfied with the training provided – or that quality was declining as a result of recent VET reforms. Rather survey data indicated a “very-high” level of satisfaction.
ACPET said National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) 2014 student data indicated 88.9 % of graduates in NSW were satisfied with the overall quality of training, compared to 87.6% nationally. The “high levels” of satisfaction had been maintained over the past decade, its submission says.
For employers, the most recent NCVER data (2013) indicated those in NSW had similar engagement with the accredited training system as those nationally (52.9% compared to 51.9%).
Nationally, employer satisfaction levels since 2005 had risen and fallen in line with their use of the accredited VET system, which itself “broadly tracks” economic circumstances
In terms of ‘voting with their feet’, 45.3% of employers nationally used private training providers as their main provider of nationally recognised training compared to 16.7% for TAFE and 22.7% for professional or industry organisations.
ACPET said the growth in contestability in VET over the past 20 years, accompanied by the increase in number and diversity of providers, has had a marked impact on the affordability and accessibility of VET as private providers.
The greater efficiency (and flexibility) of private provision was highlighted in a report by Professional Fellow at Victoria University Peter Noonan in an August 2014 article in online publication, The Conversation, the submission argues. “Put simply, new delivery strategies that harness technology and adopt greater flexibility in regard to facilities and staffing are underpinning private provider efficiencies that are enabling more affordable and accessible VET without compromising quality or outcomes. High cost does not necessarily equal quality nor does low cost necessarily mean lack of quality.”
“It was noted above that NSW has the lowest proportion of contestable VET funding of any state and territory. ACPET analysis indicates this approach has had a significant adverse impact on the cost of delivering VET services.
The 2014 NCVER student outcome survey indicated those receiving training through government-funded private providers were more likely to be employed after training compared to TAFE graduates (79% vs. 74%). Of those not employed before training, a lower proportion of government-funded TAFE graduates were employed after training compared to those from private providers, at 42.3% and 47.2% respectively in 2014.
“While there has been some criticism that training packages do not meet industry demand, they do enable the flexibility for providers to tailor delivery resources and strategies to the needs of students and industry alike. It is also important to acknowledge that while VET training is closely aligned to the needs of the workforce only some 40% of graduates work in the field of their study. The portability and flexibility of VET qualifications, therefore, is important in maximising ongoing employment opportunities and responding to changing workforce needs.”
At the same time ACPET acknowledges that training packages do not (and cannot) meet all the skill needs of the workforce or students. Many ACPET members have developed and deliver accredited courses that respond to niche labour market, student and employer needs. They are integral to a flexible, responsive VET sector.
“In summary, the contracting arrangements have mismanaged the allocation of training places and excluded some markets altogether (eg, foundation skills). It has resulted in large increases in student contributions for some programs, the halving of the number of registered training organisations delivering government-funded training compared to previous arrangements. ACPET members have reported the misalignment of provider capacity and contract locations, contract caps that make delivery not viable and contracts not being awarded to high-quality providers with strong long-standing industry links.”
This flawed approach to allocating training places, including by region, has led to a very slow take-up of training places. If not remedied, it is likely to cause significant long-term damage for students, industry and providers.”
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AlertForce offers a range of training courses in fatigue management. For details, go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/fatigue-management/.
Confronting sexual harassment: an employer’s guide
Managers and supervisors must ensure that everybody in the workplace is free from sexual harassment. The following article explores those responsibilities and what to do if harassment occurs.
Despite being outlawed for more than 25 years, sexual harassment remains a problem in Australian workplaces, the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) concedes. In fact, nearly one in five complaints received by the AHRC under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Commonwealth) relate to sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment comes at a considerable cost, both to affected individuals and to business, AHRA says. It is important that employers take active steps to prevent sexual harassment and respond effectively when it occurs, its Sexual Harassment: Know where the line is report says.
What is sexual harassment?
AHRC’s report says sexual harassment is defined in the Sex Discrimination Act as “any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favours or conduct of a sexual nature in relation to the person harassed in circumstances where a reasonable person would have anticipated the possibility that the person harassed would be offended, humiliated or intimidated”.
Tackling violence, harassment and bullying and building community understanding and respect for human rights are two of the AHRC’s priority areas.
Sexual harassment is also one of five priority areas for action contained in the commission’s Gender Equality Blueprint 2010.
Employers and unions, meantime, are doing their bit to defeat discrimination, joining with the cmn in a tripartite partnership called the Know Where the Line Is . The national awareness raising strategy is a combined effort by the cmn, employer body the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Australian Council of Trade Unions to prevent and reduce the harm of sexual harassment in Australian workplaces.
Sexual harassment prevalence surveys
While falling, harassment rates still remain unacceptably high, latest AHRA figure suggest. Since 2002, the cmn has conducted national sexual harassment phone surveys every five years. The aim of these surveys is to provide robust evidence on the prevalence, nature and extent of sexual harassment in Australian workplaces.
The cmn’s third sexual harassment survey, conducted in 2012, found that approximately one in five (21%) people over the age of 15 years experienced sexual harassment in the workplace in the previous five year period. It also found that sexual harassment continues to affect more women than men. Thirty-three per cent (33%) of women have been sexually harassed since the age of 15, compared to fewer than 9% of men.
An earlier cmn survey, conducted in 2008, found that 22% of females and 5% of males had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace at some time, compared to 28% of females and 7% of males in 2003.
It also found a lack of understanding as to what sexual harassment is. Around one in five (22%) respondents who said they had not experienced sexual harassment then went on to report having experienced behaviours that may in fact amount to sexual harassment under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth).
Bystander approaches
In July 2012 the cmn released a new research paper, Encourage. Support. Act!: Bystander approaches to sexual harassment in the workplace, which is a comprehensive examination of the way bystander intervention can be applied to addressing sexual harassment in workplaces. Bystanders are individuals who observe sexual harassment firsthand, or are subsequently informed of the incident.
Written by Associate Professor Paula McDonald from Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane and Dr Michael Flood from the University of Wollongong, Encourage. Support. Act examines the role bystander intervention strategies are already playing in other areas such as whistle blowing, racial harassment, workplace bullying and anti-violence.
Amendments to the Act
In June 2013, the Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Act 2013 (Cth) extended the list of circumstances to be taken into account when assessing whether or not sexual harassment has occurred, AHRA says.
Specifically, the Act replaced “marital status, sexual preference” from the existing list of circumstances in section 28A(1A)(a) of the Sex Discrimination Act with the following circumstances: “sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status, marital or relationship status”.
The amendment to section 28A(1A)(a) recognises that a person’s “sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status, marital or relationship status” may influence whether or not a reasonable person “would have anticipated the possibility that the person harassed would be offended, humiliated or intimidated”.
AlertForce response
AlertForce has responded to the incidence of sex harassment in Australian workplaces by offering convenient and cost effective sex discrimination training to employers, in the form of an online module Prevention of Sexual Harassment. The course can be scheduled wherever and whenever it suits managers and staff. The courses are carried out swiftly and simply, making it easy to meet responsibilities while keeping the business moving.
The Prevention of Sexual Harassment training covers compliance requirements under Equal Employment Opportunity, Sexual Harassment Prevention and/or anti workplace bullying legislation and codes of practice.
Anti-bullying
While treated in its own right through various codes of practice, workplace bullying often features in sexual harassment matters. It is best dealt with by taking steps to prevent it from occurring and responding quickly if it does occur, Safe Work Australia’s (SWA’s) Dealing with Workplace Bullying guide recommends.
The longer the bullying behaviour continues, the more difficult it is to address and the harder it becomes to repair working relationships, the guide says. The guide provides information for persons conducting a business or undertaking on how to manage the risks of workplace bullying as part of meeting their duties under the work health and safety laws.
It includes advice on what workplace bullying is, how it can be prevented and how to respond to allegations that may arise.
Meantime, in one of the first of its type, the Fair Work Commission in August 2015 issued a “stop- bullying” order that was not first determined by consent.
Thomson Reuter’s industrial relations news title Workforce reports the subject of the order was directed not to contact two former workers at a related real estate business for two years, after his former employer conceded the ex-property manager’s conduct towards the workers could be bullying.
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For more specific details and training, see AlertForce’s Sexual Harassment module.
WorkSafe advises caution when dealing with trainers that aren’t RTOs
WorkSafe Western Australia has warned employees undertaking workplace training with companies that aren’t registered training organisations (RTOs) they may not receive their work licence.
The warning this month (September, 2015) follows its investigation into a non-registered training provider, A & J Training and Assessing.
WorkSafe director of business services Robyn Parker explained that A & J could not issue a Statement of Attainment a worker would require for a High Risk Work Licence to be issued.
“WorkSafe has recently received a number of queries about this particular trainer, and we need to warn the public that they may not receive the service they pay for if they deal with A & J,” Ms Parker said.
“A & J can deliver the training, but they are not a RTO and so cannot themselves issue valid Statements of Attainment.
“Statements of Attainment issued by A & J will not be accepted by WorkSafe, and as a consequence, a High Risk Work Licence will not be issued.”
Ms Parker said A & J would also contravene consumer laws if a licence applicant paid them for a service but did not receive the goods he or she had paid for.
ASQA defends its track record
Federal regulatory body Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), meantime, has rejected any suggestion it failed to investigate and take appropriate action in relation to concerns regarding the quality of vocational training and assessment.
In a June 2015 statement, ASQA said it had conducted almost 4,700 audits of the training and assessment activities of RTOs since its establishment in July 2011.
It has issued 470 notices of intention to cancel or suspend RTO registration; and made 218 decisions to cancel or suspend registration and 141 decisions to refuse reregistration of existing RTOs, affecting in total 261 different RTOs.
At the Senate Estimates hearing of 3 June 2015, questions were asked comparing ASQA’s actions in relation to the Vocation-Ltd owned RTOs taken by the Victorian regulator. In particular, the situation regarding the recall or cancellation of qualifications was raised.
ASQA said the policy framework for Australia’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) system was based on the regulation of RTOs, rather than the regulation of each individual learner. The wholesale cancellation of qualifications has not been a feature of the VET system.
“The National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (NVR) Act provisions assume cancellation is a specific response to particular circumstances and, if based on a concern that an individual’s actual competencies do not meet the certified competencies awarded to the individual, this would be preceded by an individual reassessment of the person’s actual competencies,” ASQA said.
Vocation-owned RTOs has “been on ASQA’s radar” since last year and all of its operating RTOs regulated by ASQA have been subject to extensive audit and regulatory scrutiny, it said.
Employers and workers concerned about the bona fides of their training provider should contact the ASQA. ASQA publishes information about regulatory decisions it makes to suspend, cancel or impose conditions on RTOs that don’t meet its standards (see http://www.asqa.gov.au/about/regulatory-decisions/asqa-decisions.html).
About 200 providers were on the list when AlertForce compiled this story.
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AlertForce is a registered training organisation (RTO) providing WHS compliance and diploma training for employers. For more details, go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/
For details on the WorkSafe WA alert, go to: https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/announcements/worksafe-advises-caution-when-dealing-trainer-j-training-and-assessing
For details on the ASQA list, go to
http://www.asqa.gov.au/about/regulatory-decisions/asqa-decisions.html
For ASQA’s response to the Senate estimate’s hearing, go to www.asqa.gov.au/verve/_resources/MR_Statement_regarding_regulation_of_the_training_sector.pdf
Deaths and injury highlight importance of traffic control training
The death of two workers in separate heavy vehicle incidents and the hospitalisation of a 17-year old girl pinned under a utility reaffirm the importance of traffic control training and planning when working around motor vehicles.
Sydney security company MSS Security Pty Ltd (MSS) has been fined $150,000 by the NSW District Court following a 2011 incident that saw a 21-year-old male guard struck and killed by a cement truck. The truck was entering the Cement Australia manufacturing plant at Kandos in Central West NSW.
The guard was an employee of a company contracted to undertake work for MSS. MSS was found guilty of a breach of section 8(2) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 for failing to ensure the safety of a person who was not an employee.
SafeWork NSW had alleged there was a risk of the guard being struck by a vehicle as he was monitoring the entry of trucks into the site. MSS Security should have installed a no-go zone and required the use of radios for drivers and guards to communicate with each other, it said.
Student pinned under ute
Police, meanwhile, are investigating after a teenage girl, believed to be a student, was hit by a utility vehicle at Moss Vale TAFE in NSW on September 15, 2015.
Emergency services were called to the education facility on Kirkham Road, after reports a utility had run over a woman.
Officers from The Hume Local Area Command attended and found a 17-year-old girl trapped under a Toyota Hilux.
She was extracted before being airlifted to Liverpool Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
The driver, a 55-year-old man, was breath tested at the location with a negative result.
Investigators have been told that the girl and man were doing work on the utility, when the driver moved the Toyota forward hitting the girl.
Investigations are continuing, with the assistance of SafeWork NSW.
Worker crushed by front end loader
In March 2015, a Melbourne waste recycling company was convicted and fined $450,000 over the death of an employee who was struck by the bucket of a 20-tonne front end loader.
Resource Recovery Victoria Pty Ltd (RRV) pleaded guilty in the County Court of Victoria to two offences under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 for failing to provide a safe system of work and failing to provide information, instruction or training.
The court heard that RRV operated a waste recycling depot in Braeside in which dump trucks, heavy machinery, smaller vehicles and staff on foot all worked in close proximity to each other.
On 4 October 2013, an employee was driving a small sweeper vehicle in an open air shed used for dumping and sorting waste materials. Another employee was also in the shed, operating a 20-tonne Hitachi front end loader to move dirt and bricks up a small ramp into a hopper.
The court heard that after the front end loader emptied a load of material into the hopper, the operator reversed the machine back down the ramp and lowered its bucket to about one metre above ground level.
Just after the machine began to move forward, the operator felt a bump on the bucket. When he reversed, he saw his colleague slumped in the sweeper vehicle with fatal injuries.
The court was told that the depot was a busy workplace with trucks dumping materials, heavy excavators and front end loaders sorting and clearing materials, and staff on foot all working in close proximity to each other.
While new employees were given safety pamphlets to read, the court heard there was no written induction at the site and training was informal and “on the job”.
The court was also told that:
• There were no documented procedures for traffic management at the time of the incident. Instead, employees relied on common sense.
• There were no signs or lines in the yard area to determine where trucks, frontend loaders or the company’s street sweepers could or couldn’t go, nor were there alarms, lights or barriers.
• Training in relation to all the machines used in the depot was verbal.
• There had been a number of injuries and near misses involving employees and machines over recent years that had not been reported.
Executive director of health and safety Len Neist said the company had failed in its responsibilities to keep workers safe.
“A comprehensive – and communicated – traffic management plan is critical in workplaces where employees are required to work in close proximity to heavy machinery and vehicles. Simply hoping workers will stay away from heavy machinery is just not good enough,” Mr Neist said.
“All employers must ensure workers are properly inducted to their worksite and competently trained on how to use the equipment they’re operating. Expecting workers to just learn on the job is fraught with peril.
The tragic circumstances of this matter and the failings of RRV to keep its workers safe should serve as a reminder to all employers to put the upmost importance on workplace safety.”
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AlertForce offers a range of training courses on traffic control. For details, go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/traffic-management-course/
Further information on work health and safety for remote and isolated work is available at www.safework.nsw.gov.au or by calling 13 10 50.
Landmark decisions shed new light on ‘officer’ role after truck driver electrocuted
The industrial court has shed important new light on the obligation under the Work Health and Safety Act for officers to exercise due diligence.
In its latest newsletter, Harmers Workplace Lawyers reports the ACT Industrial Court held in McKie v Muni Al-Hasani, Kenoss Contractors Pty Ltd (in liq) [2015] ACTIC 1 that a senior project manager, Mr Al-Hasani, was not required to exercise the due diligence obligation because his position did not meet the threshold required for an “officer” under the WHS laws.
This is because he did not make, or participate in making, decisions that affected the whole, or a substantial part of, the business of Kenoss Contractors Pty Ltd (Kenoss).
Criminal proceedings were brought against Mr Al-Hasani concerning the fatality of a truck driver whose truck struck live power lines. Specifically, it was alleged that Mr Al-Hasani did not implement adequate measures to address the risk posed by live overhead electric cables.
Senior project officer ‘not an officer’
In citing High Court authority, HWL said the court focused on having regard to the role of the individual in the wider corporational structure as a whole.
To that end, the court found that although Mr Al-Hasani, amongst other things, had operational responsibility for the implementation of specific contracts, participated in management meetings, liaised with customers, engaged with safety management plans, managed the performance of the projects team and monitored the progress of projects, his role did not rise to the level of an officer under the WHS laws.
Rather, the court determined that:
• although Mr Al-Hassani sat close to the top of the structure, the management structure was flat and no evidence was presented to demonstrate that he made or participated in making decisions that affected, at the very least, a substantial part of the business;
• Mr Al-Hassani did not commit corporate funds, did not sign off on tenders for particular work and was not responsible for hiring and firing employees; and
• no evidence was presented that he had direction over the contracts Kenoss pursued or that he attended board meetings or met any of Kenoss’ legal obligations, such as ASIC returns or establishing quality assurance compliance.
Importantly, the Kenoss business was not limited to construction work but extended to a development business, over which Mr Al-Hassani had no control over.
HWL says the case is a “useful reminder” that not all managers will be determined by the court as an officer under the WHS laws.
Notwithstanding this, each case depends on its individual circumstances and regard must therefore be had to the particular employee’s role and whether they, in fact, participate in making decisions that affect a substantial part of the business as a whole.
In light of this decision, all types of managers should carefully consider what active steps they are taking to discharge their due diligence obligation and what further steps (if any) should be taken, HWL says.
Additionally, employers should also review their corporate management frameworks to ensure the officers in their organisation are appropriately identified and are of their due diligence duties.
Record $1.1m fine for transport fatality
Arising out of the same set of facts, the ACT Industrial Magistrates Court imposed a $1.1 million fine on Kenoss for failing to ensure the safety of the driver in breach of section 32 of the harmonised WHS Act, HWL notes.
The maximum fine the court can award for a breach of section 32 is $1.5 million. This is the highest fine recorded for a single safety offence in Australian history.
The court had not released the full decision when this report was compiled, but it has been reported in the media that Kenoss’ circumstances were unique as, for example, its safety officer had no qualifications for his role, it attempted to hinder the investigation into the fatality and it lacked a systematic approach to safety, HWL said.
In a separate report on the earlier ruling on whether Al-Hasani was an officer, law firm Clyde and Co said the court found Mr Al-Hasani’s role reflected an operational one with only “speculative” evidence that the role went beyond this.
“Accordingly, the learned magistrate was not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that he had a large enough level of control or influence in Kenoss Contractors to be classified as one of its officers,” Clyde and Co’s Insight newsletter reports.
As the charges were dismissed on this threshold issue, it was not necessary for the court to consider whether Al-Hasani breached the due diligence obligation imposed on officers, it said. “Interestingly, however, we understand the learned Magistrate found he had breached his duty as an employee of Kenoss Contractors but as he had not been charged with any offence as an employee this could not be taken any further.”
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AlertForce offers a range of compliance training courses to help employers and workers better understand their obligations under the new harmonised laws.
For more details on AlertForce’s nationally recognised OHS harmonisation courses, go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/ohs-harmonisation-course/
For more details on AlertForce’s nationally recognised traffic control NSW training, go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/nationally-recognised-traffic-control-training-nsw/
Harmers Workplace Lawyers can assist organisations and their officers to ensure their obligations are appropriately exercised, including by conducting due diligence training sessions and assisting in the preparation of due diligence frameworks.
The war on asbestos: cost implications of alleged ‘unsafe’ removal
In Sydney last month (August 2015) inner west residents blocked WestConnex Delivery Authority trucks from entering the authority’s Alexandria dump site, after claiming to have witnessed unsafe asbestos removal practices.
“For days in high winds we’ve watched WestConnex trucks leaving the asbestos dump full of this killer product, and trucks are only half covered,” WestConnex Action Group spokesperson Janet Dandy-Ward said in a statement.
A spokesperson for the group told AlertForce the protest saw the site shut down for a day, with cost implications for the authority.
WestConnex defends actions
In response, WestConnex referred AlertForce to a general statement claiming the authority fully complied with legislative requirements governing safe removal of asbestos.
Residents had staged an early morning blockade at the Alexandria Landfill, which has been acquired by WestConnex.
Work to remove asbestos at the site is part of WestConnex’s planned delivery of new undergrounds M4 toll road. The action group claimed work at the dump site had not obtained the necessary clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Duty-of-care obligations
While the merits of the claims and counter claims remained unclear when this article was compiled, the cost implications of the blocking of work on the site show the downside for employers of any perceived failure to follow safe removal procedures.
Until recently asbestos training of significant quality has not been readily available to those pursuing a career in asbestos management and removal.
However, the current duty of care principle under the Work Health and Safety Act requires people in the workplace be aware of the consequences of their actions. These people include employers, employees, manufacturers, and suppliers.
A number of registered training organisations, including AlertForce, now provide training both for asbestos removal – and more general training in recognition of asbestos in the workplace.
After completing AlertForce asbestos “awareness” training, for example, workers are able to recognise and avoid harmful and dangerous situations.
Who needs asbestos training?
With asbestos present in many Australian buildings, it is important for a wide range of individuals to undertake some form of asbestos awareness course.
From construction workers to plumbers, any person who may come into contact with asbestos products can benefit from training.
Asbestos removal is also a prominent industry in Australia, with WHS standards requiring individuals in this field to hold official qualifications.
When materials containing asbestos are present, or even suspected in the workplace, only personnel with nationally recognised training are qualified to safely manage or remove it.
With strict regulations and requirements regarding training and qualifications, those hoping to enter a career in asbestos removal need to ensure they have the correct competencies in place. To comply with WHS standards and laws, the level of asbestos removal training accesses will dictate how you can participate in this vital and growing industry.
Alternatively, the asbestos awareness course is a program designed for individuals who may be required to work in locations potentially contaminated with asbestos, but will have no direct, intentional contact with the material; this includes builders, renovators and other related occupations.
Any employer who believes their workforce could benefit from the ability to identify asbestos should provide workers with asbestos awareness training. This will ensure that individuals can identify and respond to potential asbestos in the workplace.
What asbestos courses are offered by AlertForce?
AlertForce offers a range of vital asbestos assessment and awareness training programs, designed to meet the requirements of your industry and occupation. Whether you’re considering a career in asbestos removal, or simply want to formalise your skills and knowledge, AlertForce has an asbestos awareness and removal course to suit.
This introductory asbestos awareness training program can be completed online and gives individuals a fast and effective method for boosting their workplace health and safety.
By increasing your knowledge and awareness of asbestos products, you should be able to identify and address asbestos in the workplace. However, as asbestos awareness program does not give individuals the qualifications needed to remove asbestos.
Before asbestos removal can be completed, a competent person must conduct an assessment of the area and the process. To ensure removal procedures have the best possible chance of success without exposure, individuals working in this role need to have completed asbestos assessment training.
The nationally recognised qualification offered by AlertForce is Conduct Asbestos Assessment Associated with Removal CPCCBC5014A
For a career in asbestos management and removal, individuals need to undertake the relevant training. Depending on the level accessed, students will be able to work on relevant asbestos removal tasks.
The asbestos removal courses provided by AlertForce include Remove Non-Friable Asbestos (Class B) CPCCDE3014A (prerequisite for supervise asbestos removal); Remove Friable Asbestos (Class A) CPCCDE3015A; and Supervise asbestos removal CPCCBC4051A.
For more details about AlertForce’s asbestos awareness training, assessment and removal courses, go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/asbestos-awareness/
Employers need to take a more ‘proactive’ approach to near misses: SWA report
How aware are workers and businesses of factors in the workplace that may impact work health and safety (WHS)?
A July 2015 report Mindfulness of WHS in the Workplace by Safe Work Australia (SWA) looks at mindfulness among both businesses and workers when it comes to WHS.
“Mindfulness” is the conscious awareness of factors that affect health and safety in the workplace.
Overall the report found “generally high” levels of mindfulness across worker groups in terms of what businesses count on, sensitivity to operations and preoccupation with failure.
Small and medium business employers (88% and 87%) were slightly more likely to agree that everyone feels accountable for safety than employers in large businesses (73%).
Almost all large business employers agreed that their business spends time identifying how their activities could potentially harm their workers, compared to 85% of medium business employers and 71% of small business employers.
Not enough focus on prevention
A continuing area of concern reaffirmed in the latest report was a tendency by businesses to approach WHS prevention reactively (such as treating a near miss as useful information) rather than proactively (such as spending time to actively look for possible failures).
The favouring of a reactive approach to WHS incidents by Australian businesses is potentially an important insight into the ways in which Australian businesses manage work health and safety.
The report suggested this may be due to businesses not having the resources available to proactively assess their workplace for potential threats to safety (preventing incidents before they can happen), or this may simply not be a priority for businesses.
A proactive approach to WHS does however appear to be undertaken within those priority industries that have relatively high inherent injury risk (such as construction), suggesting that potentially catastrophic events may be proactively mitigated where they are most likely to occur.
Workers’ compensation claims data show that the construction and manufacturing industries had the greatest decrease in incidence rates of the priority industries over the period 2000-01 to 2011-12, with transport, postal and warehousing also experiencing a substantial decrease (Safe Work Australia, 2014).
Generally, taking a largely proactive approach indicates a good level of mindfulness with regard to preoccupation with failure of work health and safety in the culture of these workplaces.
Differences were present according to industry and occupation groups across worker types.
Employers operating in the health care and social assistance industry, for example, tended to have the lowest levels of mindfulness in terms of what they count on in their business, preoccupation with failure and sensitivity to operations compared to the other priority industries. Sole traders working as labourers displayed high levels of mindfulness across the three measures.
While businesses and workers all had high levels of agreement that when something unexpected occurs they always try to figure out why things didn’t go as expected, agreement was much lower for businesses actively looking for failures and trying to understand them.
Employers in manufacturing, transport, postal and warehousing and construction did appear to support both proactive and reactive approaches to work health and safety failures, with sole traders in the manufacturing industry also supporting both approaches. Workers in these industries tended to favour the reactive approach.
Sensitivity to operations
When it comes to sensitivity to operations in the workplace, employers operating in the accommodation and food services; transport, postal and warehousing and construction industries displayed consistently high levels of mindfulness with regard to sensitivity to operations in their workplace (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: Employer sensitivity to operations by industry
Employers had a higher level of agreement “the business actively looks for failures of all sizes and tries to understand them” (65 per cent) compared to workers and sole traders (57 per cent each). Workers were less likely to agree that “workers are rewarded if they report potential trouble spots” (24 per cent workers and 35 per cent employers).
Sole traders had slightly lower levels of mindfulness overall while workers had slightly higher levels when it comes to preoccupation with failure. Workers had a much higher level of agreement (75%), with the exception of “the business often updates our procedures after experiencing a near miss” than employers and sole traders (61% and 55% respectively). Employers also had a slightly higher level of agreement for the business actively looking for failures of all sizes and tries to understand them (65%) compared to workers and sole traders (57% each).
Employers and workers had almost identical agreement with workers being encouraged to report significant mistakes even if others do not notice a mistake has been made (85% each) and workers are encouraged to talk to superiors about problems (87% employers and 88% workers).
Workers were slightly less likely to agree that managers actively seek out bad news (31%) compared to employers (37%) and less likely to agree that workers are rewarded if they report potential trouble spots (24% workers and 35% employers). This indicates that while workers are encouraged to look for and report potential problems they perceive that employers are less concerned with this.
Sensitivity to operations
Employers tended to be more mindful in terms of sensitivity to operations than sole traders when it came to constantly monitoring workloads and reducing them when they become excessive (77% and 60%) and having access to a range of solutions whenever unexpected surprises crop up (80% and 61%).
This may be related to businesses having greater resources available to be able to deal with these situations. Both groups had similarly high levels of agreement that on a day-to-day basis there is always someone who is paying attention to what is happening (85% sole traders and 91% employers).
Across the three measures of mindfulness
While there are generally high levels of mindfulness among all groups, another study undertaken by SWA has shown that the top two perceived causes of injury nominated by employers, sole traders and workers were ‘the worker being careless’ and ‘just not thinking’ (Safe Work Australia, 2015).
In another study it was found that over 20% of sole traders and workers and just under 20% of employers agreed that they regarded risks as unavoidable in their workplace (Safe Work Australia, 2014a).
One explanation for these seemingly divergent findings is positive bias associated with responding to the mindfulness items within the survey (i.e. wanting to promote a good impression by agreeing with items when this may not be the case in reality).
Another explanation could be that while employers, sole traders and workers are generally quite mindful of work health and safety in their workplaces, they occasionally experienced failures in attention which lead to incidents occurring, or perhaps as a result of inherent risks existing in their workplaces from the nature of the work or the way in which it or the workplace is designed.
SWA says further research into the impediments to practical application of these general high levels of WHS awareness on a day-to-day basis to prevent workplace incidents and injuries would enable the establishment of an evidence base of the impact of conscious awareness of WHS on workplace incidents and injuries.
Health care figures a concern
SWA says the comparatively low levels of mindfulness observed for employers within the health care and social assistance industry “is of concern.” However, the findings could reflect that the work health and safety policies and procedures used in these workplaces did not allow for the regular assessment of potential failures or the updating of policies and procedures following a near miss. In addition, the positions held by workers in the industry may not allow for workers to solve unexpected problems or a range of solutions to be available if something unexpected occurred.
Workers’ compensation claims data show that the health care and social assistance industry had the highest number of serious claims in 2012-13 (preliminary) of all industries, and that there has been a 29% increase in the number of serious claims over the period 2000-01 to 2011-12 (Safe Work Australia, 2014b).
Investigation into work health and safety mindfulness in the health care and social assistance industry, such as the system of work health and safety used and the nature and application of relevant policies and procedures used, may shed further light on patterns of workplace injury and illness in the industry.
SWA said the finding that sole traders working as labourers had high levels of agreement across the three measures of mindfulness indicated that this ‘hands on’ occupation group appeared more mindful of work health and safety in their workplace due to the inherent risk associated with their work or the greater potential consequences of failures. This finding is also in line with labourers having the highest level of agreement that they never accept risk taking even if the work schedule is tight compared to other occupation groups (Safe Work Australia, 2014a).
The study suggests that high levels of mindfulness with regards to work health and safety, and specifically taking a more proactive approach towards risk management, may be contributing to recent reductions in accidents and injuries within the workplaces. However, this requires confirmation through further empirical study, SWA says.
AlertForce offers a range of courses to help businesses better target their WHS approach – and more actively look for system failures. They include Communicating Safety in the Office, Leadership Skills for Supervisors, Managing Hazards and Risk (Construction Safety) and Risk Management Safety Essentials Course.
Swans star praised for disclosing mental health condition
AlertForce has praised Sydney Swans star Lance Franklin’s decision to publicly disclose his mental health condition as an “important step forward” in recognising depression and anxiety in the workplace.
On September 8, The Swans released a statement confirming Franklin suffered from a mental health condition.
It said Franklin had been ruled out of Saturday’s qualifying final against Fremantle to take time away from the club to address his condition.
AlertForce chief executive officer Brendan Torazzi said Franklin’s stand in publicly acknowledging his condition would go a long way to encouraging others to seek help
Mr Torazzi said many workplaces now recognised the importance of early identification and treatment of depression in workers by offering support programs.
“Lance Franklin’s stand will encourage others to follow suit; we fully support his decision.”
Sydney Swans has previously worked with Beyond Blue on programs to promote acceptance and treatment of depression. In August 2015 it was the chosen charity for the Hawthorn clash at ANZ.
Franklin’s decision to go public comes at the same time as the release of a Beyond Blue training program targeting depression in the workplace.
The Mental Health in the Workplace program was successfully piloted by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) last month. It aims to help delegates reach out to workers who may be experiencing depression or anxiety.
The program includes a 90-minute session that teaches union delegates how to recognise the signs and symptoms of a mental health condition, the relationship between the workplace and mental health – and what to do if they are concerned about one of their members.
Beyond Blue developed the free program to address issues originally raised by the CFMEU’s fellow union Australian Workers Union (AWU), such as lack of awareness of depression and anxiety, and stigma. Delegates were often confused about how to approach a worker, what their role should be in providing support, and how they could support them.
Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman said the free resource, designed to fit into the existing training that unions already provide for delegates, provide delegates with the additional skill and confidence to have conversations about mental health with frontline workers.
“The toolbox kit is an easy way to equip delegates with the skills to improve workplace mental health at a grass roots level,” she said.
CFMEU forest products spokesperson Alex Millar said the program had been well received by delegates and would be included in training programs where appropriate.
Latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures suggest mental health conditions are common among working-age Australians, with 45 per cent of Australians aged between 16-85 years experiencing a mental health condition at some point in their lifetime.
However, a survey by Beyond Blue partner Heads Up reveals workplaces are not meeting their expectations when it comes to support programs. Only 52% of employees believe their workplace is mentally healthy compared to 76% for physical safety.
Only five in ten (56%) believe their most senior leader values mental health.
The survey found employees who believe their workplace is mentally unhealthy are unlikely to disclose they are experiencing a mental health condition, seek support from HR/management, or offer support to a colleague with a mental health condition.
Heads Up said the workplace was a relevant and an appropriate setting to promote and support the health and mental health of workers for several reasons, including:
• ease of access to a large number of people
• existing infrastructures (eg, communication channels, supportive environment)
• opportunity to tailor interventions to support the needs of specific groups of employees (eg, shift workers) and within particular industries
• cost-efficiency relative to clinical or community-based
The Swans, meantime, have thrown their full support behind Franklin. General manager of football Tom Harley said the club was doing everything possible to support him. “The timeframe on his return is unclear at this stage. We will continue to monitor his condition.”
Anyone seeking counselling or help with mental health issues can contact www.beyondblue.org.au or call 1300 224 636. The Heads Up resources are available at: www.headsup.org.au/toolboxtalkunions
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AlertForce offers a range of work health and training (WHS) courses for industry. For more details go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/
Workers turn to training courses as first port of call for WHS information
Australian workers turn to training courses as their first source of work health and safety (WHS) information, a new survey reveals.
The Safe Work Australia survey reports the three main sources used by Australian businesses in 2014 to get information about WHS requirements were government documents and publications (33 per cent), the media (32 per cent) and employer/industry associations (31 per cent).
Conversely, the most common source for Australian workers was training courses (39 per cent) followed by the media (29 per cent). For health and safety representatives and WHS professionals the most common sources were government Acts/regulations and publications (42 per cent) and employer/industry associations (38 per cent).
The media was the most used source of WHS information for employers and sole traders operating in the agriculture, forestry and fishing and accommodation and food services industries.
Employer/industry associations were the most used source of WHS information for employers and sole traders operating in the manufacturing (42 per cent), construction (44 per cent), road freight transport (43 per cent) and health care and social assistance (58 per cent) industries.
In 2012 the most common source was the media.
Dissemination channels
Workers were provided with information or notified about WHS policies and procedures during a walk around the workplace alone or with other managers (68 per cent), through informal communication with workers (54 per cent) and during meetings on work health and safety with management and through notice boards (35 per cent each). Thirty seven per cent of businesses indicated they informed workers through other means.
Across the priority industries for sole traders the media and experience/doing the job itself tended to be common sources of learning about work health and safety. For employers in priority industries there was a great deal of variation in how they learnt about work health and safety.
Industry pamphlets and newsletters, the media and the internet were commonly utilised. Across the priority industries the most common source of learning about WHS for workers was training courses.
Training courses have been a popular source of learning about WHS for workers overall over the past 10 years. The media has consistently been an important source of WHS information for all worker groups (excluding CEOs in 2001). Since 2010, the internet has become an increasingly popular method of learning about WHS.
Importantly, 24% of manufacturing employers indicated they gave no information regarding WHS policies and procedures to their workers, followed by 18% in agriculture, forestry and fishing and 17% in road freight transport.
In 2012 employers most commonly provided to their workers or workers obtained work health and safety information during a walk around the workplace either alone or with managers and through informal communication with work mates about WHS.
Employers commonly provided information about WHS part-time/casual workers and full-time workers. One third of employers indicated that they provided WHS information to contractors/ sub-contractors.
Employers operating in construction and transport, postal and warehousing were more likely to provide information to contractors/ subcontractors and to apprentices/trainees than employers operating in the other priority industries.
These surveys include responses from 1052 employers, 520 sole traders and 1311 workers (2012) and 706 sole traders and 1644 employers (2014).
The data were weighted to produce national estimates of the number of businesses and workers in Australia that hold particular attitudes and perceptions about work health and safety.
Sole traders relied slightly more on the media and internet (28% and 26%) than government documents and publications (24%). For employing businesses, small business employers used government documents and publications (41%), employer/industry associations (40%) and the media (37%) with employers in medium and large businesses using government documents and publications (53% and 69%), employer/ industry associations (46% and 70%) but used the internet (39% and 47%) rather than the media.
Of some concern, 19% of sole traders indicated no sources are used to get information about WHS.
Medium and large business employers tended to learn about WHS from somewhat different sources. Half of medium business employers learnt from employer/industry associations followed by industry pamphlets/newsletters and experience/doing the job itself (38% and 33%, respectively). Almost half of large business employers also learnt about work health and safety information from employer/industry associations, followed by government Acts/ regulations and publications (43%) as well as training courses and government health and safety inspectorates (33% each).
In agriculture, forestry and fishing the information about WHS was learnt from Industry pamphlets/ newsletters (45%), media (41%) and experience/doing the job itself (39%).
In manufacturing half of employers indicated that they learnt about WHS from the media, followed by industry pamphlets/newsletters (39%), experience/doing the job itself and training courses (39% each).
In construction, half of employers learnt about WHS from employer/industry associations followed by industry pamphlets/newsletters (41%) and health and safety representatives (37%).
Over half (59%) of employers in accommodation and food services learnt from experience/ doing the job, followed by posters/ signs/ notices (42%) and industry pamphlets/ newsletters (39%).
In transport, postal and warehousing employers reported learning something about WHS from the internet, supervisors/ managers and experience/doing the job itself (38%, 37% and 32%, respectively).
In health care and social assistance employers most commonly learnt about WHS from the internet (41%), industry pamphlets (38%) and the media (35%).
AlertForce provides a range of WHS training courses for employers and workers. For details, go to www.alertforce.com.au
Safety regulator or insurer? NSW moves to end ‘conflict of interest’
AlertForce has welcomed reforms designed to end a conflict of interest in the NSW Government’s dual role as work health and safety (WHS) regulator and insurer.
Under structural reforms introduced by the government on September 1, 2015, three discrete agencies have been created to better manage and deliver the state’s WHS and workers’ compensation insurance services.
As part of the reforms, WorkCover NSW has been replaced by three separate organisations including:
• SafeWork NSW – the independent work health and safety regulator
• State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) – the independent insurance regulator
• Insurance & Care NSW – a single customer-focused insurance and care service provider.
NSW Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Victor Dominello said the new system would “iron out” the differences between the various interests that have affected the system in the past.
“These changes mark the end of the inherent conflict of interest that has existed in NSW between the operation and regulation of insurance,” Mr Dominello said.
“They allow a better focus on getting regulation right and improving workplace safety.”
Improved benefits
Key among the reforms is the winding back of 2012 changes to the workers’ compensation scheme that resulted in the slashing of medical benefits to injured workers, including those who had lost limbs or hearing in work incidents.
Benefits were cut in response to a $4.1 billion deficit in the WorkCover scheme, which is now in surplus.
Under a $1 billion benefit enhancements program, injured workers will now have access to additional assistance to get back to work or to continue their lives.
The benefit enhancements include:
• Cover will be extended for certain classes of prostheses and aids as well as home and vehicle modifications, from retirement age to life, regardless of the level of permanent impairment.
• The cap for medical expenses, currently 12 months from when weekly payments stop (or date of injury where no weekly payments were made) will double to two years after weekly payments cease for those with up to 10% permanent impairment and increase to five years after weekly payments cease for those with 11-20% permanent impairment.
• The maximum lump sum compensation payable for injury resulting in greater than 10% permanent impairment will be more than doubled – from $220,000 to $560,000.
• If you have more than 21% permanent impairment and have some work capacity, you will no longer have to work more than 15 hours per week to get weekly payments after 130 weeks (2.5years).
• If you have 21% or greater permanent impairment medical expenses will be payable for life.
• If you have more than 30% permanent impairment you will receive an increased minimum benefit of $788 per week which will be indexed to CPI, providing a safety net for those with lower weekly wages at the time of their injury (particularly for younger workers with highest needs).
• All injured workers who return to work with a new employer will get ‘return to work assistance of up to $1,000 to assist with the transition.
• Education and retraining grants of up to $8,000 will be provided for workers who have been receiving weekly benefits for 78 weeks (18 months) or more to improve the opportunity to return to work.
• Families of deceased workers will have access to an increased death benefit of $750,000 – up substantially from the current $524,000.
• The maximum amount that will be payable for funeral expenses of a deceased worker will increase from $9,000 to $15,000.
In addition to enhanced benefits for workers, businesses will receive five-20 per cent discounts for maintaining safe work places and helping injured employees return to work.
Implications for AlertForce and clients
Approval, accreditation and agreements for registered training organisations (RTOs) will continue to operate under NSW Work Health and Safety legislation, which is now administered by SafeWork NSW.
Over the coming months WorkCover NSW forms will be re-branded as SafeWork NSW. Until then, AlertForce will continue to use all WorkCover NSW branded forms including applications, Statements of Training (SOTs) and Notices of Satisfactory Assessment (NSAs).
All business as usual enquiries to SafeWork NSW for RTOs can continue via phone 13 10 50 or email [email protected].
AlertForce will amend the branding of its website over the coming months from WorkCover NSW to SafeWork NSW, when referring to approvals or WHS training.
What this means for SafeWork NSW
The new SafeWork NSW continues to offer the full range of WHS services across NSW.
Its inspectorate continues to provide advice, as well as undertake compliance and enforcement activities and conduct investigations.
Existing partnerships, sponsorships, agreements and memorandum of understanding will remain in place.
Authorised training and assessment providers will continue to provide critical services to its customers on SafeWork NSW’s behalf.
For further information, assistance and advice continues to be available via the SafeWork NSW website (www.safework.nsw.gov.au) and customer service centre (13 10 50).
https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/ohs-harmonisation-course/
AlertForce offers nationally recognised WHS harmonisation training courses covering the NSW WHS Act. Go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/ohs-harmonisation-course/
Fatigue: how to assess the invisible threat
Basic fatigue management is essential for combatting human error incidents in the workplace, a work health and safety conference has heard.
Within mining operations, for example, fatigue is a leading contributor in 60-70 percent of human error incidents, according to Caterpillar Safety Services’ Asia Pacific regional manager Brett Haskins.
Speaking at Queensland Resources Council’s Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference last month (August 2015), Mr. Haskins said fatigue undermines productivity and performance targets, impacts financial results and damages business reputations.
The impact isn’t all negative. It also provides an opportunity to better understand operator performance, positively impact risk mitigation, make efficiency gains, drive cost control and improve the overall health and wellness of our employees.
“One thing that I have learned over the years through multiple change management and continuous improvement systems is to first assess (define and measure) the current state of any operation, before developing an improvement plan that helps reach the desired state,” Mr. Haskins said.
Opportunities among the threats
Mr. Haskins said the ability to accurately assess fatigue represented a clear opportunity. Using custom-designed Six Sigma practices, Caterpillar Inc. built a comprehensive safety product suite that included a fatigue and distraction risk assessment – a holistic employee fatigue and distraction measurement tool that provides real-time visibility to an ongoing risk.
Over the past decade many technologies have emerged in the fatigue space ranging from in-cab camera systems and devices needing to be worn by an operator, to computer software scheduling systems, he said.
When used as stand-alone technologies, these tools can provide valuable improvement data. Together, the technologies can capture the entire picture.
“During the assessment period it’s important to consider the use of a range of technologies in order to clearly define the volume of the problem. For example, an in-cab camera system detecting operator alertness will provide the number of fatigue and distraction events occurring, but it doesn’t provide any data on that same operator’s sleep quality. Similarly, telematics data provides ample information about how the equipment is operating, but provides very little information about the control module (the operator).”
Caterpillar, Inc. uses a combination of products to provide a holistic view of operator and fleet performance. The product suite includes:
• Cat Smartband (a scientifically validated wrist worn technology that captures the quantity and quality of sleep for the wearer, which is then used to calculate an effectiveness score).
• Fatigue Avoidance Scheduling Tool (a fatigue modelling software that identifies areas of fatigue risk in schedule and roster design utilising individual and group sleep data to generate minute-by-minute performance predictions).
• Driver Safety System (an in-cab camera system that detects fatigue and distraction events).
• Equipment Telematics (“black box” type technology used to transmit vital equipment and operation data to improve usage and product life . A fatigue and distraction risk assessment analyses the combined data from each of these technologies to bring visibility to the current state of operations, employee effectiveness and risk. It monitors events through the use of an instantaneous in-cab alarm and seat vibration system. The accompanying 24/7 monitoring system also supports a fatigue intervention plan for each detected event and customised reports to be used for analysis and continuous improvement. The technology provides an accurate measuring system for determining the success of your overall fatigue risk management system. In addition, the availability of real-time data enables the changing out of any operators who are at risk of accidents and injuries due to their fatigued state.
Since its development the Driver Safety System has monitored more than 8 million hours and driven more than 101million kilometres in mining vehicles; 2641kms driven while operators were fatigued. The system has detected more than 1.5M distraction events in these same mining vehicles.
“During the assessment process we strongly encourage cross checking and referencing equipment telematics, tyre and incident data from your machines. Integrating these data sets with fatigue and distraction events provides even more tangible information to define the current reality,” Mr. Haskins said.
Once a fatigue and distraction risk assessment is undertaken, employers have specific and verifiable data from which to build an improvement plan.
Combining real-time intervention technologies, operator performance-related data and engaging in operator consultation creates an integrated and comprehensive improvement plan for the business, he said.
In working with employees to optimise policies, procedures, training and schedules rosters, an ongoing fatigue risk management system will facilitate a culture of continuous improvement driven by data analytics for a sustainable future.
Queensland Resources Council (QRC) chief executive Michael Roche, meantime, told the conference there was “no room for complacency” when it comes to safety, regardless of operating circumstances.
“When it comes to improving the industry’s safety culture and leadership, better management of vehicle and mobile equipment safety and addressing fitness for work challenges (such as impacts from drugs and alcohol), a collaborative rather than competitive approach is what is needed,’ Mr Roche said.
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AlertForce is a leader in fatigue management training. AlertForce has customised courses in transport, mining, manufacturing and rail that can help your business (see https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/fatigue-management/#course-content).
WHS a priority in new NBN contracts
Work health and safety (WHS) is a key component of NBN’s (formerly NBN Co’s) new NBN jobs contracting model with the Australian construction industry.
The performance-based contracts aim to increase significantly the quality and speed of the rollout to homes and businesses in the fixed-line “footprint” that will make up the vast majority of connections to the NBN network.
The terms, which include adherence to safe work practice, represent a marked departure from the old commercial model which guaranteed large volumes of work to suppliers in specified states and regions regardless of performance but also placed upon them a high administrative burden and no competition for that work.
Instead, the new contracts offer flexible volume commitments, competition between delivery partners, and pricing based on outcomes rather than inputs.
AlertForce plays a part
AlertForce is playing its part in nbn’s heightened focus on WHS by providing mandatory online WHS induction training to NBN employees. AlertForce is the sole provider of online WHS training to NBN.
NBN CEO Bill Morrow said the performance of construction partners, the quality of their work and their adherence to safe work practices would determine how much additional work they will receive.
“We have worked closely with the industry to reduce the complexity of our contracts to make them easier to administer and to reward good work as we gear up to accelerate the rollout.”
The first of the new contracts were signed in June 2015 with construction partners Downer, Transfield, Visionstream, Fulton Hogan and WBHO.
Together the new contracts will cover around 4 million homes and businesses that are scheduled to be connected with fibre to the node, fibre to the building or fibre to the premises. Contracts with additional suppliers are also being negotiated and nearing conclusion.
NBN has a goal of ensuring that all homes, businesses and communities across Australia can access high speed broadband by 2020, including 8 million premises connected to the NBN network.
Strong focus on training
The new contracts come at the same time as NBN announces a significant recruitment and training drive to support the accelerated connection of homes to the NBN network by 2020.
The current construction workforce is expected to double to 9,000, with NBN committing nearly $40 million for training and awareness campaigns to help attract an extra 4,500 workers into the industry.
“To bring high speed broadband to Australians faster, our delivery partners will need a bigger pool of trained, skilled workers,” NBN CEO Bill Morrow said. “Flexible career options will be explored by construction partners to attract late-stage career workers looking to balance their hours with lifestyle and family.
Roles in coaching and training for new industry entrants will harness their experience and provide valuable expertise to younger workers setting out in the industry.NBN also aims to attract school leavers and workers rolling off other construction jobs, building a range of training and re-skilling programs with tailored career paths.
Workforce to double
The intention is to expand the industry’s workforce to meet construction and activation requirements. Long-term opportunities will also be created as the network moves into ongoing operations and maintenance.
“To those with telco experience, there are options to use your skills or become a teacher and coach for the next generation of workers,” Mr Morrow said.
“To those thinking about what course or career to pursue, our partners are developing options that will include training and real job opportunities on the NBN network over the long term.”
The occupations needed to meet nbn’s requirements include telco copper cable jointers, telco linesworkers, cablers, telco technicians and electrical linesworkers.
NBN is signing agreements with a number of training organisations, comprising TAFEs and registered training organisations, with providers in every major rollout region across the country. Further, a national NBN skills register will also be established to help record worker accreditations across the network.
“Both the rapid roll out plan and the multi-technology mix means we need more people in our united partnership to connect eight million happy homes by 2020,” Mr Morrow said.
“Together we aim to bring high speed broadband to Australians to bridge the digital divide and create new opportunities for business, health, education and entertainment.”
Satellite launch
NBN’s first satellite, meantime, is expected to launch from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana soon, followed by the expected commercial availability of its wholesale Long Term Satellite Service (LTSS) in 2016.
The LTSS will deliver wholesale broadband speeds of up to 25 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload.
More than one million premises can now order fast broadband services via the NBN network – about one in 10 homes. Nearly half a million homes are already connected and enjoying the benefits.
Mr Morrow said the fast broadband delivered via the NBN network can provide a range of benefits for Australians such as opportunities to work from home, access to online education tools and options for on-demand entertainment.
For more information on AlertForce’s Mandatory NBN Safety and Awareness Course/Training, go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/nationally-recognised-nbn-safety-awareness-course/
Australia’s asbestos disease rate continues to outstrip world
Latest figures reveal Australia’s rate of asbestos-induced mesothelioma continues to outstrip the rest of the world.
Reaffirming the importance of asbestos removal training, the Safe Work Australia (SWA) report reveals an incidence rate of a 2.2 per 100,000 person-years, compared with the global average of 1.2.
The Mesothelioma in Australia: Incidence (1982 to 2013) and Mortality (1997 to 2012) report, released in May 2015, is based on statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the Australian Mesothelioma Registry (AMR).
The AMR figures reveal the incidence rate for Victoria and NSW in 2013 was 1.8, but in WA it was 3.9. Age at diagnosis ranged from 27-96, but most people were aged 70-84. Men were more likely to be diagnosed in their 70s, while the incidence for women was more evenly spread across age groups.
About 60% of people who participated in research had possible or probable exposure through work, the report says.
The highest incidence was for tradespeople, particularly those in construction and the metal and mechanical trades.
So what is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a fatal cancer that typically occurs 20 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos, although exposure does not always result in the disease, the SWA report reveals.
Mesothelioma of the pleura (a cancer affecting the protective lining of the lungs and chest cavity) is the most common form of mesothelioma in Australia and has accounted for approximately 93% of cases since 1982.
Mesothelioma of the peritoneum (a cancer affecting the abdominal lining) is less common and has accounted for approximately 6% of cases since 1982. The figures in the SWA report included all forms of mesothelioma.
History in Australia
In Australia, more chrysotile (white asbestos) than amphibole (blue and brown) asbestos was mined until 1939, the SWA report reveals. New South Wales, the first jurisdiction to mine asbestos, produced the largest amount of chrysotile until 1983, as well as smaller quantities of amphibole until 1949.
With the commencement of mining in Wittenoom in Western Australia in 1937, crocidolite (blue asbestos) dominated production until the closure of the mine in 1966. The main sources of raw asbestos imports were from Canada (chrysotile) and South Africa (crocidolite and amosite—brown asbestos). Consumption peaked around 1975 at approximately 70 000 tonnes per year.
In addition to imports of asbestos fibre, Australia also imported many manufactured asbestos products, including asbestos-containing cement articles, yarn, cord and fabric, joint and millboard, friction materials and gaskets. The main sources of supply were the United Kingdom (UK), the United States of America (USA), the Federal Republic of Germany and Japan.
With the closure of the crocidolite mine at Wittenoom, Australian asbestos production and exports declined. Imports of chrysotile also started to decline. Over 60% of all production and 90% of all consumption of asbestos in Australia occurred in the asbestos cement manufacturing industry, the SWA report confirms.
From around 1940 to the late 1960s, all three types of asbestos were used in this industry. The use of crocidolite began to be phased out from 1967, while amosite was used until the mid-1980s. Much of the industry output remains today in the form of “fibro” houses and water and sewerage piping.
By 1954, Australia was fourth in the western world in gross consumption of asbestos cement products, after the USA, UK and France, and first on a per capita basis. After World War II to 1954, 70 000 asbestos cement houses were built in New South Wales (52% of all houses built in Australia). In the past, exposure to asbestos was very high in some industries and occupations. It was as high as 150 fibres per millilitre of air (f/ml) in asbestos pulverisors and disintegrators in the asbestos cement industry and up to 600 f/ml among baggers at Wittenoom.
Regulation introduced in ‘70s
The use of asbestos products has been regulated in Australia since the late 1970s. A series of regulations adopted in the late 1970s and early 1980s by various jurisdictions imposed exposure limits of 0.1 f/ml for crocidolite and amosite and 0.1–1.0 f/ml for chrysotile.
In July 2003, a revised national exposure standard for chrysotile asbestos of 0.1 f/ml was declared by the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission. The prohibition of all forms of asbestos was adopted simultaneously under regulations in each Australian jurisdiction and by Australian Customs on 31 December 2003.
The prohibition bans the use of asbestos, but does not require the removal of asbestos products that were in place as at 31 December 2003. Therefore, some asbestos products are still present and need regulation to ensure their management or removal does not result in asbestos exposure.
Small decline since 2011 peak
In 2011, 690 new cases of mesothelioma were diagnosed in Australia. The preliminary number of diagnoses for 2013 is 575. The number of new mesothelioma cases has increased in most years since 1982, when national data first became available, and peaked at 690 in 2011.
The age-standardised incidence rate of mesothelioma increased from 1.1 new cases per 100 000 population in 1983 to a peak of 3.2 in 2010.
The rate fell to 2.8 new cases per 100 000 population in 2011. In 2011, the highest age-specific incidence rate of new mesothelioma cases occurred among males aged 85 years and above (49.9 cases per 100 000 population aged 85 years and above).
Deaths due to mesothelioma.
In 2012, 638 deaths were attributed to mesothelioma. The number of deaths resulting from mesothelioma increased between 1997 and 2012 and reached a peak of 638 in 2012.
In 2012, the age-standardised mortality rate for mesothelioma was 2.5 deaths per 100 000 population. The age-standardised mortality rate remained relatively stable over the 16 years for which data are available and ranged between a minimum of 2.1 deaths per 100 000 population in 1999 and a maximum of 2.7 in 2001.
The model work health and safety laws adopted by the Australian Capital Territory, the Commonwealth, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania provide a consistent framework for the minimisation of asbestos exposure, the removal of asbestos and the management of remaining asbestos materials in workplaces.
What resources are available to deal with asbestos?
A national model code of practice, How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace, is available on the Safe Work Australia website to provide businesses with practical guidance on how to manage risks associated with asbestos and asbestos-containing material in the workplace.
The Commonwealth Government established the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA) to focus on asbestos-related issues at a national level. Along with developing a national strategic plan aimed at preventing asbestos exposure and eradicating asbestos-related diseases in Australia, the ASEA also undertakes research and awareness activities, including an examination of current disposal infrastructure and a study of community awareness and attitudes to asbestos.
For more details on AlertForce asbestos awareness training assessment and removal courses, go to www.alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/asbestos-awareness/
Two fatalities at freight hub highlight importance of WHS traffic control training
Two fatalities within six weeks at a freight depot highlight the importance of traffic control planning and training.
Earlier this month (August, 2015), a collision between a truck and forklift at Crawfords Freightlines in Sandgate, NSW sparked a confrontation between two workers, with one killed in the fight that followed.
In July a maintenance worker died while at work for Crawfords after a tyre on a forklift he was repairing failed.
The company says it is working with regulatory authority WorkCover NSW and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) to improve safety at the yard.
A Crawfords spokesperson told AlertForce it was currently in the process of improving road markings and signage on site, in accordance with a Workcover NSW directive.
The earlier fatality, which involved a local tyre centre worker not employed by Crawfords, who died whilst carrying out maintenance on a Crawfords forklift, was the result of a “failure in procedures”, not a faulty tyre, the company said.
The man’s employer was issued with an improvement notice over the earlier incident in relation to training and instruction. No improvement notices were issued against Crawfords Freightlines in regard to the earlier incident, the spokesperson said.
TWU investigates yard safety
The TWU’s Newcastle secretary Mick Forbes, meantime, said the union was doing its own investigation of procedures and upgrades at the yard.
“Last year their (Crawfords’) timber exporting business was shut down by the EPA over the [alleged] improper use of the toxic fumigant methyl bromide,” Mr Forbes said.
“The last thing we want is another tragic incident involving transport workers, dangerous chemicals or explosives – we need the authorities to get in there and clean things up for the safety of the entire community,” Mr Forbes said.
Crawford’s Freightlines, meantime, has conducted an on-site inspection of its Sandgate head office with representatives from the union.
Crawfords managing director Peter Crawford said the company was committed
to strict workplace safety procedures in its loading and unloading areas.
“We reiterated that our company complies with relevant WHS Act and WHS Regulations as part of our day to day operations. For example, we undergo regular auditing by WorkCover NSW and our clients, including the Downer Group, Dyno Nobel and Orica, to ensure we meet the vigorous requirements needed to store and handle hazardous materials.”
Mr Crawford said the company was always working with WorkCover NSW to ensure best practice workplace regimes.
A WorkCover NSW spokesperson confirmed WorkCover issued one traffic management notice to Crawfords Freightlines in regards to the collision that lead to fight and subsequent fatality on August 4.
“The incident on 4 July involved a contractor. This was a different entity to Crawfords Freightlines,” its spokesperson confirmed.
WorkCover releases safety video
In an acknowledgement of the risks transport hubs pose to worker health and safety, WorkCover has released a new safety alert video addressing loading and unloading flatbed trucks and trailers.
The video establishes how an experienced truck driver fell two metres and sustained fatal injuries because fall protection was not in place.
The footage outlines a series of simple safety steps to prevent falls – number one being to remain on the ground during unloading and loading.
Executive director of WorkCover’s work health and safety division Peter Dunphy said there were a number of ways to do this, including pre-configuring the load or using load restraints.
“But if working from the ground is a no-go, then a safe way to access and work upon the trailer must be provided, and this can be anything from guard rails and work platforms to retractable ladders or steps with handrails.”
Mr Dunphy said the typical transport industry model involved several businesses, which often meant complex arrangements with loading and unloading freight.
Australia-wide, 15 transport workers died between 2003 and 2012 after falling from their trucks. Most trucks were flatbed types with no guard rails or other fall protection devices.
About 20% of injuries in NSW’s road freight transport industry are caused by falls, with almost 900 workers lodging workers compensation claims for fall-related injuries over two years prior to April 2014.
AlertForce provides traffic control training
AlertForce, meantime, is doing its bit to reduce transport-related injuries and fatalities through nationally qualified competency training in traffic control.
The training meets the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) nationally recognised competency qualification framework for all traffic control training, which was introduced on July 1, 2015
The introduction of a national framework is based on an Austroads research report Traffic Control at Worksites – Training and Accreditation, which recommends a set of standards, skill sets and units of competency for traffic controllers
The traffic controller qualification for workers who are required to setup traffic control guidance schemes (TCGS) in accordance with approved traffic management plans (ie, yellow card qualification), for example, assesses among other things the following knowledge and skills:
• Understand and make changes to a TCGS to suite the specific road environment
• Adapt behaviours to the work site
• Know the basic function of the TCGS
• Adapt to all WHS and operational requirements
• Follow organisational and legislative WHS policies and work procedures
• Use the site/location assessment, distinguish topographical landmarks and carry out authorised risk control
• Conduct an onsite check of a TCGS to identify any unexpected risks/hazards
• Able to interpret plans, that is, must be aware of the distance and measuring devices of the method
• Plan for emergencies that may arise.
For more details on AlertForce’s nationally recognised traffic control NSW training, go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/nationally-recognised-traffic-control-training-nsw/
For WorkCover’s safety alert on loading flatbed trucks, go to http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/news/safety-alert/falls-from-flatbed-trucks-and-trailers-safety-alert
What is good work design?: a 10-point guide
Good work is healthy and safe work, where the workplace health and safety hazards and risks are eliminated or minimised “so far as is reasonably practicable”, Safe Work Australia’s (SWA’s) new handbook Principles of Good Work Design (PGWD) argues.
Good work is also where the work design optimises human performance, job satisfaction and productivity.
So how do you ensure ‘good’ work design and how do you assess its value?
Before any new project, PGWD says job designers MUST consider:
The work:
• how work is performed, including the physical, mental and emotional demands of the tasks and activities;
• the task duration, frequency, and complexity; and
• the context and systems of work.
The physical working environment:
• the plant, equipment, materials and substances used; and
• the vehicles, buildings, structures that are workplaces.
The workers:
• physical, emotional and mental capacities and needs.
Failure to do so can result in “poor risk management and lost opportunities to innovate and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of work”, PGWD warns.
Key principles
So what are the vital ingredients you NEED to employ to ensure ‘good’ work design? The handbook lists 10 key reasons/principles, listed under three subheadings: why, what and how.
The Why principles
The Why section is split into three principles, as follows:
1: Good work design gives the highest level of protection ‘so far as is reasonably practicable’
PGWD argues eliminating or minimising hazards at the source before risks are introduced in the workplace is a very effective way of providing the highest level of protection. Doing so reduces the risk of injuries, claims and expense. Where that is not reasonably practicable, then the design process should minimise hazards and risks through the selection and use of appropriate control measures.
2. Good work design enhances health and wellbeing
Good work design optimises worker function and improves participation enabling workers to have more productive working lives. Effective design aims to prevent harm, but it can also positively enhance the health and wellbeing of workers for example, satisfying work and positive social interactions can help improve people’s physical and mental health. As a general guide, the healthiest workers have been found to be three times more productive than the least healthy (see PDF file). It therefore makes good business sense for work design to support people’s health and wellbeing.
3: Good work design enhances business success and productivity
Good work design prevents deaths, injuries and illnesses and their associated costs, improves worker motivation and engagement and in the long-term improves business productivity. Well-designed work fosters innovation, quality and efficiencies through effective and continuous improvement. Well-designed work helps manage risks to business sustainability and profitability by making work processes more efficient and effective and by improving product and service quality. Designing-out problems before they arise is generally cheaper than making changes after the resulting event, for example by avoiding expensive retrofitting of workplace controls.
The WHAT principles
4: Good work design addresses physical, biomechanical, cognitive and psychosocial characteristics of work, together with the needs and capabilities of the people involved
Good work design addresses the different hazards associated with work eg, chemical, biological and plant hazards, hazardous manual tasks and aspects of work that can impact on mental health. Work characteristics should be systematically considered when work is designed, redesigned or the hazards and risks are assessed. These work characteristics should be considered in combination and one characteristic should not be considered in isolation. Good work design creates jobs and tasks that accommodate the abilities and vulnerabilities of workers so far as reasonably practicable. Hazards and risks associated with tasks are identified and controlled during good work design processes and they should be considered in combination with all hazards and risks in the workplace.
5: Good work design considers the business needs, context and work environment.
Good work design is ‘fit for purpose’ and should reflect the needs of the organisation including owners, managers, workers and clients. Every workplace is different so approaches need to be context specific. What is good for one situation cannot be assumed to be good for another, so off-the-shelf solutions may not always suit every situation. The work environment is broad and includes: the physical structures, plant and technology, work layout, organisational design and culture, human resource systems, work health and safety processes and information/control systems. The work environment includes the physical structures, plant, and technology. Planning for relocations, refurbishments or when introducing new engineering systems are ideal opportunities for businesses to improve their work designs and avoid foreseeable risks. However, all businesses must eliminate or minimise their work health and safety risks so far as reasonably practicable.
6: Good work design is applied along the supply chain and across the operational lifecycle.
Good work design should be applied along the supply chain in the design, manufacture, distribution, use and disposal of goods and the supply of services. Work design is relevant at all stages of the operational life cycle, from start-up, routine operations, maintenance, downsizing and cessation of business operations. New initiatives, technologies and change in organisations have implications for work design and should be considered. Businesses in the supply chain can have significant influence over their supply chain partners’ work health and safety through the way they design the work. Health and safety risks can be created at any point along the supply chain, for example, loading and unloading causing time pressure for the transport business. These can be prevented if businesses work with their supply chain partners to understand how contractual arrangements affect health and safety.
The HOW principles
7: Engage decision makers and leaders
Work design or redesign is most effective when there is a high level of visible commitment, practical support and engagement by decision makers. Demonstrating the long-term benefits of investing in good work design helps engage decision makers and leaders. Practical support for good work design includes allocation of appropriate time and resources to undertake effective work design or redesign processes.Leaders can support good work design by ensuring the principles are appropriately included or applied. Good work design, especially for complex issues will require adequate time and resources to consider and appropriately manage organisational and/or technological change. Like all business change, research shows leader commitment to upfront planning helps ensure better outcomes.
8: Actively involve the people who do the work, including those in the supply chain and networks
Persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) must consult with their workers and others likely to be affected by work in accordance with the work health and safety laws. Supply chain stakeholders should be consulted as they have local expertise about the work and can help improve work design for upstream and downstream participants. Consultation should promote the sharing of relevant information and provide opportunities for workers to express their views, raise issues and contribute to decision making where possible. Effective consultation and co-operation of all involved with open lines of communication, will ultimately give the best outcomes. Consulting with those who do the work not only makes good sense, it is required under the WHS laws. Workers have knowledge about their own job and often have suggestions on how to solve a specific problem. Discussing design options with them will help promote their ownership of the changes. See Code of practice on consultation.
9: Identify hazards, assess and control risks, and seek continuous improvement
A systematic risk management approach should be applied in every workplace. Designing good work is part of the business processes and not a one-off event. Sustainability in the long-term requires that designs or redesigns are continually monitored and adjusted to adapt to changes in the workplace so as to ensure feedback is provided and that new information is used to improve design. Good work design should systematically apply the risk management approach to the workplace hazards and risks. Typically good work design will involve ongoing discussions with all stakeholders to keep refining the design options. Each stage in the good work design process should have decision points for review of options and to consult further if these are not acceptable. This allows for flexibility to quickly respond to unanticipated and adverse outcomes.
10: Learn from experts, evidence, and experience
Continuous improvement in work design and hence work health and safety requires ongoing collaboration between the various experts involved in the work design process. Various people with specific skills and expertise may need to be consulted in the design stage to fill any knowledge gaps. It is important to recognise the strengths and limitations of a single expert’s knowledge. Near misses, injuries and illnesses are important sources of information about poor design. Most work design processes will require collaboration and cooperation between internal and sometimes external experts. Internal advice can be sought from workers, line managers, technical support and maintenance staff, engineers, ICT systems designers, work health and safety advisors and human resource personnel. Depending on the design issue, external experts may be required such as architects, engineers, ergonomists, occupational hygienists and psychologists.
PGWD says the 10 principles are deliberately “high level “and broadly applicable across the range of Australian businesses and workplaces. Applied appropriately, they can help support better WHS outcomes and business productivity.
AlertForce offers a number of WHS compliance courses for employers. For details go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/
Online training to soar as NBN Co doubles workforce
AlertForce predicts online training in Australia will soar under NBN job plans to speed up the rollout of the national broadband network by doubling its construction workforce.
Announcing “one of Australia’s largest training initiatives” on August 3, 2015, Federal Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull said nbn™ (NBN Co) would work with delivery partners to recruit and train an additional 4,500 workers. This will see the current project construction workforce doubled, with 9,000 workers employed at the peak of the rollout.
Mr Turnbull said nbn™ had identified “skills shortages and would work with delivery partners to ensure that trained workers have jobs after their training and stay on working in the project and the telecoms industry as the project proceeds”.
The scheme will target school leavers and people in the industry who require retraining.
“This is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Australia’s history and it’s certainly the most complex,” Mr Turnbull said. “It’s vital we have enough people to roll out the network as we increase the pace of the rollout.”
Welcoming the initiative, AlertForce chief executive officer Brendan Torazzi said AlertForce was “ideally positioned” to help NBN Co train its new workforce.
AlertForce is the sole provider of online safety induction training to nbn™. A mandatory requirement for nbn™ employees, induction training requires employees to demonstrate practical safety skills and knowledge of the NBN.
“Economies provided by the expanded workforce and online technology reduce the need for face-to- face training and allow us to provide even better efficiency and value for NBN Co,” Mr Torazzi said.
Mr Torazzi said there has been a shift from traditional face-to-face induction training to online in recent years, as employers seek more cost-effective ways to train employees.
In the price-challenged coal industry, for example, falling coal prices have seen mining employers turn to more cost-efficient online induction training for new employees.
“The advantages of doing theory training online include working at your own pace; there is no travel involved and there are other cost savings for employers such as the initial cost of the course.” In the case of the coal industry course, workers are required to keep a logbook demonstrating practical application of the skills learnt.
As part of its plan to speed up delivery of the NBN, nbn™ will work with training organisations to deliver relevant programs, while delivery partners will be responsible for providing on-the-job training. The nbn™ will also establish a skills register to ensure workers are retained in the industry. nbn™ aims to accelerate connection of eight million homes to the NBN network by 2020.
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For more information on AlertForce’s Mandatory NBN Safety and Awareness Course/Training, go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/nationally-recognised-nbn-safety-awareness-course/ .
WHS and IR legislation: traps and pitfalls
Even the most experienced workers, managers and lawyers sometimes get it wrong when interpreting obligations under workplace health and safety (WHS) and industrial relations (IR) legislation. The following cases highlight the value of training and certification for all employees.
In one of the first defended hearing in the NSW District Court, (WorkCover v Patrick Container Ports 17 February 2014), Judge Jim Curtis considered the fatal injury of an employee who was aware of the relevant risk and the safe work method procedure he was required to adopt – but didn’t apply it.
The employee had significant amounts of methamphetamine in his system at the relevant time.
WorkCover NSW alleged a range of workplace risks against Patrick Container Ports that largely related to a lack of documented systems. Judge Curtis found that the employee had been trained about the safe procedure and his non-compliance with it would not have been changed if a documented process had been in place.
Reporting on the case in its July 2015 mid-year employment, safety and law review, law firm Corrs says the case signalled that the prosecutor must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant did not take all steps reasonably practicable to ensure the health and safety of its workers. This means that defendants now have options other than reaching agreement on a plea; defences exist and should be pursued where appropriate.
Further, defendants should have increased bargaining power when discussing potential plea agreements, it reports.
Safety raised in sham contract allegation
WHS laws are not the only ones creating confusion for workers and management alike. In an industrial dispute with a strong safety angle, Anglo Metallurgical Coal Pty Ltd has come under fire from mining union the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) for introducing what the union claimed were “sham” employment arrangements at the company’s open cut mine near Biloela in Central Queensland.
At the heart of the dispute: the company’s decision to add ‘supervisor’ to the job description of three new open cut examiner (OCE) positions responsible for undertaking safety inspections at the mine.
The union claimed the dual job role breached existing job descriptions and payment arrangements laid down in the enterprise agreement, by extending the OCE role to new duties without consultation. Further, adding supervisor responsibilities to the OCE’s principle role – looking after mine safety – posed its own safety risks, it claimed.
Anglo disagreed, arguing the new position was not a “sham substitute” for a pre-existing OCE position filled either by a contractor or an employed OCE, but rather a new position. The result was the enterprise agreement did not apply to a person employed in the new position, it argued.
Federal Court Justice John Logan agreed, finding a “quality which a person holding an OCE/supervisor position had to have in order to be appointed to that position was supervisory skills”. The position was new and not a substitute for a pre-existing OCE position filled either by a contractor or an employed OCE; and not covered by the enterprise agreement, Judge Logan found.
Drug testing under scrutiny
Misunderstandings when it comes to interpreting legislation are not unique, with WHS a frequent cause of dispute between employers and unions.
The Federal Fair Work Commission’s myriad responsibilities include dealing with general protection disputes that involve the exercise of a WHS right, disputes over clauses in an agreement related to WHS and termination of employment that may involve a WHS issue.
In a more recent FWC full bench decision affirmed by a full court of the Federal Court and reported by Corrs in its midyear review, the court upheld a decision to overturn the reinstatement of a ferry master who failed a drug test after crashing a ferry into a pylon.
The ferry master did not declare his use of marijuana for pain relief on the day prior to the incident. When he returned a positive reading, he was suspended and then dismissed for breaching the employer’s ‘zero tolerance’ drug and alcohol policy, Corrs reported.
In its decision, the full bench was dismissive of the mitigating factors identified first by the FWC. These included the absence of a link between the drug use and the accident and the fact that there was no substantial damage to the vessel.
The full court held that the full bench did not commit any jurisdictional error when it intervened to correct the erroneous reliance upon those mitigating factors. It rightly identified errors in the original decision-making process and in the order of reinstatement.
The full court’s decision is significant because it confirms that the FWC has the discretion to judge whether a dismissal is unfair and what remedy should be awarded – with limited scope for a challenge based on jurisdictional error, Corrs said.
It is also likely to make employers more certain about disciplinary action or dismissal clauses in their drug and alcohol policies, even when there is no evidence of employee impairment.
Dismissal a minefield
At the coalface, employers are under increased pressure to meet onerous new compliance requirements when it comes to workplace dismissal.
But lower courts sometimes get it wrong when interpreting this obligation.
The Full Federal Court recently overturned a Federal Circuit Court decision to reinstate a government lawyer dismissed for misconduct while suffering from anxiety and depression. The dismissal followed the lawyer’s repeated failure to adhere to directions. These arose from his absenteeism and poor performance, including him missing court hearings, Corrs reports.
In the Federal Circuit Court the lawyer succeeded with the argument that he was dismissed due to mental disability, which is prohibited under the Fair Work Act, section 351(1). On appeal, the Full Federal Court applied the High Court’s Barclay and BHP Coal decisions and held that there was no evidence to support the trial judge’s conclusion that the manager, responsible for the lawyer’s dismissal, should have linked the lawyer’s misconduct to mental illness.
The Full Court said: “It is possible for there to be a close association between the proscribed reason and the conduct which gives rise to adverse action and for the decision maker to satisfy the Court that no proscribed reason actuated the adverse action”. The manager had not, therefore, acted for a proscribed reason in breach of Part 3-1 of the FW Act.
Require training in WHS legislation? Go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/ohs-harmonisation-course/ for latest WHS Harmonisation courses. |
Reference sources for this article:
- austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/FCA/2015/696.html
- corrs.com.au/assets/thinking/downloads/Corrs-Employment-Workplace-Safety-Law-Mid-Year-Review-July-2015.pdf
- Toms v Harbour City Ferries Pty Ltd [2015], FCAFC35, (16 March 2015)
- CFMEU v Anglo Coal [Callide Management] Pty Ltd, [2015], FCA696, (9 July 2015)
- State of Victoria (The Office of Public Prosecutions) v Grant [2014] FCAFC 184 (23 December 2014)
- Work Cover (Inspector Battye) v Patrick Container Ports Pty Ltd [2014] NSWDC 171, 17 February, 2014)
10 things you should consider when implementing a traffic management plan, plus Blue Card changes
A traffic management plan is vital for anyone working on a construction site. AlertForce recommends the following 10-point planning approach. The new Blue Card system for traffic controllers is also explored.
- A traffic management plan provides the details of proposals to safely manage traffic during the conduct of works on roads.
- The plan includes a traffic guidance scheme (diagrams), worksite hazard assessment (such as a safe work method statement and details of the location, nature and duration of the works.
- For long-term work the plan should include details of the requirements to manage traffic through the worksite outside normal working hours or when workers are not present at the site (after-care).
- A plan is required by legislation whenever works affect traffic on public and private roads, parking areas, and restricted access construction sites. This includes short-term works such as line marking or median strip mowing as and up to long -term major road construction work.
- Documentation is essential to planning all aspects of the worksite, setting out the what, when how and who of everything that needs to be done.
- Worksites need to meet the requirements of a range of compliance documents, which may include legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for workplace health and safety, environment and duty of care.
- In response to industry calls for greater national consistency, the Commonwealth, states and territories have agreed to implement nationally harmonised work health and safety (WHS) legislation to commence on 1 January 2012.
- While not all states and territories have me the deadline, it is important to be aware of the changes, as all states and territories will eventually implement them.
- The plan should include reporting requirements for notifiable incidents. Persons engaged in high-risk work should have licences, permits and registrations. There should be provision for worker consultation, participation and representation at the workplace, and resolution of health and safety issues.
- You can find out what regulations and codes of practice apply in your state from the relevant Road and Traffic Authority office.
In NSW, a combination of the red card and orange card qualifications enables workers to create a traffic management plan as well as design, select and modify traffic control guidance schemes (TCGS) and conduct inspections.
To attain a Prepare a Workzone Traffic Management Plan Qualification, the following key knowledge and skills set will be assessed, along with a number of other skills:
- Design traffic control guidance schemes (TCGS) to suit the specific road environment
- Select and modify traffic control guidance schemes (TCGS) to suit the specific road environment
- Prepare and develop a work zone traffic management plan
- Incorporate environmental management plans
- Follow organisational and legislative WHS policies and work procedures
- Select signs for a Traffic Control Guidance Schemes (TCGS) (as required)
- Sign-off a Traffic Control Guidance Schemes (TCGS) (if required)
- Keep records of all modifications to the Traffic Control Guidance Schemes (TCGS)
- Monitor and interpret control systems to apply to the drawing, selection and design
- Use approved methods and follow recognised local legislation
- Use the site/location assessment, distinguish topographical landmarks and carry out authorised risk control
- Conduct an onsite check of the plan to identify any unexpected risks and hazards
- Interpret standards and requirements with local policy and procedures
For training in implementing a traffic management plan, go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/nationally-recognised-traffic-control-training-nsw/.
Changes to Blue Card system
While traffic planning saves lives, so too do competently trained traffic controllers. In NSW from July 1, 2015, Roads and Maritime Services has introduced a nationally-recognised competency-based framework into its suite of training courses for traffic controllers.
The competency framework is based on the Austroads research report, Traffic Control at Worksites – Training and Accreditation, which recommends a set of standards, skill sets and units of competency for traffic controllers.
Changes to the traffic controller qualification, currently referred to as Blue Card training, cover employees who manage traffic through or past a roadwork site, directing traffic with a stop/slow down baton or similar control device.
Skills and competencies required for the traffic controller qualification include stop/direct road users using a stop/slow bat and understanding stopping sight distances.
Other competencies include:
- Understand and make changes to a Traffic Control Guidance Schemes (TCGS) to suite the specific road environment
- Adapt behaviours to the work site
- Know the basic function of the Traffic Control Guidance Schemes (TCGS)
- Adapt to all Work Health and Safety (WHS) and operational requirements
- Follow organisational and legislative WHS policies and work procedures
- Use the site/location assessment, distinguish topographical landmarks and carry out authorised risk control
- Conduct an onsite check of a TCGS to identify any unexpected risks/hazards
- Able to interpret plans, that is, must be aware of the distance and measuring devices of the method
- Plan for emergencies that may arise
- Identify and select the correct type of signs and traffic control devices in line with a Traffic Control Guidance Schemes (TCGS)
- Install and remove signs and traffic control devices, lane closures and advanced information signage, in line with a Traffic Control Guidance Schemes (TCGS)
- Ensure spacing between signs and traffic control devices is in line with a Traffic Control Guidance Schemes (TCGS)
The units of competency required for the traffic controller qualification are Work safely and follow WHS policies and work procedures (RIIWHS201A), Control traffic with a stop/slow baton (RIIWHS205A) and Communicate in the workplace (RIICOM201D).
If you are currently working as a traffic controller, your current qualification will remain valid until its expiry as you are already demonstrating the appropriate skills and knowledge.
When your traffic controller qualification expires after July 1, 2015, your qualification must be recertified when your qualification expires. A number of options will be offered that may include on-the-job assessment or recognition of prior learning.
Depending on your skill level, knowledge and experience, you may need to complete a course or attend gap training. You will be provided with the appropriate options when you apply for recertification. If you currently have a valid qualification, you will still be permitted to design and inspect traffic control plans and carry out the functions and duties of your existing qualification.
Further information can be access via the Roads and Maritime website or by calling 1300 828 782.
Working in the civil construction industry and require traffic management or traffic controller training? Go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/nationally-recognised-traffic-control-training-nsw/ for latest training courses. |
* Reference source for this article: AlertForce’s ‘Implement traffic management plan’ (R11WHS302D) and AlertForce’s ‘Changes to Traffic Control Training’ https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/nationally-recognised-traffic-control-training-nsw/ and Roads and Maritime Services Traffic control training at http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/business-industry/partners-suppliers/traffic-control-training/
NBN Co puts safety first
As part of their job requirements, employees at NBN Co must demonstrate clear knowledge of the company’s safety standards. AlertForce plays a key role by providing training for the employees. How do you think you would go answering the following questions taken from the course?
- Search the Internet for the work health and safety government authority for your state/territory. Write the name (and date) of the relevant act and regulation that applies to you in your workplace.
- Your employer under the legislation is referred to as a “PCBU”. What does PCBU stand for?
- There are things that you, as a worker, must do, according to the WHS Act. Research the web site of the WHS authority and then write your interpretation of what you must do in order to comply with legislation.
- The relevant safety act talks about “reasonable care”. What do you think this means?
- Do you think that common law duty of care applies to both mental and physical harm?
- If you notice that a workmate is being bullied or discriminated against in some way, what should you do?
- According to WorkCover NSW, “the role of a health and safety representative is to facilitate the flow of information about health and safety between the person
- conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU – the new term that includes employers) and the workers in the HSR’s work group.” Go to WorkCover’s web page and find the powers and functions of an HSR. List all four of them
- If an HSR’s role includes representing their work group, do you think this means they are entitled to attend meetings of the Health and Safety Committee?
- As a worker, are you eligible to stand for election as an HSR?
- If a safety inspector from the WHS Authority visits your site they must be given every co-operation and everybody on site must follow their instructions. They are authorised to inspect the workplace and work practices and to check tickets, licenses etc. In your own case, list the licences that you must carry with you at all times.
- When you are at work, you are injured very slightly – must you report this to your supervisor?
- What do you think may be the consequences if you don’t report a slight injury and later there are complications that make you sick?
- Why do you think it’s a requirement to report on a near miss that didn’t actually cause any injury or damage?
As part of the training, employees at NBN CO are required to identify construction hazards and control measures. In a typical example, an employee may be asked among other things to identify four hazards they are likely to come across in the physical environment, who else may be put at risk, and what should be done before work starts at the site, including controls.
At a practical level, they may be asked what type of work is most dangerous in relation to handling fibre cables, do they need additional training for this work, what are optical fibres made of, why food and drink shouldn’t be kept in the work area, what type of safety glasses should they wear and why is it essential to wash their hands before touching their faces, eyes or mouth.
More specific training covers areas such as Australian Standards that classify lasers by wavelength and maximum output and exposure to light from lasers. They are also asked to explain disposal procedures for chemicals.
In the event of an emergency, employees are asked to explain the four main steps to manage the incident. They are asked what they should do if they think it is unsafe to enter an area, and who needs to take leadership in making the scene safe. If power lines are involved, they are asked what is the closest distance for approaching the lines? And in the event of a fire, what type of fire extinguisher should they use.
Finally and importantly, they are asked why it is essential to clean up a site, what kind of work generates dust or fumes and how that can be minimised, what kinds of work will generate unacceptable noise and how can you minimise this, why is it essential to keep noise to an acceptable level, what kinds of waste will be generated in your work, how should they dispose of chemical waste, should you handle and dispose of sharps, what kinds of waste can be recycled or re-used and what types of environmental hazards must be immediately dealt with and reported to their supervisor.
The NBN Safety and Awareness Course is a mandatory induction program for any worker on the NBN. Designed by NBN and offered by AlertForce, the NBNAcc14001A NBN Safety and Awareness online course certifies workers are trained in health, safety and environment.
AlertForce is approved to deliver NBNATC1201A face-to-face. In addition, AlertForce currently has the only approval to deliver the course online.
The online training delivery for this course is more time efficient than other methods, meaning this version of learning can save business money. Whether they choose to do the course face-to-face or online, completing the course is mandatory for all NBN workers. The course is designed to give workers, both experienced and newcomers, useful knowledge to help make every NBN worksite a safe one.
Working for NBN Co or on the national broadband network and require safety training? Go to https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/nationally-recognised-nbn-safety-awareness-course/ for latest courses. |
- Reference source for this article: AlertForce’s ‘NBN Safety and Awareness Course’ (NBNATC1201A).
21 things you SHOULD know about asbestos
The best thing to do with asbestos in good condition is don’t disturb it. Where it is damaged and needs to be removed, trained professionals must do the job. AlertForce has released this handy 21-point history of asbestos, its use in Australia and why training is essential if you intent to remove it.
- Asbestos belongs to the serpentine and amphibole groups of rock-forming minerals.
- Asbestos use in human culture dates back at least 4,500 years (to Finland, used in earthenware pots).
- The word asbestos comes from the ancient Greek (means “unquenchable” or “inextinguishable“). This refers to its heat-resistant qualities.
- Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor (800–814), is said to have had a tablecloth made of asbestos.
- Although asbestos causes skin to itch upon contact, ancient literature indicates that it was prescribed for diseases of the skin including, ironically, itching.
- Asbestos use in England dates back to the 1700s, but did not become widespread until the Industrial Revolution during the late 1800s.
- Commercial asbestos mines sprung up in the late 1800s and entrepreneurs recognised that asbestos could perhaps make them rich. The U.S. asbestos industry began in 1858 when fibrous anthophyllite was mined for use.
- By the mid 20th century uses included fire retardant coatings, concrete, bricks, pipes and fireplace cement, heat, fire, and acid resistant gaskets, pipe insulation, ceiling insulation, fireproof drywall, flooring, roofing, lawn furniture, and drywall joint compound.
- In Japan, particularly after World War II, asbestos was used in the manufacture of ammonium sulfate for purposes of rice production, sprayed upon the ceilings, iron skeletons, and walls of railroad cars and buildings (during the 1960s), and used for energy efficiency reasons as well.
- The first documented death related to asbestos was in 1906. The first diagnosis of asbestosis was made in the UK in 1924.
- The term mesothelioma was first used in medical literature in 1931; its association with asbestos was first noted sometime in the 1940s. Mesothelioma rarely occurs in less than 15 years from first exposure, and in most cases occurs more than 30 years after first exposure.
- Approximately 100,000 people in the United States have died, or will die, from asbestos exposure related to ship building.
- In Australia, asbestos was widely used in construction and other industries between 1945 and 1980. From the 1970s there was increasing concern about the dangers of asbestos, and its use was phased out. Mining ceased in 1983. The use of asbestos was phased out in 1989 and banned entirely in December 2003.
- The dangers of asbestos are now well known in Australia and there is help and support for sufferers from asbestosis or mesothelioma.
- Aside from the well-known asbestos related diseases there have been reports of stomach, colo-rectal, larynx, pharynx, kidneys and oesophagus cancers.
- The excellent fire resistance, insulating properties, fibre strength, durability and flexibility of asbestos minerals resulted in the manufacture of over 3000 asbestos-containing products worldwide. These products included household products (such as hair dryers, ovens and toasters), construction materials (such as roofing, siding and pipe lagging), industrial products (like insulating board, gaskets and heat resistant gloves) and thousands more.
- Asbestos-containing materials were used extensively in Australian buildings and structures, plant and equipment and in ships, trains and motor vehicles during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Some uses included some friction materials and gaskets, which were only discontinued on 31 December 2003. In Australia, the asbestos cement manufacturing industry was responsible for over 60% of all production and 90% of all consumption of asbestos fibre.
- The well-known adverse health consequences of exposure to airborne asbestos fibres can be prevented if precautions are taken and appropriate procedures are followed. Strong management and control of all asbestos-containing materials in the workplace is essential.
- Between 1945 and 1954, 70,000 asbestos cement houses were built in New South Wales alone (52% of all the houses built in that state). In Australia as a whole, until the 1960s, 25% of all new housing was clad in asbestos cement. By 1954, Australia was number four in the western world in gross consumption of asbestos cement products, after the USA, the UK and France, and clearly first on a per capita basis.
- The vast majority of asbestos products were used in construction applications and this is why asbestos assessment work typically focuses on buildings and structures.
- From a practical standpoint, asbestos will be encountered in two forms including friable and non-friable (or bonded). Examples of non-friable asbestos include most flooring products, cement products like roof tiles and siding, hard gaskets, bricks, adhesives and other obviously bonded products. Examples of friable asbestos include most textiles, papers, sprayed-on fire proofing, and insulating products.
- Asbestos becomes a health hazard when fibres become airborne and are inhaled or swallowed. When asbestos fibres become airborne, they can penetrate your body through the nose or mouth and embed themselves in the deepest part of the lungs causing lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Pursuing a career in asbestos management and removal. Go to www.alertforce.com.au/ohs-training-courses/asbestos-awareness/ for latest training courses. |
- Reference source for this article: AlertForce’s ‘Supervise asbestos removal’ course (CPCCBC4051A).
WHS Bulletin Issue 3: Drug use, ramp collapse and fragile roofing
A police prosecutor sacked for taking drugs has unsuccessfully sought reinstatement on the basis he was suffering emotional problems following the 2005 suicide of a police friend and the 2013 death of his father.
Matthew Baker was found to have used cocaine in a random police drug test. The 18-year veteran admitted using the drug but failed to identify the one of seven friends he was drinking with who supplied him with the drug.
Hearing the reinstatement application, Acting Justice Peter Kite of the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW said he had taken into consideration the personal grief and suffering suffered by Baker. However, this had to be weighed against the public interest. Baker had demonstrated a “lack of insight” into the implications of his actions on the integrity of the police force, reflected by his failure to identify who supplied him the drug.
Accordingly, his removal from the force was not harsh, unjust or unreasonable. AJ Kite said the circumstances might have been different had Baker volunteered his use of the drug. “This is not a case of an officer coming to his senses, admitting he has an issue and seeking help,” AJ Kite said. “Even when he knew of the possibility of the random test he did not volunteer his use of the prohibited drug.”
AJ Kite said it was not until Baker had been selected and was about to be tested that he made the admission. “It is clear he was hoping to get away with his misconduct. Facing inevitable discovery he made the admission, but even then he did not go further and assist with information which could identify the supplier(s). He exercised his right to silence when invited to be interviewed.”
The commission earlier heard evidence the police force had zero tolerance of drug use by officers. Officers who used drugs or believed they had a problem were actively encouraged to come forward for counselling and support services. “The effectiveness of the police in protecting the community rests heavily upon the community’s confidence in the integrity of the members of the police force, upon their assiduous performance of duty and upon the judicious exercise of their powers,” AJ Kite said.
“Applying these principles, I am satisfied that the findings I have outlined above demonstrate that it was open to the [police] commissioner to conclude both that Mr Baker’s integrity and that of the police force had been significantly compromised.”
Company fined $250k over ramp collapse death
A company has been fined $250,000 in the Victorian County Court after a loading ramp collapsed killing a driver.
Frewstal Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to three counts under the Victorian 2004 OHS Act of failing to ensure that people other than its own employees were not exposed to risks to their health or safety.
The court was told that the incident took place in September 2013 at Frewstal’s abattoir in Stawell, Victoria as the driver was unloading a shipment of lambs. The driver was on the loading ramp when the hoist he was using to move the ramp broke apart above him and the ramp collapsed. He suffered severe head injuries and was taken to Stawell Hospital before being airlifted to Melbourne. He died several weeks later.
WorkSafe Victoria spokesperson Leanne Hughson said issues around the company’s decision to alter the design of the hoist, a lack of maintenance, and poor driver training in relation to the loading ramp and hoist had “an all too familiar ring to them”. “A lack of maintenance and a lack of training are common causes of serious injuries and fatalities in workplaces across the state,” Hughson said.
“And, far too often, WorkSafe investigators will discover that an incident has been caused by a piece of machinery being altered without due regard for the safety implications. WorkSafe will continue to prosecute employers who fail to understand that there can never be shortcuts when it comes to safety.”
The court was told an investigation at Frewstal’s abattoir revealed a lug on the loading ramp hoist had failed “catastrophically”.
The court heard that when a new loading ramp and safety mechanism was installed at the abattoir in 2010, the hoist lug was moved 300mm. However, the new position made it more susceptible to fatigue damage, stress and corrosion. The court was told that the company had failed to get expert opinion about the design change before moving the lug, and then failed to regularly inspect the hoist system during regular maintenance checks of the loading ramp.
The company also failed to put in place a system to train, direct or induct drivers to the use of the loading ramp and hoist. The court heard that in order to lower the loading ramp, a safety bar had to be manually disengaged. It had to be manually re-engaged once the loading ramp had been moved into its new position. The court was told that the driver had not been adequately trained in the safety bar’s operation and the safety bar had not been engaged when the loading ramp collapsed.
Hughson said the health and safety failures in relation to the abattoir’s loading ramp meant the risk of a serious injury – or worse – kept growing. “The decision to move the hoist lug without first assessing the engineering consequences was a critical error,” Hughson said. “The failure to keep an eye on this vital part of machinery during regular maintenance checks also created a serious risk.”
Safety alert on fragile roofing
SafeWork SA has issued a safety alert on working with fragile roofing.
Fragile roofing materials include corroded corrugated steel cladding, structurally unsound roof members, plastic sheeting, wired glass and corrugated asbestos-cement roof sheeting.
It is essential to identify all potential hazards and conduct a risk assessment before working on any roof area or using the roof as a means of access (eg, for construction, repair, maintenance, demolition or inspection), the alert warns.
WHS Bulletin Issue 2: Hairdressing, fatalities, awards and agriculture
A hair dresser sacked after she changed her sanitary napkin in the salon kitchen and then washed her hands in the kitchen sink has failed to be obtain an extension of time to hear her unfair dismissal claim.
Employer Raw Hair argued it was a serious breach of workplace health and safety (WHS) relating to personal hygiene in the salon kitchen – and came on the back of ongoing poor performance. The kitchen was used for meal breaks and food preparation for the salon café, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) heard.
In her application seeking reinstatement, Samra Vilic argued her dismissal was not related to her performance at work because she did not receive a warning about her conduct, and because the WHS breach did not relate to her job or performance. The commission noted Vilic’s recollection of the events leading up to her dismissal differed to those of Raw Hair. While she did not dispute the incident had occurred, she did dispute the significance of the breach.
“Having considered all of the factors, I find that there are no exceptional circumstances warranting the granting of further period for the making of an application for an unfair dismissal remedy,” Deputy President John Kovacic found.
“Accordingly, the application cannot proceed and is therefore dismissed. An order to that effect will be issued with this decision.” The commission heard her application was lodged one day outside the 21 day statutory timeframe for making an unfair dismissal application.
15 work related deaths in March
Latest Safe Work Australia figures reveal 15 work-related notifiable fatalities during March 2015 — 12 male workers and 1 female workers, 1 male bystander and 1 female bystander.
Of these fatalities, six workers died as a result of incidents on public roads or air. The monthly notifiable fatality report provides a national summary of work-related traumatic fatalities that were notifiable to Australian work health and safety jurisdictions.
Besides providing an estimate of the number of work-related deaths, the report also included details of the types of incident involved; the industry of the workplace at which the fatalities occurred; and the industry of the decedent’s employer. The reporting is based on calendar year.
CASA recognised for annual report
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA’s) focus on workplace health and safety (WHS) in its annual report has been recognised with an award at this year’s Australasian Reporting Awards in Melbourne.
The WHS Reporting Award recognises the value of incorporating WHS performance into organisation’s annual report. Safe Work Australia chief executive officer Michelle Baxter said all businesses should include WHS reporting in their annual report.
“Congratulations to CASA. Their annual report illustrates a commitment to ensuring their workers, contractors and others stay healthy and safe at work,” Baxter said.
CASA’s report was selected from a finalists including BHP Billiton, Woodside Petroleum and the City of Ryde. The Australasian Reporting Awards (ARA) provide an opportunity for organisations to benchmark their reports against the ARA criteria. They are open to all organisations that produce an annual report. The criteria for entering can be found on the ARA website.
Safeguards for agricultural industry
WorkCover NSW is set to launch the third phase of an industry action plan to improve health and safety in the state’s highest risk agricultural sector.
Inspectors are contacting sheep and beef cattle farmers across regional NSW to arrange visits between now and the end of August to help farmers assess and improve safe work systems.
While some will be first-time clients, others have already received a special rebate of up to $2,000 for purchasing or supplementing the cost of health and safety solutions.
Executive director of WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety Division Peter Dunphy said about 9,500 famers – more than a third of the target industry – had received assistance under the project’s now discontinued rebate scheme. “That is an extraordinary and unprecedented take-up rate, representing around $18 million in rebates, with more than $30 million invested in actual safety improvements that have helped to improve the industry’s health and safety performance,” Dunphy said.
“Most of these safety improvements are long-term infrastructure that will not only reduce the risk of injury on farms right now, but also for years to come and future generations. “We have already seen some significant results in pen and yard improvements, animal restraint and handling devices, animal loading ramps with hand-rail systems, and better sunshade protection.”
The project stems from an industry action plan devised by WorkCover and partners, such as NSW Farmers Association, the Country Women’s Association, Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety, and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
The plan addresses five main areas of concern – working with livestock, quad bikes, tractors and related implements, occupational disease and ‘recover at work’. Further support is being provided via an Alive and Well campaign – featuring real farmers conveying safety messages based on personal experiences to the wider agricultural community. The program has its own website; aliveandwell.net.au
During forthcoming visits, inspectors will work with farmers to improve safety systems. Farmers who are visited may be eligible for the $500 Small Business Rebate.
WorkCover NSW said there were about 26,000 workplaces and 14,000 workers in the sheep and beef cattle farming industry. In the three years to 2010/11, workplace injuries and occupational disease in the industry had cost the NSW WorkCover scheme around $48 million, it said.
WHS Bulletin Issue 1: Mining, asbestos and codes of practice news
Mining’s improving safety performance is reflected in latest figures – with companies in resources, materials and “heavy industry” among lower injury rates in the latest Citi workplace safety survey.
Citi’s Safety Spotlight: ASX100 Companies & More survey found safety systems were “often well established in such industries, given the potentially high risks in these industries, where major injuries and fatalities do occur”.
“Conversely, higher injury rates tend to be seen in industries with diverse sites, and activities like logistics, manual handling and hospitality – including consumer staples and retail,” its July 13 report said.
The research of Top 100 companies found in general, injury rates had “tended to come down over time, though for many companies substantial improvements have already been made and improvements are now more incremental”.
“Indeed, where injury rates are now low, it may be unrealistic to expect to see a continuing smooth downtrend”. Figures over the past five years revealed significantly reduced injury rates from earlier high levels for several ASX100 companies.
Metcash consistently had the highest lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR) injury rate in the sample at 14.1 injuries for every million hours worked, though the rate was down from 16.3 in 2012-2013. Woolworths (10.37), Qantas (8.9) and Wesfarmers (7.6) were next on the list. The report identified 437 fatalities among the Top 100 companies between 2005-2014.
Companies with more than 10 fatalities among employees and contractors over the period included Aquarius Platinum (37 fatalities over the period), BHP Billiton (45), Boral (15), Coca-Cola Amatil (17), CIMIC (ex-Leighton Holdings) (49), Downer EDI (10), Lend Lease (40), Newcrest Mining (18), Orica (12), Rio Tinto (51) and Transfield Services (11). (Toll Holdings was previously in this category but recently delisted.)” It appears that more companies are now reporting vehicle accidents (eg, Coca-Cola in Indonesia) and we suspect historical reporting may have been less comprehensive,” the survey said.
The charts identify where a single incident resulted in five or more fatalities – these were three aviation accidents: BHP (5 fatalities, 2008), NCM (8, 2012), RIO (10, 2008) and one underground mining fall-of-ground: AQP (5, 2011). South Africa featured heavily in BHP and RIO’s fatalities. Of BHP’s 49 fatalities from 2005-2015, 16 (33%) were in South Africa. Of RIO’s 54 fatalities, 12 (22%) were in South Africa.
Fatalities have tended to result from: vehicle / mobile plant accidents, helicopter accidents and falls from height, falling objects or crush injuries, electrical accidents and drowning.
Rethink for asbestos training in utilties sector
The Federal Government’s Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA) is undertaking a review designed to strengthen asbestos-related training materials in the utilities sector. The public has until Friday (July 17) to respond to an issues paper on the subject.
The best practice training materials developed will ultimately be for use by organisations within the utilities sector. Improvements to asbestos-related training in other sectors may be considered following this process. The review follows a number of reported instances of inappropriate handling and removal of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) during the Telstra/NBN cabling rollout.
An independent national taskforce was established by the Australian Government to monitor ongoing activities and prevent exposure of employees, contractors, and the general public to airborne asbestos fibres.
One area requiring continued focus and oversight included the development and implementation of an improved practical competency based training program for safer work practices for all workers engaged in pit and pipe works.
Feedback on the issues paper can be provided by email to [email protected] or by mail to Mr Julian Farrugia (Assistant Director), Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency, GPO Box 9880, Sydney NSW 2001.
New WHS codes of practice for the ACT
The ACT Government has adopted new model codes of practice developed by Safe Work Australia.
The notified codes are:
- Work Health and Safety (Demolition Work Code of Practice) Approval 2015
- Work Health and Safety (Excavation Work Code of Practice) Approval 2015
- Work Health and Safety (First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice) Approval 2015
- Work Health and Safety (Managing Electrical Risks at the Workplace Code of Practice) Approval 2015
- Work Health and Safety (Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice) Approval 2015
AlertForce Nominated For Telstra Business Awards
AlertForce chief executive officer Brendan Torazzi struck on the model for his award-winning training business when exploring ways to market futuristic sleep pods to manage corporate fatigue.
Discouraged by barriers required to sell the pods, Mr Torazzi sought advice to build a course to help truck drivers manage fatigue.
Within six months, he had secured around 20 per cent of the market.
AlertForce now is one of Australia’s leading providers of workplace health and safety (WHS) training. Its success has seen it nominated in the NSW small business category of the annual Telstra Business Awards, to be announced at the Westin Sydney on Tuesday (July 21).
Launched in 2009, AlertForce is a registered training organisation that offers nationally recognised WHS training courses and qualifications. Operating across Australia, courses are delivered face-to-face and online for small businesses through to multi-nationals.
The Sydney-based operation employs eight fulltime staff to facilitate training in the areas of construction, telecommunications and government.
Mr Torazzi says the company’s website is the best sales generator, with 60 per cent of revenue delivered through sales transacted online. “I believe the best marketing and sales strategies for small business are delivered online. Done correctly, small business can leverage results not possible last century.”
Mr Torazzi said he spent a lot of time and effort getting the website and learning management system integrated so that customers can self-serve.
“Our marketing and sales strategy is let clients come to us once they are ready to purchase. Once an enquiry is made we regularly drive engagement through clear communication.”
WHS Mines Act 2013 Duties
The Work Health and Safety (Mines) Act 2013 (WHS Mines Act) has a wider application than previous laws. It applies to all workplaces which are defined as mines – such as:
- Where mining operations are carried out; or
- A ‘tourist mine’ (being a workplace only for tourism purposes but at which mining operations were formerly carried out and at which there was a hazard prescribed by the regulations).
The term ‘mine’ is defined as a workplace at which ‘mining operations’ are carried out (or a tourist mine). The term ‘mining operations’ is defined to mean:
- Activities (referred to as ‘mining activities’) carried out for the purpose of:
- Extracting minerals from the ground;
- Injecting minerals into the ground;
- Exploring for minerals; and
- Activities carried out in connection with mining activities at a site, or a site adjoining or in the vicinity of a site, at which mining activities are carried out.
Certain activities are expressly included in the definition of ‘mining operations’, and these include:
- Handling, storing, preparing or processing extracted materials; and
- Constructing a site where a mining activity is or may be carried out.
The scope of the term ‘mining operations’ means that the WHS Mines Act 2013 may extend to certain other activities which are not within a colliery holding or mining title, or at a place where extraction of material is carried out.
Duties of a “mine operator
The Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulation 2014 (the WHS Mines Regulation) places primary obligations on the “mine operator” for the “mine”. The “mine holder” is the mine operator, unless the mine holder has appointed another person to be the mine operator.
The “mine holder” is the person conducting the business or undertaking (PCBU) with control over a right or entitlement to carry out mining activities, or the preparation or processing of extracted materials carried out in connection with mining activities or at an adjoining site or in the vicinity of such a site.
The WHS Mines Regulation places requirements on the “mine holder” to only appoint a person as a “mine operator” if:
- The person is a PCBU and is appointed to carry out mining operations at the mine on behalf of the mine holder;
- The person has the skills, knowledge, experience and resources to exercise the functions of the mine operator; and
- The mine holder authorises the person to have management or control of the mine and to discharge the duties of the mine operator under the WHS Act and WHS Mines Act and Regulation.
The WHS Mines Regulation introduces the ability of the Regulator (The Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services (DTIRIS)) to direct that one or more mine operators be appointed at a mine. The Regulator can give a direction, for example, that there be a single mine operator for the mine holding where the colliery holder/mine holder may have wished to appoint separate mine operators for separate and distinct mines.
Managing Risks – general requirements
A PCBU must ensure that a risk assessment is conducted by a person who is competent to conduct the particular risk assessment having regard to the nature of the hazard. This is a new requirement under the WHS Mines Regulation.
There are new obligations requiring PCBUs to maintain certain records in relation to risk assessments, control measures and reviews of those control measures. PCBUs which are mine operators have specific obligations concerning records of control measures which are to be reviewed in relation to certain events, such as notifiable incidents. The mine operator must maintain records relating to the causes of an incident, any WHS issues arising, recommendations, and a summary of any changes to the safety management systems. Similar obligations are imposed on other PCBUs at a mine.
These new obligations may impact on how mine operators currently conduct and retain internal investigations and claims for legal privilege. There are also penalty provisions which can result in fines being imposed for non-compliance.
Safety management system
The Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulation 2014 requires that a safety management system be established and implemented by the mine operator. These requirements are similar to the “health and safety management system” under the CMHS Act and the “mine safety management plan” under the MHS Act and Regulation.
The WHS Mines Regulation is more prescriptive in a number of respects than the CMHS Act and Regulation and MHS Act and Regulation. For example, the WHS Mines Regulation requirements include that there needs to be procedures for responses to, and investigations of, incidents. Organisational charts are also required to show the positions and persons who have WHS responsibilities. The safety management system is also to include, for example, arrangements for consultation, co-operation and co-ordination between fellow duty holders, particular measures for contractor safety management, and the procedures and conditions under which persons are to be withdrawn from the mine.
In relation to all underground mines, there are particular and detailed requirements for air quality and ventilation including that the mine operator must prepare a ventilation control plan for the mine.
“Principal mining hazard management plans”, “principal control plans” and “emergency plan”
The WHS Mines Regulation requires development, maintenance and review of principal hazard management plans and principal control plans.
The primary concept for such plans has been transposed across from “major hazard management plans” under the CMHS Act and Regulation, to now apply to all mines under the WHS Mines Regulation.
The mine operator of a mine has a duty to prepare an emergency plan for the mine, and there are specific things that must be done in this regard for underground mines, including in relation to the number of exits, safe escape, and refuge.
The WHS (Mines) Regulation also creates obligations to develop, implement and periodically review various plans, including a health control plan, mechanical engineering control plan, electrical engineering control plan, and explosives control plan.
The WHS (Mines) Regulation also requires that specified risks are managed by having specific control measures in place for “all mines”, “all underground mines”, “all coal mines”, and “all underground coal mines”.
There are many areas that are new under the WHS Mines Act 2013 and The WHS Mines Regulation 2014 and it will be necessary to review existing systems to ensure they comply with the new laws.
Further information can be found at www.resourcesandenergy.nsw.gov.au/safety
References
Work Health and Safety (Mines) Act 2013
Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2014 (clauses 6 & 7)
For more information on WHS Act and a free course visit AlertForce Health and Safety Courses.
Management Of Asbestos in Leased Buildings
Asbestos is a serious health risk that must be managed. Immediate action to comply with the legislative changes is prudent. All pre-2004 buildings with common property workplaces need to comply. Compliance is simple with good quality properly experienced and trained advisors.
Responsibility
Most would perceive that the duty for managing asbestos in buildings is the responsibility of the owner. Although that was largely true once, the Model Work Health Legislation has changed some obligations concerning the detection and management of asbestos containing materials in their leased premises to the tenant. This responsibility concerns buildings constructed before 31 December 2003 (the date that a complete prohibition in the use of asbestos in building materials was imposed). Hence, the Legislation has determined that whoever is leasing the building based on this age limit and set criteria, is accountable for maintaining an asbestos register and for preparing an Asbestos Management Plan.
Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011
Part 8.3 Clause 422 of the Regulations states:
“Asbestos to be identified or assumed at workplace
- A person with management or control of a workplace must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that all asbestos or ACM at the workplace is identified by a competent person.
- A person with management or control of a workplace must:
(a) if material at the workplace cannot be identified but a competent person reasonably believes that the material is asbestos or ACM – assume that the material is asbestos, and
(b) if part of the workplace is inaccessible to workers and likely to contain asbestos or ACM – assume that asbestos is present in the part of the workplace.”
A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) with control of a workplace must ensure that any asbestos at the workplace is identified, recorded in a register (Reg. Clause 425) and subject to an Asbestos Management Plan (Reg. Clause 429).
The obligation to keep an asbestos register applies to buildings constructed before 31 December 2003. An asbestos register is not required to be prepared in circumstances where (Reg, Clause 425):
- the workplace is a building that was constructed after 31 December 2003
- no asbestos has been identified at the workplace, and
- no asbestos is likely to be present at the workplace from time to time
However, even if no asbestos is identified or is determined not be present based on reasonable grounds, the register must state that:
“no asbestos or ACM is identified at the workplace if the person knows that no asbestos or ACM is identified, or is likely to be present from time to time, at the workplace.” (Reg. Clause 425)
If there is uncertainty about whether asbestos is present, it must be assumed that it is asbestos or arrange for samples to be analysed.
Many might falsely presume that this obligation falls upon building owners. However, the Tenant (or Lessee) as the PCBU has had the responsibility to ensure a register is maintained and if necessary, an Asbestos Management Plan from 1 July, 2013.
Victorian and West Australian OHS Legislation
As Victoria and Western Australia have yet to take on the Harmonised Work Health and Safety Act, their legislation in general does not have the lessee of a building and who runs the business from that building as the entity that has responsibility to maintain an asbestos register or management plan.
However, his does not affect the businesses’ responsibilities under Victorian or West Australian OHS Legislation to sustain an asbestos controlled environment, ensuring and maintaining a safe workplace. This would include ensuring the control risk of exposure where asbestos is identified, the control of asbestos-related work and specify the location of asbestos.
Ensuring Compliance: Asbestos Registers and Management Plans
There is a requirement to survey the building area and identify all loose and friable asbestos as well as stable categories found in building materials. These stable Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) can be located in all manner of building materials (e.g. old concrete pits, fibro sheets, etc…).
Complying
In order to assess the situation and be compliant, a survey to ascertain which buildings were completed prior 1st January, 2004 and order an asbestos survey (buildings that were completed prior to 31st December, 2003 which were strata titled at a later date should be included).
The surveys whereby asbestos or ACM are located must be kept onsite and available. When they are located, an onsite asbestos register and Asbestos Management Plan is to be developed and made available to those who might be at risk.
If asbestos or ACM is located, and the decision made is not to remove it but leave it onsite in a stable encapsulated state, a regular audit of the building will be necessary. The location of any asbestos needs to be clearly indicated (labelled) with the asbestos register that must be maintained, outlining:
- The location of the asbestos
- The type of asbestos-containing material
- The nature of the material (friable or non-friable)
- The likelihood of the material posing a health risk
- Any work activities that may affect or cause deterioration to the material.
Depending upon the condition of the asbestos it must be removed or monitored to ensure that it is in safe condition.
Asbestos Management Plan
Every workplace where asbestos is present or may be present must have an Asbestos Management Plan. “A person with management or control of the workplace must ensure that a written plan (an asbestos management plan) for the workplace is prepared.” (Reg Clause 429).
An asbestos management plan must include information about the following:
- the identification of asbestos or ACM,
- decisions, and reasons for decisions, about the management of asbestos at the workplace,
- procedures for detailing incidents or emergencies involving asbestos or ACM at the workplace,
- workers carrying out work involving asbestos
A copy of the asbestos management plan for the workplace is readily accessible to:
- a worker who has carried out, carries out or intends to carry out, work at the workplace, and
- a health and safety representative who represents this worker and
- a person conducting a business or undertaking who has carried out, carries out or intends to carry out, work at the workplace, and
- a person conducting a business or undertaking who has required, requires, or intends to require work to be carried out at the workplace
The Asbestos Management Plan must be reviewed at least once every five years and, as necessary revised:
- Before asbestos is removed , disturbed, or otherwise work undertaken on it
- If the Asbestos Management Plan is no longer adequate
- If a health and safety representative requests a review
Asbestos removal must be done by a licensed removalist and the regulator must be notified of any work taking place.
An asbestos case study
An apartment owner in a block of 12 apartments built in the 1970s phoned the strata manager indicating that both her door and that of her neighbour were sticking. She asked the strata manager to organise a tradesman to take a look at the problem.
The tradesman took the two doors off their hinges and proceeded to shave the doors (without a catcher). The doors were tagged indicating that they were made of asbestos material however the tradesman didn’t see this tagging. As well as shaving the doors in the apartment, he took them down to the garage and worked on them.
The owner was previously in the building industry, and became concerned about the dust in her apartment, the common area, and the garage. The owner contacted the strata manager with her concerns.
Resolution
The strata manager arranged for the dust particles to be tested and it was confirmed that they were asbestos particles. Immediate measures were taken to contain it. Black plastic was placed over the carpet and soft furnishings in the owner’s apartment, as well as in the common areas. The garage was blocked off. A qualified asbestos consultant was contracted to safely clean up the areas where asbestos particles were identified.
The presence of asbestos in buildings isn’t insurable, so the owner’s corporation was responsible for costs incurred in cleaning up and replacing carpet, furnishings in the contaminated apartment, carpet in the common areas, and cleaning up the garage. Several special levies had to be raised to cover the costs.
Controversy over Discovery of Asbestos on Rottnest Island
For many years now, Rottnest Island off the coast of Western Australia has been one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Known for its natural beauty and fine weather, it’s been especially popular among families looking for a relaxing outdoorsy holiday.
Recent discoveries of exposed asbestos on the island, however, may be threatening that popularity. Although the local government has issued a study that declares the asbestos deposit to be ‘low risk’ chrysotile or ‘white asbestos’ that isn’t much of a threat to health, many local activists and the President of the Asbestos Diseases Society vehemently disagree.
Not the First Time
The most recent discovery was made by a tourist staying in a bungalow on the island who spotted what he initially feared was blue asbestos, the most dangerous form of the mineral. The Rottnest Island Authority (RIA) immediately fenced off the area and sent the material for testing, announcing that it was actually the less dangerous white asbestos and that it posed no threat to visitors or inhabitants of Rottnest.
This isn’t the first time asbestos has been found on the island; in 2013 a little girl found a chunk of asbestos while collecting shells and brought the dangerous mineral back to her parents to show them.
However, activists and the Australian Medical Association (WA) disagree with this assessment, pointing out that breathing in white asbestos dust and fibres can cause cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis, and that it can take years for damage done by asbestos to show. There is in fact no accepted ‘safe exposure’ to white asbestos. As a result, they criticised the government’s reaction, suggesting it was trying to save money by evading a full-on asbestos removal project.
Finding the Source
Although the source of the asbestos on Rottnest Island has not yet been identified, the most likely source is similar to many other communities in Australia that have suffered from asbestos contamination: Home construction. As with many other residential homes all across Australia, many of the structures on Rottnest Island were built years ago when asbestos in many forms was a common insulation material.
Asbestos works very well as insulation and is fire-resistant. For decades it was used in various forms – often in the most dangerous fibrous form. As long as the asbestos remains intact it offers very little danger to residents. But when these homes are renovated or torn down, the demolition process often releases huge amounts of asbestos into the environment and becomes an active problem. And even without construction the asbestos can break down due to environmental stresses or other factors and invisibly contaminate the air of a home or surrounding area. And since the diseases caused by asbestos exposure can take years or even decades to manifest, it is often difficult to trace the symptoms to asbestos exposure.
Across Australia many homeowners are every familiar with the problem of asbestos as they discover the Mr. Fluffy product in their homes, often unbeknownst to them. While the Australian government has been buying contaminated homes from affected owners in order to tear down the structures safely and dispose of the mineral, there is currently no indication that any of the homes on Rottnest contain the Mr. Fluffy product. However, it is deemed very likely that the asbestos so far found on the island originated with construction and demolition of older structures. There is a theory that the asbestos found most recently came from roof repair work done at the bungalow in 2005.
Danger to Families
Why the long delay between the roof work and the discovery of the asbestos? Chances are good the material was buried and then disturbed by weather or other natural activities, revealing it to the open air. Despite the RIA’s assurance that the white asbestos posed no real threat, many families are thinking twice about booking vacations at Rottnest until the problem has been thoroughly investigated.
Many families don’t feel confident in their ability to identify asbestos in the first place, and with the medical authorities reminding them that there is no ‘safe’ level of exposure, they naturally worry that a few weeks or even days spent on the island enjoying the scenery could make them or their children ill – if not immediately, then down the line when making the connection between the disease and the vacation.
Rottnest, known affectionately as Rotto by its loyal holiday tenants and full-time inhabitants, has been voted in the top ten favourite places for Australians to visit over the years. However, that status appears threatened by this new health risk and the perception that the RIA is not taking a serious enough position on it and is failing to protect its visitors and residents from what could be a disastrous health risk.
For its part, the RIA continues to preach calm, pointing out that an isolated deposit of white asbestos very likely stemming from an isolated construction project is no reason to assume the island is riddled with the deadly mineral. It maintains that the asbestos found on the island at no time represented significant risk to anyone, and stresses that it reacted promptly to fence off the area and perform a proper clean-up of the area the moment it was made aware of the problem.
In the end, the real trouble for Rottnest Island may not be asbestos removal or even the possibility of sickened visitors or residents launching lawsuits in the coming years. The real trouble may be the simple matter of managing fear and bad publicity, two powerful forces that have combined to disastrous effect at many other places and services both in Australia and elsewhere. No one, after all, wants to put their family at risk in exchange for a few days of fun and relaxation, and whether it is necessary or not the RIA must be considering some further efforts in order to satisfy the court of public opinion, or risk not being anywhere near the top ten of holiday destinations for Australians in the years to come.
Want to know more?
Asbestos is a serious issue in Australia. If you would like to know more about this deadly material, check out the other stories on our news feed.
To access asbestos awareness and removal training, get in touch with the AlertForce team today.
Asbestos amendment to Work Health and Safety Regulations in the ACT to commence
In 2011 the federal government issued the Work Health and Safety model legislation and regulations, and began pushing all states and territories to adopt them with the goal to have a uniform set of laws for Work Health and Safety across the country. The aim was to have a uniform and consistent set of laws and regulations making it far easier for businesses working in multiple states and territories to comply with those regulations. With the exception of Victoria and Western Australia (who have now introduced the Work Health and Safety Bill 2014 for public comment), all states and territories have implemented the Work Health and Safety Act and Regulations.
Recently the ACT’s Legislative Assembly have recently passed the Dangerous Substances (Asbestos Safety Reform) Amendment Act 2014 which commences on 1st January 2015. This amendment takes in Chapter 8 of the Work Health and Safety Regulations with adaptation for the ACT.
How will this affect business?
Businesses undertaking work that involves the handling, removal or disposal of asbestos will have to become familiar with the amendments to ensure that their company fully complies with the new requirements from the beginning of 2015. They still are required to follow the Work Health and Safety regulations which set out the context for the management of asbestos involving:
- the training of workers at risk of encountering asbestos
- notifying the regulator of asbestos removals
- health monitoring for workers
- naturally occurring asbestos
- stricter requirements for the removal of asbestos and
- national licensing and competency standards for licensed asbestos removalists and assessors
The ACT Government developed the Work Health and Safety regulations further through the Dangerous Substances (Asbestos Safety Reform) Amendment which requires businesses to ensure they comprehend and apply the following deviations by:
- requiring all asbestos removal work to be carried out by a licensed asbestos removalist
- removing the exception in the Work Health and Safety regulations for non-friable asbestos removal not exceeding 10 square meters
- removing the exclusion on work involving asbestos when the work is only minor, routine maintenance work
- replacing the term “competent person” with “licensed asbestos assessor” to clarify that all asbestos assessment, clearance
- inspections and air monitoring must be provided by a licensed asbestos assessor (i.e. from 1 January 2015 a person must not
- remove asbestos or asbestos containing material from any premises unless the person is an appropriately licensed asbestos removalist) and
- requiring that a person who manages or controls a workplace, having to assume asbestos is present if an approved warning sign is present
What does businesses need to do?
The Dangerous Substances (Asbestos Safety Reform) Amendment Act 2014 in the ACT will impact individual workers and contractors as well as businesses. Anyone handling asbestos-containing materials or other potentially toxic materials will need to study the new regulations because they may need to complete additional training or secure a license that was previously unnecessary for the tasks they complete in their line of work.
Businesses handling asbestos contracts, utilizing heavy machinery, conducting work in the mines or otherwise completing jobs governed by the work health and safety regulations have hopefully already studied the new laws to determine how they will affect their operations. Some of the changes that some companies may need to implement are as follows:
- Workers potentially handling materials that contain asbestos may require additional training.
- All jobs that involve the removal and disposal of asbestos materials must be reported to Work Safe ACT prior to beginning the project.
- Companies may be required to monitor the health of all workers handling or removing asbestos materials.
- All workers removing and disposing of asbestos materials will need to complete training competencies and secure a license as trained removalists or assessors.
Notice that there is no longer any room for non-licensed contractors or workers to remove or dispose of materials containing asbestos, and that includes naturally-occurring asbestos. While there was a previous law that confused many businesses regarding their ability to remove small amounts of materials that contain asbestos without a license, that law is being overturned in favour of stricter standards for worker protection against exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos courses are offered online by AlertForce and works as an introduction to this crucial section of work health and safety (WHS) standards. To obtain a basic knowledge of asbestos in Australia and confidently put measures in place to reduce your risks, you should talk to the AlertForce team today.
Yoga Keeps Workers on Their Toes, Saves Businesses Money
What comes to mind when you think about yoga? You may think that yoga pants are comfortable on a lazy weekend at home but you would never wear them to work. You may think of some of your more zen friends and then laugh. Perhaps you don’t think yoga is the right form of exercise for you, but recent studies may make you think twice about that assumption.
It turns out that there are many physical and mental benefits of performing yoga on a routine basis, and those benefits aren’t limited to your personal life. More and more businesses are thinking about offering yoga programmes as employee incentives because they increase employee health, increase productivity within the workforce and can potentially reduce the number of injuries suffered on and off the job.
Yoga programmes are now available through live instructors, DVDs and internet-based courses. You can even perform yoga with a cheap mat or carpeting and written instructions. Something as simple as a booklet that contains pictures of various yoga poses could potentially become a powerful tool for a business interested in keeping workers health and happy so that they report to work more often and work harder when they are on the clock.
Yoga Relieves Stress, Promotes Happiness
In 2011, the Australian Bureau of Statistics released a report that showed workers missing five or more consecutive days from work were more likely to do so as a result of stress or mental health issues than as a result of a physical injury. This signifies a shift from physical injuries causing the majority of work absences to mental distress causing a large percentage of absences.
This is an important shift because work absenteeism costs businesses a lot of money due to loss of productivity. According to research completed by Safe Work Australia, absenteeism costs businesses more than $10 billion every year, so it is in the best interest of every business to minimize work call offs to the greatest extent possible.
Researchers are now starting to explore the physical and mental response to yoga as well as other forms of exercise. One study reported in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that people performing yoga experienced a more significant boost in happiness than those completing a walking programme. There are other studies starting to surface which also validate the claim that yoga boosts positive thinking and increases overall sensations of happiness and well being.
This is important because workers are now under more stress in the workplace than ever before. The amount of stress experienced is even greater for employees and contractors working on or within close proximity of heavy machinery or toxic chemicals. The more hazardous or dangerous the work environment, the more stress employees are likely to feel while on the job.
Stress also comes in the form of harassments, conflicts with colleagues and pressure to complete duties that are potentially unethical. This type of emotional stress is just as debilitating as the stress of physical danger when it is suffered on a routine basis over a long period of time.
Since more workers are now calling off work due to the mental and physical effects of stress, it’s important for businesses to help workers fight off those effects. Yoga is proving to be one of the most cost-effective options, and it has many other benefits for employers and employees.
Yoga for Pain Management and Prevention
One of the biggest benefits to performing yoga on a routine basis is the stretching and strengthening of muscles throughout the body. It is important to strengthen the back and other core muscles in order to perform the poses correctly, and that offers three benefits for employers and employees:
Stronger, more flexible back and core muscles reduce the chance of employees suffering injuries in the workplace. Employers invest in employee physical fitness in order to benefit from reduced rates of injury which cost the company money.
When an injury is sustained at or outside of work, stronger muscles increase the chances of a fast return to health. This limits the amount of time employees may need to spend away from work when injuries do occur, increasing productivity and saving companies money.
Employees suffering from chronic back over a long period of time can learn to manage the pain naturally through yoga, allowing them to work even while in pain. This is beneficial to the employee in need of a paycheck and the employer in need of active, productive workers.
Yoga and ROI
Is it possible that paying for yoga programmes could provide a substantial return of investment, or ROI, for employers? Could something as simple as offering yoga classes for all employees once a week improve the health and increase productivity for all workers within a business? Research is showing that yoga is beneficial physically and mentally to workers, so employers can consider it wise to invest in the health and well being of their employees in this manner.
The payback comes through reduced employee absenteeism, fewer workplace injuries, and more productive work from employees when they are o the job. As employees maintain healthier bodyweights, feel more energetic and increase muscular strength, they also start to feel happier and more content. That means they can focus on their jobs and put more effort into their duties, and that benefits employers tremendously.
There is no way to eliminate all forms of stress currently affecting workers, but companies can potentially benefit from keeping workers on their toes with regular yoga classes. In many studies completed to date, the best results came from weekly programmes featuring one or two classes of 50-60 minutes each.
There are many ways that employers can offer that type of programme to employees either through live courses offered on the job or DVDs, mats, printouts and other materials provided for practice outside of the workplace. Some companies may even find it beneficial to offer incentives to employees embracing their health and wellness by picking up yoga classes on their own.
Resources:
http://omicsonline.org/open-access/the-costeffectiveness-of-yoga-for-preventing-and-reducing-back-pain-at-work-trial-protocol-2157-7595.1000161.pdf
http://yoga-des-herzens.com/onewebmedia/dru-yoga%20research%20stress%20and%20backpain.pdf
http://www.theage.com.au/national/job-stress-the-biggest-cause-of-work-absence-20110730-1i5mp.html
http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/swa/media-events/media-releases/pages/mr08042013
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16310720
http://healthyliving.azcentral.com/study-shows-people-happier-after-doing-yoga-7724.html
AIG Puts Spotlight on Victorian Economy in Pre-Election Statement
On November 29, 2014, all Australian citizens living in Victoria over the age of 18 will hit the polls to take part in the state election. While the candidates running for office haven’t made workplace health and safety a major issue in their running platforms, that doesn’t mean organisations and citizens in Victoria aren’t concerned.
The Australian Industry Group, otherwise known as AIG, issued their pre-election statement for this voting cycle on November 2. This is a report that the group submits before each round of voting in hopes of influencing candidates running for office. The report contains a variety of recommendations for the government soon to take office, including issues related to state-based taxes, regulatory reform, state holidays and employment trends in specific industries.
The pre-election statement issued for this year’s candidates in Victoria includes some strong recommendations for employment in the construction industry. It also contains some recommendations related to workplace health and safety.
Spotlight on the Economy
The AIG spared no time digging into highlighting what the group believes is a major obstacle for Victoria: the struggling economy. The report states that prices are high and productivity in the region is low, creating a difficult economy for Victorian residents. At least part of the blame for this is placed on the closing of the automotive industry which previously kept the economy in Victoria quite strong.
In order to strengthen the economic conditions in Victoria and bring more businesses into the area, the AIG recommends that the incoming government consider taking the following steps:
- Reduce taxation
- Reduce business regulation
- Invest more in infrastructure
- Encourage innovation
- Take action to increase worker skills
- The AIG believes that the new Victorian government can reduce the cost of operating a business in Victoria by reducing taxes and easing regulations placed on businesses. They recommend more investment in infrastructure and a focus on innovation and skill enhancement because it might increase business productivity in the region.
These recommendations will have an impact on all industries operating out of Victoria, and that includes industries bound by strict health and safety guidelines.
Recommendations for the Harmonised OHS laws
The AIG also recommended that the new Victorian government commit to the Harmonised OHS laws, stating that they can help reduce the cost of business. This refers to the Intergovernmental Agreement for Regulatory and Operational Reform in Occupational Health and Safety which was signed by the Council of Australian Governments in 2008. The goal was to enact one health and safety code for all Australian governments, ensuring that businesses and workers enjoyed the same protections regardless of where they lived and worked.
One of the reasons given by the Council of Australian Governments for harmonising the OHS laws throughout Australia was to reduce “compliance and regulatory burdens for businesses operating across State and Territory boundaries.” Since the AIG is calling for the new Victorian government to reduce the cost of business in order to spark more economic activity, it makes sense that they would encourage the state to agree to the harmonised laws in order to reduce regulation pressure on businesses.
To date, the Victorian government has refused to agree to the harmonised occupational health and safety laws because of the expense. The government viewed a report presented by PricewaterhouseCooper regarding the expense of initiating the changes and determined that the benefits would not justify that expected expense.
There is one more major criticism against the harmonised laws which may have impacted the state’s decision not to commit: there aren’t too many Australian businesses operating in multiple states and territories. Statistics were used to show that most business operate in just one state or territory, so they won’t benefit much from standardised laws that apply to all states equally.
Mark Goodsell, Director – NSW of the AIG, is now pointing out that the logistics industry was not included in the statistics used in that big criticism of the harmonised laws. He points out that that logistics industry includes many businesses that operate in states throughout Australia, but those businesses may have headquarters in only one state. He reasons that these companies would benefit tremendously from harmonised OHS laws throughout all states and territories, since they operate vehicles in all regions of the country.
Will the New Victorian Government Conform to Harmonisation?
Joining the rest of Australia in the commitment to the harmonised OHS laws was just one recommendation presented in the lengthy AIG pre-election statement. While members of the new government have made no mention of workplace health and safety laws through their campaigning efforts, only time will tell whether they are paying attention to these recommendations and whether they will take action to bring Victoria on board with the commitment to harmonisation.
Victoria does have a good worker’s compensation plan in place, and many of the workplace health and safety laws in the state are well-developed and effective. Yet, the AIG argues that harmonising with the rest of Australia will help the state make a comeback as a leader in this important industry.
Mark Goodsell notes that the state was once a leader in OHS but has recently slipped from that position because the government is out of the loop in terms of harmonisation. He states that the states and territories already committed to the agreement are working together to create the best OHS laws possible, but the Victorian government has been left out of those negotiations due to its stance against the harmonisation project.
As Victorian residents hit the streets to vote for their preferred stated candidates on November 29, many of them may not think much about occupational health and safety laws. That doesn’t mean that the candidates they vote for won’t take a position for or against the harmonisation of OHS laws after they take office.
Residents concerned can look up their candidate’s previous statements and political actions to determine whether they have taken a stance on one side or the other on this issue.
References:
https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/Elections/2014VictorianStateelection.html
http://www.aigroup.com.au/policy/submissions
http://publicsectorsafety.wa.gov.au/occupational_safety_and_health/harmonisation_of_laws.html
http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/swa/about/ourmembers/pages/markgoodsellaigroup
Asbestos still a concern in NBN rollout
As the Australian government rolls out the National Broadband Network (NBN), work health and safety standards continue to be a serious concern.
One of the most significant threats to employee wellbeing is the presence of asbestos in pit sites. As the construction of telecommunications company Telstra’s network dates back over a number of decades, many pits and materials were manufactured using asbestos-containing cement.
This issue came to a head last year when Telstra came under fire after investigations revealed some contractors were not handling the deadly material in the correct methods.
“These pits and ducts are owned by Telstra and it is their responsibility to get them ready for the NBN rollout in a safe and secure way,” said Julia Gillard, prime minister at the time. “I do want to emphasise there are no shortcuts when dealing with asbestos. All safety procedures must be adhered to.”
In response to this, Telstra reported in May last year it had hired 200 specialists to investigate poor handling of asbestos.
“Telstra retains ownership of the pit and pipe infrastructure and retains the primary responsibility for the remediation of its infrastructure to make it fit for NBN practice,” NBN Co Chief Executive Mike Quigley told a parliamentary hearing in 2013.
After the initial story broke, Telstra was quick to respond. The communications giant put measures in place to reduce the poor handling of asbestos and worked hard to mitigate any further exposure. This included offering asbestos awareness training to workers through a long-standing partnership with AlertForce.
Telstra pits back in the news
The presence of asbestos in Telstra pits has recently been thrust back into the spotlight after a young girl fell into a Telstra services pit earlier this month.
According to an article by The Herald on November 6, the girl’s mother, Melanie Strempel, was watching her daughter riding her bike when she witnessed the lid to the pit flip open, causing the girl to fall partially inside.
“When we went over to see if she was alright in the bottom of the pit we noticed all the broken bits of asbestos, the pit had deteriorated on the inside,” Ms Strempel told The Herald.
Ms Strempel revealed that she had lost her grandfather to an asbestos-related disease and the incident brought back painful memories.
While it has not been confirmed whether the material in the pit did contain asbestos, Telstra representatives were quick to seal the area with plastic sheeting and put up precautionary barriers. The company will now work to remove the material in the safest possible manner.
Addressing asbestos in Telstra pits
Due to the potentially high prevalence of asbestos in Telstra pits, many workers and some residents are at risk of exposure as the NBN upgrade is carried out around Australia.
Addressing this hazard is a serious concern, which Telstra has approached through education, training and awareness strategies.
Furthermore, the mandatory NBN Safety and Awareness course offers additional training and qualifications for those working on the nationwide campaign. This particular program is designed to introduce students to the NBN project and help workers identify the specific risks they may face.
When asbestos is discovered in a Telstra pit, a specific set of practices and procedures must be adhered to. This will ensure that both workers and the public are not unnecessarily exposed to asbestos while the NBN rollout continues.
No one knows what condition much of Telstra’s infrastructure is in around the country, or how much needs to be replaced before it is fit for NBN Co to lease. This is why caution is important.
Telstra does have a significant number of asbestos-related regulations and practices in place, to ensure the rollout continues to run smoothly.
The first step is for NBN Co and its contractors to inspect the pits and pipes to identify which elements need to be upgraded or fixed prior to the fibre cable installation. At this point, asbestos testing can also be carried out to ensure no work is being performed on or near materials that may contain the deadly fibres.
If asbestos is detected in a pit, Telstra requires workers to follow a strict set of procedures, put in place to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure. These include:
- The site must be barricaded to ensure the public and other workers are kept at a safe distance
- Signage must be visible to warn of the asbestos risk
- Asbestos removal must only be carried out by a trained professional
- Those directly involved in the clean-up need to wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including asbestos-rated masks, goggles, disposable coveralls, boots and gloves
- The pit will be thoroughly wet down to prevent dust and airborne fibres
- Once the material has been removed, it needs to be sealed in specially designed asbestos disposal bags
- Protecting clothing and equipment must also be disposed of in sealed asbestos bags
- Only once all material is removed from the site should the signage be taken down and work commenced on the new pit installation
- Protecting health and safety on the NBN
There are many potential risks to health and safety when working on a telecommunications upgrade. Beyond the asbestos risk outlined above, workers need to remain alert and on guard to protect against injuries related to electricity, falls from heights, engulfment and traffic accidents.
Understanding the hazards that could put you at risk is vital to ensuring you can go home safe to your family each work day. However, when working on a remote or rural Telstra site, it may become difficult for you to travel into a major centre to undergo training.
This is why AlertForce offered the NBN Safety and Awareness course online. Accessing the training via the internet gives workers in any region the ability to earn this mandatory qualification. Once the course has been completed, you will need to also obtain a CPR certificate which can only be undertaken through instrctor-led training.
Fortunately, this component is typically easy to arrange due to being an important part of many work health and safety courses – which means you can find the training time and place that suits your needs.
For more information on the online NBN course or to get qualified in asbestos removal, talk to the AlertForce team today.
November is National Asbestos Awareness Month
This November is the second annual National Asbestos Awareness Month, leading up to National Asbestos Awareness day on November 28. But what is asbestos and why should homeowners and tradespeople take notice?
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring set of mineral fibres coming in three main varieties: white asbestos, brown/grey asbestos, and blue asbestos. Prized for centuries for its collection of useful properties including flexibility, strength, insulation from heat and electricity, chemical non-reactiveness and its low cost, it has had thousands of applications including strengthening concrete and plastics, insulation, fireproofing and sound-proofing.
It was also employed intensively industrially, with the shipbuilding sector using it to insulate boilers, steam and hot water pipes while the car industry used it in brake shoes and clutch pads.
Australia was one of the world’s most prolific users of asbestos until the 1980s; Australian industry mined asbestos until 1984, and approximately 1.5 million tonnes of it were also imported between 1930 and 1983 according to the Australian Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency.
It was used extensively in housing construction, with the Australian Government’s Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency saying: “If your house was built before the mid-1980s, it is highly likely that it would have some asbestos containing materials.”
The health risks of asbestos were first discovered in 1899 and the first case of asbestosis was discovered in 1924 with the death of 33-year-old asbestos factory worker Nellie Kershaw.
Asbestos was eventually classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a group-one carcinogen, meaning it is a known cause of cancer in humans. It is a category shared with burning coal fumes, several forms of radiation, tobacco smoke and some industrial production fumes.
Asbestos’ tiny fibres can become airborne and when breathed in become lodged in the lungs where they cause the lining of the lungs to become inflamed and scarred, causing asbestosis (which is incurable) and increasing the risk of mesothelioma (also incurable) and lung cancer. However, there is a lag between ingesting the fibres and developing the related diseases that can last decades – it is for this reason that children are believed to be at greater risk.
Asbestos comes in two forms, bonded and friable. Bonded asbestos is asbestos mixed into other materials such as concrete which cannot be crumbled or crushed with hand pressure. Renovations that involve actions like crushing or drilling can release asbestos fibres and create a risk of them being breathed in, but if the asbestos-containing material is in good condition, the Asbestos Awareness Month website advises that they are best left undisturbed as they do not pose a significant health risk. Simply paint over them to help ensure the fibres are sealed within.
Friable asbestos refers to materials containing asbestos that can be crumbled or crushed. Generally this form of asbestos was used in industrial applications such as pipe lagging and asbestos rope or cloth. However, bonded asbestos can become friable when it the material it is bonded to becomes broken, such as when asbestos-containing concrete has holes drilled in it. Friable asbestos may only be removed by a trained and licenced specialist with a friable asbestos licence.
Warning signs of asbestos-related diseases include:
- shortness of breath, wheezing and hoarseness
- coughing up bloody fluid
- persistent painful coughing which worsens with time
- chest pain and tightness
- difficulty swallowing
- swelling around the face and neck
- lack of appetite
- losing weight
- excessive tiredness
- anaemia
Asbestos Awareness month
Many Australian cities are getting on-board with this year’s Asbestos Awareness Month, urging homeowners and tradesmen to educate themselves about the risks of during home renovations and demolitions when they accidentally expose themselves or others to asbestos fibres.
The Asbestos Awareness Month is supported by the Asbestos Diseases Research Institute, and will be overseen by WorkCover, the Australian Council of Trade Unions, and wall and floor construction specialists James Hardie.
This will be the second year the awareness month has run after its launch in 2013. In 2011, the Asbestos Education Committee ran an education campaign in New South Wales in cooperation with the Asbestos Diseases Research Institute, and following its success the two organisations went on to run a national campaign, Asbestos Awareness Week in 2012.
When removing things like asbestos concrete roofing, the website advises relying on licenced removalists, as there is a history of people dying or suffering serious injury after falling through asbestos cement roofs when they underestimated how brittle the material was.
What to be aware of
Home maintenance can be particularly risky. Asbestos fibres are particularly dangerous when they are disturbed, such as during home renovations. Once airborne they can be breathed in, or settle on other surfaces and become ingested and while greater quantities of fibres are more dangerous than smaller quantities, there is no safe level of exposure.
Asbestos products were often used in wet areas of homes, such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundries, however it is not possible to tell whether a material contains asbestos using sight alone.
People intending to do home maintenance or renovations should be aware of the risks and take action to protect themselves. Measures like an asbestos assessment can identify potential risks and are the first step to removing it safely.
“Removing asbestos is a dangerous and complicated process best carried out by professionals who are licenced having completed the required training,” the Asbestos Awareness Month website says.
“If you suspect you have asbestos in your home, don’t cut it! don’t drill it! don’t drop it! don’t sand it! don’t saw it! don’t scrape it! don’t scrub it! don’t dismantle it! don’t tip it! don’t waterblast it! don’t demolish it! And whatever you do… don’t dump it!” the website says.
Asbestos contaminated materials require special care when being disposed of, as they cannot simply be dumped or buried and each state has its own set of regulations about how they should be handled. Any decision to remove asbestos-tainted material must take these legal issues into account.
For more information contact the AlertForce team
Paralympians inspire safety at work [VIDEO]
Transcript
Working at heights training and other OHS programs are vital for reducing the risk of injuries in Australian workplaces. A fall from height can often result in serious injuries, such as paralysis.
Because of the high rates of accidents in local businesses, some of Australia’s most inspiring athletes have signed an alliance to help increase safety awareness.
The Australian Paralympic Committee has partnered with the Safety Institute of Australia in order to deliver targeted messages directly to workers. Paralympians will be travelling the country, sharing their real-life injury experiences with workers.
It is hoped the stories these athletes can share regarding their own struggles and rehabilitation will create a more tangible impact on OHS strategies than traditional training.
Allowing those who have sustained workplace injuries to share their experiences is just one way employers can boost OHS standards. Another is working at heights training from AlertForce.
Are you ready for Safe Work Australia Month? [VIDEO]
Transcript
We all know how important occupational health and safety strategies are in Australian workplaces. In an effort to boost awareness and encourage more businesses to adopt these life-saving practices, Safe Work Australia has launched its preparations for this year’s safety month.
Safe Work Australia Month will be held in October this year. The theme for 2014 is Work Safe, Home Safe, which reminds us that our families are the most important reason for OHS standards.
If you want to get involved in safety month this year, you can consider taking part in one of our OHS training programs or signing up to become a safety ambassador in your community.
For more information on the workshops and events scheduled next month, visit SafeWorkAustralia.gov.au.
Third annual Mesothelioma Registry released [VIDEO]
Transcript
Asbestos exposure is a very serious problem in Australia, with people in a range of occupations facing potential contact with this deadly material during the course of their employment.
For employers, asbestos awareness and removal training is one of the best methods of mitigating the risk of exposure in the workplace.
To help workers understand the risks, Safe Work Australia – together with Comcare – have released the third annual Australian Mesothelioma Registry report.
According to the report, 575 people were newly diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2013. More than two-fifth of these patients are male, with 80 per cent being over 60 years of age.
Asbestos exposure continues to be a problem in Australia, with 60.9 per cent of workers surveyed by Safe Work Australia having experience possible or probable exposure in 2013.
For more information on asbestos awareness training, talk to AlertForce today.
WHS News Recap – WHS obligations [VIDEO]
Transcript
When dealing with work health and safety in the workplace, it is vital that you understand your obligations as a manager, director or officer.
The recent changes to the Work Health and Safety Act have meant that the company is no longer held primarily responsible for accidents, injuries and fatalities. This responsibility has also been extended to cover business officers and senior managers.
The ACT became the first Australian state to prosecute an individual under these new regulations. In a case involving the electrocution of a dump truck driver in 2012, the ACT Work Safety Commissioner identified a number of failings regarding the company director’s responsibilities.
When the proceedings continue in December this year, the company officer is facing a potential $300,000 penalty. This shows just how important it is for directors and managers to understand their obligations, including the provision of relevant OHS training and personal protective equipment.
For more information on these or other OHS stories, check out the articles on our news feed.
WHS News Recap – Working at Heights [VIDEO]
Transcript
August is National Tradies’ Health Month, which means now is the best time to consider the Work Health and Safety risks that face tradespeople in Australia every day.
Working at heights is a common OHS hazard among tradespeople, with many individuals required to climb ladders and enter roof spaces to complete their work in the trades. With around 10 per cent of all work-related injuries caused by a fall from height, it is easy to see how working at heights training can benefit our nation’s tradies.
And this consideration is becoming more important, as the number of tower blocks and apartment buildings being raised across Australia continues to climb. Population growth is driving demand for more space-efficient housing solutions, which is in turn influencing a need for trained construction workers.
When individuals are working above ground on any project, having the right protection in place is key. Without training and fall-arrest systems, employers risk substantial fines or even injuries and fatalities on site.
For more information on these or other OHS stories, check out the articles on our news feed.
Asbestos Monthly News Round Up: August 2014
Asbestos awareness and removal is a vital consideration in Australia, as products containing the deadly fibres are discovered each day.
The country’s extensive history with asbestos has made this material a serious threat to homeowners and employees in many industries. It is important, therefore, that Australians know what trends and discoveries are affecting buildings and work across the country.
Here are just five recent headlines that shed some light on how asbestos continues to impact on local and international operations.
NSW joins asbestos campaign
As the campaign to remove loose-fill asbestos from home in the ACT continues, the NSW government has come on board, offering free inspections to any home built before 1980 in high-risk areas.
Thus far, NSW has lagged behind the ACT in terms of addressing the “Mr Fluffy” crisis, claiming that the asbestos was safe as long as fibres were undisturbed.
However, as the campaign to demolish affected ACT homes moves forward, NSW Finance Minister Dominic Perrottet announced the state would conduct health assessments in affected homes to make a better informed decision.
“The NSW government is absolutely committed to ensuring the health and safety of all citizens in this state,” Mr Perrottet said in an August 15 statement.
“This commitment stands when it comes to the issue of asbestos.”
Fronting the campaign is the NSW Heads of Asbestos Coordination Authorities (HACA). This organisation is chaired by WorkCover’s Acting General Manager Work Health and Safety Division Peter Dunphy.
“While the investigation will help determine the extent of properties that may be impacted it is important to remember that the risk of exposure to asbestos in buildings containing loose-fill asbestos is likely to be very low if the asbestos is undisturbed and sealed off,” Mr Dunphy explained.
He added that sprayed asbestos insulation is a “highly hazardous” product, and should not be disturbed by homeowners or workers who have not undertaken asbestos removal training.
“Only qualified tradespeople with training in suitable asbestos control measures can work in any areas identified as containing asbestos.”
Garden mulch asbestos contamination discovered
A recent asbestos scare has seen a number of Bundaberg residents unintentionally putting their homes and gardens at risk.
Many locals purchased garden mulch from the Bundaberg Regional Council rubbish tip. Unfortunately, a resident last month discovered small pieces of asbestos present in the product.
After sending the product away for testing, the tip continued to sell the mulch until the results were returned. This meant that dozens of residents had time to purchase and use the contaminated product.
A spokesperson from the council explained to NewsMail that residents who had bought the mulch were being contacted and offered assistance. The council planned to send a qualified professional to each home to test gardens and undertake any necessary decontamination.
Since the incident, measures have now been put in place to obtain contact details for those purchasing the council’s mulch, as well as improving monitoring of what is being dumped. Asbestos products are not normally allowed in the affected tip site, which means that material has likely been incorrectly disposed of.
Anyone concerned about their garden should contact the Bundaberg Regional Council on 1300 883 699.
Drive for education in Wollongong
The Wollongong City Council has pushed for increased asbestos education for residents. In addition to publishing a list of approved and licenced removalists, the council will also release an asbestos education program.
Developed by the Asbestos Education Committee, these measures will ensure that local residents are aware of their responsibilities regarding asbestos assessment and removal.
“All of the councillors were unanimous in expressing their concerns about the effects of asbestos on people’s health and believed council should and could do more to protect the health of Wollongong residents,” Councillor Jill Merrin told the Illawarra Mercury on August 10.
Unlicensed asbestos removal results in fines around the world
A number of recent court cases have seen unlicensed removalists be landed with heavy fines. While these trials were located overseas, they each demonstrate the serious nature of unauthorised asbestos handling.
In particular, an American man from Woodbridge, New Jersey has been given five years in prison for undertaking unlicensed asbestos removal in schools, homes, churches and pre-school centres.
The man came under investigation after authorities discovered asbestos dust and material had been left in a day care facility he had been charged to clear.
“[He] exhibited tremendous greed and callousness with his unlicensed and unsafe asbestos removal, putting the health of young children at risk so that he could turn a profit,” acting state Attorney General John Hoffman said in a statement.
Another case in the United States has seen a man from Lebanon, Oregon fined more than US$13,000 for allowing an unlicensed individual to undertake an asbestos project on his home.
Issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, fines regarding unauthorised asbestos work are handed out regularly to property owners and businesses. This particular fine was followed by a $8,800 penalty issued to a cafe in the same area that engaged the services of an unlicensed contractor.
This shows that it is important not just for removalists to access the appropriate licences, for also for homeowners to ensure they hire the right people to undertake asbestos-related work.
Unlawful demolitions a problem in Rockdale
The unauthorised demolition of a home in Bardwell Park, NSW is just the tip of the iceberg in regards to unlicenced renovations, according to the Rockdale Council.
While the owners of this particular property were given a stop-work order and a clean-up notice, a spokesperson from the council claims there are “dozens and dozens” of homeowners who are working on their homes without approval.
These individuals are not only putting themselves at risk, but also creating hazards for the health of neighbours and workers by potential asbestos contamination.
The home in this particular instance was over 70 years old, which means it is very likely it contained asbestos products, as reported by The Leader on August 15.
A suggestion raised by locals is for approved and assessed demolitions to be given official notices to be displayed prominently on the site. This will help the community identify illegal works, and should boost the number of unauthorised projects the council is informed of and able to stop.
The Rockdale Council has reissued warnings regarding older homes, particularly those that may contain asbestos materials. Residents who are planning renovations or demolition should engage a suitably licenced individual to assess the asbestos risk and, if required, carry out the removal.
Non-compliance with the clean-up notice could result in a fine up to $1 million for a business and $250,000 for an individual.
Want to know more?
Asbestos is a serious issue in Australia. If you would like to know more about this deadly material, check out the other stories on our news feed.
To access asbestos awareness and removal training, get in touch with the AlertForce team today.
WHS News Recap – Traffic Management [VIDEO]
Transcript
Traffic management training is a serious work health and safety consideration for businesses across almost every industry. However, some sectors are more at risk than others, according to recent headlines from around Australia.
In particular, audits of mining companies in Tasmania in recent months have revealed troubling gaps in OHS standards. With safety inspectors overworked and underpaid, concerns have been raised regarding the efficiency of monitoring and controlling hazards.
Mining vehicles often reach immense size and weight, so preventing collisions is vital to reducing the number of fatalities in the industry. Fortunately, this is where comprehensive traffic management training can help.
Another area of significant concern is forklift safety in the manufacturing and warehousing industries. A Perth company was recently fined $30,000 when two untrained employees were injured after a forklift toppled over.
Operating a forklift is a high-risk occupation, so it is important that workers access all the necessary permits and training before jumping behind the wheel.
For more information on these or other OHS stories, check out the articles on our news feed.
WHS News Recap – Confined Spaces [VIDEO]
Transcript
Confined spaces can pose many work health and safety risks, due to dangerous atmospheres and limited entry and exit points.
This is why it is important for employers to understand the hazards their workforce could be facing, particularly in relation to accidents, injuries and fatalities in confined spaces.
Unfortunately, a recent case in Victoria has seen an employer fined for a second time regarding a fatal confined spaces incident in 2010.
Originally, the company was fined $80,000 for work health and safety breaches when a worker was overcome by carbon dioxide while moving stock in a confined space. With the right level of confined spaces training, the individual may have been able to identify the hazard and vacate the area before inhaling a fatal dose.
This year, the same company now may have to pay damages to another employee, who suffered anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder after witnessing the accident.
This incident demonstrates how vital it is to provide employees with a safe working environment in which to complete their duties.
For more information on this or other OHS stories, check out the articles on our news feed.
Road surfacing safety a primary concern
Those undertaking a traffic management and control training program may be taking the first step towards a career in road construction and surfacing. Creating quality road infrastructure is a massive local industry, worth over $280 billion, according to Roads Australia.
With more than 817,000 kilometres of road network already laid across the country, maintaining the existing roads and building new network connections takes a lot of work. This is why civil contracting roles are always in demand, with more than 70,000 individuals employed in this sector in 2012, the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed.
Unfortunately, this essential industry can pose many risks to employees’ health and safety. When working on or near public roads, there are always traffic hazards present. Vehicles are one of the leading causes of work-related injuries and fatalities, according to Safe Work Australia.
Because of this, working near traffic has been defined as a high-risk activity, under the current Work Health and Safety Act.
As with any high-risk industry, understanding and controlling the hazards is a crucial consideration. Fortunately, with the right level of training and education, workers can easily minimise WHS risks. This is particularly important for traffic controllers – who are required to work directly with both civil and public vehicles.
Understanding the risks
In regards to addressing the risks traffic controllers face, industry authority, the Australian Asphalt Pavement Association (AAPA) has published an article in the most recent Asphalt Review dispatch.
The publication highlighted the importance of workshops and training for traffic controllers, citing a number of issues that may be influencing high injury and accident rates.
There have been a number of incidents that demonstrate the high-risk nature of surfacing work, particularly in regards to traffic managers. AAPA spokesperson Robert Busuttil pointed to one tragic day in November 2010, when two controllers were killed in separate events only hours apart.
On this day, a 45-year-old worker and a 23-year-old man within his first week on the job were both struck and killed by reversing trucks. Both men were employed as traffic controllers at the time of their death.
Following these accidents, the Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities (HWSA) released a report looking into the WHS failings present in the road surfacing sector.
The key concerns identified in the 2012 dispatch included:
- A lack of hazard awareness and induction training to both controllers and the persons responsible for creating Traffic Control Plans (TCPs)
- Failing to update TCPs to specific jobs and locations
- TCPs not inclusive of indirect hazards and how roadwork activities can affect a site
These dangerous issues are causing major hazards, as traffic controllers continue to work with limited knowledge of the risks they face each day. Additionally, managing the public and internal traffic can be difficult when not given an adequate or up-to-date control plan.
Addressing these concerns is a crucial consideration for any person working in or planning to enter the road surfacing industry.
Education is the key
Traffic controllers are a vital part of any civil construction project, with their work protecting the lives of their colleagues and the public. However, it is important that individuals employed in this role do not forget their own safety.
Fortunately, increasing the awareness and understanding of personal and site-wide hazards is simple when the right training and education is in place.
In this regard, the AAPA has developed a new workshop to improve WHS outcomes on civil construction sites. The Road Surfacing Awareness for Traffic Controllers course is aimed at improving the recognition of the hazards associated with related projects.
This important training program will include competencies relevant to:
- Unique risks traffic controllers could experience – such as proximity to hot materials and working on public roads
- Factors that can affect traffic control measures – including the introduction of work-related vehicles
- Identifying issues which may compromise work quality and lead to extended project time and increased exposure to risks
Launched this month, the safety and awareness program is designed to help any worker who may be required to manage a traffic control plan. Additionally, supervisors and those responsible for approving or auditing these schemes can also benefit from the training.
Quality education from the beginning
Prior to undertaking employment in the construction, road surfacing or similar industry, individuals are encouraged to seek all necessary training. Rather than waiting until accidents and near-misses occur, undertaking a traffic control program as a preemptive measure can help mitigate potential risks.
In particular, any person who may be required to work as a traffic controller must access the mandatory traffic and pedestrian management and control training. Under state and federal legislation, all employers have a legal obligation to ensure only competent and adequately trained personnel are appointed as traffic controllers.
However, each state and territory is subject to different regulatory requirements. Understanding the specific courses and training needs in your area can be difficult. This is why it is recommended that you contact a registered training provider who can direct you to the most appropriate course for your needs.
This includes knowing when refresher training is required and which programs are needed prior to any work being undertaken. If you need any more information on traffic management and control programs, or want to access WHS training relevant to your industry, talk to the AlertForce team today.
AlertForce can help you meet your legislative requirements, as well as creating a training program that suits your role and WHS needs.
Asbestos dumping prompts call for education
A recent spate of illegal asbestos dumpings has highlighted the need for more awareness and control over this dangerous material.
On August 12, a large amount of asbestos was discovered strewn along the side of a busy road in North Rocks, NSW. This incident required hours of dedicated work safely contain and remove the material.
Several roads were closed as the clean-up was undertaken, and Council General Manger Dave Walker explained that it was difficult to tell just how much asbestos had been dumped. It appeared likely that the material has been deliberately thrown from the back of a truck, as it was spread across a 300m distance along three separate roads.
The council were taking this incident very seriously, and a full and thorough investigation is now underway. If caught, the individual responsible could face a fine up to $1 million and seven years in prison. Alternatively, if a business is found to be the source of this material, penalties would climb to $5 million.
“Asbestos dumpers are the most inconsiderate and reckless of all illegal rubbish dumpers – they put the long-term health of innocent people at risk,” Mr Walker said.
Educating individuals and businesses on safe asbestos removal
While most people should now be aware of the dangers of asbestos material, it seems that many individuals are still practising unsafe dumping and removal. Unfortunately, this is not only putting themselves at risk, but also their families, friends and members of the public.
When an untrained person attempts to remove asbestos from their home or business, it is possible that the deadly fibres could become attached to their clothing, skin or hair. If the individual then heads home without changing their outfit, they are unintentionally exposing everyone they come into contact with to the material.
This means that your family and friends could be inhaling asbestos fibres all because you failed to undertake safe removal procedures. This is just one reason why it is vital that any person who may be required to work with or near asbestos is provided with the necessary asbestos awareness training.
As we head into spring, it is likely that the warmer weather could encourage more homeowners to start DIY projects. Home renovations and amateur construction projects are a hot bed for asbestos exposure, with untrained members of the public unaware of the potential danger.
This is why a number of licensed asbestos removal contractors and disposal facilities across Australia have launched a campaign to spread awareness.
“Exposure to asbestos is very dangerous there are many risks involved in the removal but if people are given the correct procedure to follow and the right equipment to wear there will not be any problem,” explained Justin Castelluzzo, part-owner of Adelaide-based waste management company, Metro Waste.
“We tell every person that comes to the yard what’s involved in correct asbestos removal and disposal and we still get a number of enquiries each day regarding the process.”
While educating the public regarding the danger of asbestos works to a point, it is also vital businesses dedicated to the removal of the deadly material access all the necessary licences and training.
Often, companies and individuals rely on official removalists to undertake the process of containing and disposing of asbestos in the home or worksite. If these organisations are staffed by workers who have not obtained adequate education, permits or licences then significant hazards are likely.
How to become a qualified asbestos removalist
If you are interested in working as a qualified asbestos removalist, or have launched a business with this intention, it is vital that you understand how to access the necessary qualifications and licences.
Under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations, there are two key licences required by those removing asbestos products. Essentially, the Class A licence allows individuals to work with all kinds of asbestos, while the Class B is limited to non-friable material only.
These levels can be obtained by accessing the relevant asbestos removal training through a registered training provider, such as AlertForce.
Other crucial considerations are the asbestos supervisory licence and the assessors qualification. In some cases, asbestos removal projects will require a supervisor to be present at all times, while others may only need a qualified person on standby.
Conducting asbestos assessments with the intention of removal requires a person to hold specialist skills related to identification of hazards and control of air monitoring. Without the relevant Level 5 qualification, individuals should not be employed in this role.
More information on these particular obligations can be found at Safe Work Australia, or through your state’s affiliate authority.
To access the necessary asbestos removal training to get yourself started in this career, talk to the AlertForce team today.
Government body fined after workplace death
Traffic management training is an important consideration not just for employees, but also any members of the public. Vehicles of any size or shape can pose serious risks to people’s health and safety, and it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure these hazards are mitigated.
When contractors are engaged to carry out high risk tasks, this issue becomes even more vital. A person conducting a business or undertaking cannot safely assume that a contractor will perform the necessary hazard checks. It is therefore up to the employer to ensure the individual has received the necessary training and understands the correct risk management processes.
This was demonstrated recently when a local government council was fined after a bystander was struck and killed by earth-moving equipment on a landscaping site in Stirling, Western Australia.
Failure to keep the public safe
The accident, which occurred in November 2011, involved a contractor who has been hired by the council to undertake landscaping works outside a community centre.
In the same area, a group of individuals were clearing a shed. The contractor had repeatedly told these people to stay clear of the vicinity. Unfortunately, when the landscaping machinery was being reversed up an incline, it struck and killed a man from that group.
The Perth Magistrates Court found that the employer, the City of Stirling, had failed to ensure the contractor had completed risk assessments in the area before performing the work. Additionally, the obligation for an employer to satisfy itself that the contractor was adequately reducing risks was also not met.
Because of this, the Court fined the City of Stirling more than $20,000 in compensation and costs. This decision was reached after much deliberation, with the final order being laid on August 6.
WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch explained that the tragic death of the bystander should serve as a reminder to employers to ensure that safety measures are always in place.
“This is especially important when mobile plant such as bobcats are in use in and around public areas,” he said in an August 6 statement.
“The case also provides a reminder that workplace safety is the responsibility of not only the contractor performing the work, but also the organisation that engages the contractor.”
As the City of Stirling employed the contractor to carry out the landscaping work, it was then the obligation of the government officer overseeing the project to ensure a job safety assessment (JSA) had been carried out.
“It was not alleged that the City of Stirling’s failure to require a JSA caused the man’s death, but had the City taken these measures, the risk of harm would have been reduced or eliminated,” Mr McCulloch said.
Traffic management in public areas
Traffic management and control is not only to ensure those operating vehicles and mobile machinery follow the rules onsite. This training is also vital for protecting pedestrians and avoiding preventable accidents involving members of the public.
In particular, pedestrian management is a vital component of any traffic control training course. While this is most important for projects undertaken in public areas, it can also be beneficial for on-site work to ensure visitors and bystanders are protected.
When construction, maintenance, landscaping or any other work is being carried out close to where you can reasonable expect members of the public to occupy, it is vital that pedestrian controls are in place.
In the case above, the contractor had allegedly told the bystander to stay clear of the worksite. However, if physical boundaries had been in place, for example, the accident may not have occurred.
The very best solution for preventing traffic-related injuries and fatalities is to keep pedestrians and vehicles physically separated. This can be done by simply installing temporary barriers around workspaces. In the Western Australian case, mobile fencing could have been utilised to clearly mark where the worksite began.
However, in some circumstances this is not always possible. For instance, if the landscaping work required the contractor to move across the entire community centre grounds, it would not be reasonable for the complete area to be fenced-off.
Protecting the public with traffic management training
When physical barriers are not a reasonable solution, there are fortunately other options that can be put in place. In particular, any person operating a work-related vehicle near the public should be provided with traffic management training to ensure they understand the risks to themselves and others.
Another consideration could be to have a stand-by employee checking the area is clear before machinery is moved. In the case outlined above, the accident occurred when the equipment was reversing up an incline. It is possible that the bystander did not see or hear the machinery coming towards him, and was not visible to the operator.
In this case, simply having a spotter standing nearby could have ensured that both the member of the public and the driver were aware of each other.
Alternatively, the driver – knowing that people were nearby – could possibly have chosen to turn the machinery around. By reversing, the contractor potentially cut down his own field of vision and impacted on his ability to identify the risks and stop before the accident occurred.
There are many potential factors that could have resulted in a different outcome. Understanding how these influencers relate to your own undertaking is a crucial consideration. Fortunately, you can find out more information through comprehensive traffic management training.
To improve the safety at your site, get in touch with the AlertForce team to access training for you or your staff today.
WHS complaints rise in Queensland
New figures from the Queensland Work Health and Safety (WHS) authority show that the number of construction-related complaints has climbed significant over the past year.
This is according to an August 3 article published in The Sunday Mail, which revealed reports concerning safety breaches on local sites climbed to 2,765 for the 2013-14 financial year. In comparison, complaints reached just 2,092 in 2012-13 and 1,764 in 2011-12.
One of the key influencers driving the increased complaints is the growing public awareness of WHS standards. While in the past, the majority of complaints were issued from internal sources, recent years have seen nearby residents and passersby become more widely represented in the figures. According to The Sunday Mail, this could be because the popularity of shows such as The Block and House Rules, which commonly feature segments outlining safety procedures and awareness.
In addition to the rise in complaints issued, a WHS Queensland (WHSQ) representative has reveals that there were 10 workplace fatalities throughout the entire 2013-14 financial year. However, the current statistics show two people have died in work related incidents within a week.
One of the individuals was killed when the trench they were working in collapsed and engulfed them, while the second died after falling six metres on a construction site.
These incidents, and the WHS breaches that result in complaints, are demonstrations of the importance of correct safety procedures in workplaces. When policies are not present or not followed correctly, businesses can be hit with substantial fines or even experience serious accidents.
Making a WHS complaint in Queensland
For any individual who discovers a serious WHS breach, informing the proper authorities is vital for protecting the health and safety of employees and the public.
WHSQ supports this important process by offering an online complaint form as well as a direct phone line for those wishing to make a report. If an individual does not wish to reveal their identity, complaints can be made anonymously. This is important for any contractor or employee who may not feel comfortable reporting on their boss or colleagues.
Once a complaint has been received, WHSQ will review the details and take action depending on the nature of the breach. In many cases, this involves sending a Department of Justice representative to the site in question and ensuring those working in the area are aware of their obligations and best practice policies.
The Department of Justice inspectors issued more than 1,300 improvement notices in Queensland in the 2013-14 financial year. Around 750 projects were forced to halt their work due to non-compliant and high-risk activity.
Although the number of fines was down on previous years, 32 employers still received penalties of between $200 and $3,600 last year. The drop in overall fines issued is largely attributed to the change in philosophy by the Department of Justice. Now, the focus has been placed on working with builders and contractors to boost compliance prior to incidents being reported – rather than responding to accidents.
Addressing the rising complaints
With the number of complaints continuing to climb across Queensland’s construction sites, the Office of Fair and Safe Work Queensland has revealed plans for a 2014-17 action plan.
This initiative will target “critical risks/issues related to fatalities” within the construction industry, with a focus on traffic management, falls prevention, site supervising and mentoring of young workers.
Another important factor for employers and workers to consider is asbestos exposure, with issues related to the dangerous fibres making up more than a quarter (28 per cent) of total complaints.
Fortunately, it is not difficult to address these concerns in workplaces and construction sites across Australia. In fact, there are a few simple measures that can be put in place to mitigate the risk of serious WHS breaches and non-compliance.
What can employers do?
When responding to the high number of workplace complaints, employers working in high-risk industries – such as construction – probably already have policies in place to boost safety.
However, in some cases, a basic knowledge of the WHS standards may not be enough to avoid accidents and injuries. In particular, when employees are not continually supervised and reviewed, they could make changes to their work behaviours which fail to meet safety requirements.
This is why it is vital that employers regularly check up on their workers and keep them informed and aware of their changing WHS needs. Additionally, employers, supervisors and site managers should undertake the following standards to ensure that best practices are being followed at all times.
– Know the regulations and requirements
When you want your workers to follow correct WHS policies, it helps to hold a thorough understanding of these practices yourself.
It is therefore important that all leaders and stakeholders access the relevant education that can help boost WHS compliance. This could include contacting your local Work Safe Authority, or undertaking comprehensive WHS training.
– Educate your workers
As well as increasing your own understanding and knowledge, it is vital that you provide all relevant workers with the necessary training to protect themselves and others. By giving employees access to these qualifications, they are more likely to work within industry standards.
While some competencies may be more relevant than others, the construction industry is an area that requires a large number of skills to operate safely. For instance, most workers within the building sector will need some level of working at heights training throughout their career.
This is reflected in the high number of workplace fatalities that are related to falls and working at heights. Once an individual is working two metres off the ground, their risk of serious injury or death increases dramatically. With much in construction work involving roofs and tall structures, this is an important consideration for all industry employers.
– Have all necessary equipment available
In addition to accessing the necessary training and education for you and your workers, it is crucial that the worksite offers all necessary safety equipment and set-ups.
Many WHS complaints involve environmental and situational issues, such as ladders being set on uneven ground or scaffolding placed under live power lines. Additionally, a lack of personal protective equipment is also a common reason for complaint.
For instance, a worker climbing over a roof without a fall-arrest system in place may be grounds for an official WHS complaint. Alternatively, unstable or unsecured scaffolding may also be cause for alarm.
Addressing these issues is easy, when employers invest in the right equipment and environmental reviews. However, knowing which systems would be most beneficial and being able to identify and address potential risks is vital.
With WHS training and reviews, employers can ensure that they and their workers understand these factors – significantly reducing their risk of accidents and injuries.
If you need more information on your WHS training requirements, or how to improve safety on your construction site, get in touch with the AlertForce team today.
Monthly News Roundup: July 2014
Another month has passed with serious asbestos revelations making headlines around the world. Staying up-to-date with asbestos-related news is an important consideration for any employer, as it helps increase awareness of the potential risks you and your employees could be facing.
With this in mind, here are four of the top asbestos-related revelations that dominated the news channels around the world in July.
Telstra terminates NBN asbestos subcontractors
Health and safety has become one of the defining features in the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN). With various risks and hazards present across the process, companies working on this vital project are encouraged to boost safety wherever possible.
This focus has led to a number of important policies, such as the introduction of mandatory NBN safety and awareness training for individuals working in particular roles.
Recently, major NBN employer Telstra has revoked accreditation of a number of subcontractors and individual workers, according to a July 28 article from The Australian.
“This decision was made after audits showed they were not meeting safety standards we expect for this type of work. These accreditation breaches were not limited to asbestos work, but included other issues such as traffic and pedestrian management,” Telstra spokesperson Nicole McKechnie explained.
Last year, the rollout was delayed due to a series of asbestos scares, demonstrating the need for NBN individuals to undertake comprehensive asbestos awareness training.
More schools closed due to asbestos scares
Asbestos exposure is a serious hazard for many workers in Australia. Unfortunately, this risk can also affect people unrelated to their occupation – such as homeowners performing renovations.
Another major asbestos hazard is the historical use of the material in schools built across the country. This means that a significant number of children could be exposed at any time.
It seems that not a month can pass without another school being closed due to asbestos discoveries – and July was no different. In particular, Willetton Senior High School in Western Australia was closed down on July 22 in response to suspected asbestos.
“We’ve known Willetton is an old school and has been scheduled for major work as part of the rebuilding program,” David Axworthy, a spokesperson from the Education Department told ABC Australia.
“The buildings that are to be demolished later in the year are routinely monitored and checked so during that routine inspection they found some broken ceiling tiles and other residue … that contained asbestos.”
There are many schools facing potential asbestos risks, according to a 2013 government report, with several institutions in WA listed as needing immediate attention.
New threat in Gaza war
Residents in Gaza are not only facing the persistent threat of mortar shells and rockets. The war-ravaged southern communities are now being exposed to a secondary danger – asbestos.
A recent media report has picked up on the increased risk of asbestos inhalation, due to structures and buildings being destroyed in the fight.
Fortunately, the local councils are working hard to replace any asbestos roofs that may be in the line of fire. However, as shells continue to drop across the communities, the threat is becoming increasingly urgent.
“The problem is mainly with front-line communities, which are most vulnerable to rocket and mortar fire,” Council Head Haim Yalin said, according to Middle Eastern news publication Haartz.
“Warehouses and other buildings also have asbestos roofs, but our first priority is to replace the roofs of residential structures.”
Mr Yalin revealed that there are around 700 residences with asbestos roofs located along the Gazan perimeter. This means that any initiative to replace the dangerous materials will be a lengthy and consuming endeavour.
Former BHP worker wins asbestos damages case
A landmark case concluded in New South Wales last month, with a former BHP worker awarded more than $2 million in damages.
The ex-employee claimed that he was exposed to asbestos in the early 1980s due to negligence from his employer. The plaintiff is now suffering from terminal mesothelioma as a consequence of inhaling the fibres.
On July 31, the Dust and Diseases Tribunal found BHP guilty of negligence related to work health and safety standards. The Court then decided BHP would have to pay the worker $2.2 million in compensation.
“While today’s verdict is a significant victory for Mr Dunning and his family, it does not take away from the fact that he is dealing with an incurable, terminal disease as a result of BHP’s negligence,” Joanne Wade, asbestos lawyer with Slater & Gordon expressed.
“We are extremely pleased that Mr Dunning can now move on and concentrate on spending his remaining time with his loved ones.”
For more information on asbestos in Australia, check out our news feed. Get in touch with the AlertForce team to access a range of vital asbestos training programs.
OHS News Recap – NBN Safety and Awareness [VIDEO]
Transcript:
The National Broadband Network is being steadily rolled out across the country, with more Australian homes connected to the service every week.
As the project continues its campaign, regional workers may soon see job opportunities to land in their area. Overall, construction of the network is expected to employ 18,000 individuals, according to Deloitte.
The project to connect every Australian to fast broadband has started to infiltrate regional towns, with this activity expected to pick up this year. Over the past 12 months, 20,000 premises in remote and regional areas have been connected to the network. But there is still a lot of work to do.
Fortunately, those interested in taking part in the rollout, and working on sites in regional communities, can access the mandatory NBN safety and awareness training online through AlertForce.
For more information on these or other OHS stories, check out the articles on our news feed.
August is National Tradies’ Health Month
The health, safety and wellbeing of tradespeople in Australia is under the spotlight this month, as industry bodies launch the National Tradies' Health Month.
Throughout August, the Australian Physiotherapy Association – together with work boot manufacturer and supplier Steel Blue – will be supporting initiatives which raise awareness of the hazards in many trade industries. Of particular importance are musculoskeletal health issues, caused by lifting, slips, trips and falls.
"Too many tradies are injured on site every day, 80 per cent of injured workers in Australia are tradies and labourers," Steel Blue General Manager Ross Fitzgerald explained.
"We have been working closely with the Australian Physiotherapy Association to encourage a behaviour change amongst tradies, to make them more aware about the importance of health and safety, at work and home."
Trades can be the most dangerous occupations in Australia, with a vast and complex range of hazards present each time an individual commences work. Because of this, around 10 Victorian tradespeople are badly injured at work each day, according to WorkSafe Victoria. This means that 3,560 tradies sustain an injury that requires workers' compensation each year.
"The number of deaths, injuries and safety breaches prove that everyone – builders, contractors and workers – must do more to make sure workers get home to their families safely every night," WorkSafe Chief Executive Denise Cosgrove said.
According to Safe Work Australia, around 10 in every 100,000 workers claim compensation related to musculoskeletal disorders. Nearly a quarter of all roofers, labourers and plumbers experience back pain, muscle stress and strain from lifting equipment or slips, trips, and falls when handling materials.
"The injuries caused on sites are not always life threatening, but are often painful, costly and result in long periods off work," said Ms Cosgrove.
Unfortunately, when workers require time away from employment, mental health becomes another major issue among tradespeople. Statistics released on the official Tradies' Health website reveal that 18 per cent of injured workers sought mental health services after six months off work. After a year off, that number increased to 30 per cent.
What are the risks to tradies' health?
There are many potential risks to the health and safety of tradespeople in Australia. With these roles often playing a crucial factor in a number of industries, addressing every hazard can be challenging.
To help tradies and employers understand the risks facing tradespeople, here are five of the most common hazards.
- Working at heights
Falls from roofs, ladders, scaffolding and other heights account for around 25 per cent of all workplace fatalities, according to WorkSafe Victoria.
Many trades-related occupations can require an individual to work above the ground. Every time a tradesperson climbs a ladder, they are putting themselves in danger of a serious injury or even death.
Fortunately, simply strategies can be put in place to avoid these accidents. In particular, employers should provide all at-risk individuals with necessary fall-arrest systems and working at heights training.
- Asbestos exposure
When a tradesperson works on a building or structure that was built before 1990, there is a significant risk of being exposed to deadly asbestos fibres.
Each time a worker cuts into a wall, for example, the resulting dust could contain asbestos. If the individual was to then inhale the dust, they would forever be at risk of developing an asbestos-related lung condition.
It is important for all workers who may be working in environments that contain asbestos to access the necessary information and guidance. For instance, older buildings should have a register that indicates the presence of asbestos so workers can avoid dangerous areas.
Additionally, undertaking asbestos awareness training will ensure workers are able to monitor and identify asbestos fibres in any workplace – which is ideal for tradespeople who often move from site to site.
- Electricity
Electricity is a major concern for some tradespeople, as their occupation may involve working directly with wires and other electrical equipment. For others, it is less of a persistent threat but can still pose a risk when working in certain locations.
Any tradesperson who may come into contact with electricity during the undertaking of their duties can follow a few simple practices to ensure their own safety. These include personally checking wires and equipment are not live before handling them and wearing the necessary protective equipment – such as thick gloves and rubber-soled boots.
- Heavy lifting
Musculoskeletal disease is one of the most common injuries reported among tradespeople, with the culprit usually being unsafe lifting procedures.
Back pain and muscle sprains are typical results of incorrect lifting, and these injuries can seriously affect a person's ability to continue physical work. If a tradie was to permanently injure their back, they could lose their entire income due to not being able to complete the tasks they are trained for.
It is therefore crucial that practices are put in place to promote safe lifting techniques, such as warming up and stretching before undertaking any strenuous labour. Whenever possible, physical lifting tasks should be avoided – employees need to understand when a crane, forklift or wheelbarrow is suitable.
Additionally, tradies need to be encouraged to ask for help. Some individuals may believe that asking for help would make them seem weak and unable to perform their job – however, seeking assistance is recommended and demonstrates an admirable knowledge of one's own limits.
- Excessive noise
Tradespeople are often required to use loud equipment and machinery during the undertaking of their duties. For instance, an electrician may need to operate drilling equipment to access the wires in a structure.
Excess noise can also be a risk when operating a heavy vehicle or working close to other construction work. Unfortunately, once you feel pain the damage is already done, so it is important to put preventative measures in place.
Examples of this could be wearing earmuffs or plugs whenever you are using a hand drill or other loud piece of equipment. Noise-related hearing damage is permanent, so don't just put up with excessive sounds – talk to your employer or human resources department about the protection and policies you need.
How can you get involved with National Tradies' Health Month?
There are a number of ways individuals and corporations can take part in National Tradies' Health Month. A variety of events are being held across Australia, raising awareness of the hazards tradespeople face and methods to control these risks. A list of the events can be found on Tradieshealth.com.au.
Alternatively, employers and tradespeople can register to host their own event – as well as access a range of WHS resources to share with staff.
For a more unique and interactive approach to boosting hazard awareness, individuals can play the online game. The Australian Physiotherapy Association and Steel Blue have released this fun and informative game to encourage increased participation in WHS initiatives.
Need more information?
If you need more information regarding occupational health and safety in the trades, or would like to access a relevant training program, get in touch with the AlertForce team today.
Seven step action plan for small business safety
If you own and operate a small business in Australia, then it is your responsibility to ensure your employees are provided with a safe working environment.
Work-related injuries and accidents are a serious issue across many industries, with a significant number of fatalities and workers' compensation claims being lodged each week.
According to Safe Work Australia, almost 100 people had died in work-related incidents in 2014 by the end of July. This amounts to nearly one fatality every second day. Reducing this number is an important work health and safety (WHS) consideration for any Australian business owner, as even one preventable death is too many.
Fortunately, SafeWork SA has released a seven step safety guide and checklist for small businesses. By following this plan, employers and owners will more effectively understand and meet their obligations regarding Australian WHS standards.
This action plan includes practical advice on how to improve safety in the workplace, with general information that can apply to a vast range of industries and occupations.
Seven steps to safety
There are many ways an employer can meet their obligations as a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU). Safe Work Australia explains that, as far as is reasonable practical, the primary duty of a PCBU is to ensure the health and safety of workers (and visitors to the workplace) is not put at risk.
In particular, it is vital that business operations and conduct does not create unnecessary hazards. This is why the seven step process is crucial for any persons launching a startup enterprise or running an existing small business.
The guide, released on July 30, encourages employers to work with their workers when addressing potential risks in the workplace. Safety improvements can be implemented more efficiently and effectively if all employees are aware of their responsibilities and requirements.
Prior to commencing the seven step process, PCBUs should compare their current operations with the WHS snapshot. This document helps employers identify where there is room for improvement and which areas should be priorities.
Once this has been completed, the seven step action plan should be put in place.
1. Set up a safe workplace
The very first action you need to take as a small business owner is to ensure the working environment is supportive of WHS standards. This includes investing in quality machinery, mitigating trip hazards and supplying any necessary personal protective equipment.
This step can generally be achieved by engaging a Safe Work representative to review your site. Once the potential hazards have been identified, policies and protection can be enacted to prevent accidents.
Other PCBU responsibilities include installing WHS information sheets and reporting procedures, to ensure workers and visitors are aware of crucial risks and practices. A common example of this is to have evacuation procedures prominently displayed in the workplace, where both employees and the public can find it.
2. Consult
As well as engaging the services of an official representative, employers should involve their workers in the WHS process. In South Australia, this is a legal requirement under the WHS Act (2012).
Your employees often have first-hand knowledge of the potential hazards they face during business conduct, so they can provide valuable insight into your WHS policies.
Consulting with your workers is not only beneficial for you, but will ensure that every worker is aware of the risks in the workplace. This review and discussion should take place whenever business processes and practices change, as any minor adjustments can affect potential WHS hazards – putting uninformed workers at risk.
3. Manage hazards
Once you have identified and addressed the numerous hazards in the workplace, ongoing management policies need to be put in place.
Having procedures in place will ensure that workers continue to follow WHS standards, particularly as regular reviews are made.
4. Train and supervise
Training is one of the most vital factors in improve WHS outcomes, as misinformed and untrained employees can struggle to understand and adequately address their risks.
Your WHS training requirements will vary depending on the industry in which your business operates. However, it is the duty of the employer to know and access the correct courses and programs for their staff.
For instance, any business that involves handling or working near materials that may contain asbestos could benefit from asbestos awareness training.
As well as investing in the required education, employers need to ensure that adequate supervision is provided to monitor new workers and those undertaking unfamiliar tasks. A competent supervisor will ensure that safety policies are being followed and correct procedures are in place.
5. Maintain safety
Once the required training and policies have been integrated into the business, employers need to regularly check that these processes are still being utilised and have remained relevant and effective.
Hazards and operations can evolve throughout the life of a business, which means that original WHS standards may not suffice for future risks. By carrying out regular reviews and maintenance, PCBUs can ensure best practice policies are in action at all times.
6. Keep records
Documenting injuries, incidents and near misses is an important legal requirement for any business. This includes recording any maintenance, inspections and tests you perform.
By keeping this information on file, you can respond when your Safe Work authority requests the reports – which may occur in the event of an accident. This will also make it easier for you to monitor health and safety in the workplace, so you can quickly and efficiently act when potential issues are identified.
7. Monitor and review
As your business grows and evolves, so too could the hazards. It is therefore vital that you regularly review and improve your WHS standards and policies to suit your changing business.
If you need any more information on monitoring WHS in your business, or would like to access the training your staff require, get in touch with the AlertForce team today.
OHS News Recap – Working at Heights [VIDEO]
Transcript:
Working at heights training is an important consideration in many industries across Australia, but some sectors are more dangerous than others.
In particular, the high risk forestry industry recently announced plans to continue a partnership designed to improve worker safety and awareness. The New South Wales WorkCover authority has signed an ongoing agreement with the Forestry Corporation to provide training in areas such as working at heights, traffic management and driver safety.
Within the construction sector, high winds kept workers on their toes in Victoria and New South Wales earlier this month. As bad weather swept across the country, various WorkCover bodies issued warnings regarding working at heights and the dangers of structure collapse.
As winter continues to create havoc across Australia, and spring approaches, workers in the southern states in particular need to prepare for ongoing strong winds.
For more information on these or other OHS stories, check out the articles on our news feed.
Safety audit reveals gaps in Tasmanian mines
Mining is one of the most dangerous industries in Australia, with employees at every level facing a range of potential work health and safety (WHS) hazards.
In fact, approximately 3 fatalities occurred per 100,000 workers in 2013. Although this was a great result for the industry, which has seen historical fatality rates reach up to 12.35 deaths per 100,000 employees, it still highlights the dangers present in this sector.
Sustaining WHS standards is therefore a serious consideration for any employer in the resources sector. Unfortunately, mining business owners in Tasmania have their work cut out for them, according to a recent audit conducted by the University of New South Wales’ School of Management.
The independent report, commissioned last year and published this month, found that serious deficiencies have led to various safety incidents over recent months. Lead study author, Professor Michael Quilan explained that Tasmania’s regulatory framework is “deficient in a number of regards”.
“It’s imperative critical gaps in existing rules be addressed because most, if not all, are pivotal to preventing fatal accidents,” he explained in the audit.
In particular, Professor Quilan investigated the training, presence and pay of safety inspectors across the industry. His findings revealed serious shortfalls in the number of mining-qualified competent persons available on a full-time basis.
The industry stakeholders surveyed by Professor Quilan commonly identified training as an area where improvements are needed. For instance, several interviewees claimed that no inspectors were available who held specific training and knowledge for the unique hazards associated with coal mining.
A lack of succession planning could be the leading cause of this issue, with no adequate training or induction processes in place when staff turnover occurs. Because of this, Professor Quilan urged Tasmanian mining employers to adopt mandatory training requirements, such as the policies currently in place in Queensland and other resource-reliant states.
The benefits of training in the mining industry
There are many reasons why training is a crucial consideration for mining employers, including the vast range of potential hazards each employee faces on every shift.
For instance, due to the complex nature of many mining occupations, a worker could be subject to risks related to confined space, traffic control and machinery entrapment all at one time.
Training individuals to recognise and address these hazards should not only help improve WHS standards, but can also lead to more efficient operations and increased profitability. This is because a decline in safety incidents will reduce the amount of time needed for injury recovery and accident investigations. In turn, this should lead to more time focused on daily operations and business-as-usual endeavours.
Because of the complexities of mining work, knowing what WHS training to access can be a challenge. To help you reach positive safety outcomes in your business, here are just four areas where training and qualifications can be beneficial to miners.
– Traffic management
Whether the mining operations are above or under the ground, traffic management training should be a vital consideration for any employer. This is because the resources industry often relies on large and heavy mobile equipment to move product across sites and through freight channels.
A particular hazard of underground mining is when these vehicles are required to enter the same shafts and confined spaces as pedestrian workers. Operating vehicles in shared tunnels can lead to collisions and crushing if adequate WHS policies are not in place.
Fortunately, traffic management training can help any employee understand the risks and avoid potential accidents. In particular, the use of vehicles in shared spaces – above or below ground – can be controlled to strict safety standards if each individual holds the necessary qualifications.
– Confined spaces
Underground mines can be dangerous environments to work in, due to the risk of poor atmospheric conditions, cave-ins and disorientation. Employers can protect their employees against these risks in a number of ways.
Workers should be provided with comprehensive confined spaces training before entering any area with limited entry points. This competency will ensure that individuals are able to monitor their environment and utilise any necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) if a hazard is present.
For instance, atmospheric testing can help employees identify whether oxygen levels are fluctuating – due to poor ventilation or an unexpected release of gas. If unsafe environmental conditions are detected, workers must be able to safely find, don and operate breathing apparatus and any other relevant PPE.
– Hazardous materials
Some mining situations can require individuals to handle or work alongside hazardous materials. In particular, explosive substances are commonly used in these situations.
Training is an important requirement which must be accessed before workers are given permission to handle such material. Unsafe or misinformed use of these items could lead to serious accidents, such as preventable fires and explosions.
Additionally, radioactive materials are sometimes present in mines – potentially creating significant health risks. Using the right PPE and protective clothing is crucial to avoid necessary exposure to unsafe materials.
– Emergency response
No matter how safe your workers are, accidents can happen. This is why it is vitally important that certain employees are trained and aware of their duties in an emergency.
If an incident was to occur on your site, having qualified workers on staff will ensure that would-be rescuers do not put themselves in danger. This is of particular importance when dealing with confined spaces, where a significant number of fatalities are related to emergency response, rather than business-as-usual operations.
If you would like more information about WHS risks in the mining industry, or want to access the relevant training, contact the AlertForce team today.
Preventing forklift accidents in Australian workplaces
Industrial lift trucks, also known as forklifts, are one of the manufacturing industry’s most valuable assets. The ability to move large products and loads across warehouses and yards is essential for supply chain efficiency.
However, the reliance on forklifts can have serious consequences on worker health and safety, as these machines pose many potential risks.
It is therefore important that any business using forklifts accesses adequate training, licences and permits before undertaking work involving industrial lift trucks. This includes, but is not limited to, traffic control and management training to protect operators and pedestrians.
To help employers understand the risks of using forklifts in the workplace, here are four factors that need to be considered to upkeep work health and safety standards.
Overweight or unbalanced loads
While many people assume forklifts are most dangerous when moving, employees can still face serious hazards when the equipment is stationary. In particular, when industrial lift trucks are in the process of loading and unloading, incorrect use and practices can lead to accidents, injuries and even death.
A significant number of workplace accidents involving forklifts are caused by unbalanced or overweight loads. Forklifts should all come with very clear manufacturing instructions related to maximum weights and best practice loading. Following these instructions is key to ensuring workers, operators and pedestrians are safe from tipping and falling objects.
One example of this was recently highlighted by WorkSafe Western Australia, resulting in a $30,000 fine. The accident involved untrained employees standing on a lifted platform when the truck toppled over.
The workers each sustained injuries when the elevated work platform tipped forward due to an unsafe loading. One of the men suffered minor injuries, including cuts and bruising, while the other sustained significant harm and was unable to work for two months.
When the accident occurred, the employees were in the process of moving a heavy load between shelves. They climbed onto the elevated platform in order to move beds onto the platform, which was raised six metres. Although the forklift was limited to a lifting capacity of 500kg, the employees did not realise that the platform was fabricated and attached after the forklift was purchased.
When the 200kg platform was taken into consideration, the true lifting capacity was actually only 300kg. However, the untrained workers were not aware of this and had loaded the platform with 362kg worth of product. On top of this, the employees failed to take into account their own weight, estimated at 150-200kg. This meant that the equipment was overloaded by a combined 532kg at the time of the accident.
“It is crucial that written safe work procedures are in place in workplaces such as this one, and that employers ensure employees are aware of them and putting them into practice,” WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch said.
“Subsequent to this incident, the employer had the relevant employees from its four WA stores trained to obtain high risk work licences, and had weight sensor devices fitted to all order pickers in operation.”
Mr McCulloch shared his belief that if training had been undertaken much earlier, the employees would have avoided the incident and not been subjected to their injuries and suffering.
In addition to protecting those individuals working on top of forklifts, unstable loads can often put pedestrians and other visitors at risk. If a machine carrying too much was to turn a corner or tip at the wrong moment, the load could potentially fall onto a nearby worker, causing serious injuries.
Traffic management
When forklifts and other elevated platform machinery are being used in the same space as other equipment and pedestrian traffic, collisions can easily occur. Avoiding these accidents is relatively simple, when the right traffic management systems are in place.
For instance, control plans should always ensure that, whenever possible, pedestrians and trucks are kept separate. This could include creating independent roadways for each form of traffic, or installing elevated walking paths to keep employees off factory floors.
Additionally, employers need to make sure the warehouse is well-lit and has adequate line of sight, to avoid collisions occurring when forklift operators fail to see oncoming traffic.
Training is a crucial part of protecting employee health and safety, which is why traffic control and management courses are recommended for all workers who are required to share space with forklifts and other vehicles.
This undertaking will ensure individuals are aware of their risks in the workplace, as well as giving them the tools and knowledge to control and mitigate these hazards.
Maintenance and storage
In addition to protecting worker health and safety while forklifts are in use, ensuring these essential pieces of machinery are well taken care of is also important.
Correct storage is one area where many people fail to make adequate provisions, as the industrial equipment looks sturdy enough to be left in factory spaces. However, exposure to the elements over an extended time can lead to advanced wear and tear, such as rust, which can cause accidents due to the truck not performing as it should.
Parking a forklift can also pose problems for other individuals as, if not correctly stored, the forklift can create a hazard in the workplace by posing as an unnecessary and unexpected obstacle for other vehicles. Additionally, leaving the key in or the brakes disengaged could cause accidental collisions if a forklift was to become mobile for any reason.
Furthermore, if you allow a forklift to sit idling for a long period of time in an enclosed area, the resulting fumes could cause employees to become disorientated, light-headed or sick. Carbon monoxide is a serious issue in small work spaces, so it is important to ensure areas are well ventilated and forklifts are shut off when not in use.
Maintenance is also a serious consideration for any workers operating a forklift, as wear and tear can lead to serious accidents. Any person required to operate a forklift or other elevated platform machinery should undertake the adequate training and obtain any relevant information regarding maintenance.
Without the proper inspections and services, forklifts can pose very serious risks to employees and pedestrians. A worn or damaged component could easily lead to loads being tipped or mechanisms failing, putting everyone in close vicinity in danger of falling debris or collision.
Fortunately, it is not difficult to avoid these kinds of incidents. With regular and thorough inspections, drivers and operators can identify and address any issues before they become larger problems. A forklift should be subjected to an inspection before every use.
If you need further guidance on controlling forklift risks in warehouses, take a look at our previous article – Key tips for minimising traffic management risks in warehouses.
For more information on traffic management training or any other work health and safety courses, get in touch with the AlertForce team today.
Staying safe on scaffolding
The construction industry often relies on scaffolding and elevating platforms to perform important work above the ground. In particular, Australia’s capital cities have seen apartment buildings and tower blocks being constructed taller than ever before in recent years.
High-rise construction work is expected to experience a continued rise in activity, according to the latest report from BIS Shrapnel. The Building in Australia 2014-2029 study, released on July 21, forecast a growing demand for apartments in order to meet the housing needs of an increasing population.
Currently, Australia is facing an estimated dwelling shortfall of approximately 100,000 homes. Due to the 1.7 per cent annual population growth rate, BIS Shrapnel Associate Director Dr Kim Hawtrey expects it will be some time before this demand is met.
“Home building has been punching below its weight for about a decade, and has not kept pace with population growth for some time now,” said Dr Hawtrey.
“We estimate that it will take the next five years to eliminate the unmet demand for housing. We therefore do not see this housing shortfall closing until 2018.”
In particular, the report identifies apartments and tower blocks as a key driver to rising construction activity. As the population grows, major cities are combating urban sprawl by building up instead of out. This means that construction businesses in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne are likely to participate in projects that require the use of major scaffolding.
“In the next two years we’ll also see the recent emphasis on high-rise units continue. Currently two high-rise apartments are being built for every five detached houses, which is double the historical rate of one apartment for every five houses built,” Dr Hawtrey explained.
When working above ground, there are many considerations that need to be made in order to protect the health and safety of workers and the public. This includes engaging qualified scaffolding installers and accessing working at heights training for all relevant employees.
Work health and safety on scaffolding
Undertaking any tasks above the ground can put workers at risk due to the fall hazards. Once an individual is more than two metres off the ground, their chances of serious injury or even death are significantly increased.
Fortunately, properly installed and maintained scaffolding can help minimise the risk of falling, due to industry regulations that these structures must comply with. Additionally, any worker who may be required to climb on and perform tasks involving scaffolding should be offered working at heights training as well as comply with dangerous work permits.
To help employers understand their requirements regarding scaffolding and working above the ground, Safe Work Australia has recently released a series of guides designed to raise awareness of the hazards and controls related to this work.
In particular, workers and employers can now access a series of five documents outlining specific scaffolding requirements and work health and safety standards.
– General scaffolding guide
The first document is a general guide providing information on the overall use of scaffolding. This publication outlines what scaffolding is, how it relates to construction work and the hazards involved in its use.
According to Safe Work Australia, a scaffold is a temporary structure constructed to provide working platforms above the ground. In this guide, scaffolding work refers to the erecting, altering and dismantling of the individual components that make up a scaffold.
The important elements contained in the general scaffolding guide include hazard controls related to anchoring, installing and taking down these temporary structures. Common risks to employee health and safety outlined within this document include scaffold collapse, electric lines, uneven ground, falls and dropped objects.
While following the recommended safety standards should help worker avoid these hazards, accidents can still occur. Because of this, Safe Work Australia recommends that an emergency plan is prepared and in place before any work begins.
– Scaffold inspection and maintenance
As with any equipment in the construction industry, regular maintenance and safety inspections are crucial for scaffolding safety.
Safe Work Australia’s inspection guide requires that any scaffold that poses a fall risk of more than four metres should not be used unless signed off by a qualified and competent person. Inspections are recommended prior to work being started, as well as during construction projects.
Scaffolds higher than four metres must be assessed at least every 30 days while in use. If an inspection identifies an issue with the structure, work must be halted while any necessary repairs and alterations are carried out. Once this process has been completed, a follow-up inspection is required before normal work can resume.
– Scaffolds and scaffolding
The practical guide to scaffolds outlines the different kinds of structures that can be included under this umbrella. For instance, a birdcage scaffold is an independent platform generally used for work on a single level.
This particular scaffold type requires different working at heights safety equipment, as fall-arrest systems are usually not suitable for controlling risks within birdcage structures.
Comparatively, a hung, single pole or trestle scaffold could require the use of fall-arrest equipment, such as harnesses, anchors and suspension. It is important for workers using scaffolding to know what kind of structure is being utilised, and the specific hazards present in each situation. Once this is understood, the proper standards and controls can be put in place.
– Swing stage (suspended) scaffolds
Perhaps one of the most dangerous forms of scaffold is the suspended platform. Installing these scaffolds requires a person holding an advanced scaffolding or rigging licence.
Workers operating a suspended platform do not need to hold a high-risk licence but should be provided with the necessary fall-arrest equipment and working at heights training to avoid potentially fatal falls.
This type of scaffolding presents a number of unique risks, particularly as the platform is often used on the sides of high-rise buildings, where wind and weather elements can significantly increase risk to workers.
Fortunately, with the right controls and policies in place, these hazards can easily be mitigated. In particular, inspections, training and personal protective equipment are crucial for protecting the health and safety of suspended scaffolding operators.
– Tower and mobile scaffolds
While most types of scaffolds are fixed in place, tower and mobile standards can usually be moved across sites in order to access multiple points above the ground.
Because of this, it is important for workers using these structures to remain aware of environmental hazards, such as uneven ground and interactions with machinery. If a mobile scaffold was to be placed on a minutely sloped surface, the resulting work on the platform could be enough to create movement and cause the structure to move.
It is therefore crucial that scaffold safety features are in place, such as brakes on the wheels and anchors to fixed points.
Furthermore, individuals undertaking tasks on these structures will benefit from working at heights training, as this competency will ensure they are aware of their hazards and the controls that are required.
For more information on working at heights training and scaffold safety, get in touch with the AlertForce team today.
Understanding asbestos in Australia
Asbestos exposure is a very real threat in Australia, with new discoveries made almost every week. Homeowners, contractors and workers all face serious asbestos-related risks across each state and territory.
Fortunately, minimising the work health and safety hazards posed by asbestos exposure is relatively simple. Any employee undertaking work that may result in them handling or inhaling these dangerous fibres should access an asbestos awareness training program.
Additionally, it is important that any person who is planning to renovate, build, demolish, work on or cut into a structure that may contain asbestos understands the risks they are facing.
To help prepare yourself and your staff against asbestos hazards, here are a few basic facts and information related to this deadly material.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fibre which has traditionally been used as insulation. Falling into two groups – Serpentine and Amphibole, asbestos comprises of six kinds of fibres. These are:
- Chrysotile (White asbestos)
- Anthophyllite
- Amosite (Brown or grey asbestos)
- Crocidolite (Blue asbestos)
- Tremolite
- Actinolite
Generally, asbestos containing materials in structures and buildings fall into two categories – friable and non-friable. This related to whether the asbestos fibres are bonded to their structure, with friable materials poses serious risks to health and safety due to unbonded and airborne fibres.
What are the risks?
While asbestos was traditionally considered a useful and valuable material, this substance can seriously impact on the health of any person exposed to it.
In particular, airborne asbestos fibres can be easily inhaled and settle into the lungs of a builder or tradesperson. Once breathed into the lungs, asbestos can lead to a person developing serious illnesses and diseases. The most common conditions caused by asbestos are:
- Asbestosis – scarring of lung tissue. This generally causes breathing problems and is irreversible
- Lung cancer – after 20-40 years of incubation, tumours develop in and around the lungs
- Mesothelioma – a deadly cancer of the lining around the lungs and abdomen. This condition is largely incurable and can lie dormant for up to 40 years before developing
- Benign pleural diseases – non-cancerous conditions that affect the lining of the abdomen and lungs
Hundreds of people are diagnosed with these diseases every year in Australia, with the number of mesothelioma cases not expected to peak until 2020. Overall, the global asbestos awareness authority, The Mesothelioma Center, believes that at least 35,000 Australians are expected to die from this disease within the next four decades.
The history of asbestos in Australia
When asbestos was originally discovered, it was heralded as a diverse and useful tool in the construction of homes, structures and tools. This is because asbestos has an excellent durability, is fire resistant and insulates against heat, damp and electricity.
Asbestos was commonly used in Australian homes between the 1940s and 80s. Additionally, extensive asbestos mining operations were in place across various sites, creating a massive industry in certain towns.
However, it wasn’t long before international studies regarding the health risks of asbestos fibres lead to nationwide bans. Each form of asbestos was subject to individual bans until, finally in December 2003, all use of asbestos was completely prohibited in Australia.
Unfortunately, much of the damage was already done. Up to one-third of all homes built in Australia contain asbestos products, with any property constructed prior to 1990 likely to pose some risk to health, according to the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency.
Because of this, asbestos exposure continues to be a serious factor for any homeowner considering renovations, contractor or tradesperson working on older structures and building managers.
Responding to asbestos discoveries
It seems as though not a week can pass without some form of asbestos exposure making the headlines in Australia.
As asbestos discoveries continue to be made, any individual working on building sites and structures need to ensure they can identify and respond to potential asbestos fibres.
Fortunately, Safe Work Australia has published a Code of Practice outlining the recommended responses related to national occupational health and safety standards. In particular, this document addresses the identification of asbestos as the first step in managing risks related to the dangerous fibres.
A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) in Australia has a duty of care to their employees and visitors to their site. Because of this, it is vital that PCBUs understand how to safely control asbestos risk in the workplace.
First, if an employer suspects asbestos may be present, they must engage a competent person (someone trained to handle and test samples) to the material.
Until tests are completed, it is recommended that any suspected asbestos materials are treated as if they are definitely contaminated. This will mitigate the risk of accidental exposure.
Secondly, investing in asbestos awareness training is a recommendation for any employee in trades and building related occupations across Australia. This should ensure that potential asbestos materials are easily identified and avoided to minimise the risk of exposure.
Ensuring all workers can effectively identify asbestos is a key factor in protecting not just themselves, but also the public. In some cases, construction work can cause fibres to become airborne and impact on neighbouring properties. When contamination is possible, a trained employee should respond by halting work and seeking further advice from a competent and qualified worker.
For example, work was recently halted in a discount store in Tasmania after renovation work potentially put workers at risk. The owner of the store had undertaken work by ripping up tiles that potentially contained asbestos.
Despite failing to invest in an inspection prior to commencing work, the renovations were finally stopped and the store closed for testing after employees were present in the store for some hours.
This dangerous potential exposure to asbestos fibres has put not only the renovation contractors at risk, but also the employees and shoppers present in the store while work was being undertaken. If the employer, renovators and staff had access asbestos awareness training prior to the renovations, the identification of asbestos tiles may have been made much earlier – mitigating this unfortunate exposure.
Safe removal of asbestos
If asbestos is discovered in the workplace, the safest option is usually to remove all contaminated materials. However, the act of removing asbestos can pose more serious risks than working around it. This is because disturbing and handling asbestos will usually lead to fibres becoming airborne.
Fortunately, it is not difficult to put safe removalist practices in place, particularly when engaging a third-party business to conduct this work.
In particular, building managers, employers and home owners should employ a competent team or person to undertake removal work. This includes investing in a business that has provided asbestos removal training to its entire staff.
Even homeowners can get into trouble when incorrectly removing asbestos. A Canberra couple were recently convicted for failing to safely and completely remove contaminated materials from their home during major renovations.
While the homeowners had identified and removed some asbestos from the ceiling before undertaking demolition work, two kinds of asbestos were discovered in the rubble once the work had been completed.
This was because the couple had gone ahead with the demolition without investing in a general asbestos assessment. Instead, they told the contractors that all the asbestos had been removed – putting themselves, their children and the workers at risk of exposure.
The couple pleaded guilty to the charge and were each fined $1,650, according to the Canberra Times.
It is easy to see how asbestos training and qualifications can help all Australians avoid asbestos risks, whether they are homeowners, employers or business managers.
For more information on asbestos awareness and removal training, get in touch with the AlertForce team today.
Fire risk in confined spaces
In certain industries and locations, confined spaces can pose a serious fire or explosion risk. When flammable materials are present in high concentrations in an enclosed area, any spark or ignition could lead to a devastating detonation – causing injuries or even death to nearby workers.
Such an event has resulted in a company operating in the California recently being fined more than US$82,000 due to occupational health and safety (OHS) negligence.
In December 2013, an employee was working within a large steel tank, spraying flammable coating to the inside walls. The worker was using a portable halogen light to improve his visibility. Unfortunately, this lamp created an electrical spark that ignited the coating. The worker was rescued, but had to spend three days in the burn unit of a hospital.
“This was a preventable accident,” Department of Industrial Relations Director Christine Baker said in a June 26 media statement.
“The employer was aware that working inside the confined space was dangerous but did not take the required steps to avoid putting workers at serious risk.”
In June this year, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) cited the employer for various breaches to confined space OHS standards. Overall, the proposed penalties reached $82,090 and included fines for knowingly using an unauthorised electric lamp in an explosive atmosphere.
Additionally, the employer was required to pay damages related to failing to obtain a permit to work within a confined space and not having proper ventilation or protective equipment in a hazardous area.
“The purpose of requiring confined space entry permits is to prevent trouble before work begins,” said Cal/OSHA Acting Chief Juliann Sum.
“This case involved flammable vapours that needed to be monitored and diluted to safe levels, and a lamp approved for this type of operation was required to avoid bringing a source of ignition into a flammable atmosphere.”
Further citations included fines attributed to not providing adequate safety equipment and confined space training for employees working within the tank.
Back in Australia, confined spaces can pose a serious risk to workers’ health and safety. In particular, many industries, workplaces and occupational undertakings can result in high concentrations of flammable contaminants. This can significantly increase the chance of a fire or explosion causing injuries and deaths, so must be monitored and addressed carefully.
Understanding the risk of fire and explosions in confined spaces
While there are many potential risks in confined spaces, fire and explosions are perhaps the most dangerous. According to a 2006 report from the Edith Cowan University in Western Australia, 100 per cent of the confined spaces incidents that involved fire or explosions between 1980 and 1986 resulted in fatalities.
In fact, of the 50 total accidents, 76 employees perished due to burns and other fire related injuries. Comparatively, just 58 of the 105 (55 per cent) of grain handling incidents – including engulfment – resulted in worker death.
This high rate of fire and explosion related deaths may be attributed to the extreme danger that continues after the initial event. When an explosion or fire occurs, response crews can also often succumb to the environment while attempting to rescue workers trapped within confined spaces.
It is therefore vital that employers do all they can to prevent fires and explosions within confined spaces in the workplace. Fortunately, there are a number of simple and effective measures that be put in place to improve OHS outcomes.
Preventing fires and explosions in confined spaces
There are a number of key factors that can lead to fires and explosions in confined spaces. These include:
- Poor ventilation
- Unsuitable equipment
- Unsafe atmospheric conditions
- Radiation and heat
- Use of flammable materials
It is important to remember that in order for a fire or explosion to occur, three factors must be present – an ignition source, oxygen and a flammable fuel.
Unfortunately, these requirements can easily be introduced into a confined space when proper precautions are not put in place.
For instance, a silo that has been coated with a flammable sealant could fill with a dangerous vapour as exterior heat causes the seal to evaporate. As this vapour or gas becomes more highly concentrated, a worker wearing static-inducing clothing could easily create a spark that results in a devastating fire.
As this is all it can take to cause a fire or explosion within a confined space, workers and employers must be particularly vigilant when working with flammable materials.
Preventing these accidents is simple, with the right level of confined spaces training and hazard awareness. By taking proper precautions, employees can avoid putting themselves in harm’s way and mitigate the risk of an explosion or fire.
OHS policies to have in place include obtaining permits before entering confined spaces, using approved equipment only and monitoring atmospheres for high concentrations of dangerous gases.
In particular, all confined spaces should be tested for flammable contaminants before any work that may involve the use of sparking tools or electrical equipment is undertaken. Completely removing the ignition source or potential fuel ensures that the risk of fires and explosions is totally mitigated.
However, rather than simply providing workers with gas testing equipment, it is also vital that employers provide comprehensive training on the proper use and maintenance of these devices. Incorrect use could lead to a misreading, which may result in an easily preventable accident occurring.
For more information on the hazards present in confined spaces, or to access relevant training for your staff, get in touch with the AlertForce team today.
Focus placed on safety in farming
A renewed focus is being placed on work health and safety (WHS) outcomes in the farming sector. This drive, supported by a number of WorkCover authorities across the country, has come after a Safe Work Australia report revealed employee fatalities rates are highest in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry.
The Work-related Traumatic Fatalities: Australia 2014 report, released on July 15, found that almost one in four (19 per cent) of the total occupational deaths recorded in 2013 involved workers in the agricultural sector alone. This industry accounted for 37 of the 191 fatalities in Australia last year.
With a fatality rate of 15.11 deaths per 100,000 workers, it is easy to see why health and safety initiatives are so crucial for employers in this industry. This is nine times the national rate of 1.64 fatalities per 100,000 workers.
As many of the deaths in this industry and other sectors were related to vehicles, a particular effort should be made to access traffic management training for all employees. In particular, approximately 66 per cent of all fatalities over the past 11 years involved a vehicle, with one-third of workers killed in collisions on public roads and one-third in incidents on site.
Work-related injuries and fatalities in Australia
Overall, WHS training and initiatives seem to be making an impact as total fatalities across all industries fell to the lowest rate in 11 years.
In 2013, 191 workers were killed through an incidents related to their employment, compared with 228 in 2012 and significantly lower than the highest figure of the past decade (311 fatalities in 2007).
Despite this decline, Safe Work Australia Acting Chief Executive Officer Michelle Baxter reminds workers and employers that health and safety should remain a priority.
“While we have seen a 16 per cent reduction in work-related deaths since 2012, this does not mean workers should become complacent about reducing and eliminating risks while working,” she said.
Beyond the fatalities reported in the agriculture industry, 46 people died in the transport, postal and warehousing sector, followed by 19 construction-related deaths. Additionally, 66 bystanders and members of the public were killed due to work-related activity in 2013.
This shows that WHS policies still have a long way to go in these particular industries, and employers need to remain vigilant in regards to worker health and safety.
Farm safety improving in Victoria
While the number of fatalities in Australia’s agricultural sector increased last year, total farm-related injury claims in Victoria fell by approximately 14 per cent – reaching the lowest rate in a decade. This is according to figures released on July 16 by the Victorian WorkCover Authority.
In 2013, 401 farmers and employees made a workers compensation claim, which is down from 467 claims in 2012. However, the industry still presents a significant number of risks to workers. This is shown by tallying the number of fatalities (53) and injuries (4,600) on Victorian farms over the past 10 years.
“A farm is just like any other workplace, and farmers need to ensure the same proactive approach to safety is adopted,” said Victorian WorkCover Authority Executive Director of Health and Safety Len Neist.
Mr Neist expressed concern at the more than 400 injuries claims that occurred last year. He explained that although reports are at their lowest in 10 years, it is vital that those working on farms remain “vigilant when it comes to workplace safety”.
In particular, Mr Neist urges farmers and workers to avoid taking on tasks for which they are not trained, as this commonly leads to accidents and errors that caused injuries.
“Specialised services should always be engaged in work which is outside of the farmers’ expertise or knowledge,” he said.
Farmer health and safety initiative launched in NSW
Over the past three years, close to 5,500 NSW farmers have sustained injuries that required claims on workers compensation, according to WorkCover NSW.
Because of this, the authority has developed a new farm safety initiative designed to improve awareness of the hazards in the industry. The program was launched by the NSW Minister for Finance and Services Dominic Perrottet at the 2014 NSW Farmers Conference on July 15.
WorkCover NSW has teamed up with individuals across the industry to help farmers stay alive and well by offering them a hub to share and experience stories of accidents, injuries and deaths on farms.
“The NSW agricultural industry is one of the state’s largest and most important industries, contributing $11.7 billion in revenue,” Mr Perrottet said.
“It is also one of the State’s highest risk industries, recording 5,465 injuries and illnesses, including seven fatalities over the three years to July 2012. As the high number of injuries show, it is important that everyone out on the farm works more closely together to improve safety.”
The website, aliveandwell.net.au, serves as a place for farmers to share their stories about accidents and incidents from their past. By promoting awareness and offering personalised advice, these individuals can help boost the safety and wellbeing of others in their industry.
“By using these real-life stories of farmers to highlight the devastating impact they can have, we hope it leads to more farms improving safety,” Mr Perrottet explained.
“Importantly, the stories show that it doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated to keep everyone on the farm safe.”
With a number of guides and channels of support available through the initiative, workers can benefit from checking out the site and searching for the specific injuries or hazards they may face.
For instance, an advice and support page shares a range of links to industry authorities, educational videos and fact sheets to increase awareness of the help available.
Improving WHS outcomes
The agriculture industry records high rates of vehicle-related deaths, as well slips, trips and falls – which accounted for 22 per cent of the total injuries.
A range of factors can result in serious safety issues, including unguarded machinery and untidy workshops, as well as poorly stored chemicals creating hazards in confined spaces. Additionally, inattention when manoeuvring vehicles is a significant WHS risk.
“The key to keeping farm work safe is effective planning and using the right equipment for the job,” said Mr Neist.
“It’s important that if you are heading out on the tractor for the day, or fencing in the back paddock, to let someone know where you’ll be.”
In lights of the approaching National Farm Safety Week, which runs from 21–25 July 2014, Mr Neist offered a range of helpful tips to help boost safety in the agriculture industry. The advice includes:
- Always communicate to someone where you will be
- Ensure machinery is well maintained and switched off when undergoing repairs
- Engage specialists for work you are not trained to complete
- Always follow manufacturers standards when operating machinery or storing chemicals
- Be aware of fumes and hazardous chemicals
- Stay vigilant when operating or working near vehicles
How AlertForce can help
To achieve improved health and safety outcomes, it is important to ensure all employees have access to the right training, supervision and knowledge.
In particular, WHS training relevant to agriculture industry can vastly reduce the chance of inadequate policies and procedures resulting in an accident, injury or death. This includes working at heights, confined spaces and traffic management training.
For more information on any of our occupational health and safety courses, get in touch with the AlertForce team today. We can offer nationally recognised training and qualifications relevant to most high-risk industries, including agriculture, forestry and fishing.
Occupational disease report highlights asbestos concerns
Respiratory diseases caused by exposure to asbestos in the workplace have declined in recent years, according to a recent report from Safe Work Australia.
The fifth edition of the Occupational Disease Indicators study, released on July 8, studied a number of priority work-related conditions, including lung diseases and cancers developed after contact with asbestos products. Trend rates of these diseases, as well as high-risk occupations and preventative policies, were identified in this report.
Overall, five of the eight priority diseases showed a decline in prevalence between 2000 and 2011, with the remaining three categories – occupational cancers, noise-induced hearing loss and mental disorders – all remaining steady.
Worker compensation claims related to respiratory conditions, including those caused by asbestos, fell by 49 per cent during the nominated period. In particular, the rates of Australian employees reporting asbestosis fell from 36 claims per million population, in 2000-01 to just seven in 2010-11.
In the same time, the rate of occupational cancer reported by workers remained relatively steady. However, the incidence of claims due to mesothelioma – caused by inhalation of asbestos fibres – steadily increased from 11 to 33 cases per million Australians between 1983 and 2003, before falling to 28 cases in 2010.
The 20 year growth in mesothelioma claims can possible be contributed to the long-term incubation of the disease, with exposure to asbestos leading to the disease over a potential 20-40 year period.
As respiratory disease and occupational cancer each started to decline in recent years, this may be an indication that modern practices and policies concerning asbestos in the workplace have started to make a difference for employee health and safety.
In particular, the country-wide ban of asbestos products which came into effect in 2003, coupled with extensive removal projects and asbestos awareness training, have ensured that workers in Australia understand the risks of inhalation and exposure.
The history of asbestos in Australia
Asbestos has a long and extensive history in Australian workplaces, particularly due to its use as a flame and water resistant insulation product.
Australia had the highest per capita use of asbestos in the world between the 1950s and 70s, according to Asbestos.com. A vast range of occupations and industries relied on this material, including construction, textiles and mining.
While mesothelioma cases began being reported as early as 1962 in Australia, the use of amosite (brown) asbestos continued into the late 1980s. Furthermore, some products that contained the dangerous fibres were still in use until December 2003.
In addition to the asbestos use across the country, parts of Australia were considered mining hubs for particular forms of the material. This includes crocidolite (blue) asbestos, which was mined extensively in the Western Australia town of Wittenoom from the 1930s until the mine was shut down in 1966.
Despite the fact nation-wide bans began to come in force in the 1970s, residents across Australia are still at risk of asbestos exposure due to remnants of its use in past decades. In particular, houses and buildings built prior to 1990 are likely to contain the deadly fibres in some form.
This fact commonly puts construction workers, renovators, plumbers and other tradespeople at risk of exposure and inhalation. Because of this, asbestos assessment, awareness and removal training has remained vital consideration for employers across a wide range of industries.
Asbestos awareness training
Any person conducting a business or undertaking has a duty of care to ensure their employees are aware of the risks present in the workplace.
If an individual is required to perform work that may result in asbestos exposure, whether manufactured or naturally occurring, asbestos awareness training is highly recommended. Accessing a relevant program ensures that the worker understands their risks and is able to respond safely to asbestos discovery and exposure.
In particular, some individuals may be employed in a capacity which requires them to undertake asbestos removal work. In this circumstance, further training could be mandatory, depending on the size and type of asbestos discovered.
According to Safe Work Australia’s asbestos code of practice, training and supervision is a key consideration when performing asbestos-related work. For instance, all employees who are required to wear personal protective equipment, such as breathing apparatus, must be given offered a course that provides adequate competencies to ensure safe fitting, use, maintenance and storage of the devices.
Furthermore, supervision should be provided when dealing with significant asbestos removal projects. Individuals able to offer this service need to have completed a training program, such as the AlertForce Supervise Asbestos Removal course.
For more information on this, or any other asbestos-related training, get in touch with the AlertForce team today.
Traffic management guides released
National occupational health and safety (OHS) organisation Safe Work Australia has released a range of guidance materials designed to help employers improve employee and public wellbeing outcomes.
Nine packages were created in support of the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act and WHS Regulations. Published on July 4, the guides cover common OHS hazards such as working on scaffolds, using industrial lift trucks and managing risks in the forestry industry.
These nationally recognised guides provide employers and persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) with practical advice on how to manage risks in the workplace. However, some states and territories are subject to particular legislation and requirements, so additional OHS training and support is recommended.
One particular package published by Safe Work Australia covers the risks and best practices related to traffic management across a range of industries. This release contains a number of amendments to the specific sector guides published in July 2013, as agreed upon by the majority of the Safe Work Australia board in June this year. Also included are checklists to assist employers and supervisors manage and address common risks.
General traffic management guide
The general traffic management guide is a vital resource for any PCBU whose operations present a risk of traffic colliding with people in the workplace. Traffic as per these guides includes any vehicles such as cars, trucks or buses, powered mobile equipment like forklifts and cyclists.
However, the guide is not designed to support work carried out on or near a public road. This includes construction projects located on footpaths or close to streets. Undertakings that require working on or near roads should follow the requirements and guidelines set out by your local road authority.
Key considerations laid out in this general guide include the identification and assessment of potential risks, controls to manage hazards and systems of responsibilities.
In particular, workplaces that include high volumes of vehicles and pedestrians should develop a thorough traffic management plan to help communicate risks and controls to all staff and visitors.
A strategic plan may include the best practice pedestrian and vehicle movements and the expected frequency of interactions and occurrences of traffic. This document can also contain illustrations and guides to relevant signs, barriers and hazards as well as overviews of the controls that have been put in place.
An important consideration within the general management guide is the provision of traffic management training to help protect employees from common risks. Workers who are required to perform duties associated with controlling traffic in your workplace should be adequately trained to do so.
As far as is reasonably possible, all individuals who have access to your workplace – including visitors – should be offered the necessary information to protect against OHS risks. This could be managed through a range of methods, from a simple induction to the site through to comprehensive training programs.
Construction Work
The construction and building industry can pose many OHS risks to employees, particularly related to traffic management. Vehicles commonly share the site with pedestrian workers, which presents a number of hazards regarding collisions and crushing.
This industry specific guide outlines the most effective methods of reducing traffic risks on a construction site – including the total mitigation of hazards through eliminating the need for vehicles and pedestrians to use the same pathways. For example, site managers may be able to design the workplace to provide separate routes for each traffic type.
The key considerations laid out within this guide include:
- Separating pedestrians and vehicles
- Mitigating the need to reverse
- Improving line of sight and visibility
- Minimising potential vehicle movement
- Installing relevant signs and barriers
- Developing and enacting a traffic management plan
If these considerations are taken on board when designing and managing a construction site, the potential for accidents and injury should be reduced significantly. Additionally, PCBUs need to consider the provision of information, training, instruction and supervision.
Ensuring employees and visitors hold all necessary information regarding safe work practices and traffic controls is a vital factor in improving OHS outcomes on construction sites. This process is considered the responsibility of the PCBU, employer or site manager, as well as any worker who is required to undertake duties related to the operation of vehicles onsite.
Events
Organising a public event is a highly complex and challenging endeavour, made more difficult by the OHS risks at each step. In particular, when patrons, participants and workers are sharing space with vehicles and equipment, having a traffic management plan in place is crucial.
Whether a recreational, social, sporting or corporate event, traffic chaos can lead to serious accidents and injuries if not correctly managed. In many cases, vehicles that contribute to an event’s traffic include buses, forklifts, cars and cranes.
The PCBU in charge of traffic management plans at events may be the event organiser, but this duty should also be handed down to and addressed by any supervisors, contractors and employees who may be required to undertake work related to vehicles and pedestrians on site.
Traffic control procedures will need to be in place during the three phases of the event – preparation, staging and dismantling. Each of these time frames can pose serious risks to employee and public health and safety.
In particular, the separation of pedestrians and vehicles should be a key consideration. Creating independent pathways and roads is vitally important, particularly when dealing with visitors who have not undertaking traffic management training.
Additionally, designated areas should be created for vehicle parking and the loading and unpacking of equipment or goods. Restricting public access to these locations is a recommended control that may help improve OHS outcomes.
During times of peak pedestrian movement, such as just prior and after the main event showcase, vehicle activity should be kept to a minimum.
Training and information is a crucial consideration for event traffic management, including easily visible signs and marked pathways to ensure visitors and patrons understand traffic plans even without prior training.
Shopping Centres
The activity around or within shopping centres often involves a great deal of traffic, such as pedestrians, passenger vehicles, trolley collection carts, delivery trucks and forklifts.
It can therefore be challenging to manage and control this activity. Fortunately, the Safe Work Australian traffic management guide outlines a few key considerations that can help – such as:
- Schedule deliveries for times of low public traffic
- Design car parks and loading docks to avoid pedestrian and vehicle interaction
- Locate shopping trolley collection bays away from high traffic areas
- Develop and implement traffic management plans
The business owner and employer should also ensure that staff have undertaken adequate traffic management training and information is easily accessible for visitors to the centre.
Warehousing
The practical guide to warehouse traffic management identifies the common risks present in factories and warehouses. This includes the use of delivery trucks, forklifts and passenger cars.
Due to the high volume of vehicle traffic required in the warehousing sector, considerations must be made in regards to effective traffic management plans. This includes separating pedestrians and vehicles, avoiding potential load falls and ensuring employees know how to safely operate machinery.
For example, the traffic management plan for a warehouse will generally include the provision of forklift training and permits to any employee who may be required to operate an industrial lift device.
If you would like more information on the traffic management requirements in your industry, or want to access training for your staff, get in touch with AlertForce today.
Safety agreement renewed in forestry industry
The Forestry Corporation of NSW has cemented its commitment to work health and safety (WHS) improvements by renewing a partnership with the state’s WorkCover authority.
Announced on June 30, this ongoing agreement between the two bodies is a continuation of commitments first signed in 2011. The launch of this partnership has influenced impressive progress in addressing safety issues in this challenging industry, according to WorkCover NSW Work Health and Safety Division Acting General Manager Peter Dunphy.
“Through the partnership, WorkCover NSW and Forestry Corporation of NSW have delivered the Forest Industry Engagement Program to facilitate hazard identification and general risk management in forest harvesting,” Mr Dunphy explained.
“Importantly, there has been a 35 per cent reduction in injury claims since the partnership was signed in 2011.”
The partnership has also led to the creation of a range of vital resources for those working in the forestry industry. For instance, the Forest Industry Safety Tool was launched to raise awareness of safety management systems and workplace safety obligations.
Further benefits are being seen across Australia, as the two organisations contributed to the development of a new national WHS package, released by Safe Work Australia this month – Managing risks in forestry operations.
Forestry Corporation of NSW Chief Executive Officer Nick Roberts explained that the partnership should help to improve safety for a wide range of occupations.
“Forestry Corporation’s workforce is diverse and mobile, with staff and contractors involved in activities ranging from setting and monitoring remote wildlife traps through to large scale tree felling and timber hauling operations and firefighting,” he explained.
Due to the wide range of occupations found within the forestry industry, accessing the correct training is key to ensuring all employees understand the hazards specific to their role.
For instance, while some staff can benefit from working at heights training, others may find it more advantageous to access traffic control and management courses.
The importance of WHS standards in the forestry industry
The Forestry industry can pose many risks to the public and to employees. Understanding and minimising these hazards is crucial for reducing the number of serious accidents and injuries.
Figures collected by WorkCover show that there have been 755 workplace injuries recorded in the NSW forestry industry over the past five years. These events have cost the sector approximately $8.4 million in workers compensation.
Falls, trips and slips while working at heights, in trees or on large machinery are among the most common workplace accidents reported in the industry. Additionally, body stressing and being hit by moving objects are also among the more frequent injuries.
Traffic management and driver safety is another key concern in the forestry sector, as logging contractors are over-represented in truck rollover crash statistics. Fortunately, the partnership is expected to benefit individuals working in transport and freight-related roles within this sector.
“We’re already working together on a safety training program specifically tailored to log truck drivers and we hope the partnership will deliver many more practical initiatives that will make for a safer workplace for all forestry employees,” Mr Roberts said.
Understanding forestry work hazards
By using the Safe Work Australia forestry package, it is easy to identify the various occupational health and safety (OHS) that may be present when working in this challenging sector.
Specific guides have been released in a range of occupations and operational settings, including growing, harvesting, extracting and transporting logs.
In particular, the felling of trees has been identified as a high risk forestry activity and involves a number of important considerations when attempting to conduct this work safely.
Some tree felling operations will require workers to climb above ground in order to prep trees for falls. Once an individual has climbed above two metres in height, safety belts and harnesses are required to be worn. The correct use, fitting and maintenance of this equipment is crucial for ensuring safe work practices.
Any climbing apparatus used during this process should be inspected, tested and deemed suitable for the task as per the manufacturer’s recommendations.
To achieve this, employers operating a business within the forestry industry are recommended to provide workplace training relevant to heights and other forestry hazards. Accessing a working at heights program should be a vital consideration for any supervisor, employer or individual who may be required to perform duties above the ground.
Accessing forestry-related training
For more information on working at heights training, traffic management course or other relevant OHS programs, get in touch with the AlertForce team.
AlertForce offers a range of nationally recognised training programs designed to improve the awareness, monitoring and mitigation of hazards and risks in many workplaces and industries.
NBN rollout hitting new regional milestones
The National Broadband Network (NBN) has been steadily infiltrating cities and rural communities across Australia, according to figures released by the NBN Co.
Published on July 1, the NBN report revealed that 20,000 premises in remote and regional areas have been connected to the network over the past 12 months. This coincides with a sevenfold increase in the number of households and families who have started using the service, climbing from 1,870 in 2013 to 16,000 in June this year.
NBN Co Chief Operating Officer Greg Adcock explained that these figures demonstrate a clear demand for broadband connections outside of major cities.
“We’ve put a significant focus on accelerating rollout of NBN Co’s fixed wireless service to rural and regional Australia. That allows people in these communities to take advantage of the economic and social opportunities that the rest of the country takes for granted,” he said.
Getting regional and remote communities connected to the NBN service is a crucial factor in boosting innovation, productivity and prosperity in rural Australian enterprises.
“Fast broadband will enable rural businesses to flourish and regional economies to grow and attract further wealth and investment,” Federation University Australia Centre Director Helen Thompson explained.
As the NBN rollout reaches further into regional and remote locations, contractors and employees are continually being sourced close to project areas. Those living in a rural community who wish to take part in this exciting national program are required to undertake mandatory occupational health and safety training.
Fortunately, AlertForce offers an online NBN Safety and Awareness program, providing convenience and competencies to workers who may be unable to travel for an instructor-led course.
Moving forward with the NBN rollout
Further statistics, reported by ZDNet on July 10, show more than 380,000 premises are ready for NBN services, while the network itself is currently able to support 658,000 households and businesses.
“While there has been an ongoing effort throughout the year, these achievements are a result of the hardworking employees, contractors and third party partners under the direction of a new leadership team,” NBN Co Chief Executive Officer Bill Morrow said, according to ZDNet.
“We have seen a significant uplift in performance and morale in the past several months. This is important not only because we have surpassed our forecast, but because the team has done so in a year of incredible uncertainty and change.”
With the NBN rollout moving forward at an increasing rate, the NBN Co has been considering ways to streamline operations and complete connections faster and more efficiently. In particular, contracts with construction companies are being revamped and improved to deliver a standardised connection method.
“We have an obligation to build the NBN as quickly and cheaply as possible but we also know that if we don’t pay a fair price for them to be able to pay for good labour then this won’t be built,” Mr Morrow told The Australian on June 11.
However, with the volume of work expected to be undertaken over the next 12 months, Mr Morrow has identified a need for better workforce solutions. He believes there is a “time and an environment that warrants different models” and the NBN Co is embracing this need.
One example of this drive to make the NBN rollout more efficient and convenient is the adoption of the online safety and awareness program. By developing this internet-based course, the NBN Co – along with AlertForce – has enabled regional and remote workers to undertake vital and mandatory training even when unable or unwilling to travel.
Accessing the NBN Safety and Awareness Course
As with any construction or electrical-based occupation, working on the NBN rollout can pose many hazards to an employee’s health and wellbeing.
Because of this, the NBN Co has developed a mandatory safety program that can be accessed either face-to-face or online. This competency must be undertaken by any individual engaged in any of the following duties:
- Installing, connecting or maintaining network assets
- Hauling fibre optic cable
- Conducting boring or excavation
Additionally, any person directly responsible for an NBN work site is also required to access this safety and awareness program.
The training provided through this course includes the identification and control of specific industry and environmental hazards, as well as offering insight into how an individual’s role fits into the scope of this exciting national project.
Currently, AlertForce is the only registered training provider offering the online training option. Individuals who choose to undertake the program through this platform are also required to complete an accredited CPR course in an instructor-led environment.
If you are interested in joining the history-making network rollout, get in touch with the AlertForce team for more information on the online NBN Safety and Awareness program.
Understanding OHS risks in the manufacturing supply chain
The manufacturing supply chain is a complex system of delivery and demand, stretching across the industry from the acquisition of raw materials through to the shipment of products to consumers.
Ensuring this process runs smoothly is an immense task, made no easier by the constant threat of potential occupational health and safety (OHS) issues. Employees at every step along the supply chain are facing some form of risk, whether through factory operations or dangers on the road during freight, for example.
Understanding the hazards present in the manufacturing supply chain is an important factor in avoiding costly and time-consuming accidents. Disruptions to this process can have significant repercussions for the business as a whole, so it is vital that any potential interruptions are minimised or avoided.
Modern supply chains often require manufacturing employers to monitor health and safety beyond the boundaries of a single company. Many businesses can be involved in a single supply chain, however the focal company – overseeing the entire operation – has a responsibility to monitor and address any risks to workplace wellbeing.
While there are many complicated steps within a legitimate manufacturing supply chain, here is just a simple overview of operations and the OHS risks employees within this industry could face at each step.
Raw material suppliers
The specific risks facing raw material suppliers can vary significantly, depending on the manufactured product and the sector in which the goods will complete their supply chain journey.
From farming to mining, the industries that supply raw materials to manufacturers all present particular hazards to employee health and safety. In particular, individuals working in these fields may require OHS training to protect themselves against the risk of handling hazardous materials, working in confined spaces and operating heavy machinery.
In most cases, the organisation overseeing the supply chain will engage a secondary company to supply raw materials. This means that the responsibility to provide employees with training will rest on the supplier, rather than the manufacturer. However, if employing individual suppliers as contractors, education and OHS outcomes will fall into the overseer’s jurisdiction.
Inbound logistics
The pickup, transport and delivery of raw materials to factories and plants can be a complicated process and provide serious risks to employee health and wellbeing.
In particular, transporting hazardous substances – such as chemicals and corrosive or unstable liquids – is a significantly dangerous process that requires all involved employees to undertake extensive training.
Drivers, handlers and receivers should all access education, permits and qualifications related to the transport, storage and use of hazardous materials. This includes correctly fitting breathing apparatus and the clean-up of spills.
As dangerous substances are often moved in tanks and enclosed trailers, undertaking confined spaces training is highly recommended. This competency will ensure that all employees within the inbound logistics chain can safely identify and respond to potentially hazardous atmospheres, which is crucial if unstable materials release toxic gases, for example.
The inbound logistics team should also be offered training related to traffic control and management to ensure that drivers can safely operate trucks and other moving machinery, such as forklifts.
This is crucial for the loading and delivery of materials, as manoeuvring trucks and equipment in factory spaces can be a complex and difficult process.
Manufacturing
Once the raw materials have been delivered and stored in the manufacturing plant, the operations that follow can pose significant risks to employee health and wellbeing.
For instance, the machinery required to process raw materials and create end products are typically built with various moving parts that can trap, crush or cut any person that does not take due caution.
Other potential hazards include working in confined spaces, handling hazardous materials and being exposed to continued noise and dust. Each of these risks can be addressed by accessing the relevant safety training and ensuring correct procedures are followed at all times.
Warehouses and factories contain many potential risks to employees. Correct personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn at all times. This includes strong, enclosed footwear to avoid injury if an individual were to accidentally step on or drop dangerous materials and tight-fitted clothing to reduce the risk of being caught in machinery and equipment.
Outbound logistics
Similar to the inbound transport process, outbound freight practices need to be closely monitored to ensure health and safety outcomes are protected.
The movement of trucks, forklifts and employees within a factory and yard creates serious OHS hazards, so accessing traffic management training should be a key consideration in the process. This will ensure that drivers, manufacturers and other workers can all occupy the same space safely, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.
The importance of OHS training
Continuous training is a key element to protecting health and safety in the manufacturing supply chain. Refreshing employees on their duties regarding OHS outcomes will ensure that they not only remain aware of the potential risks, but can also be updated if hazards change or develop during the course of their employment.
Not all training needs to be accessed in a classroom. Informal discussions, reminders and supervision can all be used to promote OHS in the workplace. This is particularly important when dealing with employees from multiple organisations, as is often the case through the manufacturing supply chain.
However, if you do want to access training for your company’s supply chain workers, there are many potential programs available that can improve safety in manufacturing. For instance, all employees can benefit from traffic management courses to raise awareness of the dangers of working in close quarters with trucks, forklifts and other moving machinery.
Asbestos Monthly News Round Up: June 2014
Another month has passed in Australia, bringing more asbestos headlines into local and international spotlights. Understanding the prevalence of asbestos materials around the world is an important step towards addressing this hazard in workplaces across the country.
With asbestos-related news never far from the front page, it is easy to see how many businesses and employees could benefit from asbestos awareness and removal training. By undertaking this competency, individuals can increase their ability to identify and prevent relevant risks to their health and safety in the workplace.
Australia saw many asbestos headlines in the news over the past month. The following are just a few:
Parents reassured school campsite is safe
A recent asbestos discovery at a popular school camping site has caused anxiety and worry among parents in the ACT, but Parks and Conservation Service head Brett McNamara has reassured the public that the contamination is not a danger to health and safety.
The education directorate head of infrastructure, Rodney Bray, joined Mr McNamara at a hearing on June 23, as reported by The Canberra Times. Mr Bray explained that small pieces – “generally the size of your thumbnail ” – of asbestos cement sheeting had been discovered at six sites in Birrigai.
Mr McNamara explained that because the pieces had been discovered on top of the soil, it was possible that they had been washed there in recent rains. Qualified personnel had already picked up all visible material, he explained, and further removal work would not be required.
“I know only too well what horrible stuff this [is] and there’s no way that we’d risk anyone’s health out there,” he said. “I’m confident that […] it’s safe.”
Tests have shown that the material is bonded asbestos cement, which is generally safe if not handled, broken or crushed. Mr Bray believes that extensive removal work, including digging up layers of soil and taking it to a disposal site, would be “prohibitively expensive” and would not be required as long as visible pieces were taken care of.
“Unless a child was to pick it up and rub in their hands and breathe it or ingest it, it’s very low-risk material,” he concluded.
However, parents with children attending camps in the area are encouraged to educate their kids on the risks of handling asbestos materials.
Queensland asbestos scare after school fire
Extensive air monitoring and asbestos removal came into effect at a Queensland school on Sunday June 22 after a fire damaged a building that contained the dangerous material.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were able to bring the fire under control within an hour, containing the incident to a single classroom and verandah.
Air monitoring conducted on Monday morning found the rest of the school was safe to occupy, so classes went ahead as usual. Those scheduled in the damaged building relocated to the school hall, an Education Department spokeswoman told the Brisbane Times.
“Electricity has been reconnected to the school and fencing has been erected around the damaged building,” she said.
The fire at Woodridge North State School is believed to have been deliberately lit, according to The Courier Mail.
Asbestos authority calls for demolition of Mr Fluffy homes
The head of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency, Peter Tighe, has called for the government to demolish those houses affected by the Mr Fluffy asbestos contamination in the ACT.
Speaking to ABC News channel 7.30 ACT on June 20, Mr Tighe explained that demolition is the only way to eliminate the potential health risks. He described current asbestos management plans as “band-aid solutions”.
Around 1,000 homes had loose asbestos insulation installed in the late 1960s and 70s. A federal government program launched in 1988 attempted to remove this material from all the properties, but recent tests have revealed many homes still contain the dangerous fibres.
Families currently living in the affected homes are being urged to invest in asbestos assessments, with some discovering their property is no longer safe to occupy. One Canberra mother explained to ABC that they do not have the resources to demolish their home, but as it is no longer a liveable environment it needs to come down.
“This house has to be knocked down, it can’t be lived in,” she said. “There is no remediation for this house, and as best I know, that’s the same as every single house affected by Mr Fluffy.”
The demolition of these homes will take extensive investment, as each property needs to undertake asbestos removal measures conducted by a qualified business or team. In an effort to support families through the demolition and renovation stages, the government has announced a scheme to waive asbestos disposal fees.
Environment Minister Simon Corbell explained that by removing the associated costs of disposal, families could save between $4000 and $10,000 when knocking down and rebuilding their homes.
However, Mr Corbell reminded homeowners that they would still be responsible for demolition and haulage charges, including the engagement of a licensed asbestos assessor or removal workers to undertake the work.
The Fluffy Owners and Residents’ Action Group founder Brianna Heseltine responded positively to this announcement, but believes more needs to be done.
”This is the first announcement of financial assistance for Mr Fluffy home owners since its 18 February letter. Our collective sigh of relief is probably audible all around Canberra,” she told The Canberra Times.
”I am also particularly pleased to see the ACT government allocate funds to facilitate a long-term solution to the Mr Fluffy issue, as opposed to costly medium-term band-aids.”
Incentives to encourage correct asbestos disposal in NSW
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has announced a scheme to improve the affordability of asbestos disposal in an effort to reduce illegal dumping.
Officially launched on July 1, the Householders’ Asbestos Disposal Scheme is currently being trialled in 24 councils across NSW with the hope that the program will be extended in the future.
During the trial, residents will able to dispose of small amounts of wrapped bonded asbestos for $102 per tonne, rather than the normal charge of $290 per tonne. This figure comes from a $50 incentive offered to renovators who correctly wrap and dispose of asbestos products, as well as the waiving of the waste levy on bonded asbestos.
“Illegal dumping is costly to clean up and potentially harmful to human health and the environment,” Environment minister Rob Stokes explained.
“This trial will assess how effective a more affordable and accessible asbestos disposal scheme will be in reducing instances of illegally dumped asbestos waste,” he added.
Improving asbestos awareness in your workplace
As these stories demonstrate, asbestos is a prevalent issue across Australia. Fibres and bonded material can be discovered at any time in buildings built or renovated prior to the total ban of asbestos products in 2003.
Because of this, it is important for all employers and building managers to ensure their staff hold the relevant skills and knowledge to easily identify and address asbestos contamination. If you would like more information on asbestos awareness training, contact the AlertForce team today.
4 industries that contain confined space risks
There are many potential circumstances in which an employee may be required to enter a confined space. While working within enclosed areas is at times unavoidable, workers within these locations often face significant risks to their health and safety.
Whether conducting work within a tank, tunnel, chimney or similar enclosed space, individuals experience unique occupational risks because these areas are not generally designed for human inhabitation. Specific hazards present within confined spaces include unsafe oxygen levels, engulfment and inhalation of atmospheric contaminants.
This is why it is vital that any person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) is required to ensure their employees have adequate supervision, confined spaces training and access to personal protective equipment (PPE) whenever required to enter an enclosed work environment.
The Safe Work Australia Confined Spaces Code of Practice lists “information, instruction and training” as one of the key factors in protecting occupational health and safety (OHS) standards in a confined space.
In particular, training must cover five important competencies:
- What hazards are present within a confined space?
- Why is risk control important and how can you implement these measures?
- What PPE is appropriate and how you can fit, use, store and maintain these devices
- Understanding and working under the restraints of an entry permit
- How to respond to an emergency
Individuals working in any industry that may require them to enter a confined space as part of their occupational undertaking should access confined spaces training.
Due to the diverse nature of enclosed spaces in the workplace, many sectors and occupations could be at risk. In particular, the following four industries may benefit the most from relevant training and OHS practices.
Agriculture
Confined spaces are found frequently in farms and other workplaces within the agriculture industry. Common examples of areas in which an employee may be required to enter include silos, grain storage, water tanks and manure pits.
Serious OHS risks are present in each of these locations and more, according to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland. In particular, the most significant hazards to employee wellbeing are oxygen deficiency, carbon monoxide build up, airborne organic contaminants, poisoning and suffocation.
Many of the materials, stock and equipment used in or around confined spaces can contribute to these hazards. For example, grains and other organic matter can absorb oxygen within silos, leading to difficulties breathing in silos and storage tanks.
Confined spaces training is an important factor in improving the health and safety of agriculture workers. Additionally, all duties carried out within enclosed areas should include the use of protective equipment, atmospheric testing and the employment of a stand-by person who can raise the alarm is an emergency were to occur.
Mining
The mining industry is one of Australia’s largest employers, with around 267,000 individuals working in mining and related services, according to Mining Australia.
Unfortunately, many workers will sustain an injury while employed in this industry. A few employees will even perish during the course of their occupational undertakings. In fact, a recent report from Mining Australia shows that miners die more frequently in Australia than in Iran.
Iran, a country with approximately 5,600 operational mines, reports one miner dies every 16 days across the country’s resources industry. Comparatively, Australia’s 446 mines have seen 12 workers die so far this year.
With just 180 days passed before hitting a dozen fatalities, this means one mining employee dies every 15 days in Australia.
Out of these deaths, a significant number were caused by cave-ins while one worker succumbed to fumes within a confined space. The frequency of these fatalities occurring could have reduced if risk assessments were conducted by trained individuals and supervised by qualified management staff.
Freight and storage
When working in the freight and storage industry, it is vital the employees understand the risks of transporting and working in close quarters with hazardous materials.
Ships’ holds, freight containers and truck tanks are just three examples of the kinds of confined spaces those employed in this industry may be required to enter.
In many cases, it is vital that PPE devices, such as atmospheric monitors and breathing apparatus are available for employees. In addition to providing workers with this equipment, it is also important to ensure individuals can correctly fit, use and maintain these devices.
Construction
Whether working in residential construction or civil works, those employed in this industry may be required to enter confined spaces during the undertaking of their duties.
Common confined spaces found in this sector include crawl spaces, drainage or sewerage pipes and trenches. A variety of OHS risks can be present in these areas, such as unsafe oxygen levels, engulfment and wall collapse or cave-ins.
Minimising the risk of injury or death within the construction industry is an important objective for all employers, as this sector accounts for approximately 9 per cent of the total Australian workforce and 11 per cent of all workers’ compensation claims, according to Safe Work Australia.
Any PCBU operating within the construction industry needs to access confined spaces training for all employees who may be required to enter a confined space. Additionally, supervisors or stand-by personnel responsible for those within a confined space should also be offered the same training.
If you’re working in one of these industries, or would like more information on improving OHS outcomes in any of these sectors, get in touch with AlertForce to access nationally recognised confined spaces training today!
Working at heights in high winds
As gale-force winds blew across the country this week, various occupational health and safety (OHS) organisations issued warnings to construction workers.
Wind gusts can be extremely hazardous to workers due to their unpredictable nature. When high winds occur, structures under construction are in particular danger of collapsing, which presents immediate OHS risks to any employee working on or around the site.
WorkCover NSW and WorkSafe Victoria each released a statement urging employers to prepare for potentially wild weather. In particular, safety alerts have been circulated regarding structure collapse after a Victorian construction worker was killed during a wind storm.
“Tragically, a builder died [on June 23] when a brick wall fell on him at a construction site in Brighton East during strong winds,” WorkSafe Victoria Executive Director of Health and Safety Len Neist said. “Every year, there are serious incidents in which strong winds lead to the collapse of walls on buildings under construction.”
Mr Neist reminded employers that windy conditions can occur at any time of the year, so construction companies need to constantly vigilant regarding structure stability and working at heights.
WorkCover NSW Work Health and Safety Division Acting General Manager Peter Dunphy agreed with Mr Neist, adding that cranes should only be operated within manufacturer’s guidelines and loose materials must also be inspected on a regular basis.
“Structural collapse on a site can have tragic consequences and everything should be done to ensure any risks to workers and members of the public are minimised,” he said in a June 25 statement.
The danger of wind when working at heights
When wind gusts and gales occur, there are many potential risks to outdoor workers. In particular, those employed the construction industry who are required to work at heights and on partially completed structures face significant hazards in adverse weather conditions.
The dangers present when working at heights during high winds are not just limited to a potential collapse. Strong gusts can cause an employee to lose their footing and fall to the ground, resulting in serious injury or even death.
Obscured vision is another potential risk, as dust and debris are picked up by the wind and impact on workers’ eyes. In gale-force winds, larger debris can also be moved, creating projectiles that can injure an individual on impact, or knock them off their feet.
When high winds are present, other adverse weather conditions are usually also in play. In particular, wind gusts that come as part of a cyclone or storm are typically coupled with rain, for example. This can lead to increased danger when working at heights due to wet and slippery surfaces.
Additionally, hail and lightning strikes can pose serious risks for employees working outdoors. Because of this, employers should consider halting all external duties when adverse weather conditions strike an area.
If wind warnings are in effect in your area, there are a range of OHS measures you can take to ensure the health and safety of your workers are protected. This includes policies that should in place, before, during and after outdoor work occurs.
Prior to commencement of work
If outdoor work is required on your site, be sure to monitor weather reports regularly. All employers operating within the construction industry or related sectors should be prepared to stop work or move the alternative duties during times of adverse weather.
When checking local weather forecasts, remember average wind speed warnings may not account for gusts. It is therefore important to prepare for sudden wind bursts at speeds and strengths much higher than predicted.
Before commencing any work on partially constructed buildings or sites, all walls and structures should be braced and inspected for integrity. When high winds are forecast, temporary supports can be installed and loose materials should be secured.
After assessing platforms and bracing structures, employers should also consider the installation of harnesses and fall-prevention anchors. Providing this critical personal protection equipment (PPE) is a vital factor in ensuring if collapse does occur, employees are able to recover and avoid a fall.
In addition to these measures, it is important to invest in adequate training and education. All employees required to perform duties above the ground need to have undertaken sufficient working at heights training to ensure they are able to correctly respond to OHS hazards, such as wind. Additionally, competencies in this field will include the ability to safely fasten, use and maintain fall-prevention devices and other PPE.
During the undertaking of work
If high winds are forecast, employees should, if reasonable, avoid heights and stay clear of partially constructed structures that may not be adequately braced. Workers are encouraged to seek shelter within structurally sound buildings if gusts reach gale-force strengths.
While work is being performed at heights, employees should be using fall-prevention systems at all times of adverse weather. This will ensure that if a gust causes a worker to lose their footing, they are able to recover and avoid a fall.
Additionally, employees should be encouraged to wear eye protection so dust, wind and debris do not obscure vision. These PPE solutions will stop debris from impacting on employees eyes, enabling workers to clearly see their path – minimising the risk of tripping, slipping or falling.
After wind gusts occur
Once adverse wind conditions have passed, thorough assessments should be performed on all structures and platforms that may have been affected. Employees should be checking for any debris and potential damage to platforms, structures and walls.
If wear and tear is discovered, work should be halted on these structures and repairs need to be undertaken before any duties are recommenced. In some cases, this may cause delays to construction projects but will often cause less disruption than if an injury or fatality was to occur.
When weather events such as tropical storms and cyclones affect an area, employers need to maintain high alertness as these weather systems can easily change direction and return to areas just passed. This means that once a storm has left a location, workers must remain vigilant and be prepared for high winds to pick up again.
Additionally, some tropical storms and cyclones may become calm during the eye, with extreme weather conditions following close behind. In these situations, it is crucial that work is not recommenced to a degree where it will difficult to stop and seek shelter once winds and rain resumes.
Preparing your employees for working at heights
Working at heights can pose many significant hazards to employee health and safety. Even when weather is calm and clear, the risk of tripping and falling are present.
Ensuring your employees can undertake work above the ground safely and effectively is crucial to maintaining high OHS standards and delivering projects to an efficient schedule.
To help protect the health and wellbeing on your employees, and boost productivity on above ground sites, contact the team at AlertForce for more information on working at heights training. This nationally recognised course provides individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to protect their own safety, and the wellbeing other others, when required to work above the ground in any industry.
Asbestos training mandatory in the ACT
Asbestos awareness training is now mandatory for all employees in the Australian Capital Territory likely to come across this dangerous material during the undertaking of their work.
From September 30 this year, any employee working in the occupations identified by Attorney-General Simon Corbell without the required qualifications will be liable for penalties up to $6,000. Additionally, the employer or company responsible for the worker will also face fines up to $30,000.
This mandatory training announcement is expected to affect around 12,000 workers in at least 64 occupations across the ACT. These requirements apply not only to supervisors but from apprentices and trainees up every level of an onsite organisation.
While construction workers are the main focus of this announcement, individuals from a huge range of occupations are required to take part in training. All employees undertaking work on homes and properties, including plumbers, landscapers, locksmiths and cleaners, are expected to participate in training. Mechanics working with brake lines are also included within the requirements.
The law goes far beyond this list, impacting on anyone an employer has reason to believe will work with asbestos materials. Some circumstances will even extend to people working in the vicinity of asbestos, such as interior designers conducting in-home consultation of pre-1990 homes during renovations.
Work Safety Commissioner Mark McCabe told the Canberra times that the responsibility would be on the employers to ensure their workers access the required training. However, this onus could leave gaps in various industries.
”The problem area in particular is going to be subcontractors. The big companies pretty much understand it and they’ve done a lot of work in this space, but it will take a while for all the small employers to get their head around it,” he said.
Mr McCabe welcomed the introduction of mandatory training in the ACT as a positive step forward for Australian OHS standards. He believes that other states and territories should be watching and taking notice of the ACT’s lead.
The benefits of mandatory asbestos awareness training
An example of how asbestos awareness training can help improve occupational health and safety (OHS) standards in various industries was recently seen by the Brisbane Magistrates Court. While many people believe only builders and other construction workers can benefit from asbestos qualifications, training may have helped a Queensland painter avoid significant fines.
This painter is facing a potential $50,000 penalty in response to unsafe use of a high-pressure water spray unit on an asbestos roof. The clean-up bill, which could reach $100,000, covers the removal of dangerous asbestos fibres from the customer’s and neighbouring roofs.
Painters and roof cleaners are warned that where there is exposure to risks from asbestos contamination, they must use methods that do not release asbestos fibres into the air. Fortunately, asbestos awareness training can ensure that painters and relevant workers are able to easily identify the surfaces that may contain the material, enabling them to enact proper procedures.
Similarly, in Western Australia, a company was fined last month simply for failing to identify the presence of asbestos in with workplace. WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch explained that local work health and safety (WHS) laws require employers and building managers to record the presence and location of any asbestos on an official register.
“In this case, although the company did make some attempt to address the asbestos issue at its other workplaces, it did not ensure that information about asbestos at its workplaces was passed along to all relevant parties, including any outside contractors who worked at their sites,” Mr McCulloch said in a media release.
“If a building may contain asbestos, everyone having any control has a responsibility to ensure that it is documented – from the employer, main contractor or self-employed person to the building owner or property manager.”
As well as keeping an official register on site, information about the presence of asbestos is also required to be shared with anyone who enters the workplace, to ensure relevant precautions and measures can be put in place.
Training and licences in Australia
Buildings built before 1990 would probably contain asbestos, especially in the eaves, internal and external wall cladding and ceilings, especially in bathrooms and laundries.
The training would ensure workers were confident in identifying asbestos and understood the rules about reporting it, and the risks. Awareness courses on their own, however, would not qualify workers to disturb friable forms of asbestos or materials larger than ten square metres.
To safely undertake the removal of these hazardous materials, Australians in all states and territories are required to hold a Class A or Class B licence. Investing in asbestos removal training ensures that workers are able to conduct this work without risk to themselves and others.
However, understanding the difference between the training is crucial for any worker who may be exposed to asbestos during the undertaking of their employment.
– Asbestos awareness
This competency provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to accurately identify materials that may contain asbestos. Additionally, training in this area ensures workers understand the risks of exposure and how to act if asbestos is suspected in the workplace.
Training does not qualify workers to remove or disturb asbestos in any way. However, non-friable materials ten square metres or less do not require a removal licence. It is still important that employers supervise any removal work being undertaken, to ensure duties are being carried out in accordance with the WHS regulation 2011.
– Class A asbestos removal
If materials that potentially contain asbestos are in a powder form, or can be crumbled by hand, workers require a Class A licence before undertaking removal work. Additionally, employees who hold this qualification can perform work on any non-friable asbestos greater than ten square metres.
– Class B asbestos removal
Workers undertaking employment with a Class B asbestos removal qualification are able to remove large quantities of non-friable asbestos. This includes the clean-up of any dust or debris associated with the removal but does not cover friable or un-bonded asbestos materials.
– Supervise asbestos removal
Class A asbestos removal work must be directly supervised by a person who hold the supervise asbestos removal and remove friable asbestos training qualifications. This individual must be present at the removal site whenever Class A work is being performed.
If Class B asbestos removal work is being undertaken by more than one employee, a supervisor must be readily available at all times. This could mean the supervisor is onsite or at least contactable by phone and able to arrive at the workplace within 20 minutes, according to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.
A Class B supervisor must also hold relevant experience in asbestos removal, as well as a Class A or Class B removal qualification.
This competency is recommended not only for supervisors, but also for any contractors working within the telecommunications industry. Supervise asbestos removal training is often a mandatory course for those working on a Telstra site.
For more information on asbestos awareness and removal training, contact the team at AlertForce. Our nationally recognised removal programs can help increase the safety of your staff, while our online awareness offering ensures employees receive the skills and knowledge they know sooner rather than later.
Traffic management in underground mines
Underground mining is one of Australia’s largest industries, with numerous shafts extended deep into local soil across most states and territories. Each year, these operations produce millions of tonnes of coal, as well as gold, nickel, copper and other valuable metals and minerals.
This burgeoning industry is expected to continue to grow throughout Australia, with a number of mines currently in development or awaiting approval. Recent projects that have supported the growth of the country’s underground coal mining sector include a proposed mine near Gunnedah in NSW and an approved site in Queensland’s Bowen Basin – expected to employ more than 2,000 workers during construction and 500 in operations.
Further to these projects, on May 21, NSW Premier Mike Baird officially opened the country’s largest underground mine. The Cadia East Gold Mine, located in central western NSW, will create a potential 1,900 direct and indirect jobs while producing at least 700,000 ounces of gold each year at full production.
“Cadia East is a large, long life asset and a cornerstone of our Company’s strategy. It is one of the largest gold and copper deposits in the world, with 2.8 billion tonnes of ore estimated to contain 37 million ounces of gold and 7.5 million tonnes of copper,” Mr Baird explained in a May media release.
“With an approved mine life of 21 years, Cadia East will deliver significant economic benefits to the local community, the workforce and suppliers, local, State and federal governments, and of course Newcrest’s shareholders for the long term.”
Located more than 1.2 kilometres under the surface, the Cadia East Gold Mine will create a challenging environment in which to work, with various risks to health and safety present each time a worker descends into the mine’s depths. It is therefore crucial that employers operating within this industry understand their obligations regarding training, supervision and provision of personal protective equipment.
Understanding the risks in underground mines
With so many Australians working underground each day, it is crucial to ensure occupational health and safety (OHS) standards are being followed. Mining is one of the country’s most dangerous industries, so any measures that can potentially reduce the number of accidents, injuries and death are important.
While any mining enterprise can be hazardous, working in an underground mine in particular can pose a vast range of serious risks to employees’ health and safety, so following best practice procedures is key. This is because of the unique combination of confined spaces, heavy machinery and dangerous work duties.
While most workers are aware of the hazards present when working in confined spaces, there is one factor that may not be accounted for underground. When mining in enclosed shafts and underground sites, a range of vehicles and machinery may also be sharing the space – which makes traffic management an important OHS consideration.
Traffic hazards in mining
Traffic management training should be a significant concern for any mining employer, as many of the vehicles used in this industry are large, imposing and can cause serious damage when misused.
Furthermore, when machinery and vehicles are operating in the confined space of an underground mine, the restrictive nature of shafts and sites can mean pedestrians and vehicles are required to share pathways. This can lead to significant danger for both workers and drivers.
Ensuring your employees understand the importance of traffic control plans is an important consideration to protect OHS outcomes and national safety standards.
Failure to provide workers with the necessary training can lead to serious accidents, potentially resulting in injuries and even death. For instance, a recent report from the Australian Department of Mines and Petroleum found that close to half (49 per cent) of all underground mining fatalities in Western Australia involved workers who had been employed at the site for less than a year.
Additionally the study, which analysed WA mining fatalities between 2000 and 2012, revealed that vehicles were involved in a vast majority of these accidents. Incidents such as collisions, runaway vehicles and plunging over edges caused at least 19 deaths during the reviewed period.
Collisions between vehicles, and between workers and equipment, have been identified as a relatively prevalent hazard in underground mines. Potential consequences of these incidents include serious injury or fatality.
The probability of collisions is comparatively high in these environments due to the confined working space, restricted visibility and close interactions between employees and vehicles.
This shows that the most significant challenges faced by vehicle operators and pedestrians in underground mines are following safe paths, monitoring traffic and ensuring equipment is correctly used and maintained.
The prevention of these incidents requires an increased focus on OHS standards as well as significant investment in traffic management awareness and training. If all underground employees are given access to this training, it is more likely that each individual will be able to identify potential hazards and safely respond to risks.
Traffic management in underground mining
As with all traffic management plans, underground mining initiatives must first consider measures to ensure pedestrians and vehicles are separated from one another at all times. This could include creating independent roadways for machinery and workers.
However, in the already restricted space found in underground mining shafts, it is often impossible or unreasonable to create separate paths. When this is the case, other traffic management measures need to be put in place.
These practices should address the known hazards of traffic in underground mining environments, particularly the close interactions between pedestrians and vehicles and low visibility in shafts.
Visibility is a relatively simple issue to fix. With adequate lighting installed, drivers and employees should be able to easily identify when a pathway is occupied. Mirrors can also be used to help drivers and workers identify obstacles around corners or through obstructed views.
To promote safe driving within shafts, all pathways should be clearly marked, with potential dangers signposted with recognisable warning labels. For example, some mining shafts contain steep drop offs in which a vehicle can easily tumble. These holes and cliffs should be outfitted with barriers and high-visibility signage to ensure drivers are made aware of their presence.
Traffic safety in underground mining environments is paramount to ensure each employee who enters the mine can safely return home at the end of their workday. As such, strict rules and regulations should be put in place and followed carefully.
Specific traffic management practices that can significantly boost OHS outcomes are communication and speed restrictions. By ensuring vehicle operators are in constant contact with pedestrians, supervisors and other drivers, accidental collisions can easily be avoided. Additionally, if a potential incident was discovered, speed restrictions will ensure that operators are able to safely manoeuvre away from collision, either by braking or turning their vehicle from impact.
With workers and equipment working in close quarters during much of underground mining operations, ensuring traffic safety standards is a vital concern for employers. If you are interested in boosting the safety of your business, get in touch with AlertForce for more information on nationally recognised traffic management and control courses.
Third wave victims highlight need for asbestos training
Asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis, are affecting an increasing number of younger Australians, according to a recent report from the Sydney Morning Herald.
A new wave of victims have come forward, demonstrating asbestos-related illnesses are no longer “old man’s diseases”. The stories told by this group promote not just protection against direct exposure, but also policies to minimise effects on family members and reduce environmental exposures.
Associate Professor Rick van der Zwan, from Southern Cross University, told the Sydney Morning Herald that, despite laws banning the use of asbestos in Australia, the rate of diagnosis of asbestos-related diseases was still growing. In particular, young women who were exposed to their father’s work-clothes have emerged as a large proportion of asbestos disease victims.
“Younger women represent an increasing percentage of all diagnoses,” Professor van der Zwan said in a June 20 article. “These changes in rates and profile can be attributed to non-workplace exposure.”
Due to the long incubation time of mesothelioma and other related diseases, many of these young women are now being diagnosed with conditions contracted when they were children. Individuals who were exposed to asbestos in the home during the 1970s are just starting the develop symptoms and require extensive medical treatment.
“The impact of an asbestos-related diagnosis on the lives of younger men and women exposed during home renovations and repairs, are part of the “third wave” of exposure to asbestos,” Professor van der Zwan explained.
These third-wave victims should be taken as an indicator of the importance of asbestos removal and awareness training. Not only can competencies in this field protect employees from direct exposure, but can also ensure workers do not unintentionally carry fibres home to their families.
Asbestos in Australia
Australia has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma deaths in the world. With more than 10,000 locals succumbing to the disease over the past three decades, global support network, The Mesothelioma Center, forecasts an additional 25,000 people will die from this disease within the next 40 years.
Additionally, experts agree that asbestos-related deaths in Australia have not yet reached their peak, with the death-toll expected to continue to increase between now and 2021.
This growing rate of asbestos-related disease in Australia is influenced by the country’s extensive history with the dangerous material. Between 1950 and 1970, Australia had one of the highest rates of per-capita uses of asbestos in the world.
Although staggered bans of different forms of asbestos have resulting in a nation-wide exclusion of the material, continued use of the product means many households and businesses still contain asbestos. This means many individuals are facing significant risk of exposure every day.
Furthermore, without adequate awareness and knowledge of the dangers related to asbestos, many people have been directly and indirectly exposed to this product. For example, in the past, workers would not wear personal protective clothing over their work gear, which meant fibres were carried home at the end of the work day. This resulted in many spouses and children being indirectly exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos best practice in the workplace
To help minimise the effect of asbestos in Australian households and businesses, Safe Work Australia has created a model framework for the management of asbestos material in the workplace.
In addition to accessing training in awareness and removal, Safe Work Australia recommends employers invest in education and management policies such as:
- Increasing awareness of naturally occurring asbestos
- Promoting identification of products and materials that may contain the fibres
- Employing certified asbestos removal teams to rid workplace of all materials
- Licensing and meeting competency requirements of asbestos removalists and assessors.
Following these regulations should help all Australian employers and workers avoid preventable asbestos exposure in the workplace. This, in turn, should result in a future decline in the number of third-party asbestos victims diagnosed with potentially fatal diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Protecting yourself and your family
In addition to the many best practice policies aimed at minimising exposure in the workplace, a number of measures should be integrated into procedures to help protect against in-direct exposure.
Perhaps most significant is the use of personal protective clothing – such as asbestos-grade coveralls – when undertaking asbestos removal. When practical to do so, disposable clothing should be worn, so laundering is avoided. Additionally, boot-covers, P2 masks and gloves should also be made available.
This is important because when asbestos fibres become airborne, they can settle on a worker’s clothing and be carried home at the end of the work day. Then, when the clothing is removed for laundering, these fibres become airborne again, distributing themselves into the household and putting the worker’s family at risk.
Disposable coveralls, graded to type 5 and category 3, should be worn whenever in contact with asbestos fibres. Once work is completed, the coveralls should only be removed once all cleaning has been finished. When removed, the coveralls need to be sealed within two plastics bags – at least 200 microns thick – and disposed of at a registered asbestos site.
If it not reasonable practical for you to wear disposable coveralls during asbestos-related work, laundering your work clothes should never be conducting in your home laundry or equivalent.
In Australia, it is important to ensure any clothing that may contain asbestos fibres is removed while damp, sealed in impermeable bags and delivered to a laundering facility that is equipped to handle asbestos. Workers delivering clothing must inform the facility of the risk of asbestos to ensure unintentional exposure does not occur.
This can include the clothing worn under graded coveralls, as any unknown wear or tears in this gear can result in asbestos fibres being present on clothing.
If you would like more information on protecting your family from asbestos exposure, get in touch with AlertForce to access comprehensive asbestos awareness and removal training.
The 5 step hierarchy of fall prevention
There are a vast range of considerations that need to be made when working at heights. The risk of injury or even death is present even when employees are required to undertake tasks only above two metres above the ground.
According to Safe Work Australia, more than one in 10 work-related fatalities are caused by a fall from height. This troubling statistic highlights the importance of following correct occupational health and safety (OHS) measures when working above ground.
In order to meet strict OHS standards, employers must ensure their workers have undertaken comprehensive working at heights training. Individuals can access nationally recognised courses from AlertForce, an expert and specialised OHS registered training provider.
Additionally, when the industry, business or occupation requires workers to conduct tasks above ground, employers should introduce the five step working at heights hazard hierarchy to ensure correct procedures are being followed.
The 5 steps of fall prevention
Designed to minimise the risk of accidents, injuries or death, the hierarchy includes steps to identify, address and avoid hazards as well as responding to any potential incidents. Understanding and following this process is crucial for meeting OHS standards and ensuring employees are protected when working at heights.
1. Identify the risks
There are many potential hazards present when working at heights, particularly pertaining to the risk of falling from an elevated surface. Each occupation can pose different risks for employees, as each individual conducts tasks that are unique to their industry.
Employers and workers must each ensure they understand the particular hazards that could affect their site. For instance, construction workers may be required to work on sloped roofs or use scaffolding to reach the sides of buildings.
Other situations that can pose unique working at heights hazards include linesmen being exposed to electrical dangers, painters using ladders while carrying heavy paint buckets or freight drivers clambering across loose loads on truck trailers.
Most situations that involve working at heights are conducted outside, which poses a number of additional risks. Australia’s weather can be volatile and unpredictable. When an individual is working on a platform, ladder or roof that is exposed to the elements, there is always the risk that the wind, rain, heat or frost will influence a fall.
It is therefore important that employers and employees monitor the weather regularly. If conditions begin to turn, a decision needs to be made regarding the safety of working outside and above ground.
There are a huge amount of potential risks in many industries, so accessing comprehensive working at heights training is crucial to ensure individuals can accurately assess their own OHS requirements.
2. Avoid the risk
Once the hazards have been identified, the first step to mitigating the risk of accidents and injuries is to avoid working under the conditions at all.
This is the most simple and effective measure you can take to protect OHS on your worksite, however, it is not always possible to avoid working at heights. For instance, when conducting businesses in the construction industry, many tasks require work to be performed above ground – on scaffolding or roofs.
Whenever possible, work should be designed to ensure individuals are not required to work at heights. This policy is recommended to be followed from manufacturing right through to onsite work.
A good example of how manufacturers can help mitigate the need to work at heights is by designing equipment so it can be manoeuvred into a new position when repairs or maintenance is required. Various models of this policy include machinery that can tip onto its side to improve access to the top or long-handled paint rollers that allow painters to perform their work without climbing a ladder.
When working at heights is unavoidable for business undertakings, there are still choices and options available to completely remove the risks affecting employees.
For instance, construction workers and other outdoor employees should avoid working at heights through adverse weather conditions. When the wind or rain picks up, individuals working outside are exposed to increased risks, including slipping on wet roof tiles or being blown off-balance by a gust of wind.
3. Control the risk
During all times when individuals are working at heights, certain risk control measures should be put in place. This can range from simple warning signs to extensive fall-arrest systems.
Depending on the situation and environment, guard rails may be the most effective fall prevention measure. Specific Safe Work Australia recommendations are in place to ensure rails are working effectively. This includes the installation of a top rail 900 to 1100 mm above the work surface, a mid rail and a toe board.
Similar fall prevention initiatives could involve using elevated platforms – such as scissor lifts – instead of ladders, safety mesh strung within internal roofs and work boxes designed to be suspended by cranes and forklifts.
In addition to these possible safety measures, employees must be given access to all necessary personal protective equipment (PPE). Individual rope systems and fall-arrest devices, such as harnesses, anchorage lines and lanyards, enable employees to work at heights with the peace of mind that if they slipped or fell, they would be caught before reaching the ground.
However, it is crucial that these systems are correctly installed and maintained, as an improper set-up may result in an individual reaching the ground before reaching the end of their rope. The ability to select, maintain and use these devices should be included in any working at heights training you or your employees access.
4. Respond to incidents
If an accident or emergency occurs when an individual is working above the ground, ensuring you can safely enact an emergency response plan is crucial.
For most employees, this would simply include the knowledge of who to contact when an incident occurs. In more urgent matters, however, some first aid and rescue training may be required.
When responding to an emergency, individuals need to hold competencies including the selection of rescue equipment, the ability to administer first aid at heights and the assessment of potentially faulty platforms or systems. If an employee has sustained an injury or been involved in an accident, it is likely that the environment is hazardous and could pose further risks to response teams.
5. Maintain risk prevention
If your industry or occupation requires work to be conducted at heights regularly, it is important to ensure your OHS practices are maintained throughout the entire course of the business undertaking.
This means working at height hazards should be frequently reviewed, to ensure changing conditions or equipment wear and tear does not increase risk and cause accidents. In particular, all equipment, platforms, machinery and environments should be assessed for hazards routinely. If potential dangers are identified, they need to be addressed as soon as possible.
Furthermore, employers should ensure their employees’ training is refreshed and updated when necessary. This will improve OHS outcomes by providing workers with the latest skills and knowledge while boosting their existing qualifications.
If you or your employees require a working at heights training refresher or initiation, contact the team at AlertForce for access to industry-leading OHS courses.
Minimising engulfment in confined spaces
When undertaking work within a confined space, individuals face a significant number of occupational health and safety (OHS) risks. Depending on the environment, engulfment can be one of the most common causes of injuries and deaths within confined spaces.
A recent audit from the Department of Mines and Petroleum’s Resources Safety Division found non-compliance is a major issue within the resources industry. Published in the Resources Safety magazine, the review revealed that many workers are not adequately trained or supervised when working in confined spaces.
To ensure OHS standards are being followed, it is crucial employers invest in approved confined spaces training and qualifications when responsible for workers who need to enter confined spaces.
Failing to ensure employees are trained in confined spaces safety and awareness can have devastating consequences as individuals face significant hazards and health risks. Without the correct policies and procedures in place, the probability of injury or death increases substantially.
To help protect your employees within confined spaces, here are the key issues regarding engulfment and how to address them in your workplace.
What is engulfment?
In certain confined space environments, workers can be at risk of potential engulfment. This refers to any situation in which an individual is trapped by bulk materials, such as grain, or liquids.
The most serious consequence of engulfment is asphyxiation, followed by potential crushing. When overcome by liquid, asphyxiation is likely through drowning, while dry materials can block oxygen flow, clog a person’s airways or crush their chest and cause breathing difficulties.
There are three key scenarios where engulfment becomes a significant risk.
- In the first scenario, machinery maintenance and repairs is crucial. If a worker enters an empty tank or silo for any reason, a faulty system may release material into the space unexpectedly.
- When employees undertake the unblocking of materials from pipes and tanks, unsuitable positioning or practices can lead to dislodged grains, for example, falling onto the individual.
- Some materials stored in confined spaces can form crusts and bridges as the substance shifts underneath. If a worker was to walk across this bridge, their weight could cause the crust to crack or dislodge, resulting in engulfment.
Understanding and addressing these risks is a vital step in improving OHS outcomes in a range of industries, including manufacturing, agriculture and mining.
Minimising the risk of engulfment
There are many potential practices that can be put in place to minimise the risk of engulfment. Perhaps the most effective is to avoid entering the confined space altogether.
With the right tank and silo design, workers may not be required to enter a confined space. To support this, manufacturers are required to install, wherever possible, access to lines and feeds from outside of the tank. With external access points, employees are able to unblock, assess and clean the confined space without the risk of engulfment.
However, this is not always a possibility. In many cases, the need to enter a confined space is unavoidable.
In order to improve OHS outcomes with a confined space, employers are required to access the right permits and training for any worker required to enter the relevant area.
By ensuring the correct permits are awarded, employees can undertake their tasks with accurate knowledge regarding the specific risks and hazards they may face within the confined space. Most permits will only be offered once a range of particular factors are taken into account, including the materials contained in the space and the quality and maintenance of the equipment being used.
Additionally, by investing in confined spaces training, individuals can ensure they understand not only the risks they may face, but also the best practice procedures to follow if an emergency occurs. This includes the use of personal protective equipment, as well as any potential rescue items that may be required.
Responding to an engulfment emergency
When engulfment occurs, it is not just the affected individual at risk. In many cases, the response team face the same range of hazards and potential risks as the employee in danger.
It is therefore crucial that rescue personnel have undertaken adequate training in emergency response procedures. When operating in a confined space, it is important to ensure a stand-by employee is available to raise the alarm if engulfment occurs.
While it is not necessary for this person to be trained in rescue and response, untrained individuals need to be aware of the risks of entering the confined space. This will ensure the stand-by worker does not attempt to rescue the engulfed employee, as his could lead to themselves becoming overcome and trapped.
Employees must understand their limitations in regards to confined spaces emergency response, and never attempt a rescue unless they have received adequate and appropriate training. Even those who hold the right qualifications are subject to various factors that may impact their ability to perform a rescue, such as access to safety equipment – such as breathing apparatus and harnesses.
It is also important to ensure response teams have a proper rescue plan in place before entering a confined space. This includes enacting a hierarchy of enter personnel, to outline who should be allowed within the confined space and at what point during the rescue they should perform their duties.
If you’re business operates within an industry with confined space hazards, it is crucial that you understand your duties as an employer regarding OHS outcomes. For more information on engulfment and confined spaces safety training, get in touch with the team at AlertForce today.
Safe Work Australia Reports on Working at Heights Safety
Many different occupations require a worker to work at or from a height such as builders, roof workers, painters, electricians, plumbers, scaffolders, tilers, truck drivers and a multitude of other trades.
Working from heights means working where falling would mean falling from one level to another. Working at a height can pose a serious or life threatening risk of injury. Falls from a height are a major cause of death and serious injury in Australian workplaces.
Safe Work Australia published a report titled ‘Work-related Injuries and Fatalities Involving a Fall from Height, Australia, October 2013’. The report presents an analysis of data on fatalities, serious injuries and hospitalisations resulting from a fall from height while working in or at a workplace. An extract from this report detailed:
- Over the eight-year period from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2011, 232 workers were killed following a fall from a height, 11% of all workers killed over this period. In 2010–11, 29 workers died following a fall from height equating to 0.25 fatalities per 100 000 workers.
- Using the full eight years of the fatalities series the occupation groups with the highest number of falls-related fatalities were
- Painting trades workers (14 fatalities), Building & plumbing labourers (12), Truck drivers (10), Plumbers (10), Deck & fishing hands (9), Electricians (8), Handypersons (8) and Storepersons (8).
- Half of the falls that resulted in a fatality involved distances of three metres or less in the eight years 2003–11. Falls from ladders accounted for the greatest number of fatalities (37 fatalities 16%). This was followed by falls from vehicles (27) and falls from roofs (25).
Whilst falls can also occur at ground level by falling into holes, trenches or service pits, the above statistics show that workers who work at or from a height are at risk of injury or even death if appropriate control measures are not put in place.
Under WHS legislation, the PCBU has the primary duty under the WHS Act to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that workers and other persons are not exposed to health and safety risks arising from the business or undertaking.
A person conducting a business or undertaking has more specific obligations under the WHS Regulations to manage the risk of a fall by a person from one level to another, including requirements to:
- ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that any work involving the risk of a fall is carried out on the ground or on a solid construction
- provide safe means of access to and exit from the workplace
- minimise the risk of falls so far as is reasonably practicable by providing a fall prevention device, work positioning system or a fall arrest system.
Workers also have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that they do not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons. Workers must comply with any reasonable instruction given by the person conducting the business or undertaking.
Where an occupation requires a person to work at height, all reasonably practicable steps must be taken before commencing work to identify any risks to health and safety that working at height could pose. It may be necessary to carry out a risk assessment in consultation with workers to identify the hazards and risks that a person might face so appropriate controls can then be implemented.
Whilst a risk assessment in not necessary if you already know the risk and how to control it, a risk assessment will help you determine:
- what could happen if a fall did occur and how likely it is to happen
- how severe a risk is
- whether any existing control measures are effective
- what action you should take to control the risk
- how urgently the action needs to be taken.
When assessing the risks arising from each fall hazard, the following matters should be considered:
- the design and layout of elevated work areas, including the distance of a potential fall
- the number and movement of all people at the workplace
- the proximity of workers to unsafe areas where loads are placed on elevated working areas (for example, loading docks) and where work is to be carried out above people and there is a risk of falling objects
- the adequacy of inspection and maintenance of plant and equipment (for example, scaffolding)
- the adequacy of lighting for clear vision
- weather conditions—the presence of rain, wind, extreme heat or cold can cause slippery or unstable conditions
- the suitability of footwear and clothing for the conditions
- the suitability and condition of ladders, including where and how they are being used
- the adequacy of current knowledge and training to perform the task safely (for example, young, new or inexperienced
- workers may be unfamiliar with a task)
the adequacy of procedures for all potential emergency situations.
You may perform a single (or generic) risk assessment if you are responsible for a number of different work areas or workplaces and the fall hazards are the same. However, you should carry out a risk assessment on individual fall hazards if there is any likelihood that a person may be exposed to greater, additional or different risks.
Once a risk assessment has been completed, including consideration of the likelihood of a fall occurring and the severity of any injury that may result, appropriate control measures must then be implemented to eliminate or minimise the risk of injury.
The WHS Regulations require duty holders to work through the hierarchy to choose the control that most effectively eliminates or minimises the risk in the circumstances. This may involve a single control measure or a combination of two or more different controls.
Can the need to work at height be avoided? Carry out any work on the ground where such work could involve the risk of a fall if undertaken at height.
This might include things like prefabricating roofs at ground level; prefabricating wall frames on the ground then standing them up; reducing shelving heights to allow access to items from ground level ; or using tools with extendable handles such as paint rollers.
Can the fall be prevented by working on solid construction?
Working on solid construction means ensuring that a raised work surface is structurally capable of supporting required loads; providing barriers around the external perimeter of a raised work area and any opening in the floor to prevent falls; ensuring even and accessible work surfaces and slopes; and safe entry and exit points. Examples include working on solidly constructed stairs with fixed handrails or roofs with appropriately installed guard rails around the edges.
Can the risk of a fall be minimised by providing and maintaining a safe system of work, including:
- Providing a fall prevention device (for example, installing guard rails) if it is reasonably practicable to do so, or
- Providing a work positioning system (for example, an industrial rope access system) if it is not reasonably practicable to provide a fall prevention device, or
- Providing a fall-arrest system, so far as is reasonably practicable, if it is not reasonably practicable to provide a fall prevention device or a work positioning system. This includes systems such as catch platforms; industrial safety nets; and individual fall-arrest systems such as a lifeline, harness and rope grabs. The system implemented must be inspected before each use to limit the free-fall distance and ensure the system is in a fit and proper condition for continued use.
In some cases a combination of control measures may be necessary, for example using a safety harness while working from an elevating work platform.
Using ladders appropriately
Ladders are frequently used when working at height. However, if used inappropriately or incorrectly, falls can occur when working on ladders. When using a ladder, ensure that the appropriate ladder has been selected for the task; it is only used for short-term work; it is set up and used correctly and safely; and three points of contact are always maintained.
Use administrative controls
These should be used to support other control measures and should generally not be used as the sole control measure. Administrative controls includes warning signs; permit systems (only allowing trained people in certain areas); organising and sequencing work to not interfere with other jobs; and safe work instructions and procedures.
In some instances a combination of control measures may be necessary to provide a safe work environment. Work of long duration and higher frequency will usually require control measures higher up in the hierarchy to provide adequate protection, such as using a mobile scaffold instead of a ladder. Any control measures used must not create new hazards.
Working at Heights Training AlertForce offers the brand new nationally recognised RIIWHS204E Work Safely at heights course, which supersedes the older RIIOHS204A course. On completion, workers will possess the most up to date qualification, which provides a further range of in-depth knowledge to ensure their safety is of paramount importance.
References:
Safe Work Australia
‘Work-related Injuries and Fatalities Involving a Fall from Height, Australia, October 2013’.
Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces – Code of Practice
Asbestos Monthly News Round Up: May 2014
Asbestos discoveries and health issues are never far from Australian headlines. With one of the highest rates of asbestos-related illnesses in the world, ensuring your employees are trained in asbestos awareness and removal is a vital occupational health and safety (OHS) requirement for construction businesses Down Under.
From medical research into the health effects of exposure, to local discoveries and potential removal schemes, here are just a few of the asbestos headlines found in Australia last month.
Perth company fined for asbestos failure
The Western Australian branch of a national company has been fined $5,500 for failing to identify and report the location of asbestos at one its sites. After asbestos was discovered during a WorkSafe inspection conducted in 2010, the company did not fulfil its duty to create an asbestos register, in compliance with local work safety laws.
WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch explained that this fine was a reminder to all businesses to ensure asbestos is correctly identified and employees understand how to respond to this potentially deadly material.
“Unfortunately there is still a lot of asbestos in WA, and our workplace safety and health laws require that the presence and location of asbestos in workplaces is identified for everyone’s safety,” he said.
“Although the company did make some attempt to address the asbestos issue at its other workplaces, it did not ensure that information about asbestos at its workplaces was passed along to all relevant parties, including any outside contractors who worked at their sites.”
If a building does contain asbestos, it is the responsibility of every party that holds any control or influence on the site to ensure contamination is well documented. This includes the employer, main contractor, property manager or building owner.
“Information about the presence and location of asbestos also needs to be made available to anyone who enters that workplace so the relevant precautions can be taken,” Mr McCulloch continued.
“Asbestos products do not pose a risk to health if they are left undisturbed in buildings, however there is a serious risk of exposure to asbestos fibres if asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, unless basic safety precautions are followed.”
Key union urges government to reject the CoA’s recommendation
The Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union of Australia (CEPU) has spoken out in response to the Commission of Audit’s (CoA’s) recommendation to axe the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency.
Calling for the government to reject the COA’s advice, the CEPU released a statement last month explaining the potential risks of losing this vital agency. A recent example of the benefits of this organisation is the recent rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN). This put tradespeople at risk of exposure and the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency was able to keep the damage to a minimum.
“Only last year, all work was temporarily stopped in pits and pipelines for the NBN when contractors disturbed asbestos while laying cable in western Sydney,” CEPU New South Wales Assistant Secretary Shane Murphy said.
“This illustrates the ticking time bomb of asbestos out in the community, the continued danger it poses and the very real need for the safety agency.”
The independent asbestos body is responsible for ensuring national action plans are in place and being followed. This has resulted in important asbestos safety and eradication practices, including the management of Australia’s first National Asbestos Exposure Register.
In an attempt to convince the government to continue funding the agency, the CEPU has joined forces with asbestos support groups, lawyers, community leaders and other unions.
“Asbestos is a killer and national, preventative action is vital. You gamble with the health and wellbeing of tens of thousands of Australians if you cut safety budgets and play politics with asbestos,” Mr Murphy concluded.
Study: Asbestos toxicity does not decline with time
A recent study released by leading international body Asbestos.com has revealed the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease – such as mesothelioma – does not diminish regardless of the time that has passed since exposure.
The study, named “Mesothelioma Risk After 40 Years Since First Exposure to Asbestos: A Pooled Analysis” – reviewed the exposure and health of more than 22,000 people, including direct and in-directly exposed individuals. Of those participants, more than 860 had developed mesothelioma.
Lead study author – Associate Professor at the School of Public Health, Curtin University in Western Australia, Alison Reid – explained the toxicity of asbestos within the body never expires.
“We have always known that the risk of mesothelioma increases the longer it is since you were first exposed,” Ms Reid told Asbestos.com. “What the study has shown is that even after 45 years, there still is risk for developing the disease.”
This study shows that no one lives long enough to survive the toxicity and risk of asbestos exposure, meaning those exposed to asbestos effectively have an “indefinite risk” of developing mesothelioma.
It has long been known that the latency period of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases is typically between 20 to 40 years. The purpose of this study was to determine if the risk of these conditions began to decline after this time.
“The answer was a resounding no,” the report concluded.
This research shows that no amount of asbestos exposure can be considered safe, which supports the vital importance of investing in asbestos awareness and response training to ensure your employees are protected.
If your are interested in improving the occupational health and safety of your staff, contact the team at AlertForce for information on an asbestos awareness and removal course.
The risk of equipment failure when working at heights
Falling from heights is one of the leading causes of workplace injuries and death, according to Safe Work Australia. Approximately 11 per cent of all work-related fatalities are caused by a fall from height.
Addressing this troubling figure requires more than an investment in training and equipment, the Working at Heights Association (WAHA) reveals. While ensuring employees are provided with comprehensive working at heights training and personal protective equipment is crucial, a recent WAHA survey found that unsafe tools and fall-arrest system failures may be influence a number of accidents and injuries.
“Based on the results of a survey of the WAHA Installer Group, fall-prevention equipment cannot be relied on,” WAHA Installer Group Committee Member Carl Sachs explained to the National Safety Council of Australia (NSCA).
The survey found that 94 per cent of fixed ladders and 31 per cent of anchor points in work sites across Australia were potentially fatal due to incorrect installation.
Mr Sachs believes failure to install fall-prevention equipment correctly stems from the lack of mandatory training and licensing of installers working in many industries.
“Anyone with a credit card and a cordless drill can install this equipment and work at heights,” he revealed, “and there are manufacturers who don’t impose any training requirements on their clients at all.”
A call for industry standards
The WAHA and other industry stakeholders have long been campaigning for nation-wide standards to be introduced regarding the installation of fall-prevention systems. In particular, the strongest voices convened in NSW for a falls crisis summit at the Sydney Safety Conference in September last year.
Several issues were put to the vote at this event, receiving unanimous support. These votes included the belief that compliance with the Australian Standards should be compulsory, formal training for installers be mandatory and regulators inspect fall-prevention equipment.
“We don’t need more WHS laws,” Mr Sachs explained. “We need a framework which complements the layers of legislation and actually enforces it. Relying on people doing the right thing is not a suitable control for equipment that workers’ lives depend on.”
Currently, no specific mandatory accreditation exists for the installers of fall-arrest systems. Furthermore, installers are not required to access training and can effectively install and certify their own work. This often leads to installations being completed under little scrutiny.
The NSCA believes that intense regulation is not necessarily the key to improving quality. Instead, industry leaders need to address the potential conflict of interest introduced by having the installer certify their own work.
“If you have that independence in terms of the certification … [it] gives you greater confidence that the person who is certifying the installation of fixed fall-prevention equipment is making the appropriate enquiry and tests that the platform has been appropriately installed,” occupational health and safety (OHS) expert Michael Tooma expressed.
Mr Tooma believes that even providing a secondary trained individual within the installers own company may be enough to boost safety standards.
“As long as they are a competent person, have the correct expertise and have the independence to be able to certify, this would be an appropriate step forward and improvement to the existing approach – and that in itself would improve the quality of fall-prevention equipment out here,” he said.
It is therefore important to ensure that if your worksite requires fall-prevention equipment installation, and you choose to perform this duty in-house, that you provide working at heights training to multiple employees. This will enable your staff to certify and regulate the work of their colleagues, in addition to increasing their ability to recognise potential issues with their own systems.
Boosting the safety of the installer
As well as increasing the safety of those employees destined to use the completed fall-arrest systems, it is also vital to ensure you have procedures in place to protect the health and safety of the installer.
“Apart from other workers relying on their installations, the installers themselves are exposed to incredible risk of falls when they install the equipment,” Mr Sachs explained.
“Anyone can go and install equipment on the edge of a 30-metre skyscraper. With a framework of training and licensing, there is no reason why an installer shouldn’t certify their height safety installation the same way a licensed electrician certifies their own work.”
Improving the safety of the individual installing fall-prevention systems can include using temporary equipment, such as elevated platforms, harnesses and fall-arrest lines. However, similar to the more permanent installations, incorrect set-up and use of these items can significantly reduce their effectiveness.
Accessing working at heights training is an important step in boosting OHS outcomes for those undertaking employment above the ground. This is because a nationally certified course helps increase knowledge and ability related to these systems.
In particular, a comprehensive working at heights learning program should include training in the identification, installation, maintenance and use of safety systems and equipment. This enables an individual who has undergone this training to increase their awareness of potential hazards, such as incorrect installation, degraded mechanisms and other risks.
Once training has been completed, employees are also able to make informed decisions regarding the specific type of equipment that would be best for the situation at hand. This means there will be a reduced risk of workers using the wrong system and being involved in a preventable accident.
Monitoring equipment is also crucial as this ensures that any wear or degradation of systems is identified and addressed as soon as possible, minimising the risk of equipment failures.
For more information on working at heights training to help improve safety on your elevated work site, contact the AlertForce team today.
NBN Safety and Awareness Course wins gold
The seventh annual LearnX Impact Awards were held this month, and AlertForce has scored Gold in the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) category for the third year running. The acknowledgement this year was offered to AlertForce for their work with the Australian National Broadband Network (NBN).
AlertForce’s latest offering, the NBN Safety and Awareness Course, took home the top OHS prize in the Asia Pacific region this year. Previous years saw AlertForce awarded for the successful LexisNexis Online Training – work health and safety (WHS) modules (2013) and the OHS award and Environmental Gold winner in conjunction with Carbon Training International in 2012.
“Our courses allow people to learn at their own pace in a convenient and cost effective way. We will continue to provide the “Gold standard” of OHS training courses,” AlertForce Founder Brendan Torazzi said.
The annual LearnX Impact Awards are run by not-for-profit organisation, LearnX Foundation. This event is designed to recognise and acknowledge the top workforce learning and professional development initiatives across the Asia Pacific.
The NBN network in Australia
Launched in August 2009, the NBN Co is a Commonwealth company founded to represent the government’s commitment to delivering a national open-access broadband network to all Australians by 2021.
Over the past five years, the NBN network has been slowly rolling out across the country, with employees working hard to connect cities, towns and regional communities to the broadband system.
While fixed line connections are being installed in the majority of Australian households, remote and rural areas are expected to be given access to foxed wireless and satellite connections.
After various OHS instances, such as the discovery of asbestos across many work sites, the NBN Co developed its compulsory training requirements. All individuals involved with the project are contracted to undertake specific training in NBN safety and awareness. The compulsory courses include:
- NBN safety and awareness
- Elevated work platform rescue
- Power awareness
- Remove non-friable asbestos
- Supervise asbestos removal training
AlertForce offers not only the NBN safety and awareness course, but can also provide asbestos removal training and a vast range of other OHS-relevant courses.
“At NBN Co ensuring the safety of communities, the environment and our workers is the most important job we have and one of our core values. We are dedicated to building a culture of excellence in safety and continually improving safety practices to meet the best standards in the industry,” the NBN Co safety statement explains.
About the award-winning NBN program
AlertForce is Australia’s only online provider of the compulsory NBN Safety and Awareness Course. The company has also been named as the approved face-to-face training provider for the NBN Co.
As an official provider of this important mandatory course, AlertForce has designed a comprehensive curriculum to ensure that this induction training prepares individuals for the specific requirements of working in the NBN sector.
The NBN Safety and Awareness program is tailored to address the OHS hazards and risks present in this industry, to ensure workers are trained in the necessary theoretical and practical skills. All personnel hauling, installing or connecting NBN fibre optic cable, conducting excavations or holding direct responsibility over any NBN-related work site is expected to undergo the mandatory training and earn this qualification before beginning work in this sector.
The course is designed to act as an induction into the hazards and risks present in the NBN sector. This includes the adoption of minimum WHS standards and CPR training. Additional topics in the training also include traffic management, confined spaces, asbestos awareness, laser safety and fibre optic cable handling.
Upon completing the course, participants will have gained the ability to explain the purpose of the NBN project, identify their role in the execution of the NBN rollout and assess and respond to workplace hazards and risks. This will involve the process of hazard control and mitigation, understanding WHS requirements and completing adequate reports on the workplace risks and environmental issues.
Whether individuals decide to access the NBN safety and awareness course face-to-face or online, the training can completed in just one day. The in-person option consists of a day-long program featuring the use of iPads and educator interaction, while the online course can be completed in a four-hour period.
Through the use of quizzes, videos and other innovative training features, the AlertForce NBN blended training system is designed to encourage engagement and effective learning outcomes among adults.
Minimising the risk of accidents, injuries and deaths in workplaces across Australia is the number one priority at AlertForce, and the NBN safety and awareness program supports this goal. For more information on this course, or to start your training today, get in touch with the team at AlertForce.
Traffic control training to address truck-related fatalities
Many industries rely on trucks and heavy vehicles to transport and freight product across work sites, cities, states and the country. Because of this extensive prevalence of truck-related occupations, workers in almost every sector and industry need to be aware of the hazards these heavy vehicles can present.
Unfortunately, a significant number of individuals are involved in truck-related incidents each year, with close to 80 workers killed annually while working in or around a truck, according to Safe Work Australia.
In a report released on May 20, Safe Work Australia identified a number of key areas that need to be addressed in order to improve the health and safety of employees and the public. These include:
- Improving maintenance and use of brakes
- Increasing spacial awareness and recognition of nearby pedestrian workers and public
- Adopting methods to reduce risk of falls from heights
- Ensuring cargo is securely restrained during transit, loading and unloading
“By targeting these areas we can improve the working environment for truck drivers, people who work in the vicinity of trucks and the general public,” said Safe Work Australia Chairperson Ann Sherry.
“Improving a business’s work health and safety is critical, it increases productivity and more Australian’s get home safely every day because of it.”
Due to the significant risk of heavy vehicles, industries that involve extensive use of trucks are often considered the most dangerous in terms of accident, injury of death. For instance, in the latest year-to-date fatality statistics from Safe Work Australia, almost 30 workers had suffered a fatal accident in the transport, postal and warehousing industry as of May 29.
This is by far the most deaths recorded in any industry in Australia, followed by agriculture, forestry and fishing on 17 deaths.
To address these troubling statistics, employers should be taking any reasonable precautions – such as ensuring all workers understand the risks of working in or around trucks. By offering staff extensive traffic management training, employers can benefit from the increased knowledge of heavy vehicle hazards and effective traffic control plans around the workplace.
Initiatives to improve truck safety
Over the past few years, truck-related deaths have dropped by close to half (48 per cent), according to Safe Work Australia. However, the fatality rates within the road freight transport industry are still approximately 10 times higher than all other industries.
Additionally, the number of injuries per 1,000 workers in the transport and storage industry (86) is 25 per cent higher than the rate for all other Australian workers.
In an effort to reduce these figures, a number of initiatives have been launched across the country. For employers in particular, the National Road Commission has put in motion reviews into the Chain of Responsibility obligations and penalties under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).
Chain of Responsibility
Released on February 10 this year, the HVNL lays out specific requirements relating to the protection of occupational health and safety (OHS) when working in or around trucks.
Overall, the law states that if you consign, pack, load or receive goods as part of the undertakings of your business, you could be liable for any road transport law breaches, including accidents and injuries.
This means that if you hold control or influence over any transport task, you are responsible to ensure drivers, pedestrian workers and the public are protected. Breaches to safe work regulations and requirements could result in significant fines and penalties.
Due to this responsibility, it is recommended that – as an employer – you ensure all employees are adequately trained in traffic management. This will mitigate the risk of an uninformed or untrained individual making an error that results in employer liability.
State-focussed traffic plans
In addition to the National Road Commission’s review, various state governments and industry bodies have partnered to improve road and transport safety.
For instance, SafeWork SA is currently performing audits on all local transport operators to ensure compliance in relation to fall prevention requirements. In particular, the OHS body has focused on reducing the risk of falling from truck-trailers and cabins while loading and unloading heavy vehicles.
Furthermore, Work Health and Safety (WHS) Queensland is working to minimise work-related accidents, injuries and deaths in the road freight sector through its Queensland Road Freight Industry Action Plan 2014-17.
As part of this blueprint, WHS Queensland is conducting fall prevention and load restraint inspections across the state and offering training and workshops to workers and industry stakeholders. On June 18 this year, Queensland workers are invited to attend a traffic management forum to learn more about OHS best practices in the freight and transport industry.
Onsite traffic management systems are also a key focus in a targeted project currently being designed by WorkCover NSW. Once launched, the program will address OHS issues in any business involved in truck-related operations. The key factors being targeted are onsite traffic management systems, loading of trucks and getting out of trucks, return to work and injury management, and driver wellness.
Improving truck safety onsite
If your business undertakings involve significant use of trucks or other heavy vehicles, it pays to understand the specific hazards you and your employees may face.
For instance, the loading and unloading of product from trucks poses several significant risks for employees. These include falling from height, engulfment by shifting material, being struck by a vehicle if brakes are not correctly applied and crush injuries caused by falling or settling products or equipment.
Once trucks are on the move within your site, the risk of an accident or injury extends to any pedestrian workers, or those operating a smaller vehicle nearby.
An important consideration when identifying the risks to workers on your site is to address the areas where vehicles and machinery are required to share the same areas and roadways as pedestrians. Additionally, where vehicles are required to stop to load and unload can pose significant issues, due to obstructed views, potential brake failure and the risk of product falling from the trailer.
Once you have identified and assessed these hazards, an effective traffic management plan should be put in place to reduce or remove the risks.
Controlling OHS outcomes can be as simple as separating pedestrians from vehicles on your site. This is possible through the development of independent pedestrian walkways, removed from roadways by barriers, guardrails or elevated platforms.
Furthermore, designated loading and unloading zones should be clearly marked and kept well away from where workers may be travelling. Due to the significant risk of dropped product or failed breaks, stationary trucks should be kept on flat surfaces whenever possible.
Protecting those workers that need to climb onto truck-trailers or cabins during this process may require a more complex solution, such as the integration of fall arrest systems and offering employees working at heights training.
Overall, each hazard in the traffic management sector can be effectively controlled through adequate communication and training. To improve the health and safety of your truck operators or pedestrian workers, consider investing in traffic management training.
For more information, contact the team at AlertForce today.
Electricians at risk of asbestos exposure
There are many occupations that are at risk of exposure to asbestos fibres during the duty of employment. One role with a significant chance of discovering asbestos is electricians in Australia.
In addition to the risks already faced by those working in this type of employment, such as electrocution and confined spaces, electricians often work on homes, buildings and switchboard panels or meter boards that may contain loose asbestos fibres.
Because of this significant risk of exposure, the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) has recently spoken out against the government’s decision to withhold a list of contaminated homes in the ACT.
The government chose not to release the information to the public due to the impact the knowledge could have on property prices. While this decision helps protect the homeowners’ investments, the NECA believes that without the details, tradespeople across the territory are at risk of working on a home without the proper precautions in place.
NECA ACT Executive Director Oliver Judd explained that the decision to withhold this information “flew in the face of common sense” and demonstrated a lack of respect for residents and tradespeople in Australia.
“Electrical contractors are regularly called upon to enter ceiling spaces, under floor areas or access cavity walls where this danger exists. For an employer to send their employees into a work situation where safety cannot be guaranteed is an intolerable position,” the May 21 statement read.
Those working in the electrical industry already face a significant level of risk during the undertaking of their occupation. With the added threat of asbestos exposure, employers in this field need to ensure their workers have access to all the necessary training and personal protective equipment (PPE) needed to minimise hazards and risks.
In particular, electricians who often work in homes or on meter boards constructed before 2004 should consider investing in asbestos awareness training to make sure they are able to correctly identify and respond to asbestos contamination.
Identifying asbestos risks
The simplest way to avoid potentially deadly asbestos exposure is to avoid working on any buildings, structures or switchboards that may contain the material.
Overall, there is a significant risk of asbestos fibres being present on any board or building that was built before 2004. In particular, meter boards installed before 1990 are very likely to contain asbestos fibres, according to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.
Non-friable asbestos was commonly used as electrical insulation on meter boards and other relevant panels. The components themselves also contained asbestos materials, as well as many meter boxes being lined with asbestos-cement sheeting – also known as fibro.
When electricians work on these meters and boards, any disturbance of the material could cause fibres to become airborne. This includes when drilling, cutting and sanding panels, or even simply removing components. Once the asbestos becomes airborne, there is a significant risk of inhalation which may lead to serious lung diseases, such as mesothelioma or asbestosis.
It is generally impossible to tell whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it. It is therefore recommended to invest in official asbestos testing and treat the site as contaminated until results prove otherwise.
If this is not practical or appropriate, electricians are urged to assume asbestos is present. This means that asbestos-related PPE should be worn at all times when working on switchboards or homes built prior to 2004, unless thorough testing confirms asbestos fibres are absent.
Often, commercial buildings that contain bonded asbestos will have a register of this information available for any tradespeople to review before beginning work on the site. Electricians are encouraged to speak with building owners or request the details from the relevant property body.
Responding to asbestos exposure
When asbestos is potentially present in a work site, there are a number of steps electricians should take to avoid inhalation of fibres. This includes undergoing asbestos awareness training and ensuring all persons in the area are aware of the asbestos risk.
The site should then be prepared for work by covering all furniture, floors and other items with two layers of PVC plastic sheeting, secured with duct tape. All vent systems and air conditioning should be shut down and sealed with the same cover – at least 200 micrometres thick.
In addition to protecting the site from exposure, individuals working in the area are required to wear official PPE, including approved respirators, eye wear and disposable coveralls, gloves and boots. It is the responsibility of the employer to provide this equipment to all workers on the site. Self-employed electricians or contractors must protect themselves by purchasing their own PPE, most of which can be found at local work safe stores.
Once work is underway, electricians can take a number of precautions to avoid particles becoming airborne. This could include using a wet substance, such as shaving foam, to dampen non-friable asbestos before drilling.
After the task has been completed, the clean up of the site is equally as important as the preparation. This involves correctly disposing of the coveralls, gloves and materials used.
A wet-wipe cleaning method should help discourage any disturbed fibres from becoming airborne, however this is not guaranteed so PPE should be worn during the clean up process. Even when removing the coveralls and PPE, the respirator should be the last item taken off, before sealing the equipment and waste in two plastic bags, at least 200 micrometres thick.
After ensuring the worksite is free of dust and debris, the sealed bags should be disposed of in accordance with local legislation and requirements.
If you’re working as an electrician in Australia and would like to learn more about asbestos safety, contact the AlertForce team about our asbestos awareness training today.
New campaign to improve ceiling safety
A new roofing safety awareness campaign has been launched in Queensland, following the deaths of four insulation installers in 2009-10. Three Queenslanders were electrocuted, while a New South Wales man succumbed to heat exhaustion while working in a ceiling on a day when temperatures reached 40 degrees celsius.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie announced the project on May 16, in partnership with the father of one of the workers who was killed during the former federal government’s home insulation scheme.
“The dangers of working in roof spaces need to be well known and clearly understood,” Mr Bleijie explained.
“We are committed to making Queensland work sites the safest in the country and the legacy of these men will be better safety and awareness about ceiling work.”
The campaign was created in response to the coroner’s report, released last year, which found that three of the workers had not been given adequate workplace safety training.
If training and supervision had been supplied, as is required by law, these deaths could potentially have been prevented. The Queensland coroner attributed the lack of education and preparedness to the government’s desire to roll out the insulation scheme as quickly as possible.
“Undoubtedly, a major contributor to the failure to put in place adequate safeguards was the speed with which the program was conceived, designed and implemented,” the coroner’s report stated.
Mr Bleijie responded to the coroner’s findings with a promise to undertake a public awareness campaign to educate tradies and homeowners about the risks of working in ceiling spaces. The release of the “Stay safer up there, switch off down here” drive is expected to reduce the rate of injuries, illness and deaths that occur in Queensland roofs.
“There are serious electrical safety risks in our ceilings and the best and simplest way people can make them safer is to turn off all of the main power at the switchboard before climbing up there,” Mr Bleijie explained.
However, working under a roof poses more risks than just electricity. Due the enclosed nature of ceiling spaces, any individual that enters a roof should be aware of all occupational health and safety hazards that may be present.
The hazards of working in a ceiling space
As a ceiling is an enclosed and confined area, according to Safe Work Australia, there are many potential risks to an individual’s health and safety. Understanding and identifying these hazards is an important step in mitigating the potential of an accident, injury, illness or even death.
Electrocution
Perhaps the most significant and common risk within ceiling spaces is the exposure to live wires and electricity. To avoid electrocution or electricity burns, it is vital that the total power supply to the area is switched off before entering the space.
Some equipment and circuits may run on separate switches to the main power, which means that for complete safety all switches and circuit breakers should be turned off. If in doubt, contacting a trained and registered electrician or other professional is recommended.
Even once all the switches have been turned off, it is possible that power may still be present in some cables and wires. Because of this, it is important to avoid touching or being near these lines whenever possible.
Falling through the ceiling
In most cases, the ceiling is unable to hold an individual’s weight for an extended period of time. It is commonly recommended that anyone working in a ceiling space uses the support beams or work platforms to move through the area.
Serious injury can occur if an individual were to fall through a ceiling, particularly if they landed on hard surfaces, such as concrete, tiles and wood, or landed awkwardly on a piece of furniture.
Avoiding a fall is the most effective way to avoid sustaining potential injuries. This can be achieved by installing raised work platforms across the space to mitigate the need to stand on the ceiling surface.
Exposure to asbestos
Insulation installed prior to 2003 may contain bonded or friable asbestos fibres. This potential exposure to asbestos is a significant risk to individual’s long-term health.
When insulation or other materials are disturbed within a confined space, the fibres can become airborne and densely fill the breathing space of a worker. When an individual inhales airborne asbestos fibres, they risk developing serious lung diseases, such as the fatal cancer mesothelioma.
Avoiding exposure to asbestos is a vitally important step to protecting the health and wellbeing of any individual working in a ceiling space. This can include wearing approved breathing masks and obtaining asbestos awareness training to ensure they can easily identify and avoid potential asbestos fibres.
Personal protective equipment, such as P2 graded masks and disposable coveralls, should always be worn when dealing with asbestos. This mitigates the risk of inhaling fibres, or spreading them to other items of clothing when attempting to launder the work outfit.
Body strain
Due to the confined nature of ceiling spaces, individuals often need to crouch or stoop to move around the area. This can lead to significant muscle strain and may result in long-term injuries and disability.
It is therefore important that workers in ceiling spaces take regular breaks, moving outside of the cramped area to stretch and relax their muscles. If any ongoing pain occurs, individuals should stop work immediately and visit their doctor.
Exposure to extreme temperatures
In Australia, temperatures can fluctuate widely, from extreme heat to freezing cold. When work is required in a ceiling space, individuals need to be aware of how the weather could impact on their health and safety.
Summer temperatures often reach dangerous levels, with the enclosed space of a ceiling climbing to an even higher temperature than the outside air.
As roofs typically contain poor ventilation, those working in ceiling spaces may succumb to heat exhaustion and a lack of breathable air due to extreme weather conditions. It is therefore crucial that those working in these areas monitor the temperature regularly, and vacate the space if feeling hot, dizzy and dehydrated.
Exposure to birds, insects or animals
Ceilings are popular hiding spaces for many birds, insects and animals. Individuals venturing into these areas need to be aware of the potential bites and stings they could receive.
Before working in a ceiling space, individuals should ensure any vermin or insect activity has been eliminated or minimised through extermination or other methods. If a bite or sting occurs, workers should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Additionally, exposure to deceased animals or birds, or their droppings, can pose a significant risk of various diseases and illnesses. Workers in ceiling spaces should ensure they wear the appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves and masks.
Any exposure to an animal or their leavings should be followed by adequate personal hygiene solutions, such as disinfectant and full body showers. Furthermore, if any illness or pain is detected, individuals should visit their doctor or local hospital.
If you would like more information about the hazards present in roof and ceiling space, or would like to access training relevant to working in confined spaces, get in touch with the AlertForce team today.
Leading risks when working on the NBN
The national broadband network (NBN) is an exciting and advantageous undertaking currently being rolled out across the country. Once complete, the NBN will ensure that all Australians have open access to fast broadband – improving internet capabilities for all families, businesses and individuals.
As the government strives to connect every town and community with the NBN, a large number of workers are carrying out a vast range of tasks and duties under the NBN Co umbrella.
Similar to most industries and occupations in Australia, there are a range of occupational health and safety hazards that employees in this field face each day. Mitigating the risk of injury, accident or death is an important goal of the NBN Co.
In an effort to protect the public, environment, communities and workers affected by the NBN installation, NBN Co has listed a number of required training for its employees, including NBN Safety and Awareness – offered online exclusively by AlertForce.
One of the most important steps to reducing the risks present in the NBN install is to ensure all workers are aware of the hazards they face. There are many potential risks within this field – here are just five of the most critical.
Open pits and manholes
Often, the work required to connect homes and communities with the NBN requires employees to open manholes and dig pits to reach and lay wires and cables buried below ground.
Many risks can be present when working in or near an open pit, including falling, engulfment and being struck by dropped objects. Mitigating these risks is an important factor in improving safety for the public and workers.
Fortunately, there are simple measures that can be put in place the reduce the risk of accident or injury, such as providing employees with hard hats, installing barriers around the open hole and ensuring the walls of the pit are secure and supported.
Working at heights
Connecting Australian homes to the NBN can involve scaling telephone poles and various other tasks that require employees to work above the ground.
When an individual is raised more than 2 metres off the ground, there is a significant risk of falling and sustaining serious injuries. It is therefore crucial to ensure workers have been adequately trained in working at heights practices.
Simple ways to minimise the risk of working above ground include using an enclosed elevated work platform (EWP) instead of a ladder when required to scale a telephone pole or building. When an EWP is unavailable or unreasonable, employees should have access to fall arrest systems, such as harnesses and tethers.
Asbestos exposure
Installing the wires and devices required to connect homes and businesses to the NBN will require employees to work within the walls and floors of many buildings.
Because of this, there is a significant risk that individuals could become exposed to dangerous asbestos fibres. The ability to identify and respond to the presence of asbestos is a crucial factor in protecting the health and wellbeing of workers, residents and the community.
Drilling, cutting or breaking through walls, floors or roofs could disturb even bonded asbestos, causing dust and fibres to become airborne and pose serious health risks. If an individual were to inhale asbestos fibres, they would significantly increase their risk of developing fatal lung conditions, such as mesothelioma or asbestosis.
Any building that was constructed using material supplied before 2003 could potentially contain asbestos. In the interest of safety, employees should consider all older work sites as an asbestos risk.
When asbestos is discovered, it is important that the correct procedures are followed. This includes allowing only those who have received an asbestos assessment and removal qualification to undertake the duty of removing and disposing of the material.
Electrocution
As in any industry that requires direct access to power lines, cables and wiring, those working on the NBN face a serious risk of electrocution.
Addressing this risk can be as simple as ensuring all power has been switched off before commencing work on or close to these lines. However, in the event that electricity is present, employees should be wearing adequate personal protective equipment – such as charge dampening gloves – to reduce their risk of injury.
Furthermore, those working on or around electricity should ensure that another employee is available to act as an observer, keeping watch and ready to respond if an accident occurs.
Traffic
Much of the work on the NBN is being conducted close to public roads. This means any worker taking part in the installation could be at risk of a traffic accident.
Because of this, it is important that individuals in this field are adequately trained in traffic management and control. Undertaking a course in traffic control will ensure workers are able to safely and efficiently direct public road users away from their colleagues, reducing the risk of an accident.
Furthermore, traffic management courses often also include training in how to effectively manage pedestrians. When open pits and manholes or live electrical wires are present on a work site, it is crucial that the public are protected from these hazards.
Ensuring that pedestrians have a safe path past the site can simply involve asking the public to use an alternative route. However, in some cases it is more appropriate to create an alternative pathway on the road. In this situation, an adequate traffic management plan is required to protect the safety of pedestrians, road users and employees.
For more information on the hazards faced by those working on the NBN, or to access training in this field, talk to the AlertForce team today.
Working at heights: Fragile roof surfaces
Working at heights can pose many hazards to employees, due to the risk of tripping, slipping or falling from the elevated platform and sustaining serious injuries.
Between July 2003 and June 2011, 232 individuals were killed by a fall from height related to their work, according to figures from Safe Work Australia. This accounted for 11 per cent of all workplace fatalities during that time. Furthermore, more than 6,900 workers were hospitalised due to injuries sustained in a work-related fall.
In particular, those working in the construction industry seem to be most at risk of falling from heights, with 37 per cent of all fall-related workplace deaths and 35 per cent of all injuries occurring on construction sites.
Addressing this troubling prevalence of death and injury is a serious concern for employers in the construction industry. It is therefore important to understand all possible factors that may result in a fall from height.
While many organisations offer their employees working at heights training to help them prepare for the hazards of working on sloping roofs and unstable ladders, there is another common cause of workplace falls that generally receives less attention. Fragile roof surfaces pose a significant risk for those working at heights, as material that cannot sustain a person’s weight is often not easily identifiable.
The risk of fragile roof surfaces
When an employee steps onto a surface that was not built to sustain weight, or has degraded in strength, they risk falling through the roof and sustaining serious injuries.
According to the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), falling through fragile surfaces accounts for 22 per cent of all construction-related fall from height injuries.
This hazard is commonly experienced across the world. Within the past month, three separate incidents of individuals falling through fragile roof lights occurred in the UK alone, with those involved suffering serious injuries. The organisations found to be at fault received significant fines as a result.
Here in Australia, falling from roofs and platforms accounts for 20 per cent of all fall-related fatalities. Often, the employees who experience the fall are repairing or replacing the roof when the incident occurs.
Identifying a fragile roof surface
In order to avoid individuals falling through a fragile roof surface, it is important to be able to identify the affected areas. This will enable employees to put measures in place to avoid the fragile surfaces.
Often, a fragile roof surface will consist of a skylight or dome light installed in the building. These are easily identifiable and can usually be roped off and sign posted to mitigate the risk of an individual stepping on them.
However, some fragile roof surfaces are simply parts of the roof that have become degraded and weak through weather damage or other events. Identifying these areas can be more difficult.
It is therefore important that employers conduct thorough site inspections to test and measure the holding capacity of any section of roof that may be walked on. A register of any potential weaknesses should be made, including any roof material that contains asbestos or damage.
Reducing the risk of fragile roofs
Once any potentially fragile roof surfaces have been identified, employers should then introduce measures to ensure their employees do not need to walk across these surfaces.
There are a number of effective methods that can help reduce the risk of an employee accidentally stepping on a fragile roof surface. Here are just four:
1. Signage
To ensure all employees are aware of the location of fragile surfaces on the worksite, employers should make sure appropriate signage is displayed. This could be as simple as brightly coloured hazard tape on skylights to increase their visibility, or official signs warning individuals away from specific sections of the roof.
However, signage on its own is not always completely effective. In the May 13 report from HSE, the individual admits that he saw the PVC roof light on his first journey over the roof, but when he turned to come back across the roof he failed to notice the light and stepped on it. When it broke under his weight, he fell 3 metres – fracturing his skull and sustaining other serious injuries.
This shows that signage needs to either be more extensive and posted around the entirety of the fragile surface, or coupled with additional safety measures.
2. Perimeter edge protection
Often, the easiest way of keeping employees from stepping on a fragile roof surface is to fence off the area with perimeter edge protection.
Guardrails should be installed around the perimeters of any openings in roof structures, including skylights and other fragile roof surfaces. A railing used to stop falls from heights should comply with a strict set of codes outlined by Safe Work Australia. These guidelines include ensuring rails incorporate a top and mid-rail and that the height of the edge protection is between 900 mm and 1100 mm above the working surface.
These codes of practice ensure that guardrails are visible and will protect an employee from both walking and rolling onto an unsafe area of the roof.
3. Platforms
If a large portion of the roof is fragile, or the work being conducted requires individuals to work on or above the area that is fragile, employers are required to install raised platforms or floor-laying. This provides employees with a solid work area on which they can undertake their duties without having to place their weight on a fragile surface.
There are a range of different platform options that can help mitigate the risk of fragile roof surfaces, including simple step platforms or comprehensive stock-roofs. Understanding what option is right for your worksite may involve seeking professional help from an occupational health and safety trained individual.
4. Fall arrest systems
When an individual is required to work at height, travel restraint and fall arrest systems should be offered if there is any risk of slipping, rolling or falling from the elevated platform. If a roof or raised workspace contains an area that consists of fragile material, a fall arrest system will minimise the risk of an individual falling to the ground if the surface should break beneath them.
As damage, decay and frailty can be difficult to recognise in advance, individuals working on a roof are almost constantly at risk of falling through a previously unidentified patch of fragile material. It is therefore recommended that any individual working at height has access to a travel restraint system.
By using a harness that is attached to the roof, an individual that discovers an area of fragility may be caught by the fall arrest system before falling through the roof, effectively avoiding any serious injuries.
While providing employees with travel restraint systems is recommended, it is also important to ensure each individual worker holds the training and knowledge to use these devices effectively. This can easily be achieved by investing in working at heights training from a registered training organisation, such as AlertForce.
For more information on improving safety on fragile roof surfaces, or to access extensive training options for your employees, get in touch with the AlertForce team today.
Reducing the risk of working in confined space
There are many occupations and sectors that require employees to work within a confined space, including mining, construction and maintenance roles. Unfortunately, when an individual enters an enclosed space, they face a significant number of occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards due to the atmosphere and environment.
In particular, farming and the agriculture industry contain a number of scenarios where an individual may need to enter a confined space during the undertakings of their duties. This could include entering a silo to dislodge grain, cleaning the inside of an industrial fuel tank or repairing and maintaining a manure pit.
Because of the vast range of potential confined space scenarios in this industry, farmers and other individuals working in agriculture must be able to identify and correctly address the hazards present in enclosed areas. Fortunately, a comprehensive confined space training course can help.
Furthermore, there are a few key steps workers can take to help reduce the risk of sustaining an injury or illness within a confined space.
Identify the space
The first step to mitigating the risk of confined space work is to ensure you can accurately identify these hazardous areas in your worksite. Many people may be surprised to find that a confined space does not necessarily have to be a cramped area. Instead, a confined space complies with each of the following five elements:
- Is the space partially or completely enclosed?
- Is there an intention to enter the space?
- Does the area have limited or restricted entry and exit points?
- Is the area at normal atmospheric conditions?
- Does the space contain, or is likely to contain, harmful levels of contaminants, unsafe oxygen levels or a stored solid that poses a risk of engulfment?
If the space you are planning to enter complies with each of these elements, you have identified a confined space and must consider the risks you potentiality face.
Identify the hazards
There are many hazards that could result in injuries, illness or even death within a confined space. Knowing which of these risks you may face is a crucial factor in enacting the right OHS measures to protect yourself and other workers.
According to Safe Work Australia, there are 16 potential hazards found within confined spaces. Here are just five:
- Harmful airborne contaminants – Depending on the use of the area, a confined space may contain a risk of materials or fumes that become airborne and impact on atmospheric conditions. This can lead to illness through inhalation or injury when an individual is overcome by fumes. In serious cases, dangerous fumes can even lead to fatality.
- Unsafe oxygen levels – Humans can safely breathe in air that contains 19.5 – 23.5 per cent oxygen. In some scenarios, the level of oxygen in a confined space can become dangerously high or low due to displacement or depletion.
- Fire and explosion – When fumes, vapour or airborne particles become densely packed in an enclosed space, this increases the risk of an ignition source causing a devastating fire or explosion. This is a significant risk as even the friction of clothing may be enough to create an ignition spark.
- Engulfment – If the confined space contains a material that may shift beneath an individual’s feet, this creates a serious risk of engulfment and suffocation or crushing. Additionally, engulfment can occur if material is accidentally released into an occupied space due to faulty equipment or a lack of communication.
- Environmental hazards – In certain spaces, there will be significant risks caused by the environment in which the area is found. This could include substantial fluctuations in temperature, the risk of tripping, slipping or falling, or even inadequate lighting resulting in an accident and injury.
Controlling these hazards
The most effective method of minimising the risks of confined space is to avoid entering these environments. This can be achieved by ensuring any tanks, silos and pits have alternative measures in place to mitigate the need to enter them to complete work.
For example, a tank that has access points at various heights and locations around the outside will enable workers to perform repairs and cleaning while standing outside the tank, rather than climbing inside.
However, it is not always possible to eliminate the need to enter a confined space, so it is therefore important to understand the equipment available to reduce risks in these areas. Individuals will also need to ensure they establish adequate entry and exit procedures, in addition to emergency policies, that are communicated to any persons able to stand by and help if something were to go wrong.
Any confined space should be tested for oxygen levels and contaminants before entry. If unsafe levels of oxygen, fumes or contaminants are detected, individuals will need to use adequate breathing apparatus or masks while within the confined space.
Additionally, workers entering silos, tanks and pits should invest in fall-arrest systems to stop trips and slips resulting in serious injury and possible entrapment.
While providing and using all the necessary and available personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety monitors are a sufficient method of reducing risk in confined space, it is also vital to ensure any individual planning to enter an enclosed area has received the proper training.
A confined space training program will enable a worker to accurately monitor the atmosphere within an enclosed space, in addition to maintaining and using their PPE correctly.
For more information on confined space training programs, or to improve the OHS policies on your farm, get in touch with the team at AlertForce today.
American statistics highlight construction site safety concerns
New statistics published by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC of America) have put the issue of safe traffic management plans at construction sites into the spotlight. According to their research, 45 per cent of highway contractors experienced an incident in their construction work zones during the past year, due to motor vehicles crashing into them.
In addition to this, the organisation found that these types of work crashes were more likely to lead to a fatality for vehicle operators and passengers rather than construction workers. A total of 43 per cent of contractors said operators or passengers were injured in the past year, while 16 per cent recorded a fatality as a result of the crashes.
However, construction workers aren’t immune. Over 20 per cent of work zone crashes in the period surveyed led to an injury for employees and in six per cent of the cases, one or more workers died.
These incidents can have a tragic impact on workers, their families, friends and colleagues – but they can also take a toll on the company as well. In the research from AGC of America, 25 per cent of contractors had to temporarily shut down all construction activity due to a work zone crash and 38 per cent of these lasted two or more days.
When it comes to putting in place prevention and risk management strategies, 74 per cent of contractors were in favour of using more concrete barriers to reduce injury and fatality rates. As well as this, 66 per cent said work health and safety training for employees, such as a traffic management course, would be helpful.
The AGC study was based on the responses of over 400 contractors around the country, which were gathered during March this year.
“There is little margin for error when you work within a few inches of thousands of fast-moving vehicles,” said Tom Case, chair of the organisation’s National Highway and Transportation division.
“As the data makes clear, not enough drivers are slowing down and staying alert near work sites.”
While these results are based on American workers and construction site zones, the message they carry can be applied to the Australian industry as well.
Traffic and construction safety in Australia
According to Safe Work Australia, the national body representing WHS concerns across the country, the construction industry employed 9 per cent of the Australian workforce during 2011-12, or 1.01 million people. In the period between 2007-08 and 2011-12, a total of 211 people employed in the industry died as a result of a work-related incident.
That brings the total number of deaths to 4.34 per 100,000 workers, almost twice the national rate of 2.29. Vehicle incidents contributed to 34 fatalities, with 21 occurring when the employee was in a car and 10 when he or she was in a truck.
Being hit by moving objects and falling objects each accounted for 29 of these fatalities. Of the workers hit by moving objects, 16 of these incidents involved road transport of some kind.
What can be done, and who has responsibility?
It’s clear that the problems surrounding construction safety and traffic management remain a significant cause of work-related death and injury in the industry. But what can be done about this serious issue?
Under Australian WHS law, any person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) has a responsibility to ensure their workplace doesn’t pose any dangers to health and safety.
This is achieved either by eliminating the hazards altogether, or if this is impossible, minimising and controlling the risks. The legislation also stipulates that PCBUs are obligated to provide any information or training that would be required to protect people from a risk to their health and safety.
There are several issues that can complicate this problem on construction work zones. Firstly, keeping motorists and workers apart is essential to avoid collisions and the possibility of injuries or fatalities.
Speeding traffic is one of the major risk factors here, as is inadequate sign posting or lighting. Both of these factors can combine to contribute to drivers failing to notice road workers in their surroundings.
Driver error is another cause of work-related incidents in these types of construction zones. All of the normal behavioural factors that can influence typical road safety come into play, such as driver distraction, use of cell phones and unsafe merging practices. Another risk factor was aggressive driving, which led to motorists entering restricted work zones and disregarding warning signage.
In these cases, there are several things you can do to promote a higher level of worker safety. Any signs in use need to be clean and in good condition so motorists can clearly comprehend their meaning. Workers who have a direct role in controlling traffic should have received sufficient training, and everyone can benefit from work gear that makes the more visible to passing motorists.
Alerting the public in the days preceding the project can be a good way to reduce the rate of incidents. If you can, getting the word out through media channels as well as through roadside warnings as this may be able to reach a wider audience. This way, drivers will be prepared for any change in the road conditions due to construction work being undertaken.
For more information on traffic management and control training in Australia, talk to the AlertForce team today.
Asbestos Monthly News Round Up: April 2014
Despite it now being more than ten years since the complete ban of asbestos products in Australia, this dangerous substance continues to make headlines across the country and around the world.
With new discoveries being made every week, asbestos awareness training remains a vital investment for many Australian businesses to help improve safety and mitigate the risks of asbestos discoveries in the workplace.
Australia has seen many asbestos-related news stories over the past month, the following are just a few:
Consumers warned against burning railway sleepers
As the winter months approach and temperatures begin to drop, consumers across Australia are being warned against buying disused railway sleepers for firewood.
In addition to the risk of herbicides, oils and grease being released as toxic gas when burned, the Firewood Association of Australia General Manager Alan McGreevy reveals there is a risk sleepers may contain fine asbestos particles – transferred from the brake linings of trains.
“[Prior to 1985] train brakes were made of asbestos and there is a potential that fibres from those brake linings could get trapped in cracks in the surface of sleepers,” Mr McGreevy told ABC Australia on April 16.
When buying firewood, individuals can easily avoid railway sleepers by using these simple tips to help identify the wood: “They’re reasonably easy to spot [because] they’re square cut for a start, they’re generally black on the outside due to the contaminants, and they smell a bit,” explained Mr McGreevy.
Western Australia fights to improve asbestos victim laws
Members of parliament in Western Australia have acknowledged the state stands behind the rest of Australia in terms of protection for asbestos victims, yet a private members bill is struggling to survive, according to an April 14 article from WA Today.
The Asbestos Diseases Compensation Bill 2013 will award locals diagnosed with additional asbestos-related diseases the ability to seek further compensation, above what they may have already been given.
As the law currently stands, those who have already received damages for asbestosis cannot then claim further financial support for other conditions, such as mesothelioma.
“What this bill would seek to do is allow at a later stage they can actually go back and seek additional compensation,” the bill’s author, Upper House member Kate Doust, explained.
This would bring Western Australia’s legislation back in line with most other states and territories. However, Ms Doust fears the government will not support the bill, following a negative response from WA Attorney General Michael Mischin in February this year.
“While I acknowledge Hon. Kate Doust’s efforts in introducing the bill, it regrettably, cannot be supported by government as the drafting is unsatisfactory in a variety of respects,” Mr Mischin said.
Ms Doust is concerned with the government’s response, particularly as the bill should not create any additional costs for the government.
“At the end of the day, WA people deserve a better outcome and legislation that provides better compensation and support,” she expressed. “Why would WA be left behind the rest of the country?”
Asbestos scare as truck loses its load
Residents of Sydney’s west were treated to an overnight asbestos scare on April 13 when a truck accidentally dumped two tonnes of building material in the middle of a street.
Firefighters were called in to wet down the waste to stop asbestos fibres becoming airborne, before officers wearing protective gear covered the mess with black plastic.
ABC Australia reported on the incident on April 14, explaining that official asbestos removal teams would then clear the mess the morning after the accident.
Surveillance may be required to deter illegal asbestos dumping
Residents and local members of parliament in Cessnock, New South Wales have called for closed-circuit cameras to be installed in dumping hot spots.
Multiple piles of deadly asbestos-filled materials have been found along a fire trail in the region, with sheets of rotting corrugated asbestos left exposed to the air and elements – posing a serious risk to any individuals in the area.
“This is a huge problem in the Lower Hunter; we urgently need an effective response to illegal dumping,” Councillor James Ryan told The Newcastle Herald on April 22.
The Environment Protection Authority’s (EPA) director of waste and resource recovery, Steve Beaman, explained that an independent inquiry was underway to discover the origins of the dumped material.
“It is absolutely disgusting that members of the public dump hazardous materials where it can put community members and the environment at serious risk of harm,” he said.
“I can’t stress how important it is for members of the public to notify the EPA as soon as they possibly can when they become aware of illegally dumped material, especially when it is hazardous.”
Individuals and businesses that discover asbestos are urged to only use official channels to correctly dispose of the material. In particular, it is vital to contact a company or authority that has undertaken extensive and comprehensive asbestos removal training.
Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal undergoes asbestos removal
On April 23, Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL) announced plans to enact a $10 million refurbishment project in order to replace asbestos-contaminated roofs at the Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal.
Due to begin this week, the six-month project is not expected to impact on the health and safety of nearby residents or employees as the asbestos is bonded to the roofing sheets.
“It’s not fibrous, it’s not airborne, so we have the roofs removed by a specialist asbestos contractor, and the material is disposed of in special council-owned asbestos dumps,” QSL operations general manager Damian Ziebarth explained to ABC Australia on April 23.
This project comes as part of a 10-year $80 million program to replace the roofs of all six bulk sugar terminals owned and managed by QSL across the state.
If you want to improve asbestos awareness and safety in your workplace, speak to the team at AlertForce today.
National Safe Work Awards celebrate Australian achievement
Australia’s ninth annual Safe Work Awards were held in Canberra on April 28, celebrating the year’s achievements in positive work health and safety (WHS) practices. A total of 37 finalists competed in this year’s awards, representing a range of different industries from civil engineering to livestock transport.
Minister for Employment Eric Abetz said he was “delighted” to see the WHS safety efforts of individuals and organisations all around Australia.
“The leadership and innovation of people and organisations like those celebrated at the Awards not only helps to reduce the number of workplace deaths and injuries, but also helps to create a positive workplace culture,” Senator Abetz said in a statement released April 29.
“Congratulations to this year’s winners and finalists – their outstanding efforts are helping Australia get a step closer to achieving our vision of healthy, safe and productive working lives.”
The official ceremony this year was held at Old Parliament House in Canberra and attended by the winners of the 2013 state and Comcare awards.
Tasmanian company VEC Civil Engineering Pty Ltd received the award for Best Workplace Health and Safety Management System. This recognises a continuous commitment to improving WHS by using an integrated systems approach, which the company achieved through making safety a business driver. They also used innovative ideas to encourage their staff to participate in workplace safety.
The award for Best Solution to an Identified Workplace Health and Safety Issue went to Frasers Livestock Transport in Queensland for their special Cross-loading Module. The company researched, designed and built the module themselves to eliminate the risks in their category of work, and the award recognises the significant improvements they have made to safety and productivity.
Best Workplace Health and Safety Practice/s in a Small Business went to Zetco Valves Pty Ltd in New South Wales. This company was commended for its initiative in implementing technology solutions that many larger companies have yet to successfully put in place. Along with decreasing the risks of their daily manual handling tasks, these solutions aided an increase in productivity throughout the business.
There were two joint winners for Best Individual Contribution to Workplace Health and Safety (by an employee) in 2014. Jedda McGlinchey of Ambulance Victoria and Rodney Cook of the Northcoast Institute of TAFE were both recognised by the Safe Work Australia for their efforts to improve WHS for coworkers, staff and students. In particular, Ms McGlinchey was instrumental in getting her branch removed from an unsafe building and a new workplace built.
Last but not least, Queensland’s Jennifer Bell (from the RSPCA Queensland) won Best Individual Contribution to Workplace Health and Safety by a WHS manager. She was recognised for her efforts to move the organisation’s WHS strategy away from a reactive approach to a proactive risk-based system.
Safe Work Australia also highly commended Phyllip Bix from the Department of Justice in this category. As the Health and Safety Officer for Grampians Regional Prison, Mr Bix worked with a committee to create a thorough health and wellbeing program for both new and existing employees.
Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie has added his own congratulations to the two Queensland winners at the Safe Work Awards, saying he hopes the recognition will prove to be an inspiration for other organisations.
“Tragically, around 17 Queenslanders die each year as a result of traumatic workplace incidents, and more than 5,000 suffer a permanent injury,” Mr Bleijie said in a statement.
“This is why it’s important the Safe Work Awards showcase individuals and businesses who think outside the square to make their workplace as safe as possible.”
Improving health and safety in your own organisation
The Safe Work Awards are a great opportunity for every Australian business to demonstrate how they have focused on heath and safety in the workplace. However, achieving real impact in this area means focusing on your WHS policy consistently throughout each year.
Any person conducting a business or undertaking is legally responsible for ensuring that all the necessary steps have been taken to either eliminate or minimise risks to health and safety in the workplace.
There are four steps towards health and safety management that every business can take. First, you need to identify the hazards involved in the workplace and how these might endanger your employees.
After you have found the hazards, it’s time to assess the risks they present. Consider how serious the consequences may be and how likely it is for these incidents to happen. The next step is to control the risks by implementing the most effective measures you can.
Lastly, reviewing your control strategies is important to ensure they are still keeping pace with the needs of your workforce. WHS policies should also be reviewed in light of any changes to legislation in your state or territory.
When it comes to developing an appropriate WHS system in your company, it helps to seek the assistance of experts. They can advise you on all aspects of the process and offer specialised training to your employees, so they have a better understanding of how to keep themselves safe in the workplace.
For more information on improving health and safety outcomes in your own company, talk to the AlertForce team today.
International Workers’ Memorial Day highlights importance of workplace safety
Around the globe, April 28 marks International Workers’ Memorial Day, or IWMD. With a slogan of ‘remember the dead, fight for the living’, this day highlights the tragic consequences that can arise when work heath and safety rules aren’t taken seriously.
Every year, IWMD is an opportunity for workers to remember their colleagues and focus on the steps that need to be taken to ensure those tragedies do not happen again. In 2014, the theme of IWMD is ‘protecting workers around the world through strong regulation, enforcement and union rights’.
In Australia, we have legislation and policies in place to promote safe working practices around the country. There are guidelines and model codes of practice available for matters such as asbestos removal, working at heights, traffic management, construction safety and more.
However, in spite of these regulations, the impact of work-related injuries and fatalities continues to affect businesses, families and the economy every year.
Workplace incidents in Australia
Workers across different industries are put at various risks through the course of their jobs. This could be falling from height at a construction site, colliding with powered mobile plant in a warehouse, getting trapped in a confined space or any other activity that puts their health and wellbeing in danger.
According to Safe Work Australia, in the year to April 28 2014, 58 employees died at work. A total of 25 were from the transport, postal and warehousing sector, 13 were from agriculture, forestry & fishing, six occurred in the mining industry and the sectors of construction, manufacturing, arts & recreation services recorded three worker fatalities each during this period.
Two worker fatalities were recorded in accommodation & food services, and one fatality in each of the sectors of rental, hiring & real estate services, health care & social assistance and electricity, gas, water & waste services.
Work-related injuries also represent a significant burden, not only for the worker himself or herself but for their families and employers as well. Between July 2006 and June 2009, approximately 73,400 employees had to be hospitalised due to an injury sustained while working for income.
These incidents resulted in various types of physical injuries. The most common was fractures, which accounted for 27 per cent of all work-related hospitalisations during this period, followed by open wounds (18 per cent) and injuries of the muscle and tendons (12 per cent). During this time, the most common causes of a work-related injury included exposure to mechanical forces (46 per cent), falls (16 per cent), transport accidents (9.1 per cent), overexertion (5.1 per cent) and exposure to mechanical forces – such as being struck by cattle (2.5 per cent).
What are some of the obstacles facing WHS?
Both the people conducting a business or undertaking (the employer) and staff members have a responsibility to uphold the necessary WHS policies. Unfortunately, there are some obstacles that make this more difficult – thereby heightening the risk of a workplace incident.
One thing to think about when creating your WHS policy is the entrenched attitudes and perceptions that may already exist around the topic. A review of the literature around WHS in Australia found attitudes (settled ways of thinking or feeling) could influence action related to work, health and safety policies. For example, an attitude that workers are mostly at fault in cases of death, injury or disease, will have a profound influence on the way WHS policies are set and implemented in that workplace.
These attitudes are entwined with motivations, perceptions, willingness and capacity – all of which affect the success and level of quality of a WHS strategy. Motivations for creating and following a new WHS policy can range from legal, economic, social, or emotional but it’s important to understand what motivates different levels of your company before putting your policy into action.
Perceptions can have a direct influence on health and safety because they affect how workers and others choose to see risks and hazards in the workplace. A perception that a site is less dangerous than it really is can have severe consequences, which is why health and safety training can be beneficial for boosting worker knowledge.
Any WHS policy needs to take into account the willingness and capacity of the organisation and individual workers to follow and understand the guidelines. No policy will be effective if it can’t be followed through consistently, so make sure yours is tailored for this aspect of your company.
To find out more on preventing and minimising risks to worker health and safety, contact the AlertForce team today.
ABC report puts the spotlight on dangers of working at heights
It’s no surprise that working at heights can represent a severe risk for work health and safety, yet this particular hazard continues to cause a significant number of work-related injuries and fatalities every year.
Now, the issue has come under the spotlight with a recent report from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation focusing on whether stricter regulation is needed. Presented by Sarah Ferguson and reported by Greg Hoy, the ABC report looked at several incidents where workers had become injured or worse as a result of the hazard.
One of these was the case of Bernard Wills, a 45-year-old builder from Western Australia who fell through a skylight in a high shed under construction and died as a result of the impact. This happened in 2011 during his first day on the job, and his employer was eventually fined for not following appropriate safety procedures.
Another case highlighted by the ABC report is that of plumber Keith Dickman. He had been installing air conditioning ducting at a fit-out site in Melbourne when he fell from an A-frame commercial grade ladder. He was taken to a hospital but later died as a result of his injuries.
In this incident, the coroner found the ladder had some missing fixtures which may have contributed to the fall, and it had not been properly inspected.
These are just two examples of the types of dangers that can arise from working at heights. It’s a hazard that can affect anyone and should be an important part of construction site safety procedures or any other workplaces where heights are likely to be involved.
The dangers of working at heights
Workers can be exposed to heights in different ways throughout thee course of their normal working day, and the consequences of a fall can be substantial. Accidents can happen when someone is in or on plant that is at an elevated level, near an opening or edge through which it is possible to fall or near/on an unstable, slippery or sloped surface.
This puts your staff at danger of sustaining potentially fatal injuries, either from striking another object during the fall or being exposed to another hazard as a result (such as drowning after falling into a body of water). It’s not just plant or elevated structures that can pose a risk, as employees can also fall from a vehicle, an animal or from ground level into a deeper hole or trench.
According to Safe Work Australia, between July 1, 2003 and June 30, 2011, 232 workers were killed after falling from heights. This represented 11 per cent of all workers killed during that same period.
During the 2010-11 period alone, falls from heights killed 29 workers, leading to a fatality rate of 0.25 deaths per 100,000 workers. The age group of affected workers tended to be skewed towards the older range of the spectrum, with workers aged 45 years or older making up 70 per cent of fatalities.
Construction is one of the most at-risk industries for this hazard, accounting for 37 per cent of all fall-related fatalities during 2008-11. This is four times higher than the overall rate for other industries in Australia.
Managing the risks
One of the first steps you can take to reduce the impact of this risk is to ensure your workers have the appropriate training. Specialised courses run by recognised providers can give your workforce the knowledge and skills they need. OHS courses can help your staff understand the dangers involved and how to prevent or minimise the risks of working at heights.
Identifying specific areas of risk is another step towards better WHS policies. Once you know where the fall hazards are in your workplace, you can assess the likelihood of a fall actually occurring and act accordingly to control the risk.
Sometimes, it’s possible to eliminate the risk altogether by removing the work to ground level or solid construction. If this isn’t practicable, various strategies such as passive fall prevention devices, work positioning systems and fall-arrest systems can be implemented to mitigate the level of danger involved.
Any equipment, tools or devices used as part of this WHS strategy should be inspected thoroughly and frequently to ensure they are still in the best condition.
For more detailed information about managing and preventing the risk of working at heights, talk to the AlertForce team today.
Government warns of asbestos danger in wake of Cyclone Ita
Queensland residents and businesses are still dealing with the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Ita, the category three storm that caused havoc across some areas of the state earlier this month.
Despite being downgraded from category five to a category three as it made its way across Australia, the cyclone still caused flooding, heavy rains and shortages of water and electricity in the most affected regions.
As the clean up and recovery process continues to take place, the state’s attorney-general Jarrod Bleijie has issued a warning to residents to be aware of the dangers of asbestos exposure as they operate in flood-affected buildings.
“Cleaning up and rebuilding quickly is important when it’s your home and business but you shouldn’t put your life at risk in doing so,” Mr Bleijie said in a statement released April 14.
“Houses and other buildings built before 1990 may contain asbestos materials, and residents are urged to be careful when cleaning up.”
Whether or not your workplace has been affected by a weather event, asbestos removal can still pose a danger to employees if handled improperly.
What are the risks to health?
While asbestos can lead to serious risks for human health and safety, living or working in a building that contains asbestos will not automatically expose people to these. As long as the asbestos is undamaged, the likelihood of developing diseases and conditions related to the hazardous material is low, although asbestos awareness is still important to manage the risks involved.
Asbestos becomes most damaging to health when the fibres are made airborne, which means they have the potential to be inhaled into the lungs. While coughing and other natural reactions can eliminate some or most of these fibres from the body, those that remain can lead to serious problems.
As such, the people who are typically most at risk of asbestos exposure are those who carry out repairs, renovations, demolitions and other activities that could release contained asbestos fibres into the air.
The more fibres inhaled and the more someone exposes himself or herself to the material, the more severe the potential consequences. The issue is even more complicated by the fact that many asbestos-related diseases develop over a period of years, so the effects of an initial bout of exposure may only be discovered later on. In some cases, the gap between exposure and diagnosis can take up to 50 years.
Inhaling the asbestos fibres can lead to several serious diseases. One of these is asbestosis, which is a chronic lung disease that can result in respiratory impairment and interstitial fibrosis, the term for scar tissue that appears between alveoli in the lungs.
Asbestos can also cause mesothelioma, a cancer of the outer lung lining, or lung cancer.
How can asbestos be removed safely?
If you want to equip your workers with the knowledge and skills they need to be safe around asbestos, specialised asbestos removal courses and awareness training can provide the ideal solution.
There are several ways an asbestos risk can be managed and contained in the workplace. For example, you can implement a new work, health and safety policy to ensure everyone is informed and up to date about the procedures surrounding the affected area or areas. You could also create new working practices to ensure only staff with the necessary training have the authority to operate at the affected site.
When it comes to asbestos removal, you have several strategies at your disposal. Providing the appropriate personal protective equipment is essential so any removalists or staff members in the area have as much physical protection between them and the material as possible.
It’s also crucial to keep any asbestos materials wet during the removal process, as this lessens the risk of stray fibres drifting off and becoming airborne. You should always take care not to break up the material, particularly in situations where sawing and drilling may be involved.
One thing to avoid is the use of any high-pressured hoses or gurneys when cleaning asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos waste should also never be put into the general waste system at the premises, as it can only be disposed of properly at a official site licensed by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
For more information on how asbestos can be safely removed, talk to the AlertForce team today.
What are the essential features of a thorough traffic management plan?
The flow of vehicles, powered mobile plant and other objects in the workplace requires having a thorough work health and safety plan in place. Interactions between pedestrians and vehicles can lead to different kinds of accidents, whether they take place around an event, inside busy shopping malls, at a construction or road works site or within a warehouse environment.
Traffic hazards can arise from a variety of factors, so your WHS strategy will need to be tailored to the risks inherent in your workplace. Owners or other people conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) have direct responsibility to ensure that any risks to worker health and safety is eliminated or reduced as much as humanly possible.
Reducing the amount of workplace incidents that occur has benefits for the workforce as a whole as well as the larger company, with the potential to affect everything from employee satisfaction to productivity as well as your bottom line. Traffic management plans can make up a vital component of your strategy to protect workers and members of the public in the workplace.
If you’re in the process of creating a new traffic management strategy or rethinking your existing policy, here are some essential features and steps you may want to take.
Consulting employees
Your employees’ welfare is at the issue at the heart of any WHS strategy. In light of that fact, it makes sense to include your workforce in the creation and development of your traffic management plans. After all, they are the ones who are on the front lines every day and they will typically be most at risk of unsafe incidents with vehicles.
It’s up to you to work out how you want to set up the consultation system, whether you appoint a health and safety representative to liaise with or encourage submissions through email or face to face meetings.
Involving your employees in the process can give you a deeper insight into why incidents are occurring and where specific hazards are located in the workplace. They can also be a source of innovative ideas for controlling and eliminating the risks, which can help to improve your overall WHS strategy.
Don’t forget to keep consulting your employees even after the traffic management plan has been implemented, as their feedback can be essential in fine-tuning the scope of the strategy and making sure it is really making an impact on safety around vehicles and powered mobile plant.
If appropriate, you may also wish to provide an opportunity for your staff members to participate in traffic management training. Specialised courses can improve your employees’ knowledge of the traffic risks in their workplace and provide them with solutions for avoiding or reducing the risk factors.
There are different legislative requirements in each state or territory of Australia, but a tailored traffic management course will ensure your staff have what they need to plan, prepare and monitor the relevant traffic guidance and management schemes.
Hazard identification
Identifying the hazards around traffic in the workplace is the first step to creating a thorough WHS plan. Control measures should be enforced around specific hazards to promote safer working practices, so you will need to understand where the risks are and how they can be prevented or minimised.
Your employees can be a useful source of information about traffic management problems, but it’s also a good idea to look back at any archived incident and injury records. You may be able to identify patterns and specific danger zones from analysing the records made over the years.
Spend some time observing your workplace to see where procedures or areas can be improved. For example, are there any sites where vehicles are operated in the same area as pedestrians? Is there enough signage displayed to warn pedestrians and vehicle operators of each other’s presence, and is it fully visible in all weather and lighting conditions?
Hazards around traffic can also occur when vehicle and/or pedestrian volumes are higher. This may arise during certain times of the day, for example when pick-ups and deliveries are scheduled or during break time as employees leave their designated work zones. Sometimes, a simple change in the scheduling of these activities can ensure the risk of traffic incidents is lowered.
There are certain areas in any workplace which have greater potential for collision, such as intersections or bottlenecks around entry and exit points, blind corners or close working spaces. Keep an eye out for these spots in your work environment and make a note of where they are.
Reporting procedures
A traffic management plan should include the appropriate steps for reporting an incident. These should be labelled clearly and concisely, and they need to be accessible for everyone who may have cause to report an accident.
Reporting any WHS incident is important for updating company records. It provides the information needed to ensure the same type of accident doesn’t happen again, and the notes may also be required in the case of a legal proceeding.
Make sure everyone knows where the relevant instructions are kept and ensure the chain of command is clear. Names, dates and the nature of the incident should all be detailed as part of the report.
Control measures
Your traffic management plan should set out the measures that can be implemented to eliminate or reduce risks in the workplace. These should be linked to the specific hazard they are associated with and updated regularly as workplace conditions change.
When it comes to selecting the appropriate control measure for a risk or hazard, there are several things you can consider. For example, signage, signalling and speed limits can be a preventive step against traffic incidents and may be helpful for directing traffic flows more efficiently.
Separating humans from vehicle traffic is another way to reduce the possibility of an incident. This can involve eliminating vehicles or powered mobile plant from entering areas where pedestrians are moving around and working or creating new routes for vehicles or pedestrians only. You can also physically separate humans from vehicles by adding safety barriers or fences.
When appropriate, you may also want to provide certain staff members with personal protective equipment (PPE) such as high visibility clothing.
As you select your control measures, make sure to take into account the challenges around your workplace layout, the traffic volume and flow, black spots and site conditions.
Evaluation measures
If you are satisfied with the depth of your traffic management plan, the next step is to put it into action. After you have implemented the strategy within your workplace, it’s important to keep reviewing and evaluating its success on a regular basis.
Even the best traffic management plans will need an update from time to time, as workplace conditions or legislative requirements may change. Even if nothing has changed, consistent evaluation is a good way to ensure the strategy is still working as effectively as it should be.
You should pay particular attention to your control measures, as these will generally need to be maintained and reviewed regularly.
For more information on creating a good traffic management plan for your workplace, talk to the AlertForce team today.
Key tips for minimising traffic management risks in warehouses
Traffic management can be a crucial part of an organisation’s work health and safety (WHS) policy. Not every workplace will face hazards arising from this particular issue, but for those that do there are several strategies that can be put into place to minimise and, if possible, prevent the risks involved.
If your workforce operates within a warehouse environment during its day-to-day tasks and activities, there are specific issues around traffic management which need to be mitigated in order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of workers.
As a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) in Australia, you have a legal obligation to protect your workers from health and safety risks in the workplace. Incidents arising from work-related events can take a significant toll, not only financially but on staff morale and satisfaction as well. Accidents and fatalities can have a wide-ranging impact, so it makes sense to ensure your workers are as protected as possible.
The risks of traffic in the workplace
When people think of WHS policies, most jump to issues such as asbestos, working at heights or in a confined space as some of the most dangerous hazards. While these are certainly significant concerns, it’s important not to forget about the dangers that can arise from traffic in the workplace as well.
Depending on the type of company, anything from trucks and vans to powered mobile plant and buses could represent a risk for the workers who operate in that environment day in and day out. Traffic management training and awareness plays a key role in protecting the workforce from injuries inflicted by collisions with moving vehicles or equipment, so it’s crucial to ensure you have a thorough WHS policy in place.
There are many ways traffic in the workplace can cause injury or even a death. Employees may be hit by load shifting equipment or other moving vehicles, pinned underneath a piece of machinery or affected by a malfunctioning item of plant.
The cost of these types of incidents can be very high and it affects not only the victim but the employer, surrounding family and the wider community as a whole. The first step to minimising these risks, controlling and even preventing them lies first in identifying who is responsible for undertaking WHS initiatives in the workplace.
Who has responsibility?
There are several levels of responsibility when it comes to safe traffic management in the workplace. First and foremost, the PCBU shoulders the primary duty for ensuring that every worker is protected from risks as much as possible.
This includes PCBUs who have a management or other controlling role within a workplace, and PCBUs who have management or control of powered mobile plant.
However, a principal contractor also has some WHS duties if the cost of the construction work is $250,000 or more. He or she needs to prepare a written WHS management plan for the specific construction project and manage the risks associated with the traffic in the workplace, if it is likely to be affected by his or her construction work.
Next, the designers, manufacturers, suppliers and importers of plant or structures have a responsibility to ensure their products aren’t creating risks to health and safety, as far as is reasonably practicable.
Officers in the company have a responsibility to ensure their business or undertaking complies with WHS regulations, to the best of their knowledge. Workers themselves must also follow the WHS policies and procedures in place at their organisation, which is where traffic management training can be particularly useful.
Last but not least, other people within the workplace (such as visitors for the day) need to care for their own health and safety by following any instructions given to them by the PCBU. Once these levels of responsibility have been identified and established, a suitable WHS policy targeting traffic management can be created.
Focus on warehousing
Traffic in warehouses can pose specific risks to both workers and members of the public who may have cause to be in the area. Everyday activities in warehouse environments include receiving and unloading goods, transferring goods into storage, physically placing items into the correct storage facilities or areas, loading orders onto vehicles and readying them for transport.
All of these tasks involve a degree of traffic management, to ensure that pedestrians aren’t in danger of an injury or fatality. The main issues to consider when creating your traffic management strategy include pedestrian safety, work area layout, signs and warning devices, visibility and the use of powered loadshifting equipment.
The first step in any WHS policy is to assess where hazards can be eliminated entirely. If this is not possible, the risks need to managed and minimised as much as possible, to lessen the dangers inherent in the flow of traffic around the warehouse.
There are many ways you can get rid of or minimise traffic hazards in warehousing. For example, you can prohibit the use of vehicles in pedestrian spaces or create separate traffic routes where pedestrians will not be present.
You can also plan ahead and control vehicle operations and pedestrian movements within the warehouse, to reduce the amount of interactions that need to take place between humans and vehicles or powered mobile plant.
Managing traffic hazard risks: creating a strategy
When creating a WHS policy for traffic management, it’s important to take into account the input of your workforce. Consultation throughout the process can encourage a more positive reception from your workforce and ensure they understand the principles behind the strategy.
You should also set up a consistent review and evaluation process to make sure the strategy is still effective even after implementing it. Regular reviews can help you identify any areas where improvement is needed and highlight practices that are particularly successful.
When it comes to managing traffic hazards in the warehouse, you can put several control measures into place. For example, overhead walkways or separate paths can ensure any vehicles and pedestrians are kept away from each other. If this isn’t feasible in your workplace, physical separation structures such as barriers and fences can help to lower the risk of interaction on a daily basis.
Separate pedestrian doors are also essential at each vehicle entry and exit point. Signage around these points should be clearly visible so everyone can see and follow the instructions – after all, even the best safety measures won’t be effective if they are unable to be understood.
It also helps to know where the ‘blind spots’ are in your warehouse. Spend time identifying where pedestrians may not be able to see vehicles and concentrate your efforts on improving these sites. Safety railings at a blind spot can ensure any employees are prevented from stepping out into the path of oncoming traffic.
If you have staff members who need to work with vehicles, providing them with sufficient safety training can help them identify, minimise and avoid the risks they face. Warning signs and high-visibility gear can provide additional protection, but it’s also useful to ensure non-trained and non-essential staff members aren’t able to enter areas where these vehicles operate. Visual warning systems such as flashing lights, sirens or other attention-grabbing cues can help to raise awareness around moving vehicles in the warehouse.
For more information about safe traffic management in warehouses and other workplace environments, contact the AlertForce team today.
Creating a successful WHS policy: Focus on confined spaces
Creating safe workplaces should be a priority for every Australian employer. According to Safe Work Australia, the national body overseeing workplace health and safety (WHS) initiatives around the country, the total economic cost of work-related injuries and diseases amounted to $57.5 billion during the 2005-06 financial year.
This equated to around 5.9 per cent of gross domestic product during that period, and the costs are even greater when you consider the human impact of these unfortunate incidents. In 2010-11, Safe Work Australia states there were 132,570 workers’ compensation claims for serious work-related injuries or illnesses – leading to an incidence rate of 13.1 serious claims per 1,000 employees.
Labourers and related workers recorded the highest incidence rate, over double that of other occupations. Men were also at a greater risk, recording a 25 per cent higher rate of claims for serious injury or disease for every hour worked.
While accidents can and do happen while in the workplace, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the risk of these events is minimised and prevented as much as possible.
This means taking the issue of WHS seriously and putting safe working practices and policies in place to create a healthy workplace for every staff member. Australia as a whole has been putting a greater focus on this area in recent years, with the release of the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-2022 guiding the way for every business and organisation in the country.
The strategy aims to achieve healthy, safe and productive working lives by 2022 through a number of measures. While the basis lies in improving national WHS infrastructure, it will be up to employers to do their part to ensure this goal becomes a reality.
As part of this, the strategy sets out specific targets to provide a measure for national progress. This includes reducing worker fatalities from injury by 20 per cent, as well as reducing the incidence rate of claims resulting in one or more weeks off work by at least 30 per cent. In addition to this, the strategy sets a goal of reducing the incidence rate for musculoskeletal disorder claims resulting in one or more weeks off work by at least 30 per cent.
If these goals are to be achieved within the timeframe, every Australian employer will need to do his or her part to support the effort. This is particularly important for those whose work involves operating in confined spaces.
Safety in confined spaces
Confined spaces can pose particularly high risks to safety because they are not typically designed to allow enough room for humans to work in. The problem can also be compounded by a lack of sufficient ventilation, which accelerates the development of hazardous atmospheres and presents further complications for those required to work in these types of areas.
Essentially, confined spaces are those that are either fully or partially enclosed and were not intended to be occupied by a human person. Confined spaces are likely to be risky for health and safety due to having an atmosphere without a healthy oxygen level, the presence of harmful airborne contaminants such as gases, vapours and dusts, and the potential for engulfment.
As such, confined spaces may result in fires or explosions from the existence of flammable contaminants, asphyxiation from a lack of oxygen or immersion in free-flowing materials, loss of consciousness, impairment, injury or even death.
WHS regulations state that confined spaces do not include a mine shaft or the workings of a mine, or any workplaces that were designed to house humans and have sufficient means of ventilation and lighting as well as dedicated safe entry and exit points.
What are the WHS duties in confined spaces and who do they relate to?
As always, any person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) is primarily responsible under the Australian WHS Act to make sure that any workers or other people in the area are protected from any health and safety risks related to the business’s activities.
However, other people have important duties to take note of as well. For example, officers in the company (such as directors or executives) are obliged to exercise their due diligence to make sure that the business or undertaking is fully compliant with the relevant WHS regulations and legislation.
Workers themselves also need to take some responsibility for their own health and safety. This means following instructions, complying with risk control measures and emergency procedures. If they need to operate within the risky area, confined spaces training can be vital for equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe.
In addition to this, designers, manufacturers and suppliers of any plant or structures including confined spaces are also responsible. They need to do their best to eliminate the need for any person to enter confined spaces. If this is not possible, they need to do what they can to create safe entry and exit points while minimising WHS risks for anyone who needs to operate at the site.
Creating a successful WHS strategy for confined spaces
To successfully manage the risks inherent in any confined spaces, it’s important to first identify any of the foreseeable hazards that could arise from the area. Once you know what risks your workforce is facing, you need to take the appropriate steps to eliminate these as much as you possibly can.
However, if you can’t prevent this risk entirely the next best thing is to minimise it. Control measures will come in handy here, but you will need to revise and review these regularly to ensure they are still meeting the WHS needs of your workers in regards to the spaces identified.
For most confined spaces, the hazards will arise from restricted entry or exit points, as well as the presence of hazardous airborne contaminants. To counteract these dangers you could implement a variety of control measures, from issuing personal protective equipment and gear to every staff member or changing the work practices involved so that only the workers with relevant confined spaces training can operate inside.
It’s also a good idea to consult your workers when devising your confined spaces WHS policy. They may be more familiar with the risks at the site than you are, and may be able to offer more insight in regards to creating the right control measures.
Factors to consider
Of course, for any WHS policy to be successful it must be put into practice by the workforce. It’s important to review, improve and evaluate your WHS policy on a continual basis so you are always up to date on its effectiveness.
If your workforce isn’t responding as positively as you would have hoped, seek their feedback as to where the policy may be lacking in depth or scope. Make sure to set concrete goals or targets so you have something to measure your policy against.
If your policy requires changing work practices in or around confined spaces, it’s vital to remember that staff members may be resistant to significant change. Consult them as much as you can during the process and ensure they understand why any changes are necessary, to provide a smoother transition between old and new working practices.
Sometimes you may need to provide something more to encourage compliance with the new WHS policy, whether that’s an incentive or the opportunity to take specialised training courses.
For more information about managing the risks of confined spaces, talk to the AlertForce team today.
AlertForce Becomes 1st NBN Safety and Awareness Online Course Provider
AlertForce has become the first NBN approved online provider of a mandatory induction course. The company has also been named as the approved face-to-face training provider. There were 20 candidates that applied for the online course provision license and AlertForce was the only one to win it.
The Aim of NBN
NBN Co was founded in the beginning of August 2009. It is a wholly-owned Commonwealth company that is represented by the ministers of communications and finance. NBN has one major goal – the delivery of a national open access broadband network.
This is a revolutionary project that will make new and reliable technology accessible in all parts of Australia. As a part of the project, the majority of Australian households will get access to fixed line connection. Fixed wireless and satellite connection will be used for the remote parts of the country and the hard-to reach places, where the fixed line connection is going to be an impossible task.
All of the individuals involved with the broadband project are expected to have certain training in NBN safety and awareness. Job seekers interested in becoming NBN installers, NBN lines workers and NBN splicers are also expected to take the courses designed to increase the safety and the efficiency of operation and construction activities.
The AlertForce Awareness Courses for NBN Professionals
As the company approved to deliver the NBN safety and awareness training, AlertForce has worked on a comprehensive curriculum that will provide the right kind of theoretical and practical skills.
There are two categories of NBN training courses – the mandatory and the recommended training options. The first mandatory course is provided by AlertForce. NBN Co has a requirement for employees to have certain types of accreditation for the execution of professional activities:
• NBNATC1201A – NBN Safety and Awareness
• NBNACC12029A – Elevated Work Platform (EWP) Rescue
• NBNACC12030A – Power Awareness
• NBNACC13031A – Remove non-friable asbestos
• NBNACC13032A – Supervise asbestos removal
All of the personnel dealing with hauling NBN fibre optic cable, installing or connecting network assets, conducting excavations and having direct responsibility for a particular NBN working site is expected to go through the mandatory training course and to have the respective type of accreditation. AlertForce offer Remove non-friable asbestos and Supervise asbestos removal.
About the Course
The NBN safety and awareness course (NBNATC1201A) is created to introduce workers to the project and to ensure at least a minimum standard of health, safety and CPR training. Traffic management, confined spaces, asbestos, laser safety and fibre optic cable are some of the additional topics included in the programme. The online course has the course code of NBNAcc14001A and is based on the unit ICTOHS2170A Follow OHS & environmental policy & procedures. Participants completing this course need to complete Perform CPR and the White Card.
Upon the completion of the training, the participants in the NBN safety and awareness course will have knowledge and ability to explain the purpose of the NBN project, identify their role in the execution of the project, assess workplace hazards, do the necessary hazard control, be familiar with work safety requirements, do proper reports on hazards and identify environmental issues.
The AlertForce course is fully narrated and interactive because of work on iPads, the use of quizzes, videos and other features chosen to speed up the learning process. There is an online training opportunity, as well, since AlertForce has become the only NBN-approved company to provide this kind of online training. The face-to-face NBN safety course lasts a day and the online training course can be completed within a four-hour period.
NBNATC1201A face-to-face training costs $227 per person and the online course is available at $197. The online version can be completed in a shorter period of time and it costs less, in case the training budget is a concern. The requirements for participating in the NBN online training include having broadband internet access and being fluent in written and spoken English.
About AlertForce
AlertForce is the winner of the LearnX 2012 and 2013 award in the OHS category. The NBN safety and awareness course is expected to be the winner of the 2014 OHS category award.
The company specialises in compliance training for Workplace Health and Safety. With more than 20 years of experience, AlertForce is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that has designed a range of courses providing in-depth understanding of health and safety standards and procedures.
By getting the NBN Co license for online training provision, AlertForce managed to achieve yet another major goal. This cooperation is a major break through, standing as evidence of the training course quality and the superiority of the AlertForce OHS training programme. For more information please click NBN Safety and Awareness Course here.
4 tips for creating an effective asbestos management and removal strategy
Despite asbestos being officially banned in Australia from 1989, employers and business owners still need to take care that their workplaces aren’t harbouring any hidden stores of the hazardous fibres. These silicate minerals are extremely toxic and tend to be very resistant to the natural cleaning process that occurs in human lungs, which is why safe asbestos assessment and asbestos removal are crucial.
Anyone who inhales these miniscule asbestos fragments is at risk of a variety of related diseases and conditions, from pleural disease and asbestosis to lung cancer and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is one of the most dangerous ailments that can arise from asbestos contamination or inhalation, as the first symptoms of the condition may not surface until up to 20-40 years after the initial episode of exposure.
According to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), it is estimated that there have been at least 4,700 deaths from mesothelioma since the 1980s and over 25,000 Australians will die from the condition over the next 40 years. Australia and the United Kingdom have the highest rates of asbestos-related death in the world.
Unfortunately, asbestos was one of the most commonly used construction materials in the period between 1945 and 1980s. Most public buildings and around one third of private buildings constructed during this time are thought to contain asbestos in concrete, cement sheeting, vinyl floor coverings and more.
Due to the widespread use of asbestos in the construction industry in the past, when it was preferred for its strength, flexibility, durability and insulating properties, the risks of exposure can also affect a wide variety of people. In addition to this, asbestos-containing materials within buildings can weather and age as time passes, heightening the risk of the release of asbestos fragments even years after construction.
As a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) in Australia, you have some vital responsibilities concerning the safety of your workers and any premises they operate in. First and foremost, you are obliged under work health and safety regulations to control the risk of exposure as much as you can. This means eliminating or minimising the possibility that anyone will be at risk of airborne asbestos in the workplace.
If any workers do carry out the identification and removal of asbestos in the workplace, a PCBU is responsible for ensuring they have the necessary asbestos awareness training completed as well as access to regular health monitoring to support their wellbeing.
If asbestos or asbestos-containing materials have been identified in the workplace, there are several tips that are helpful for creating an effective asbestos risk management and removal strategy. You can always ask the relevant asbestos authority or training course provider for more detailed information, but here are some basic essentials to think about when it comes to protecting your own workforce.
1. Identifying asbestos
Asbestos awareness and identification are the first steps to any risk management strategy. The danger of exposure to asbestos is not allowed to exceed the standard set for the workplace, so it’s important to be able to safely identify asbestos and asbestos-containing materials.
If asbestos has been detected at the workplace, the location of the substance must be clearly indicated and recorded in a register, and it should be accompanied by a written asbestos management plan. This register needs to be up to date at all times and easily available.
In Queensland, the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 stipulates that an asbestos management plan is required if naturally occurring asbestos has been identified or is likely to be present in a workplace. These regulations took effect from January 1 this year.
Asbestos in the workplace needs to be identified officially by a person who is competent in doing so. This covers occupational hygienists who have had previous experience with it, licensed asbestos assessors, asbestos removal supervisors, people who have a statement of attainment in the VET course for asbestos assessment and representatives from organisations accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA).
2. Creating an asbestos register
All employers are required to maintain an asbestos register if any contaminated products have been found in their workplace. This rule has been in effect since 1996.
The register lists all identified or assumed asbestos that is present or likely to be present in a workplace. When recording asbestos, you need to note the date it was identified and the location, type and condition of the substance found.
These are the compulsory details, but you can also choose to record information about inaccessible areas of the workplace, any analysis of other materials confirmed not to be asbestos, or attach photographs or maps that clearly show the affected area.
According to relevant legislation, the register needs to be held at all workplaces where the asbestos is present and it needs to be updated at least every 12 months or more frequently if necessary.
However, in certain cases an asbestos register is not compulsory. This applies to workplaces in buildings that were constructed after December 31, 2003 or if no asbestos has been identified. It also applies if the likelihood of asbestos appearing in the workplace is impossible.
3. Implementing control measures
Once asbestos has been identified, it is vital to undertake the necessary control measures to eliminate or minimise the exposure risk and keep workers safe and healthy. You will need to implement the appropriate safe work procedures and detail the necessary information about what to do in the case of an asbestos-related accident, incident or emergency.
If asbestos removal is required, the professional must first have a copy of the workplace’s asbestos register before carrying out any work.
There are several ways you can control asbestos risk in the workplace. You could eliminate the danger entirely by getting a licensed professional (or a staff member who has undergone asbestos removal courses training) to take it out from the premises.
You can also manage the risk by sealing the affected area or enclosing it with certain materials that will isolate the site. Work safe practices can also help, such as making the area off-limits to your workforce. Providing staff and others who have access to the area with personal protective equipment is also useful for minimising the risk.
4. Make a practice of consulting workers
Consulting your workforce during the process of creating a risk management strategy has many benefits. It’s also a legal requirement of PCBUs under the Work Health and Safety Act. That legislation specifies workers who are likely to be directly affected by the matter should be consulted as much as is reasonably practical.
Involving your staff members in the process of creating risk management strategies for asbestos can help to ensure they know what to do. If your workforce has a single health and safety representative, consultation should take place with him or her as well.
If you open up the process of asbestos risk management and seek feedback from workers who could be affected, this helps to establish a clear channel of communication between you and your workforce. Encouraging input from your workforce may lead to more effective and well-received control measures in the future.
For more information about asbestos assessment training in Australia and what you can do to manage the risk, contact the team at AlertForce today.
Do you have workers who work in confined space?
Confined spaces are commonly found in silos, vats, tanks, chimneys, pipes, ducts, tunnels or other similar enclosed or partially enclosed structures, underground sewers, trenches, etc.
It should be noted that other hazards such as inadequate ventilation, noise, heat, cold, chemicals etc. can pose a greater risk when in a confined space.
For example, trenches are not considered confined spaces based on the risk of structural collapse alone, but will be confined spaces if they potentially contain concentrations of airborne contaminants that may cause impairment, loss of consciousness or asphyxiation.
It is always best to remove the need for a person to enter a confined space. However this is not always possible, therefore control measures need to be put into place to minimise the risk to your workers. Workers may have to enter a confined space to inspect, test, repair or for regular maintenance and cleaning. Whatever the reason, any space above or below the ground with poor ventilation should be treated as Confined and Dangerous.
Confined spaces are considered to be high risk due to the known dangers that can be identified within the space.
Ventilation/Fume
Maintaining an atmosphere that is fit to breathe inside a confined space can be difficult as fumes and gases may build up and displace the oxygen present. This presents one of the most serious hazards, since lack of oxygen, or the presence of a toxic, explosive, flammable or inert gas cannot be seen and more often than not cannot be smelled either. The danger is that a worker could unwittingly enter what seems to be a perfectly normal area and quickly find out that it is not.
Oxygen Deficiency – Asphyxiation
19.5% to 21% of the air in the space is considered normal, safe oxygen levels.
At 16% you’ll start developing symptoms like fast breathing & heartbeat, drowsiness and nausea.
At 12% you’ll be unconscious
At 6% you’ll be dead.
These symptoms can come quickly. Make sure the confined space is fully tested by a qualified person trained in ‘Confined space Entry’ before anyone enters the confined space.
Fire and Explosion
There can be a real danger that flammable gas and vapour may collect in a confined space, and these may ignite when welding or cutting takes place leading to an explosion.
Fuel gas processes increase the risk of fire and explosion particularly if leaking equipment is left in the confined space, allowing a build-up of fuel gases or oxygen. Any heat from welding or cutting, or just an electric spark, can then result in a fire or explosion. When using fuel gas processes extra care should be taken to ensure that the equipment is not leaking, as this can result in build-up of gas and possible explosion.
Oxygen should never be used to enrich the atmosphere in a confined space. It is a severe fire and explosion hazard.
Engulfment
Engulfment is when a person is suffocated or crushed by liquid or “flowing” solid material, it means to plunge into and be immersed by material. It may result in injury or death from asphyxiation or from being crushed by loose granular material stored in containers such as silos, bins, and hoppers.
Suffocation can occur when a worker enters a confined space such as a silo or bin and is engulfed by grain or when bins develop hazardous atmospheres or do not have enough oxygen. A worker can be engulfed or suffocated
Falls and Entrapment
Due to the difficult and restricted entry and exit it is easy for someone to trip, stumble or fall whilst getting into or out of the space. Merely slipping on a wet or greasy floor inside a confined space can be serious, the casualty could become trapped in a position where his breathing may be restricted and he may suffocate.
Precautions to avoid trips and falls are basically common sense, good housekeeping and vigilance. Keep floors inside the space as dry, grease-free and free from obstructions as far as possible.
Work Health and Safety duties in relation to a confined space
A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) has the primary duty under the WHS Act to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that workers and other persons are not exposed to health and safety risks arising from the business or undertaking.
The WHS Regulations include specific obligations on a person conducting a business or undertaking who has management or control of a confined space.
A confined space means an enclosed or partially enclosed space that:
• is not designed or intended primarily to be occupied by a person; and
• is, or is designed or intended to be, at normal atmospheric pressure while any person is in the space; and
• is or is likely to be a risk to health and safety from:
o an atmosphere that does not have a safe oxygen level, or
o contaminants, including airborne gases, vapours and dusts, that may cause injury from fire or explosion, or
o harmful concentrations of any airborne contaminants, or
o engulfment
Workers must take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that their work does not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons. Workers must comply with any reasonable instructions given relating to confined space entry permits, risk control measures and emergency procedures, and should carry out work in a confined space in accordance with any relevant information and training provided to them.
Any work performed in a confined space should be performed in accordance with the requirements of Safe Working in a Confined Space – Australian Standard AS2865-1995. The objectives of this standard are to provide guidance to eliminate or, where this is not practicable, minimize the need to enter confined spaces; and provide for the health and safety of all persons who need to enter or work in confined spaces by preventing exposure to hazards which may otherwise be experienced when working in a confined space, and thereby prevent collapse, injury, illness or death arising from exposure to those hazards.”
Ensure workers who have to enter a confined space undergo approved training – The courses offered at AlertForce are in line with the most recent safety legislation. AlertForce offers the Confined Spaces Work & Enter, a 1-day course, and the Advanced Confined Spaces Work & Enter, a 2-day course. For those requiring a gas test atmospheres certificate, the ability to supervise other workers or to issue work permits, this advanced course offers a much more in-depth understanding of working in confined spaces.
When looking at ways to reduce the risk of working in a confined place, consider the following:-
• Identify each confined space your workers need to carry out their work in
• Identify the reasonably foreseeable hazards associated with working in the space.
• Engage a suitably qualified person to undertake a risk assessment before any work is carried out in a confined space for the first time – only a person who is able to identify hazards (such as oxygen deficiencies or the presence of toxic gas) is qualified to undertake a risk assessment. (Refer to the AlertForce Advanced Confined Spaces course)
• Implement appropriate controls for identified hazards if elimination is not possible.
• Regularly review the risk assessments (before each entry into the confined space).
• Use signage to identify the confined space as a restricted access area.
• Identify and document accountabilities and responsibilities of workers who work in confined spaces, such as;
o The capacity to assign, control, delegate
o Review the confined space safety procedures
o Issue and receipt of entry permits,
o Standby and emergency response
o Training and competency assessment.
• Regularly review emergency response procedures
• Ensure your workers know how to and use the personal protective equipment appropriate to the specific confined space, e.g. respiratory protection devices, harness/lifelines, eye protection, etc.
• Make sure that you keep records of:
o The location of confined spaces;
o Training conducted;
o Risk assessments and risk control measures;
o Inspection, calibration and maintenance of confined space safety and rescue equipment;
o Inspections and audits of confined spaces; and
o Reports related to any incident associated with the confined space.
The Code of Practice, Confined Spaces, provides practical guidance for managing the risks of confined spaces and has a helpful flow chart to assist in identifying confined spaces.
For more information on the courses that we offer click on confined space training
Queensland to launch comprehensive new asbestos management strategy
Safe asbestos assessment and removal is a top priority for many around Australia, but homes and businesses in Queensland will soon benefit from an all new asbestos management strategy that promises to be more comprehensive and rigorous than ever.
Called the ‘Statewide Strategic Plan for the Safe Management of Asbestos in Queensland’, the strategy was officially revealed earlier this month by Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie. He states the move will help to achieve safer workplaces, homes and communities across the state.
“Right now, the handling of asbestos complaints and issues is administered by four different State Government departments, 73 local councils and numerous other government agencies,” Mr Bleijie said in an April 3 statement.
“Our new strategy will cut through the confusion and bureaucracy by creating a clear set of responsibilities.”
This involves workplace incidents being under state government jurisdiction while problems in private residences will be handled by the relevant local council.
“A simple agreement over who does what clears the way for faster, more effective responses and that’s just one piece of our overhaul,” Mr Bleijie said.
The strategy hinges on a whole-of-government approach to tackling the issue, which means that local government, industry, workers, organisations and the community at large will all need to work together effectively to make Queensland a safer place.
There are three direct areas of focus outlined in the strategy. The first aims to put in place policies that will minimise the risk of asbestos exposure, while the second looks to provide “seamless and integrated” government service delivery in terms of asbestos removal and management.
Last but not least, the third area of focus centres on raising awareness in the community and improving education about the risks of asbestos and how they can be avoided. As with any hazard in the workplace or community, being up to date and informed about the issue as a whole can go a long way towards reducing the inherent dangers. That’s why asbestos awareness courses are vital in ensuring safety.
The strategy is the Queensland government’s latest step towards reaching more people about the dangers of asbestos. Along with the Statewide Strategic Plan, the government has also developed a range of educational materials, tools, short films and more.
A significant part of their efforts is the film ‘Losing Breath: The Adam Sager story’, which details the real experiences of one Queensland family. The film focuses on Adam Sager, an Australian who died from mesothelioma at the age of 25 after having been unknowingly exposed to asbestos at 18 months. The condition is an aggressive type of cancer that affects the membrane lining of the lungs and abdomen, and it is the most serious type of disease related to asbestos.
Now his family have partnered with the Queensland government in a push to educate more people about the risks of exposure, in the hopes that it will inspire others to be more vigilant about their efforts to protect themselves and those around them.
The history of asbestos use in Queensland
The use of asbestos as a building material has been documented all over Australia, especially in the period between the 1940s and late 1980s. The substance was both mined and manufactured and it was used in a variety of residential, building and commercial products.
After 1990, however, the likelihood of any building materials containing asbestos is significantly lower as it was around this time the dangers became more well known. It was officially banned from use across the country from December 31, 2003.
In the past, Queensland construction projects and companies made widespread use of the material. It was thought to be advantageous for its low cost and sustainability in the face of the area’s climate, so it was used in everything from vinyl flooring, cement sheeting, cement pipes and gutters, gaskets and fire door insulation.
People are at risk of exposure to asbestos fibres when materials containing the substance are disturbed or moved. Unfortunately, this can happen through a range of regular maintenance or renovation activities such as drilling or surface preparation. It’s essential to know how to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure and if necessary, how to identify and remove the materials safely.
Removing asbestos containing materials should only be carried out if the site is likely to be damaged during renovations or is in poor condition. It should only be removed by people who have had the appropriate training and know how to operate the necessary equipment.
To find out how you can get the necessary training to assess and remove asbestos in the workplace, get in touch with the AlertForce team today.
Asbestos Monthly News Round Up: March 2014
Issues with asbestos continued to make the headlines in various regions across Australia last month. From an advance warning to Easter renovators to a scare at several Queensland drilling sites, asbestos news and management strategies continued to be an important issue for several parts of the country during March.
Asbestos removal and awareness training remains a top priority for many in Australia, but problems with the once-popular building material continue to persist. Here are just a few of the stories that happened last month.
Water damage threatens ACT shops
Two businesses in the Ainslie Shops area of the Australian Capital Territory have been issued Prohibition Notices, after water damage to the building they were housed in led to an asbestos scare.
The ceiling above the two businesses contains loose-fill asbestos. After a local resident complained to WorkSafe, the inspector made a visit to the site and first noticed the water damage that was evident on the ceiling of the premises.
According to ACT Work Safety Commissioner Mark McCabe, the Prohibition Notices are a precautionary measure to protect the shop owners, residents and visitors frequenting the area.
“If the cause of the water damage is not determined and fixed there is the potential for damage to the ceiling which could allows asbestos fibres to enter the first floor premises,” Mr McCabe said in a statement.
“Air monitoring testing has been carried out by a licensed asbestos assessor. I can report that both these and dust tests have all come back below normal background levels.”
WorkSafe will continue to work with the building’s owner as well as the businesses that have been affected to ensure the safety of the premises and people. Mr McCabe also stressed that other businesses located in the Ainslie Shops area were safe to continue operating as normal, as there was no further risk identified to the general public.
A warning for Easter renovators
Ahead of the Easter break coming up this month, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland have issued a reminder for anyone planning to take on a home renovation project during the long weekend.
According to Dr Simon Blackwood, the head of the organisation, typical Queensland homes built before 1990 were likely to have been made with materials containing asbestos. The organisation is urging any would-be DIY renovators to check with the Queensland government about their asbestos information service before undertaking any works to their homes.
Dr Blackwood also cited statistics from last year, which showed 61 per cent of renovators in New South Wales may have exposed themselves to asbestos. More worrying was the fact that just 12 per cent of these people reported using the necessary respiratory protection on a regular basis.
The information contained within the Queensland government asbestos service includes short films, house plans and expert advice.
‘Mr Fluffy’ causes further trouble in Canberra
In further news from the ACT, the state government recently issued a recommendation for 1,050 homes to undergo a professional asbestos assessment. These homes were previously identified as having been exposed to Mr Fluffy in the 1970s, the specific type of 100 per cent loose fibre asbestos used by a home insulation contractor who operated in the area during that time.
Despite these homes having been part of a $100 million removal program between 1988 and 1993, the government has notified owners that their houses may still have some remnants of the hazardous material in internal and external wall cavities, sub-floor spaces, cornices and other places.
So far, the government’s recommendation states that affected home owners should have a professional asbestos inspection and this report should be shown to anyone working on the houses. However, the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union is urging the government to take the recommendation further into official state legislation.
The news follows on from a recent announcement that loose asbestos was found in a home in Pearce, which was investigated by ACT WorkSafe. The material was thought to have been released after a home renovation project.
In another case of the past coming back to haunt the present, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) stressed that there was no threat of asbestos contamination after a fire broke out at a work site in Barangaroo. In the past, traces of asbestos had been found in the soil at the site, which forced work to stop for a period of time last year.
The Barangaroo site is currently being redeveloped to host a mix of businesses, hotels and parkland areas. A report released by the EPA in March last year indicated they had identified a “much greater asbestos contamination than was expected” in the soil at the southern zone of the work site. The report specified that any soil previously contaminated with the material was safe to re-use and re-work as long as it had been properly remediated and contained no fibrous asbestos.
While there were concerns raised in connection with last month’s fire, the EPA has ruled out the re-emergence of any asbestos threats.
Asbestos found at coal seam gas drilling sites
The company in charge of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Queensland stopped work at 12 of its sites after asbestos was identified in the drilling fluids workers were using.
Several media outlets reported that Origin Energy had halted drilling operations in response to the scare. The root of the concern traced to a walnut-shell based product called Nutplug which is typically used to seal wells. The product was supplied by the Australian Mud Company (AMC).
The investigation into how many people may have been affected is still ongoing.
If you would like to improve the level of asbestos training in your staff, contact the team at AlertForce today.
Fatigue Management and the WHS Act
In recent times, we have seen many awareness campaigns from the regulators in relation to fatigue and long distance driving. The campaigns were designed to optimise safety outcomes across the industry.
Fatigue does not only affect long distance truck drivers. Are you aware of the potential for work related fatigue to become a workplace health and safety (WHS) issue in your workplace?
The Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act 2011 places a legal obligation on a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to consult and manage risks to health and safety by either eliminating risks so far as is reasonably practicable or if not reasonably practicable, minimise those risks. The same principles apply when managing the risk of fatigue in the workplace.
Managing Fatigue in the Workplace
Fatigue may be an acute state of tiredness or an accumulated chronic state of exhaustion that could lead to mental or physical exhaustion. It can occur when a person’s psychological and physical capabilities are stretched to their very limits. Fatigue can also lead to long-term health problems. Its management is one of the components on an overall approach to fitness for work.
Fatigue is mental or physical exhaustion that prevents a person from functioning normally and can impair safe work performance.
Fatigue can be a caused by both work and non-work related factors:
- Non-work factors can include family and carer responsibilities, secondary employment, social and lifestyle activities, health issues (such as sleep disorders), study, sporting commitments etc.
- Work factors can include shift work – especially night shift, working extended hours, inadequate rest breaks, insufficient recovery time between shifts, driving long distances, among other reasons.
- Workers’ lifestyle and personal commitments outside of the workplace have potential to either mitigate or exacerbate how fatigue might be experienced in the workplace. Workers should be cognisant of this relationship and recognise their own role in managing lifestyle related fatigue.
- Workers have a legal duty to take ‘reasonable care’ to ensure that their acts are not harmful to the health and safety of themselves or others. i.e. a worker must present themselves to work in a fit state to conduct duties safely, and
- Workers must also comply with any reasonable instruction by the PCBU and cooperate with any reasonable policies and procedures of the PCBU – e.g. The PCBU’s Code of Conduct would cover how workers are expected to act i.e. Act Professionally and Ethically.
Identifying if fatigue is a hazard
The following sources of information may assist in identifying whether work related fatigue has the potential to, or already has become a workplace issue:
- Observing for signs of fatigue, such as levels of alertness, reaction times and excessive yawning.
- Observing work practices and systems of work.
- Industrial issues, complaints or grievances citing fatigue.
- Staff and/or customer complaints.
- Some workers are at higher risk of fatigue because their work typically involves some or all of the factors that contribute to fatigue e.g., shift workers, night duty workers, on call workers, medical professionals etc.
Assessing fatigue risks
When assessing fatigue risk it is important to look at how fatigue can interact with other workplace hazards. Some hazards that can be increased when working extended hours are manual tasks and exposure to hazardous chemicals, dust and noise.
- Consulting workers on workloads and schedules – ask if they are edxperiencing or have experienced work related fatigue.
- Auditing of working hours. Where appropriate, related issues to consider may include work related travel and work completed outside of normal hours (e.g. when people take work home).
- Reviewing workplace incident data in regard to the fatigue hazard factors. Ask:
- What is the likelihood that fatigue is contributing to the incidents?
- What time of day do incidents occur?
- When incidents occurred, how long had the workers involved been working?
- When incidents occurred, was it when a worker’s body clock is low and concentration poor?
- Reviewing work related motor vehicle incidents.
- Enquiring if workers have had accidents travelling to and from work.
Eliminating or controlling the risks associated with work fatigue
While actions taken will be specific to the individual circumstances and dependent on the issues identified suggested examples are provided below
- Shift and Rostering Design
- Using a forward shift rotation e.g. starting times moving from morning to afternoon to night time.
- Maximising breaks between shifts and before rotating workers to a new shift.
- Minimising the number of consecutive night shifts.
- Ensuring those periods of extended work hours are followed by an appropriate recovery time before resuming work.
- Ensuring rosters reflect an appropriate skills mix.
- Avoiding overtime allocation after afternoon or night shifts, especially after 10 or 12 hour night shifts.
- Schedule low risk work during high fatigue periods. For example, at end of shifts and between 0200 – 0600 hours.
- Leave Management:
- Ensuring a process is in place for reducing/minimising excessive accumulation of annual leave entitlements.
- Ensuring the process for managing and monitoring rosters and leave are linked.
- Ensuring service delivery needs and the impact on workers are considered and managed when planning rosters and approving leave.
- Making alternative arrangements for workers to cover a roster as and when required.
- Ensuring appropriate rest and nutrition breaks are provided in accordance with the relevant Award.
- Managers may need to seek advice from their Human Resources Unit regarding relevant Awards.
- Work Environment:
- If applicable provide rest accommodation or safe travel options after extra – long or extended shifts.
- Ensure workers take regular rest breaks when driving long distances.
- Sharing vehicles so driving duties can be shared if required.
- Ensure adequate lighting since dim lighting strains the eyes and can create a tendency to sleep.
- Provide adequate ventilation to ensure the work environment is not at temperature extremes.
- Staff Support:
- Ensure that all workers are aware of policies, procedures and expectations regarding rostering and leave.
- Provide information to workers on how they can manage both work and non – work related fatigue e.g. Nutrition, fitness and health issues relating to fatigue.
Safe Work Australia have produced two guides, one for the PCBU – Guide for managing the risk of fatigue at work‘ and one for the Workers – ‘Fatigue management – a worker’s guide‘. These guides provide further resources and checklists etc. to assist you in managing fatigue in your workplace.
You can find out more by visiting our page on Fatigue Management Training or by calling AlertForce on 1800 900 222.
Minimising accidents in the traffic control industry
The road traffic control industry has grown exponentially over the past five years, according to WorkCover Queensland. While this is encouraging for those working in the sector, it has also led to an increase in workplace injuries.
Traffic management is a high-risk occupation and failure to follow safety standards can lead to death or serious injury in motorists or road workers, including the traffic controllers themselves.
To combat the rising prevalence of accidents, WorkCover has been working closely with the Traffic Management Association of Queensland (TMAQ).
TMAQ President Paul Kelly explained his organisation’s relationship with WorkCover is a valuable partnership, helping to manage workers’ compensation claims and develop effective occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures.
“It’s important that safety systems keep up with the growth in the traffic control industry,” Mr Kelly said in a March 27 media release.
Pablo Aviles, WorkCover Queensland’s customer advisor, attended a TMAQ meeting on March 13 to present his findings on injury and accidents within the traffic control industry.
“Total claims costs for the industry have continued to rise since 2011, which has impacted on the industry’s premium rate,” he revealed. “This means that there’s more work to be done to prevent injuries and ensure safer work environments.”
WorkCover’s guidance over the industry has enabled employers to reduce the amount of time employees require off work after a workplace injury, falling from an average of 33.7 days in 2009-10 to just 19.2 last year.
However, these figures show the management of injury claims and recovery is being supported, while preventing accidents has taken a back seat.
Ensuring your employees are protected and minimising the risk of injury is an important factor in reducing workers’ compensation claims. The average time and productivity lost from workplace injuries would be drastically diminished if there were fewer accidents in the traffic control industry.
Preventing traffic control accidents and injuries
According to the December 2013 Traffic Management In Workplaces Code of Practice, it is the employer or business owner’s responsibility for ensuring, as far as is reasonably practical, that workers and other people are not exposed to health and safety risks in the workplace or during business duties.
Additionally, workers have a duty of care for their own health and safety in the workplace. This means they are required to follow all reasonable policies and procedures related to OHS.
In the traffic control industry, this responsibility can be covered by following national and state standards and legislation related to traffic management plans.
The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 requires all persons engaged in high-risk construction activities, such as traffic control, to undertake official and specific training in any relevant areas.
This means that employers operating in the traffic control industry are obliged to provide their staff with traffic management and control training from an accredited provider.
What’s involved in a traffic management plan?
A comprehensive traffic control course will enable an individual to correctly implement a traffic management plan, including the process of identifying and resolving risks to workers and the public.
When creating a traffic management plan, it is important to consider every individual that may be put at risk – including visitors to the site, employees and the general public.
The vast majority of traffic control activities involve working with both public vehicles and industry machinery. Ensuring these channels of traffic can operate safely in the same space can be one of the most difficult processes. Additionally, when pedestrians are added in to the mix, a traffic management plan can become a complicated practice.
Reducing the risk of accidents can often be as simple as separating the channels of traffic from one another. This includes creating independent pathways for work vehicles, public motorists and pedestrians. These pathways must be clearly marked and easily followed, to avoid an individual becoming disoriented and taking the wrong route.
For additional safety, installing high-impact barriers, guardrails and elevated walkways is recommended. These safety measures ensure that the people on foot are separated from vehicles and machinery and are forced to pause before stepping into roadways.
When considering the safety of the traffic controller, it is important to be mindful of the inattention of other people on the road. While the controllers’ colleagues will most likely be aware of their presence, a member of the public is likely to not be prepared.
It is therefore important for all individuals likely to be standing on a shared roadway to be highly visible. This includes wearing reflective, brightly coloured clothing, setting up cones and bollards and displaying warning signs.
If you would like to minimise the risk of traffic control accidents, get in touch with AlertForce today about our extensive traffic management and control training.
Spotlight on mining traffic management
The need for comprehensive traffic management plans in the mining industry has been placed in the spotlight following a number of high-profile incidents in New South Wales mines.
Last year, 24 Australian workers died in vehicle incidents not on public roads, according to Safe Work Australia. These accidents often occurred in locations where traffic management plans were in place, yet workers either failed to comply with occupational health and safety procedures, or environmental issues were not taken into account when forming a traffic management plan.
This has highlighted the need for all employees to be made aware of traffic management requirements and processes, to make sure correct policies are in place and are being followed. To improve the safety of your employees, it is important to invest in traffic management and control courses. This will ensure your organisation’s traffic management plans are industry compliant and fulfil the regulations of your state.
The importance of radio communication
A report from the NSW Mine Safety Investigation Unit (MSIU) has found that one accident in particular could have been avoided if a driver had followed the mine’s comprehensive traffic management plan.
On October 18 last year, a 100-tonne D11 dozer reversed over a light vehicle (LV) that had entered the work area of the dozer at the Mount Arthur Coal Mine. Fortunately, the LV driver escaped without injury.
The MSIU’s report found that the LV driver had discussed work with the dozer operator and they had agreed that the LV driver would wait in a designated parking area until the dozer operator had completed his task. However, the LV driver – incorrectly assuming work had finished – moved his vehicle behind the dozer.
While the LV driver claims he hailed the dozer operator on his radio to confirm the work had been completed, the operator was using a different channel at the time and was not aware the LV had been moved behind his vehicle.
The dozer reversed 2.5 metres over the passenger side of the LV before stopping and moving forward. Both workers were then taken to the mine’s first aid room for assessment and each later underwent drug and alcohol testing. The LV driver was terminated the next day, for breaching occupational health and safety procedures.
The MSIU found the LV driver was at fault in this incident, as he failed to achieve positive radio contact before moving his vehicle from the designated parking area. The driver revealed that other calls over the radio from other locations within the mine may have confused him and led him to believe the operator had ceased work.
This highlights the need for effective transport rules and radio communication protocols, including establishing clear and unambiguous radio communications systems.
Tailor your traffic management plan to the environment
Just before midnight on November 30, 2013, a large haul truck collided with a light passenger vehicle at Ravensworth Surface Operations near Singleton, NSW. The incident resulted in the death of the LV driver.
The LV was being driven by a trainee plant operator, heading into the mine to begin the weekend shift. She entered a T-intersection and collided with the fully laden truck and suffered fatal injuries.
Initial investigation from the MSIU has revealed that the intersection in question is not illuminated by specific lighting and drivers are reliant on ambient illumination from a nearby workshop.
While a specific cause for the accident has not yet been determined, the MSIU has hesitantly placed a focus on the night-time driving conditions at the mine, as well as other environmental issues. The investigation will continue into the road design, visibility and communications systems used to manage traffic in that area.
Additionally, the MSIU identified that the large haul truck has a significantly wide blind spot, which the LV driver unintentionally entered when driving through the intersection. Because of this, the unit has agreed to investigate the presence of collision avoidance and proximity detection systems.
While the LV had a visibility flag on its bonnet, enhancing visibility, it is likely that the lack of light in the area made this feature difficult to see. It is therefore crucial for all vehicles with large blind spots to be fitted with proximity detection systems, particularly when driving at night or during adverse weather conditions.
As the investigations for this incident are ongoing, it is difficult to highlight a specific area where the traffic management plan could be improved. However, ensuring the plan is adjusted to suit the time of day, weather conditions and road type are all important factors to consider.
If you are interested in improving the safety of your drivers, talk to AlertForce about traffic management and control training today!
Minimising combustible dust risk in a confined space
The danger of a combustible dust explosion is a serious occupational health and safety (OHS) hazard in many industries across Australia, particularly in those sectors with confined space.
“Over the centuries, dust explosions have claimed many lives and caused significant injuries and property damage,” said Graeme Cooper, managing director of industrial parts supplier Tecpro Australia.
“To many, dust can seem harmless. But if certain conditions prevail, it can pose a deadly problem,” he said in a July 2013 statement.
Combustible dust is a common risk in contained environments – such as underground mines, mills and storage facilities – as the confined space allows dust to collect in high concentrations. Additionally, these industries often introduce friction, heat and sparks into a confined space, which can result in an explosion or flash fire.
In the past, materials that have caused a combustible dust explosion include coal, grain, flour, sugar, sawdust, magnesium, cotton and even powdered metals such as titanium and aluminium.
Employers in high-risk industries are encouraged to offer their employees sufficient confined space training to ensure the hazard of a combustible dust explosion is minimised.
When do dust explosions occur?
For a combustible dust explosion to occur, a number of factors must be in place. This includes a high concentration of dust, the presence of an oxidising agent – such as oxygen – and an ignition trigger. The source of ignition could be a flame or even just static electricity off an employee’s clothing.
Dust is particularly dangerous due to its massive amount of total surface area – this means the material is highly flammable. Combustible dust becomes a more significant hazard in confined space, where it is easy for dust to collect in high concentrations.
“In settings where there is the odour of gas or flammable vapours, it’s obvious that there is an explosion risk and people are usually quick to respond and combat the problem,” Mr Cooper explained.
“In contrast, where there is a large build-up of dust, it may not necessarily make people in the area think about the possibility of an explosion risk.”
Even when dust is not collected in a confined space, there is also the risk of a flash fire or other damage-causing event. Due to the highly flammable nature of some forms of dust, any introduced flame can cause fire to spread quickly through a dusty environment.
Combustible dust explosions are also a significant OHS risk due to the added danger of multiple explosions. The first blast may unsettle more dust around the worksite and the highly combustible material could be ignited by the heat or shock wave resulting from the first explosion.
“Smaller dust explosions can unsettle dust elsewhere, causing rolling explosions which can of course do great damage. It’s best to be vigilant and proactive by eliminating or minimising the factors that can contribute to a dust explosion,” Mr Cooper revealed.
Another danger posed by combustible dust explosions is the varying size and impact of an event. When low grade dust explosions occur, it can create a false idea of the danger of combustible dust. In particular, when no damage is sustained to property or people, employers often downplay the risk of dust in the workplace.
“If relatively minor dust explosions occur, sometimes people feel complacent and that the problem is more or less manageable. However this doesn’t necessarily mean that future explosions won’t escalate into a larger disaster,” said Mr Cooper.
How can you minimise the risk of a combustible dust explosion?
There are a number of important methods to reduce the risk of a dust explosion in your workplace, including offering your staff confined space training and improving your cleaning procedures.
– Train employees to identify the hazards. Ensuring all employees are adequately trained to identify the hazards in their workplace will enable them to protect their own health and safety, while also reducing the risks to their colleagues. This includes identifying when dust poses a risk of combustion or explosion.
However, due to the diverse nature of dust particles, it is not always possible to correctly identify when dust may be combustible or not. It is therefore recommended that employers and employees assume all dust is a risk and keep their workplaces as dust-free as possible.
There can be similar issues when attempting to identify the ignition source. While it may be simple to avoid introducing flame into a confined space filled with dust, the presence of material likely to cause a static spark could be less manageable. This is because a number of everyday clothing items can cause static electricity, which means even an employee’s clothing could pose a risk in a confined space.
An in-depth knowledge of confined spaces training is also important so employees are aware of what to do if and when an emergency situation occurs.
– Separate dust-causing processes from other work areas. If possible, removing the presence of dust from the worksite completely may be the simplest way of reducing the risk of an explosion. Similarly, preventing the introduction of an ignition source will have a similar effect.
This could include ensuring dust-causing processes – such as grinding and sawing – are performed in a separate building or room to machinery that could create sparks or heat from friction. Additionally, removing all dust from an environment is recommended before any welding or hot work is undertaken in a factory or other site.
– Ventilation and dust-collection systems. An adequate ventilation or dust collection system will reduce the risk of airborne dust in a workplace, minimising the hazard of explosions. These systems could include direct air out-takes in confined spaces, dust capture hoods on machinery and filters. It is important not to use fans or other devices that may just disturb the dust and increase the risk of airborne particles.
– Regular cleaning. When cleaning the worksite, it is crucial to identify all surfaces where dust could settle, including on top of machinery and any overhead structures. These hidden areas can pose a significant risk if a small explosion was to occur. The shock wave from any smaller event could disturb the dust in these locations, causing a second, larger explosion that results in more damage than the first.
Regularly clearing dust from the worksite will minimise the risk of explosion, so it is important to invest in a thorough housekeeping program. This cleaning process also needs to be tailored to a dusty environment, including using approved vacuums instead of brooms and water instead of compressed air. Cleaning in a high-risk area can also be performed wet to stop the combustible material from becoming airborne – for example, mopping a floor instead of sweeping, as the use of a broom can kick up dust.
You may also want to consider substituting any rough surfaces on machinery or the work site for smoother platforms and facades. This should help to make cleaning easier and will also discourage dust from settling on these surfaces.
If you’d like to learn more about minimising the risk of combustible dust explosions in a confined space, get in touch with AlertForce today!
OHS construction site blitz
Leading occupational health and safety (OHS) body WorkCover New South Wales has announced a six-week blitz on work health and safety standards on commercial construction sites across Sydney.
OHS representatives are currently visiting sites in Sydney’s central business district, greater metropolitan areas and regional centres – as well as hot spots across regional NSW – in order to ensure companies are operating in compliance with OHS requirements and laws.
This High Risk Commercial Construction strategy was announced after several major accidents and events received national media attention – including instances involving those working at heights. Therefore, the focus of the initiative will be construction companies working on multi-level buildings.
“In the past 18 months there have been three high profile incidents in the commercial construction sector involving scaffolding and tower cranes, however, it is important to note there has been no common link between the causes of these incidents,” WorkCover NSW’s WHS Division General Manager John Watson said in a March 14 media release.
While the blitz is a crucial reminder of the importance of following correct OHS standards, industry leaders would like to remind business owners and employers not to wait for accidents to happen before investing in important policies, such as working at heights training.
“This initiative is in addition to the ongoing compliance focus applied in WorkCover’s daily prevention and response activities,” Mr Watson explained.
“Our inspectors will address non-compliance issues with regulatory notices and low-risk issues addressed with the provision of advice and assistance.”
The events that inspired the blitz
The reasons behind the blitz could be attributed to two key incidents on Sydney construction sites. The first occurred on January 9 this year when a young Indigenous worker fell 30 metres from scaffolding at the Barangaroo construction site.
Emergency services were called to the site at 8.30 a.m. but, despite CPR efforts from his colleagues and the paramedics, the 26-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.
A union representing the construction workers claims that the individual had only been on the job for two weeks and was not being sufficiently supervised at the time of his fall. However, the company leading construction on the site dismisses this claim, revealing that a number of witnesses believe the man may have suffered a heart attack before his fall.
The company is currently co-operating with the relevant authorities to uncover the cause of the incident and, in particular, learn whether the death could have been prevented.
“Another life lost at work is an absolute tragedy and something these workers will never forget. The safe return home from work is something that all workers should expect and demand and something we will always fight for,” NSW Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) State Secretary Brian Parker told media after the incident.
The second event that sparked this OHS blitz in Sydney was the collapse of a five-storey scaffolding rig at the Mascot building site in Sydney’s south-east.
This event fortunately resulted in no loss of life, but three individuals suffered minor and moderate injuries. The collapse happened while the rig was being dismantled and two workers were lucky to escape with their lives after riding the falling materials 10 metres to the ground.
One of these workers suffered limb and chest injuries while the other sustained only minor cuts and abrasions. A bystander was also treated for shock at the scene.
Additionally, around 100 workers had to be evacuated from the site – resulting in a full afternoon of lost work. CFMEU Assistant Secretary Rob Kera told the media how shaken up workers were about the incident.
“We’re lucky we didn’t have multiple fatalities down here this afternoon. There would have been a lot of workers on this site, a lot of building workers who can count their lucky stars they are going home this afternoon,” he said.
This accident brought up mixed reactions regarding the company’s attitude to WHS faults. The union representing workers on the site had previously raised concerns about the scaffolding structure, recommending that work be halted on the site.
The company, however, rejects this claim, explaining that WHS representatives had visited the site several times and found no faults with the scaffolding or construction processes.
The activities at the focus of the blitz
As WHS staff visit construction sites across NSW, they will be focusing on a number of high risk activities commonly undertaken within this industry.
The specific areas the blitz has been tailored to address include:
– Multi-level scaffolding
– Emergency evacuations on multi-storey sites
– Cranes
– Working at heights
– Electrical hazards (including all work near power lines)
– Site security
– Hot works (heat- and spark-producing tasks, such as welding)
– Demolition activities
WorkCover NSW will be holding meetings with all major contractors to inform the investigation process during this High Risk Commercial Construction strategy. Additionally, this will also be an opportunity for WorkCover to ensure employers understand their obligations regarding OHS standards in the workplace.
Consultations will also be available to “make clear to the industry our expectations in relation to the action they need to be taking to ensure the safe operations of construction sites and the impact of incidents on the NSW community,” Mr Watson explained.
Employers in the construction industry in Sydney and across Australia should take this opportunity to review their OHS policy and practices, particularly those regarding working at heights.
It is important to ensure all staff required to work above the ground are being offered adequate supervision and working at heights training opportunities.
If you would like more information on nationally recognised working at heights training courses, get in touch with the team at AlertForce today.
The risk of asbestos contamination in Australian workplaces
Even when a workplace has been properly checked for asbestos in the building framework and existing material on site, contamination can still occur through the introduction of foreign substances.
While Australia imposed a nation-wide ban on asbestos in the workplace on December 31, 2003, some countries – including China, Brazil, Russia and Canada – still mine asbestos and use this dangerous material in many industries.
China is the world’s leading asbestos consumer, using more than 600,000 metric tonnes of asbestos every year, according to international asbestos organisation The Mesothelioma Center.
The second largest consumer across the globe is India, with the rate of consumption climbing rapidly over recent years. The Indian government recently announced the country’s asbestos use had risen by 83 per cent between 2004 and 2013.
Because of this widely accepted use of asbestos, it is possible for Australian companies to unknowingly import materials containing asbestos fibres.
It is therefore important for employers to put measures in place to minimise the risk of asbestos contamination, including offering staff asbestos awareness training to ensure employees can safely identify and respond to the threat of asbestos.
Asbestos contamination on Australian shores
This risk was realised recently by the operator of the Australia-Pacific liquid natural gas (LNG) project. The company was forced to suspend drilling on 12 rig sites across the coal seam gas sites in south west central Queensland after notification was received of a possible asbestos contamination.
One of the organisation’s drilling fluid suppliers discovered that a product it had imported and supplied to the LNG sites may have been contaminated with asbestos materials.
“When notified by {the supplier} of the potential of affected material, {the operator} took immediate precautionary action to safeguard our employees, contractors and landholders,” the company’s official March 13 statement explained.
This action included halting all drilling across the Queensland sites as investigations began. All potentially affected fluid has now been identified and accounted for. This includes all material under the company’s control throughout the supply chain “from storage warehouse to site”.
Licenced and trained asbestos removal teams are now in the process of removing the material from each location and safe disposal of the product is underway.
“In the interim, an alternative product has been sourced,” the company said.
Additionally, the supplier has undertaken investigations into its own supply chain with the hope of identifying the source of the contamination. Once the point of introduction has been discovered, it is likely that this organisation will be able to modify their operations to avoid further imports of contaminated substances.
“Our highest priority remains the health and safety of everyone associated with the project. Specialist support is being provided to those who may have been exposed to the drilling fluid additives and a specialist hotline has been established,” the operator said.
Responding to an asbestos contamination
If you or one of your employees has identified the risk of an asbestos contamination in your workplace, it is essential that you follow correct asbestos removal procedures. Even when the presence of asbestos is uncertain, it is best practice to assume contamination has occurred.
This means that employers dealing with a potential asbestos introduction through imported materials should consider enlisting the services of a trained professional to safely remove and dispose of any contaminated material even if official testing has not taken place.
It can be difficult to tell whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it, and if imported materials have arrived from a country that allows the use of asbestos, the products may not be labelled with a warning. Employers unsure about the presence of asbestos are encouraged to give a sample to a licenced specialist to analyse the asbestos content.
When asbestos has been assumed or confirmed in a workplace, the employer or business owner is required to alert the relevant authorities and regulatory bodies.
From there, it is important for a licenced and trained professional to safely dispose of the contaminated material. This involves placing all affected substances in airtight containers, labelling all hazardous material and transporting the asbestos-contaminated substances in a manner that follows state or territory Environment Protection Authority (EPA) requirements.
If you or someone in your workforce has completed a comprehensive asbestos removal course, it may be possible for the issue to be taken care of independently. However, it is essential to follow the restrictions of the training received.
For example, a company that has received a Class B qualification will be unable to safely remove and dispose of any friable asbestos. It is therefore recommended that you invest in a Class A training package to enable the legal removal of all types of asbestos.
If you would like to undertake an asbestos removal course, or wish to invest in asbestos awareness training for your staff, get in touch with AlertForce today.
February OHS news round-up
Occupational health and safety (OHS) is a significant issue in all Australian workplaces, so it’s not surprising this topic is frequently reported on.
Despite the wide acceptance of OHS requirements in the workplace, the headlines often reveal a significant need for further training and knowledge among local business owners, employers and employees.
To help you stay up to date with the latest OHS news and developments, here are the articles that hit the front pages in February this year.
Scaffolding collapse in NSW
A five-storey scaffolding rig collapsed in a busy Sydney suburb on February 25, fortunately resulting in only two injuries and no deaths.
Two construction workers rode the scaffolding to the ground as it fell from the Mascot building site. One sustained chest, leg and arm injuries, while the other walked away with cuts and bruises. A bystander was also treated for shock at the scene and around 100 people were forced to evacuate the site, halting construction for the rest of the day.
As the news hit headlines, WorkCover revealed they had inspected the site approximately five times over the past year of its operation, finding no safety issues.
However, representatives from the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) had visited the site in December and raised concerns about the scaffolding.
“One of our officials visited this site just before Christmas last year and shut down the scaffold in respect of safety concerns,” CFMEU Assistant Secretary Rob Kera told ABC Australia on February 26.
The construction company working on the site, Toplace, said it was cooperating with the CFMEU investigation, but denied CFMEU stopped work at the site.
At the time of collapse, the scaffolding was in the process of being dismantled. There is no consensus on why the rig fell during dismantling – investigations are currently ongoing.
“We’re lucky we didn’t have multiple fatalities down here this afternoon. There would have been a lot of workers on this site, a lot of building workers who can count their lucky stars they are going home this afternoon,” Mr Kera said to the Sydney Morning Herald on February 25.
This news has highlighted the need to make sure all people working on scaffolding have received adequate working at heights training to ensure individuals know what to do when the worst happens.
Trade and construction workers, farmers and professional drivers most at risk of skin cancer
Research from the Harry Perkins Institute at the University of Western Australia revealed that those working in trades, construction, farming and transport are the most at risk from skin cancer. This hazard has been attributed to the significant sun exposure experienced in these professions.
“Solar UV exposure is the leading cause of melanomas, basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas and the workplace is a significant setting for exposure for many Australians,” research leader Professor Lin Fritschi explained in a February 7 media release.
The research found that, overall, around 37 per cent of males and 8 per cent of females are exposed to solar radiation at work. This represents almost 2 million Australian workers.
“Although 95 per cent of the people we spoke to said they used sun protection, the level of protection varied and in reality, less than 9 per cent were fully protected from UV radiation,” Ms Fritschi said.
Ms Fritschi urges employers and employees to ensure they understand and account for the risk of sun exposure on their site.
“Workers also need to be aware that reflective surfaces can also create significant levels of (UV radiation), which is why tradespeople on roofs, near water or next to a glass window in a vehicle are exposed,” she said.
These results show there is a significant need for employers to protect their workers against the dangers of sun exposure on the worksite. This includes providing adequate protective clothing and equipment, such as hats with brims, sunglasses and sunscreen.
It is also important for employees who spend significant amounts of time outside to remain prepared all year round. It is possible for sun damage to occur even during the winter months as temperature does not affect the levels of UV radiation in sunlight.
Introduction of the Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2014
On February 13, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie introduced the Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 into the Queensland government.
This bill was created to amend legislation surrounding the ability for WHS permit holders to enter a worksite and hand out penalties for suspected breaches.
These changes are important knowledge for all business owners and OHS-trained staff, as they address the troubling trend of WHS representatives using ‘safety as a weapon’ and harming productivity.
During consultation with the government, the construction industry had raised serious ongoing concerns about the misuse of right of entry provisions by union officials and the impact and disruption that this had on business. Other industries also reported confusion.
“Most of these disputes related to entry without prior notice to inquire into a suspected contravention under the Work Health and Safety Act. Inspectors found that overall none of the issues identified were considered to be an immediate or imminent risk to workers or others at the workplace,” Mr Bleijie said.
WHS representatives will not completely lose their ability to halt work if these amendments go through. However they will be require to present sufficient evidence of serious risk and imminent exposure to enact this capability. Altogether, this amendment has been put forward to clarify the term ‘reasonable concern’ to ensure work sites are not being shut down without adequate reasoning.
Currently, this bill amendment is under review and the government is calling for industry stakeholders to comment on the legislation before a final decision is made.
For more information on WHS legislation and OHS training requirements, get in touch with the AlertForce team today.
Working at heights during winter
With summer now officially behind us, it is time to start preparing work sites across Australia for the winter conditions ahead. The colder temperatures and wild weather conditions that typically hit the country from May through to October create a unique set of challenges and hazards on construction sites, particularly for those who work at heights.
In order to minimise these dangers on your site, it is important to know what conditions will put your employees at the most risk. Once these risks have been identified, addressing them can be as simple as offering working at heights training with a focus on using fall prevention practices and devices.
Rain
Australia is a large country with a variety of climates and rainy seasons. In Australia’s northern regions, the wet season typically lasts from November to March. However, the overall country experiences 11 per cent more rain in winter than in summer.
Even during the dry seasons, severe storms can drop significant amounts of rain, often leading to surface flooding due to the dry ground being unable to soak up the rainfall.
Rain is a serious hazard for construction workers, as the nature of their occupation often requires them to work outdoors – exposed to the elements. When severe rain strikes, flooding can pose a significant health risk through a number of dangers.
This includes individuals being swept away by flash floods, biological hazards due to water contamination, exposure to asbestos and chemical spills due to floodwaters shifting or breaching storage.
It is therefore important that you arrange an emergency evacuation plan for when floods strike your worksite. Additionally, all water sources, dangerous chemicals and damaged property should be checked for hazards once the water level has abated. This will prevent employees from returning to work and suffering an illness or injury indirectly related to the flood.
Rain is also particularly hazardous to employees working at heights due to surfaces becoming slick and slippery when wet. It is important that individuals working on sloped roofs and platforms with smooth surfaces are given access to fall prevention devices, such as harnesses and fall-arrest systems.
Low visibility is another hazard experienced in rainy conditions. If water blocks an employee’s vision, they could be at risk of tripping over a dropped tool, or tumbling from a raised platform and sustaining a serious injury. Personal protective equipment, such as goggles or hats with front-facing brims, can help minimise this risk.
Wind
Strong winds are a year-long concern for Australian workers on construction sites. The risk of a unexpected gust unbalancing an individual is particularly dangerous to those working at heights. If wind were to knock a worker off their feet while on a roof or raised platform, the individual is at risk of falling to the ground from a height.
Employees should therefore be discouraged from working above the ground on windy days. If working at heights cannot be avoided on a high-risk day, employers need to ensure fall-prevention devices are in use.
This includes installing handrails, investing in harnesses and supplying fall-arrest systems to any individual working at heights on your site.
Lightning
When thunder storms strike in your area, it is important to immediately cease any work being performed on roofs or metallic structures above the ground.
Individuals working in these conditions are at risk of severe burns and even death if a lightning strike hits the platform they are standing on.
However, due to the unpredictable nature of weather, it can be difficult to track and anticipate storms in your region. To minimise the risk of an injury or fatality during a thunder storm, consider investing in rubber mats to place on raised metallic structures. This should help prevent the electricity from affecting workers standing on the platform.
Fatigue and stress
Working during severe weather can lead to increased stress and fatigue among your workers. Whether the wild winds have disrupted their sleeping patterns, or the bad weather is negatively affecting their moods, employees struggling with fatigue and stress could be at higher risk of a workplace injury.
When individuals are tired or distracted it is easy for them to make a simple mistake or attempt to cut corners to complete work faster. Unfortunately, when these habits occur they increase the risks already present while working from heights.
It is therefore important to train your staff to be aware of their personal health and wellbeing. Ensuring they stay focused and complete work to the highest standard is a crucial part of minimising the risk of falling from heights.
If you would like more information on training for working at heights, contact the AlertForce team today!
Working in a confined space in the agriculture industry
The agriculture industry is one of Australia’s most dangerous sectors in which to work, according to WorkSafe Victoria. Farmers and other employees within this industry face many risks and hazards while performing their daily tasks.
Of these hazards, confined space poses unique health and safety problems that can often lead to serious injury or death when not sufficiently prepared for.
A confined space is defined as an area that’s not designed or intended for human occupation, has limited entry or exit points, is built to be at normal atmospheric pressure when a person is present or is likely to pose a danger of suffocation, engulfment or asphyxiation.
There are many potential work spaces that could represent a confined space on a farm or within another form of agriculture-based organisation – such as grain driers, silos, integrated feed systems and water tanks.
The most common confined space incidents involve a silo or tank with limited oxygen supply, or a danger of engulfment due to loose grains.
What are the hazards present in confined spaces?
In the agriculture industry, there are many reasons why a worker may need to enter a confined space, including dislodging grain blockages, cleaning tanks and making repairs.
Unfortunately, working in these conditions poses many hazards to an individual’s health and safety. Identifying these risks is the first step in avoiding potential injuries and fatalities.
When working with grain, farmers must be aware of the danger of engulfment. When a worker enters a silo or holding tank that contains a bulk commodity – such as grain – there is always a risk the material will shift and trap or suffocate the individual.
Other examples of materials that pose a significant risk of engulfment include liquids, fertiliser, animal feed and sand. Often these materials can become fixed or bonded while in storage. If a worker was to enter the space and walk on or below this ‘crust’, any movement by the commodity could cause the crust to collapse and engulf the individual.
Unsafe oxygen levels are another major confined space hazard on a farm. Situations that require an employee to enter a manure pit, water tank or other enclosed area could be dangerous if the space has compromised air quality.
Asphyxiation occurs in these situations when the atmosphere within a confined space is oxygen deficient. An example provided by WorkSafe Victoria details how a 65-year-old dairy farmer, his two sons, a grandson and a nephew died when they entered a manure pit with an oxygen-deficient atmosphere.
The incident occurred when one of the sons entered the pit to fix an agitator shaft and was overcome by the highly toxic gases, such as methane and hydrogen sulphide, released by the decomposing manure.
Each of the other victims then entered the pit in an effort to rescue the overcome individuals, resulting in multiple fatalities due to asphyxiation.
Another high-risk hazard present in agricultural confined space is the danger of fire and explosion caused by grain dust drifting into compressed areas.
Dust is often made from highly flammable material, which means if it drifts into an area with an open flame it can easily cause a fire or explosion. In a confined space, this danger is amplified due to the high quantity of dust in a smaller area.
How to prevent the hazards
The single most efficient way of avoiding the danger present in confined spaces is to avoid working in these areas. Consider if there are possible ways to complete the required tasks without entering the space.
Additionally, preventing the need to work in a confined space is also important. This includes covering all tanks and pits to ensure debris and animals cannot enter and pollute the material inside, or using filters or automatic cleaning systems to minimise the chances of a build-up or blockage.
If working in the confined space is unavoidable, other measures will need to be put in place. One of the most important steps towards working safely in a confined space is to ensure you have received adequate training before entering any bins or tanks.
This includes seeking confined space training from a registered and licenced organisation, such as AlertForce. A certified confined space training course will educate workers on the necessary equipment, processes and knowledge needed to complete work safely in these areas.
Once you have received training, the next step is to ensure the area you are entering is safe or poses minimal risk to your health. This includes monitoring oxygen levels, accurately checking the stability of material within the space and turning off any machinery that could cause engulfment due to a shifting commodity or suffocation due to fumes.
If you need to enter a confined space, it is crucial that you ask a trustworthy individual to observe you while you work. It is recommended that you choose someone who has also undergone confined space training, as they will need adequate knowledge of how to safely assist you during an emergency.
Even when working with an observer, all workers entering a confined space should use any available personal protective equipment.
This includes wearing a breathing mask when oxygen levels are low and securing harnesses or lifelines to the top of the tank or silo.
A lifeline will help you avoid falling if the grain or other material present moves unexpectedly. It will also help you to find your way out or guide rescuers to you if you do become engulfed.
If your industry or occupation requires you to work in a confined space, contact the team at AlertForce about confined space training today.
Concerns over safe asbestos removal
When asbestos has been discovered in a home or workplace, the next step needs to be organising safe and efficient removal.
While the asbestos usually poses little risk before removal, the process of exaction can often create many risks to the removalists’ health due to disturbed fibres becoming airborne. In extreme cases, the removal can also spread asbestos fibres beyond the building site, putting neighbouring properties at risk.
It is therefore important for businesses and property owners who discover asbestos to enlist the services of an individual or organisation that has completed adequate asbestos removal training.
Under Work, Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations, more than ten square metres of bonded (non-friable) asbestos must be removed only by a licensed and trained individual or business. Removal of any amount of un-bonded or friable asbestos requires a licensed person or organisation.
Within these regulations, individuals in Australia working in asbestos removal have the option to be trained in Class A or Class B qualifications.
Completing a Class B asbestos removal course gives an individual the training they need to safely remove any non-friable asbestos. This includes asbestos cement sheeting and other materials where asbestos fibres are bonded to other materials.
However, even bonded asbestos can become friable when degraded, which means individuals holding a Class A qualification should be called when dealing with damaged property.
Class A training allows an individual or business to remove all type of asbestos, including un-bonded and friable. This includes asbestos found in powdered form or material that can be crushed into dust by hand.
The difference in training is important for protecting the health of the removalists and all residents of neighbouring properties. This is because friable asbestos poses a much higher risk of becoming airborne and drifting over communities.
Businesses operating within the asbestos removal industry are required to ensure their staff are adequately trained and licenced to deal with the extraction of all kinds of asbestos. Additionally, notice of removal and monitoring of the process is an essential step in following WHS regulations.
Notice of removal
Due to the hazardous nature of airborne asbestos particles, businesses undergoing an asbestos removal process must notify both Safe Work Australia and their neighbouring properties to ensure all precautions are being taken.
According to the Western Australian Department of Commerce, the notification condition of asbestos removal requires an individual or business to provide WorkSafe WA with the following information:
- Name and contact details of the licenced contractor in charge of removal
- Name and address of property requiring removal
- Type of premises, such as retail store, hospital or private residence
- Whether the building is occupied
- What type of asbestos is present and in which form
- Anticipated date of removal or treatment
Once Safe Work has permitted the removal to go ahead, it is best practice for a business or removalist to notify the residents within the surrounding community. This will allow individuals to take precautions such as closing their windows, turning off any outside air intake systems and ensuring those who are at risk stay indoors on the removal days.
Removal monitoring
While the monitoring of workers removing asbestos may not always be required (particularly when working with bonded material), it is recommended to ensure safety procedures are being followed at all times.
This includes enlisting an individual who has experience in supervising asbestos removal, which is a vastly different qualification to asbestos removal training.
A supervise asbestos removal course will enable a worker to plan for and monitor the removal process, including ensuring compliant removal practices are being followed, maintaining safety procedures, and supervising the decontamination and disposal of the material.
This supervisor can also be made responsible for the supply and use of personal protective equipment necessary for the safe removal of asbestos, such as breathing apparatuses, protective clothing and water for dampening down dust particles.
Monitoring should also take into account the surrounding areas, including workers operating outside the removal area and the risk of airborne particles spreading across neighbouring properties.
If necessary, static monitoring devices can be used to detect asbestos particles across the boundary of the removal area. This will help determine if control measures are effective and should assist in limiting the exposure to individuals in surrounding locations.
Air-monitoring can also be used to alleviate the concerns of specific workers and individuals by conducting exposure tests within breathing spaces. If asbestos is detected in this area, it is important to take evasive measures as soon as possible. This includes removing the individual from the scene, widening cordon areas and enacting effective prevention procedures.
These processes must be followed at all steps of an asbestos removal plan, including the preparation of the site, the disposal and the contamination or workers and material used.
For more information on asbestos removal training and processes, get in touch with the AlertForce team today.
Protecting pedestrians with a traffic management plan
When working on a construction site, it is important to protect the safety of all your contractors and permanent workers. An employer’s duty of care, as outlined in the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act, requires site managers and business owners to take all reasonable measures to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all their workers.
WorkCover NSW outlines that the term “workers” includes any person who performs work as an employee, trainee, volunteer or apprentice. Outworkers, students, contractors and subcontractors and any employees working for them are also included under this regulation.
However, when employers become primarily focused on the definition of workers, it is easy to forget that the WHS Act also requires site managers to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all individuals on a worksite.
This means that if your construction work is being carried out in an area with a high volume of visitors or pedestrian thoroughfare, it will be your responsibility to ensure measures have been put in place to protect these people.
While a great number of construction sites across Australia will involve the typical fenced-off areas and self-contained locations, your contractors and employees could find themselves working on a site connected to a busy shopping area or other spaces with high volumes of pedestrian traffic.
This is particularly likely when construction is being carried out in urban areas, such as renovations or expansions on apartment blocks, shopping centres or roadways.
Undertaking work in these locations can result in a number of risks for the general public, as they are untrained in how to safely traverse a construction site. It is therefore important that your employees follow safety best practices to protect themselves and the individuals around them.
Any personal injury or property damage caused by work undertaken on your worksite or by your workers could result in a very costly public liability claim or, in serious cases, fatalities.
Avoiding these incidents is a simple process if correct occupational health and safety standards are being followed. This includes ensuring preventative measures are in place to avoid dropped objects falling into pedestrian pathways, tools and equipment are only being operated by those with sufficient training and an adequate traffic management plan is in place.
Traffic management involves enlisting an employee to act as a traffic controller to ensure vehicles, pedestrians and other moving objects are following safe pathways through a worksite. State and federal regulations require the individual in charge of a traffic management plan to hold approved qualifications and undertake training.
This means that to enact a sufficient traffic management plan, it is important to ensure your employees are adequately trained in a state- and federal-approved traffic management and control training course.
Understand the risks to pedestrians
When a person is moving on foot through your site, they are at risk of encountering a number of significant hazards. Understanding these hazards is an important step in preventing an accident or injury from occurring.
Traffic hazards involving pedestrians on a construction site include drivers operating vehicles with restricted visibility, unsecured loads falling from vehicles, trailers unhitching, lack of fencing or protection between pedestrians and vehicles, and poorly designed pathways encouraging people to take shortcuts or step outside of their designated areas.
Additionally, a lack of space can be a significant risk when pedestrians and vehicles are required to share roads.
Accessibility must also be kept in mind when designing a traffic management plan. If an individual with limited mobility is required to climb stairs or use the same ramp as forklifts and other vehicles, it can put this person at a great risk of accident and injury.
Recognising and preventing these risks is a crucial part of any traffic management plan on your worksite, as it will help to protect you, your workers and the public from a serious workplace injury or even fatality.
What is involved in a traffic management plan?
Regardless of the type of work being carried out or the location of the site, a traffic management plan is crucial for any project that involves vehicles, workers and pedestrians sharing space.
A comprehensive traffic management plan needs to include a clear understanding of how to allocate thoroughfares and separate the different forms of traffic.
This can involve creating fenced-off pathways primarily for the use of pedestrians, but can also be as simple as giving a worker the responsibility of directing traffic and controlling when people can cross roadways and vehicle lanes.
If your construction work includes taking up a significant portion of a footpath or designated pedestrian path, you must ensure the individuals on foot are not being forced into a road while unprotected. If pedestrians are stepping into the vehicles lanes, providing cones, fences and signage to warn both the people on foot and those in the passing vehicles of the situation can help prevent accidents and injuries.
Additionally, providing areas clear of pedestrian traffic is an important onsite requirement for vehicles that may need to park, reverse and manoeuvre in such a way that limits visibility of the area in front or behind the driver.
Other risk management plans include allocating an access way for emergency vehicles if and when an accident occurs, posting sufficient signage so drivers, pedestrians and equipment operators know and understand their allocated paths and providing adequate training to all relevant traffic management staff.
The responsibilities of a traffic controller
According to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, individuals must carry their Traffic Controller Accreditation Scheme accreditation identity card at all times while working as a traffic controller. They must also be able to present this card to any police officer, transport inspector, WHS inspector and Department of Main Roads auditor when requested.
Most states and territories require similar accreditation, which means employers must ensure the workers they ask to control traffic have received adequate traffic management training. Where legislation requires a licence or accreditation to perform this duty, the traffic controller must comply with those regulations. All other people who are required to perform duties associated with shared roadways should be provided with suitable training to perform those duties.
In addition to the training requirements, official traffic controllers have a duty of care to all drivers and pedestrians they have been put in charge of.
This duty of care means traffic controllers must follow a strict set of regulations in order to perform their role safely and efficiently. Traffic controllers are required to maintain a zero percent blood-alcohol concentration and also avoid drugs or medication that may cause functional impairment.
The traffic controller will also be responsible for ensuring adequate signage has been prepared to warn pedestrians and drivers of the conditions ahead. This includes removing the signage at the end of the workday, to avoid unnecessary delays when traffic management is not in place.
However, it is the duty of care of the employer or site manager in charge of the traffic controller to make sure this signage is available for use on the worksite.
Additionally, site managers and business owners must never ask a traffic controller to do anything that may breach the terms and conditions of the Traffic Controller Accreditation Scheme – Approved Procedure (TCASAP) or cause any employees or visitors to the site to operate in an unsafe manner or environment.
For more information on traffic management plans and training on your worksite, get in touch with AlertForce today!
Monitoring toxic atmospheres in confined spaces
Asphyxiation is one of the most common causes of fatalities in confined spaces, according to BOC Industrial Gases Australia. Due to the restricted airflow, exposure to toxic gases can create an unsafe atmosphere for workers. Additionally, asphyxiation can also occur when an individual falls into a narrow space and dies due to compression of the torso.
Almost any workplace can have confined spaces. While most do not require employees to spend extended periods of time inside the area, some occupations need workers to operate in confined spaces on a regular basis. This includes those working in mining pits, septic tanks, winery vats and grain silos.
All asphyxiation deaths are preventable if comprehensive safe work practices are followed. Tragically, almost 60 per cent of fatalities in confined spaces involve would-be rescuers acting out of haste to save a colleague, according to the American Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Safe Work Australia defines a confined space as a partially or fully enclosed area that is:
– Not designed or intended for human occupation
– Devised to be at normal atmospheric levels when occupied by a person
– Likely to present hazards such as unsafe oxygen levels, contaminants that could cause a fire or explosion, asphyxiation due to unsafe levels of airborne contaminants or engulfment.
Reducing the risk of asphyxiation
In order to avoid the risk of fatalities due to asphyxiation, it is the responsibility of the business owner or employer to ensure their employees are following adequate safe work practices. Additionally, the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act outlines the obligation of business operators to – as far is reasonably possible – minimise the hazards present in a workplace.
This includes responsibilities during the design and manufacturing stages of equipment, factories and other structures. If a structure includes a space that is likely to become an enclosed space, the designer, manufacturer or supplier has a duty of care to eliminate the need for any person to enter this confined area.
If this is not reasonably possible, these individuals must ensure there are adequate entry and exit points, along with sufficient ventilation.
Officers and managers within a business are also required to take precautions to minimise the risks to their employees. This includes taking steps to ensure the organisation and workers are compliant with the WHS Act and other regulations. An effective way of complying with this requirement is to provide comprehensive confined spaces training.
Additionally, employees themselves are expected to exercise care and due diligence regarding their own health and the safety of those around them. It is important for individuals to be aware of how their actions can affect not only themselves but also the colleagues and would-be rescuers around them.
A valuable example of the importance of compliance to these WHS relations is the historic case of three fatalities in an oil field in the US state of California.
In 1994, an oil field worker entered an oil well cellar to switch off a water valve during a procedure to create perforations in the water disposal pipe.
This employee was quickly overcome by carbon monoxide and collapsed. A second worker then entered the cellar to rescue his colleague but also fell. A third individual looking into the cellar to offer assistance then also collapsed.
These three workers were then pulled from the cellar by a group of other employees also working in the area. Unfortunately, all three were pronounced dead later on that day. Two of the rescuers were also hospitalised but survived the incident.
Investigations found the unfortunate fatalities on this day could have been avoided if the workers had been wearing any personal protective equipment (PPE). Additionally, the hasty entry into the cellar by the untrained rescuers meant two additional unnecessary deaths.
The employer was quickly found guilty of breaches to local occupational health and safety laws due to the fact that no prior confined spaces training was given to the employees working on the gas well cellar. In addition to this, no PPE was available anywhere on the worksite and atmospheric testing had not been carried out.
Since this time, OHS standards have improved and most workplaces supply adequate PPE and safety training. However, these deaths should not be forgotten, as they serve as a stark warning of how a momentary lapse in judgement can lead to a number of tragic fatalities.
It is therefore important to ensure your workers know what to do if a toxic atmosphere is discovered in the workplace.
How to manage a toxic atmosphere
The simplest way to minimise the risk of illness or death due to toxic atmospheres in a confined space is to provide adequate training to all staff to ensure they know the correct procedures to deal with these situations.
This will prevent employees from taking ill-informed actions, such as entering a space to rescue a coworker without the correct safety equipment.
Sufficient training will also teach individuals how to recognise and report potential hazards in the workplace, which can help prevent toxic contamination in the confined space altogether.
Additionally, employers should encourage regular atmospheric testing of confined spaces. Ideally, confined spaces should be tested for toxic contaminants and oxygen content each time an employee is allowed entry.
This can include monitoring for gases not typically expected in a particular workplace. In the 1994 case above, carbon monoxide was not considered a relevant hazard in oil well perforation. This means that even if the employees had performed the required tests, they may not have detected the high levels of CO is the atmosphere.
It is also important to ensure the atmospheric testing is designed to monitor both heavy and light gases. If a toxicity monitoring system is fixed to the lower level of a confined space, it may miss lighter gases filling the higher reaches of the area. Similarly, a monitoring process that only reaches the top of the space will fail to pick up any heavy gases and contaminants closer to the floor.
Adequate ventilation is also a key component in preventing illness, injuries and death in confined spaces. Allowing sufficient air flow can reduce the concentration of toxic gases, stabilising the atmosphere at a healthier level and minimising the risk of asphyxiation.
Where ventilation is not possible or effective, employees entering a confined space must be provided with adequate PPE. This includes durable clothing, harnesses and respiratory protective equipment (RPE) – such as breathing apparatuses and masks.
A harness attached to a guide wire will allow a disoriented worker to find their own way back out of a space with minimal exit and entry points. Additionally, it may enable would-be rescuers to pull the employee from harm’s way without needing to enter the confined space.
Durable and protective clothing should help prevent toxicity caused by contaminants coating the skin of employees. Some airborne particles can continue to pose a risk long after an employee has left the confined space when carried on clothing or skin for long periods of time.
RPE should always be used as a last resort. It is more effective to ensure safe levels of oxygen are present before sending an employee into a confined space. RPE is an essential measure when contaminants are unidentified or it is not possible to minimise the risks in enclosed areas.
To educate your employees on preventing toxic atmospheres and safely working in confined spaces, talk to AlertForce about confined spaces training today.
Working at heights: Addressing the dangers
There is a significant risk of injury in any industry that requires employees to work from heights, according to Safe Work Australia.
In an October 2013 report – ‘Work-related injuries and fatalities involving a fall from height’ – Safe Work Australia revealed that more than 200 workers had been killed as a result of falls from heights between 2003 and 2011.
This figure represents 11 per cent of all workplace fatalities during the eight-year period – the largest proportion of deaths related to any one cause. Additionally, the report found more than one-third (37 per cent) of these falls occurred during work in the construction industry.
Other occupations that record the highest numbers of fall from height injuries and deaths include painting and decorating (32 per cent), plumbing (23 per cent) and electrical work (18 per cent).
In a surprising development, at least half of these fatal falls involved a height of less than three metres, proving it’s not just labourers on roofs and elevated platforms that need to be aware of the dangers of working at heights.
During the same period, 7,730 claims for serious injuries due to falls from heights were lodged by injured workers. This means that 21 employees sustain a fall-related injury every day.
The typical fall-related injury results in an employee needing more than six weeks off work, which proves that reducing the risk of falls from heights can have significant economic benefits to employers due to a decrease in absenteeism.
Furthermore, nearly 6,900 injured workers required hospitalisation following a fall from height during the three year period between 2006 and 2009. This accounts for 9 per cent of all injured employees who required treatment in a hospital in that time.
These results show that workplace injuries and fatalities caused by falls from heights are a significant issue in Australian industries. Addressing this hazard and working to minimise the risk is an important step in decreasing workers’ compensation claims and potentially decreasing employee death and injury across all occupations.
In order to correctly identify and rectify the danger of falling, employers should consider offering their employees construction safety training and occupational health and safety courses related to working at heights training.
Leading causes of falls from heights
Falls from height commonly occur when safety best practices have not been followed or inadequate training leads to errors in work procedures.
This includes using ladders on uneven ground, walking on unfinished or unstable scaffolding, failing to wear safety harnesses and inappropriately climbing on unsecured shelving or platforms.
Incorrect use of ladders can involve working from an upper-level rung without a partner to spot or steady the bottom rungs, or failing to secure the ladder using multiple points on a building or the ground.
A number of falls also occur due to scaffolding and roofs not being kept clear of tools and clutter. This can lead to a worker who has their vision obscured tripping and tumbling off the elevated platform.
Working during wet or windy weather can also increase the chances of falling from height, as a damp and slick surface may cause a worker to slip and fall, or a strong gust of wind could unbalance an employee exposed to the elements.
To prevent these hazards from affecting your workplace, it is crucial to ensure your employees are sufficiently trained in safety best practices. It is also important for workers to identify the risks to themselves and to others in order to enact appropriate measures to prevent accidents and injuries.
Removing the risks
In order to reduce the risks of falling from height, employers have the option to consult an occupational health and safety representative to assess their worksite.
Beyond this, employers should also speak with their workers to identify the risks – as the employees often have more in-depth, first-hand knowledge of what hazards they are facing.
Any task that requires an employee to work above two metres presents a risk of falling, which means safety measures must be considered for all of these duties. Once these risks have been identified, there is a five point process workers must follow to establish the most efficient way to remove this hazard from the workplace.
1. Working from the ground
The first step to removing these risks is to decide whether the work could be performed closer to the ground.
This could include removing moving parts from a large piece of machinery in order to repair it on the ground, constructing tilt-up framing rather than performing construction on scaffolding or fitting vehicle covers from the ground rather than climbing over the load.
2. Passive fall prevention devices
Passive fall prevention devices – such as guard rails, scaffolding and netting – reduce the risk of falls from heights by creating a barrier between the employee and the ground.
This method can be very effective when guard rails are correctly installed. This includes ensuring rails are raised above waist height, to stop a worker’s centre of gravity tipping them over the device. Additionally, rails and scaffolding should not contain large gaps below the upper guard as falls can still occur when an employee slips or rolls underneath an official guard rail.
3. Work positioning systems
If a passive fall prevention device is unsuitable, you may want to consider work positioning systems. These typically include rope access systems and travel restraints.
This would involve workers wearing a harness attached by a lanyard to roof anchors or static lines. However, these devices often rely on the skills of the user and an effective system of maintenance. Any untrained use of such devices could still lead to a fall-related injury or death.
4. Fall injury prevention systems
A fall injury prevention system is fundamentally different to a work positioning device. This level of protection involves installing safety nets, catch platforms and individual fall arrest systems.
These devices will ensure any employee who trips, slips or falls is caught before injury is sustained. Installation of a fall injury prevention device should always be undertaken by a trained professional.
5. Fixed and portable ladders or administrative controls
When all other points have been tried and exhausted, a last resort should be relying on simple safety procedures and ladders.
These options are unlikely to significantly reduce the risk of injuries if falls occur, but correct controls and ladder use can minimise the occurrence of serious falls in some cases.
This step should be taken to comply with Fair Work regulations, which require an employer to provide their workers with a safe and healthy working environment.
Industry-wide compliance
Working safely at heights is an important step towards improving Australia’s troubling workplace fatality and injury rates. This requires an industry-wide compliance, with all occupations and businesses taking steps to reduce the risk of falls from heights.
The Working at Heights Association (WAHA) recently released a report that shows the use of fall-prevention measures is an area where many sectors require improvement.
Their February 12 statement revealed that of those businesses already using these systems, more than 60 per cent failed to comply with industry standard regulations.
This suggests a need for further working from heights training and better access to professional services to install and maintain fall prevention systems.
For more information on working at heights courses and training, contact the team at AlertForce today.
Asbestos and air quality after bushfires
When a bushfire strikes in your region, there may be risks to your workers’ health and safety even when your business operates outside of the affected location.
Airborne ash, smoke and asbestos can significantly impact on the air quality across a wide-spread area – affecting whole towns, cities or even states.
Due to this far-reaching affect, the Victorian WorkCover Authority (VWA) has released a statement calling for employers in the Latrobe Valley to review their occupational health and safety standards regarding air quality.
Workplaces should consider the advice released by the Department of Health regarding employees undertaking strenuous activity outdoors, particularly those with pre-existing heart and lung conditions, VWA Executive Director of Health and Safety Len Neist explained.
“The EPA and the Department of Health are providing updates for the entire Latrobe Valley community and there are daily community meetings, so employers can keep abreast of any developments that might affect their staff,” Mr Neist said in a February 18 media release.
Currently, businesses in the Latrobe Valley are at risk of smoke affects due to a number of bushfires in the region and the still-burning Hazelwood open cut mine fire.
The Victorian branch of the Environment Protection Authority has issued a low level alert for the Latrobe Valley. This warning means visibility is reduced to between 10 and 20 kilometres due to smoke and those vulnerable to low air quality – such as asthmatics, children and the elderly – should limit their time outdoors.
“We’re asking businesses to review their systems of work and consider if measures need to be put in place to protect staff from the risks associated with smoke. Reassigning staff with pre-existing conditions to non-strenuous, indoor work is one action workplaces can take to reduce risk to their staff,” Mr Neist explained.
“The smoke haze is also affecting visibility in some areas, which may pose risks to staff operating machinery and equipment. If conditions make it difficult to see the workspace and other surroundings, work should be postponed.”
In addition to the lowered visibility and impact on breathing, employers are urged to consider the potential danger for airborne asbestos in an area affected by bushfires. Airborne asbestos awareness is particularly important during the containment and clean-up of a bushfire-damaged region.
Asbestos danger after bushfires
If a bushfire or other fire-related event has occurred in the area around your business, you and your employees may be at risk of airborne asbestos fibres.
Asbestos fibres are at their most dangerous when airborne, as they can potentially travel long distances to be inhaled by nearby workers. The particles can then remain in an individual’s lungs for years before developing into a serious disease, such as mesothelioma or other forms of lung cancer.
Mesothelioma – a cancer which affects the lining of the lungs – grows very quickly and can spread throughout the body before symptoms appear. This makes it particularly difficult to treat as many organs are affected before an individual will know to seek medical treatment.
During a bushfire, asbestos-containing materials can be wrecked and release deadly asbestos fibres into the air. These may therefore be present when you return to your fire-damaged property and put your health at risk.
While, because it’s a fire-resistant material, there may not be a large number of asbestos fibres present in the actual smoke from the fire-event, these particles can still be present in significant quantities. Additionally, asbestos fibres may be disturbed during the clean-up of damaged properties, which means the risk remains long after the fire itself has passed.
When a fire has been successfully put out, many people assume the air quality improves to safe levels as soon as the smoke begins to clear. However, as clean-up crews and repair workers move through the area, disturbed asbestos fibres may become airborne.
Depending on the wind and weather currently affecting the region, these particles could become spread over a surprisingly wide area, putting your business and workers at risk.
Minimising asbestos risk in your business
To avoid asbestos-related illness among your workers, it is important that you remain aware of the risks potentially affecting your area.
This includes keeping up to date with any announcements regarding asbestos discoveries in your region and staying alert in regards to bushfires, damaged property and air quality.
If you believe there is a risk of airborne asbestos in your area, it is crucial to limit the amount of time employees spend outside. Additionally, allowing workers to complete strenuous physical activity outdoors can increase the risk of asbestos exposure, due to employees breathing heavily, so minimising these activities is recommended.
Once indoors, closing the windows is a simple and effective method of reducing asbestos exposure. Ensure ventilation in your building is recycled or filtered to avoid fibres being carried indoors via your ventilation.
For those who are required to work outdoors in an area with a high risk of asbestos exposure, employers should provide adequate protective clothing, including special P2 face masks to filter the fibres from breath.
Disposable clothing worn in an area with high levels of airborne asbestos should be disposed of in the same manner as other asbestos waste – seal it in double plastic bags (at least 200 micron thick), dampen it down and dispose of the bags at an official facility.
If you are aware of asbestos in your region, it is also important that you or someone on your staff has received suitable asbestos assessment training to ensure your business can identify and safely remove asbestos before it impacts on the health of your employees.
For more information on asbestos awareness training, get in touch with the AlertForce team today to find out what training options are available.
A PCBU’s responsibilities in confined spaces
According to the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, a person conducting a business or undertaking (often referred to as a PCBU) has a number of responsibilities when it comes to working in confined spaces.
A PCBU’s foremost duty of care is to prevent the need for employees to enter confined spaces in the first place. These are often hazardous working environments, and the best way to stop employees from getting injured or being killed is to simply prevent them from going into confined spaces to begin with – either intentionally or by accident.
There are a range of ways this can be achieved, but most of them must take place at the design phase of such working environments. If plants and structures can be designed and built so they don’t contain any confined spaces, this effectively removes the need or opportunity for workers to enter them.
However, it’s not always possible to completely eliminate the need to enter confined spaces. When this is the case, a PCBU must try to at least minimise this need or at least make sure confined spaces are designed “with safe means of entry and exit”, states the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011.
This document also lists a variety of other responsibilities that PCBUs must adhere to when employees are required to perform tasks in such working environments.
For example, it claims a PCBU “must manage the risks associated with entering, working in, working on, or working in the vicinity of a confined space, including the risk of a person inadvertently entering the confined space.”
These risks are many and varied, and a comprehensive list of them can be found in Safe Work Australia’s “Confined Spaces: Code of Practice”.
In a recent article, we discussed the top five hazards associated with confined spaces. These were unsafe oxygen levels (either too much or too little), engulfment (being swallowed or immersed by a material), fires and explosions, a limited entry and exit, and hazardous substances, such as airborne contaminants.
These are all the obvious risks that anyone working in confined spaces can expect to be faced with. However, there is also quite a large quantity of hazards that many would consider unexpected, but which PCBUs are still obligated to identify, assess and eliminate or control.
The following are just a few, courtesy of Safe Work Australia’s “Confined Spaces: Code of Practice”.
Biological Hazards: One of the risks your employees may come across in confined spaces is micro-organisms (e.g. bacteria, fungi or viruses). If a worker is exposed to these, they could develop any number of diseases. Safe Work Australia notes that PCBUs with staff performing tasks in sewers, manure pits and even grain silos are most likely to run into this problem.
Electrical Hazards: If your workers are in confined spaces that contain transformers, cables or exposed terminals, as well as wet surfaces that can act as a conductor, there’s a risk they might be electrocuted, shocked or burned.
Skin Hazards: Because confined spaces are exactly what they say on the tin, there’s a greater likelihood that anyone in them will come into contact with walls, floors and other surfaces. While this may not be a cause for concern in all cases, in others – especially those in which the confined spaces involved are home to hazardous substances – it can be dangerous.
If a worker’s skin comes into contact with contaminants, this could result in burns or “allergic dermatitis”, reveals Safe Work Australia.
Noise: Many sites and structures present noisy working environments, where precautions such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and setting up warning signs are necessary to protect workers from hearing damage or loss.
In confined spaces, this noise is often amplified due to the sound reverberating off surfaces, which makes it even more important for PCBUs to look after employees in these working environments.
Radiation: Depending on the type of radiation present in confined spaces, workers exposed to it could suffer long-lasting health problems.
In addition to this, poor lighting, slippery floors, uneven walkways and sharp edges are other hazards that PCBUs should treat with the same amount of concern as those listed above.
To fulfil their obligations under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, PCBUs must not only identify such risks in confined spaces, but also have them assessed by a “competent person”. The findings of this assessment must be put down in writing, and they will be used to determine what measures are put in place to eliminate or control the hazards.
It’s also a PCBU’s responsibility to ensure that employees without confined space entry permits are not allowed to enter or perform tasks in confined spaces. These permits must be granted by a competent person and outline who is permitted to enter what spaces and what control measures have been implemented to ensure their safety.
Finally, one of the PCBU’s largest and most important duties of care is to make sure that all workers entering confined spaces have received the proper “information, training and instruction” to undertake this venture safely.
This confined spaces training must cover the kinds of hazards workers may come across in such working environments and how to manage them; teach staff how to select, use, test and store PPE; show employees what a confined space entry permit contains; and provide them with details of any emergency procedures.
If you’d like to learn more about your responsibilities as a PCBU and want to get your employees trained-up to performed tasks in confined spaces, get in touch with the AlertForce team today!
Port Kembla Copper Stack demolition provides insight into asbestos testing process
On February 20, the Port Kembla Copper Stack was reduced to a pile of rubble.
Port Kembla Copper (PKC) submitted an application to the New South Wales Government’s Department of Planning and Infrastructure to have the Stack demolished in 2008 – an application that was approved in December last year.
As a result, this iconic feature of the Port Kembla skyline came tumbling down at 11.10 a.m on Thursday, using a controlled explosion.
PKC built the Stack in 1965 and, at 198 metres tall, it was one of the tallest chimneys in the world. According to news.com.au, both the New South Wales Police and a number of Emergency Service volunteers were present when the Stack was brought down, as were thousands of people from all over the state.
A helicopter was used to “help with the delicate operation” and a 300-metre “exclusion zone” was set up around the site to keep the crowd safe.
However, such precautions were not deemed adequate by many Port Kembla residents, who feared the Stack was contaminated by asbestos.
Ian Wilson, general manager of PKC, did his best to quash such claims, informing ABC News before the Stack was demolished that no part of structure remained “undisclosed, unexplored [or] uncharacterised”.
“PKC has done everything it can to demonstrate to everyone’s satisfaction that the Stack does not contain any residual asbestos hazard,” he announced on February 20.
Nevertheless, a number of Port Kembla residents, such as Julie Renshaw, remained unconvinced. Ms Renshaw told news.com.au the Stack was so tall that many of its levels could not possibly be accessible, which means there is no proof they didn’t contain asbestos at the time of demolition.
Her biggest fears were for a pre-school located across the road from the site.
“Our concern is, worse case scenario, one of these children does develop a respiratory illness, [and] there is no support for them at all,” she revealed to news.com.au.
It was not only PKC that conducted testing for asbestos in the Stack, however. WorkCover New South Wales and the Environmental Protection Agency also carried out their own testing to make absolutely sure the structure was asbestos-free. The two organisations released a joint media statement on February 7 stating “there is no asbestos present in the Stack”.
So, what started these rumours in the first place?
Well, according to the New South Wales Government’s Department of Planning and Infrastructure, asbestos was present in the Port Kembla Copper Stack when PKC conducted its initial assessment in 2011. Apparently it had been used in sealing materials throughout the Stack, but these were safely removed between April and August 2013.
The assessment process
On February 10, the New South Wales Government’s Department of Planning and Infrastructure issued a media release that detailed what kinds of testing had been conducted on the Port Kembla Copper Stack.
This provides some useful insight into the assessment process used to determine whether a structure is contaminated by asbestos or not, and should be of some interest to those wanting a career in asbestos removal.
In May 2011, two companies were hired to undertake inspections of the Stack. This is when it was discovered that several gaskets in the structure contained asbestos. These were removed along with their surrounding bricks by qualified asbestos removal workers two years later over a five-month period.
Once the removal was completed in August 2013, Airsafe – a business that provides on-site air-testing – was called in to test samples from both inside the Stack and outside its concrete shell, as well as its bricks. This airborne fibre monitoring was conducted using the membrane filter method.
This method of testing for asbestos basically involves drawing a particular quantity of air via a sampling pump through a membrane filter.
“The filter is later transformed from an opaque membrane into a transparent, optically homogeneous specimen,” according to Safe Work Australia. This allows whoever is conducting the testing to see what respirable fibres are present in the sample, and determine whether the air is contaminated by asbestos or other harmful airborne contaminants.
The New South Wales Government’s Department of Planning and Infrastructure states the membrane filter method was developed “to provide a consistent methodology for the sampling and analysis of airborne asbestos fibres in workplaces”.
Airsafe’s airborne fibre monitoring didn’t find any evidence of asbestos, so – after the Stack was inspected “from top to bottom” – PKC was granted an Asbestos Visual Clearance Certificate. This is a document written by a “licensed asbestos assessor or competent person” who conducts a final clearance inspection of a site once qualified asbestos removal workers have gotten rid of all contaminated materials.
According to the Queensland Government, an Asbestos Visual Clearance Certificate can only be issued if and when it’s been determined the area and its surrounds are “free from visible asbestos contamination” and air fibre monitoring has show the asbestos fibre concentration in the air is below 0.01 fibres per millilitre.
WorkCover New South Wales arrived on site a month later (September 2013) to collect samples from levels one through three of the Stack, which also came out clean.
Finally, the Environmental Protection Agency took its own concrete, brick and mortar samples in October 2013, which again came up negative.
As an extra precaution, a number of inspectors were present on the day of the Port Kembla Copper Stack’s demolition, to check for “safety and contamination” before the barriers surrounding the 300-metre exclusion zone were removed.
If you would like to become a qualified asbestos removal worker, get in touch with the AlertForce team today and ask about our asbestos removal training courses!
The top 5 hazards in confined spaces
There are a wide range of hazards you’re likely to come across when operating in a confined space. It’s important to know what they are, how to identify them and how to manage them safely.
According to Safe Work Australia’s “Confined Spaces: Code of Practice”, there are 16 major hazards associated with a confined space. Here are the top five!
Too Little or Too Much Oxygen
If oxygen in a confined space is either used up or replaced by another gas, this can result in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere. This can lead to a number of health problems, including a lack of coordination, tiredness, poor judgement, dizziness, fainting, changes in behaviour, asphyxiation and, in some cases, death.
There are a number of situations in which the amount of oxygen in a confined space might fall below safe levels. As mentioned above, oxygen can sometimes be used up or replaced by another gas during either biological processes or purging.
In addition to this, when metal rusts it can remove oxygen from the atmosphere, as can “bacterial action” – that is, processes such as fermentation. The “Confined Spaces: Code of Practice” also reveals that oxygen can be consumed during the combustion of flammable substances, as well as during activities such as welding and cutting. It might also be “grains, wood chips, soil or chemicals in sealed silos”.
The other side of the coin is also true. A confined space that contains too much oxygen can also be hazardous and put workers’ lives at risk. One of the major concerns associated with an oxygen-enriched atmosphere is the increased likelihood of fire or explosion it presents.
It’s much easier for a fire to start in air that contains a lot of oxygen. The Zenith – a company that specialises in Workers’ Compensation – also claims that “oil in the presence of pure oxygen will ignite”.
You may find yourself faced with an oxygen-enriched atmosphere if particular chemical reactions take place in the confined space you’re working in. For example, the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide will produce water and oxygen. Safe Work Australia also suggests a leak from an oxygen tank or piece of a equipment could boost oxygen to unsafe levels.
Under normal circumstances, air is made up of about 79 per cent nitrogen and various other gases, such as argon and carbon dioxide. The remaining 21 per cent is oxygen. Safe Work Australia states that oxygen levels of between 19.5 per cent and 23.5 per cent are considered safe – anything below or above that, however, is dangerous to workers.
Engulfment
In some confined spaces, workers run the risk of being engulfed – that is, swallowed or immersed in a stored material. Work Safe Victoria puts forward grain, sand, flour and fertiliser as substances that could potentially engulf someone. Other examples include coal and coal products, sewage, plastics and many types of liquid.
If a person is engulfed by any of the above materials, they could be crushed or suffocate, which may result in serious injuries or death.
Fires and Explosions
Fires and explosions are another hazard that workers operating in confined spaces might have to contend with. These can occur if you’re performing tasks in a flammable atmosphere.
The Health and Safety Authority states that such an atmosphere can arise if and when flammable gases and liquids are present, or there’s a “suspension of combustible dust in the air”. These alone are not enough to cause fires and explosions, though. They must also combine with an ignition source and the air in order to ignite.
Safe Work Australia’s “Confined Spaces: Code of Practice” states that, officially, a flammable atmosphere is “one in which a flammable gas, vapour or mist is likely to exceed 5 per cent of its lower explosive limit (LEL)”. To put it simply, the LEL is the smallest amount of gas mixed with air that will either burn or explode.
According to the Department of Commerce, the LEL for natural gas is 5 per cent gas to 95 per cent air, while the LEL for LPG is 9.5 per cent gas to 90.5 per cent air.
In addition to flammable gases, the presence of flammable liquids also poses a hazard in confined spaces. Such liquids include petrol, methylated spirits, kerosene and paint thinners, to name just a few. There’s also the “combustible dust” referred to earlier, which refers to substances such as wood, floor and grain dust.
To prevent these gases, liquids and dust from causing fires or explosions, it’s important that any and all ignition sources are removed from the confined space. A number of objects and activities can act as ignition sources, such as flames, hot surfaces, electrical equipment, metal tools (which can cause sparks when they strike metal surfaces), internal combustion engines and even static electricity.
Limited Entry and Exit
Many confined spaces are difficult to get into and get out of because their entrances and exits are either small or hard to access. For example, some confined spaces can only be entered or exited using ladders or hoists. While this wouldn’t usually be an issue, it can mean the difference between life and death if someone has a medical emergency while operating in the confined space.
Work Safe Victoria encourages all workers to consider how difficult it would be for an injured person to either exit the confined space themselves or have first aid brought to them in the event of a medical emergency. You should also take precautions such as never working alone in a confined space and having a coworker nearby who can jump to your rescue if need be.
Hazardous Substances
There are many airborne contaminants that can build up in confined spaces and be harmful to workers. For instance, any substances that are or have been stored in a confined space that are toxic, such as hydrogen sulfide, can be inhaled by workers, leading to unconsciousness and sometimes death if the situation is not managed correctly.
The kinds of tasks workers are performing in a confined space can also result in the release of hazardous substances and airborne contaminants. A worker that’s painting in a confined space without the proper ventilation systems or respiratory protective equipment (RPE), for example, risks being overwhelmed by the fumes and becoming dizzy and uncoordinated.
In addition to this, if “sludge, slurry or other deposits” are disturbed while workers are operating in a confined space, this could unleash materials such as asbestos or silica, which are known to cause cancer and respiratory illnesses.
Safe Work Australia adds that a confined space’s location can also determine whether or not its workers could be exposed to hazardous substances. If it’s situated near a plant, installation, service or process that’s producing gases or liquids, these could enter and accumulate in the confined space and put workers in real danger.
One example the “Confined Spaces: Code of Practice” provides to illustrate this is the build up of carbon monoxide in a confined space due to its close vicinity to LPG-powered forklifts.
The presence of such hazardous substances, or the likelihood of them becoming present in a confined space, must be determined before any work commences and steps taken to either remove or reduce the risk they pose to workers.
If you want to learn how to not only identify but also manage such hazards, a confined spaces training course could be the answer.
For more information, get in touch with the AlertForce team today!
Recent Changes to Heavy Vehicle Driver Fatigue Management
On 10 February 2014 the Heavy Vehicle National Law 2012 (HVNL) commenced, replacing existing laws governing the operation of all vehicles over 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania.
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) was established to administer the HVNL and is now the first point of contact for the majority of your heavy vehicle business.
Main Points
Fatigue Management Changes
• New definition of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle
• New National Driver Work Diary
• New approach to AFM
• New fatigue management exemptions
Fatigue regulated heavy vehicle
National laws are now in place to combat heavy vehicle driver fatigue. The laws are for drivers of fatigue regulated heavy vehicles which are:
- vehicles with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of over 12t
- combinations when the total of the GVM is over 12t
- buses over 4.5t with a seating capacity of more than 12 adults (including the driver)
- a truck or a combination including a truck, with a GVM of over 12t with a machine or implement attached to it
Some heavy vehicles which meet the above criteria are not classed as fatigue regulated heavy vehicles however. These include trams, motor vehicles modified to primarily operate as a machine or implement (such as agricultural machinery, bulldozers, tractors, etc) and motor homes specifically modified for residential purposes (not just built with a sleeper berth).
The fatigue laws cover:
- work and rest hours
- work diaries
- fatigue management accreditation schemes
- chain of responsibility.
National driver work diaries
Drivers of fatigue regulated heavy vehicles must complete and carry a national driver work diary if they are, or if they have in the last 28 days been:
- working more than 100km from their base location
- working under any fatigue management accreditation (Basic Fatigue Management (BFM)/Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM)
- driving under a work and rest hours exemption.
Note: The driver’s base location is the place from which the driver normally works and receives instructions. This may be the ‘garage address’ of the vehicle, the location from which the business is operated, or another place such as a depot or site.
Note: See email attachment Factsheet1 and Factsheet2
Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM)
Advanced Fatigue AFM brings a risk management approach to managing fatigue, rather than prescribing work and rest hours. It offers more flexible hours than Standard Hours or BFM in return for the operator demonstrating greater accountability for managing fatigue risks. See below for discussion of the Risk Classification Scheme being developed by the Regulator.
Independent Expert Panel consulted stakeholders and proposed Risk Classification System based on trading off high risks in one area with low risks in other areas
Risk-trading involves:
- established set of risk management principles protecting rest and sleep
- fatigue risks for are classified as high, medium, low, or community accepted
- applications describe risk profile of proposed tasks (or multiple tasks if desired)
- proposals which can show adequate safety countermeasure will be approved
Note: See email attachment Presentation1
Summary of Changes as they apply to training:
- Questions relating to relevant Law (Heavy Vehicle National Law 2012 (HVNL)) and Authority (National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR)), need to be updated where required.
- Questions and Assessment Tasks related to completing Work Diaries need to be updated where required. In particular the new format, completion requirements and process including the changed need for drivers in Queensland to now complete a Work Diary when travelling 100 km from base.
- For operators (and drivers) accredited in fatigue management drivers must carry:
- a copy of the operator’s accreditation certificate
- a document signed by the operator stating the driver has been inducted into the relevant management system and meets the requirements relating to drivers operating under the operator’s heavy vehicle accreditation
- a National Driver Work Diary (unless exempt)
- a document stating the AFM operating limits if operating under AFM (this may form part of the AFM accreditation)
- AFM requirements and process have changed and apply a risk assessment based approach to seeking accreditation.
For more information, contact AlertForce on 1800 900 222 or visit our course page on Fatigue Management.
The dangers of confined spaces
Those who operate in confined spaces know it can be a hazardous practice if they don’t adhere to the correct safety procedures.
The following news stories outline just some of the dangers of confined spaces, and what employers and employees working in them can do to reduce the risk of getting hurt.
The dangers of toxic atmospheres
In the US state of Montana, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Wednesday they are threatening to fine a company over a sewer line that’s putting workers’ lives in danger.
On Wednesday (January 29), the Great Falls Tribune reported the sewer line has been designed to run uphill “for about 7,200 feet before gravity takes it the rest of the way to the city’s wastewater treatment plant”.
The EPA says the problem with the sewer line’s design is that sometimes the flow of material through the sewer line is not fast enough to run uphill, so it just sits in the pipe.
This can quickly use up what little oxygen is already present in sewer and, if enough sulfate is present in the water, it may combine with this to form hydrogen sulfide gas.
While the Great Falls Tribune states that hydrogen sulfide gas is “not toxic to people in small amounts” it can become deadly for any workers who are made to perform maintenance or other tasks in confined spaces.
One of the most dangerous aspects of working in confined spaces is the toxic atmospheres workers are sometimes forced to contend with.
These include atmospheres where, as above, there is too little oxygen, as well as those with too much. In addition to this, there are flammable, explosive or combustible atmospheres, and toxic atmospheres that are filled with contaminants – for example, fumes or dust.
The “Confined Spaces: Code of Practice” compiled by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland outlines a number of steps that employers and employees can take to make sure these atmospheres do not put their lives at risk.
First up is purging. This involves using an inert gas, such as nitrogen, “to clear flammable gases or vapours before work in the confined space begins”.
Once confined spaces have been purged, states Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, they must be ventilated with fresh air and atmospheric testing should take place to ensure all contaminants have been well and truly removed from the area.
To the credit of the owner of the sewer in the above story, atmospheric testing for hydrogen sulfide gas was undertaken three times a week after high levels were detected back in September 2005.
Another step employers and employees can take to rid confined spaces of hazardous contaminants is ventilation.
This involves introducing fresh air into the environment – whether “by natural, forced or mechanical means” to make sure the atmosphere is safe and its temperature is regulated while workers are performing tasks.
If you’re undertaking mechanical ventilation, it’s important to make a note of where the fresh air is being drawn from and where the contaminated air is being sent to – you do not want them to cross paths!
This method of ventilation also requires constant monitoring to ensure it continues functioning properly and its controls are not accidently tampered with by unauthorised personnel.
The Code of Practice also has a few notes for those working in confined spaces containing flammable, explosive or combustible gases and vapours. One of the key safety measures you can take in these situations is removing all sources of ignition from the area.
This includes all open flames, electrical equipment and internal combustion engines. All activities that involve “metal tools striking metal surfaces” or may create static electricity must also be avoided at all costs.
Finally, respiratory protective equipment (also known as RPE) should be worn by all employers and employees operating in confined spaces with toxic atmospheres.
RPE refers to a wide range of breathing apparatuses and equipment that can help workers remain safe in confined spaces where it is not possible to remove containments or keep them at a safe level.
It’s important to remember the RPE is, as always, a last resort. You should do everything in your power to ensure confined spaces contain a safe level of oxygen before you or your co-workers enter them, and only wear RPE if this is not possible.
RPE should also be used when any contaminants are present in unknown quantities or “there is no exposure standard for a substance,” reveals Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.
How to safely navigate toxic atmospheres in confined spaces is just one of the topics covered in AlertForce’s confined spaces training.
The dangers of falling
Two recent cases – one in the US state of Arizona and the other in Wisconsin – demonstrate those working in confined spaces are also at great risk of falling and injuring themselves if the proper safety procedures are not followed.
On Thursday (January 30), AZ Central reported the Scottsdale Fire Department was sent out to rescue a worker from a city water-treatment plant. Jay Ducote, chief of operations at the Scottsdale Fire Department, explained to AZ Central that the worker had fallen “5 feet off a pipe in a 20-foot deep vault”.
The worker was successfully extricated from the water-treatment plant and did not suffer any life-threatening injuries.
That same day in Wisconsin, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited an iron foundry for 10 safety violations that occurred in its facilities during 2013. One of these involved a 30-year-old worker falling into a furnace while he was performing maintenance in confined spaces. He was working alone when the accident occurred.
Safe Work Australia’s “Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces: Code Of Practice” offers some useful advice to prevent tragedies such as the above from happening Down Under.
You should begin, as always, by identifying, assessing and control all risks associated with performing tasks at an elevated level in and around confined spaces.
When conducting all three tasks, make sure you factor the distance you could potentially fall, how many people are on site, how well the equipment (e.g. ladders) you are using has been maintained, and whether everyone present has the knowledge and skills to handle emergency situations correctly.
Of course, eliminating the need to work at an elevated level in the first place is the best course of action. However, when this is not possible the proper control measures should be implemented.
All platforms, for instance, should have barriers to prevent workers from “falling over edges and into holes”, states Safe Work Australia. They should also be constructed with enough strength to make sure it can handle someone falling against it.
Any openings and holes that people may potentially fall into should be covered where possible – for example, with safety mesh – and signs should be set up to inform workers of the risk of falling.
You should also use work positioning and fall-arrest systems, as well as anchorage lines or rails when needed. These should reduce the chance of you falling while performing tasks, as well as stop you from seriously injuring yourself if and when you do fall.
Finally, you should never work in confined spaces alone, as someone needs to on hand if an accident occurs.
If you want to learn how to keep safe in confined spaces, get in touch with AlertForce today!
Down Under’s most deadly industries
Safe Work Australia has just released its “Notable Fatalities Monthly Report” for September 2013, which contains some much-needed facts and figures about the state of WHS in our country.
Overall, there were 14 work-related fatalities in September. A total of eight male employees were killed, along with one female and five male bystanders.
The report shows that three people died as a result of vehicle incidents, both on public and non-public roads, while two people lost their lives after falling from height.
The remaining fatalities occurred when people were trapped in machinery; hit by vehicles, moving or falling objects; electrocuted; or suffered insect bites and stings.
While some industries are clearly more dangerous than others, as the “Notable Fatalities Monthly Report” shows, it’s interesting that the top five industries featured on the list are widely different. These are: transport, agriculture, construction, public administration and safety, and manufacturing.
This demonstrates that no matter which industries you’re working in or what tasks you’re performing, following the necessary WHS procedures is paramount – it could mean the difference between life and death.
The following is a quick run-down of Down Under’s most deadly industries, according to the number of fatalities noted in Safe Work Australia’s report.
Transport
The transport sector is by far and away the most dangerous in Australia, with a shocking 51 work-related fatalities recorded in the year to September 2013. In the month of September alone, 5 people lost their lives in the transport sector. A total of 23 workers and 28 bystanders were killed.
Nevertheless, this industry plays a vital role in our country’s economy and is a huge employer – some estimates put its workforce at 1.2 million people. Australia will always need skilled people to work in the transport sector, so it’s important they know how to look after themselves.
What can you do to keep safe?
AlertForce offers a wide range of training courses that are designed for those working in the transport sector. Our Dangerous Goods Training, for example, will provide you with the know-how to transport materials such as acids, paints, gases and pesticides by sea or air.
We also have Forklift Safety Training and Load Restraint Training. The former course will teach you everything you need to know about operating a forklift, such as moving loads and parking, as well as how to navigate your working environment safely.
The latter will show you how to choose the right vehicle for whatever you’re attempting to transport and how to arrange and restrain loads according to best practice.
Agriculture
Unsurprisingly, the agriculture sector is high on Safe Work Australia’s list of work-related fatalities, coming in second place. In the year to September 2013, a total of 33 people in this industry died.
In contrast to the transport sector, it’s the workers themselves rather than the bystanders in this industry that are most at risk – 32 out of the 33 people who were killed last year were workers.
This industry employs around 1.6 million people (both directly and indirectly) across the country. It also injects approximately $49 billion into the Australian economy each year.
The biggest hazard facing workers in the agriculture sector is vehicles. These vehicles – which include tractors and quad bikes – are responsible for almost three-quarters of the work-related fatalities recorded in this industry.
While steps have been taken by many groups, such as FarmSafe Australia, to address the issue, there is – as always – more work to be done.
What can you do to keep safe?
AlertForce’s Injury and Illness Training is just one of the courses that you and your workers could benefit from. This covers a variety of health conditions including poisoning and stings, hypothermia, fainting, heart attacks and heat-related illnesses.
Construction
The third most dangerous industry in terms of fatalities is the construction sector. While the number of workers and bystanders who have lost their lives in this industry is much lower than those recorded in the transport and agriculture sectors, one death – as the saying goes – is still too many.
A total of 19 people were killed in the construction sector in the year to September 2013. Again, the majority of these were workers – 15 in all – while the remaining 4 were bystanders.
According to WorkSafe Victoria, a whopping 50 construction workers are seriously injured in the state each week – usually because “basic site safety is not up to scratch,” a spokesperson revealed. In a sector that’s one of the fastest growing in the state and employs 225,000 workers, this statistic must not be ignored.
What can you do to keep safe?
At AlertForce, WHS that relates to the construction sector is one of our strengths. From general Construction Safety Training that equips workers with the skills they need to identify, assess and manage hazards that may crop up on site, to specialised courses, such as Lockout Tagout Training, AlertForce can help your employees get home safe at the end of each working day!
Public Administration and Safety
In fourth place is the public administration and safety sector with eight deaths (six workers and two bystanders). This covers a wide range of professions, such as security officers, lifeguards and probation officers.
What can you do to keep safe?
AlertForce offers a First Aid Training Course, which is the cornerstone of all WHS. This is an online “refresher” course that is perfect for those who are looking to brush up on their knowledge and skills in this area.
Manufacturing
While the manufacturing sector is leading the way when it comes to research and development (apparently one-quarter of all business expenditure went toward this in 2012-13), it’s also one of the frontrunners when it comes to work-related fatalities.
With a total of seven deaths in the year to September 2013, the manufacturing sector earns its spot as the fifth most dangerous sector in the country. All seven of the people who died during this 12-month period were workers – no bystanders lost their lives.
The Department of Industry reveals that, as of the September quarter, an impressive 921,400 people were employed in the manufacturing sector. Like the other industries discussed in this article, it is also a massive contributor to our country’s economy, raking in an estimated $105 billion in 2012-13.
What can you do to keep safe?
One of the AlertForce courses you might want to consider enrolling your workers in is Hand Safety Training.
This will cover a useful array of topics, including how to operate machinery in a safe way, how to adopt the right grip (so your workers aren’t crippled by repetitive hand strains), how to use gloves and the steps you can take to avoid hand injuries in the working environment.
This is just the tip of the iceberg – AlertForce’s WHS courses are suitable for almost every sector – no matter how dangerous. Get in touch with our team today to help make sure you’re safe and healthy at work tomorrow!
It’s heating up – are you and your workers safe?
The mercury’s rising all over the country, and Southern Australia has been hit particularly hard by the soaring temperatures.
On January 3, the Bureau of Meteorology published its Annual Climate Statement, which showed that 2013 was the “hottest year on record” – a trend that looks set to continue.
The statement revealed that average temperatures across the country were 1.2 degrees celsius higher than the long-term average of 21.8 degrees celsius. Each state and territory experienced temperatures that were above average, and January 2013 now holds the record for the hottest day (January 7), hottest week and hottest month.
This year, however, could see the record broken again. Southern Australia is battling heat wave conditions, and the Bureau of Meteorology has now issued a warning that states the weather shows no signs of cooling down.
In fact, the ABC reported in a January 16 article that heat waves in Australia are becoming “more frequent, hotter and are lasting longer because of climate change”.
New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria can all expect to face “very hot northerly winds” over the coming days, with temperatures expected to hit 40 degrees celsius and over in some inland areas.
What are the risks?
Having to perform tasks in soaring temperatures can be dangerous if the necessary steps aren’t taken. All outdoor workers, who are exposed to high levels of UV radiation for extended periods of time, are more likely to suffer from heat-related illnesses, such as heat stress, as well as develop conditions such as skin cancer.
It’s therefore important for outdoor workers to understand the risks that heat waves pose and how to protect themselves and others in the workplace.
“Severe and extreme heat waves pose significant risks to human health and safety, in particular for the elderly, who are more vulnerable to the effects of heat stress,” said Alasdair Hainsworth, Assistant Director for Weather Services, in a January 13 statement.
“When average conditions are exceeded over a period of time by continuously high night-time and day-time temperatures, heat stress becomes a critical factor in human survival and infrastructure resilience.”
What is heat stress?
According to SafeWork South Australia, heat stress occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature using cooling mechanisms such as sweating. This is usually because your body is absorbing heat from the environment faster than it can lose heat.
The factors that may contribute to heat stress are the temperature and humidity of the environment you are working in, the amount of air movement it allows, what kind of clothing you are wearing and what type of physical activity you are undertaking.
This problem is more common in outdoor workers who are unfit, have existing heart problems, are overweight, drink excessive amounts of alcohol or are on some form of medication.
In addition to this, outdoor workers who are “acclimatised” to the conditions are more likely to suffer from heat stress.
The Department of Commerce states that it usually takes between 7 and 14 days for a worker to become acclimatised to a working environment. This can be “entirely lost” if the worker is away from the working environment for more than four weeks.
That means “fly-in, fly-out” workers have an increased risk of being adversely impacted by soaring temperatures.
What are the symptoms?
There is a variety of symptoms associated with heat stress, ranging from mild to extreme. At the former end of the spectrum, workers may:
– appear flushed
– sweat more
– experience heat rashes (also known as “prickly heat”)
– feel tired, dizzy or irritable,
– have a reduced attention span and / or work capacity.
If no steps are taken to relieve these symptoms, workers can begin to suffer from heat exhaustion, which may cause low blood pressure, fainting, headaches and an increase in body temperature or even heat stroke.
The symptoms of heat stroke include confusion, problems with speech, convulsions and – in extreme cases – cardiac arrest. This is potentially fatal, states the Department of Commerce – so it’s important to avoid a worker from reaching this stage in the first place.
What can you do to avoid it?
All employers are required to provide their workers with a safe and healthy environment in which to perform tasks. You should never forget that this applies to outdoor environments, too!
There are a number of steps employers can take to prevent heat waves from putting their outdoor workers’ lives in danger.
Employers:
– Make sure your outdoor workers are well versed in the risks associated with spending too much time in the scorching heat. You can do this by providing them with OHS training, such as the UV and Heat Awareness Training Course that AlertForce offers.
This will equip your staff with the skills and knowledge they need to identify, assess and control the hazards posed by UV radiation. It will also give them a grounding in first aid treatments for workers suffering from such outdoor hazards.
– If possible, reschedule tasks so they can be performed at cooler times of the day, or in cooler areas. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland suggests conducting outdoor tasks either before 10am or after 3pm during the summer months.
– Make sure your outdoors workers are taking plenty of breaks. You should provide an area for them to rest and recover in that’s near to where they are working, states the University of Sydney’s “Guidelines for Outdoor Workers”, so they don’t have to travel far to have a break. This area should also be shaded and as cool as possible.
– You may also want to consider hiring more outdoor workers or boosting worker rotation so that no one is forced to spend too much time in the sun.
Employees:
Of course, OHS is not just the employer’s responsibility. It’s also up to outdoor workers to look after themselves and each other. Here are just some of the ways you can do this.
– You should try to drink about 200 millilitres of water every 20 minutes, according to WorkCover NSW. It’s important that you stick to water, rather than caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea and soda, or energy drinks. WorkCover NSW reveals that energy drinks have a diuretic effect, which could make working in the heat more rather than less dangerous!
– Wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to shield yourself from the sun. This could include a broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses, clothing that covers as much of your body as possible and plenty of sunscreen. This will not only help you to keep cool, but also reduce the amount of UV radiation your skin is being exposed to – reducing your chances of developing skin cancer.
Want to know more?
Get in touch with the team at AlertForce today and ask about our UV and Heat Awareness Training Course – it could save your life!
What’s making headlines? OHS in the news
The topic of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is never far away from the front page, which demonstrates that workers in every sector across the country should be doing more to keep safe.
Here is just a glimpse of the OHS-focused articles that have already made headlines this year.
New South Wales man falls to death at building site
Thursday (January 9) – just over a week into 2014 – saw new sources across the country reporting on the tragic death of a man in Barangaroo, New South Wales. The 30-year-old was working on scaffolding at a building site in the inner-city suburb when he lost his footing and fell 30 metres.
Though ambulance officers arrived not long after the accident occurred, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. As a result, a union is accusing the man’s employer of “failing to supervise workers properly at the site,” according to Sky News.
While some witnesses have said they believe the man suffered a heart attack moments before he fell, Brian Parker, New South Wales secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), told Sky News that he is “confident there was a lack of supervision and mentoring for this young bloke”.
Another spokesperson for the CFMEU said that it was likely the man had not undergone the necessary training to be working on scaffolding.
This story demonstrates just how easy it is to have an accident when the correct OHS rules and regulations are not followed.
Safe Work Australia has published countless reports on the dangers associated with working at an elevated level. In a report titled “Work-Related Injuries and Fatalities Involving a Fall from Height, Australia”, the agency revealed that falls are a “major cause” of death in workplaces across the country, responsible for the loss of 232 lives between July 2003 and June 2011.
The agency has also published a “Code of Practice” for those working at heights, which outlines the responsibilities – otherwise known as “duties of care” – of employers and employees on building and other work sites.
One of the words that appears time and time again in this document is “supervision” – workers must be supervised when on scaffolding or ladders, when using Individual Fall-Arrest Systems (IFAS) and when operating Travel Restraint Systems, to name just a few. As Mr Parker said, supervision could have been the difference between life and death for the New South Wales man.
In addition to this, all workers who perform tasks at a height – whether they are employed in the construction or any other sector – are required to undergo Working at Heights Training.
It’s important that people on scaffolding, ladders and elevated work platforms are able to assess the risks of working environment, take steps to eliminate or minimise these risks and understand both the main causes of falls and how to prevent them.
This is all knowledge you can gain from AlertForce’s Working at Heights Training, which has been specifically designed to provide workers with an excellent grounding in this area. You can take a General Awareness Course online, which is quick, easy and could save your or someone else’s life in future.
Western Australian man involved in fatal crush incident
It’s not just the construction sector that needs to take a long, hard look at its attitude toward safety. A 33-year-old man died at a mining site in the Pilbara region of Western Australia after he was injured at a heavy vehicle workshop on New Year’s Eve.
Australian Mining revealed this is the second fatal accident that has occurred at the mining site in the past four months, and the third death in the mining sector to have taken place in December.
The Western Australian man was “undertaking work on a surface miner” with a co-worker when the accident took place, explains Australian Mining. He was killed at the mining site, while his co-worker was airlifted to hospital with serious leg injuries.
According to The Australian, this and previous accidents at the mining site have resulted in a number of complaints being made online by “current and ex-employees at the mine”. Some of them described the mining site as “dangerous” and even “cowboy run”, reveals The Australian, and believe its operators are more interested in the productivity of the mine than the safety of its workers.
On December 30, WA Today said the Department of Mines and Petroleum had ordered the operators to tighten their safety procedures, increase the level of supervision of workers on the mining site and make sure that proper safety checks are conducted.
It is also important people working on mining sites undergo the necessary training, especially in areas that are unique to their industry.
For example, AlertForce offers Confined Spaces Training, which provides workers with the knowledge and skills they need to perform tasks safely in confined spaces, such as mines.
It covers everything from the hazards associated with confined spaces, the different types of atmospheres you might be faced with (such as flammable, oxygen deficient and toxic), and how to keep yourself safe using the correct procedures, respiratory and personal protective equipment and atmosphere testing.
As with Working at Heights Training, AlertForce can provide you with a General Awareness Course that covers the basics of working in confined spaces – get in touch with us today if you want to find out more!
The dark side of Australia’s agriculture industry
On January 2, the National Farmers’ Federation declared that 2014 would be the International Year of Family Farming.
“We look forward to working with our members, farmers and all within agriculture to celebrate the International Year of Family Farming this year,” said Brent Finlay, president of the National Farmers’ Federation.
Mr Finlay added the industry body would be working hard in 2014 to develop its highly anticipated Blueprint for Australian Agriculture, which is hoped will shape the future of this vital sector for many years to come.
Australia’s agriculture industry
In Australia, the agriculture industry is one of the most affluent sectors. There are currently 134,000 farms across the country, according to the National Farmers’ Federation, and 99 per cent of them are owned and operated by families.
The latest facts and figures also show that a whopping 307,000 people are directly employed in the agriculture industry. When those who are indirectly employed by the sector are taken into consideration, this number jumps to 1.6 million people.
It’s not only a major employer, however. The agriculture industry also injects a huge amount of money into the Australian economy each year. As of 2010-11, the sector is worth just under $49 billion ($48.7, to be exact) and accounts for 3 per cent of the country’s total GDP.
In addition to this, exports from Australia’s farms earn around $32.5 billion each year.
However, Australia’s agriculture industry has a dark side. In fact, it’s one of the country’s most dangerous sectors in terms of fatalities.
A report published by Safe Work Australia shows that between 2003 and 2011, a shocking 356 workers died while performing tasks on a farm. This equates to 17 per cent of all fatalities that occurred in Australia’s workforce during this period.
Safe Work Australia’s report also reveals that one-third of fatalities in the agriculture sector occur among workers aged 65 years and over.
What’s costing so many workers their lives?
As is the case with all workplaces in the country, farms come with a unique set of hazards that workers must contend with.
One of the biggest hazards, and ultimately the cause of most work-related deaths of farms, is vehicles. A whopping 71 per cent of fatalities that occurred during the eight-year period covered by the report were a direct result of accidents involving vehicles.
A total of 93 people (26 per cent) lost their lives as a result of accidents involving tractors, while 48 people (13 per cent) were killed in accidents involving aircraft.
Safe Work Australia also states that light vehicles were responsible for 28 people’s deaths and accidents involving quad bikes led to the work-related deaths of 27 people.
Aside from vehicles, 18 people died as a result of a bite or being hit by an animal, 11 people were killed after falling from a horse and 9 people were accidently shot by their fellow workers.
What’s being done to change these figures?
It’s clear from the above statistics that vehicles are one of the deadliest pieces of equipment in farms. That’s why FarmSafe Australia has made educating people about the dangers associated with them a priority.
John Temperley, executive officer of FarmSafe Australia, explained in a December 30 statement the industry body has been working on a number of programs to help people understand best practices when it comes to operating vehicles.
“One of our most successful programs was promoting tractor safety,” said Mr Temperley.
“We had evidence that farmers were dying from tractor rollovers, so we asked state governments to subsidise the retro fitment of rollover protection structures (ROPS) on older tractors that didn’t have cabins.”
He added that a disturbing number of children are also run over by vehicles on farms, and creating a “safe play area for children” to prevent them getting in the way of vehicles is a good idea.
The latest FarmSafe Symposium, held in November 2013, also put a spotlight on quad bikes. A number of delegates from the University of New South Wales attended the event and discussed their current research into the stability of quad bikes and how effective crush protection devices on these vehicles are.
Rex Hoy, chief executive officer of Safe Work Australia, said that “improving farm safety and, in particular, quad bike safety requires a concerted effort from all parties”.
What can you do?
As an employer or worker in the agriculture industry, you also have a responsibility to take precautions and keep yourself and others safe while performing tasks.
Here are a just a few ways you can make your farm a safer place to work:
– Keep an eye out for any new hazards that may arise on the farm and take steps to mitigate these as soon as humanly possible.
– Make sure all employees and visitors are well-versed in your farm’s safety procedures, so they know what to do if an emergency arises.
– Try not to head out and perform tasks alone on your farm. It’s a good idea to either bring another person with your or make sure you can contact someone / are able to be contacted if you get into trouble.
– Get OHS training. This will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to create a risk management strategy and perform the actions it outlines if and when required.
For more information about the types of OHS training that are available for workers in the agriculture industry, get in touch with AlertForce today!
Are you too tired to drive?
Most people don’t realise it, but tired drivers are just as dangerous – if not more so – than those who are drunk or speeding.
According to Minister for Roads Duncan Gay, driver fatigue is one of the top three causes of road accidents in New South Wales. He added that road accidents involving sleepy drivers are two times more likely to be fatal than other road accidents.
The reason is simple: “You can’t brake while you’re asleep”.
In 2012, a total of 62 people died in fatigue-related road accidents across New South Wales. A further 1,959 people were injured. Mr Gay said the fatality rate for tired driving was actually higher than the fatality rate for drunk driving over this period.
“You might be a good driver, but your tired self isn’t. Do not trust them behind the wheel,” he announced.
Because this issue is so prevalent – and ultimately avoidable – the New South Wales government has launched a campaign titled “Don’t Trust Your Tired Self”, which aims to raise awareness about the dangers associated with getting behind the wheel when you’re tired.
What are the causes?
There are a number of factors that may cause fatigue. The Better Health Channel lists medical conditions, lifestyle habits (such as not getting enough or too much sleep, having a poor diet or drinking too much alcohol) and emotional concerns or stress at the main reasons people suffer from tiredness.
In addition to this, attempting to drive or perform other tasks during times of the day and night when you’re body is programmed to be asleep can also trigger fatigue – and the consequences may be deadly.
What are the symptoms?
Some common symptoms of driver fatigue are yawning frequently, accidentally drifting into another lane, having sore eyes, experiencing delayed reactions, having trouble focusing and not being able to remember the last few kilometres, according to VicRoads.
It’s important that you’re able to recognise these symptoms and act on them early, as research shows that a person’s ability to make judgements declines rapidly the more tired they get. So, if you become too tired, you may not be able to make the right call about getting behind the wheel or not.
How can you prevent it?
There are a range of ways to prevent driver fatigue from causing you or other other road users from having a fatal accident.
– Drive an attention-powered vehicle
The Royal Automobile Club (RAC) of Western Australia has come up with an ingenious way to prevent tired drivers from getting into accidents.
It’s called the attention-powered vehicle, and it’s a world first. This vehicle comes with an Emotiv EEG neuro headset, which connects the driver’s brain activity with its engine.
When the neuro headset detects that the driver’s level of attention has dropped, it conveys this information to the engine, which causes the vehicle to slow down.
This shows the driver that they’re not concentrating on the road – whether due to fatigue or some other factor – and (hopefully) encourages them to pull over and take a break.
Dr Geoffrey Mackellar, Chief Technical Officer at research company Emotiv, said that it’s quite difficult to tell when a driver is concentrating and when they’re not.
He explained the neuro headset contains 14 sensors that measure activity in various regions of the brain, including the frontal, temporal, parietal and perceptual areas.
“The amount of activity in these areas registers what the driver is cognitively processing, or if they are zoning out,” revealed Dr Mackellar.
This cutting-edge technology was installed in a five-star ANCAP safety rated Hyundai i40 in September last year. RAC Executive General Manager Pat Walker said it was designed to “raise awareness about inattention, and to find possible solutions to try to help save lives on our roads”.
– Visit testyourselftired.com.au
If purchasing an attention-powered vehicle when and if they hit the market is beyond your budget, however, there are a number of other steps you can take to make sure fatigue doesn’t put your life in danger when you’re behind the wheel.
Transport for NSW, for instance, has recently developed a new website – testyourselftired.com.au – which provides drivers with the opportunity to find out how sleepy they are before they hit the road.
Mr Gay described the website as a fun and simple way to gauge your level of fatigue. It features a quick test that asks you a range of questions, challenges your memory and looks at your response to reactions.
When you’ve completed the test, you’ll be told whether you’re too tired to drive. If you are, this clever interface will provide you with some useful tips for how to combat your fatigue, such as taking a nap or going to bed early for a good night’s sleep.
You can access the website for free on laptop or desktop computer, as well as your mobile phone or tablet – so you can check how tired you are when you’re out and about, in the office or at home.
– Get a good night’s sleep
The average adult needs around eight hours of sleep each night. If you’re not getting this much, you might want to try some of the following.
– Make a sleep schedule and stick to it. If you always go to bed and wake up at the same time (even on the weekends), you may be able to get in-sync with your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.
– Try to avoid caffeine, alcohol and nicotine before you hit the hay, and don’t eat anything in the two or three hours preceding bedtime.
– Always sleep in a cool, dark environment that’s free from any distractions, such as your TV or computer.
– Get plenty of exercise, but avoid doing so in the three hours before you go to bed.
– Enrol in OHS training
Another way to make sure you’re clued-up on everything there is to know about driver fatigue is by getting in contact with AlertForce and signing up for our Driver Fatigue Management Training Course.
This is a quick course (it will take you around 18 minutes to complete, plus quizzes) and should provide you with a fantastic overview of the dangers associated with driver fatigue and how to prevent them.
You will learn all about the causes of fatigue, how it can affect your performance as a driver and your body clock, and you’ll look at some case studies of accidents that have occurred as a result of people getting behind the wheel tired.
In addition to this, you’ll be equipped with the skills and knowledge to effectively manage fatigue, so that you don’t become statistic.
For more information about this OHS training course, get in touch with the team at AlertForce today.
PPE:Are You Protected In Your Workplace?
One of the key responsibilities of an employer is to ensure that employees are wearing their required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). It is well known that PPE is one of the most important preventive measures, but special attention needs to taken to ensure that employees wear it whenever necessary and do not get complacent.
Recently a man was ordered to pay out nearly $350,000 after an employee was injured while using sharp knives without any protective gloves. The court found Kemp Meats Pty Ltd in breach of its duty of care to the injured butcher.
In 2010 the worker was removing the stomach of a pig when the knife struck bone, causing it to shift and cut his left thumb and severing his extensor tendon. The worker was not wearing protective gloves when the injury occurred. The butcher filed a claim and it was revealed that gloves were not mandatory until after the injury occurred.
It was reported in court that some employees are resistant to using them as they reportedly interfered with efficiency and created greater difficulties when trying to grip slippery meat.
The court found that it was the employer’s responsibility to ensure that employees are provided with cut-resistant gloves and wear them at all required times.
The following PPE guidlines should be considered.
PPE is only a temporary protector against workplace hazards. All use of PPE is depended on the work environment/conditions/ and tasks required.
Every type of PPE has its own specific use and was designed for industry specific hazards. Thus, PPE used in one industry would not an be adequate safety measure for another industry despite their similarity.
For example some protective gloves used in one industry,might otherwise be experience wear and tear and become less effective in another industry depending on the type of chemicals being used.
It is important to recognize that PPE does eliminate workplace hazards– the hazards still exist and proper safety measures must still be adhered to.
- PPE should be used according to the hazard it was designed for
- PPE should allow for the presence of other workplace dangers.
- Employees should be properly trained in the proper use, wear and maintenance of PPE
- On that note, PPE should be safely stored and continuously kept in quality shape through frequent maintenance and checks.
- One PPE is found to be damaged or defected, it should immediately be disposed of and replaced.
Article partially sourced from Julie Armour – www.WorkingArmour.com.au
3 essential aspects of good traffic management (per industry)
In general, the workplace you’re operating in will impact which control measures you put in place.
The following are 3 essential aspects of good traffic management for each of warehousing, construction and shopping centres. If you want to boost your knowledge or augment your skills, a work, health and safety (WHS) training course that focuses on traffic management could be worth investigating!
Warehousing
There’s a wide range of traffic involved in warehousing, such as delivery trucks, powered mobile plants (e.g. forklifts) and pedestrians. These vehicles and individuals will be involved in activities like unloading, transferring and loading goods.
1) To make sure vehicles and pedestrians aren’t using a traffic route at the same time, introduce control measures such as walkways (overhead, if possible) and well-marked “safety zones” (complete with signs, interlocked gates, etc.) so that drivers and operators are protected if and when they disembark a vehicle.
2) Safe Work Australia’s “Traffic Management Guide: Warehousing” suggests implementing right-of-way rules and regulations and ensuring all workers and visitors at the warehouse are familiar with them, so they know who to give way to and when. These should be complemented by easy-to-read site maps that “indicate traffic flow”.
3) If possible, make sure any zones in which powered mobile plants are in operation are restricted, so that they’re off-limits to workers and visitors who are not either using the machines or trained to perform a supervisory role. This will prevent unauthorised personnel from accidentally walking into an area where they could be injured by a powered mobile plant.
Construction
The construction industry is another sector in which observing best practices for traffic management can be the difference between life or death. On a construction site, you will be faced with more or less the same kinds of traffic you might find in warehousing – large and small vehicles delivering materials, powered mobile plants, workers and members of the public.
The difference will be in the layout of the workplace, which will dictate the control measures you implement to keep everyone safe.
1) In the design stages of the construction site, make sure the amount of shared space that vehicles and pedestrians have is kept to a minimum. This should always be your first step when it comes to traffic management, as it will abolish the chances of people being injured or killed.
2) It can also be a good idea to try and limit the amount that vehicles have to move on the construction site itself. This is also something that should be considered in the design stages of the construction site, and it could involve “planning storage areas” and arranging parking for vehicles at a safe distance from the main workplace, so the chance of pedestrians being around vehicles when they’re reversing, etc. is reduced. Safe Work Australia’s “Traffic Management Guide: Construction Work” also suggests arranging drivers and pedestrians’ schedules so they don’t have to be on the construction site at the same time.
3) Make sure that everyone on the construction site is wearing high-visibility clothing at all times, as this will make it easier for drivers to see and, therefore, avoid them when operating their vehicles in the same location.
Shopping Centres
One of the most dangerous aspects of shopping centres is the fact that there are normally a lot of members of the public around, who have likely not received WHS training and are not well-versed in traffic management.
It’s therefore the duty of those who have received training to protect themselves, their coworkers and members of the public by developing and implementing sound traffic control measures.
In shopping centres, you’re likely to come across a variety of traffic, including “shopping trolley collection vehicles”, taxis, buses, bicycles and a variety of pedestrians.
1) Only use the aforementioned shopping trolley collection vehicles if they possess adequate safety features, such as reversing cameras, mirrors (to help minimise blind spots), and lights and alarms that indicate when the vehicles are backing up or coming near to pedestrians. Safe Work Australia’s “Traffic Management Guide: Shopping Centres” also notes that every person operating one of these vehicles should be properly trained and supervised if necessary.
2) Keep all traffic routes, such as footpaths, free of obstacles that might cause pedestrians to trip and injure themselves. These routes should be monitored regularly and any hazards noticed must be removed as soon as possible.
3) All pedestrian vehicles, such as taxis and buses, should be provided with designated zones in which to stop, preferably away from other vehicles and areas where there is a lot of foot traffic.
5 industries that benefit from confined spaces training
All people who are required to work in confined spaces need to undertake the appropriate training, so they don’t put themselves or their fellow employees at risk.
Confined Spaces: Code of Practice, a practical guide to the WHS rules and regulations associated with this area, lists “Information, Instruction and Training” as one of the best ways to keep safe with performing tasks in confined spaces.
This training must delve into five main areas, according to Safe Work Australia. These are:
– How to recognise hazards in confined spaces.
– Why risk control measures are needed and how to implement them.
– How to choose, utilise, fit, test and store personal protective equipment (PPE).
– What a confined space entry permit is and what it contains.
– The emergency procedures relevant to the industry and confined spaces in which you’re working.
Safe Work Australia also outlines in the Confined Spaces: Code of Practice exactly who needs to receive this training.
Basically, anyone who enters or works in confined spaces or is responsible in any way, shape or form for identifying hazards and implementing risk control measures in them should be trained before they enter these spaces.
In addition to this, people who are tasked with issuing the aforementioned confined space entry permits, design workplaces that include confined spaces or even communicate with people working in confined spaces are also expected to up their knowledge and enhance their skills via training.
That covers what type of “Information, Instruction and Training” is needed and who is required to undertake it, but which industries in Australia benefit from Confined Space Training the most?
The following are just five!
Construction
According to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, some confined spaces that might be found on construction sites include trenches, crawl spaces and drainage pipes.
The construction industry is one of Australia’s biggest employers, keeping approximately one million people (or nine per cent of the country’s population) in work. However, it’s also one of Australia’s most dangerous sectors. Between 2007-08 and 2011-12, a total of 211 people died from work-related injuries in the construction industry.
That means the sector’s fatality rate is almost twice the national average – 4.34 deaths per 100,000 workers as opposed to 2.29 per 100,000 workers. Many of the accidents that led to these employees’ deaths could have been avoided if best practices were observed and the appropriate training completed.
Mining
A whopping 245,000 people work in the mining industry, a number that equates to 2 per cent of Australia’s workforce.
In addition to employing a lot of people, the mining industry injures and even kills many workers, too. A total of 36 people died from work-related injuries in this sector between 2007-08 and 2011-12, states Safe Work Australia – which, like the construction industry, puts the mining industry’s fatality rate at a level 70 per cent higher than the national rate (3.84 deaths per 100,000 workers).
Out of these fatalities, three were caused by a “slide or cave-in”. The possibility of this occurring may have been reduced if a risk assessment had been conducted by a trained professional.
Manufacturing
The manufacturing industry is another sector in which employees could need to enter and work in confined spaces. It employs one million or 9 per cent of the country’s total workforce and was responsible for 113 fatalities between 2007-08 and 2011-12.
Food and Beverage
Believe it or not, those working in the food and beverage industry may be required to perform tasks in enclosed or partially enclosed areas from time to time.
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations states that employees may need to access vessels used for storing, transporting and processing materials, products and “finished food and beverages”.
Transport and Storage
In this industry, understanding how to safely transport and store hazardous substances – such as flammable gases – in the confined spaces of vehicles is important. If the proper control measures aren’t implemented and these confined spaces are damaged, the results could be catastrophic.
If you’re working in confined spaces in any of the above industries, or would simply like more information about what Confined Space Training can do for you and your career, get in touch with the team at AlertForce today!
We offer a Confined Space Training (General Awareness Only) course that will help you understand the hazards associated with working in confined spaces and prevent accidents from occurring.
What you need to know about traffic management
On July 19, Safe Work Australia published a Model Code of Practice titled “Traffic Management in Workplaces”. This document provides an WHS guide for employers and employees all over the country who operate or work alongside vehicles and powered mobile plants.
According to Safe Work Australia, the Model Code of Practice has been given to the Select Council on Workplace Relations (also known as the Ministerial Council) for approval.
When it’s eventually agreed to, it will become the official WHS Code of Practice under the “Inter-Governmental Agreement for Regulatory and Operational” reform. That basically means it will constitute the foundation of traffic management legislation in all states and territories.
So, having a solid understanding of what the Model Code of Practice for “Traffic Management in Workplaces” contains will serve you well, no matter where in Australia you happen to live and work in.
Who’s responsible?
The document begins with an overview of exactly who is responsible for traffic management in the workplace. As usual, it’s a team effort. While the person conducting a business or undertaking (also known as the PCBU) has the “primary duty” to ensure all employees and people in the workplace are healthy and safe, a number of players are involved when it comes to traffic management.
These include the “principal contractor” if the workplace happens to be a construction site; the “designers, manufacturers, suppliers and importers” of the workplace, who should – for instance – ensure its layout keeps vehicles and pedestrians away from each other; officers and the employees themselves – particularly those who are driving vehicles or powered mobile plants.
Where do you start?
It doesn’t matter what industry you’re working in or what area of the workplace you’re focusing on, your first step toward creating a safe and healthy environment is a risk management strategy.
When it comes to traffic management, you still need to make a list of all the hazards in your workplace, come up with a method of assessing them (which involves putting them in order from “most risky” to “least risky”) and finally take measures to either remove the hazards altogether or, at least, mitigate the risk they pose to everyone in the workplace.
The difference is that all of the hazards you identify, assess and remove or control will be traffic-related.
These can include:
– reversing or maneuvering, arriving or departing, unloading or loading vehicles;
– if pedestrians are required to use the same routes as vehicles;
– attaching or detaching trailers;
– any maintenance work that needs to be carried out on vehicles or powered mobile plants;
– if drivers or operators are not able to see pedestrians at any point in time; and
– whether pedestrian routes (such as crossings) are well marked or not.
Once you’ve made a list of these hazards, it’s time to assess and control them.
What are some traffic management tips?
In addition to providing a step-by-step guide to developing a risk management strategy, Safe Work Australia’s Model Code of Practice contains some useful suggestions for reducing the likelihood of traffic-related accidents occurring.
The following are just a few highlights – for more information, read the full Model Code of Practice here.
When possible, the best way to make sure drivers and pedestrians stay healthy and safe in the workplace is by keeping them away from each other. It’s a good idea to provide them with separate routes, or at least placing barriers around vehicle routes to stop pedestrians from walking onto them accidently.
All routes should be designed with the largest vehicle you’ll be using in mind, so they don’t risk getting stuck. They should also be well maintained (free of potholes and other obstructions) and, Safe Work Australia states, surfaced with “bitumen, concrete or another suitable material that is well drained”.
The act of reversing is one of the most dangerous parts of driving a vehicle, so this one area that requires a good deal of attention.
The Model Code of Practice suggests employees avoid reversing altogether; however, there are other control measures you can implement if this isn’t possible. For instance, make sure all vehicles are equipped with the appropriate mirrors and reversing cameras, to help drivers see where they’re going, as well as lights and/or alarms so pedestrians know when vehicles are reversing.
Want to know more?
AlertForce offers courses in traffic management, which will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to keep safe in a variety of workplaces – no matter where you are in Australia.
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5 tips for working safely with scaffolds
There are many considerations that need to be made as part of construction site safety, but the proper use of scaffolding is often one of the most common.
After all, scaffolding is an integral part of any construction environment, so providing the necessary training to workers will help make sure OHS safety obligations are met at all times.
Following a few simple procedures can make the difference between operating a safe and compliant construction site and one that puts the security of its workers and others at risk.
Regardless of whether you are using fixed or mobile scaffolding, you need to follow the same safety procedures at all times.
Here are five tips you need to pass on to your employees to ensure they are using equipment in the safest way possible.
1) Choose the right scaffolding for the job
There are different types of scaffolding available, with each one benefiting from certain features that might make it better for the job than others.
Having a sound knowledge of scaffolding options is important, as this will help you decide which type to erect and ultimately ensure the safety of your workers.
If, for example, you select scaffolding that is too light duty for the job at hand, your workers could be put at risk and find the structure collapses from beneath them.
Light duty scaffolding is usually considered suitable for work such as painting and carpentry and can handle up to 225kg.
Medium duty, on the other hand, is more appropriate for general trades work and can cope with weights up to 450kg, while heavy duty scaffolding is best for weights up to 675kg.
If you are bricklaying, concreting, carrying out demolition work or any other jobs that involve heavy impact forces, heavy duty scaffolding is usually the best option.
2) Carry out a risk assessment
Risk management procedures are something that every construction site manager is likely to be well acquainted with – and scaffolding is no exception.
Being aware of risks before they can become a problem gives construction workers the opportunity to take steps to mitigate them, either through putting safeguards in place or providing additional training.
It is important to bear in mind that hazards can change over time – as a construction site develops, new challenges may start to emerge that mean the initial plan needs to be altered.
Regularly assessing the condition and position of scaffolding is a crucial element of this procedure, as it helps builders ensure they are following OHS procedures.
3) Undergo proper training
Regardless of whether a worker is tasked with constructing scaffolding or is simply using it as part of their job, it is essential to make sure they have received the right training.
Companies also need to make sure they are keeping up to date with the latest changes to safety legislation – once a training course is completed, this is far from the end of their education.
Laws are changing all the time, so staff may find they need to go on additional courses to ensure they are using the most up-to-date strategies for safety.
4) Ensure the safe construction of scaffolding
Scaffolding is only going to offer the safety features it is intended for if it is constructed properly – make sure anyone who is tasked with this job has the necessary training to undertake it.
Trained staff need to be used when the scaffolding is more than four metres high, as anything below this is less likely to pose safety risks to construction workers.
The same goes for if the scaffolding is altered in any way – this cannot be carried out by anyone, they must have undergone the right training to complete the task in a competent manner.
Structures also need to be made so that safe access can be maintained to the site. Significant problems may arise if workers are unable to reach critical safety points.
5) Encourage common sense
As with most construction site environments, making sure all workers adopt a common sense approach is the best way to ensure their safety.
For example, if scaffolding platforms look unsafe or incomplete, it is best that they are assessed by a trained expert before use.
The same goes for if there are any physical defects – although they may seem non-descript at first glance, they could actually lead to structural problems that might jeopardise the security of the scaffold.
Workers should also avoid making any changes to the scaffolding that have not been pre-approved, in case it jeopardises the safety of the platform and could result in harm to others.
When constructing scaffolding, it is important to avoid overhead power lines – the general rule is that it should be at least six metres away, while electrical cables should never be fixed to the structure.
Leaving loose items on scaffolding is usually advised against, not least because they can easily fall on people and lead to accidents.
As a result, it is recommended that catch platforms and safety screens are installed wherever possible and that workers are discouraged from being untidy while on the structure.
Making sure staff keep track of each other when up on the scaffolding is another good idea – a few extra pairs of eyes can help ensure people are working safely and identify any hazards that may not have been noticed.
The important role fatigue management plays in working at heights
Are you getting enough sleep?
According to Professor David Hillman, president of the Sleep Health Foundation, 18 per cent of adults in Australia get less than six hours of sleep per night. The average person needs between seven and nine hours of sleep per night in order to perform at their best.
If you’re not getting this much, you could be less productive at work and potentially cause an accident.
This latter eventuality is an all-too-common occurrence in workplaces around Australia, revealed Professor Hillman. Approximately 9,584 employees report suffering from fatigue-related injuries each year in our country. These cost businesses and the wider economy $131,912 – each – per annum.
Evidently fatigue is a costly problem in Australia, both in human and monetary terms. It’s therefore in every employer’s and employee’s best interests to understand exactly what fatigue is, what causes it and what those at all levels of the career ladder can do to prevent it.
What are the symptoms?
There are a wide range of symptoms associated with fatigue. It can prevent employees from being able to concentrate or judge risks as well as they normally can, make them irritable and slower to react and impair their hand-eye coordination and vision.
It can also inhibit employees’ ability to communicate with one another. All of these could lead to an accident that may have been easily prevented.
While attempting to perform tasks when you’re overtired is not ideal in any industry, it can be especially problematic – and dangerous – in the construction sector. That’s because employees are often called upon to use machinery and undertake jobs that require a constant vigilance – such as working at heights.
If your alertness is being clouded by fatigue, you could make an error that results in a serious accident.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland explains that people who are suffering from overtiredness are often incapable of gauging how well they are functioning. This means they could have no idea their actions in the workplace are putting themselves and others at risk.
What causes it?
Not only does fatigue manifest itself in a variety of symptoms, but it can also be the result of an extensive list of factors and circumstances.
Victoria’s Better Health Channel states that a poor diet, lack of exercise, too little, too much and disturbed sleep are all lifestyle factors that may contribute to fatigue.
On top of this, myriad psychological and medical factors, such as depression, anxiety and recurring health problems can impact your ability to get sufficient sleep.
There are also a number of work-related circumstances that could be preventing you from getting the shut-eye you need.
One of the most common is shift work, as this often requires employees to work during hours of the day or night when their bodies are programmed to be asleep.
SafeWork South Australia explains that shift work can throw off the body’s circadian rhythm – the body clock that controls our behavioural and biochemical processes – which can increase a person’s chances of experiencing fatigue.
In addition to shift work, being made to work long hours can also lead to fatigue.
Other factors include work-related stress caused by bullying and conflict, boredom and dissatisfaction, and even the environment you’re working in – according to the Better Health Channel, being exposed to excessive noise and extreme temperatures can up your chances of feeling drowsy at work!
What can you do to prevent it?
Now that you understand the symptoms of and risks posed by fatigue, as well as what causes it to occur, it’s time to put some thought into how you can eradicate it from your life and workplace.
Though fatigue isn’t a tangible work, health and safety (WHS) issue, that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t feature in your business’s risk management strategy. Just like any other hazard on the construction site, it needs to be identified as a risk and assessed before a plan of action is developed and implemented to eliminate or reduce its effect on employees.
And, like all other hazards, managing fatigue is the duty of everyone present in the workplace. WHS is a two-way street, and there are steps both employers and employees can take to ensure fatigue is not a feature of your construction site.
The following are just a few.
Employers:
– To prevent fatigue caused by shift work at unpalatable hours of the day and night, try to arrange shifts for times when employees are programmed to be awake.
– SafeWork South Australia is adamant that employees need “sufficient time between periods of work to physically rest and give their bodies an opportunity to recover from fatigue and workplace hazard exposures”. So, review your employees’ work schedules and make sure they have enough downtime between shifts to recharge properly.
– It can also be a good idea to encourage your workers to perform tasks in teams – the Better Health Channel states that working alone and having “little or no interaction with others” can result in fatigue.
– Provide employees with part-time work hours, if you can, and rotate tasks so that no one is stuck doing the same thing for extended periods of time.
Employees:
– Try not to drink caffeine or alcohol and avoid eating anything within the two or three hours before you go to bed.
– Always sleep in a cool, dark environment and keep your bedroom free of distractions such as TVs, computers and other devices. It should be reserved for sleeping!
– It might be difficult at first, but setting up a sleep routine and sticking to it can help prevent fatigue. If possible, wake up at the same time every day – even on the weekends – and try to go to bed around the same time, too.
– Make sure you get plenty of exercise, but not during the three hours before you go to bed.
– Eat a balanced diet and cut down or – better yet – quit smoking.
If you would like to discover more about the dangers of fatigue, particularly for those in the construction sector who are working at heights, get in touch with the team at AlertForce today.
We offer a range of WHS courses, including Working at Heights Training, which will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to keep safe when performing tasks at elevated levels.
In addition to covering the common risks associated with working at heights, such as fatigue, the course will look into topics such as scaffold and ladder safety, walk you through case studies so you can see best practices in action and present you with a WHS certificate at the end.
Human Resources: Teen Commits Suicide Following After Serious Bullying
In March 2008, teenager Alec Meikle began a train-building apprenticeship he believed would ”start his journey through life”.
But within three months, the 16-year-old had allegedly been subjected to such relentless, violent bullying by his new supervisor and workmates that the once ”happy, bubbly” youth had become ”a sad, round-shouldered boy”.
By October of that year, Alec had hanged himself with yellow rope from a staircase bannister.
The role the alleged bullying played in his death is a central focus of a coronial inquest taking place at Glebe Coroner’s Court this week.
The opening day of the inquest on Monday heard that, having left school at 16, Alec began an apprenticeship at the Bathurst premises of engineering company Downer EDI, an operation which builds an maintains trains for RailCorp.
The inquest heard that within three days of beginning his apprenticeship, Alec was regularly being called a ”f—‘n useless c–t”.
Over the ensuing weeks the teenager was allegedly burnt with a welding torch, sprayed with adhesive and set on fire.
Several of his colleagues also allegedly threatened to anally rape him with a steel dildo.
Accompanying these incidents, the inquest heard, was near constant verbal abuse.
”He said the first day was fantastic, second day fantastic and then the abuse started,” Alec’s father, Richard Meikle told the inquest.
”And then it was ‘you useless f—n c–t, you useless c–t’. That was thrown at him every day.”
Mr Meikle said Alec told him the main perpetrator was his direct supervisor along with another colleague.
”He said because his supervisor was leading it, he didn’t have anyone standing up for him, anyone to talk to about it,” Mr Meikle said.
Alec’s parents began to notice he was becoming agitated and withdrawn. They said, initially, he refused to say what was going on but eventually opened up. ”He said, ‘dad, how many times would you want to hear the words you useless f—‘n c–t day after day after day?”’ Mr Meikle said. ”He became a sad, round-shouldered boy.”
The bullying allegedly continued for three months, until May 2008 when Alec left the company.
Soon after, the teenager was diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression, and later, an adjustment disorder.
He was admitted to the mental health wing of Bathurst Hospital for short period and seemed to improve but, not long after being released, he attempted suicide in the family’s downstairs gym room.
”I’m a failure, I can’t even kill myself,” Alec reportedly told his parents after the suicide attempt.
Alec’s parents arranged for him to return to New Zealand – where the family had migrated from in 2002 – to live with his aunt and uncle and have further treatment.
But on the night of October 30, 2008 Alec’s aunt and cousin arrived home to find he had taken his life.
The inquest heard an internal investigation by Downer EDI found Alec had been subject to little or no supervision, instruction or training, and was given work above his level.
It also found he had been subjected to sarcasm, verbal abuse and put downs as well as the bullying incidents he reported.
A subsequent WorkCover investigation found that while the company had an anti-bullying policy, the alleged bullying behaviour had been allowed to ”manifest” during Alec’s apprenticeship.
The inquest continues.
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Source: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/alec-meikle-killed-himself-after-relentless-bullying-inquest-hears-20131202-2ylea.html#ixzz2mrb9786E
Working safely in flammable atmospheres
There are many risks involved when it comes to working in confined spaces. According to the Health and Safety Authority, most of these dangers revolve around the inhospitable atmosphere those performing tasks in such environments are forced to contend with.
The most common atmospheres you need to be prepared for are toxic, oxygen-deficient or oxygen-enriched, explosive or flammable atmospheres.
All possess unique hazards that you must identify, assess and determine how to manage before you may commence work in them.
One of the most dangerous environments those working in confined spaces can be faced with is a flammable atmosphere. This is exactly what it says on the tin – an atmosphere that’s at risk of igniting and causing a fire or some type of explosion.
The Health and Safety Authority explains that such an atmosphere might arise when flammable liquids, gases or combustible dust are present in confined spaces.
As part of your risk assessment of the working environment, you should keep an eye out for these substances and potential sources of ignition, so you can take the necessary steps to prevent them from harming your or your co-workers.
Some potential sources of ignition are electrical equipment, “hot-work activities” (e.g. welding), exhaust pipes and even static electricity.
According to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, flammable atmospheres are considered hazardous if and when “the concentration of flammable gas, vapour, mist, or fumes exceeds five per cent of the lower explosive limit (LEL) for the substance”.
The LEL is the smallest amount of gas mixed with air that will cause a fire or explosion to occur.
You can determine whether environment you’re working in is hazardous or not by conducting atmosphere testing. This must always be undertaken if you’re unsure about the concentration of flammable substances in the air. Safe Work Australia explains this should be carried out by a “competent person” using “correctly calibrated” gas detector.
It’s important to remember that your own senses are not astute enough to determine whether the atmosphere in your working environment is safe or not. Safe Work Australia warns that many flammable substances are undetectable by smell or sight alone.
How do I keep safe in flammable atmospheres?
Once you’ve conducted a risk assessment and discovered the presence of flammable substances and potential sources of ignition, you need to decide how best to manage them.
As always, your first step must be to eliminate the flammable substances and/or potential sources of ignition. Where possible, remove these from the confined space or spaces in which you’re working and introduce administrative controls to prevent workers from performing tasks in these areas that might cause the atmosphere to ignite.
Next, do everything you can to lessen the chance of any remaining flammable substances and potential sources of ignition causing a fire or explosion.
For example, suggests Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, make sure any electrical equipment you’re using is properly earthed, regularly maintained and “suitably rated” – that is, designed to be flame-proof or “intrinsically safe”.
It’s important to check with the manufacturer of electrical equipment what “zone” of flammable atmosphere it’s able to be used in safely. The “zone” you’re working in – in other words, how hazardous/flammable the atmosphere is – should be determined as part of your risk assessment.
Zone 0 is the most hazardous or most likely to result in a fire or explosion, while Zone 2 is the least hazardous. That means using electrical equipment designed for Zone 2 in a Zone 0 confined space could potentially lead to an accident – even though the equipment is supposedly flame-proof.
Want to know more?
If you want to learn more about performing tasks in flammable atmospheres, you may want to consider enrolling in a Confined Space Training course. This will provide you with an overview of the risks associated with working in confined spaces and help you to prevent accidents from occurring.
In addition to covering flammable atmospheres, the Confined Space Training course delves into toxic and oxygen-deficient atmospheres, as well as configuration and other hazards you may come across working in confined spaces. You will also leave with a sound understanding of the Entry Permit System and a range of safety procedures, such as atmosphere testing, purging, ventilation and personal or respiratory protective equipment.
The Confined Space Training course may help you to save your own or a co-workers life sometime in the future – so, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with AlertForce today and get prepared.
Dangerous Goods: Man Fell Up To His Shoulders Into Acid and Uranium
The Operator of the Northern Territory’s Ranger uranium mine revealed that despite a worker slipping over at a toxic spill, he did not suffer any injuries.
The Manufacturing Workers Union reported that the man was provided with first-aid treatment after he fell shoulder high into a pool of acid and uranium.
Energy Resources of Australia chief executive Andrea Sutton has denied allegations that the man fell into the slurry that deeply.
“We had an individual working that slipped over in the slurry material dropping to their hands and knees,” Ms Sutton said.
“The material was promptly washed off as per the site hygiene procedures and the material itself poses no serious threat to those working in the clean-up.”
The union revealed to the media that a worker was injured and had subsequently refused to return to work.
However, the ERA said the person who slipped had done so days before and did return to work.
The man who slipped was allegedly wearing protective equipment including waist-high waders and acid-resistant gloves.
Further comment by the union is expected.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-16/mine-operator-denies-worker-fell-into-uranium-slurry-up-to-armp/5159642?section=nt
Telstra Pit Asbestos Still Endangering the Public
A communications union has raised concerns regarding work done by a Telstra contractor after asbestos was discovered within the proximity of a recently replaced telecommunications pit.
Telstra’s National Broadband Network (NBN) roll out included pits that were discovered to contain asbestos.
Coutts Contracting is currently under investigation, since they had been put in charge of replacing dozens of pits in Caboolture and Morayfield between August 2011 and October 2012.
Recently a piece of asbestos was found near a replaced pit in front of a house in Morayfield.
Phil Hughes, a representative for the Communication Workers Union says that it is unclear how long the piece has been there. He is concerned because it’s dry and is potentially very dangerous as the sun breaks it down and exposes the fibres.
He alleges that pieces of asbestos were left in the ground and simply covered with a thin layer of land fill. He said that the contaminated soil is under only about an inch of soil, which means it will eventually work its way up to the surface of the ground, endangering the community.
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-19/union-concerns-over-asbestos-found-at-telstra-work-site/5167488
Human Resources: Bullying Plaguing Australian Workplaces
If a bullied employee didn’t report the bullying, does it mean there isn’t a problem?
A parliamentary inquiry into allegations of bullying at WorkCover NSW – the watchdog responsible for workplace safety, including bullying complaints, across all NSW employers – has heard the most common approaches to dealing with an outbreak of bullying don’t work.
”Wellness” programs, which focus on an individual’s resilience, and dispute resolution are like handing out safety equipment, when what really needs to be tackled is the danger that organisation’s culture poses to the health of its staff, experts said.
”Get rid of the asbestos, don’t just give everyone a dust mask,” said University of NSW senior lecturer Dr Carlo Caponecchia last week. He also warned that hotlines, injury claims and staff morale surveys weren’t accurate measures.
Allegations of bullying inside WorkCover aren’t new. A PricewaterhouseCoopers investigation was ordered by the previous Labor government and came up with a raft of recommendations.
Yet in June, the industrial court again found that a senior employee at WorkCover had been bullied out of his job, in a case that had ”the characterisation of institutional bullying”. The parliamentary inquiry was called.
WorkCover, which will give evidence on Monday, boasts in its latest annual report that only five staff called its Bullying Response Service last year. The inference is that bullying is not widespread.
But witnesses at the inquiry gave another reason for so few calls to the hotline – staff who did call were subsequently exposed to their managers.
Jann Jeffries, an industrial officer with the Public Service Association, told politicians ”harm” had come to union members who used the service.
Bullying victims had their privacy breached when invoices for the service, identifying the callers, were sent to managers. In other cases, staff who had called the hotline in confidence were later challenged about the content of those conversations by the managers they had complained about.
Over the past two years, WorkCover has paid out more than $1 million in workers compensation claims to its own staff. Injury claims halved last year to 22, as psychological injury claims dropped by 84 per cent to four, and there were just two explicit ”bullying” claims (down from 11). Problem solved?
Caponecchia says a bullying reporting system needs to be safe to use, ”so that people don’t feel that in reporting a problem there is going to be ‘payback’.”
Multiple submissions to the inquiry by serving and former WorkCover staff, in administrative, legal and medical roles, have described a ”toxic and unsafe work environment with a broken culture”.
One wrote: ”Staff have become so disillusioned that those who are bullied don’t bother to complete the survey.”
”Reports of bullying being reported are rare,” wrote a lawyer. This is because reporting it would only worsen an individual’s problem, he said.
”We desperately need someone to regulate the regulator,” wrote another WorkCover employee.
The inquiry heard WorkCover’s internal problem with bullying meant it was ill-equipped to deal with bullying as an injury issue in the broader workforce.
One woman, a solicitor who had received a psychological injury in a private workplace and then had an insurance issue, said: ”Complaining to WorkCover is traumatic.”
”I was at the point where [the WorkCover employee] could hear that someone was contemplating suicide at the other end of the phone and he did not back down,” she said, in tears.
A survey of bullying across all NSW government departments by the Public Service Commission in 2012, released under freedom-of-information laws, showed seven of the top 10 most bullied agencies were local health districts. In the worst case, three-quarters of staff in the Central Coast health district had witnessed bullying.
A later survey conducted by NSW Health in March found only 42 per cent of staff statewide had confidence in processes for resolving staff conflict. Half had been verbally abused in the past year.
Employees who have written to Fairfax Media suggest the situation is worse than the survey results indicate – they point out only a third of staff actually responded to the survey. In some districts, the response rate was as low as 17 per cent.
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/comment/bullying-culture-could-run-deep-at-workcover-20131109-2x8dt.html#ixzz2mrcAeXzG
Speed Cameras: Highway Robbery or High Tech Safety?
The data for this infographic was compiled by Budget Direct.
Construction Safety: Watchdog Issues Notices After Tipped Truck
Workplace safety watchdog, WorkSafe ACT has handed out several notices after a truck tipped over at a Harrison worksite while unloading scaffolding.
Classic Scaffolding owner Ned Aleksic rvealed that one of the truck’s outriggers used to stablilise the truck, as a crane mounted it, punctured the asphalt causing the load to become unstable and tipping the truck.
A Justice and Community Safety Directorate spokesperson stated that there were fortunately no injuries as a result of the accident, and WorkSafe will continue to investigate the incident. Presently, two prohibition notices, and one improvement notice were issued in relation to the plant and the scaffolding load.
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union ACT branch secretary said the plant in this situation was the truck, crane, and the chains and the accident was a timely reminder of the crucial need for highlighting construction safety as we enter the holiday season.
Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/safety-concerns-as-truck-tips-over-20131216-2zhk5.html#ixzz2nmRTsT49
Occupational Health and Safety: Long Working Hours And Workplace Violence
Working Long Hours Has A Detrimental Affect On Workers in A Variety of Industries!
A UK food production centre was charged last week after a workplace amputation went beyond Working Time Regulations hundreds of times throughout a few months.
The discovery was made after the food giant Bakkavor’s prosecution for safety breaches that resulted in a worker losing the tip of his finger from an unguarded machine at their pizza factory.
Between July and September 2013, workers were denied the legally required 11 hour rest break between shifts– a shocking 647 times. The Pizza factory in question, Harrow, employs upwards of 800 people and is one of the UK’s largest pizza manufacturing sites.
The reason we highlight this company’s prosecution today, is that a company this size has the resources required to ensure that their workers’ occupational health and safety standards are upheld. A result of the prosecution, the bullion dollar company has been called to release a full disclosure of all records pertaining to work hours. Past attempts by the union to compel the company to disclose their hours has resulted in Bakkavor simply assuring them that the issues were being tackled. However, the union has responded to their assurances stating, these “processes are simply not working and somebody must be held accountable.” It certainly would make consumers think about whether you really want to eat pizzas produced by this company.
Long Hours and Workplace Violence a Topic of Concern for 2014.
About a quarter of workers will suffer violence in AUS workplaces throughout their career, costing millions of dollars per year.
Recently released findings revealed over 2,000 serious injury claims were filed as a result of workplace assaults at work in 2010 to 20111. This cost an average of A$6,400 each, with three weeks off of work.
In excess of 4,5000 claims attributed to mental stress as a result of exposure to occupational violence were successful in the three year period between 2008-11. Nearly 60 per cent of the claimants were female and the majority of the groups most vulnerable were those working alone at night handling cash such as retail workers, emergency workers, healthcare workers, teachers and prison officers.
Employers need to take heed and uphold their responsibility in ensuring staff are safe, while constantly reflecting on workplace risk factors. Assessment must be done, considering all the possible risks, solutions, and measures that need to be taken to ensure safety. Therefore, quality safety training must be provided to all employees working in a risky environment.
Source: Julie Amour
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What you need to know: Hazard identification and risk assessment
The foundation of Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) in any sector is a comprehensive risk management strategy.
This is the key to eliminating or, if this isn’t possible, reducing the number of hazards in your workplace, so that all employees can benefit from a risk-free environment.
A basic risk management strategy contains three steps: identifying hazards, assessing the risk they pose, and eliminating or controlling this risk.
The following is a brief overview of these tasks. If you would like to find out more, consider signing up for WHS training with AlertForce.
1) Identification
The first and most important step of your risk management strategy is identifying all of the hazards in your workplace. These can include everything from the equipment you’re using to the location in which you’re performing them.
Safe Work Australia’s “Code of Practice – Construction Work” contains some useful examples of hazards you may want to consider.
It recommends keeping an eye out for ladders and how they’re being used; falling objects, such as tools and other equipment; any chemicals or potentially dangerous materials, such as asbestos; holes and uneven surfaces; and myriad aspects of your environment.
This final category includes factors such as the temperature of the workplace (if you’re working in extremely cold or hot conditions) as well as its layout, if you’re working in a confined space or one with limited accessibility.
There are a number of ways you can go about identifying risks. For example, you could make a “risk checklist” based on previous accidents or project evaluations and see if your current workplace contains any of the same hazards.
You could also try brainstorming or having discussions with coworkers about the particular tasks or areas of the workplace they believe pose a risk to health and safety.
2) Assessment
Once you’ve located all of the hazards in your workplace, it’s time to assess the risk they pose.
According to Safe Work Australia, your risk assessment will need to take two important factors into consideration: the likelihood of someone being injured by one of the hazards you’ve identified and how severe the injury could be.
You will then need to rank the hazards based on this information. This can be quite difficult, notes Engineers Australia’s “Risk Management Strategies Guide”, as the frequency and severity of damage-causing events caused by a hazard can sometimes be conflicting.
For instance, you might decide that a particular hazard has the potential to cause a huge amount of damage, however, the chance of this damage actually occurring is pretty slim. Do you give it a high or a low ranking?
Engineers Australia suggests using a numbering system to help make this decision. Look at each individual hazard and assign it a number between one and three for both frequency and severity.
In the frequency category, a valuation of one should be given to damage-causing events that have a high probability of occurring, while three should be given to those which may only happen on rare occasions.
In the severity category, this flips on its head – one means that is poses an insignificant risk, while three represents a damage-causing event that would have catastrophic consequences if and when it occurred.
After you’ve assigned the hazard a number in each category, add them up and rank them.
Safe Work Australia reveals that this step isn’t actually obligatory in the construction industry, except in particular circumstances – for instance, if you’re working in an environment that may be contaminated by asbestos.
However, it’s a good idea to conduct a risk assessment, as it will help you figure out the best way to manage the hazards you’ve identified – the next step in your risk management strategy.
3) Management
You should now have a list of all of the hazards in your workplace and the risk they pose to employers and employees.
The third and final step is to put control measures in place to prevent the damage-causing events you’ve identified from occurring altogether – or, at least, mitigate the risk they present.
It’s important to note that there’s no “one size fits all” method of dealing with health and safety risks – use the information you’ve collected in the previous two steps to develop a risk management plan for each individual hazard.
In most sectors, including the construction sector, there is a hierarchy of control measures. Those at the top of the list are deemed the most effective at managing risks and should be implemented first. If this isn’t possible for some reason, a control measure located further down the list may be used.
Of course, completely eliminating the hazard is ideal and should always be attempted first. This isn’t always possible, however, so once you’ve gotten rid of all the hazards you can, move on to minimising the risk posed by others.
There are a wide range of ways to mitigate risks in the workplace, and sometimes you will be able to implement multiple control measures for one particular hazard.
Safe Work Australia names substitution, isolation, engineering controls and personal protection equipment (PPE) as the primary methods of protecting workers from hazards.
So, what do these terms all mean? The first, substitution, entails replacing the hazard you’ve identified with a lesser hazard – for example, replacing a solvent-based paint with a water-based paint, according to the “Code of Practice – Construction Work”.
Isolation involves placing the hazard in a location where it’s less likely to harm workers or people visiting the workplace, while engineering controls are “physical control measures” that individuals can take to help keep themselves and their co-workers safe.
PPE is actually classified as the lowest control measure on the hierarchy of control measures. It should be used only if every previous option from managing a particular risk has been ruled out as impracticable, or – better yet – in addition to one of the aforementioned control measures.
Remember…
It’s important to remember a risk management strategy isn’t a “set-and-forget” kind of document. Once you’ve developed one, you need to ensure it’s reviewed on a regular basis, so that it’s always up to date and suitable for your current workplace.
Ridley School District Involved in Asbestos Investigation
The Ridley School District is currently involved in an investigation by the state Department of Environmental Protection regarding a 1983 asbestos disposal by a contractor. The contractor was working at a former high-school when he dumped the asbestos material at a landfill in Montgomery county.
School board solicitor John F.X Reilly informed the board at a December meeting that Boyertown Landfill was currently under investigation and remediation of the deadly material.
“There are dozens of parties that have been notified as well, including businesses, municipalities and school districts,” Reilly said. “They call all these parties potentially responsible parties.”
Reilly revealed that the DEP may hold Ridley responsible for a proportionate cost of dealing with the landfill. He also revealed the amount of Waste Ridley was responsible was relatively small but they remain a responsible party.
Reilly rejected requests to reveal the names of other parties involved , stated that there was no cost estimate on what it project could cost the district.
“We are waiting for a response from the DEP … we haven’t discussed or negotiated a resolution. We are in the very early phase right now,” Reilly said.
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Source: http://www.delcotimes.com/general-news/20131207/ridley-school-district-part-of-dep-asbestos-investigation
How to clean asbestos table cloths
In 2013, asbestos – the deadly substance that was once frequently used in construction and other industries – is making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Australians are discovering that many buildings, even their own homes, might be contaminated with asbestos. Once disturbed, it can release deadly fibres into the air that, when inhaled, cause a range of fatal diseases, such as mesothelioma.
However, the substance has not always held such notoriety. Indeed, just 30 years ago it was hailed as an incredibly useful material – hence its incorporation into so many buildings throughout the country.
According to the National Health and Research Council, asbestos is reasonably inexpensive to mine and process, and it possesses many other characteristics that rendered it something of a godsend to many sectors. These include its resistance to fire, electrical charges and a variety of chemicals; its flexibility and strength and the fact that it’s both a fantastic insulator and sound barrier.
That’s why asbestos was used in a huge range of products, such as concrete, paint, furniture and even table cloths.
Did you know that asbestos fibres can be spun and woven? The ancients did, and they were also clued-up on its other amazing properties.
Ancient Rome
The term “asbestos” has actually been attributed to Gaius Plinius Secundus – better known as Pliny the Elder – who was a Roman author, philosopher and military commander in the first century AD. In his book Natural History, he described the substance as “abestinon”, which means “unquenchable”.
He explained that his contemporaries used asbestos in myriad “woven products”, including napkins, shrouds, and – of course – table cloths.
Ancient Greece
Pliny the Elder wasn’t the only ancient who was fascinated by asbestos, or took the time to jot down a sentence or two about it. In the fourth century BC, one of Aristotle’s students, Theophrastus, wrote of a substance that possessed all of the attributes we associated with asbestos.
According to “Asbestos Revisited”, an article published in Scientific American, Theophrastus described it as “resembling rotten wood” and explained that it “would burn without being harmed” when doused with oil. This information was included in his book “On Stones”, written around 300 BC, and is one of the earliest references we have to asbestos.
Like the ancient Romans, the ancient Greeks also incorporated asbestos into products such as clothing – originally for slaves, but when its seemingly magical properties were discovered, the substance was used to dress more regal persons. They were not unaware of its usefulness as a insulator, either, placing it in their walls and even ovens to keep the heat in and the cold out.
The deadly substance continued to be used for the next thousand years, appearing in books at different times from all over the world.
The Middle Ages
Interestingly, the Mesothelioma and Asbestos Information Exchange states that pieces of asbestos were sold during the Middle Ages to gullible consumers who were told they were taken from the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.
In order to demonstrate the religious power of such relics, clever merchants would toss the asbestos – which, as Theophrastus pointed out, looked like rotten wood – into fire and impress the crowds by retrieving it unscatched.
Many scholars from this period claimed the substance’s fascinating properties could only mean one thing – that asbestos fibres were actually salamander hair. “Asbestos Revisited” also states that other possible candidates for the source of asbestos during this period included lizard plumes and bird feathers.
Charlemagne
One of the most famous possessors of a product made from asbestos was Charlemagne. Emperor of Western Europe from December 25, AD 800, to January 28, AD 814, Charlemagne is remembered for his campaigns and reforms – and, apparently, his table cloth.
Legend has it the “Father of Europe” owned a remarkable table cloth woven out of asbestos, which he used to astound (or, as Scientific American suggests, intimidate) his guests by throwing it into the fire and then removing it – completely unharmed. This left many believing Charlemagne had supernatural powers.
How to clean asbestos table cloths
However, he was simply doing what the ancient Romans and Greeks had done hundreds of years earlier. While in the time of Charlemagne having a table cloth made from asbestos was very elite, as was mentioned earlier in ancient Rome and Greece this was a common household item.
One of the main reasons was that such a table cloth could be cleaned by just tossing it in the fire.
After they had finished eating, explains the Mesothelioma and Asbestos Information Exchange, the ancient Romans would place their napkins, table cloths and any other materials made out of asbestos in the fire, where all the stains and food scraps would burn away and the table cloth would remain intact, fit for the next meal of the day.
Apparently these items often came out of the fire whiter and brighter than when they went in, a phenomenon that led ancient Romans to give it another awe-inspiring name: “amiantus”, which means “unpolluted”.
Present Day
An increased asbestos awareness – particularly of the risk it poses to anyone who comes into contact with it – has led to the substance’s being completely banned in Australia. The National Health and Medical Research Council explains that asbestos began to be phased out in the 1980s and was only completely prohibited at the end of 2003.
A beginner’s guide to Australian WHS legislation
While the rules and regulations surrounding WHS differ from state to state and territory to territory, Safe Work Australia has developed a Model WHS Act, which all WHS Acts being introduced across the country are based on in some way, shape, or form.
Its purpose is to “harmonise WHS law” in Australia, so that all employers and employees are protected, no matter where their workplace might be.
The first draft of the Model WHS Act was crafted by the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council and was released for public comment in September 2009. Safe Work Australia added its two cents in December 2009, and the Model WHS Act was finalised in June 2011.
Just over six months later, in January 2012, the following states and territories adopted the Model WHS Act as part of their WHS laws. These include: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, and South Australia.
WHS laws in these regions now include the Model WHS Act, Codes of Practice, and other compliance and enforcement policies. The states and territories that have not yet adopted the new WHS laws are still required to implement their own, according to the Australian government.
So, what do all of these rules and regulations entail?
Understanding the Three Elements of the Model WHS Laws
The model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws are comprised of three main elements:
- Model WHS Act
- Model WHS Regulations
- Model Codes of Practice
The National Compliance and Enforcement Policy supports each of these elements by establishing guidelines for WHS regulators to monitor and enforce compliance.
The WHS legislation was intended to bring greater consistency to health and safety laws throughout the country. However, each state and territory in the Commonwealth is responsible for adopting, regulating, and enforcing the laws.
Minor variations in work health and safety laws exist from one jurisdiction to the next, mostly due to existing laws and processes. Safe Work Australia maintains a model WHS Act cross-comparison table to help PCBUs and regulators review differences between jurisdictions.
1. Model WHS Act
Safe Work Australia’s “Guide to the Model WHS Act” states the purpose of the document is ultimately to keep employers and employees safe “by eliminating or minimising risks arising for work or workplaces.”
It also aims to encourage businesses across the country to take “a constructive role in improving WHS practices” and promote “information, education and training” on the subject.
Those covered by the Model WHS Act include anyone who carries out work for a business or “undertaking.” This means contractors, apprentices, and even volunteers, to name just a few, are all protected by it. All visitors – such as customers or clients – are also included.
The Model WHS Act outlines all the responsibilities that “Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking” (referred to as PCBUs) have toward their workers.
PCBUs must ensure – when “reasonably practicable” – that all employees have a safe environment to work in that does not put their health at risk. This includes safe premises, systems and processes, machinery and equipment, which all need to be regularly maintained to ensure they remain up to standard.
They must also be provided with information, training, and supervision where necessary.
PCBUs are instructed to work together – that is, consult, cooperate, and coordinate their approach to WHS – so that all duties are carried out effectively and efficiently. It’s also important that employees are in the loop about any WHS matters that could impact them directly.
The Model WHS Act claims that all PCBUs are required to keep an up-to-date knowledge of WHS laws, understand the risks inherent in their workplace, and make sure the appropriate systems and processes are in place to manage them correctly.
In addition to this, they are expected to notify the relevant persons if and when an injury, accident, or illness does occur in the workplace.
2. Model WHS Regulations
The model Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations were designed to support the duties outlined in the model WHS Act. The safety regulations provide detailed requirements, procedures, and administrative responsibilities to support the WHS Act.
As of 2021, most states and territories have adopted the WHS laws, including:
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
- New South Wales (NSW)
- The Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
In October of 2020, Western Australia voted to adopt Work Health and Safety laws. The laws are expected to become operational in the first half of 2021.
The WHS regulations outline some requirements for employers, including the need to manage risks. Under WHS regulations, employers must have a process for eliminating or minimising risks to workers. Managing and reducing risks helps protect the health and safety of workers. It also ensures compliance with WHS laws.
3. Codes of Practice
While the Model WHS Act outlines what is expected of employers and employees in a general sense, Codes of Practice offer businesses a practical guide to help them obey these rules and regulations.
It’s not mandatory to comply with Codes of Practice, provided a new-and-improved alternative to managing a hazardous situation is used instead.
These documents can be quite general – such as “Managing the Risks of Falls at Workplaces” and “First Aid in the Workplace” – as well as designed for specific industries and professions – such as “Welding Processes” and “Spray Painting and Powder Coating.”
The above examples of Codes of Practice are taken from the Safe Work Australia website, which features a number of Model Codes of Practice that are worth looking at. Again, the organisation is looking to “harmonise WHS law” in the area of Codes of Practice, so that employees all over the country may work in safe and healthy environments.
For a good example of the type of information Codes of Practice contain, consider the Model Code of Practice for Construction Work, which can be found here. This document features tips on creating a risk management strategy, to help eliminate or minimise the potential for employees to get ill or injured while at work.
It begins with a useful guide on identifying hazards or objects that could harm an employer or employee. This includes ladders, falling objects, asbestos, any tasks that are considered dangerous – and more. The Code of Practice then discusses how to assess and control these risks.
The Codes of Practice apply to all industries throughout Australia. While people often associate safety concerns with high-risk industries, such as construction or mining, every workplace includes potential hazards.
For example, in an office setting, workers may be exposed to unreasonable work hours, excessive manual handling, or workstations that do not accommodate workers of different sizes.
The Codes of Practice also provide recommendations for deciding when to perform a risk management assessment. Some of the potential situations that may require a review of health and safety practices include:
- Starting a new business
- Changing existing work practices
- Implementing new equipment or machinery
- Using new substances
- Responding to new information related to potential hazards
- Dealing with concerns presented by workers or HSRs
Employers may also be required to perform a risk management assessment at the request of WHS regulators after receiving notice for WHS violations.
What Are the Penalties for Violating Model WHS Regulations?
The severity of the penalty for breaching WHS laws depends on the category of the offence. Health and safety laws define four categories of offences:
- Industrial manslaughter
- Category 1
- Category 2
- Category 3
Manslaughter is the most serious offence and results in the highest penalty. Individuals found guilty of industrial manslaughter face a maximum penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment. Corporate bodies found guilty face up to $10 million in penalties.
Category 1 is the next highest offence. It is reserved for breaches where a PCBU or senior officer recklessly exposes a worker to the risk of serious injury or death. Penalties include up to $3 million for corporations, $600,000 and five years in jail for individual PCBUs, or $300,000 and five years in jail for individuals, such as workers.
A Category 2 offence occurs when a PCBU or senior officer fails to comply with health and safety regulations, resulting in exposure to the risk of serious injury, illness, or death. The penalties for this offence include up to $1.5 million for corporations, $300,000 for individual PCBUs, and $150,000 for individuals.
A Category 3 offence is a failure to comply with health and safety regulations. Penalties include fines up to $500,000 for corporations, $100,000 for individual PCBUs or senior officers, and $50,000 for individuals.
Health and safety regulators have the right to issue on-the-spot fines, known as infringement notices. Workers and PCBUs can receive infringement notices. Common breaches that may result in an on-the-spot fine include:
- Failing to comply with an improvement notice
- Allowing an individual to carry out high-risk work without proper licenses
- Failing to allow health and safety representatives (HSRs) to carry out their duties
- Failing to test electrical work according to WHS Codes of Practice
- Failing to ensure electrical equipment is de-energised before carrying out work
- Failing to record an incident report for an accident or injury
On-the-spot fines typically need to be paid within 28 days. If the fine is over $200, the courts may allow an individual to establish a payment plan.
If a corporation, PCBU, or individual fails to pay a penalty, the courts may order a redirection of wages from a bank account or issue a warrant for the seizure and sale of property. For serious offences, the courts may issue an arrest warrant.
Do Businesses Need Health and Safety Representatives Under WHS Laws?
Employers that employ 20 or more workers must appoint a health and safety representative (HSR) if workers choose to elect an HSR. All employees in a work group have the right to elect one or more HSRs and deputy HSRs.
HSRs serve three-year terms. While HSR training courses are not mandatory, elected HSRs may request to attend a training course. Training includes a five-day initial course. HSRs must also complete a one-day refresher course each year during their three-year term.
If an HSR makes the request, the employer needs to comply and provide paid time off for the course. Completing HSR training gives HSRs specific powers, including:
- Initiating emergency work stoppages
- Issuing provisional improvement notices (PINs)
Before issuing a PIN and directing a work group member to stop working, the HSR must consult with the PCBU and the individual receiving the PIN. However, if the risk is severe and requires an immediate response, the HSR may initiate an emergency work stoppage.
HSRs help protect the health of workers by monitoring potential safety issues and reviewing safety procedures. However, they must first be elected by a work group.
The steps for holding an HSR election are outlined in the WHS Act:
- Request an election
- Begin negotiations with work groups
- Notify workers of the election
- Elect workers from the work group
- Notify workers of the outcome
Any worker can request an election, if the worker does not already have an HSR in their work group. If work groups are not already established, workers must negotiate the number of work groups and how to assign workers to each group.
The PCBU and the workers must agree on the number of work groups, the number of workers in each group, and the number of HSRs and deputy HSRs assigned to each group. After requesting an election, the PCBU has 14 days to begin negotiations. If negotiations fail, the PCBU or the workers can request assistance from a WHS inspector.
After dividing the workers into groups, they must notify workers of the date for the upcoming election. The workers may then elect workers for the role of HSR from within their assigned work group. After holding the election, the results must be distributed to all workers.
What Are My Rights?
Employers and employees have specific rights under WHS legislation. For example, temporary visa holders, permanent residents, and Australian citizens have the right to a safe work environment. These basic rights apply to every workplace in the country throughout Australia:
- The right to safety equipment
- The right to receive instructions on how to work safely
- The right to refuse to complete unsafe work
- The right to receive worker’s compensation
- The right to speak up after detecting unsafe work conditions
- The right to fair wages and working conditions
Employers also have rights under the Work Health and Safety Act and regulations. For example, employers have the right to dismiss workers who fail to meet reasonable work requirements or performance standards.
What Are My Duties?
Employers have a duty of care, which involves taking appropriate steps to reduce risks and hazards. Common responsibilities for employers include:
- Ensuring staff understand their roles
- Providing access to safety training
- Providing access to personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Maintaining a database of all injuries and accidents
- Consulting with staff to resolve workplace safety issues
As part of an employer’s responsibilities, they may need to enrol workers in applicable safety training courses. PCBUs should ensure that workers receive necessary health and safety training for any high-risk work.
For example, before carrying out work that may involve exposure to asbestos, workers should receive asbestos awareness training. If a task involves the removal of asbestos, the PCBU must obtain an asbestos removal licence, which requires the completion of asbestos removal training.
In the construction industry, workers are required to complete white card training. White card training covers the most common risks and hazards on a typical construction site, including moving objects and manual handling.
Registered training organisations (RTOs) also provide specialised training for other high-risk activities, including working at heights, confined spaces, fatigue management, and traffic control.
Employees have the responsibility to report unsafe and unhealthy work environments or injuries. Employees who are unsure of their duties should discuss responsibilities with their immediate supervisor.
As an employee, you are also responsible for your own and other’s safety in the workplace. The Model WHS Act states that you must “comply … with any reasonable instruction given by the PCBU to allow the PCBU to comply with WHS laws” and “co-operate with any reasonable policy or procedure of the PCBU” relating to WHS in the workplace.
Want to Know More?
If you would like to increase your knowledge of WHS law in Australia, check out the wide range of WHS training courses that AlertForce has to offer. Whether you want to improve your knowledge and skills in specific – such as asbestos removal – or more general areas, such as office safety, we have the course for you.
Transport Union Wants Asbestos-Free Safety Guarantee
Transport authorities are pleased that there has been no asbestos used in production of the Waratah trains.
The ABC’s 7.30 program unveiled that asbestos had been discovered in 10 heavy haul trains brought in from China despite certification showing that they were free of the deadly material.
The Rail Tram and Bus Union is calling on the NSW Government to ensure that the Waratah train fleet is asbestos free.
The Union’s Bob Nanva says the Waratah fleet is partially manufactured by China and as a result they are not confident that any component is free of the deadly building material,
Nanva has called on the government to hold an audit if they cannot say for sure whether or not the trains are asbestos free.
“And if they can’t do so and can’t give the public that assurance then we will be asking for a full audit of these trains,” he said.
“To ensure there aren’t any asbestos components buried deep away potentially putting the public and workers at risk.”
A statement from Transport for New South Wales it is confident there is no asbestos present in the fleet, and has inspectors working out of China to ensure that no prohibited materials are used to manufacture the parts.
More on Asbestos Training
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-27/the-transport-union-wants-the-nsw-government-to-guarantee-warat/5119830
Illegal Asbestos Dumping At Dungowan Valley Prompts Warnings
Following the illegal dumping of asbestos in Dungowan Valley, fresh warnings have emerged, informing offenders of the heavy fines or potential incarceration.
One could be fined up to $1 million or jailed for seven years if caught illegally dumping the deadly material.
Most recently a high profile case involved 15 bags of asbestos that was found hidden in long grass in Tamworth.
Tamworth Regional Council’s health and environment manager Ross Briggs revealed that several discoveries of asbestos were made in the area.
The incident reportedly cost the council and the community about $2500 to cover the investigation and safely remove the asbestos.
“It’s just so irresponsible,” he said. “There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos, so anyone who comes into contact with it faces a potential health risk, not to mention the related possible environmental problems.”
Mr Briggs said the council was trying capitalize on last month being Asbestos Awareness Month to try to clear up some common misconceptions regarding the deadly building material.
He said a common misconception is that legal asbestos dumping is prohibitively expensive.
“However, this is not the case,” he said. “The cost for asbestos disposal at Tamworth Waste Management Centre of Forest Rd is as little as $13 for a pre-paid disposal bag.”
Source: http://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/1941742/asbestos-dumped-at-dungowan/
Occupational Health and Safety: Another Mining Industry Death
A worker was killed at a mine in Western Australia.
The man was died after being crushed while working at Newcrest’s gold and copper mine in the iron ore crushing area. First aid was attempted but unfortunately he did not respond.
At the time of the incident he was working for a contractor for the mine.
Department of Mines and Petroleum spokesman Simon Ridge revealed that investigations are currently under-way.
“We’ve got inspectors who are on site now and they’ll be doing a full and comprehensive investigation and a report in due course will be provided to the coroner,” he said.
Newcrest and the mines department both released statements expressing sympathy for the families and friends of the workers. Newcrest will also offer counselling services for those affected by the loss.
Thus far it is the second recorded mining death in Western Australia and the second recorded mining death this month, in all of AUS.
It is the second mining death in Western Australia this year.
Earlier this year a man at the same mine required a leg amputation after a crash.
The 42-year-old man was injured when his truck ran into the back of a parked dump truck.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-04/man-dies-at-newcrest-telfer-mine-in-western-australia/5135494?section=wa
RPE, PPE and you – this article could save your life
Do you work in confined spaces? It can be challenging, and you'll be exposed to risks such as poor ventilation that are unique to this environment.
If you don't take the required precautions, you could be in danger of losing consciousness, being injured or even killed due to exposure to hazardous atmospheres.
While your employer is responsible for your wellbeing by ensuring you are properly trained and provided with the appropriate equipment, there are steps you can take to keep safe in confined spaces.
One of the most important is understanding which Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to use and when.
Respiratory Protective Equipment
A wide range of equipment is categorised as RPE. These devices are all designed to prevent the user from inhaling airborne contaminants, thereby reducing the risk of injuries occurring.
RPE basically falls into two categories: air-supplied respirators and air-purifying respirators.
WorkSafe Victoria explains that the former category provides those working in confined spaces with "clean, breathable air" from a source that is independent of them. They are commonly used in high-risk environments.
The latter simply filter or clean the air in the workplace itself before workers inhale it, and are usually worn by the workers themselves.
According to Safe Work Australia, RPE should be provided to people working in confined spaces if it's not possible to ensure such spaces have an adequate level of oxygen through other methods, such as purging or ventilation.
These methods of controlling workers' exposure to airborne contaminants should be ruled out before RPE is used.
When deciding what type of RPE to use for a particular task, consider what airborne contaminants are present and in what concentration. Your business should have a sound knowledge of workplace exposure standards so that you're aware of legal concentration limits.
It's important to always wear RPE in situations where airborne contaminants are present in unknown quantities.
Your selection will also depend on what sort of task you're trying to perform. If you're not sure which RPE to use in a particular situation, it's a good idea to contact both chemical suppliers and RPE manufacturers – they should be able to point you in the right direction.
Personal Protective Equipment
PPE is used to protect workers in confined spaces.
It can consist of head protection (such as helmets), foot protection (such as boots with steel toecaps and midsoles with a good grip), hand protection (such as hard-wearing gloves), hearing protection, eye protection and body protection.
The Department of Health recommends using "full coverage clothing" at all times to prevent workers from overheating.
You may also be required to wear a safety harness or line when entering or exiting confined spaces.
In addition to this, your employer should provide you with PPE for testing and monitoring the atmosphere of your workplace. You must be properly trained to use this, and always make sure it's up to standard.
Being trained to use testing and monitoring equipment is important, as there are a number of factors you'll need to take into consideration when using it. For instance, you must be aware of the temperature of the space you're working in, as well as the gases and vapours present.
The Department of Health explains that certain levels of airborne contaminants and gases can affect the readings such pieces of equipment give you.
As with RPE, PPE must only be used in conjunction with other risk control measures.
There is a hierarchy of such measures that should be followed when working in confined spaces. At the top of this list is conducting a thorough risk assessment, which takes into account the results of atmospheric testing, what tasks will be performed in the confined spaces and what airborne contaminants workers might be exposed to.
What type of PPE you use and when will depend on the risk assessment you conduct. All confined spaces come with unique hazards, so it's important that you're aware of these before you select your PPE.
Keep in mind:
– You should never modify a piece of PPE or RPE without the consent of its manufacturer.
– Before entering confined spaces wearing a PPE or RPE, make sure it's comfortable, fits and will offer sufficient protection.
– If you have facial hair, you might not be able to "achieve a proper face seal when wearing a respirator", according to WorkSafe Victoria. So, you may have to remove this before using RPE in confined spaces.
– You must flag any respiratory or other conditions that could prevent the RPE from working effectively with your employer.
– Make sure you PPE or RPE doesn't prevent you from moving freely, as this could turn it into a hazard.
Where can I find out more?
If you're going to be working in confined spaces, it's important you undergo the proper training. AlertForce offers a specially designed course that will equip you with the skills and knowledge to perform tasks safely in confined spaces.
The course will give you an overview of best practices when it comes to working in difficult-to-get-to spaces, such as storage tanks and silos or drains and sewers. This includes training on how to keep yourself and your co-workers safe in oxygen-deficient, flammable and toxic atmospheres.
You will also get a grounding in safe work procedures, including PPE and RPE.
So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with AlertForce today – it could save your life!
Dangerous Goods: Three men In Comas After Chemical Accident
Three individuals are struggling to survive following a chemical accident at a Cloverlea dairy farm in Melbourne.
A farmer was overcome with gas while inside of a storage tank on his land.
Soon after his two sons entered in an attempt to rescue him, but they too were overcome with gas.
Sarah Coster, the wife of one of the sons, is reportedly shocked at whole ordeal.
“It was just total chaos, there was just a horrible scene to see,” she said.
“As soon as I saw his eyes, the look in his eyes.”
The three men have been in induced coma at the Alfred and Royal Melbourne hospitals for treatment. Several other men, such as two officers and two paramedics, also sought treatment for exposure to the fumes.
According to the police, the gas came from fermented cattle feed product.
More info on Dangerous Goods
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-27/9-injured-in-storage-tank-fume-accident/5120030?section=vic
Occupational Health and Safety: Fish Farmer Dies Following Injuries
Tasmania’s occupational health and safety watchdog is conducting an inquiry into a recent death at a fish farm on Bruny Island in the south-east.
Police say the middle-aged employee suffered injuries while on a boat off the coast of Butlers beach.
He was rushed to Dover and then airlifted to the Royal Hobart Hospital.
While admitted he succumbed to his injuries.
Tassal will reportedly provide support to the man’s family, friends and workmates.
Police will be compiling a report before sending it off to the coroner.
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-03/fish-farm-worker-dies-after-accident-on-boat/5132674?section=tas
5 reasons to provide OHS training to your employees
Are you thinking about providing OHS training to your current and future employees? There are a number of reasons why this is a fantastic idea – here are just five!
1) To reduce absenteeism
In Australia, levels of absenteeism are 25 per cent higher than those recorded in the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
This is according to the 2013 Absence Management and Wellbeing survey, conducted by Direct Health Solutions (DHS), which involved approximately 450,000 employees and employers from 108 businesses across the country.
The survey reveals that, on average, employees in Australia take 8.93 days of sick leave each year. Interestingly, manual workers are more likely to take sick leave than non-manual workers, racking up 9.2 days of sick leave each year compared to 7.8 days of sick leave.
Out of the employers who took part in the survey, 71 per cent said they believed absenteeism was a “significant cost” on their businesses. They were right – it’s estimated to cost businesses around $2,741 per employee each year.
When an employee is absent – even for a day – you are paying them, but they’re not making a contribution to your business.
The longer they are away, the more pressure it places on your other workers to “fill the gap”. It will also affect deadlines and impact customers, and may even necessitate the recruitment of a new employee.
The Department of Employment explains that having effective OHS processes in place is proven to reduce absenteeism, which means they could save you hundreds of thousands in sick leave costs.
Of course, the best way to ensure these OHS processes are not only introduced but also implemented correctly is by educating your employees through OHS training.
2) To develop and implement a risk management strategy
A comprehensive risk management strategy can help your business handle any dangerous situations that arise efficiently and effectively.
To develop one, your employees will need to have the skills and knowledge to recognise hazards in the workplace and make a note of them.
They will then have to come up with a plan for managing each individual hazard, keeping in mind how likely particular objects or activities are to cause injuries, and how great their potential to cause damage is.
If your employees undergo OHS training, they will be able to develop and implement a risk management strategy. This should reduce the number of serious accidents that occur in your workplace, keeping your staff healthy and safe.
It could also lower your business insurance premiums and workers’ compensation costs, which – like reducing absenteeism – could save you quite a bit of money in the long run.
It’s important to remember that your business’s risk management strategy is not a “set-and-forget” type of document. On the contrary, it should be changing along with your workplace, to make sure it’s always up-to-date and adequately covers all of the hazards – both old and new – in your business.
This means your employees should be taking part in OHS training on a regular basis, too, so their knowledge of OHS best practices is current.
3) To improve your reputation
If your business is associated with exemplary OHS practices and well-trained employees, this could boost your reputation within the sector you’re operating in, which in turn could give you a significant advantage over your competitors.
In addition to this, it will make your business more attractive to customers, potential investors and partners, as well as your current staff and job seekers.
If employees regard your business as a safe and healthy place to work, they are more likely to want to join your team, as well as stay with it for longer.
According to a recent study conducted by recruitment company Hays, professional development such as OHS training is one of the keys attracting job seekers – especially those in Generation Y (that is, workers born between the early 1980s and the 2000s).
The survey involved more than 1,000 job seekers who fell into this age bracket. They were asked what factors helped them to decide between prospective employers and, lo and behold, training and development won by a landslide.
A total of 53 per cent said whether a business provided training and development was the first thing they considered when decided to accept a job offer. It beat out benefits (41 per cent), flexibility (37 per cent), the ability to progress quickly (31 per cent) and a defined career path (29 per cent).
So, if you’re looking to secure the creme de la creme of Generation Y workers that a currently looking for work, OHS training could be an easy way to do it!
4) To fulfill your legal obligations
While each state and territory has its own OHS rules and regulations, the bottom line is that all employers are required to provide their workers with sufficient OHS training to perform work tasks in a safe way.
Naturally, the more dangerous the industry in which you’re operating is, the more strict the OHS rules and regulations. For instance, in the construction industry it’s important for each employee to possess a white card (formerly known as a green card) before conducting work on site.
Your employees can receive a white card by undertaking the necessary OHS course at a registered training organisation, such as AlertForce. The course is quite straightforward and covers a wide range of topics.
These include how to identify any risks you come into contact with on site, how to safely manage those risks, how to put safety measures in place and ensure other workers both understand and follow them, and an overview of the OHS rules and regulations in your particular area.
Your workers can complete the required training in as little as a day, making them able to perform any and all tasks on site and ultimately much less of a liability to you and your business.
5) To make your workplace safer
In the end, OHS training is all about making your business a safe and healthy place to work.
According to business.gov.au, as an employer you are obliged to provide your staff with the following things: safe premises, safe equipment and machinery, safe work processes and systems, “suitable working environment and facilities” and – most importantly – all the information, supervision and training they need to make it through the day in one piece.
If you introduce all of these into your business, you will be able to prevent or reduce the number of people who suffer from work-related injuries or are killed, improve long-term productivity and even “foster innovation, quality and efficiency through continuous improvement,” according to the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-22.
Would you like to learn more about the OHS training courses that are available to your business? Then get in touch with the team at AlertForce today!
What is confined spaces training?
Mining, shipbuilding and tunnelling – what do these three jobs have in common?
They all involve extended periods working in confined spaces, one of the most serious OHS hazards in Australia today. Although perhaps not as widely publicised as other threats such as asbestos, the implications of a confined workspace can be just as severe.
If you are an employer or employee in any industry that involves working in a confined space environment, it is absolutely crucial you have an in-depth knowledge of confined space best practices. Maintaining a safe workplace can only begin with training the very people who will be carrying out the work.
So how exactly is a confined space defined, and what makes them particularly hazardous places to work in?
What is a confined space?
Although it can seem like a simple enough concept at first glance, confined spaces span a broad range of work environments and the associated risks.
In its most basic form, a confined space is any area that is “not intended for human occupancy”. Such areas are not usually intended for humans to perform work in on a regular basis. The threat to human safety and lives that these places bring means they should be avoided by people wherever possible and access only granted to trained individuals when necessary.
Examples of common confined spaces where people may be required to carry out work include structures such as vats, tanks and silos, trenches, mines, sewers and large containers.
Most confined spaces are either completely or partially enclosed, which can add further danger to an already hazardous workplace.
Confined spaces are also characterised by limited entry and exit, meaning there is a high possibility of people getting trapped inside them. They may also contain harmful substances such as toxic gases that when combined with a sealed atmosphere, can prove fatal to humans.
As such, confined spaces create a range of specific OHS risks and threats.
The risks involved with confined spaces
One of the main hazards of working in a confined space is the risk of asphyxiation due to the enclosed nature of the area. Oxygen supply in a confined area can gradually wear thin over time, posing a threat to the life of anyone working inside it.
The hazard is also amplified if the confined space contains large amounts of a substance – be it a gas, liquid or solid. For example, build-up of a toxic gas in a sealed environment can slowly poison a worker, while it is also possible to drown in a vat full of liquid. Another common cause of death in Australia is people sinking or being engulfed by grain in silos.
Some unstable confined spaces such as partially demolished buildings can also collapse without warning, trapping anyone inside.
But perhaps one of the most concerning aspects of these environments is its potential to draw others to it as well in rescue attempts to save a trapped worker. In addition, confined spaces that contain a flammable substance can pose an extra threat due to the chance of ignition and explosion, putting the lives of even those outside the space at risk as well.
While the hazards posed are numerous, there are ways to mitigate them – and one of the most effective ways is to provide certified training to anyone who will be encountering these areas.
The importance of getting confined spaces training
One of the main reasons behind just about any work-related injury or death is a lack of proper education and training.
Employers have a legal and ethical obligation to ensure their workers have the knowledge and skill required to work in unsafe environments. For example, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007 outlines that employers have an obligation to make the workplace as safe as possible. In addition to identifying, managing and eliminating physical risks, this includes providing information and instruction to the relevant employees.
Usually the most practicable way of providing this is to sign them up for training courses. Run by specially trained experts in the field who have the working knowledge of how to best deal with these hazards, such courses will ensure your workers have the confidence and knowledge to head into a confined space and make it back out alive.
What confined spaces training involves
Confined spaces training courses such as those offered by AlertForce provide a comprehensive syllabus dealing with all aspects of safely working in these areas.
These courses include specific training on entry and exit techniques, providing guidance on how best to navigate in and out of these spaces to reduce the chances of being trapped.
Workers also learn how to identify the unique hazards in different types of confined spaces and how to manage them. Depending on the specific environment, there can be a presence of flammable or toxic substances and of course the threat of losing oxygen supply. The training teaches safety measures such as testing the atmosphere beforehand to ensure it is safe for work, and how to facilitate better ventilation if necessary.
Attendants learn about the best work procedures to operate safely in confined spaces. Performing the same work is vastly different depending on whether it is done in a confined space or out in the open, so some modifications may be required. This can also include emergency procedures that are specific to confined spaces.
Instruction is also provided on the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory equipment to use in different confined space environments.
What other measures can you take?
In addition to adequate training, there are some other things you can do as an employer to ensure the safety of your workers.
An entry permit system is an absolute must for any workplace that involves confined spaces. These permits act as a way for managers to communicate with staff, outlining the current risk and hazards and whether a safety check has been performed by anyone about to enter the space.
Implementing an entry permit system and getting your staff to use it correctly could potentially save lives.
At the end of the day, effective communication is key, and you should make an effort to alert everyone to the hazards posed through the use of signage and formal instruction.
The Top 10 workplace injuries in Australia – and how to avoid them
Workplace injuries are a common occurrence in organisations of all kinds and sizes in Australia, and many are still not doing enough to prevent them from happening in the first place.
In addition to the physical and mental toll victims can suffer, workplace injuries can prove to be a massive drain on businesses’ costs and productivity. According to Safe Work Australia, work-related injuries cost the Australian economy around $60 billion every year, representing almost 5 per cent of the nation’s GDP.
Additionally, roughly three quarters of these costs are incurred by the employees themselves, while the wider community accounts for 20 per cent and employers take up the rest.
So just how are these workers getting injured, and what are the most common types of injuries found in Australian workplaces today?
Based on the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Safe Work Australia’s Compendium of Workers’ Compensation Statistics, we’ve listed the top 10 most common work-related injuries in the country, and outlined some steps than can be taken to avoid them.
1. Sprains and strains
According to Safe Work Australia, sprains and strains of joints and muscles make the vast majority of workplace injuries in the country, comprising 41.8 per cent of all incidents.
These are most often caused by poor manual handling practices, either due to habits that weren’t fixed or improper OHS training. Workers that are required to bend and move their bodies to lift, carry or push heavy items are at serious risk of straining their muscles.
You should always use proper lifting techniques, which involve keeping your back straight, bending at the knees and using the strength from your knees and legs to lift. Keep the item close to your body at all times, and don’t attempt to move an object if it is beyond your physical strength to do so.
It can also be good practice to stretch properly and limber up before carrying out heavy manual tasks, to give your muscles a chance to relax and prepare for action.
2. Fractures
Bone fractures and crushing are the second most common workplace injury in Australia, making up 8.5 per cent of incidents.
Regardless of the severity of the fracture, these injuries can keep an employee out of work for weeks and even months. Usually they are caused by workers tripping and falling, or getting a limb trapped in a moving part of machinery.
You should ensure you are wearing suitable footwear for the job to reduce the risk of falling and hurting yourself, and wear adequate protective gear such as hard hats. However, the best way to reduce fracture injuries is to change the work environment itself, for example by keeping hazards such as loose cables, objects and spills off the floor.
Any hazardous machinery should have the proper safeguards in place to prevent inappropriate access and the risk of trapping a worker.
3. Open wound
Open wound injuries excluding amputation are next on the list, claiming 7.7 per cent of workplace injuries.
If you work with sharp tools and machinery as part of your job, make sure you have taken the relevant OHS training courses so you know how to operate them safely. You should also wear protective clothing that sufficiently covers the parts of your body exposed to the hazardous objects.
Also keep an eye out for any rusty items that can pierce your skin and cause serious infection. If you find such items lying around your workplace, you should alert your supervisor immediately so they can address the situation.
4. Contusion
Contusion is the medical term for bruises, and skin injuries that don’t involve open wounding make up 6.4 per cent of workplace incidents.
Like fractures, bruising is most commonly caused by impact resulting from falls and being struck by an object. Machinery with large moving parts that have the potential to hurt a worker should be well maintained so they are working correctly, and employees should be properly trained on using such equipment so they don’t injure themselves unnecessarily.
5. Tissue disorders
Disorders involving muscles, tendons and soft tissue represent 6.3 per cent of all workplace injury claims in Australia.
This is commonly caused by overexertion or repeating a movement incorrectly for long periods, meaning it can be some time before you notice any symptoms. However, you should take measures to prevent these developing in the first place.
Try not to repeat the same action for extended periods of time as this can have a strain on your tissue in the long run. Mix up your day with other tasks too, and take regular breaks to give your body a rest.
6. Dorsopathies
Dorsopathies, or spinal injuries, are responsible for 6 per cent of work-related injuries.
Usually this is a result of poor lifting putting undue pressure on the back, as mentioned under sprains and strains above, or from bad sitting posture. Therefore it is an injury that is pertinent to almost every type of employee, whether they work in a warehouse or sit at a desk all day.
Office workers should maintain a good sitting posture during work, keeping their back straight to their chair and avoiding slouching or leaning to one side for too long. Like tissue disorders, it can take some time before you notice any significant pain – by which time it is too late to prevent the injury and extensive treatment is required.
7. Deafness
Industrial deafness from excessively loud equipment causes 3.6 per cent of work-related injuries.
Those who work with loud machinery as part of their job must make sure they have adequate hearing protection, such as industry-standard earmuffs. These should completely cover and form a vacuum around the ears, blocking out all external noise.
It’s also worthwhile checking the decibel (dB) level of the equipment you use to determine which will require higher levels of protection. Any sound over 85 dB has the ability to induce hearing loss, either gradually or instantly, depending on the level of the sound and how long the exposure is.
8. Hernia
Hernias, making up 2.2 per cent of workplace injuries, are caused when internal organs break through the tissue holding them in place and can necessitate prolonged treatment.
While most hernia cases are due to genetics or pre-existing medical conditions, activities such as heavy lifting can exacerbate the situation. Take regular breaks from manual handling and lifting tasks, and if you notice pain or lumps in the abdominal area, stop immediately and seek medical advice.
9. Dislocation
Joint dislocation can be extremely painful and can happen at the most unexpected of times. They’re not the most common workplace injury however, making up 1.5 per cent of incidents.
They’re mostly caused by trips and falls and heavy contact, so keep the work environment as clutter-free possible to reduce the accident risk. Also note that if you dislocate a joint once, the chances of it occurring again in the future are increased, so you should take extra precaution to avoid suffering the same injury.
10. Burns
Burns are the least common individual form of work injury, making up just 1.4 per cent, but should still be taken seriously.
Make sure all equipment and substances that are capable of burning are clearly identified with warnings, and make sure anyone working with such items are wearing the appropriate protective clothing.
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5 ways to keep safe when working at heights
A report published by Safe Work Australia, titled ‘Work-Related Injuries and Fatalities Involving a Fall from a Height’, reveals that Australians working at an elevated level are in danger.
Between July 1 2003 and June 30 2011, a startling 232 employees died after a fall from a height – a number that accounts for 11 per cent of all workforce deaths over this period.
Over one-third (37 per cent) of these fall-related deaths occurred in the construction sector, which makes the industry’s fatality rate four times higher than Australia’s overall fatality rate during this eight-year period.
In addition to this, 7,730 people were injured by a fall from a height in 2010-11 alone. That’s approximately 21 every day!
This type of injury can mean anything from one to six weeks off work – a long time for something that could have been easily avoided in the first place.
These statistics demonstrate the necessity of having appropriate OHS training, learning to manage risks and understanding appropriate control measures before undertaking jobs in the construction sector.
So, how do you keep safe when working at heights? Here are five ways to help you make it home in one piece!
1) Get trained up
It’s compulsory for those working in the construction industry to undergo ‘Work Safely at Heights’ training. This is one of the most important OHS training courses you will ever take, and it could ultimately save your life.
‘RIIWHS204E Work Safely at Heights’ is a 1-day nationally recognised course that will equip you with the skills and knowledge to perform the following tasks:
– Select, use and maintain the appropriate safety equipment
– Install and understand how to operate fall arrest systems
– Develop a risk management plan
– Choose a suitable anchorage point
In addition to this, AlertForce offers a online ‘Working at Heights’ awareness course that will give you a detailed overview of the dangers associated with performing tasks at an elevated level.
You may work on this course at your own pace, but it should take approximately 20 minutes to complete.
It covers everything from the main causes of falls and how to manage them, tips for working on scaffolding and ladders (see below) and will go through a number of case studies, so you can get to grips with the real-life application of the safety tips you learn.
With this knowledge, you will be an asset to both your employer and your co-workers.
2) Learn to manage risks
When on construction sites, it’s important that you wear the necessary safety equipment at all times. You should also eliminate or, if this isn’t possible, reduce all health and safety risks in the area before you start work.
The best way to ensure you’ve got all your bases covered is by organising a comprehensive risk management strategy. This is the key to keeping safe in most environments and is often a requirement in workplaces across the country.
In general, a risk management strategy will contain the following steps:
– Locate any hazards in the workplace. Think about who will be onsite, where they will be working from (e.g. scaffolding or ladders), and how they might be injured.
– Assess the risk such hazards pose. Determine the likelihood of someone being injured by the hazards you’ve identified.
– Remove or control the hazards. Discuss what measures could be put in place to prevent this from happening and implement them.
You need to review your business’s risk management strategy on a regular basis, so that it’s always suitable for your current environment. You should also have inspection and maintenance processes in place, to make sure your work systems and equipment are up to standard.
3) Understand the control measures to prevent falls
According to WorkCover, there are three control measures that must be put in place whenever people are working at an elevated level. These are:
– A stable and securely fenced work platform (e.g. scaffolding) that is properly maintained. If a worker could fall more than four metres from such a work platform, OHS Regulation states that it and any support structures must be looked at by a “competent person” before it’s used, following repairs, and at least once every 30 days.
– Secure, physical barriers, such as perimeter screens, fencing and handrails to prevent someone from falling. These need to be set up before any work commences on site and should be between 900mm and 1100mm above the work platform.
– Other physical restraints (e.g. fall arrest systems) that will catch someone if they fall from a height exceeding two metres. This can include harness and lanyards, which should always be used in the way the manufacturer intended.
The control measures listed above are hierarchical. In other words, your employer is first and foremost obliged to supply you with “a stable and securely fenced work platform”, and only introduce the subsequent control measures if complying with this is “not reasonably practical”.
You must be provided with a safe method of moving between different levels when working at heights.
4) On scaffolding …
All scaffolding is required to be erected on a firm, level surface.
When working on scaffolding or a hoist, you should never use handrails to gain extra height – you need to make sure both of your feet are planted firmly on the deck at all times. These handrails should not be used to support heavy equipment or loads, either, according to SafeWork SA.
The deck must always be clear of any obstructions or debris that could pose a safety hazard.
You should never adjust scaffolding without the consent of your main contractor, and make sure no one is on the platform when it’s being adjusted.
Only qualified scaffolders are permitted to remove or replace any sections of scaffolding. So, if you come across scaffolding that appears to be incomplete or damaged in some way, don’t attempt to use it or fix it yourself. Inform your main contractor or make sure you stand clear.
5) On ladders …
You should only use the correct ladder for the task at hand, and make sure it’s in good condition. It must be set up on a firm, level surface at a ratio of 4:1.
It must be properly secured to prevent displacement and, ideally, a worker should hold the ladder at its base while someone is using it.
When working on ladders, you must always have two hands free to climb safely – if you can’t carry equipment in your tool belt, it must be lifted to you independently. You should also face the ladder at all times when ascending or descending.
You are required to maintain three points of contact at all times when working, and you should never place your feet above 900mm from the ladder’s top.
It should also be noted that many unnecessary falls occur as a result of non-ladder use, too – that is, when people stand on desks or crates to gain extra height instead of a properly set-up and maintained ladder.
So, next time you’re working at heights, make sure you keep these five tips in mind – and keep safe!
Increased rates of cancer in fire fighters
Researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) found in a recent study that a combined population of 30,000 fire fighters from 3 large US cities had higher rates of several types of cancers, & of all cancers combined, than the U.S. population. The findings were reported in an article posted on-line last month, by the peer- reviewed journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine. The new findings are generally consistent with the results of several previous, smaller studies.
The new study had a larger study population followed for a longer period of time so the results strengthen the scientific evidence for a relation between fire fighting & cancer, the researchers said. The study analysed cancers & cancer deaths through 2009 among 29,993 fire fighters from the Chicago,
Philadelphia, and San Francisco fire departments who were employed since 1950. The study was led by NIOSH in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute and the Department of Public Health Sciences in the University of California at Davis. The study was supported in part by funding from the U.S. Fire Administration.
Fire fighters can be exposed to contaminants from fires that are known or suspected to cause cancer. These contaminants include combustion by- products such as benzene & formaldehyde, and materials in debris such as asbestos from older structures. This is why we need our engineering designers of today’s buildings & structures to use products that are not likely to liberate such toxins on fire degradation and still perform the job that is required by the material.
The researchers found that:
- Cancers of the respiratory, digestive, & urinary systems accounted mostly for the higher rates of cancer seen in the study population. The higher rates suggest that fire fighters are more likely to develop those cancers.
- The population of fire fighters in the study had a rate of mesothelioma 2 times greater than the rate in the U.S. population as a whole. This was the first study ever to identify an excess of mesothelioma in U.S. fire fighters. The researchers said it was likely that the findings were associated with exposure to asbestos, a known cause of mesothelioma.
The findings of the new study did not address other factors that can influence risk for cancer, such as smoking, diet, & alcohol consumption. In addition, few women & minorities were in the study population, limiting the ability to draw statistical conclusions about their risk for cancer. In a second phase of the study, the researchers will further examine employment records from the 3 fire departments, to understand the occupational exposures, & to look at exposures in relation to cancer incidence & mortality. How much do you know about the products in your workplace that degrade & pose risks for fire fighters on burning?
Article by: Julie Armour – www.WorkingArmour.com.au
Offshore fatalities caused by the change of equipment failure, poor weather and change and high speed rotating parts?
On 24 August 2012 drilling operations were underway on the Stena Clyde Modu drilling rig in the Australia’s Bass Strait when the drill pipe string became stuck in the hole. Three days later instructions were given to rig up for a wire line operation to sever the stuck pipe in the well. The drill crew was preparing for the downhole cutting and removal of the stuck pipe. While attempting to unscrew the top drive from the drill pipe string, to facilitate the wire line operation, two workers were struck by a manual tong that rotated at speed. Shortly afterwards, the two workers died. After the operator, Stena Drilling (Australia) Pty Ltd, notified NOPSEMA, the regulator & they initiated an investigation, commencing mobilisation of its investigation team.
Preliminary considerations would indicate that the rigging arrangement of the break out tong at the time if the incident was a change from the usual arrangement, apparently arising from the combination of circumstances of the stuck pipe, inclement weather and the resulting heaving motion of the rig. There was no risk assessment completed and investigators are suggesting that one may have been required to cover the change associated with the chosen rigging arrangement including snatch blocks and the tugger winch under the meteorological and ocean conditions. The rig was also fitted with a top drive and integral pipe torque connector. The torque connector could not provide the necessary torque to disconnect the pipe, which led to the decision to use the manual break out tong. The continuing investigation will focus on the factors relating to the understanding of the risks related to this situation of change of equipment failure related to the stored energy combined with the equipment design limits and the impact of the external conditions. How confident are you that when plant fails in your workplace that those operating it understand the risks of rectification?
Article by: Julie Armour – www.WorkingArmour.com.au
Spate of workplace fatalities
Safe Work Australia has reported that the number of Australians killed while working has risen sharply, with 16 work-related fatalities reported to the state & territory safety regulators in June, up from 13 in May. Five of the 16 deaths involved vehicle incidents on public roads, 3 workers died after being trapped in machinery, 3 were fatally struck by moving objects (other than vehicles) and 2 were killed by falling objects.
a collapse of a tower crane boom at the new National Art Gallery site on 30 Sep 13, a collapse of scaffolds at a multi-storey factory in Toa Payoh on 2 Oct 13 & a dangerous occurrence with the toppling of a crawler crane at Defu Lane on 8 Oct 2013. Eight workers were killed in the months of Sep & Oct 2013. The total number of construction fatalities reported now stands at 27 (Jan-Oct), 1 more compared to the total number of construction deaths seen for the whole of 2012.
The Singapore regulator provides motivation for effective fatality prevention programs reporting that:
- In 2008-2009, the economic cost of injuries & illness in Australia’s construction sector was A$ 6.4 billion, equivalent to 23.2% of operating profit before tax of A$27.6 billion. The Nicoll Highway collapse in 2004 saw insurance claims amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars.
- In Singapore average insured incident costs accounted for 0.15%, average uninsured accident costs of 0.1% & average total accident costs 0.25% of the contract sum of a construction project.
- Consequences of economic losses due to construction incidents include: Direct costs including payments for hospital, physician & allied services. Indirect costs refer to victim productivity losses, employer productivity losses & administrative cost associated with an incident; Quality of life costs including the value attributed to the pain and suffering of victims & their families
How effective are your fatality prevention programs?
Article by: Julie Armour – www.WorkingArmour.com.au
Submarine workers exposed to radiation
The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has revealed 2 nuclear submarine bases in Scotland & England have suffered 11 significant safety incidents in the last 5 years, including human exposure to radiation but not serious enough to serious enough to rate on the International Nuclear Event Scale used to grade nuclear accidents. According to the Defence minister the majority of the incidents at Faslane on Clyde & Devonport did not cause danger to health or the environment. In the incidents, radioactive waste was spilled, workers were exposed to radiation, power supplies were lost, safety valves wrongly operated & a bag of waste was mistakenly dropped overboard. Six of the incidents happened at the Faslane naval base & five at Devonport. The incidents were admitted by UK defence minister in response to a parliamentary question from Angus Robertson MP, the SNP’s defence spokesperson. This describes the issues most workplaces have when we don’t report incident about high risk areas, don’t let those that can do something about it or those that may be affected by those incidents gain an understanding of the risks associated. How is the reporting regime at your workplace?
Article by: Julie Armour – www.WorkingArmour.com.au
Have you checked the quality of your safety equipment?
A UK company was recently fined £14,000 (A$24K) plus costs of £7,500 ($13K) for supplying imported hard hats that failed to meet safety standards despite being marked as approved. Trading standards officers from Northamptonshire County Council arranged for safety helmets to be tested against the requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002 in January 2012. Northampton Magistrates Court heard the tests included a Jewson Safety Helmet purchased from the company’s store. When tested the helmet did not comply with the shock absorption test in EN 397. A further 6 helmets were purchased from another Jewson branch & three of these also failed the same test. The helmets stated “complies with: EN397” & had been imported from China by the company. Jewson Limited was only able to produce a test certificate from 2001 despite selling over 63,000 of them over an 11 year period. The challenge here is that it very difficult for users to detect this kind of issue for themselves & therefore it is vital that regulatory officers proactively monitor the safety of products on sale.
Article by: Julie Armour – www.WorkingArmour.com.au
DIY renovators urged to take caution with asbestos
With national Asbestos Awareness Month well underway, Queenslanders who are undertaking renovations are being encouraged to take extra caution when performing their work.
Health Minister Lawrence Springborg explained in a November 4 statement that the focus of the month would be reducing the health risks posed by working with the hazardous material.
“Many Queenslanders, particularly young couples, who do their own renovations may be putting their health and the health of their families at risk,” he said.
He reminded renovation workers around Queensland, and indeed all of Australia, that homes built or renovated before 1987 had a high likelihood of containing some level of asbestos.
Performing manual work on these homes such as drilling, sawing, sanding and cutting had the potential to release asbestos fibres into the air, creating a serious risk to anyone in the vicinity.
One of the main threats caused by asbestos exposure was the contraction of the deadly mesothelioma strain of cancer.
Mr Springborg said that the likelihood of developing the cancer was proportional to the level of exposure to asbestos.
He therefore urged renovators to make sure they’re up to speed on the risks of working with asbestos, how to identify it and how to safely remove it. Taking asbestos assessment courses can help in this regard.
In addition, government bodies around the country are readily providing DIY workers with the information and resources to help them work with asbestos.
The Queensland Government, for instance, provides some tips on handling asbestos when renovating.
These include consulting an asbestos removal specialist before starting any work, and avoiding some common mistakes such as disposing of asbestos waste in domestic bins or carrying material that could contain asbestos through a building.
Dandenong workplaces reach new OHS heights
Workplaces in Dandenong, Victoria, have recorded their best safety performance in over a decade – an indication, perhaps, that Safe Work Australia Month’s message has been received.
The Victorian WorkCover Authority released figures this week that show the number of workplace injury claims has dropped by 11 per cent over the last ten years. In the 2012/13 period, there was a total of 1,539 claims in the City of Greater Dandenong, compared to the 1,721 recorded in 2003/04.
This year’s feat also represents the lowest number of claims since 2001/02.
Encouragingly, the city’s manufacturing sector enjoyed a 24 per cent decrease in claims to set a new safety record within the industry. This sector is still one of the riskiest in the Greater Dandenong area, accounting for 40 per cent of injury claims.
“This improvement in the rate of injury claims shows that the safety message is getting through to employers and employees, but there is still more that every one of us can do,” WorkSafe chief executive Denise Cosgrove said in a November 7 statement.
Assistant Treasurer Gordon Rich-Phillips also took the time to congratulate both employees and employers in reaching these new milestones.
“Any injury in a workplace is one too many, but it’s encouraging to see that employers and employees in the city are working together to make safety their number one priority,” he said.
“Victoria is the safest state in Australia in which to work and I congratulate every business owner and every employee for doing their part to make sure Dandenong continues to become a safer place for all workers.”
It is indeed heartening to see workplace injury cases in Victoria and around Australia continue to plummet, but workplaces and their staff can always find areas to improve their performance.
Getting employees enrolled in OHS training courses, for example, can help them take a proactive approach to managing hazards in the workplace.
Deloitte highlights Australia’s riskiest industries
- Gas was one of the super growth industries identified by Deloitte that had a high safety risk.
Deloitte recently identified three key industries that could help drive Australia’s economy in the future – and all three have been labelled as having a high safety risk.
In the wake of the declining mining boom, the global consultancy sought to identify the industries that could be next to fuel the country’s economy. Agribusiness, gas and tourism were the ones earmarked as having the potential of driving “super growth” in the Australian economy. Along with international education and wealth management, these sectors will form the new “prosperity wave” over the next two decades.
However, Deloitte was quick to preach caution and point out that the majority of these industries were earmarked as posing a high safety risk to workers during Safe Work Australia Month in October.
“These three industries also fit the high risk sectors identified by Safe Work Australia as requiring greater focus to deliver on the health and safety workplace needs of the nation over the next ten years,” Deloitte CEO Giam Swiegers said in a November 6 statement.
To manage the special risks associated with these high growth industries, Deloitte has enlisted a team of specialists from the former Brief Group to join its national Work Health and Safety risk business.
Deloitte will work with these specialists to help their clients “build proactive safety risk intelligence” and “confidently invest further in new ventures aligned to growth sectors”, with the assurance that concerns surrounding workplace injuries and deaths are being well managed.
The costs incurred by neglecting proper WHS standards cannot be ignored. According to Deloitte, $60.6 billion was a “conservative estimate” of the cost to Australia’s GDP of failing to implement proper work health and safety measures.
If you are an employer in one of the three super growth industries identified by Deloitte, it is important to ensure you are keeping your workforce safe while contributing to Australia’s economic prosperity.
This can involve getting your employees signed up for WHS training courses so they can better look after themselves while at work.
Safe Work Australia publishes fatality reports
Safe Work Australia has just published two reports on work-related fatalities in the country – and the findings are more than a little concerning.
These reports focus on different timeframes in assessing the number of workplace fatalities and have provided evidence that there have been no reductions in work-related deaths, both in the short and long term.
The first report, titled ‘Work-related injuries and fatalities involving a fall from height, Australia’, showed that there has been no improvement in the number of workers killed each year as a result of a fall from height over much of the last decade.
According to the report, 232 workers died from a fall from height between 2003 and 2011. Safe Work Australia CEO Rex Hoy pinpointed the construction industry as a sector that was particularly at risk.
“These figures show why the construction industry was identified as a priority for prevention activities in the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-2022,” he said in an October 31 statement.
“It is important for all workers to make safety a focus in their day to day work.”
To add weight to Mr Hoy’s words, Safe Work Australia pointed out that a third of all fall-related workplace deaths in the last four years were reported in the construction industry.
The second report, ‘Work-related traumatic injury fatalities Australia 2012″, highlighted the fact that the number of people killed at work in the last two years has also remained stable. Falls from height made up 13 per cent of the toll, while the number of deaths due to a vehicle crash was triple that figure.
According to Mr Hoy, Safe Work Australia is still striving to achieve its goal of reducing workplace fatalities by 20 per cent by 2022.
If employers around the country recognise the value of promoting a safer work environment, for example by investing in OHS training courses, this goal can certainly become a reality.
Construction firm in court over worker injury
A building company in London has been hit with a heavy fine after an employee was severely injured due to poor OHS compliance.
In its investigation, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found there was a concerning number of factors that led to the incident – all of which were easily preventable.
Firstly, it was revealed that the employee was working at an unsafe height without the required safety measures. The company admitted that in order to “keep the workers busy” while waiting for scaffolding to arrive, they were set to work before the proper safeguards were implemented.
The accident itself occurred when a newly-laid first floor collapsed under the excessive weight of concrete blocks. These blocks weighed around 1.6 tonnes in total – more than seven times the load capacity of the floor, the HSE found.
When the floor buckled under the weight, the worker fell three metres and sustained multiple leg fractures. He is still unable to return to work, let alone walk properly, even though the accident occurred in September last year.
HSE Inspector Keith Levart condemned the negligence of the company and reminded those in the building industry about the importance of construction site safety.
“[The employer] did not pay enough attention to the tasks being undertaken and failed to fully appreciate the risks involved,” he said in an October 30 statement.
“For this reason, it is hugely important that if something alters on site, such as materials being late, managers must take the responsibility to re-assess the risks and make sure there are no unintended – and possibly fatal – consequences.”
If the company in question had taken part in proper construction safety training, it is highly unlikely such a devastating accident would have occurred.
WorkSafe SA provides reminder on harvest safety
National Safe Work Australia Month may have just ended, but SafeWork SA is continuing to remind the country about the importance of OHS for the remainder of the year.
Bryan Russell, SafeWork SA executive director, says those in industrial sectors such as agriculture needed to be extra cautious. As temperatures warm up with the promise of a fruitful season ahead, employers and employees alike are being reminded to keep on top of work health and safety.
“We know that farming is a high-risk occupation, and as the sector gears up for harvesting and shearing we remind everyone working at this busy time of year to ensure that they are working safely having managed known risks,” said Mr Russell in an October 31 statement.
He noted that farm workers had unique risks and hazards they had to manage due to the nature of their jobs. These arise from circumstances such as working with heavy machinery and dangerous equipment, and working alone.
Some of the most common injuries suffered by these workers included falling from height, rollovers and crashes on farm vehicles, and body stress sustained from improper manual handling.
The high risk factor of working in this sector cannot be ignored. According to Safe Work Australia, the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry has claimed the most workplace fatalities this year, with 38 deaths to date in 2013.
SafeWork SA has offered some safety tips for the upcoming harvest season. Firstly, workers are encouraged to “develop a simple safety plan and stick to that plan”.
This plan can involve everything from ensuring all equipment and machinery are properly safeguarded, not entering field bins or silos when grain is being emptied, staying hydrated and taking regular breaks.
“A truly successful harvest is a safe, injury-free harvest,” Mr Russell concluded.
Safe Work Australia reports sharp drop in work-related fatalities
As Safe Work Australia Month draws to a close, the national work health and safety authority has announced some encouraging statistics.
Safe Work Australia released the 15th edition of its Comparative Performance Monitoring (CPM) report, which provides analysis on the trends around workers’ compensation schemes in Australia and New Zealand. One of the main findings was that work-related compensated fatalities were at its lowest level in over a decade.
Rex Hoy, chief executive officer of Safe Work Australia, pointed out that his organisation easily surpassed the long-term targets set in 2002.
“Over a decade ago the National OHS Strategy 2002-2012 set the target of a 20 per cent reduction in the incidence rate of work-related fatalities by 2012,” he explained in an October 30 media release.
“We have achieved this with a 47 per cent reduction in fatalities.”
Mr Hoy did note, however, that there was still room for improvement. He said that 199 compensated fatalities were recorded in Australia in 2011-12, and this number had to be cut down even further.
Additionally, in the same period, 12 in 100 workers were seriously injured to the extent they needed at least a week off work. While this figure represented a 28 per cent improvement from 2002, the target of a 40 per cent drop was not met.
Workplaces around the country must keep work health and safety on the top of their agenda if future targets set by Safe Work Australia are to be met. This includes enrolling staff in OHS training courses to best prepare them for the specific hazards posed in the workplace.
“To continue to see a decrease in injury and disease in the workplace we must stay committed to work health and safety and set high targets to ensure safer workplaces for all Australians,” Mr Hoy concluded.
Darwin plumbers fined over acetylene storage
A Darwin plumbing company has been fined for continued negligence in its handling of acetylene – despite repeated warnings from authorities.
NT WorkSafe reported yesterday (29 October) that the company was convicted and fined $5,000 earlier this month for storing cylinders containing the dangerous substance in enclosed vans.
It was revealed that the company was well aware of the risks of transporting acetylene cylinders in enclosed vans, but continued to neglect proper OHS safety standards even after formal warnings.
The court was told that NT WorkSafe issued an official prohibition notice to the company in May 2012, yet just a month later, found the same company breaching the notice.
This occurred when an employee of the company was caught transporting the cylinders to a jobsite in Darwin City, where he was spoken to by a NT WorkSafe inspector.
Doug Phillips, the NT work health authority, explained that although the cylinders were only stored for 30 minutes, this still constituted a breach of the prohibition notice.
“Prohibition notices are issued for a reason; one young life has already been cut short in the Northern Territory due to the practice of storing and or transporting acetylene cylinders in enclosed vehicles,” he said.
“Six months on, despite a formal warning, a company has been caught continuing to do the same thing.”
As an example of the implications involved with the improper handling of acetylene, NT WorkSafe pointed out one local incident that resulted in tragedy. A 24-year-old refrigeration mechanic in Parap died early last year after a gas explosion in a van carrying acetylene.
The importance of proper OHS training in the handling of dangerous goods cannot be underestimated, and it is concerning to see companies still ignoring formal warnings on the associated risks.
WorkSafe ACT announces innovative approach to OHS education
WorkSafe ACT is taking a unique approach to educating the state’s youngest and most vulnerable workers on the importance of work health and safety.
Mark McCabe, ACT Work Safety commissioner, has announced the launch of the Hazardman project, which aims to engage young workers and get them thinking about workplace safety.
The project revolves around the fictional character of Hazardman, who appears in a series of educational resources such as comics and fact sheets. It highlights the dangers posed by Hazardman’s ‘villains’, represented by common workplace hazards.
“This project is a fresh and original approach to a topic which is often overlooked or considered dull or unimportant,” Mr McCabe said in an October 28 statement.
“We cannot afford for the importance of safety to be devalued or under-estimated and the ACT Government is committed to making sure it stays on the agenda.”
WorkSafe cited several concerning statistics which prove the need to provide better OHS education for young and vulnerable workers. It pointed out that workers aged between 15 and 24 have the highest rate of work injuries per hour worked.
These young workers were most likely to sustain their injury as a result of manual handling and falls, including slips and trips.
Another goal of the project is to encourage workers to take a proactive approach to dealing with workplace hazards, such as discussing them with supervisors. In addition to school students, the initial focus of the project is to centre around young workers in the construction, retail and hospitality sectors.
If you have young people working at, or about to enter, your workplace, initiatives such as Hazardman will offer a welcome helping hand in ensuring they stay safe.
In addition to fun and light-hearted tactics, it is of course also important to invest in comprehensive occupational health and safety courses. These will enable your young employees to start work with the know-how to look after themselves and others.
Managing the risk of back pain at work
Back pain is one of the most common OHS concerns reported by workers, and it affects employees across a range of jobs and industries.
It can be an especially difficult problem to prevent, detect and treat as the symptoms usually build up over time and it can be a while before you experience any notable effects.
Help is always at hand, however. DISC Sports and Spine Center, a US-based spinal health and injury correction clinic, has offered some sound advice for those most at risk of this work injury.
DISC outlined two types of job that were mostly like to lead to back pain in the long run. These were desk jobs and heavy lifting jobs.
According to DISC, people who sit in an office all day are among those with the highest risk of back pain if they don’t take preventative measures. Staying in one position for too long – even if it is sitting up straight with your back against the chair – can “contribute to deficiencies in spinal posture that create long-term health problems”, the organisation explained in an October 24 press release.
Employers are therefore encouraged to provide staff with office chairs that have sufficient lumbar support, in addition to implementing OHS training to keep employees up to speed with office best practices. For example, this includes regular stretching breaks while standing up, DISC says.
Manual handling jobs that require heavy lifting also bring with them significant back pain risks. DISC pointed out this is mainly down to poor lifting techniques, which can not only sprain ligaments and tendons but also harm the discs in the spine.
Workers may also be lifting greater weights than they can safely manage, so it is the responsibility of employers to make sure jobs are assigned to those with the physical capacity to perform them. It is also important to remind workers about the well-known lifting technique of bending at the knees instead of the back.
Victorian businesses recognised for OHS achievements
The Victorian WorkCover Authority has announced the winners of the 2013 WorkSafe Awards, recognising those businesses that made outstanding achievements in promoting safer work environments.
A total of ten winners were selected from a pool of 323 entrants from a diverse range of industries, covering categories including Health and Safety, Return to Work and Health and Wellbeing.
Assistant Treasurer Gordon Rich-Phillips has stressed the significance of the awards program, now in its 25th year.
“Whether it is coming up with solutions to safety hazards, implementing a wellbeing program or helping an injured worker get back to work, the contributions and commitment of our finalists and winners contribute to safer workplaces,” he said in an October 23 statement.
“I congratulate the award recipients and commend them on their dedication, their innovations and their hard work in workplace safety.”
He also explained the awards provided an opportunity for others in the industry to follow the lead set by the winners and adopt similarly innovative approaches to work safety.
This year’s winners come from a broad spectrum of industries, proving that OHS training is pertinent to any field of work.
A mix of corporate and public service entities claimed awards in the health and safety category, including digital communications firm CodeSafe, Ambulance Victoria and Grampians Region Prisons.
The Commitment to Health and Wellbeing prize was awarded to timber and aluminium window manufacturer Dowell, for implementing stringent OHS policies to keep employees safe in hazardous work environments.
In the Return to Work category, Union Hydraulics won the Employer Excellence award in recognition of its unique “We Care and Prepare” return to work program.
If you have ambitions of claiming a similar award in future, it may be a good idea to invest in OHS courses to implement safer working policies across your organisation.
Public transport chief claims top OHS gong
The leader of a top Australasian public transport company has received an award for his commitment to promoting a safe working environment.
Transdev Australasia CEO Jonathan Metcalfe has been named Safety Ambassador of the Year, in recognition of his efforts to keep both employees and users of his services safe.
Criteria for the award include evidence of leading by example to raise awareness of keeping the workplace safe, as well as actively encouraging peers to get involved with work health and safety.
For instance, getting workers to speak up about potential hazards was an example of the type of behaviour the award sought in candidates.
With more than 4,800 staff members working across a variety of public transport services across Australia, this was never going to be an easy task – but Mr Metcalfe’s “passion, innovation and influence” allowed him to take the award, according to Safe Work Australia.
“Leading from the top down, Jonathan displayed true leadership by pushing safety as a priority for Transdev Australasia,” Safe Work Australia CEO Rex Hoy said in an October 24 statement.
“Driving his motivation for safety excellence is the philosophy that great organisations are differentiated by the culture and values underpinning what they do. He has worked tirelessly to improve the safety culture within Transdev.”
This safety culture was ingrained in every aspect of the business, from safety topics in every internal newsletter and meeting and regular safety campaigns led by Mr Metcalfe himself.
One need only look at the figures reported by Transdev to see the true impact Mr Metcalfe has had on the organisation. Transdev recorded its lowest ever lost time injury frequency rate in 2013, and this number is well on its way to reaching new lows at the end of this year.
There is no doubt that Mr Metcalfe also recognised the value of occupational health and safety courses in achieving this feat. By keeping staff up to speed with OHS best practices, any organisation can aspire to the standards set by Mr Metcalfe.
Narrogin death highlights importance of OHS training
The work-related death of a Western Australian man on Tuesday is serving as a reminder of the need to implement stringent OHS practices.
WorkSafe WA reported that the 48 year-old employee was operating a forklift to move bales of hay at his Narrogin workplace when he was struck by a pitchfork attachment on another machine.
He was immediately airlifted to Perth but passed away on Tuesday night.
WorkSafe sent inspectors to the site to speak with witnesses and assess the circumstances surrounding the death, and to determine what could have been done to prevent the incident.
Lex McCulloch, WorkSafe WA Commissioner, issued a statement on October 23 to express his condolences to the affected family and remind the public that all work-related deaths are tragedies.
With Safe Work Australia Month now edging towards it conclusion, it is concerning to see such preventable deaths still abound in this country.
OHS compliance is especially important for workplaces that rely on heavy machinery and vehicles such as forklifts. In fact, the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector is the industry with the highest number of work-related fatalities this year, according to Safe Work Australia.
Worker deaths in this industry totalled 37 as of October 21, seven more than the next highest sector – transport, postal and warehousing.
Deaths are still possible even in jobs perceived as relatively safe and free of physical labour, as a fatality has been recorded in both the information media and telecommunications and administrative and support services sectors in 2013.
These have contributed to a nationwide toll of 132 workplace deaths to date this year.
Whether you are an employer or employee, and regardless of which industry you are in, you can help limit the number of work-related injuries and deaths by investing in OHS training for your workforce.
CFA trucks to be upgraded to protect volunteers
130 CFA trucks will be upgraded to better protect volunteer firefighters.
The Victorian state government has announced plans to upgrade 130 trucks from the Country Fire Authority (CFA) fleet in a bid to better serve the OHS needs of firefighters.
Speaking on October 22, Minister for Police and Emergency Services Kim Wells said that the crew protection retrofit program, which had the aim of protecting volunteer firefighters in the event of a burnout, was well ahead of schedule.
A total of 74 trucks had already been retrofitted before this fire season, with a further 130 trucks lined up to be upgraded by June next year. The number of upgraded CFA vehicles now stands at 1,048.
Mr Wells explained just how the modified trucks would help protect workers.
“Retrofitted trucks are fitted with protections including radiant heat protective curtains, water-spraying systems, heat-shielding panels and upgraded intercom communication systems,” he said.
The new trucks will therefore better protect firefighters in the event of a burnover, allowing them to safely take shelter in the truck itself.
“We’re proud of the vital work performed by the CFA, one of the world’s largest volunteer organisations with more than 60,000 members – 98 per cent volunteers,” Mr Wells said.
“It is vital that we are providing them with the facilities and equipment they need to save lives and property, and the protection they need to stay safe on the frontline.”
With temperatures across Australia picking up and heightening the risk of bushfires, the upgrades represent a sensible move on the part of the government to protect some of its most important workers.
Protecting the employees of your own organisation shouldn’t stop with providing the safest possible vehicles, however. Investing in regular occupational health and safety courses can help keep everyone up to speed with the safest work practices.
Burnt homes carry extra asbestos risk
Those looking to return to damaged or burnt buildings should be extra wary of the threat of asbestos, a NSW building inspector has warned.
Archicentre, the building inspection arm of the Australian Institute of Architects, has highlighted the increased asbestos risk that burnt out residential and commercial properties carry.
Although asbestos is generally safe when undisturbed, any damage to a building can expose it to the open and cause an immediate health risk.
“[Asbestos products] are considered a health hazard once they are disturbed, broken, blown or washed away with exposure linked to mesothelioma cancer years after the exposure,” said Archicentre General Manager Cameron Frazer.
“The major hazard stems from the toxic asbestos fibres becoming airborne.”
He went on to point out that the extensive natural disasters Australia sees, such as bushfires, increases the risk of exposed asbestos in this country and homeowners are urged to exercise caution when revisiting damaged properties.
“When a single home in the suburbs is burnt down, considerable care is taken in the inspection and removal of debris because of the presence of asbestos,” he said.
“In the case of such widespread destruction of homes in bushfires, similar issues are involved.”
With temperatures across Australia set to soar in coming months and increase the risk of bushfires, people who engage in asbestos removal are advised to keep on top of their OHS procedures.
Peter Dunphy, chair of the Asbestos Education Committee, also stressed the importance of having a professional carry out any asbestos removal work.
“If homeowners suspect they have asbestos in their home and want it removed, we recommend using a licensed asbestos removalist just as they’d use a licenced electrician for electrical work because of the dangers of working with electricity,” he said.
UK contractor fined over negligent asbestos removal
A contractor in the UK has been fined AUS$1,320 after carrying out negligent asbestos removal practices – despite being a qualified and trained expert in the field.
The Trafford Magistrate’s Court found the main guilty of ignoring his company’s asbestos procedures and endangering the health of workers as he performed the task at Trafford College in Bolton.
He was found out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) during an announced visit to the site, which discovered that workers were not provided with protective clothing and equipment.
A total of three workers were therefore placed in severe risk of asbestos exposure. Fortunately the HSE intervened in time, stopping the work immediately and appropriately disposing of the contaminated clothing.
In addition to his fine, the man will be ordered to pay over AUS$400 for his negligence.
HSE Inspector Laura Moran provided some insight into just how hazardous the contractor’s actions could have been.
“Asbestos is responsible for thousands of deaths in the UK every year but it only becomes dangerous when it is broken up and fibres are released into the air,” she explained in an October 21 media release.
“He simply should never have allowed three men to go into a contaminated area while wearing their own clothes, and without the correct protective clothing and respiratory masks.
“Workers, their families and anyone else who came into contact with them would have been put at risk as a result of [him] allowing the men to wear lace-up boots and the clothes they intended to go home in.”
Asbestos continues to be an OHS issue around the world, and Australia is certainly no exception.
With national Asbestos Awareness Month taking centre stage in November, however, employers and employees in Australia will have the opportunity to brush up on their asbestos practices.
Safe Work Australia warns of musculoskeletal injuries
As Safe Work Australia Month draws to a close, the organisation is issuing a final reminder about what it claims to be Australia’s most common work-related injury.
According to Safe Work Australia, musculoskeletal disorders are still rife in workplaces around the country, and employers and employees alike must continue to take steps to avoid these preventable injuries.
The organisation says the most common types of musculoskeletal injuries are those related to the back, knee and shoulder. Such injuries are mainly caused by the lifting and handling of practically any heavy item, from crates and cartons to even other people in hospital settings.
“Every day over 200 people injure their joints, muscles or tendons at work seriously enough to require at least one week off work,” said Safe Work Australia CEO Rex Hoy in an October 21 media release.
With affected workers needing around five weeks of recovery, Mr Hoy went on to stress the wider impacts these injuries could have on business, such as lost productivity.
He also pointed out that the costs involved with implementing warehouse safety procedures, such as OHS training courses, are much less than those incurred by not having these systems in the first place. Poor work and health safety standards cost the nation over $60 billion every year, according to Safe Work Australia.
In light of this, Mr Hoy urged workers and employers to make a joint effort in reducing such incidents. Employees can reassess and correct their lifting techniques to alleviate strain on their bodies. On the other hand, those in charge can make improvements to their organisation’s manual handling procedures to reduce the physical stress on staff.
Harvest workers urged to stay safe as summer approaches
Summer is fast approaching in Australia, and farmers and grain growers across the country are currently preparing for what will hopefully be a prosperous harvest season.
But while this time of year may be an important and busy period for harvest workers, WorkSafe Victoria is reminding everyone in the industry not to let good health and safety practices fall by the wayside.
“Nobody – workers, family, friends or the wider community – should have to suffer the trauma of a workplace fatality,” said WorkSafe Health and Safety General Manager Lisa Sturzenegger in a statement released October 18.
According to Ms Sturzenegger, there have already been three farm deaths recorded in Victoria since June. In September, a Robinvale man was killed when he was run over by a tractor when trying to climb down from the vehicle.
Incidents such as these should serve as a timely reminder about the high-risk nature of the farming industry.
WorkSafe Victoria has offered a range of safety tips for farm workers to keep in mind this harvest season, in order to ensure they stay safe and avoid injury while on the job.
These include understanding the limitations of any equipment you are using, taking extra care when conducting repairs and maintenance, keeping the lines of communication open and making sure that operators are all trained and competent.
Care should also be taken to ensure fatigue is managed carefully and that harvest workers are given regular rest and hydration breaks – particularly when working in hot conditions.
“We want everyone to put safety at the front of their mind, reassess their systems of work and, if there’s a safety risk, make changes,” said Ms Sturzenegger.
“Don’t be the next workplace fatality. Identify and control the risk before it’s too late.”
DIYers urged to be careful ahead of national Asbestos Awareness Month
The Asbestos Education Committee and the Asbestos Diseases Research Institute have urged home renovators to be aware of proper asbestos safety procedures ahead of the official launch of national Asbestos Awareness Month on November 1.
According to Asbestosawareness.com.au, a study published in the Medical Journal of Australia has found that more than 60 per cent of DIY renovators have been exposed to asbestos dust while working on their properties.
Alarmingly, more than half of DIYers say their partner has also been exposed to asbestos in the course of renovations, while 40 per cent admit that their children have been exposed as well.
Asbestos Diseases Research Institute Director, Professor Nico van Zandwijk, says that it is “vital” that Australians heed the warning regarding the dangers of asbestos, and learn where this harmful substance can be found around the home.
“The number of people diagnosed with mesothelioma continues to rise despite the introduction of preventive measures in the 1980s,” said Mr van Zandwijk in a statement released October 17.
“For every mesothelioma case there are at least two lung cancer cases caused by asbestos, and for all those diagnosed with an asbestos cancer, the realisation that their disease might have been prevented simply by managing asbestos safely, can be heartbreaking,” said Mr van Zandwijk.
Of course, DIYers are not the only people at risk of asbestos exposure. In fact, people working as tradesperson in industries such as plumbing and carpentry are at particular risk of being exposed to this deadly substance.
For these people, health and safety training regarding the proper management and disposal of asbestos is not just a luxury, it is a necessity that they cannot afford to disregard.
National Asbestos Awareness Month will run throughout the entire month of November, and will serve as a timely opportunity for Australians to think carefully about the way they are handling material that potentially contains asbestos.
Fatigue management for truck drivers under the spotlight
The health and safety of Australian truck drivers is in the spotlight this week, as WorkSafe WA issues a warning about the correct use of sleeper cabs during long distance journeys.
According to the Western Australia Department of Commerce, WorkSafe WA is currently investigating problems with the use of truck sleeper cabs as a form of fatigue management.
Sleeper cabs are small sleeping quarters that drivers use to rest in while on the road. They are often employed during urgent “hot shot” services, in which two drivers work in shifts in order keep urgent freight moving around the clock.
WorkSafe Director Joe Attard has urged truck drivers to ensure that anyone sleeping on board a moving vehicle remains securely restrained at all times in a legitimate sleeping cab.
“Inspectors have found instances of trucks without sleeper cabs where the second driver is resting or sleeping on the vehicle’s parcel shelf or sleeping in a swag on the tilt tray of the vehicle, which is far from a satisfactory arrangement,” said Mr Attard.
The comfort of drivers sleeping while on the road is also important, says Mr Attard, as drivers need to ensure they get enough quality rest to avoid fatigue and safely operate their vehicles.
The WA Office of Road Safety says that fatigue is a “silent killer” on WA roads, potentially contributing to nearly a third of all road deaths in the state. The Office notes that driving after a period of 20 to 25 hours without sleep equates to driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10 – twice the legal limit.
“Even when there is a single driver resting while the truck is stationary, it is important that the sleeping berth complies with design rules so the driver is properly rested and does not have consequent issues with fatigue,” said Mr Attard.
More information on appropriate workplace conditions for truck drivers can be found in the WA Commission for Occupational Safety and Health’s new Code of Practice on Fatigue Management for Commercial Vehicle Drivers.
New work health and safety guidelines for small businesses
New health and safety guidelines for small businesses have been released.
SafeWork South Australia has released a new set of work health and safety best practice guidelines for small businesses.
The document, entitled Work Health and Safety – Seven Steps for Small Business, presents a series of easy and effective steps that SMEs can take in order to improve the safety of employees on the job.
According to SafeWork SA, the first step for small businesses looking to improve OHS is “setting up a safe workplace”.
This involves putting in place a simple and comprehensive written workplace safety policy that ensures all relevant stakeholders understand their obligations and responsibilities in upholding strong safety standards.
SafeWork SA offers an easy to understand sample OHS policy on its website that small businesses across Australia can use as a reference point for developing their own strategy.
Next, businesses should consult with workers about relevant OHS issues, before taking active steps to manage any potential hazards that may be putting employees in danger.
Step four in the document is “informing, training and supervising”. This step requires businesses to ensure employees are provided with thorough health and safety training, and are given adequate supervision while undertaking dangerous tasks.
SafeWork SA has also provided advice on what small businesses should do to “maintain a safe workplace” and keep adequate records of OHS activities and performance.
Finally, SafeWork SA recommends that small businesses continue monitoring, reviewing and improving their OHS initiatives in order to ensure they remain relevant to the needs of the organisation.
“Managing WHS is an ongoing process. Be aware that your safety processes, operations and workers may change over time and so can the risks,” explains SafeWork SA.
“After you have established your WHS management system you should regularly review and monitor how effective it is, and make any necessary adjustments to keep it up to date.”
NSW companies fined for poor forklift safety
Two NSW companies – a bakery and a transport company – have been fined for failing to ensure proper workplace health and safety, following a forklift accident which occurred in April 2007.
The incident involved a 51 year old truck driver, who was pinned between a forklift and a trailer after the brakes on the forklift failed, causing it to roll backwards down a metal ramp. The man suffered injuries to his lower back, abdomen and pelvis.
After a thorough investigation into the accident, WorkCover NSW has found both the injured man’s employer and the bakery at which the incident occurred were in breach of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety Division General Manager John Watson says that both parties were at fault for the incident. The transport company did not provide proper forklift safety training to the driver prior to the use of the forklift, while the bakery failed to provide workers with a safe method of loading and unloading bread.
While the bakery did provide a metal ramp for the purpose of unloading bread, it too was found to be defective. As the ramp could not be used, the truck driver instead opted to use the defective forklift.
“Machinery like forklifts should be the subject of periodic inspections with preventative maintenance systems in place so that the risk of serious injury or death is substantially reduced,” said Mr Watson.
Mr Watson says the incident is an important reminder to SME-sized trucking businesses about the need to ensure all workers are kept safe when operating machinery or transporting goods.
The transport company has been fined $80,000, while the bakery has been fined $50,000.
Sunny weather forecasts prompts heat safety warning
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is forecasting sunny weather for the end of the week, with high temperatures expected in several major cities across the country.
Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle, Brisbane, Cairns and Darwin are all expected to hit 30 degrees Celsius over the weekend, according to the latest BOM report issued October 10.
But while many Australians will likely take this opportunity to welcome in the start of summer with a trip to the beach, WorkCover NSW has issued a serious warning to those who will be working in these strenuous conditions.
In a statement released yesterday (October 9), WorkCover NSW emphasised that businesses and workers need to work together to minimise the work health and safety effects of working in the heat.
According to WorkCover NSW Work Health and Safety Division General Manager John Watson, the effects of fatigue brought on by high temperatures could lead to an increased chance of workplace injury.
Mr Watson says extreme heat can cause people to suffer from dehydration and a reduced ability to concentrate, communicate effectively or recognise potential risks.
“In the three years to July 2011, there were 497 claims for workplace fatigue and heat stroke [in New South Wales] at a cost of $4.3 million,” said Mr Watson.
WorkCover NSW has suggested that businesses concerned about the upcoming high temperatures consider rescheduling any necessary work to early morning or late afternoon, when conditions will be cooler.
All efforts should be taken to ensure workers at risk of heat exhaustion have easy access to drinking water and shaded rest areas. They should also be provided with the opportunity to take frequent rest breaks.
“Common heat illness symptoms may include nausea, dizziness, general weakness and collapse. If you or your workers show any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical assistance,” said Mr Watson.
Soldiers undergo specialist confined space training
Soldiers in the US army station in South Korea have recently come together to participate in an extensive three day confined space training.
Members of the 304th Expeditionary Signal Battalion and the 36th Signal Battalion spent the last few days of September at Camp Humphrey, near the city of Pyeongtaek in the Gyeonggi Province.
The course was part of a new initiative tentatively entitled the Fibre/Cable University, which has been designed as a way of educating soldiers about correct confined space safety procedures.
501st Signal Company member Specialist Robin Williams said that the training was an improvement on previous training he has done, which had a tendency to be “rather boring”.
“This training was much more fun as it enabled active participation on top of classroom-type training, and I am sure that most trainees share my view,” said Spc. Williams in a statement released by the US Army on October 10.
Civilian experts were on hand at the training courses to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
“Confined space training in a manhole with carbon monoxide gas can be dangerous. That’s why we also brought professional civilians along for support,” explained Staff Sergeant Damon Young.
Of course, the US is not the only military that provides confined spaces training for soldiers – an ability to operate safely and efficiently within confined spaces is an important asset for members of the Australian armed forces as well.
The official Australian Defence Jobs website states that Australian Commandos are required to “operate effectively and without signs of undue stress, panic or excessive fear when … in dark confined spaces”.
Confined spaces training is also a prerequisite for many dangerous civilian jobs in Australia, such as any role that includes particularly hazardous cleaning, installation, maintenance or inspection duties.
Study reveals common factors behind mining fatalities
The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) has announced the results of an extensive study into the safety standards at Western Australian mines between 2000 and 2012.
Speaking at the 2013 Mines Safety Roadshow in Geraldton earlier this week, DMP Resources Safety Executive Director Simon Ridge explained that the department had reviewed the circumstances behind 52 mining deaths that had occurred in WA over the past 13 years.
Mr Ridge referred to an incident at a Pilbara mine site earlier this year in which a young contractor was killed, despite the site having a “nearly two year fatality-free run”. This provides evidence as to why studies like this one are so important.
“It’s for that reason the department carries out such studies, so that from a regulator perspective, we can provide feedback to industry to help stop these incidents from occurring,” said Mr Ridge.
The results of the DMP study showed a number of common factors that contributed to many of the recorded mining deaths, and may serve as a timely reminder about the importance of proper mining safety protocols.
According to Mr Ridge, nearly half of all fatalities that occurred in WA mines during the aforementioned period were individuals who were either in their first year at the mine site, or taking on a new and unfamiliar role.
Meanwhile, 44 per cent of the mining deaths analysed by the DMP involved mining supervisors who were still relatively new to the position, and had not yet completed a full year on the job.
These results have been pointed to as an indication that high staff turnover and improper safety training can lead to an increased risk of significant accidents occurring on mine sites.
Furthermore, nearly two thirds – 62 per cent – of mining fatalities that occurred in WA between 2000 and 2012 involved a failure to fully comply with onsite procedures.
“This drives the point home that we must always apply known precautions to known hazards and, where new tasks, machines or processes are being introduced, detailed hazard analysis and risk assessment should be carried out,” said Mr Ridge.
Warning issued over dangers of powered hand tools
For many labourers and tradesmen in Australia, the use of powered hand tools is a necessary part of the job. However, that doesn’t change the fact that these devices are often dangerous when operated without proper care and caution.
Yesterday (October 8), the WorkCover Authority of New South Wales issued a reminder to all kitchen, wall frame and roof truss manufacturers in particular about the importance of using powered hand tools safely.
General Manager of WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety Division John Watson has encouraged business owners to ensure that people working in these industries are given the proper OHS/WHS safety training and supervision.
“Cheap, noisy and heavy tools can be awkward to use, vibrate a lot, and require excessive force which can result in painful blood vessel, nerve, hand and finger joint disorders,” said Mr Watson.
“A simple solution to address the risk of workers coming into contact with exposed blades or entrapment points is to install guarding in the workshop. Importantly, provide adequate training, supervision and instruction to workers to ensure they are competent in safely operating machinery and powered hand tools.”
According to WorkCover NSW, more than 100 people working in the kitchen, wall frame and roof truss manufacturing industries have been injured while on the job between 2008 and 2010.
The wood products manufacturing industry as a whole is reportedly one of highest risk sectors in NSW. Nearly 2,000 Australians in this sector filed compensation claims during the aforementioned three year period
WorkCover NSW says that it is continuing to conduct inspections of local wood manufacturing businesses, in order to assess work health and safety standards and work with them to improve injury management.
Furthermore, Mr Watson says special safety kits will be provided to kitchen, wall frame and roof truss manufacturers in NSW featuring practical advice for avoiding injuries on the job.
Work health and safety award season heats up
A number of businesses across Australia have been recognised for their commitment to work health and safety this month.
Yesterday (October 8), the winners of the Queensland Safe Work Awards 2013 were announced at a special ceremony hosted by Safety Ambassador and former Australian rugby league coach Mal Meninga.
The big winner on the night was Frasers Livestock Transport, which took home the awards for “Best demonstrated leadership in work health and safety” and “Best Solution to an identified work health and safety issue”.
Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie praised Frasers Livestock Transport for developing and building a new cross loading module, which is designed to reduce the risk of falling, tripping or coming into contact with livestock while on the job.
“The cross loading module incorporates a series of elevated platforms, over-trailer walkways and sliding gates and barriers that remove the need for the driver to work in, climb on or stand on the crate,” explained Mr Bleijie.
The award for “Best work health and safety practices in small business” went to Core Developments, while Jennifer Bell of RSPCA Queensland received “Best individual contribution to work health and safety”.
“Together with Mal, I commend these organisations for leading the way in designing and building a better safety culture across Queensland,” said Mr Bleijie.
“These awards are so important because they shine a light on businesses and individuals doing their very best to make their workplaces safer and healthier.”
Meanwhile, the finalists of the 2013 WorkSafe Victoria Awards have also been announced.
The 30 finalists have been narrowed down from an initial applicant pool of more than 320, and have each been recognised for showing outstanding commitment to generating strong health and safety cultures in the workplace.
The 25th annual WorkSafe Victoria Awards ceremony will be held on October 23, coinciding with WorkSafe Victoria’s annual Work Safe Week.
High-risk work licence holders reminded to maintain competencies
WorkSafe ACT has issued a reminder that high-risk work licences are “a privilege, not a right”, and that people holding such licences must ensure they are maintaining the correct competencies at all times.
In Australia, any worker who is performing particularly hazardous tasks or operating complex equipment on the job is required to hold a high-risk work licence that is valid across all states or territories.
For example, high-risk work licences are mandatory for anybody who is performing scaffolding work, operating cranes and hoists, forklifts or pressure equipment, or doing rigging work.
In order to acquire a high-risk work licence, individuals must undergo specialised safety training with a registered training organisation, before being assessed by a registered assessor. Licences are valid for five years from the date of issue.
However, ACT Work Safety Commissioner Mark McCabe has this month warned that high-risk licence holders must take responsibility for ensuring that they have and maintain the competencies associated with their particular licence.
“High risk work, by its nature, can lead to serious accidents, if not fatalities,” said Mr McCabe in a statement released October 8.
“WorkSafe ACT will take action if it determines that a high risk work licence-holder does not have the competence required to undertake the work for which they are licensed.”
Mr McCabe says that anybody concerned about the competency of a person holding a high-risk work licence should contact WorkSafe ACT so that a proper investigation can be conducted.
The warning follows an unfortunate incident earlier this year, which involved an apprentice carpenter being injured after the building site scaffolding that he was working on collapsed.
An individual had his high-risk work licence suspended for 12 months as a result of the incident. However, he will be able to shorten that suspension by participating in specialised construction safety training programs on correct scaffolding erection and dismantling protocols.
Asbestos Contamination Risks Community Safety And Finances
Asbestos contamination of properties in affluent area South West Rocks St, has left one homeowner with a significant bill for the cleanup and upset neighbours needed to pay out of their own pockets.
The contamination happened when a contractor with a high-pressure water cleaner, began washing down asbestos off of a roof of one of the Seaview St homes.
Neighbours began to worry when the asbestos contaminated water began to raid down upon their properties.
ASBESTOS contamination of properties in an exclusive South West Rocks St last week has left one homeowner with a big bill for the clean-up and neighbours out of pocket and upset.
The contamination occurred last week after a contractor with a high-pressure water cleaner began washing down the asbestos roof of a house in Seaview St.
Neighbours quickly became concerned when water mixed with asbestos began to rain down on their properties.
One neighbour contacted Kempsey Shire Council to voice his concerns over the deadly material.
“I was told by the person I spoke to that the council only had jurisdiction over the work if it was the owner actually doing it,” the neighbour said.
“If it was a contractor then it was a problem for WorkCover. So I contacted the WorkCover office in Port Macquarie. They were very concerned and sent someone straight up to see what was going on.
“The man doing the pressure washing had left by then but WorkCover took control of the situation and ordered a clean-up.”
WorkCover engaged a professional asbestos decontamination service to undertake the clean-up, which, the agency told South West Rocks News, is almost complete.
Meanwhile an investigation into the incident is continuing.
“WorkCover directed the property owner to engage an occupational hygienist and licensed asbestos removalist to safely remove asbestos from the property and issue a clearance certificate declaring the site safe,” the spokesman said, referring to the decontamination operation.
“WorkCover is also providing advice to the owners of neighbouring properties.”
Meanwhile the owners of one of the adjoining properties, stated that the are out of pocket by approximately $5000 because of interrupted business.
A Kempsey Shire Council spokesman said the council will manage the issues according to the Protection of the Environoment Operations Act but did not wish to comment further.
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http://www.macleayargus.com.au/story/1797321/south-west-rocks-homeowner-counts-cost-of-asbestos-clean-up/?cs=1526
Inspector’s Report Reveals Occupational Health and Safety Issues In Council
Municipal Inspector, Peter Stephenson’s final report into the Rural City of Wangaratta lists the wide variety of problems that resulted in the council’s dismissal.
Stephenson’s report refers to a culture of “political point scoring” within the council, and a “lack of direction” that resulted in delays in the city’s strategic planning processes.
The report was reviewed in Parliament two weeks ago, and was the final of three reports Stephenson completed following his three month stay in Wangaratta.
The most serious issue within the council is said to be the “political point scoring”.
“Personal interactions are often characterised by a lack of respect for the opinions of others and Councillors (Tammy) Atkins and (Don) Joyce are regularly targeted with aggressive and intimidatory behaviour,” the report states.
The report also refers states that the council is inept when dealing with occupational health and safetyconcerns.
“The stalemate in relation to health and safety matters continues to impact both on the health and safety of staff, but also the capacity of the staff team to appropriately brief, and to seek direction from council,” it states.
“Council has had a number of opportunities to adopt resolutions, based on legal advice, that are aimed at protecting the health and safety of staff and continue in their refusal to do so.”
Source: http://wangarattachronicle.com.au/2013/09/24/council-had-failed-report/
Forklift Safety Training: Worker Injured Using Forklift Instead of Ladder
A business was told to pay out in excess of $67,000 after an employee was seriously injured while being elevated on a forklift to close a faulty rolled door.
The man was crushed when he got trapped between the roller door and the forklift backrest at the Holsten’s Pty Ltd building in Adelaide in September 2011.
He was sent to the hospital for a week for treatment for injuries to his ribs, back, right shoulder, chest, stomach and lungs.
The Industrial Court were informed the man was unable to return to work following the accident.
The family-run establishment imports and sells florist and wedding products.
It was revealed in court the motorised roller door at the warehouse was not working properly, and employees sometimes used a forklift to reach the door when opening and closing it.
The employee operating the forklift was not certified to use it, and lifted to other worker too high which caused him to be crush against the door.
The company pleaded guilty for failing to provide and maintain a safe workplace, and allowing an employee to do high risk.
Industrial Magistrate Michael Ardlie said accepted the company was remorseful and subsequently made efforts to improve its safety.
“The defendant sincerely regrets the injuries sustained by the employee and unreservedly apologises to the employee for the harm caused,” he said.
“The defendant took steps to ensure that the employee received immediate medical attention on-site and an ambulance was called.
[Company director Richard] Holsten himself attended the hospital with the employee to ensure that he was not alone.”
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-17/worker-crushed-when-forklift-used-instead-of-ladder/4961984
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Asbestos Contamination Costs Community Safety And Finances
ASBESTOS contamination of properties in an exclusive South West Rocks St last week has left one homeowner with a big bill for the clean-up and neighbours out of pocket and upset.
The contamination occurred last week after a contractor with a high-pressure water cleaner began washing down the asbestos roof of a house in Seaview St.
Neighbours quickly became concerned when water mixed with asbestos began to rain down on their properties.
One neighbour, who does not wish to be named, was aware the roof was made of asbestos and contacted Kempsey Shire Council to voice his alarm.
“I was told by the person I spoke to that the council only had jurisdiction over the work if it was the owner actually doing it,” the neighbour said.
“If it was a contractor then it was a problem for WorkCover. So I contacted the WorkCover office in Port Macquarie. They were very concerned and sent someone straight up to see what was going on.
“The man doing the pressure washing had left by then but WorkCover took control of the situation and ordered a clean-up.”
WorkCover engaged a professional asbestos decontamination service to undertake the clean-up, which, the agency told South West Rocks News, is almost complete.
Meanwhile an investigation into the incident is continuing.
“WorkCover directed the property owner to engage an occupational hygienist and licensed asbestos removalist to safely remove asbestos from the property and issue a clearance certificate declaring the site safe,” the spokesman said, referring to the decontamination operation.
“WorkCover is also providing advice to the owners of neighbouring properties.”
Meanwhile the owners of one of the adjoining properties, a holiday rental, say they have had to cancel more than $5000 worth of school holiday bookings.
Further information on asbestos in homes and how to manage it before undertaking renovations or maintenance can be found at www.asbestosawareness.com.au
A Kempsey Shire Council spokesman said the council was dealing with the matter under the Protection of the Environoment Operations Act but did not wish to comment further.
http://www.macleayargus.com.au/story/1797321/south-west-rocks-homeowner-counts-cost-of-asbestos-clean-up/?cs=1526
Human Resources: Managers Warned of Bullying
the Canberra Institute of Technology owes an apology to victims of workplace bullying there over the years, according to the territory’s Public Service Commissioner.
But according to the long-awaited official report on the allegations that have dogged the school for years, accusations of a toxic culture and systematic bullying have been blown out of proportion.
Nevertheless, ACT taxpayers have already paid $670,000 for a team of specialist investigators to look into the bullying claims and the spending looks set to continue, with 19 misconduct investigations still under way over eight employees.
Commissioner Andrew Kefford’s report on the years of controversy at CIT has been published by the ACT government and contains eight recommendations for reform, with an apology to victims the first item on the agenda for change.
Mr Kefford also wants to see changes to the workplace culture at CIT and a commitment to more transparent management and better complaints handling.
The commissioner was called in to investigate after an “improvement notice” from WorkSafe ACT in April 2012 ordering CIT to put its house in order and provide a workplace safe from bullying and harassment.
In his report, Mr Kefford says that complaints from 42 past and present workers at CIT over a 10-year period provided clear evidence that all was not right at CIT for a significant period of time.
“The fact that complaints were received about the workplace experiences of 42 current and former CIT employees covering more than 10 years is clearly evidence in the institute’s management of people,” Mr Kefford wrote. “That some of these matters are still contested is evidence in itself that the process used to deal with those issues could have been done better.”
Mr Kefford noted the allegations were “not large in number” in an organisation with 1000 staff and more than 20,000 students, but he found that, in some cases, inept handling of bullying complaints made matters worse.
“It is unfortunate that the way in which a small number of cases workplace issues have been managed has made things worse, not better,” he wrote.
Despite the referral of eight individuals from CIT for investigation for misconduct under the Public Service Management Act, Mr Kefford said most of the complaints fell “into the category of failings in management of workplace issues”.
He also found the public portrayal of CIT throughout the controversy had been unduly negative.
“The public portrayal of CIT has sometimes been of an agency characterised by entrenched and systematic workplace bullying,” Mr Kefford wrote.”That is not, and has not been, the case. It would be a significant and damaging overstatement to describe the overall culture of CIT as toxic.”
Despite the desire of CIT and the ACT government’s Education Directorate to move on from the controversy, Mr Kefford conceded that some present and former staff were likely to remain unhappy with the investigation into their complaints.
“There will always be cases where individuals remain unhappy at the end of an investigation or review process,” he wrote.
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Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/apologies-for-bullying-in-order-probe-finds-20130927-2uk5n.html#ixzz2gEashDLW
The Dangers of Asbestos Exposure With DIY Renovations
Do-it-yourself home renovators are
Do-it-yourself home renovators are regularly exposing themselves and their children to cancer-causing asbestos, a study of NSW residents has found.
Experts say the disturbing findings show that, despite repeated warnings, Australians are still not protecting themselves from asbestos-related diseases.
The study of almost 860 people who recently completed a do-it-yourself renovation found more than 61 per cent said they had been exposed to asbestos. More than one in five said their children had been exposed.
Co-author Anthony Johnson said the more people were exposed to asbestos, the more likely they were to develop conditions such as the deadly cancer mesothelioma.
”There is no safe level of exposure,” said Dr Johnson, a respiratory physician from the Liverpool area. ”We don’t want to scare people, because the overall health risks are low, but we do see people who have mesothelioma and the only exposure they can recall is something like this.”
Dr Johnson said, on average, mesothelioma would only develop 42 years after exposure.
”Asbestos was removed from fibro around 1984,” he said. ”But we are worried we are going to keep seeing cases for the next 40 years if people keep getting exposed.”
”It’s a horrible disease but it’s completely preventable”.
The study, published on Monday in the Medical Journal of Australia, found one third of people exposed had cut asbestos building materials, one in four had drilled them, and one in 10 had sanded them. More than half said they never or only sometimes wore protection such as face masks.
Asbestos Diseases Research Institute director Nico van Zandwijk said the study was a warning to people considering a renovation.
”The fact that more than 60 per cent of people said they were exposed – and that’s just the people who could recall they were exposed – means that the level of awareness about the dangers of asbestos is insufficient,” he said. ”People need to think before they cut.”
Professor van Zandwijk said Australia had been the world’s highest per-capita user of asbestos.
”Asbestos building materials were tremendously popular in the previous century, particularly in the post-war period,” he said. ”It was cheap and it was used everywhere.”
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/doctors-brace-for-40-years-of-asbestos-illness-20130915-2tstp.html#ixzz2gEJw2Nfp
Inspector’s Report Reveals Human Resource Issues In Council
Municipal Inspector, Peter Stephenson’s final report into the Rural City of Wangaratta details the depth of problems that led to council’s dismissal.
In his report Mr Stephenson refers to a culture of “political point scoring” among councillors, as well as a “lack of direction from council” that led to delays in the rural city’s strategic planning processes.
The report was tabled in Parliament last week and was the final of three reports Mr Stephenson completed during his initial three months in Wangaratta.
Political point scoring was highlighted as a key problem.
“Personal interactions are often characterised by a lack of respect for the opinions of others and Councillors (Tammy) Atkins and (Don) Joyce are regularly targeted with aggressive and intimidatory behaviour,” the report states.
The report also refers to council’s inability to address workplace health and safety concerns highlighted in a report by employee relation firm, The Zalt Group.
“The stalemate in relation to health and safety matters continues to impact both on the health and safety of staff, but also the capacity of the staff team to appropriately brief, and to seek direction from council,” it states.
“Council has had a number of opportunities to adopt resolutions, based on legal advice, that are aimed at protecting the health and safety of staff and continue in their refusal to do so.”
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Source: http://wangarattachronicle.com.au/2013/09/24/council-had-failed-report/
Confined Spaces : Memorial Organised For Lost Miners
The union representing Hunter coal miners says while the industry has been free of deaths for the past two years, workplace injuries remain a concern.
The Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union is expecting hundreds of people to attend tomorrow’s 18th annual memorial, to reflect on the 1,800 lives lost since mining started in the Hunter.
The CFMEU’s Grahame Kelly says while work safety has improved, the event is a timely reminder that the industry needs to remain vigilant.
“We had a fatality two years ago, but we still have lots of people seriously injured in the coal industry,” he said.
“And there’s forever a push to do things quicker and the like, so there always needs to be a vigilance in making sure that people return home safely.”
Mr Kelly says plans to extend shifts for workers at Hunter coal mines may compromise safety standards in the industry.
“One of our great challenges is shiftwork,” he said.
“We’ve got mines in the northern coal fields who are considering working seven-12 hour shifts in a row and we think that’s ridiculous.
“This memorial is an opportunity for those people who’ve lost loved ones to come and remember them as well as for all of us to double our efforts to ensure that we maintain safety.”
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-21/memorial-to-remember-lost-miners/4971402
Expert Says Cuts To Travelling Safety Claims Would Hurt Workers
Compensation law expert Mark O’Connor said reports the State Government was considering axing journey and recess injury claims was nothing short of mean and such cuts would be heartless.
Reports this week suggested Queensland Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie was considering a shake-up to WorkCover Queensland which would see workers stripped of their right to compensation if they were injured on their way to and from work.
It is understood Mr Bleijie is considering dumping journey and recess claims after pressure from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland.
However, Mr O’Conner said thousands of injured Queensland workers and their families could be financially crippled if the State Government cuts entitlements under the WorkCover compensation scheme.
“Reports that claim people injured travelling to or from work are a burden on the WorkCover scheme are simply not true,” Mr O’Conner said.
“WorkCover pays out for travel claims but 40% of that money is refunded to WorkCover when common law claims against CTP insurers are settled.
“Further, an injury caused when a worker is going to or from work has no individual impact on the employer’s WorkCover premiums.
“In fact, travel claims represent only about five cents to the average premiums rate,” he said.
Mr O’Conner said Mr Bleijie needed to come clean with his plans.
“It is time the Attorney-General stepped up and assured Queenslanders their scheme is safe from meddling,” he said.
“My message to the Attorney-General is to leave our scheme alone.
“Your own public inquiry into it said to leave it alone.
“Why would you meddle with it?”
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Source: http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/news/compensation-cuts-workers-financially-crippled/2029779/
Occupational Health and Safety:Roofing Company Fined For Injured Worker
A roofing company and its director have been fined a total of $100,000 after a worker suffered head and neck injuries when he fell through a roof. The Mallon Company, trading as Frontline Roofing, and director Michael Moore pleaded guilty in the Perth Magistrates Court on Friday to failing to provide a safe work environment and, by that failure, causing serious harm to a contractor.
The company was engaged in August 2010 to replace the roofing of a commercial premises after a hailstorm. Mallon engaged Debri to perform the re-roofing and Terry’s Crane Hire to provide a crane. Debri removed asbestos sheeting from the rear of the roof and moved the wrapped sheets to the front.
A crane operator employed by Terry’s and a 19-year-old dogger, who was a contractor engaged by Terry’s, began removing the asbestos sheets and landing the packs of new metal sheets. The 19-year-old accessed the roof to guide the crane operator and was warned by the Debri employees to be aware of the hazardous rusty tin sheets and damaged polycarbonate.
He walked across the damaged sheets and stepped onto the end of one of them while trying to remove the slings from a pack of metal sheets. The sheet collapsed and he fell to the cement floor, about 3.3m below, suffering serious head and neck injuries. Safety mesh was installed below the roof, but not in the frontage area, although there were plans to install it once the asbestos had been removed. Mallon was fined $70,000 and Moore was fined $30,000. They were also ordered to pay $2200 in costs. Terry’s and its director were fined $71,000 in June, and Debri is also due in court over the matter at a later date.
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Source: http://bigpondnews.com/articles/NationalRegional/2013/09/20/Roof_company_and_director_fined_100000_907996.html
Tank Seals Tested Following Asbestos Scare on Curtis Island
Asbestos was discovered in two tank seals at QCLNG’s site on Curtis Island.
Bechtel dismissed the amounts of asbestos as negligible but were removed from the site, although an investigation was launched to discover the reasoning behind the suspect seals use.
Workers received a bulletin informing them that one of the seals in a small vessel had an unusual composition, along with another similar seal. Both seals were eventually sent off for analysis.
“We have inspected all of the tanks on site from the manufacturer of the subject tank,” the bulletin said.
“None of the other seals on this manufacturer’s tanks are suspect.”
It stated further that asbestos was not discovered in any further seals following analysis.
Bechtel reportedly informed the appropriate authorities of the suspect seals and they will be conducting an investigation.
The site preservation team, which found the trace elements, was congratulated on its proactive approach to ensuring and maintaining a safe work site.
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Source: http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/seals-tested-after-asbestos-found-on-island/2025496/
Asbestos Task Force Still Has Some Work To Do
An independent taskforce organised by the Labor party at the peak of asbestos recent Telstra Asbestos concerns, will reportedly be incorporated into the new Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency.
Taskforce chairman Geoff Fary remarked that there remained “a lot of work” for it to do.
Fary has contacted Employment Minister Eric Abetz to discuss the plan.
He said that despite the changes still to come to NBN , “for the foreseeable future there will be a lot of work for the independent taskforce” as NBN cabling continued to be rolled out.
The asbestos task force was established in June by former workplace relations minister Bill Shorten and former communications minister Stephen Conroy after reports emerged that poor safety measures were being practiced at some of the Telstra’s pits.
Also established was a taskforce for a “hindsight” review,to review all asbestos-related work carried out by project workers.
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Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/in-depth/still-a-lot-of-work-to-do/story-e6frgaif-1226727906198#sthash.RqQKT5Ro.dpuf
New Software Will Help Manage Asbestos Risk
A new software platform will reportedly help map,manage and remove deadly asbestos material.
Octfolio’s abestos information management software launched last week along with a supplementary website.
The platform took three years to develop, before beta versions with sent out to institutions like Ergon Energy, Byron Shire Council, and the Department of Finance and Deregulation.
Owned by investment company Tulla Group, Octfolio was founded by one-time Elders Resources chief executive Kevin Maloney– also a Tulla chairman.
Exposure to asbestos is a known cause of mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer which has prompted a plethora of state and federal legislation and safety measures.
The software aims to make it simpler to comply with legislation covering asbestos and to use asbestos-related databases such as the National Asbestos Register.
“Octfolio has developed the first and only fully integrated tool that will map, classify, quantify and enable the strategic cost-effective removal of asbestos from workplaces and homes,” Octfolio managing director Darren Anderson said.
The software has been rolled out at Queensland’s Ergon Energy, which uses it to manage its entries in the National Asbestos Register.
“They said to us they had been paying the Queensland government millions a year to do the audits and (asked if we had) a better solution,” Octfolio chief technology adviser Mark Kay said. He said the Octfolio software automated the process of generating and submitting field reports from asbestos-affected sites.
“Imagine Ergon Energy trying to do that across thousands of different sites,” said Mr Kay.
“Now the auditors use tablets to collect information in the field so you don’t have that paper handling.”
The software also automatically generates reports after auditors submit their findings,and will reportedly reduce the costs of the exercise by up to 75 per cent.
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Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/technology/octfolio-software-to-help-manage-asbestos/story-e6frgakx-1226720432894#sthash.U31x6mP5.dpuf
Council To Remove Asbestos From Fire Damaged Building
The District Council of Coober Pedy is gearing up to remove asbestos from a fire-damaged building in the town’s main street.
The business complex suffered a serious fire in July which released asbestos into the air. Community members who work in the area have attempted to convince the council of the dangers to their health.
The council decided at a special meeting that the asbestos will be removed at an estimated cost of $75,000.
Mayor Baines is convinced the public will not be put at risk.
“There will be constant air monitoring undertaken and they are a licensed asbestos removal company,” he said.
Baines is confused as to why the council is facing the removal bill after weeks of negotiating with various authorities to try and remedy the issue.
“Everybody started ducking and weaving as soon as we tried to get some action,” he said.
He says the council may, in future, consider seeking a change to legislation to put the onus on a government body to deal with the removal instead of the council.
The removal work is expected to be completed shortly.
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Source : http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-19/council-steps-in-to-remove-asbestos-from-fire-hit/4967596
Visy To Pay Out 50k For Occupational Health and Safety Breaches
Visy has been ordered to pay out $50,000 for breaching the Fair Work Act.
The Federal Court fined Visy approximately $47,850 for two breaches of the act, and imposed another $4,620 on its operations manager Robin Street. The incident in question occurred at the Visty Coburg factory in August 2011.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union brought legal action against the company on behalf of Visy machine setter Jonathan Zwart — also a health and safety rep.
Justice Bernard Murphy took Zwart’s evidence as proof there was “an immediate risk to occupational health and safety” when it was discovered the forklift’s reversing beeper was not working.
Murphy accepted Zwart’s claims that he tagged forklifts that were not to be used, instead of the temporary measured proposed by his supervisors.
He found that Visy was wrong to subsequently investigate Zwart, suspend him from work and issue him with a written warning.
The judge said operating forklifts near other people was “inherently dangerous” – and that “Visy should have understood this”.
Source: http://www.proprint.com.au/News/357888,visy-fined-50k-for-safety-breach-with-inherently-dangerous-forklift.aspx
Family Concerned With Asbestos Contaminated House
Tenants are concerned that their worn-down leased house in western Melbourne nay be contaminated with asbestos.
The family leasing the house believes there is exposed asbestos in the house and in a shed on a neighboring property.
The family approached the local council but reportedly received no help. They eventually turned to building inspection company Jim’s Building Inspections to assess the property and verify the existence of asbestos.
Inspector Phil Smallman quickly found asbestos on the site after an initial inspection. He has sent the sample to a lab for tests.
“Once we have the results back from the lab we hope that the landlord and rental agencies will enable the family to break the lease, or provide alternative accommodation whilst the asbestos is removed,” Smallman said.
The family is currently attempting to work with the property agent to break the lease– however, if they are prohibited they will bring a case to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
Smallman is also worried about the dangers of the adjoining shed on the neighbouring property.
“We believe the family living there, who are also probably renters, have recently arrived in Australia and may not be aware of the dangers.”
“Our clients say they are often outside playing cricket against the shed and the ball is constantly pounding and damaging the cladding. If it is asbestos this is very dangerous,” he said.
Smallman added that Jim’s Building Inspections will help with notifying neighbouring occupants, the owners of the neighbouring property, as well as the local council, as he feels someone needs to take responsibility.
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Source: http://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/suspected-asbestos-property-in-melbourne-s-west/2013091765091
Education Minister to Investigate Delayed Asbestos Report
Queensland Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek will investigate claims that there was a long delay in reporting an asbestos discovery at a Brisbane state school.
Thus far, part of the grounds at the Graceville State School have been restricted or closed off until repairs are finished and further testing is conducted.
A recent meeting at the school revealed that asbestos was discovered in May but a report was not filed with Educations Queensland until this month.
Lanbroek states the matter will be closely investigated.
“It would be a question for everyone if any asbestos is found and located, then it’s really important of course that we lock down the situation as the principal did yesterday and then investigate it,” he said.
“We’ll make sure we look into the details of what happened at that parents and community meeting and make sure we advise everyone of the circumstances.”
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-19/minister-to-probe-delayed-asbestos-report-at-brisbane-school/4968070
Asbestos Training: Mayor Believes No one Was Put at Risk
Rumours that a community in regional NSW was consistently exposed to deadly asbestos waste because of council safety breaches, have been shot down by Gwydir mayor John Coulton as “unfair and misleading”.
Asbestos Disease Foundation president Barry Robson made a trip to Warialda to investigate allegations that workers had been exposed to asbestos fibres during a water pipe replacement project earlier in the year.
Some report that council management had advised staff to describe broken asbestos sheeting as “general waste” when it was dumped in an effort to avoid higher charges.
Robson has no doubts that staff needed better training, and called on WorkCover and the NSW environmental Protection Authority to look into the matters.
Robson called it “completely unacceptable” that workers and community members in suburban streets were being put at risk.
Coulton stated that he was confident that no staff or community members were put at risk of asbestos exposure. He added that he had “no knowledge” of any safety breaches at the dump site.
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Source: http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/news/mayor-confident-no-one-was-endangered-during-asbes/2031915/
Former Council Workers Alleges Asbestos Cover Up Requests
A former northwestern NSW council worker has alleged that he was told to cover up dumped asbestos with green waste and garbage.
Mark Sankey revealed that he worked at landfill sites for Gwydir Shire Council between 2008 and March this year.
On several occasions he reported that he was asked to conceal the dumped asbestos with garbage and green waste and push it into walls or even burn it.
“When I was first in that job I was exposed to asbestos many, many times,” he told AAP on Wednesday.
“They would ask me to just push the asbestos under the garbage so people couldn’t see it.”
He said only two landfills in the area were locked, which made it easy to dump overnight.
He began to question the requests after receiving asbestos removal training.
“When I asked questions they threatened me with my job.”
In March, Mr Sankey said he was made redundant after being told his skills were no longer required.
Gwydir Shire Mayor John Coulton stated, “The council is confident that no staff member or member of the public has been endangered during the water pipe replacement program in Warialda,” he said in a statement.
WorkCover NSW and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) have both pledged to investigate the matters.
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Source: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2013/09/25/council-worker-asked-cover-asbestos
Fire Safety: Tasmania May Comp Firefighters For Cancer
Tasmania is poised to become the first state in Australia to grant firefighters compensation for work-related cancers. The Tasmanian Parliament held a debate with the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Firefighters) Bill 2013.
For the first time in the state, the legislation will not only cover career firefighters but also volunteers as well. Compensation will cover medical bills and lost wages caused by various cancers listed by the Fed in 2011 as being considered career specific.
United Firefighters Union spokesperson Greg Cooper stated firefighters were often prohibited from claiming insurance and workers comp– putting a heavy toll of medical costs on them.
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Source: http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/tasmanias-parliament-will-today-debate-cancer-cover-for-firies/story-fnj4f7k1-1226726648386
Asbestos Dust Cloud Worries Kimberly School Parents
Parents have kept their children from a remote Kimberley school after an old asbestos building was demolished within the vicinity.
An angry Jacinta Monck, a mother of four, pulled her kids out of a Beagle Bay school after a section of its ceiling collapsed as the water-spray method was being used to prevent particles from becoming airborne. This resulted in a huge dust cloud that children were potentially exposed to on their recesses outside.
“There was a loud bang and a dust cloud had risen above the building being demolished,” Ms Monck said.
“The children were all ushered into the classroom and two of the school’s employees ran over to say ‘please stop work’.
“From that, it came that they would only work after school hours for the asbestos removal.”
Ms Monck was aware the work was going to take place, but no date was provided.
“I was not told about what happened until I got home (last Monday) because I live on an outstation on the Dampier Peninsula,” Ms Monck said. “I was shocked and pulled my children out for the rest of the week.”
“My thing is not with the contractors, it is with the timing of the whole thing – school holidays are just two weeks away. No one had any forethought.”
An incident report has been prepared for the Shire of Broome.
Mining and Pastoral Member Stephen Dawson has written to Minister for Aboriginal Affairs to call for a work-stop order on the site.
Mr Dawson stated in the letter that dismantling of the structure risked the health of children and urged a postponement on the works until school holidays.
“This will ensure that students are not necessarily taken out of school as the community becomes increasingly concerned for their children’s welfare,” he wrote.
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Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/world/18878028/asbestos-dust-cloud-threatens-beagle-bay-school/
Occupational Health and Safety:Epping Market Deemed Unsafe
Concerns about the safety of the new wholesale market under construction at Epping have been taken to WorkSafe.
Vegetable Growers Association of Victoria president David Wallace said a meeting was held with WorkSafe officials last week to discuss standholders’ fears about building defects and unsafe pathways for forklifts and pedestrians.
Photographs of the Epping site, which was due to be handed over to the Melbourne Market Authority this month, show a roller door that does not close properly on a sloping concrete floor – leaving a drop of more than 30cm to be negotiated by forklifts – forklift aisles that are too narrow and pedestrian walkways that cross in front of doors to be used by forklifts.
Mr Wallace said WorkSafe had rejected a request to establish a designated work group on the grounds that potential tenants had not yet moved in and their staff could not be considered employees working at the site.
But he said WorkSafe staff had agreed to look at aisle widths, entries and exits and other issues of concern and raise them with the Victorian Government’s Melbourne Market Relocation Project team.
“We want to work out these issues,” he said. “We want to see a safe work environment and it’s (the Government’s) duty to provide that, not to say that it is and find out later that it’s not.
“To them it’s just a project, it’s not 500 businesses that they’re moving. It’s just a building (going) from Footscray Road to Epping.”
A spokesman for Minister for Major Projects David Hodgett said any building defects at Epping would have to be rectified by the building company before the handover to the Government.
“There is an issue with the area set aside for the fruit and vegetable stands at Epping,” the spokesman said.
“The current site at Footscray Road has a floor size of 14,000 square metres, yet the former Labor Government’s design for the new area at Epping has an area for the stands of 7000 square metres.
“The Victorian Government and the MMA are working through the options for the layout and have issued several discussion papers including a traffic and logistics management plan.”
The spokesman said the draft plan looked at options for the best use of the smaller trading floor and feedback was being considered.
The draft plan recommended the stands be increased by 36sq cm and forklift trading aisles be widened by 95cm.
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Source: http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2013/09/05/581785_horticulture.html
Confined Spaces: Miner Says Company Owes Him 1.3m For Injury
A miner suffered permanent damage to his spine after the dozer he was operating dropped over 1.5m down a rock face while he was reversing.
The miner claims the company owes him $1.3 million in physical and permanent damages following the accident.
His claim states that he was operating a dozer in the steep key cut of a dragline work area in February 2008. His task required him to rip out rock surfaces prior to removing material with the dragline.
He alleges the dozer slipped and dropped while he was reversing and his neck and body were twisted while he was looking behind him to reverse.
The miner was employed at Biloela’s Anglo Coal Callide Mine when he sustained the injury to his cervical spine. His resulting injury has impacted the man’s ability to work as a plant operator in foreseeable future.
He claimed the company is at fault for failing to ensure a safe workplace, and for failing to properly drill blast holes.
The worker has sought $1.26million in damages.
The company was given less than two-weeks to respond to the claims.
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Source : https://alertforce.com.au/ohs-training/confined-spaces-miner-says-company-owes-him-1-3m-for-injury/
Occupational Health and Safety:Tubing Manufacturer Fined $28k For Crushed Thumb
A manufacturing company responsible for the tubing and electrical components in South Australia, was fined $28,000 in addition to legal fees. The company was found responsible for an incident with a crimping machine that crushed an employees thumb because of a lack of guard.
SafeWork SA charged Tubing and Electrical Industries under the Occupational Health, Safety, and Welfare Act 1986 for failing to provide and maintain safe working conditions– especially by failing to provide a guard fitting for the machine.
On 25 July 2011, an employee was operating a machine inwhich the guard had been removed in order to provide better visual access.
The top of the worker’s thumb became lodged in between the jaws. The injury caused long-term nerve loss which also required hand therapy for nine months which subsequently prevented him from being able to attain full-time work.
Magistrate Michael Ardlie explained his decision, saying “The bypassing of the guarding is a significantly serious transgression on the part of the defendant.”
Ardlie recognised the company took appropriate action following the incident by securing a guard and implementing a Standard Operating Procedure for the machine in question.
The defendant faced a maximum penalty of $300,000. The court imposed a fine of $40,000, with a 30 per cent reduction to $28,000 following the defendant’s early guilty plea, demonstration of contrition and cooperation with SafeWork SA.
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Source: http://www.pacetoday.com.au/news/missing-guard-leads-to-penalty-and-crushed-thumb
Electrical Safety:WorkCover To Investigate Electrocuted Employee
An employee of Essential Energy was killed by electric shock early last week.
At approximately 10:30am, the 47-year old man suffered the electric shock was working on the electricity network at Pacific Palms.
Ambulance crews reached the site and attempted first-aid but efforts were unsuccessful.
“Our employee was an electrical worker based at Bulahdelah depot. Our deepest condolences are with the family, loved ones and work mates of our employee,” an Essential Energy representative said on Monday afternoon.
“Essential Energy’s priority is to do everything we can to make sure our employee’s family, loved ones and work mates are supported during this difficult time.”
Essential Energy is working in collaboration with the NSW Police and WorkCover to find a cause of the accident.
As a result of the accident, approximately 300 customers in the Pacific Palms area experienced interruptions with their service.
“WorkCover investigators are attending the scene of the incident and we will restore supply once WorkCover gives us clearance to do so.
“An estimated time of restoration is not available at the moment. We appreciate our customers’ understanding.”
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Source: http://www.greatlakesadvocate.com.au/story/1746618/electrocuted-while-working-on-power-lines/
Council Worried About Railway through Asbestos Town
A Pilbara council has cited health concerns regarding Rio Tinto’s plan to build a railway in close proximity to an asbestos-contaminated former town of Wittenoom.
The town was declared unfit for habitation because of the heavy presence of blue asbestos which was mined in the town until the late 1960s.
The Shire of Ashburton is concerned workers may be at risk, and wants to be free of litigation if the railway construction goes forward.
The line would link Rio’s Koodaideri project to its existing rail line. Koodaideri may become one of the biggest Pilbara’s iron ore mines, with over 70 million tonnes exported annually.
However some analysts believe the project’s US$ 3.2 billion cost may cause delays.
An Environmental Protection Authority spokesman said Rio’s Koodaideri project was being assessed at the highest level before a report went to the Environment Minister.
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Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/18939151/asbestos-fears-over-pilbara-rail-plan/
Cranes, Hoists and Slings : Workers Injured at Curtis Island
Two workers suffered injuries at Curtis Island with one of them being airlifted to the hospital. This incident has resulted in the CFMEU questioning the safety measures being used at the site.
Bechtel, the company involved, is conducting an internal investigation into the cause of the accident. The accident took place on a compressor deck at the QCLNG site when workers were moving a crane rail along a steel beam.
“During the process, a section of the crane rail slipped from the beam and dropped onto a team member’s foot. A second team member was also grazed by the rail,” Bechtel Gladstone general manager Kevin Berg said.
An emergency response team was alerted, and treated the men as best they could, but a rescue helicopter was needed to take one of the workers to Rockhampton Hospital,
“As a precaution, the employee with the foot injury was evacuated by helicopter to Rockhampton Hospital where it was determined he received fractures to bones in his foot,” Berg said.
Workplace Health and Safety were alerted of the incident; as were other employees.
CFMEU representative Ben Loakes said “I think there is the potential to lead into something more serious than what we have today,” he said.
“(Bechtel has) a lot of their American safety officers that wouldn’t know their Australian legislation.”
Berg called the claim “ridiculous” and that safety was a high priority at the site.
“Safety assurance is proactively managed by supervisors, superintendents, area superintendents – who are predominantly Australians,” he said.
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Source : http://www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/worker-flown-to-hospital-after-two-injured-at-curt
OHS:Union Warns Oval Construction Deadline Risks Worker Safety
South Australia’s Labor has been accused of risking the safety of workers by rushing a redevelopment project on the Adelaide Oval for a March state election deadline.
The construction union have warned of the implications of the government’s plan to give the main contractor a $5 million bonus if the election deadline is met.
The government has denied any reports of the project being rushed, but emphasised that it must be finished in time for the AFL season.
“It’s certainly not worth the price of one of our workers on that site getting killed,” said Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union state secretary, Aaron Cartledge.
Concerns have arisen following the death of a construction worker at the $1.8 billion desalination plant.
The court found 35-year-old steel rigger Brett Fritsch was killed as a result of the unsafe workplace practices of his employer, Ferro Con.
A parliamentary inquiry in 2011 indicated that the desalination project was rushed and production took precedence over safety.
Opposition frontbencher Iain Evans said “We cannot afford a repeat of the tragic circumstances that marred the construction of the desalination plant “.
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Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/oval-deadline-a-risk-to-safety/story-e6frgczx-1226717219393
Court Orders $327,000 Payout For Asbestos Victim
By court order, a former power station worker is expected to be paid $327,000 in compensation for asbestos exposure which resulted in Mesothelioma.
Allan Geyer is dying from the asbestos-caused disease after being exposed to the deadly substance at the Electricity Trust of South Australia (now Resi Corporation). He was was employed by the power station for over 30 years as a welder and boiler maker.
The District Court found ETSA was cognasant of the danger and are therefore liable for exemplary damages under the state’s Dust Diseases Act.
Annie Hoffman, Geyer’s solicitor stated that the man was relieved to have reached a result from the case.
“Mr Geyer was actually starting chemotherapy treatment the day that we received the judgment, so he was quite emotional when I gave him the call to tell him that he’d won the case against ETSA,” she said.
The award of $327,000 included $20,000 in exemplary damages, a provision allowed under the Act when a plaintiff can prove there was a known risk of exposure to asbestos.
Terry Miller of the Asbestos Victims Association embraced the judgement.
“Many thousands of ETSA employees up until the 1990s were exposed to asbestos dust in power stations around the state,” he said.
“This decision shows that ETSA knew of the dangers of exposure to asbestos and did not tell or protect its workers.
“People like Mr Geyer are dying as a result.”
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-04/former-power-station-worker-wins-asbestos-disease-payout/4934122
WA’s Worst Occupational Health and Safety Fine Defaulters To Be Revealed
Western Australia’s worst repeat fine defaulters are being named and shamed on a new website.
The state’s top 100 repeat offenders are displayed on the website launched by Attorney-General Michael Mischin.
Mischin revealed that the most serious defaulters together owe $67 million out of a total $259 million in fines in WA.
He stated that “staggering” list suggests a pattern of lawbreaking by the defaulters – every subject owes at least $20,000 or more.
Mischin revealed there has been a significant increase in payments of outstanding fines and infringements as of late– curiously before the introduction of new laws, effective as of August 21, upon being announced on August 4.
The new laws empower the Sheriff’s Office to wheel clamp vehicles or seize license plates if a person has more than $2,000 owing in fines and infringements.
Nearly $4 million has been payed out in just over 2 weeks — an unprecedented amount.
The biggest defaulter is cabinet-making firm Quadtilla Pty. The company was ordered to pay $250,000 in September 2011 for failing to provide a safe working environment after a teenage pre-apprentice was crushed to death at their Wangara site in 2008.
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Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/wa-fine-defaulters-named-and-shamed-20130821-2sad6.html#ixzz2dUiXhHjw
Asbestos Training: Three Brisbane Schools Face Asbestos Scare
Three Schools in Brisbane are now faced with asbestos concerns amid revelations that construction workers digging trenches at Graceville State Primary school found asbestos
Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek says alerts have been sent out to the parents of students at Sandgate High School and Rainworth State School regarding recent asbestos concerns.
Langbroek stated that parents, faculty, and students have all been kept in the loop regarding the safety risk.
Langbroek says clear measures are used to deal with any asbestos issues in schools; such as closing off areas, and obtaining the services of professionals to conduct air and soil tests.
Regarding the Graceville case, Langbroek says that two very small discrete pieces of the deadly material were identified and subsequent tests revealed that asbestos particles were not spread throughout those areas.
He says in the Graceville case, two very small, discreet pieces of asbestos have been identified.
Mr Langbroek says there’s a very large amount of asbestos in Queensland schools, dating back to the 1950s.
“We do remove (it). Over last financial year and this financial year, we have a budget of $40 million to go towards removing asbestos,” he said.
“Given the amount of asbestos there though, it’s a small amount. But it’s something that’s at least planned and structured compared to what was happening when I first came into parliament in 2004.”
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Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/asbestos-scares-at-three-brisbane-schools/story-fn3dxiwe-1226718286962
Occupational Health and Safety: Worker Killed By Scissor Lift at BGC Plant
An employee of the BGC cement plant in Naval Base was killed recently after he was crushed by a scissor lift. The middle-aged man was doing work at the company’s cement site on Beard and Morley Streets. Police were informed of the incident shortly after noon, but Emergency services and WorkSafe inspectors are always on site.
WorkSafe had to visit the plant a year ago when another employee was killed, after being buried alive under a sand pile that collapsed on him in a silo.
WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch said that any work-related death was a tragedy, and extended his sincerest condolences to the family.
According to a WorkSafe spokeswoman the man, in his 20s, was working under a pile of fine sand when it collapsed on him and killed him.
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Source: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/man-dies-at-naval-base-building-site/story-fnhocxo3-1226717087866
Asbestos Removal: AWA Concerned With Disposal Risks
The Asbestos Awareness Association has cautioned young people about the dangerous associated with the killer building material.
President of the local AWA group Geoff Maul is concerned that expensive safe disposal methods are enticing young DIY renovators to under take risky jobs.
Maul has subsequently called for government subsidies on asbestos removal and disposal.
“Ninety-five per cent of the houses in the north, not just Port Augusta, would have asbestos somewhere in them,” he said.
“They should do something to encourage people to safely dump asbestos.”
In Port Augusta, non-friable asbestos can be disposed of at the TPI Waste Transfer Station. However, it needs to be wrapped and sealed in black plastic and only then will it be removed at a cost starting at $133.50/half tonne and $267 per tonne. However, SafeWork SA recommends using a license asbestos contractor, which can make the process significantly more expensive
However the removal of asbestos can be far more costly with SafeWok SA recommending the use of a licensed asbestos contractor.
Port Augusta City Council director of infrastructure Hayden Hart said “The disposal of asbestos need not be a daunting experience, it can be easily and affordably disposed of at the Footner Road Waste Transfer Station,”
“I also strongly encourage anyone considering removing asbestos from their home to read through the SafeWork SA guide, which is a great source of information.”
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Source: http://www.transcontinental.com.au/story/1766292/awa-concerned-with-asbestos-disposal/?cs=1286
ACT Gov’t Staff Shaken After Asbestos Scare
Staff at an ACT government directorate are shaken after a member of the public brought a bag of the of the deadly substance asbestos, in to their office.
A spokesperson for the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate revealed that a ”small sealed bag allegedly containing asbestos” was smuggled into the directorate’s offices at Dame Pattie Menzies House.
The member of the public reportedly walked in with the bag on August 30, in order to confirm whether the substance was asbestos prior to leaving. Preliminary tests revealed that the substance was indeed asbesgtos.
The spokeswoman said: ”The directorate took immediate steps to ensure that the material was isolated and the area made safe.”
The police was informed and the material was removed immediately.
”Appropriate experts … were immediately contacted including the police … the Environment Protection Authority, and an independent expert to undertake testing and removal of the material. The work areas were given the ‘all clear’ the next day by the independent expert.”
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Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/asbestos-query-sparks-emergency-action-in-govt-office-20130910-2tikr.html#ixzz2ejqwNg4b
Asbestos Training: Law Changes For Home Asbestos Victims
Proposed amendments to the laws pertaining to home asbestos victims may make it easier for them to seek compensation.
The potential changes would reform common law compensation for asbestos victims and their families not covered by workers comp– including home renovators.
President of the Asbestos Free Tasmania Foundation, Simon Cocker, called for improvements to compensation levels, and the time limits to apply for damages. Cocker recalled that companies had used the deadly material for decades in Tasmania housing prior to knowing it was a serious health risk.
“Tasmania has had a number of people die and suffer due to asbestos illness,” he said.
“We know that there is going to be more and we think that the system should deliver fair and reasonable compensation to these people, and it hasn’t.”
Mr Cocker remarked on the importance of providing home asbestos victims with fair compensation.
“People have been poisoned by asbestos for 40 years in Tasmania and it’s only fair and reasonable that they should have access to common law compensation if they don’t have a workers compensation claim.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-22/law-changes-proposed-to-help-home-asbestos-victions-seek-compen/4905158
Asbestos Training: Asbestos Dump Discovered in Bucca Bush
Bushwalkers have made an unsettling discovery in bushland near Bucca.
A heap of dumped asbestos sheeting has been uncovered in the Blackbutt Natural Regrowth area.
Local WIRES volunteer Arlene Hope stated that the deadly building material was discovered in the bush early last week.
“We could not believe someone could be so criminally irresponsible,” Ms Hope said.
“Dumping asbestos carelessly like that poses all sorts of dangers to the public and potentially wildlife.
The culprits responsible are subject to a fine of up to $1-million for the illegal dumping of the hazardous material.
An inspection of the site revealed that the dumping had been done very recently. Those responsible would’ve traveled along the Bucca road so investigations are being conducted.
NSW Forestry, the Coffs Harbour City Council and State Member for Coffs Harbour Andrew Fraser has been informed of the incident and inquiries are ongoing.
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Source: http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/news/asbestos-found-dumped-bush-bucca/2001083/
Asbestos Training:Elderly Man Awarded Damages For Asbestos Exposure
An 85-year old man has been granted over $320,000 in damages following a judges ruling that he has been suffering from mesothelioma which was caused by asbestos exposure.
Between 1957 and 1988 Allan Charles Geyer was a boiler maker and supervisor at South Australia’s Playford Power Stations and it is believed that it was here that he came in contact with asbestos dust and fibres.
Judge Bill Jennings said it was probable that Geyer would succumb to the disease within the next year and set total damages at $327,474.
“The medical evidence establishes that the invariable course of the disease will be an increase in the size of the tumour, increasing shortness of breath, weight loss and depression, increasing pain and … ultimately death,” the judge said.
He said Mr Geyer’s employer during this time was conscious of risks posed by asbestos from the early 1970s and while the company took limited measures to ensure safety, it was inadequate.
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Source: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/national/man-awarded-damages-over-asbestos-link/story-e6frfku9-1226707754131#ixzz2dUKhfjp9
AG To Investigate Workplace Safety Fine Loophole
The state Attorney-General in Adelaide will be carefully looking into a legal loophole that allows insurers to pay fines placed upon businesses who have been charged for unsafe work conditions.
The move came about following the death of a Adelaide desalination plant worker in Summer 2010.
Brett Fritsch, 35, died after a 1.8-tonne steel beam fell onto him from a crane while it was being moved.
Rigging company Ferro Con SA and its director were prosecuted for breaking workplace safety laws.
The company was told to pay out $200,000, but its insurer covered the cost.
Unions called on the Government to close the loophole, saying it allowed companies to put a price on workers lives by making it cheaper to get insurance instead of implementing safety systems.
South Australian Attorney-General John Rau says businesses should not be able to choose insurance over safety.
“Imagine if you were able to get an insurance policy that said somebody else would go to jail if you committed an offence. What we’re looking at here is something pretty well in that space. Somebody else pays the fine instead of you,” he said.
“Some people are in effect insuring against criminal liability and having an insurance company basically pay their fines for them. It’s clearly unsatisfactory. It’s a way of companies actually dodging their responsibilities to keep workplaces safe.”
More info on Occupational Health and Safety ( OHS )
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-30/insurance-liability-loophole/4924014
Occupational Health and Safety:Man Killed While Working at an Almond Farm
A Robinvale man was killed during an occupational health and safety accident at Wemen almond farm this week. The man is believed to have been killed after becoming caught beneath a slasher at the Annuello Wemen road farm.
However, WorkSafe Victoria later revealed the man was operating a tractor which they believe ran him over when he climbed down from the vehicle.
A spokeswoman said WorkSafe will be conducting an investigation into the workplace death.
Ambulance Victoria media spokesman John Mullen said paramedics were called at 8.26am, but the man had already succumbed to his injuries when they arrived.
Olam Australia executive director Bob Dall’Alba said the company was shocked and saddened at the man’s death.
“Above all else, our thoughts and condolences are with the man’s family, friends and colleagues at this very difficult time,” Mr Dall’Alba said.
“We are doing everything we can to determine the cause of this tragic accident.”
Mr Dall’Alba said the company closed the farm down immediately after the incident, and will be offering counselling and pastoral care the the man’s family,colleagues and staff.
“I want to assure you of our company’s commitment to safety and providing a safe environment for all of our employees,” he said.
“The Annuello farm will remain closed until consultation with all stakeholders is complete.”
The incident is Victoria’s third workplace death in eight days, following the deaths of a carpenter and an electrician earlier in the week.
Source: http://www.sunraysiadaily.com.au/story/1739473/man-killed-while-working-on-almond-farm/?cs=1259
Asbestos Training: Deadly Material Found at Winstone Factory
Fletcher Building’s Winstone Wallboards is tentatively closed following the discovery of asbestos traces in the Christchurch building.
An outside testing agency informed the company last week that asbestos had been found and the site was to be closed down entirely as a safety precaution and to allow for further testing.
The company expects the results of the additional testing to be released shortly, and the plant is expected to open later this week.
“The company is not aware of any related health symptoms, however as a precaution, health checks will be made available to employees and contractors,” Winston Wallboards general manager David Thomas said.
“It is understood the traces of asbestos originate from the roof and that those traces are likely to have been contained within the manufacturing building.”
Staff and contractors were warned of the risks and asked to stay clear of the affected areas until the site is open once again.
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Source: http://www.news.com.au/business/breaking-news/asbestos-found-in-winstone-factory/story-e6frfkur-1226704796478#ixzz2dUG23aHc
Kindergarten Closed After Asbestos Discovery
A kindergarten in Warragul has been closed for the time being, following the discovery of asbestos.
Specialists removed the deadly material from oen of the locations but the site will remain closed until the other two locations have been made safe.
The Baw Baw Shire Council said the two sites were not intact , nor were they an active part of the centre where children or staff are at risk.
“To mitigate any chance of inadvertent exposure during the ongoing renovations it was deemed in the best interest of everyone to suspend kinder activities at the site until this additional asbestos could be removed,” the shire said in a statement.
The council is collaborating with the builder, the site supervisor and an independent asbestos assessor to remove the asbestos as swiftly as possible and it is anticipated children will return to kinder on Thursday.
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Source: http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2013/08/20/580382_national-news.html
Construction Safety:Companies Fined $190k For Death of Worker
Cement Australia Pty Ltd (CAPL) and Cement Australia (Kandos) Pty Ltd (CA Kandos)have been ordered to pay out a total of $190,000 for the death of Colin David Fuller at the Kandos cement plant in September 2009. Fuller died after being crushed between two hydraulic rams, while he worked at the factory.
The NSW Industrial Relations Commission found that CA Kandos and its parent company, CAPL, breached the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000, by not installing fixed guarding along the entire length of a feeder and conveyor system as required by Australian safety standards. They were also charged for failing to ensure adequate supervision and instruction to Mr Fuller.
In the evenining of September 13, 2009,Fuller was on duty as a central control assistant in the raw materials preparation area, a role which required him to conduct checks on materials and equipment in the plant.
Fuller was working alone, and left unsupervised.
Mr Fuller the feedlines of C2 feeder in the Stone Tunnels after another worker informed him that several hoppers were not feeding.
Although it is uncertain how Fuller was crushed, the court was told that he might have been attempting to remove a blockage manually while the system was still operating.
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Source: http://www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/story/1697400/companies-fined-for-death/?cs=12
Occupational Health and Safety: Impaled Man Lives, Aids Rescue
A young worker was able to hold the projectile while crews freed him, despite having a steel rod lodged in his head.
The young man was working at the Lindfield site, breaking concrete with a 21-tonne excavator when a metre-long piece f steel rod flew from the debris and embedded itself between his eyes.
Emergency crews rushed to stabilise the man, who was conscious and coherent through the entire ordeal.
He remained holding onto the rod as crews attempted to free him from the excavator,
He was quickly taken to the Royal North Shore Hospital, where surgeons mulled over the best way to remove the steel rod.
According to Ambulance Service of NSW district manager,Mark Hayes; it took crews an entire hour to get the man out of the excavator.
‘Because we had to remove all the hand controls and the foot controls so that we could actually take him out through the front of the machine,’ Mr Hayes told Fairfax Radio Network.
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) reported that the man had the front window of the cab open when the incident occurred.
‘It was down at the time and that’s how it (the rod) flung through his skull,’ CFMEU NSW State Secretary Brian Parker told AAP.
WorkCover will investigate but the incident appears to have been a freak accident, Mr Parker said.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source:http://www.skynews.com.au/topstories/article.aspx?id=897353&vId=4103400
AlertForce Becomes WorkSafe WA Approved Asbestos Unrestricted License Provider
For Immediate Release
August 25,2013
Australia’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) training company, AlertForce, has recently become a WorkSafe WA approved provider of Asbestos unrestricted licenses.
In Western Australia (WA) an unrestricted asbestos licence is needed for a business or an employer conducting work involving the removal of friable asbestos or asbestos-containing material (ACM). No other employees regardless of any-related training, can partake in this type of asbestos-removal without an unrestricted license. AlertForce is now able to provide it’s much lauded training and expertise to those interested in this crucial certification.
Friable asbestos is the type of asbestos that can be found in powder form, crumbled, or reduced to powder by hand pressure.This type of asbestos cannot legally be removed by a person who does not have a Class A asbestos licence. This trained professional would be well-versed in the various methods of properly dealing with friable-asbestos (such as the wet spray method used to remove the material from structures and plants). Upon removing any ACM, the licensed entity must promptly inform WorkSafe Western Australia.Since friable asbestos is often found in powder form, it can be the most dangerous forms of the material, and could even become air-borne; extending the risk far beyond the confines of a business.
In order to apply for the unrestricted license, the license holder must submit an application fee, an asbestos removal work procedures manual, an asbestos removal work training manual; and a host of other requirements needed to support one’s application.
“We at Alertforce are so excited to finally be able to provide the unrestricted-license for asbestos removal to Western Australia. We relish in any opportunity to help ensure the wellbeing of our nation’s workers and the community– especially when dealing with the dangers of friable asbestos! “ . Brendan Torazzi, AlertForce company founder.
More information on Asbestos Training can be found here
Contact: Brendan Torazzi – CEO AlertForce. Ph: 1300 627 246
AlertForce (https://alertforce.com.au) specialises in delivering fast, competency-based, interactive short online and face-to-face OHS & E courses to mitigate risk and health and safety & environmental hazards in Australian workplaces.
For more information please contact Brendan Torazzi – CEO AlertForce. Ph: 1300 627 246
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Asbestos Training:NBN Rollout Delayed
The company responsible for the National Broadband Network (NBN) has attained the services of accounting firm Erns & Young. The firm will look into status of the rollout, following the asbestos discovery that occurred at a few sites. The issues are expected to o delay the process by approximately 3 months.
Ernst & Young have been commissioned by NBN to test their own business plan against forecasts released in May and June.
Although the delay on work at the Telstra pits may be delayed by a few months, it is reported that it did not affect the project’s costs and revenues.
NBN Co drafted a corporate plan to submit to the federal government, but they advised them that the draft would need to be revised once the impact of the safety issue was fully examined.
The delay essentially guarantees the corporate plan will not released ahead of the the September 7 federal election.
More info on Asbestos Training
Source: http://www.businessspectator.com.au/news/2013/8/14/telecommunications/asbestos-delay-nbn-rollout
Council Calls For Care In Asbestos Disposal
The Rockhampton Regional Council is imploring residents to be more cautious after asbestos was supposedly improperly dumped at a council site.
The council found suspected asbestos improperly dumped at a bin station, approximately six times in one week.
Councillor Neil Fisher believes the quantity hints that the material is from a building site.
“Either a home renovator or a builder that are taking off fibro sheet or asbestos cement sheet off a building site but rather than going to Rockhampton landfill and disposing of them appropriately, what’s happening is they’re actually coming in and just dumping them straight on the ground in the bin station,” he said.
He says people unsure should speak to refer to the council’s waste disposal staff
“If you’ve got a query and you’re not quite sure if that material that you’re taking to the dump could be suspected of being asbestos or not, just enquire at the waste station,” he said.
“The council staff are very, very helpful and will give you the advice that you need.”
More info on Asbestos Training
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-12/improper-asbestos-dumping-sparks-warning/4879716
OHS Training: Unions Go After Labour Party For Safety Changes
One of the nations most prolific blue-collar unions intends to spend up to $1 million in a campaign directly attacking federal Labor over OHS changes that may have a serious impact of the safety of workers.
Electrical Trades Union state secretary Troy Gray targeted proposed changes to national electrical licensing rules and said the union campaign would be the most ambitious since the union was founded more than a century ago.The ETU in Victoria will donate $300,000 to Adam Bandt, the Greens MP for the seat of Melbourne, in the coming federal election
Gray stated that the changes, which have gone through the Council of Australian Government, would lead to lower safety standards.
They would allow a large amount of highly skilled electrical work to be done under supervision. And an exam would no longer be required at the end of an apprenticeship, he said.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) training
Source: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/union-in-shock-1million-move-against-labor-20130730-2qxez.html#ixzz2ao3DPNyU
Electrical Safety: Coroner Calls For Safety Improvements Following Electrocution
A coroner has called for improvements to the safety practices of welders following an incident that resulted in the electrocution of a Queensland man.
In 2011, Daniel Paul Morris, 23, was resting on a metal hopper while welding at a Townsville Ridley Agproduce site when he was electrocuted.
The investigation into his untimely death revealed that he was left unsupervised for majority of the time, and welding was curiously not a part of his job description. The coroner also revealed that even though the welding machine had no faults, the humid weather conditions might have led to the perspiration of Morris, leading to his electrocution.
The coroner recommended extra safety precautions when operating a welding machine in humid conditions and recommended workplace health and safety reopen an investigation whether Ridley should be prosecuted for negligence.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-15/inquest-urges-safety-overhaul-after-welder-electrocuted/4889162?section=qld
Hazardous Materials: Veteran Still Hasn’t Received Compo Despite Successful Claim
A Perth Veteran who participated in the 1958 atomic testing at the Montebello Islands is still tirelessly struggling to receive compensation he is legally owed after willing a compo case in the federal courts.
Kenneth Whitby, 74 suffers from several ailments including an anxiety disorder, following his exposure at the site.
Whitby’s case was undertaken by WA Greens senator Scott Ludlum, who is confident that those who served in the Montebellos and two other atomic test sites should be subject to the receiving of the veterans’ Gold Card.
The card covers all medical costs, which is footed by the Government. Senator Ludlam recalled that many servicemen who had worked at the sites, have since developed radiation-related disorders.
Whitby and hundreds of other veterans have been battling for recognition and compensation and accuse the Department of Veterans Affairs of dragging out their claims.
In June last year, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal ruled Mr Whitby was entitled to compensation.
“What is the AAT there for,” Mr Whitby said.
“Remember that politician who fell off his bicycle near Parliament? They backdated his compensation.”
The DVA would not discuss Mr Whitby’s case when probed.
Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/18451622/veteran-yet-to-get-compo/
Two Separate Workplace Accidents Result In Injury and Death
A similar incident occurred recently when a concrete slab fell 12 metres on to an Ultimo man, after its chains became loose.The man was guiding crane operators when he was struck by dislodged concrete . Fortunately he survived, but suffered back and hip injuries.
Police detectives and WorkCover representatives are looking into possible causes of the accidents.
More info on Workplace Safety
Source:http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/a-worker-has-been-injured-after-a-slab-of-material-fell-from-a-crane-onto-him-as-he-stood-on-truck/story-fni0cx12-1226691644275
Occupational Health and Safety: Workplace Injuries and Aggriculture
Occupational Health and Safety related injuries and illnesses can often cost the Australian economy in excess of $60 billion dollars annually. Alertforce.com.au luckily offers several training opportunities for those looking to help minimize OHS hazards in the agriculture industry.
In 2010-2011, of the 175,050 employees in Australia’s agriculture, forestry and fishing industries, over 3600 filed serious workplace injury claims
Alertforce founder Brendan Torazzi stated ” Most serious injuries in Australian workplaces can be attributed to a lack of quality OHS training. Our courses cover a span of work-related injury preventative training, that can help reduce hazards”.
Source: http://www.theland.com.au/news/agriculture/general/news/reducing-ag-hazards/2666184.aspx
Occupational Health and Safety:Unions Fight For WHS in WA
Unions WA has been making a plea for more improvements to occupational health and safety in Western Australia
Recent data from WorkSafe revealed that there were 18 workplace deaths in the past year– an increase of 1.2 per cent from the previous 12 months.
The figures also that despite a decreased injury rate, there has been a growing number of workers who suffer far more serious injuries that prohibit them from working for more than 60 days.
Now the rate is at its 5-year peak.
Unions WA secretary Meredith Hammatt is concerned with the figures, stating “There are still on average one death every 21 days in Western Australia through a work fatality,”
“Clearly, this number is still way too high and we think much should be done by employers, by governments, by everyone in workplaces to really try and get these figures down and improving.”
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-29/unions-wa-says-more-needs-to-be-done-to-boost-workplace-safety/4851072?section=wa
Unions Believe Tougher OHS Laws Will Reduce Work Injuries
Tasmania unions are confident that tougher fines under new workplace safety laws will help perpetuate a drop in workplace injuries.
Figures released for the launch of WorkSafe month revealed that injuries have dropped approximately 4 per cent in Tasmania.
Workplace Relations minister David O’Byrne recalled that there were 8,934 injuries reported last year– almost 400 less than the previous year.
“For the first time we’ve dipped below 9,000 injuries per year,” he said.
Thus far there have been 4 work-related deaths in the past year.
New workplace laws will be implemented this year.
Unions Tasmania’s Kevin Harkins says “Tight timeframes, tight profit margins…just pushing to get the job done,” he said.
However, Harkins lamented that Tasmania remains the second worst performing state behind Queensland.
Most injuries and deaths happen in the construction and farming industries.
Recently a Hobart man injured at work was granted the state’s highest compensation payout of $7.5 million.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-25/fall-in-worplace-accidents-down-to-tougher-laws-say-unions/4843776?section=tas
Occupational Health and Safety:One Workplace Death Every 21 Days in WA
Approximately 1 work-related fatality occurs in Western Australia, every 3-weeks according to recently released government figures.
WorkSafe WA conducted research for the 2011-2012 period and the results showed that 5,350 working people suffered serious very serious injuries from 2008-2013.
UnionsWA said the amount and frequency of very serious work injuries ( resulting in 60 working days lost) – was higher at any time in the last half-decade.
“This is a cost to industry through workers’ compensation, but more importantly people are often left with life-long disability and a loss of livelihood,” said Meredith Hammat, Secretary of UnionsWA.
The report summary revealed that there were 18,562 lost time injuries and diseases of one or more days in WA in 2011-12, and an average, 4018 workers were being hurt in manner which requires 60 or more days off work.
Unions WA said the figures showed that stronger efforts need to be made both by the government and the employers
“Clearly more needs to be done, by governments, employers and everyone in WA workplaces,” Ms Hammat said.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/one-wa-workers-dies-every-21-days-safety-report/story-fnhocxo3-1226687313605#sthash.IcrlNVGo.dpuf
Asbestos Training: New Hope For Patients With Cancer Caused By Asbestos
Australian scientists may be on the brink of a historical breakthrough for people who suffer from the deadly cancer caused by asbestos exposure.
Mesolthelioma affects only a fraction of people exposed to the deadly substance, but it is fairly common in Australia with 650 new cases per year.
The disease, which is currently incurable, takes approximately 35 years to emerge, and kills with in 18 months of diagnosis.
Preliminary tests with the treatment have reportedly been very promising, with remarkable results in tests on mice with malignant mesothelioma.
Institute director Professor Nico van Zandwijk and his team are currently working towards being able to test the treatment on human subjects. First stage trials at the end of 2013 will determine the optimal and safe dose.
Professor van Zandwijk says he does not want to raise false hope, but he is cautiously optimistic the treatment will work.
”I think the whole concept is sound and we feel very reassured,” he said.
More info on Asbestos Training
Source: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/asbestos-cancer-breakthrough-20130731-2qzk8.html#ixzz2ao38Q793
Occupational Health and Safety: Worker Lucky To Have Survived Accident
Police say a man trapped under half-a-tonne of wood in Mount Isa in north-west Queensland is lucky to be alive, far less unscathed.
The 22-year-old was working at a sewage treatment plant on Miles Street when the wood fall upon him trapping him. He was subsequently released and airlifted to Townsville Hospital where he was treated for internal injuries.
He is now in stable condition and is expected to be released shortly.
Inspector Trevor Kidd stated that WHS will be looking into the incident.
“Initially we considered the injuries possibly life threatening and handled the police response to that incident,” he said.
“We have specialists investigators to look at that sort of thing and they attended the scene and effectively we brief Workplace Health and Safety and the scene was secured for them.
“Initially it looked really quite serious but this gentleman was very lucky it appears at the end of the day that he’s not seriously injured.”
Police in Mount Isa say the site is not currently open to the public.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-02/worker-lucky-to-survive-wood-crush-mishap/4860554?section=qld
Occupational Health and Safety :Safe Work Releases CoP for Traffic Management
Safe Work Australia recently release the complete version of its model Code of Practice for workplace traffic management in addition to four industry-specific guides relating to the Code.The Code will involve all businesses or tasks wherever there is a “risk of vehicles and powered mobile plant colliding with people in the workplace”.The code of Practice for Traffic Management in Workplace will continue to require approval by the Ministerial Council on Workplace Relations, and formal gazettal as assimilated in each relevant jurisdiction prior to the gaining of full status as a COP in the relevant jurisdiction.However, since the code and its related documents have essentially been accepted by all regulars (with the exception of Victoria), they act as important guidance in all jurisdiction regardless of formal finalisation.The Code of Practice contains; information related to identifying traffic hazards, an extensive list of control measures (complete with diagrams), and a traffic control measures checklist.The Code highlights that “Vehicles moving in and around a workplace, reversing, loading and unloading are often linked with death and injuries to workers and other people,” and “Persons conducting a business or undertaking [in such cases] should contact the local road authority for the relevant traffic management requirements and guideline.More info on Occupational Health and SafetySource:http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA/about/ Publications/Documents/785/ Traffic-Management-COP.pdf
Human Resources:Workplace Bullying Code of Practice Criticized By Companies
Some of the nation’s most prominent businesses fear newly proposed rules on workplace bullying which they fear will force them to monitor the social networking of employees, which could also expose themselves to bullying claims by workers.
Safe Work Australia released a draft code of practice on bullying, but a coalition of 200 companies – many in the top 100 – are rallying against a code that could be used in court actions, alleging that bullying is extremely subjective and employee social media is out of their control outside of working hours.
The companies feel that social media the number one weapon bully’s use but if they monitor social media pages of their employees, that in itself could be construed as bullying.
The draft code reports that bullying can be done via email or text messages, internet chat rooms, instant messaging or other social media channels.
The office of Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten remarked that feedback on the code would be “appropriately considered in due course”. The office said the government had recently introduced provisions to the Fair Work Act to tackle “the scourge of workplace bullying” as it had a dreadful human cost and was a significant cost to the economy.
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Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/industrial-relations/workplace-bullying-code-puts-firms-in-a-bind/story-fn59noo3-1226680427114
Monitors Hired to Head Asbestos Removal Process
Over a dozen monitors are expected to be hired to check the removal process of asbestos in Telstra pits prior to handing a report into the independent Asbestos Taskforce.
This initiative was formed in conjunction with the IAT, will ensure that work on the NBN rollout where asbestos is a risk, is handing in a safe manner that safeguards employees, contractors, and the local community.
The taskforce launched by Australian Government in June to in response to the asbestos scare caused during the Telstra NBN Rollout.
Asbestos training is being provided to all Telstra employees. Any personnel working in Telstra pits will be properly trained in asbestos removal and handling of asbestos-containing materials.
Telstra and NBN Co have also confirmed that they are close to releasing their competency card that employees, contractors and subcontractors will have to keep on their persons in order certify they are fully trained.
All work on pits with asbestos risks present, will continue once the training has been completed.
The taskforce has come together on several occasions, and is headed by Geoff Fary (Chair, Asbestos Management Review). The taskforce’s membership includes representatives from Telstra, NBN Co, the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA), Comcare, industry unions, asbestos community groups and WHS experts.
Source: http://www.sia.org.au/browse.aspx?ContentID=issue180-news5
Camden Pleas for Greater Asbestos Powers
Camden Council is pleading for stronger powers in order to deal with asbestos problems, and to deliver harsher penalties for people who neglect clean up orders.
The plea emerged as the council currently pursues two homeowners whoit claims have thus far failed to remove asbestos that is exposed on their properties.
The council has been in contact with the Camden property owner since a house fire earlier this year uncovered asbestos. The council subsequently contacted the owner and their insurance company to have it removed.
Mayor Lara Symkowiak said the council’s instructions for the asbestos to be removed have since been ignored.
she did not deny the possibility of the council removing the asbestos and recovering its costs from the homeowner.
“This is an extreme situation and is not council’s preferred method of dealing with the matter,” she said.
“The costs associated with the clean up of asbestos can be high and the responsibility for compliance should rest with the owner of the site.
“Council is awaiting a response from the mortgagee for the supply of specialist reports undertaken as part of the investigations on this site to gauge the extent of works that may be required, should the work not be undertaken in the immediate future.
“Council is committed to ensuring the safety of our community, especially where asbestos is involved.”
More info on asbestos training
Source:http://www.camdenadvertiser.com.au/story/1626665/need-for-powers-on-asbestos/?cs=1184
Renovators Warned About Asbestos Dangers
Maitland home renovators will be central in a campaign about the dangers of asbestos found within walls of many of the city’s pre-1987 houses.
Asbestos is often found lurking beneath floor coverings, behind walls and floor tiles, in cement floors, internal and external walls, ceilings, eaves, garages, around hot water pipes, fences, extensions, outdoor toilets and even dog kennels and backyard sheds.
Betty the educational mobile home, along with volunteers Geoff and Karen Wicks, will visit Maitland on Tuesday to highlight the various dangers of home renovation.
They will demonstrate the surprising locations where asbestos is sometimes found in homes
Betty is the of her kind and helped launch the Asbestos Diseases Research Institute in partnership with the Asbestos Education Committee.
Betty;s tour will see her travel 1800 kilometres in 16 days.
Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases in the world because it was one of the top consumers of asbestos and its products in the 20th century. Almost every home built or renovated before 1987 is likely to contain asbestos, while one in three homes contains the deadly substance
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Source: http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/1647281/renovators-warned-of-asbestos/?cs=171
Alabanese Closely Monitors NBN Asbestos Situation
Acting Prime minister Anthony Albanese assured that strict safety procedures being implemented to deal with handle any further uncovered asbestos during the National Broadband Network rollout.
Albanese was in Coffs Harbour where he referenced the asbestos scare in Coffs Harbour and any repeat incident will be managed with great care.
“Each and every time there’s a project in which asbestos is present, it needs to be managed according to best occupational health and safety practice.” he said.
“This is not an issue that will be dealt with over a day or a week, this is an issue that is dealt with whenever you deal with infrastructure.”
Mr Albanese said the NBN can have a significant impact on education and healthcare.
“Now just think about the silly debate that goes on about costs,” he said.
“The costs of hospitalisation, the costs of trips to the GP, the costs of nurses going to the home to look after people.
“That’s why this is such a no brainer, this is about saving money, not spending money.”
More info on Asbestos Training
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-05/close-watch-for-asbestos-in-nbn-rollout/4802052
Forklift Safety:Court Fines Man for Running Over Co-worker
In Early 2011, Gary Egberts was operating a forklift in order to unload a truck at the Karratha depot of transport company Star Frieghtlines. As a result of his inadequate training, Egberts accidentally hit a truck driver and ran over his left leg, resulting in a dislocated patella and significant abrasions and bruising.
WorkSafe reported that Egbert did not honk the forklift’s horn while reversing and it lacked a working reverse alarm.
Egberts put forth a guilty plea for failing to take reasonable care to avoid an incident and was fined in the Perth Magistrates Court this week.
Last month, his employer was subject to a $20,000 for failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-12/worker-fined-3k-over-forklift-accident/4816924?§ion=news
Library Closes Amidst Asbestos Scare
The Alice Springs Library has been closed following an asbestos scare.
The town’s Mayor revealed that a pocket of encapsulated asbestos was found on Thursday while workmen were installing a new airconditioner unit.
Damien Ryan reported that an environmental company spent Friday testing the entire library and its contents for asbestos contamination
Fortunately the results were found to be negative but the library will remain closed for another week until the asbestos has been removed.
“I’d like to encourage all of our library borrowers who have got books that are due to be returned to hang on to them for another week because the delivery box on the side of the library, that room is now full from people returning things but we can’t get staff in there,” he said.
*Update*
The Alice Springs Library will not reopen at least until next week
Greg Buxton from the Alice Springs Town Council says it is a long and complex process to ensure the building is now safe.
“A very tedious process,” he said.
“I mean not only do you have to remove the material, you’ve got to clean down everything in there and wipe down all wires and tracks and ceilings and things like that, so it’s quite a complicated, long process.
More info on Asbestos Training
“Source:http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-08/asbestos-scare-closes-alice-library/4806020
Mental Wellbeing An Important Part of Occupational Health and Safety
For a long time, both government and businesses have neglected to consider mental health as important to workplace safety as physical safety. Now research has shown that depression in the workplace costs the nation in excess of $12 billion per annum.
Recently, this change in mentality has come with the launch of the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance.
Finally, for the first time ever, this alliance has brought together the efforts of Australian mental health organisations, as well as business and government officials. Together they reportedly aim to ensure that workplaces are mental health friendly.
“Mental health is a significant business issue that requires the attention of organizations. People who experience mental health issues face incredible challenges in the workplace. Many are misunderstood, shunned and underutilized,” said Karla Thorpe, Associate Director, Compensation and Industrial Relations at the Conference Board of Canada. “In a world where shortages of critical skills are top of mind for many organizations, employers cannot afford to allow this situation to continue.”
More info on Occupational Health And Safety
Source: http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/1618942/mental-health-at-work-just-as-important-as-safety/?cs=64</em>
Asbestos Training: Comm. Minister Says NBN Rollout Targets Being Met
At an NBN rollout event, Albanese revealed that over one million homes and businesses are, or are in the process of being, connected to the NBN.
The initial target was for more than 340,000 premises to be ready to connect by the end of June, but that was later reduced to between 190,000-220,000 properties.
Albanese promised that any further asbestos issues in connection with the rollout will be handled with the utmost care.
Albanese stated that any time there is a presence of asbestos in any project, it needs to be managed according to occupational health and safety practice.
“This is not an issue that will be dealt with over a day or a week, this is an issue that is dealt with whenever you deal with infrastructure development.” he said.
“Whether it be a large infrastructure project, such as the National Broadband Network, or whether it be someone fixing up a suburban house who wants to change their car garage.”
More info on Asbestos Training
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-04/federal-government-meets-nbn-roll-out-targets/4800182
Fire Safety: Desalination Plant Fined Over Explosion
A Desalination company and its operator were subject to an $80 000 fine for an explosion that destroyed a Morphett Vale house.
Prospect Building Services and its Harry Twarowski pleaded guilty in the Industrial Court over the 2009 explosion.
The company was in operation for three decades without incident prior to the explosion which they admitted was a result of failing to provide a safe working environment to an employee. The employee in question had drilled through bricks on the home in order fill homes with a solvent-based fluid to treat salt damp.
However, the employee failed to turn off the home’s gas hot water service which caught on fire and caused a massive explosion upon coming into contact with the liquids vapours.
Industrial Magistrate Michael Ardlie called it “sheer luck” that no was one harmed especially the 88 year old World War Two veteran who occupied the house.
Mr Ardlie said the explosion could have easily been avoided.
“The measures that should have been taken and were reasonably practicable were straight forward and simple,” Mr Ardlie found.
“The employee should have been educated as to the hazards imposed by the use of the solvent.”
The company and Mr Twarowski were fined $68,000 and $8,500 respectively and ordered to pay $500 compensation for medical treatment incurred by the occupant’s son.
More info on Fire Safety
Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/national-news/south-australia/prospect-building-services-fined-after-causing-saltdamp-explosion-at-morphett-vale-house/story-fnii5yv4-1226672701912#ixzz2Y8nPzHEn
Telstra Returns To Work Amidst Asbestos Concerns
Telstra has resumed work on its NSW telecommunication pits following the asbestos scare at National Broadband Network (NBN) sites which halted all operations last month.
In a recent statement Telstra said it would resume the ‘replacement and repair of telecommunication pits associated with the provision of essential services’.
However, the work will only includerestoration and repair work associated with incidents i.e cable-cuts leading to outages and loss of basic services, Telstra said.
Every task will be reportedly conducted by licensed removalists.
A spokeswoman said the work is not being done at asbestos-contaminated NBN pits.
No confirmation was given as to how sites would be subject to repair work.
‘It’s only a handful – a very small number (of pits) in NSW,’ the spokeswoman told AAP.
‘We’re not resuming NBN work today. This is very limited, essential emergency work.’
Remediation work on Telstra’s NBN sites was halted over three months ago when it was discovered that many were contaminated with asbestos that had not been handled properly.
‘This is the first time we’ve started to do anything since we announced the stoppage of all work at the end of May,’ said the spokeswoman.
Telstra contractors are still undergoing retraining for asbestos management.
Electrical Safety : Bakery Electrocution Site Tampered With
An inquiry into the electrocution death of a man has revealed that the Sydney bakery where he died had been tampered with prior the police’ arrival on the scene.
Deputy NSW Coroner Sharon Freund is currently looking into the death of Norayer Khaloyan who was killed while installing an AC-unit in December 2010.
Glebe Coroners Court reported that the man was working in the roof of The Baking Company at Botany.
It was revealed in the court that the man had migrated to Australia from Iraq in 2007 with his wife and had trained as an electrical engineer in Iraq.
But counsel assisting the inquest, Bronwyn Lorenc, said his training was not deemed satisfactory enough to grand certification by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA).
The inquest revealed that that after the electrician collapsed, the owner of The Baking Company, Michael Munk, and another employee went to the scene to try and help.
Munk reportedly said “don’t tell police he was working with electricity, because you will get into trouble”.
The court heard there is evidence electrics in the building might have been “tampered with” after his death and before a WorkCover inspection.
More info on Electrical Safety
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-03/electrocution-site-may-have-been-27tampered-with27/4796796
Occupational Health and Safety: QLD WorkCover Jobs In Jeopardy According To Union
An additional 200 Queensland public servants suffer wage cuts or employment termination while MP’s have seen drastic pay rises, a union says.
The Together public sector union reports that the government is compelling 25 per cent of WorkCover Queensland’s staff to choose between redundancies or classification downgrades.
This issue has emerged soon after it was revealed that MPs pocket an extra $57,000, thereby increasing their base pay to $194,000 annually.
Together secretary Alex Scott says ‘Once again this has been a rushed process with a lack of transparency,’
He called forcing workers to choose between lower wages and their job, an ‘outrageous attack’ on workers.
Adding fuel to the fire is the government’s refusal to overturn laws that dictates state MPs’ wages should match their federal counterparts.
The government received legal advice that a 2009 wage freeze imposed by former Labor premier Anna Bligh breached legislation.
Which has now resulted in a hefty pay rise.
Mr Scott said WorkCover staff have already faced massive budget cuts and weeks of upheaval, including the closure of almost all regional WorkCover offices.
The Industrial Relations Commission will hear the wage matter on Friday.
Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.skynews.com.au/businessnews/article.aspx?id=885129
Architect Denies Asbestos Reports
An architect for a work site has denied reports by union reps that asbestos was discovered at the Darwin work site.
The four-storey Paspaley Building has been under demolition for the last few weeks in preparation for building the 18 or 20-storey Charles Darwin Centre on the corner of Smith and Bennett streets.
The building’s height has not yet been determined.
Chief Minister Adam Giles had planned a staged media walk-through of the site for lunchtime, but cancelled it at 11.25am.
Officials from the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union said they took samples from the site at 8am today and sent them for laboratory examination this morning, which they said identified them as chrysotile, or “white asbestos”.
But building architect Ross Connolly said Worksafe NT has declared the site safe and that the union was “stirring the pot”.
“They allegedly discovered some asbestos sheet,” he said.
He said the material found was harmless cellulose fibre cement.
“Worksafe has confirmed that the material found was not asbestos,” he said.
Worksafe has been contacted for comment.
He said the site had been certified asbestos-free by a certified removalist who removed asbestos from the remains of the three buildings about four or five weeks ago.
“Clearly when you do an asbestos register there’s always the risk that there might be some asbestos that might be not evident at the time the register was prepared,” he said.
“The contract for the removal makes it incumbent on the operator to obviously deal with anything that turns up in the removal process.
“There’s a later risk that when you demolish a floor slab or something underneath, given that we’re talking about a part of the town that was around in the war, there could be some asbestos sheeting in the soil underneath the building that was neither undiscoverable at the time of the asbestos register preparation nor at the removal.”
He said there was protocol for any asbestos discovery by workers, and that no reports had been made by workers to the site manager.
Mr Connolly has said work has resumed, but the union has said the site was shut.
CFMEU assistant secretary Jade Ingham said the site was “riddled” with asbestos.
“I can tell you we’ve better things to do than stir the pot and turn up on sites,” he said.
“If they were resolute why did they shut the site?” CFMEU official Ben Laokes said they found 10cm x 10cm sheets of material on the site.
“The document provided to us saying the asbestos was removed but then you walk through and see sheeting everywhere,” he said.
“It didn’t take us long to find it. We took four steps into the site and we found it. It’s all broken up.
“The workers there had concerns about it.”
Asbestos was used as a fire retardant building material until it was banned in 1989 because of health risks from inhaling asbestos fibres.
The Paspaley Building is understood to have been built in the early 1980s or earlier.
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Source: http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2013/06/19/322033_ntnews.html
Fire Safety: Employees Evacuate Engulfed Lab
Several workers were told to evacuate from a laboratory was engulfed in flames in Maddington at the start of the month.
The fire was first reported at approximately 8am. The fire was believed to have started in a small filter room of Genalysis Laboratory on Alloa Road.
Approximately 50 employees were directed to immediately to leave the building.
Twenty firefighters made it to the blaze ,which was eventually extinguished by 9.20am.
A DFES fire investigations officer on site stated that the small blaze resulted in an approximately $40,000 damage and had caused suspected lead contamination of both air and water. However, the spokesman confirmed that contaminant level was within safe levels and guidelines will be followed as staff continues to monitor the situation.
Firefighters stated that they will remain on site in the event of flare-ups, while the pollution response crew from the Department of Environment Regulation is monitoring water runoff.The cause of the fire is currently being determined
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Source:http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/fire-at-maddington-laboratory/story-fnhocxo3-1226672494283
Occupational Health and Safety: Tour Guide Gets Compo For Broken Leg
A tour guide who suffered a broken leg while helping a tourist, has won a workers compensation claim against her employer and insurer.
Adventure Tours Australia declined to pay Megan Elizabeth Woff compensation for the injury she sustained when she was struck by a snapped shackle of a 4WD tour bus which was towing a bogged car. The company reportedly refused to pay compo on the grounds that she was still a trainee at the time.
The company alleged that she was participating in a familiarisation tour – a prerequisite for any potential employee.
But Ms Woff brought the courts her claim that she was a “worker” under the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act.
Magistrate John Lowndes said: “The breadth of the definition is immediately apparent – it covers a person who is performing work or service not only under a contract but also under an agreement.”
Tour group recruitment manager Steve Wright was unwavering in his feeling that she was simply taking part in a familiarisation tour and thus not an employee by the company at the time .
But Dr Lowndes said: “Mr Wright’s … justification for requiring Ms Woff to go on a familiarisation tour was implausible, illogical and lacked credibility.”
Lowndes was confident that an agreement had been made between Ms Woff and the tour company – rendering them liable for the injury.
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Source: http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2013/07/03/322441_travel.html
Builder Faces Prosecution For Asbestos Risk to Family
The Canberra builder accused of exposing a young family to asbestos is the subject of an investigation by WorkSafe ACT which could turn into a prosecution.
The ACT government could potentially strip the business’ licence if it is discovered that employees worked with the deadly substance without permission.
ACT Work Safety Commissioner Mark McCabe is seeking to implement $5000 on-the-spot fines for builders who dodo not properly dispose of asbestos.
He stated that the case was such a serious breach of the Work Health and Safety Act that the case could end up in court.
”Given the level of exposure to the family I think the public would demand prosecution if a breach of health and safety laws is proven in this case,”
The new fines will be considered as part of the ACT government’s review of the Dangerous Substances Act, which is likely to be tabled in spring, with the new fine schedule to take effect from January 1.
The family whose home was contaminated says they remain shaken by the incident which forced them out of their home for three weeks after the builder, hired to renovate their bathroom, used angle grinders to cut through asbestos sheeting in the house.
The family was living in the home at the time cleaned the asbestos from surfaces in the living area and kitchen, unaware of the danger the family were in until alerted by a neighbour, who called WorkSafe.
Mr McCabe on Monday confirmed the company involved in the incident was being probed by the organisation’s serious incidents investigations team. McCabe stated that if the builder was found to have breached the WHS Act, the consequences could be quite severe. Serious breaches of the act often result in large fines and incarceration for company directors, he said.
Approximately 120 of the family’s personal items had reportedly been contaminated and had been destroyed, and that the builder had refused to refund the family’s $6000 deposit or to provide compensation.
Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/asbestos-builder-faces-prosecution-20130612-2o50j.html#ixzz2X0rrjxjj
Paspaley Building to Undergo Asbestos Test
Samples from the Paspaley Building site have been sent in for tests by an independent inspector.
The four-storey building has been under demolition for several weeks in preparation for building the 18-storey Charles Darwin Centre on the corner of Smith and Bennett streets.
Union officials discovered positively identified traces of white asbestos on the site late last month.
However, builders say all asbestos was carefully removed from the site and that the union was causing trouble and maybe even planted the substance.The original removalists checked the site again and found nothing.
Building architect Ross Connolly yesterday said Worksafe NT reported the site as safe and said the union was “stirring the pot”.
“They allegedly discovered some asbestos sheet,” he said.
“Worksafe has confirmed that the material found was not asbestos,”
He said the site was certified as free of asbestos by a certified removalist who removed the deadly substance from the building several weeks ago.
“Clearly when you do an asbestos register there’s always the risk that there might be some asbestos that might be not evident at the time the register was prepared,” he said.
“The contract for the removal makes it incumbent on the operator to obviously deal with anything that turns up in the removal process.
“There’s a later risk that when you demolish a floor slab or something underneath, given that we’re talking about a part of the town that was around in the war, there could be some asbestos sheeting in the soil underneath the building that was neither undiscoverable at the time of the asbestos register preparation nor at the removal.”
CFMEU assistant secretary Jade Ingham said the site was “riddled” with asbestos.
“I can tell you we’ve better things to do than stir the pot and turn up on sites,” he said.
“If they were resolute why did they shut the site?” CFMEU official Ben Laokes said they found 10cm x 10cm sheets of material on the site.
“The document provided to us saying the asbestos was removed but then you walk through and see sheeting everywhere,” he said.
“It didn’t take us long to find it. We took four steps into the site and we found it. It’s all broken up.
“The workers there had concerns about it.”
More info on asbestos training
Source: http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2013/06/20/322033_ntnews.html
Minister Vows To Keep School Open Following Asbestos Scare
Education Minister Martin Dixon has vowed to keep the western Victoria open despite the recent asbestos scare.
The Timboon Prep to 12 School was cleared out of all personnel and students ] when following WorkSafe’s closure notice after discovering asbestos and peeling lead paint.
Fortunately, tests revealed that students and teachers were not exposed to airborne asbestos.
Despite reports earlier this year that the school would be permanently closed, Dixon promised that will not happen.
“The school’s definitely not going to close,” he said.
“It’s a great school. It’s a great community and when you look at where the school is situated within the broader community, it’s a vital hub and I can assure the community that the future of the school is very very bright.”
The closure order has since been lifted and classes have resumed normally. The asbestos and paint will be dealt with over the holidays.
Principal Rosalie Moorfield says the school community has been very supportive during the closure.
“This has probably been a pretty low week for the Timboon community,” she said.
“But at the end of that, strong bonds have been formed and a real passion to make sure that our facilities are the facilities that we deserve, has certainly been ignited.”
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-28/asbestos-order-lifted-on-closure-of-timboon-school/4786734?section=vic
Carbon Management: Emissions Concerning the Coalition
Carbon Management TrainingTHE Coalition has demanded Safe Work Australia explain why there has been a dramatic increase in emissions of the carcinogenic chemical formaldehyde and how they can be reduced.
Opposition workplace relations spokesman Eric Abetz said yesterday he was “deeply concerned” by a report in The Australian about a doubling in formaldehyde emissions by industry since 2007.
“A Coalition government would work with unions, industry, state governments and regulators to ensure safer workplaces for all Australians. Safe Work Australia’s role should include explaining to Australians how it is that the use of formaldehyde has doubled in recent times,” he said.
The workplace safety regulator has failed to act on recommendations made in 2006 by Australia’s chemical regulator, NICNAS, about the need to slash safe exposure levels.
Since then, numerous countries have classified the substance as carcinogenic. It is used in a wide range of products, including building materials, hair treatments, clothing and insulation batts.
A spokeswoman for Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten said Mr Shorten had asked the agency to consider the role of these standards in workplace health and safety laws.
Asked yesterday whether Australia should strengthen its labelling laws, Consumer Affairs Minister David Bradbury said the government had relied on the advice of NICNAS and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
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Source:http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/action-demanded-on-toxin/story-fn59niix-1226682236571
Human Resources: WorkCover Undergoes Inquiry For Bullying
The state government authority responsible for protecting injured workers will soon be the subject of a bullying inquiry.
The NSW government has backed the parliamentary inquiry into WorkCover following a NSW Industrial Relations report of workplace bullying. This report emerged when a senior employee was allegedly bullied out of his job.
Greens MP David Shoebridge, who put forth the idea for an inquiry, has welcomed the government’s support. . ”It is completely unacceptable to have ongoing bullying in WorkCover which is the government body tasked with protecting all employees from harassment in the workplace,” he said.
”This most recent finding by the IRC raises serious concerns about the culture of WorkCover.
”There have been ongoing concerns within WorkCover of systematic bullying and mistreatment of staff for years, yet despite reviews and promises it seems nothing has changed.”
Mr Shoebridge cited 2011 report by PricewaterhouseCoopers which found 40 per cent of WorkCover employees reported experiencing harassment and bullying.
More on Human Resources
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/workcover-bullying-inquiry-20130627-2p01n.html#ixzz2XpPIrtVN
Food Safety: Company Fined For Serious Burns
A food company was charged with a $110,000 fine and ordered to pay WorkCover’s legal costs after a 19-year-old apprentice chef suffered serious burns at a CBD restaurant.
SG Foodservice will face charges for the September 2010 incident which resulted in an apprentice chef burning 60 per cent of his body.
The apprentice chef was carrying boiling stock in two 20 litre buckets between floors via the fire escape when he slipped and fell, dropping the buckets. SG Foodservice was charged with a breach of the Occupational Health & Safety Act 2000.
WorkCover began an investigation which has since revealed that
• It was common place in the business to transport boiling hot stock in buckets via the firestairs.
• Previously, other staff members had fallen while using the fire escape on at least two separate occasions.
• it was unclear among staff over whether the nearby elevator was free to use for staff or only for guests.
• After the incident SG Foodservice prohibited the use of the firestairs to transport hot stock, instead requiring that stock be transported via the lift.
The court found that the risk to the injured person was so foreseeable that an accident was bound to happen.
SG Foodservice pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $110,000.
WorkCover NSW’s acting General Manager of Work Health and Safety Division Peter Dunphy said“Working in the hospitality industry involves a lot of manual handling, especially in commercial kitchens which can be dangerous if risks to health and safety are not made the top priority,” he said.
“WorkCover will work with the company to ensure that the same mistakes are not made in the future.”
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Source: http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/newsroom/Pages/Companyfined$110,000afterseriousburnsataCBDrestaurant.aspx
Telstra Uncovers More Asbestos-Contaminated Soil
Telstra has once again discovered asbestos in the soil scattered throughout its telecommunications pits in Sydney’s west.
In Junem Telstra shut down its asbestos removal program at telecommunications pits throughout the nation after concerns were raised that community had been exposed to the deadly fibres during remediation work.
Penrith was one of the sites first to be shut down and several members of the community were forced to evacuate their homes.
Telstra has since finished the clean-up work at five pits in the area but the inspections of 16 others, found more asbestos in the soil.
Telstra says 11 other pits throughout the area will be cleaned up by this week.
In a statement, the telco said it is uncertain whether the asbestos contamination came from the pits.
A review by Telstra this month revealed that key contractors needed more supervision and better supplies. .
Telstra’s chief operations officer Brendon Riley said the company will ensure that all mandatory standards are met by all staff.
Asbestos was often used in the 1980’s as a building material. It has since been prohibited to use, but remains a rising cause of death.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-25/telstra-uncovers-more-asbestos-contaminated-soil-around-pits-in/4779746?section=nsw
More Jails Increases Asbestos Danger
Only four of WA’s 16 prisons have been identified as asbestos-free, with two facilities rated as high-risk, it has emerged.
Last month it was revealed that removing the asbestos contamination at Hakea Prison would cost the public $2.5 million. The Department of Corrective Services has confirmed a further 11 prisons have asbestos-contamination “to some degree”.
Pardelup Prison Farm, near Mt Barker, and Roebourne Prison were both slapped with a high-risk rating.
The other contaminated jails at medium to low-risk are as follows; Bandyup, Bunbury, Wooroloo, Karnet, Albany, Broome, Eastern Goldfields, Greenough and Walpole Work Camp.
The department said work was required at two high-risk jails by the end of this month.
The removal of asbestos was needed,rather than sealing and capsulation.
It said an asbestos exposure register established in 2009 had 20 reports “from people who had potentially been exposed to asbestos”.
Shadow corrective services minister Paul Papalia stated the need for a comprehensive register to deal with the “threat of asbestos in the older buildings”.
“Not just of people who have gone into roof spaces but, in conjunction with experts in the field, a register that is comprehensive in the event a prison officer, a prisoner or staff member is exposed and later in life succumbs to the illness,” he said.
Papalia called for health checks for prison officers and prisoners exposed or potentially exposed to asbestos.
However, the department said this was not needed nor recommended.
Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis said “I’m committed to ensuring that works are carried out in accordance with WorkSafe’s directions,” he said.
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Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/17629720/more-jails-pose-asbestos-risk/
On the Spot Fines To Tackle Canberra’s Construction Safety Breaches
WorkSafe ACT inspectors will soon commence the issuing of on-the-spot fines throughout construction sites that are in breach of safety regulations.
A report released last year cast a dark shadow over the Canberra construction industry when it revealed the serious injury rate there was 31% higher than the national average.
The Government accepted the report’s recommendations which included the soon to be implemented on-the-spot fines.
Workplace Safety Minister Simon Corbell says 11 types of safety breaches fall under the new fine scheme.
“These deal with relatively straight forward, factual matters that allow inspectors to exercise their discretion and issue a fine,” he said.
“That will send a message to people in control of development sites that they have to keep their house in order in relation to these basic safety obligations.”
WorkSafe ACT are pleased with the new power, and announced that employers could potentially face on-the-spot fines of approximately $3,000.
WorkSafety commissioner Mark McCabe says construction safety can no longer be gambled.
“I think they knew it’s only the very serious cases that are going to end up in court,” he said.
“They could roll the dice and just hope to get away with it basically.”
Under the new penalties, building site managers will still be able to challenge a fine in the courts if they believe it has been incorrectly imposed.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-24/act-on-the-spot-construction-fines/4776072?section=act
Confined Space:Company Fined For Crippling Miner
Broken Hill mining company Perilya has been ordered to pay a fine stemming from an accident five years ago that left a miner in a wheelchair.
The Industrial Court of NSW ruled that Perilya will pay $260,000 over the crippling accident in 2008.
Rod Flight was left a quadriplegic after the front-end loader he was operating at, toppled over and trapped him beneath it.
The court ruled that Perilya’s failure to maintain the vehicle resulted in a diminished braking capacity and a faulty warning light and alarm.
The company also failed in ensuring that staff maintained the right safety paperwork.
Perilya handed a guilty plea to the courts for failing to ensure the safety of its employees under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Mr Flight now lives in Adelaide and is paralysed from the neck down.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-07/company-fined-for-turning-miner-into-quadriplegic/4739802
Parents Fear Asbestos Risk For Bondi Public School Students
An asbestos removal company is attempting to alleviate the concerns of parents at Bondi Public School by informing them that material in trucks parked across the school is not a danger to students.
Concerned parents reported that trucks containing the deadly material were regularly parked opposite Wellington St school for approximately six months.
Asbestos Removal Sydney owner Wade Rogers confirmed the trucks held asbestos, but said that the school community was safe because the fibres were contained within sheets of cement.
But Bondi Public parent Michelle Stone was horrified at the prospect of these trucks being close to her children.
“In the 21st century, it’s completely unacceptable for any company to allow an uncovered, unsecure truck in a residential zone outside a school, full of bags containing asbestos waste,” she said.
“It is grossly irresponsible and the company needs to act immediately to remove what is a legitimate and serious threat to the health of hundreds of children.”
Another parent Allan Moore reported split open bags, while others were not taped closed.
Upon investigation a ranger found that the asbestos was bonded and unlikely to break down and not considered harmful.
Any potential risk was further decreased by recent rain.
This assessment was supported by a later WorkCover inspection.
“Nevertheless, council and the mayor were very concerned about the presence of asbestos in a public place, and the ranger contacted the truck owner and asked them to move it,” the spokeswoman said.
“The owner of the truck undertook to move it this morning.
“Council is treating the matter seriously and will continue to follow up with WorkCover and the truck owner.”
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Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/city-east/asbestos-scare-for-bondi-public-school-students/story-fngr8h22-1226666401138
Asbestos Training: Deadly Material Found in Paspaley building Tests
NT WorkSafe has divulged that asbestos was found in the Paspaley building at the end of the Smith St Mall in Darwin.
NT WorkSafe boss Doug Phillips said they met with the builders, Sunbuild and discussed the findings of the sampling.
“The sampling found there were some isolated pieces of bonded asbestos,” Mr Phillips said.
“However there was no asbestos detected in the soil sampling.”
Sunbuild had once denied the existence of s any asbestos left on the site even though unions had submitted various samples that contained the deadly material.
The original asbestos removal team came up short which lead to NT WorkSafe conducting its own independent tests.
Mr Phillips said Sunbuild was recommended that they develop a management plan in consultation with licensed specialists so that work could go forward without any issues.
“Sunbuild is also required to undertake appropriate consultation with its workers and the businesses surrounding the work site and to address any concerns that the wider public may have,” he said.
Source: http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2013/06/22/322105_ntnews.html
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Telstra To Overhaul Pit Workers Asbestos Training
The findings of a recently conducted review of one of Telstra’s asbestos removal contractor has been damning. The findings were released by Telstra as it embarks on their mission of rolling out the National Broadband Network (NBN), including old pits containing asbestos.
All remediation work was halted in May following a variety of mishandling complaints throughout several sites nationally.
Telstra’s review of its key contractors found that changes were needed in several areas, such as increased supervision and ensuring adequate supplies.
Telstra’s COO Brendan Riley revealed the company’s intentions to ensure that mandatory standards are met for training staff on the extensive asbestos risks.
“We will continue to be open about the status of these issues and the work we are doing to strengthen contractor management of asbestos handling,” Mr Riley said in a statement.
“We will not allow recommencement of cement pit remediation work until we are satisfied the necessary safety measures are in place.”
Opposition communications spokesman Malcolm Turnbull says it highlights the risks with large projects.
“One of the risks with a very large project like this, which is disturbing a lot of asbestos-containing material at the same time with the dramatically increased workforce, is that it’s much harder to maintain standards,” he said.
Telstra is consulting with unions and Comcare over the implementation of the plan.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-19/telstra-announces-overhaul-of-asbestos-safety-training/4766524?section=tas
Working At Heights Company Fined Over 70K for Fall
A Crane hire company and its director have been ordered to pay a fine of $71,000 after a worker suffered serious head and neck injuries when he fell through a roof.
Terry’s Crane Hire and director Terrence Ronald Brown put forth a guilty plea for failing to provide a safe work environment which consequently resulted in serious harm to a contractor.
In August 2010, the Mallon Company contracted Terry’s for some re-roofing work on a commercial property. An 19 year old independent contractor assisted while Terry’s used a crane for the removal of asbestos ridden sheeting. The 19-year-old climbed on top the roof to guide the crane operator. The man walked across the damaged sheets which eventually collapsed causing the man to fall to the cement floor.
Although safety mesh was in place to prevent falls below the roof, it had not continued to the frontage area as asbestos was to be removed prior.
The court found Terry’s had failed to ensure the safety of the 19-year-old, nor did they ensure that he was informed of the risks and was not adequately supervised.
The company was fined $51,000 and Brown was fined $20,000.
They were also ordered to pay $1600 in court costs.
WorkSafe WA commissioner Lex McCulloch stated that 16 WA workers have died from falls in the past four years.
“Many others have been seriously and permanently injured as a result of falls, and it’s really disappointing when we keep finding people working at heights without all the possible preventative measures in place,” he said.
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Source: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/fine-over-workers-roof-fall/story-fnhocxo3-1226663392976
OHS:Maritime Safety A Hot Topic Following Ship Fatality
The Maritime Union described their findings from an investigation into the death of a man as “horrific”.
The 56-year-old worker was crushed and died while working on a cargo ship in September of last year. His death was result of a 20-tonne pallet of aluminium ingots fell upon him.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s recently released report from their 8-month investigation, revealed that unsafe work practices and stevedore fatigue could be to blame.
Union rep Warren Smith called for changes in the industry to improve safety.
“The findings are quite horrific really and it clearly demonstrates a complete lack of safety culture and massive gaps in the safe working systems within Newcastle Stevedores that absolutely need to be rectified,” he said.
“It’s quite abhorrent really that in the 21st century basic flaws in safety systems exist like that.”
The union are expected to meet with Newcastle Stevedores to discuss the findings of the ATSB report.
Smith says improvements to the system are especially needed.
“We have met them [Newcastle Stevedores] over a period of time prior to the release of the report and all our concerns have been articulated to the company very clearly.
“There will be ongoing meetings and we’ll do everything we can with the company to ensure the systems of work are eliminated, the gaps in their system of work are eliminated once and for all.”
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-05/maritime-safety-talks-to-continue-after-ship-fatality/4733616
Asbestos Risks Prompt Work Stoppage for Posties
Australian Postal workers have stopped delivery of mail throughout a Sydney street, fearing possible asbestos contamination linked to the national broadband network (NBN) rollout.
The government-owned postal service said mail delivery to Hornseywood Avenue in Penrith was halted temporarily.
“We made that decision for the safety of our staff and after discussions with the council and WorkCover,” a spokesperson told AAP on Wednesday.
Australia Post said deliveries are will not resume until Telstra finishes their audit on the practices of contractors upgrading pits as part of the NBN rollout.
This comes as work on the NBN was suspended after a Penrith resident contacted WorkCover concerned that asbestos safety procedures weren’t being followed.
The telco hopes it will have the sites cleaned up by Thursday and is asking affected residents to give permission for a clean-up.
Residents have been told they can collect their mail from the Australia Post Nepean Business Hub.
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Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/work-on-nbn-suspended-amid-asbestos-fears/story-fn3dxiwe-1226652881991
Occupational Health and Safety:Man Crushed By Truck at NBN Site
A man was killed when he was crushed between two trucks at the National Broadband Network (NBN) worksite.
Paramedics rushed to the scene and found the 57-year old trapped between two trucks but had already succumbed to his head injuries.
Police report that the man was removing an item from the back of one of the trucks when unaccompanied young worker got into a second truck and parked right behind. The 20-year old worker drove into the man and crushed him against the stopped truck.
NBN Co released a statement confirming the death and stated that it was working with its contractor to assist in investigations .
The death comes only a day after it was revealed several NBN rollout sites across the country have been under investigation for asbestos exposure risks.
Acting Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis says the worker was pronounced dead at the scene.
“It just seems to have been a tragic accident at this stage,” he said.
“We’re very early into our investigation of the matter.
“The driver of the truck was conveyed to a local hospital to undergo mandatory testing, we’ve got a crash investigation unit there.”
Superintendent Koutsoufis says the driver is very distressed.
“But as yet, other than undergoing the mandatory testing we haven’t spoken to him in a formal manner,” he said.
WorkCover is currently investigating the incident and union officials from the Community and Public Sector Union are looking into the death.
Kiama is one of the five towns connected to the $37.4 billion high-speed broadband network or NBN
The project is expected to take until atleast 2023.
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Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/world/17410507/man-crushed-by-truck-at-nbn-work-site/
OHS: Birkenhead Man Crushed By Fence, Dies
A Man was crushed by a steel fence earlier this month, and has since died as a result of the industrial accident.
The man was critically injured while unloading the fence panels from a shipping container during the second week of may.
He died recently as a result of his injuries.
Safe Work SA is currently reviewing the incident, and investigating whether there were any breaches of the Work Health and Safety Act.
OHS:Company Fined for Burned Chef
The Company that owns a fancy Sydney restaurant was subject to an over $100,000 fine, after a chef was badly burned by boiling stock.
SG Foodservice was slapped with the $110,000 fine over the incident which occurred at the Pendolino restaurant in September 2010.
The apprentice chef, 19, was carrying a boiling stock in two 20-litre buckets when he slipped and dropped them, burning over half of his body.
The chef was using the fire stairs when he dropped the boiling buckets.
He received emergency hospital treatment and had to receive skin grafts to his left calf, right ankle, and right thigh, according to WorkCover.
His injuries were so severe that he had to wear compression bandages, and was prohibited from being in sunlight and required physiotherapy.
WorkCover said SG Foodservice pleaded guilty to breaching the Occupational Health & Safety Act over the incident.
WorkCover NSW’s acting general manager of work health and safety, Peter Dunphy, said it would “work with the company to ensure that the same mistakes were not made in the future”.More info on Occupational Health and SafetySource: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/company-fined-after-sydney-chef-burnt/story-fni0xqi4-1226657098067
OHS:Ten Queensland Rides Given Prohibition Notices
Amusement ride safety has once again become a hot topic after a young child was flung 10m from a frisbee ride only a few weeks ago.
Carnival Land Amusements, the ride operator, had recently passed an official audit conducted by Workplace Health and Safety when the accident occurred.
In order to maintain safety standards, OHS inspectors frequently do random audits at shows,carnivals and fetes — where they assess the rides against the Amusement Devices National Auditing Tool.
Currently over 200 inspectors are employed and continue to conduct audits on rides all over the country– with 663 assessments last year alone.
The peak industry body, the Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association has also developed a private audit – AMSAFE – through which members can gain another safety “tick”.
Amusement ride inspecting engineer of 13 years Brian Bradley said most operators maintained their equipment and complied with the regulations
Mr Gidlow said a Prohibition Notice was reserved for rides that were likely to cause injury or illness.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/ten-amusement-rides-found-to-be-dangerous-and-temporarily-shut-down-last-year/story-fnii5v70-1226650511597
Kambah Family Suffers Asbestos Exposure
WorkSafe ACT will direct a Canberra builder to the Director of Public Prosecutions after workers risked the lives of a Kambah family by risking exposing them to asbestos.
Over a month ago, parents Justin and Erin Thompson had to leave their home for more than three weeks after builders used angle grinders to cut through asbestos sheeting during bathroom renovations, contaminating the family’s home.
”Our neighbour came over and told us he thought there was asbestos being placed out the front of our house,” Mr Thompson said.
”He confronted the builder and the guy told him he didn’t know what he was talking about, so our neighbour called WorkSafe and they tested it and confirmed it was very dangerous.”
Over 120 personal items, such as dozens of contaminated children’s toys, had to be destroyed in order to prevent further risks to the family.
WorkSafe ACT Commissioner Mark McCabe said they had issued three prohibition notices,as well as two improvement notices and two infringements.
”There is no such thing as asbestos which is not dangerous so this is very concerning, especially coming from an established company who members of the public would assume they can trust,” he said.
”We are treating this case very seriously and my advice for anyone worried about what work is being undertaken at their home is to immediately contact ACT Planning and Land Authority or WorkSafe and we will investigate.”
NSW Electrical Trades Union assistant secretary Neville Betts was appalled at the case. ‘The poor buggers sat through three days of asbestos risk because of the dodgy builder,” he said. ”I have had a quick chat to some other union members and we have asked the family to give us a list of the children’s toys so we can replace them.”
More info on Asbestos Training
Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/family-exposed-to-deadly-asbestos-20130517-2jsjg.html#ixzz2UNBODBuv
Cert IV/Comcare HSR Training Provider AlertForce Attends HSR Hearing
Australia’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and environmental training company, AlertForce (AF), has been successfully offering their Comcare approved 5-day Health and Safety Representative (HSR) training course. Recently, AF attending a hearing that showcased training principles behind HSR training. (Photos below).
The HSR courses teach individuals how to be a central part of the partnership between employer and employee. A HSR’s duty includes tasks such as inspecting the workplace for safety lapses, accompanying an investigator during an inquiry, investigate OHS complaints, and initiate safety protocols.
OHS:Worker’s Arm Caught in Olive Crushing Machine
WorkSafe ACT is reviewing safety conditions at a Narrabundah business where a worker’s arm was became wedged into an olive-crushing machine.
Crews were required to use hydraulic tools in order to release the machine’s hold on the man’s hand and he was then transported to Canberra Hospital by ACT Ambulance service.
The man suffered injuries to the lower part of his arm. A spokesperson for the hospital was reportedly unable to comment on the man’s condition beyond the fact that he had been receiving continued treatment.
ACT WorkSafe Commissioner Mark McCabe said the authority had handed out a prohibition notice on the equipment in addition to an official do not disturb notice throughout the area. A full investigation is being considered.
McCabe stated that investigators would deliberate on whether the business owner’s are required to comply with regulations established by the Work Health and Safety Act.
”WorkSafe has some serious concerns about the processes in place,” Mr McCabe said. ”Our serious investigations unit are looking at the issues involved and once we clarify the situation we will investigate how this incident came to take place.”
Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/mans-arm-caught-in-olive-crusher-20130530-2nd7j.html#ixzz2VE70ihgG
Asbestos Training: ComCare To Be Grilled Over Duties
The Federal Opposition believes the Government is putting Tasmanian national broadband rollout contractors at an avoidable risk of asbestos exposure.
NBN alleges that contractors working on the rollout had not been exposed, but Electrical Trades Union is not convinced.
Unionist Michael Anderson says workers had likely been put at risk, and the federal work safety regulator CommCare has not been lapsing in its duties.
“With a risk as big as asbestos, I thought they would’ve been going to their utmost to fix it,” he said.
ComCare was poised to face senate committee.
Liberal Senator Eric Abetz says it has serious questions to answer.
“We will be asking as to who is responsible,” he said.
But he already has one culprit in mind.
“Political agenda to roll out the NBN as quickly as possible ahead of people’s well-being,” Senator Abetz said.
He paralleled it to the pink batts program during the global financial crisis.
More on Asbestos Training
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-01/safety-regulator-to-be-grilled-over-asbestos-risk/4727334?section=tas
Company Faces $100K Fine for Breaching Occupational Health and Safety Act
A project management company has been fined $100,000 after a dogman lost half a leg during an accident at the Port Kembla steelworks.
David Wormleaton’s right leg was amputated below the knee after the March 2009 incident, which occurred during work to dismantle a large sinter cooling system being trialled at the BlueScope Steel site.
Transfield Services Engineering Group (TSEG) was subcontracted to carry out the dismantling work.
Workers were removing pieces of the cooling system when a large fabricated steel frame weighing 1.7 tonnes and measuring 2.3 metres high and 8.1 metres long toppled onto Mr Wormleaton, causing serious crush injuries.
He was unaware that nuts securing the structure to concrete had been loosened and removed by other workers before it was to be secured by chains to a crane.
WorkCover launched an investigation into the incident, which led to proceedings in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission in April.
TSEG pleaded guilty to a breach of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and was fined $100,000.
The court found TSEG had failed to put in place adequate safety processes to prevent the frame from being unbolted before it had been attached by chains to the crane.
Last year, building firm Thomas and Coffey pleaded guilty to two charges and was fined $270,000 over the incident.
Thomas and Coffey was a subcontractor on the project which in turn contracted Allstate Cranes and Plant Hire, for whom Mr Wormleaton worked.
WorkCover NSW’s General Manager of Work Health and Safety Division John Watson said safety for workers must be the highest priority for all employers, especially those working in manufacturing or with heavy machinery.
“Working with such heavy machinery or large products can be very dangerous, which is why every safety precaution must be taken,” he said.
Mr Watson said WorkCover would work with TSEG to ensure no similar incidents occurred in the future.
During court proceedings, a company representative expressed remorse and regret over the incident and said arrangements had been made for a safety and fund-raising program to assist Mr Wormleaton.
More info on occupational health and safety
Source: http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1562969/firm-fined-after-man-loses-leg-in-accident/?cs=12
OHS:WorkSafe Crackdowns on Apprentice Safety
High-risk apprentices will now be safer following a renewed crackdown on construction projects by WorkSafe ACT
Commissioner Mark McCabe released two new sets of guidance requirements for apprentice supervision.
Under these new requirements, apprentices and trainees are prohibited from working without mandated supervision or without required accreditation
”We have seen several accidents in recent months involving apprentices working alone doing high-risk work,” Mr McCabe said.
”Supervisors should be aware that they are responsible for the safety of all of their workers, and especially apprentices and trainees, who require a higher level of supervision than experienced workers.”
Last February, Fairfax Media reported young electrical apprentices were illegally being told to work despite no proper supervision and completing jobs charged at the full commercial electrician’s rate.
A WorkSafe audit and compliance campaign was launched following two serious accidents in the ACT in which apprentices suffered from electric shocks while working without supervision.
Mr McCabe said ”I am releasing these new guidance notes as part of a campaign to ensure that all supervisors understand and adhere to this responsibility,” he said.
”Failure to do so could not only lead to severe penalties for supervisors, it could cost lives.”
The guidance notes for construction and electrical call for risk assessment and proper supervision as well as fines of $3 million for corporations and $600,000 and even up to five years imprisonment for individuals who breach the rules.
The notes state that licensed electricians must be present when an apprentice is carrying out licensed electrical work as a suitably qualified person must be present to oversee output by apprentices and trainees.
Mr McCabe said closer scrutiny of supervision of apprentices by WorkSafe inspectors in the ACT would begin in coming months.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/crackdown-on-work-sites-for-apprentices-20130520-2jx8v.html#ixzz2UMhWD9z3
Fire Safety: Vic Firefighters Concerned With Compensation
Distraught Victorian firefighters have called out the emergency services minister regarding the state government’s failure to pass illness compensation laws.
Currently firefighters in Victoria who have contracted cancer that may have been caused by their workplace conditions are not covered by WorkCover payments.
However a small contingent of firefighters employed by the commonwealth, mostly at airports, are able to claim government comp since a 2011 federal law was passed.
Firefighter Marcel Van Elmpt says commonwealth firefighters are covered by compensation legislation if there is a fire at the airport, but if they needed support, state crews would not get the same coverage.
“Same fires, same exposures, same carcinogens, same cancers, but we’re not covered,” he said.
Mr Wells said the government was anticipating a report by Monash University due to be released next year before decisions are made on the future.
He said Victoria had almost 60,000 volunteer firefighters that needed to be taken into account and the laws only apply for full-time firefighters.
“It would be unfair to deal with some people in the CFA (Country Fire Authority) and not other people in the CFA for example.”
United Firefighters Union national secretary Peter Marshall said there was a clear link between occupational cancer and firefighting.
Marshal stated that firefighters based in Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania covered volunteer firefighters.
“There is no excuse for any further delay on legislation protecting firefighters here,” he said.
“As we speak, it’s an emotive issue, but it’s a real issue – firefighters are dying from occupational cancer.”
More info on Fire Safety
Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/vic-firefighters-angry-over-compensation/story-fni0xqi4-1226644497015
Heritage-Listed Cinema Deemed Unsafe Amidst Asbestos Dangers
The owner of Piccadilly Cinemas has declared the heritage-listed building “totally unsafe” following two ceiling collapses that “narrowly missed the customers.”
Recently WorkSafe undertook a risk assessment the buildings “flaking” asbestos roof.
Veteran cinema operator Cyril Watson and his lawyer had reportedly sent a letter to the agents for the landlord pleading for urgent attention to waterproof the roof and “safeguard and suppress the asbestos materials used in the roof”. The matters had been discussed early in a face-to-face meeting last November.
Worksafe inspectors recently visited the cinema and ordered 14 improvement notices.
One of the improvement notice called the the cinema out for breaching Occupational Safety and Health Regulations by failing to have an asbestos register. Watson has been until August 9 to conduct an identification and risk assessment on the asbestos and to record all data at an onsite register.
“Since that time we have had preliminary plans prepared by the conservation architect for the arcade and theatre to understand what can and cannot be done to the building. In respect of the asbestos roof … sheet asbestos roofing is a stable form of asbestos in particular when painted. Many schools in WA have this form of roofing. That is not to say we will not be replacing it when we renovate the arcade, but it is not at the point where it should be replaced immediately.”
But WA Asbestos Diseases Society president Robert Vojakovic called on the health department for urgent attention and to investigate the issues in order to ease the minds of patrons and workers alike.
Mr Vojakovic upon seeing photos, described the site as being in a very poor state and appeared to be “friable” in places. “If the dust can reach the cinema then there is a risk,” he said. “The Department of Health or Perth City Council need to have a look at the situation. It’s a public facility; it must be free of risk.”
Roof plumber Rick Rogers, discussed the condition of the cinema stating”It is in poor condition, it’s quite flaky,” he said. “My old man died of asbestosis at 48. You are talking to a guy who is pretty paranoid.”
A Worksafe spokeswoman said inspectors didn’t see any cause for concern on the inside of the cinema because the asbestos roof is on the outside of the building.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said its officials were unaware of any issues at the Piccadilly. “Issues regarding the management of asbestos in the workplace should be directed to the Department of Commerce (WorkSafe WA),” she said. “When required, the department will assist WorkSafe by providing toxicology advice and public health risk assessments.”
More info on Asbestos Training
Source: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/horror-movie-right-here-in-the-cbd/story-fnhocxo3-1226650604784
SA Lost Over 1.5K Years Of Productivity Due To OHS Claims
WorkCover recently revealed that SA businesses lost over one and a half thousand years worth of productivity during the 2011/12 period due to compensation claims.
According to the safety watchdog, the loss of productivity resulted in a loss of $208 million to businesses.
Statistics from the WorkCover SA website report that the workers compensation claims amounted to over 560,000 days of lost productivity which is equivalent to 1536 years of work.
On top of the days lost, almost 30,000 claims for workers compo for workplace injuries and illnesses incurred in the 2011/12 period have so far cost the SA Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Scheme approx. $208 million (an average daily cost in excess of $7800).
Chief Executive Officer of WorkCoverSA, Greg McCarthy, stated the reducing the cost of workers compo in SA is in everyone’s best interest and prevention is more efficient than the cure. McCarthy added that in cases where an injury has occurred, employers should be supportive of the injured workers and help them return to work swiftly and safely.
WorkCoverSA’s Experience Rating System, introduced in July 2012, rewards medium and large employers with lower workers’ compensation premiums for good claims performance.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.in-business.com.au/news/story/2013-5-24/15918
WareHouse Safety: Safety Breachs Responsible for Severed Finger
A recent incident resulted in a serious injury of an employee and a serious fine for an Australian employer for poor work safety practices.
The Industrial Court dished out a $28,000 fine (plus legal fees) to Improved Timber Pty Ltd following an incident that resulted in the severed finger of a worker. The worker was injured while working on a machine that had no guard in place which SafeWork SA has deemed a “failure to ensure machinery was in safe condition” for workers.
The incident occurred in February 2012 while the worker was being supervised operating the docking saw. The worker was holding timber in place when the blade caught his head, severing his left index finger. The worker was forced to take 10 weeks off for recuperation time as a result of his injury.
Magistrate Stephen Lieschke stated that the injury could have been avoided or reduced had a guard been placed over the saw or other operation controls.
Guard & Controls Have Been Installed Since Injury
Lieschke, revealed that Improved Timber had recently installed a guard and other controls to avoid further incidents and operators are no longer at risk or injury.SafeWork SA Executive Director Bryan Russell called on employers to conduct hazard and risk assessments on machinery and tasks.
“The Industrial Court’s decision reminds all employers of their duty of care to prevent a worker suffering an injury,” stated Bryan Russell, executive director of SafeWork SA.
The employer faced a maximum penalty of $300,000 however the court has since imposed a total penalty of $35,000, due to Improved Timber’s guilty plea, cooperation with SafeWork SA and statement of responsibility and contrition.
More info on Warehouse Safety Training
Source: http://www.workerscompensation.com/compnewsnetwork/workers-comp-blogwire/16705-worker-severed-finger-due-to-lack-of-work-place-safety.html
Poultry Worker Hospitalised After Machine Pulled His Arm
A poultry worker from Geelong was hospitalised when his arm was pulled into a cutting machine at Turi Foods’ Golden Farms Breakwater plant . The 40-year old man was dragged into the machine after his clothing become caught in the machinery.
He was immediately taken to Geelong Hospital for emergency surgery to treat a deep cut and torn muscle in upper
WorkSafe officials are currently looking into the incident that they deemed as non-life-threatening.
National Union of Workers lead organiser Belinda Jacobi revealed that unions had recently visited the site following member’s safety concerns.
“We have very serious concerns about injury rates in this industry,” Ms Jacobi said.
“A survey of 1000 workers showed 35 per cent have sustained an injury in the workplace and we’ve had fatalities.”
Jacobi cited the union’s main concerns as the line speeds of processing plants, with the Breakwater facility handling 100,000 birds a day while having employment through casual and contract roles which, she said, contributed to risk.
“We understand he (the victim) was intending to return to India today for a holiday to see his family,” she said.
“Members had told us of concerns at the plant and we will continue our campaign.
“Our members who work in food processing should be able to work safely.”
Golden Farms did not respond to a request for comment.
In 2009, major poultry company Baiada, the safety record of which had been the subject of a coronial inquest, was forced by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to offload the Breakwater plant to Turi Foods for its acquisition of poultry giant Bartter to be approved.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source : http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2013/05/20/365368_news.html
Working At Heights: Maintenance Worker Falls 2.5 m
A Worksafe investigation is being conducted at a Hazelwood Power Station following an incident involving the injury of a worker. The maintenance worker suffered significant head injuries following his 2.5 metre fall. Emergency Services stablised the man prior to airlifting him to Alfred Hospital where he remains in stable condition.
The worker is employed by Hazelwood’s major maintenance contractor Fluor. He is believed to have been spotting a maintenance taks on a station boiler when he fell.
Mantenance unions and Incolink counsellors have visited the site where they are assessing the situation and assisting the injured worker’s colleagues wherever needed.
A spokesperson for GDF SUEZ Australian Energy, the owner operator of Hazelwood Power Station, said the worker was in the vicinity of a bunker when the incident occurred.
More info on Working at Heights
Source: http://www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au/story/1521752/hazelwood-worker-stable-after-fall/?cs=1462
Risk Management:Coroner Told Wall Collapse Inquest May Take Years
The Victorian Coroners Court has been informed that potential criminal charges over the deadly Melbourne wall collapse may delay inquests for several years.
A brother and sister, Alexander and Bridget Jones and French national Marie Faith Fiawoo were all killed as a result of the collapsing wall from March’s high winds.
Coroner Ian Gray confirmed in a hearing that there may be delays but he remains confident that an inquest may occur at the same time as other court proceedings
Fiawoo’s family lawyer raised concerns that any delays in the inquiry may cause undue stress for the families.
Another lawyer, William Southey believes the delay should be be minimised.
“Delays in cases like this can sometimes be unavoidable,” he said.
“We just hope, on behalf of both families, that the delay will be minimised to the greatest possible extent.
“And we are confident that the state coroner will do his very best to ensure that that’s done.”
An inquest brief is being prepared for the coroner which analyze the the history of the wall, regulations around hoarding attached to the wall and conditions on the day of the collapse.
Construction giant Grocon and Worksafe are also running separate investigations.
More info on Risk Management
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-23/victorian-coroner-says-wall-collapse-inquest-may-be-delayed-for/4708322?section=vic
Verdict Reached For 2 Year Old Asbestos Case
A Sydney judge has finally reached a verdict two years after hearing a case against the founder of the Clean Up Israel environmental campaign. The accused was said to have been causing land and water pollution by allegedly dumping asbestos-contaminated waste on his property Wollondilly.
Justice Rachel Pepper from the Land and Environment Court admitted that the delay in the hearing against Foxman and his company was “unacceptable and regrettable”.
It has also come to light that the delay affected other prosecutions relating to the incident which subsequently stalled any development or clean up at the site since the reported 2010 dumping.
The Land and Environment Court stated their intentions to deliver most delayed judgments within three months.
”However, competing demands, complex cases and judicial leave can sometimes make this deadline unattainable,” it said.
Following eight days of hearings in February and March 2011, Justice Pepper delayed her verdict on the matter.
Foxman and his company have been accused of unlawfully disposing of up to 35,000 tonnes of soil ridden asbestos on his Wollondilly construction site.
Foxman attempted to defend the actions and stated that the delay had had significant effects on him and his company and it was ”extraordinary and unjust to have to wait so long”.
”I have had no way of clearing my name and that has had a devastating effect,” he said. ”It is a horrible situation … I have not been able to put a shovel in the ground for three years.”
More info on Asbestos Training
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/asbestos-verdict-in-two-years-20130518-2jtaj.html#ixzz2TyR5q8PQ
SafeWork/EPA Dish Out Notices For Asbestos Issues
Safework and the EPA have handed out a total of 74 compliance notices to 11 licensed removers after conducting a recent audit.
The notices call for improvements on a variety of matters including asbestos removal methods, safe storage and the frequency of respiratory equipment testing.
SafeWork SA executive director Bryan Russell revealed that this was simply the the first stage of a statewide audit of 70 licensed removalists.
“We will not be happy until asbestos is removed entirely from all workplaces but obviously that’s a long-term vision and we’re working towards ensuring that the safest possible processes are in place to manage asbestos in its current form,” he said.
Mr Russell has been pleased with cooperation most companies have had with them.
“This is not something that you would be complacent with. Asbestos is not an area that we would ever say that we are satisfied with what’s happening,” he said.
“We will remain vigilant and we expect businesses to be vigilant with respect to the management of asbestos.
More info on Asbestos Training
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-23/compliance-notices-issued-over-asbestos/4707804?section=sa
OHS:Mine Worker Measles Leads to Statewide Alert
A statewide alert has been raised following the diagnosis of a Central Queensland mine worker with measles.
Queensland Health’s communicable diseases unit acting senior director Stephen Lambert stated that the Moranbah mine worker had contact with several mining colleagues and others over the past few weeks. Investigators are concerned that he may have infected others.
He said many of the mine workers had returned to homes throughout Queensland.
Dr Lambert said measles was a serious infection, particularly in children too young to be immunised.
“Up to one-third of young adults who are infected will be hospitalised,” he said.
The Moranbah mine worker who has triggered the measles alert is believed to have contracted the virus while holidaying in Asia.
Dr Lambert said the man had been in the dining room of Moranbah’s Grosvenor Village camp in the last week of April.
He said Queensland Health was asking anyone who may have been exposed to the virus to seek medical advice if symptoms developed.
They should alert their general practitioners they may have measles before attending the clinic.
“Measles is one of the most infectious of all communicable diseases and is spread by tiny droplets through coughing and sneezing,” Dr Lambert said.
Symptoms usually start around 10 days after becoming infected and include a fever, lethargy, runny nose, a cough and sore, red eyes followed by a blotchy red rash.
Measles complications can include pneumonia and inflammation of the brain. The infection can occasionally be fatal.
More on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/moranbah-mine-workers-measles-prompts-alert/story-e6freoof-1226637798701
Asbestos Training: Mesothelioma and 9/11
Fallout: 9/11 and the Risk of Ground Zero
It is no secret the terrible attack on the World Trade Centre on September 11,2001 had many affects on the lives of New Yorkers. Over 2,500 lives were tragically taken on that day and the days to follow. Now, over ten years later, the general public is taking notice of more WTC casualities as the nation’s first responders, and NYC residents are dying of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related disease.
Doctors and other experts have long predicted that the future held an onslaught of mesolthelioma cases in the NYC area which was caused by the torrent of asbestos fibres that rained down on the city’s fire fighters, police, paramedics and other local residents. Those who remained in the city can recall that lower manhattan was covered in a grayish dust which was said to be consisted of glass shards, asbestos, lead, mercury, cadmium, dioxins and various other dangerous substances.
It is unclear how much asbestos was actually released into the air upon the demolition of the the towers’ remains. However, the WTC construction had commenced before the use of asbestos was banned. Subsequently, a spray-on asbestos fire retardant was reportedly used in the lower section of the towers. When use of asbestos was banned in 1971, the remaining areas of the towers were fitted with a different insulating material. Despite this, it is said that up to 400 tonnes of asbestos fiber was in the buildings when they collapsed.
Many first-responders developed immediate health problems such as the “The World Trade Centre Cough” . One study even revealed that over 85% of those who initially responded to the tragedy were suffering from some sort of respiratory illness. Studies have shown that over 110,000 (est) people have potentially been exposed to the deadly substance.
These same reports show that in an effort to quickly clean up debris, proper precautions were not taken to protect workers from harm nor were standard and necessary asbestos abatement procedures followed.
Asbestos related deaths are expected to increase drastically, not just in NY, but throughout the world as well due to it being commonly used in the past for building and construction material. As the popularity of DIY home renovation tv-series’ increase, do do the amount of people who practice it which has subsequently raised the risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos related disease.
More info on Asbestos Training
Source: http://www.mesotheliomasos.com/
What’s New in the WHS Act?
Does the new legislation have just a bit of new jargon for me to learn or are there real and significant changes? How might things have changed for my business under the new legislation and am I more or less liable than I was under the old. In fact, who is really responsible for my health and the health and safety and everyone else at work.
For a lot of people the shock is that most people are now ‘workers’. No more soft touches like ‘employee’, ‘staff’ under this legislation. Of course, in actuality people at work still fall under these definitions, these terms still exist in language and we may use them in our own organisations. At work we are workers unless we qualify as an ‘officer’ as defined the Commonwealth Corporations Act 2001 (which by the way is 800 pages – long the biggest in the world – by comparison, Sweden’s is only 200 pages). So who is an ‘officer’, well, anyone who may influence the governance of an organisation. So, hands on the purse strings or making decisions about how and where the organisations resources may be spent, you are it! And you must demonstrate positive due diligence. Really, it makes sense. Why should the vital role of health and safety of everyone in a workplace be treated differently to, say, the management of financial risks. It assists in linking health and safety to productivity. It is not an add on but an integral part of good governance. Most particularly in the business is operating in a more hostile environment. For example, construction and mining.
The WHS Act (S27) clearly defines what officers are expected to do in order to exercise due diligence. So, if I tick the boxes and am an officer, under the new legislation, I must take reasonable steps to:
- acquire and keep up-to-date knowledge of work health and safety matters;
- gain an understanding of the nature of the operations of the business or undertaking and of the hazards and risks associated with those operations;
- ensure that the person conducting the business or undertaking has available for use, and uses, appropriate resources and processes to eliminate or minimise risks to health and safety from work carried out as part of the conduct of the business or undertaking;
- ensure that the person conducting the business or undertaking has appropriate processes for receiving and considering information regarding incidents, hazards and risks and responding in a timely way to that information;
- ensure that the person conducting the business or undertaking has, and implements, processes for complying with any duty or obligation of the person conducting the business or undertaking under this Act; and
- verify the provision and use of these resources and processes.
And here is the punch line. IGNORANCE IS NO DEFENCE. You cannot say ‘I didn’t know the gun was loaded’. Read the points 1-6 above again. You may allocate the work to another (a worker!) but not the responsibility. And you must VERIFY VERIFY….
This does not let workers off the hook. Under the legislation worker must take reasonable care of themselves and others in a workplace. Noticing hazards and risks and reporting them up the line is essential if officers are to have the knowledge and information they require to adequately allocate resources to the management of health and safety.
OHS:Subcontractors To Be Hit by Compensation Scheme Changes
Subcontractors are among those expected to lose access to the state’s workers’ compensation scheme under changes due to be introduced into Parliament this week.
Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie said the Government was moving to change the definition of a worker under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act.
“We’ve come up with a plan to do what they did at the federal level and have the definition of worker the same as the Australian Tax Office and PAYG definition,” Mr Bleijie said.
The move, which would repeal changes made by the Beattie government in 1999, comes less than four weeks before a parliamentary committee is due to report back with the findings of its review of the WorkCover scheme.
Unions are expected to object to the change, which will largely affect the construction and transport sectors.
But Mr Bleijie said he believed no worker would be worse off.
He said the change had been requested by the WorkCover board following a litany of complaints from businesses that had been audited and fined because they found the current definition confusing.
In one instance, Mr Bleijie said a business was left with a $600,000 bill following an audit, even though its employees were independent contractors.
“These poor guys never anticipated this because they never thought they were actually in the WorkCover scheme,” he said. “It is a genuine issue that’s impacting a lot of businesses.
“My view is if a tradie comes in with their own ute, all their own tools, their trailer … and they’ve got their own work insurance so they should be an independent contractor and not fall under the definition.
“But if you look at the technical nature of it, they do fall under the worker definition … which is hitting business hard in Queensland.”
He defended the move to introduce changes to the scheme before the parliamentary committee’s review of WorkCover had been finalised.
About 17 submissions to the review raised the definition as an issue needing investigation with the committee hearing arguments for and against such changes during public hearings.
Some raised fears employers could exploit the change by forcing workers to become independent contractors so they did not have to pay WorkCover premiums while other submitters said the change would benefit workers and business.
“We are going to amend that before the review is finished because we want to give some immediate certainty to business and to WorkCover and to workers that they are either in the WorkCover or they are not in the WorkCover scheme.”
If passed, the change will be in place by July 1.
“You are either a worker or you’re an independent contractor. Absolutely no one will be worse off,” Mr Bleijie said.
“The benefit will flow to both parties because people will be less confused and you may avoid a situation where a worker believes they are under WorkCover but the employer thinks they are an independent contractor.”
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/subcontractors-likely-to-be-hit-hard-by-changes-to-workers-compensation-scheme/story-e6freoof-1226631860536
Construction Safety: Union Delivers List of Demands Follow Worker Death
THE CFMEU has delivered a list of demands to the employers of a Canadian backpacker killed in an accident on a Sydney construction site earlier this month. Mathieu Lopez-Linares, 22, suffered fatal head and chest injuries when he was hit by metal beams during the demolition of a building in Camperdown, in inner Sydney, on April 13.
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union said Lopez-Linares was on a temporary working visa and was not paid any superannuation during the two weeks he worked at the site. It is demanding employers pay $225,000 to the Lopez-Linares family, an amount representative of the death benefit that would have been payable to his family had the company been paying his superannuation.
CFMEU NSW secretary Brian Parker said yesterday the union had raised concerns over safety at the Australia Street site two weeks before the accident. Mr Parker alleged that foreign workers on Ceerose sites were underpaid and did not receive full entitlements. The union is also demanding the alleged underpayments be paid.
A temporary truce has been reached between the union and Ceerose representatives, agreeing to further meetings this week. Unions have threatened further disruptions if the matter is not settled by Monday. A Ceerose spokesperson said the company was co-operating with the WorkCover investigation into the death.
The spokesperson said Ceerose was not the man’s direct employer and invoices for wages were provided to them by the parent company of One Stop Work Force, the labour hire company that employed Lopez-Linares. One Stop Work Force would not comment on the matter yesterday, citing the ongoing investigation. The union said the company was not present in yesterday’s negotiations. Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
More info on Construction Safety
Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/industrial-relations/cfmeu-seeks-super-for-dead-worker/story-fn59noo3-1226631857583
Unions to Submit Asbestos Report on Telstra Site
Workplace safety watchdog Comcare verified reports that it is looking into various issues at the Telstra pits.
Federal Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, and companies heading the $37.4 billion National Broadband Network (NBN) out of Tasmania are poised to receive a report on asbestos issues related to the construction project .
Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) official David Mier recalled that approximately 85 per-cent of contractors working in asbestos ridden pits, lacked the necessary safety training.
Mier stated the lack of training by NBN co-contractor Visionstream, have left the pits exposed and liable to endanger lives.
Network builder NBN Co claims to be awaiting further details from the union as to whether or not the asbestos dangers exist on its sites.
Source: http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/461380/union_deliver_nbn_asbestos_report/
OHS:Comcare Fronts Meditation Bill for Former Worker
The federal government workers’ compensation fund has been ordered to pay for philosophy and mindfulness classes for a former Canberra public servant who has not worked for 14 years.
Eleanor Rope was injured in a car crash in 1987 when she was a federal public servant.
She had another fall at work and left on invalidity grounds in 1999.
Mrs Rope has suffered chronic pain and depression and received taxpayer-funded compensation for medical care, including travel to Townsville to receive specialist treatment not available in Canberra.
Last year her doctor recommended mindfulness meditation classes at the Canberra School of Practical Philosophy, but Comcare refused to pay.
The Administrative Appeals Tribunal has now ruled such classes are therapeutic and Mrs Rope is entitled to compensation of $110 per term for the cost of the course.
It also found Comcare should consider paying her travel costs of about $100 for a taxi from her farm outside Canberra to the classes in Barton.
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-10/comcare-pays-for-meditation-for-former-public-servant/4680972?section=act
Are you a bullying bystander?
Is bullying a bit like background noise in your organisation?
Bullying can be like something you notice in the work place and just get used to and accept as part of the work environment. That is, of course, unless it is happening to you. For others it may be a bit like loud noise, some airborne pollutants – a bit irritating but not causing any immediate problem. Much less an immediate illness or injury, which is the way most health and safety risks present themselves to workers and management. Like noise causing deafness many years on, bullying can have long term and delayed effects. It may of course also have immediate effects.
In Australia there may be between 2.5 million and 5 million people experiencing some aspects of bullying at work. This is the estimate made by The Beyond Bullying Association.
What is it?
Workplace bullying[1] can be any negative behaviour that demonstrates a lack of regard for other workers. The Human Rights Commission defines workplace bullying as verbal, physical, social or psychological abuse by an employer (or manager), another person or a group of people at work. It can happen in any type of workplace, from offices to shops, cafes, restaurants, workshops, community groups and government organisations. It can happen to volunteers, work experience students, interns, apprentices, casual and permanent employees.
Responsibility of employers
People conducting a business or undertaking (employers) have a legal responsibility under health and safety and anti-discrimination law to provide a safe workplace. Employers have a duty of care for the health and wellbeing of workers and others in the workplace at work. An employer that allows bullying to occur in the workplace is not meeting this responsibility.
Let’s take the scenario – I know it happening but…….. [2].
Then you are a bystander. A bystander is someone who sees or knows about bullying or other forms of violence that is happening to someone else. Bystanders can be either part of the bullying problem or an important part of the solution to stop bullying.
Bystanders can act in different ways when they see or know about bullying. Some bystanders take the side of the bully by laughing at the victim, encouraging the bully or by passing on text messages or messages on social media sites like Facebook and YouTube. Some bystanders will give silent approval or encourage the bully by looking on. Some bystanders may watch or know about the bullying but don’t do anything. They may not know what to do or are scared. This group of bystanders knows that bullying is not OK.
Some bystanders will be supportive and take safe action to stop the bully, find help or support the victim
Supportive bystanders
Just as we have human rights we also have responsibilities to respect and protect the rights of others. A supportive bystander will take action to protect the rights of others. A supportive bystander will use words and/or actions that can help someone who is being bullied. If bystanders are confident to take safe and effective action to support victims then there is a greater possibility that bullying can stop and the person who is bullied can recover.
People respect those that stand up for others who are bullied but being a supportive bystander can be tough. Sometimes it is not easy to work out how to help safely because bullying happens in different ways and places such as online, at work or school. There is no one size fits all approach to being a supportive bystander. For supportive bystanders to take safe and effective action here are some suggestions:
- Make it clear to your friends that you won’t be involved in bullying behaviour
- Never stand by and watch or encourage bullying behaviour
- Do not harass, tease or spread gossip about others, this includes on social networking sites like Facebook
- Never forward on or respond to messages or photos that may be offensive or upsetting
- Support the person who is being bullied to ask for help e.g. go with them to a place they can get help or provide them with information about where to go for help
- Report it to someone in authority or someone you trust e.g. at school to a teacher, or a school counsellor; at work to a manager; if the bullying is serious, report it to the police; if the bullying occurs on Facebook, report it to Facebook.
What sort of bystander are you?
Some additional resources you may appreciate
Supportive Bystander Fact Sheet
The Commonwealth Fairwork Ombudsman can provide information and advice about Australia’s workplace rights and rules and protection against harassment and discrimination. Call 131394
If you are looking for help and advice because you are experiencing workplace bullying you may go to:
WorkSafe ACT or call 02 6207 3000
WorkCover NSW or call 13 10 50
NT WorkSafe or call 1800 019 115
SafeWork SA or call 1300 365 255
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland or call the young workers advisory service 1800 232 000 and the Workplace Bullying hotline 1800 177 717
WorkSafe WA or call 1300 655266
Unions Australia or call the Workers helpline 1300 486 466
[1] Some types of workplace bullying are criminal offences. If this is the case report it to the police
[2] This information on bullying bystanders is largely taken from the Human Rights Commission website
OHS: Falling Gate Kills Worker
A 32-year-old man was killed when a steel gate pinned him between it and a vehicle. The industrial accident occured at Bayswater North earlier last week.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the incident occurred just after 7pm at an automotive engineering factory in Clipsal Drive.
It is believed three men were working on a large steel gate at the factory when the heavy object suddenly fell from its track.
The gate then landed on one of the men and pinned him between the gate and a vehicle.
Emergency personnel were unable to revive the 32-year-old Croydon man.
Police said the two other men, believed to be a 55-year-old from Ringwood East and a 44-year-old from Donvale, were not injured.
WorkSafe Victoria also attended the site and will prepare a report for the coroner in conjunction with police.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/man-crushed-killed-by-falling-gate-20130509-2j8sm.html#ixzz2T3n3JEkG
NBN Roll Out Work Stopped Amid Asbestos Concerns
Calls for a work stoppage on Tasmania’s NBN roll-0ut have emerged amid asbestos exposure concerns.
The Electrical Trades Union’s David Mier reported having visited approximately 13 sites around Hobart, with some next to asbestos pits.
He alleged that only a small number of subcontractors at the sites had received mandatory asbestos training.
“Not only are they exposing themselves to the potential of asbestos fibres, but the general public as well,” he said.
“Clearly I’d be suggesting the work should cease until they’ve been adequately trained.”
Mier is concerned over reports that uninformed workers are digging up asbestos-lined telephone pits.
“Potentially it can put lives at risk, the workforce and the general public,” he said.
“I’ll be writing a chronology of events and a precis of what we’ve seen here and we’ll be submitting that to Conroy and NBN Co and we’ll be asking questions: why aren’t their obligations being fulfilled?”
The agency responsible for the safety of workers installing the NBN admits there are issues surrounding asbestos.
Comcare has stated intentions of intervening on specific sites.
It says it is working with NBN Co to improve current systems, including around asbestos awareness training.
NBN Co released a statement saying it is investigating the claims.
Its contractor Visionstream says its workers have all received training in asbestos awareness and handling.
Federal Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has been contacted for comment.
Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/nbn-rollout-hits-asbestos-snag/story-fn3dxiwe-1226637791432
OHS:Rural Death Causes Plea For Safety
The WorkSafe commissioner says the agriculture industry must undergo a cultural change to prevent any more fatal accidents.
A 65-year-old man was killed on Tuesday at a potato farm near Pemberton while trying to stop a truck that was rolling down a hill.
It is the sixth death in the sector this financial year.
Lex McCulloch says while the industry only accounts for 3 per cent of the workforce Australia-wide, it accounts for 35 per cent of workplace deaths.
“We’re moving to a very busy time of the year, it’s really important that they assess the risks of the work they’re doing, they put in place strategies to minimise and mitigate those risks and that they use … [equipment] consistent with the manufacturer’s instructions,” he said.
“They do work in quite a dangerous industry, they work long hours but they also need to be really clear about the … [equipment] and the safety requirements … and if they do that and follow the manufacturer’s instructions there’s a good chance that nothing untoward will happen.”
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-09/potato-farm-death-sparks-plea-for-rural-jobs-safety/4679478?§ion=news
OHS:Plasterer Suffers Back Injury
A plasterer suffered a back injury at a construction
A 34-year-old plasterer has been lowered from an O’Malley construction site with a hydraulic lift after suffering a back injury this morning.
The man has received pain relief and was talking to paramedics before he was taken by ambulance to Canberra Hospital.
An ACT Fire & Rescue Skylift hydraulic platform was used to lift the man from the second storey of the private residence on Wallangara Street, as he was unable to use the scaffolding.
Work Safety Commissioner Mark McCabe said inspectors had been on site, but there was no concern over working conditions.
Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/plasterer-injured-in-workplace-incident-20130507-2j4ed.html#ixzz2Sel3EA9T
“It appears the man has bent over to pick something up and his back has knocked up,” he said.
“We don’t believe there’s any worksafe issues.”
ACT Ambulance Service duty officer of operations Steve Mitchell said he was alerted to the incident about 8.45am, and wasn’t aware of the exact details.
“He hasn’t fallen from a height or anything – he said [he was doing] some sort of lifting,” he said.
“This doesn’t appear to be an accident, more an incident.”
Complete Fixset Plastering owner Ron Rawson, the man’s employer, said he understood the worker had been moving a stool at the time of the injury.
Mr Rawson said his company had been on the site for a week.
Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/plasterer-injured-in-workplace-incident-20130507-2j4ed.html#ixzz2Sel0ibZm
National Swimming Team Commences Training Alongside Asbestos Removal At Centre
Asbestos removal has commenced at the Australian Institute of Sport Aquatic Centre even though the country’s elite swimmer’s continue to use the centre. Renovations on the almost thirty-year old building have been ongoing for approximately a month and are expected to continue until the end of the month.
The national swimming team has been centre since Sunday for orientation camp, forcing them to walk past the construction site on the way to training. Tests are conducted on a daily basis to ensure that the particles are not air-borne around the worksite, and barriers and signs are in place to warn passersby of the potential dangers.
Comcare gave the ‘go ahead’ on the asbestos removal after examining the project. The asbestos will be removed from outside the building and replaced with compressed fibro.
A spokesman for the ASC described the asbestos as ”low-risk” and said all the required steps had been followed to ensure its safe removal.
Those include:
■ An ACT-certified asbestos remover being retained to advise on and remove the bonded asbestos sheeting from the site.
■ Comcare approving the project approach and removal of asbestos.
■ An independent organisation conducting daily tests throughout the removal period to verify that no particulate asbestos are found in the air around the worksite.
■ The ASC occupational health and safety adviser being informed and agreeing to the process proposed and remaining on call should any OH&S issues arise.
”An exclusion zone has been set up around the work area to cordon off access from the public and staff since the start of the work,” the spokesman said. ”Arrangements have been put in place to ensure that the removal process complied with applicable work, health and safety laws.”
The AIS pool will be closed to the public from May 19 to June 7 for maintenance work.
More info on Asbestos Training
Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/asbestos-removed-as-athletes-swim-on-20130508-2j8ho.html#ixzz2T1ZcVyNf
Construction Safety: Workers Return To Work Site
Construction workers will recommence work at one of two work sites at Canberra Hospital, following safety disputes.
Numerous workers walked off the job amid concerns about a significant lack of safety representatives on-site.
The construction union, CFMEU, says workers were concerned about a lack of properly elected on-site safety representatives.
CFMEU ACT branch secretary Dean Hall says work has recommenced at the old maternity building site, and more talks are planned between the union and the Leightons company on Wednesday.
But Mr Hall says the issues with GE Shaw at the emergency department site are more complex.
“GE Shaw has raised concerns with us about the [ACT] Government procurement process and the fact that they believe that they have been forced into a situation that they have to engage sham contractors on the site because the actual contract doesn’t allow them to engage direct labour to perform construction,” he said.
“We want them to come with us to the Government to explain to them how they have been forced into this situation where they’ve had to use sham contractors.
“If they persist with using sham contractors then we were going to go out and take further industrial action because we’re not allowing workers to be ripped off in the workplace on the entitlements.”
Mr Hall says the union recommended the workers return to work on a temporary basis until further safety talks and discussions about the use of sham contracting can take place.
“The issue is under all employment law and workers compensation law and superannuation and the long service leave act, when you only supply your labour then you can only be an employee you can’t be a propriety limited company,” he said.
“That’s what’s commonly known as sham contracting.
“Employers engage workers that way to avoid paying them things like superannuation, long service leave, holiday pay and on the side of the worker the appropriate tax rates as well.
“It’s basically a sham or a contract to avoid paying a worker their lawful entitlements.”
Mr Hall says the GE Shaw emergency department site also had major fall protection issues including missing handrails and scaffolding.
More info on Construction Safety
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-07/workers-return-to-hospital-building-site/4674974?section=act
Electrical Safety:Fuller Had Two Close Calls Prior To his Insulation Death
Two life threatening incidents occurred prior to the electrocution of Matthew Fuller, who was killed while installing insulation.
It was revealed in Brisbane’s Magistate’s court that Mr Fuller had received little safety training in his two weeks of starting work with QHI Installations,when one of the life threatening incidents occurred.
A second incident happened to a fellow worker, but in both cases the safety switch avoided further tragedy and little was followed up on.
Workplace Health and Safety principal inspector of investigations Doug Innes said Mr Fuller, along with workmate and girlfriend Monique Pridmore, lacked the necessary experience for their new job and supervision was necessary.
“Given the level of the extreme risk…and no experience, then the measures that should have been in place should have been at the highest level,” he said.
The inquiry was told Mr Fuller received little safety training and had only worked two weeks of the necessary two years of experience needed to perform the installation work.
Mr Innes was speaking at an inquest into the electrocution deaths of Mr Fuller, 16-year-old Rueben Barnes in 2009 and Mitchell Sweeney, 22, who died in 2010.
Mr Fuller and Mr Sweeney had been laying foil insulation using metal staplers and Mr Barnes had been installing fibreglass batts in a “live” ceiling cavity.
Department of Justice principal electrical safety officer Gerard Poynting said every house’s electrical wiring was different and it was often difficult to determine if the power had been completely shut off.
He told the inquiry the federal government initiative was known more commonly as the “pink bat scheme” and could have added to installation confusion.
“I don’t think a lot of people realised aluminum was used,” he said.
The inquiry continues.
More info on Electrical Safety
Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/matthew-fuller-had-life-threatening-near-miss-in-week-before-death-from-electrocution-while-working-on-insulation-scheme/story-e6freoof-1226636752418
Safety Issues At Hospital Denied
Safety concerns at St John of God are “completely untrue”, the oncology nurse manager has argued, despite a senior nurse admitting he almost administered the wrong chemotherapy treatment.
On the second day of a Fair Work hearing into the dismissal of oncology nurse Guy Mitchell, day stay nursing unit manager Anita Edwards painted a picture of an employee who “wouldn’t even say good morning”, was unhappy when he wasn’t in charge and was not a team player.
Ms Edwards told the hearing she believed Mr Mitchell understood he was not to treat a patient who was a friend of his, an order he went against, leading to his termination.
Under cross examination from Mr Mitchell, she said staff were not counselled about bullying inherited from the previous ward staff nor were there numerous safety concerns.
She said she did not speak to Mr Mitchell about “frequent” crossing of patient boundaries by other staff who did not receive warnings and said a complaint from the same patient about another nurse was “poles apart” from his behaviour.
Ms Edwards said she was unaware of his concern about not double checking chemotherapy to the patient was driven partly because he was one of the nurses who had almost given a patient the wrong treatment.
Mr Mitchell said he realised the mistake and removed and discarded the chemotherapy bags and lines before any incorrect treatment entered the patient.
He said he then told Ms Edwards and the treating doctor.
“There were many reasons why we needed to change the policy in regard to checking the chemotherapy,” Ms Edwards said.
“Safety is paramount, we have a process in place and they are dealt with immediately.
“Perceptions of unsafety (at the hospital) are completely untrue.”
She told the hearing she was “absolutely mortified” Mr Mitchell had treated the patient, then asked the patient to write a letter of support, after her “clear” direction not to.
Mr Mitchell highlighted differences between Ms Edwards’s statements to Fair Work and Work Cover to suggest she was an untruthful witness.
He has claimed the meetings and warnings were part of a sustained bullying campaign against him.
The hearing was adjourned to a date to be set.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2013/04/24/363541_news.html
Asbestos Death Toll To Rise
Between 30 and 40 thousand Australians are expected to die from asbestos-related diseases in the next two decades, a Senate inquiry has heard.
The Inquiry into the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency Bill included evidence from Hobart with a vast range of groups who have experienced the deadly building material.
According to David Clement from Asbestoswise, the age of mesothelioma patients is dropping — meaning patients are becoming younger. Clement has attributed this to the growing number of young people who are carrying out home renovations.
Despite widespread ignorance among DIY renovators about the risks, most efforts to increase asbestos awareness for DIY home renovations have all but failed.
“The story we have with home renovations shows is that we have been banging on their doors for years trying to get on,” Mr Clement said.
Simon Crocker, from Asbestos Free Tasmania, said about 12 people a year in the state died from asbestos-related disease.
“We have a poison in our community that’s killing people and it’s going to keep on killing people until we do something,” Mr Crocker said.
He said it should be a legal requirement that sellers disclose whether homes contain asbestos.
“We believe that if somebody knows they have asbestos in the house then they should disclose that at the point of sale,” he said.
More info on Asbestos Training
Source: http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2013/04/24/377653_tasmania-news.html
Human Resources: FWC Struggles With Surge in Bullying Claims
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) will struggle to deal with a sudden overflow of bullying claims once the federal government delegates control of bullying complaints to the workplace tribunal. The warning comes from the employment legal centre JobWatch which claims the tribunal could be required to handle more than 10,000 bullying complaints a year.
A Senate committee is considering the bullying proposals as part of proposed changes by Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten to the Fair Work Act. Under the changes the commission would be required to list any application for consideration within 14 days. It will be able to make orders to deal with the complaint as well as refer matters to the relevant state regulator. Failure to comply with an order of the commission would attract a maximum penalty of up to $33,000.
In a submission to the committee, JobWatch welcomed the 14-day time limit but questioned the commission’s capacity to “deal with what will undoubtedly be a massive influx of stop bullying applications”. In the 12 months to July 2011, WorkSafe Victoria received more than 6000 complaints about workplace bullying. “If this figure is extrapolated across all Australian states and territories, even by a conservative estimate, the FWC is going to receive hundreds, if not thousands, of stop bullying applications per year, possibly even more than 10,000,” it says.
More info on Human Resources
Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/industrial-relations/fwc-faces-massive-influx-of-bully-claims/story-fn59noo3-1226629608512
Fatigue Management:12-Hour Shifts Killing Workers
Recent research has revealed that workers suffer a multitude of problems that are associated with working 12-hour shifts and rotating shifts. Some of these problems can include a disturbed body-clock, shortened and distorted sleep, and a disturbed family and social life.
These issues resulted in acute effects on fatigue, mood and performance when adequate coping strategies are absent. Often times, these issues can progress into chronic effects on the mental and physical well being of a person, as well as a risk of cardiovascular gastrointestinal problems.
Furthermore, the results have revealed the obvious, which is that a lack of sleep or heightened fatigue can increase safety risks.
The research was founded by Professor David Peetz and Associate Professor Georgina Murray of the Griffith University Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing, based on a survey carried out between August and December 2011.
The survey examined the effects of shift rosters and working hours in the mining industry. Respondents included 2566 Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union members and 1915 partners of miners.
A large percentage of respondents referred to sleeping difficulties, use of anti-depressants, and fatigue. Partners found that their spouses were too tired to function properly within the family.
There are growing numbers of studies being conducted into shift rosters as the 24-hour operation of mines and other operations become more prevalent. To many Australians, it is a 24-hour working world.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/53879
Site of Killed Man Had Safety Issues
A union had raised concerns regarding a Sydney work site two weeks prior to the death of a young man.
The Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) said work had stopped on the site where a 22-year-old man was killed on Saturday.
The Canadian backpacker succumbed to head and chest injuries which were a result of being hit by a number of metal beams during the demolition of a building in Australia Street in Camperdown.
CFMEU state secretary Brian Parker said union organiser Tony Sloane had stopped work on the site around Easter following raised concerns about how the demolition work was being carried out.
“While the full circumstances of the death are still not known, we fear there have been shortcuts taken to demolish the building faster,” Mr Parker said.
“If that is the case and this young Canadian has lost his life to help boost some builder’s bottom line then it just magnifies the tragedy.
“What was meant to be the trip of a lifetime has instead cost this young man his life.
“We will do all we can to ensure the truth of what happened today is exposed.”
Mr Parker said more deaths were likely as WorkCover was sacking inspectors and closing branches across Sydney and regional NSW.
WorkCover is investigating and police will prepare a report for the coroner.
More Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/man-dies-at-inner-sydney-worksite/story-fn3dxiwe-1226619731891
NSW Man Critical Condition After Forklift Traps Him in Freezer
A NSW man is in a critical condition in hospital after being trapped by a forklift inside a commercial freezer thought to be set at minus 19 degrees Celsius.
The man was trapped in the freezer at a business in Matraville, in Sydney’s east, for at least half an hour on Saturday.
He was operating a forklift alone at the time of the accident.
It is thought the machine tipped over against a set of shelves, trapping the man.
He was found by colleagues, who called police rescue and paramedics to the scene around 3.00pm AEST.
The man was freed and taken to St George Hospital in a critical condition.
Police say WorkCover has been informed, and an investigation will take now place.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-27/forklift-traps-man-inside-commercial-freezer/4655408
OHS: Unions Raise Concerns Over WorkCover Closures
Unions have raised concerns that the imminent closing of WorkCover’s regional offices in Queensland, is in fact an attempt to hinder workers’ compensation claims.
The Toowoomba branch will join nine others when they are shut down throughout the next month.
The closed branches are set to be replaced by four outlets in Brisbane, which means claims outside of the state’s capital will have to be made by phone.
Electrical Trades Union Toowoomba spokesman Chris McGaw stated that the move was simply a part of the LNP’s “slash and burn” public service policy.
McGaw stated that the concerns are not simply about jobs and offices but rather, the impact the closures would have on people’s access to the services.
“The hoops they have to jump through to get workers’ compensation is hard enough already.
“The last thing an injured worker needs is more hassles – especially for people who live from pay to pay.
“That office has been operating here for as long as I’ve been in the workforce – more than 40 years.”
Mr McGaw said the forthcoming May 5 Labour Day march in Toowoomba would be the “biggest since WorkChoices”.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/unions-react-workcover-office-closures/1840918/
OHS:Perth Company Fined for Grinder Death
A Perth based powder coating company has been fined $85,000 over the death of a worker who was killed when a drum he was cutting with an angle grinder exploded.
Welshpool-based Diamond Powder Coaters this week pleaded guilty in Perth Magistrates Court to failing to provide a safe workplace and causing the death of the worker as a result of that failure.
The incident occurred in November 2010, when the worker used an angle grinder to cut into a metal drum that had previously contained methylated spirits.
A spark from the angle grinder ignited the residue or fumes in the drum, causing an explosion so large it blew part of the drum 20 metres over a fence into a neighbouring property, and inflicted fatal head injuries to the worker.
WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch said serious incidents involving the cutting of drums was something he heard about far too often.
“Angle grinders, oxy torches or any other heat-producing equipment should not be used to cut metal drums that have contained flammable or combustible liquids or gases, or when there is any doubt about the previous contents of the drum,” Mr McCulloch said.
“The rule of thumb is that if you don’t know what has been in the drum or tank, assume it has contained an explosive substance and have it recycled by a specialist cleaning company.
“This is neither an expensive nor inconvenient process, and it could well save someone’s life.”
Earlier this week, a Bunbury man was seriously injured when a fuel tank he was cutting with an oxy torch exploded.
A worker in Welshpool died last year doing the same thing.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/business-fined-over-angle-grinder-death/story-fnhocxo3-1226624683812
Workplace Fatigue Guidelines Released
A new guide to managing risk factors arising from fatigue in the PS workplace and others has been prepared and released by Safe Work Australia for review and comment.
The draft Managing the risk of fatigue at work publication provides practical guidance for managing fatigue and ensuring it does not contribute to health and safety risks in the workplace.The consultation process in the Commonwealth arena is being managed by Comcare. The draft guide was developed as part of a process to harmonise work health and safety laws and provide a consistent approach across Australia.
It says the information in it can be applied generally to all types of work and all workplaces covered by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. “It is not designed to provide information on how to manage fatigue in specific industries and does not replace requirement related to fatigue under other laws,” the guide says, “for example heavy vehicle driver fatigue laws or rail safety requirements under the Rail Safety National Law. “The steps that need to be taken to manage the risk of fatigue will vary from one workplace to the next, depending on the nature of the work, environmental conditions and individual factors.“The first step in the risk management process is to identify all reasonably foreseeable factors that could contribute to the risk of fatigue.”
It said there may not be obvious signs of fatigue at the workplace but that did not mean it was not occurring or factors that increased the risk of fatigue were not present.
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Source:http://www.psnews.com.au/Page_psn3561.html
Working At Heights: Workers on Shaky Ground
Recently two workers risked falling while working at heights and were caught on camera by a passerby.
The pair were seen using a ladder, awkwardly supported on two table tops on a sidewalk, to hang a sign outside of a O’Connell St establishment.
SafeWork SA’s guidelines for safe ladder use call for ensuring the ladder is placed on a firm footing and that a barricade or warning signs are displayed for other people within close proximity of the work area.
“Ladders are generally considered high-risk plant and should only be used if there is no other reasonably practicable alternative, such as scaffolding or an elevating work platform,” the guidelines recommend.
The business could not be contacted for comment.
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Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/worker-in-north-adelaide-snapped-in-dangerous-balancing-act/story-e6frea83-1226614281682
Working At Heights: :Ladder Safety A Top Priority
Construction workers using ladders and working from heights on scaffolding will be the target of a new compliance and inspection campaign by the ACT Work Safety Commission starting this week following a spate of serious falls and injuries over the past year.
WorkSafe inspectors will target the residential housing industry, starting on Tuesday, to check the safety of workers at heights, and to educate them about the dangers of falls.
ACT Work Safety Commissioner Mark McCabe said last year’s independent inquiry into construction safety in the ACT had highlighted falls from heights as a leading cause of serious injuries.
This was backed up by analysis from Safe Work Australia that identified falls from heights as the leading cause of fatalities and a major cause of serious injuries in the industry throughout the country.
”Nationally, ladders, in particular, have been involved in nearly half of the construction fatalities resulting from working at height,” Mr McCabe said. ”We have seen a number of serious injuries here in the ACT recently which have involved falls from ladders. Several of the workers involved in those incidents have been very lucky not to have sustained even more serious injuries than they did. This inspection program will help the industry focus their attention on this specific high-risk activity.”
He said the aim of the program was to ensure both employers and workers were doing the right thing.
Inspectors would promote awareness of the provisions of relevant legislation, such as the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and associated regulations, as well as checking the level of compliance on sites where working at height was required.
WorkSafe inspectors would focus specifically on work from scaffolds, on roofs, and using ladders.
”Generally, our inspectors will take an educative approach in their discussions. More serious issues, however, may lead to formal notices such as improvement or prohibition notices,” Mr McCabe said.
Some infringements may also result in on-the-spot fines.
Mr McCabe said the program would run for one week initially before the commission evaluated the results to see what next steps were required.
The outcome could be further education for the industry, or more targeted inspection campaigns.
”Our hope is that this focus on working safely at height will lead to a better understanding of the requirements in this area and a higher level of compliance with those requirements in the future,” he said.
More info on Working At Heights
Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/inspectors-step-up-as-ladder-and-scaffold-safety-is-top-priority-20130407-2hf8y.html#ixzz2QHOeGXTK
Working At Heights: Workplace Injuries Hurting Canberra
Serious falls in the ACT over the past year:
■ In July 2012 a painter fell 3.5 metres from scaffolding at a house site in O’Connor, resulting in broken bones.
■ In August 2102 a worker fell through a collapsed house roof in Bonner.
■ In September 2012 a formworker fell 2.4 metres at a house site in Harrison, sustaining head and vertebrae injuries.
■ In September 2012 a worker at the Cotter Dam who was working on the dam’s abutment face fell 3.4 metres.
■ In September 2012 a worker fell 4 to 5 metres from a ladder when he received an electric shock while working on a roller door in Phillip.
■ In October 2012 a worker was lucky to sustain only minor bruising and grazes when he fell 4.5 metres from a ladder in Mitchell.
■ In October 2012 Jason Bush sustained significant injuries when he fell 5 metres into a lift shaft when working at the Nishi site.
■ In February 2013 a worker suffered a broken hand, elbow and shoulder when he fell 3 metres from a ladder in Gungahlin.
■ In February 2013 a fire systems worker fell through a roof space in Red Hill when a truss gave way.
■ In March 2013 a worker sustained broken ribs when he fell through a fan duct penetration in a roof at Chapman.
More info on Working at Heights Training
Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/injuries-take-heavy-toll-on-canberra-workers-20130407-2hf8x.html#ixzz2QH625XV9
Local Residents Concerned About Asbestos Dump Site
Torquay residents are concerned about an apparent asbestos dump west of the township near Spring Creek.
It is believed the asbestos is in soil used as fill and brought in from elsewhere.
Resident Kim Hammond said she noticed men wearing white suits working in the valley opposite her house a few months ago in an area earmarked for subdivision.
She said she had spoken to the Environment Protection Authority, which said it was a Worksafe responsibility. She had also spoken to Surf Coast Shire.
Ms Hammond said Worksafe had advised her the asbestos was being removed in the proper manner.
“The EPA, Worksafe and the shire have all wiped their hands of it pretty much, and they are saying the responsibility is with the developer, Ironbridge Property Developments,” she said.
“I have sent them emails, and I have been promised a response, but they’re a mob in WA.
“I have seen kids playing on that site all weekend, people running through it, walking over it, and it’s everywhere. There’s a lot of it, not just little bits.
“I am frustrated because there’s no protection for the public even throughout the process of removal. All we had to do was hope they were complying.”
Ms Hammond said she had the asbestos tested, and it was found that there were two types of the material.
The tests were carried out by Environmental Health Solutions of Geelong West.
Andy Betz, of EHS, said the two samples of material supplied to the laboratory for identification were of two types of asbestos, chrysotile and amosite, known as white and brown asbestos.
Mr Betz said the two samples were in the form of cement sheeting, and were therefore not considered friable, which meant it could not be crumbled in one’s hands and was less dangerous.
It is believed Worksafe also confirmed the asbestos at the site as non-friable.
Surf Coast Shire Council has said it is not the shire’s area of responsibility.
A spokeswoman for the EPA said the authority was aware of the worksite and that Worksafe was keeping an eye on it but not transporting or disposing of material from the site.
“EPA controls the disposal of waste asbestos. In addition, EPA controls the transportation of waste asbestos when undertaken by a commercial contractor,” the spokeswoman said.
A spokesman for the developers asked Ms Hammond not to interfere “with something that has already been dealt with in the appropriate manner”.
“I refer you to our previous email and confirm that everything possible has been dealt with in the appropriate manner,” he said.
More info on Asbestos Training
Source: http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2013/04/03/362185_news.html
Company and Two Employees Fined For Providing False Info on Asbestos
Land and Environment Court of NSW recently convicted Aargus Pty Ltd and two of its employees for failing to reveal the existence of asbestos in a pile of soil that was classified as waste.
Aargus, and its employees; Kariotoglou and Kelly, all pleaded guilty to charges of breaching section 144AA of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) (POEO Act), by providing deceptive and misleading information regarding waste that contained the deadly substance, asbestos.
Justice Craig convicted all responsible parties, and fined the company $30,000. Kariotoglou ( the project manager) was fined $9000, and Kelly (environmental manager) was fined $3000.
by supplying false or misleading information regarding waste – in this case, waste containing asbestos. As a result, the judgment of Justice Craig was limited to determining the appropriate sentence.
Aargus was ordered to pay 50% of the EPA’s legal costs, while Kariotoglou and Kelly were ordered to pay 30% and 20% respectively.
A clean up notice was issued, and the site awaits a costly fix.
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Source: http://www.nortonrose.com/au/knowledge/publications/78452/employees-beware-both-company-and-two-employees-fined-for-supplying-false-information-about-waste-containing-asbestos
Years of Harmful Exposure To Chemicals Leads to Lifelong Skin Problem
Nearly everything in her home can result in Leslie Dyson’s hands, arms and legs breaking out painful rashes and lumps.
The mother of four, now suffers from allergic dermatitis (and probably will for the rest of her life) as a result of her working as a process worker for a Perth company which required her to electroplate metals with chemicals.
When she stopped working a year ago — and when the company agreed to pay her workers’ compensation– skin had been peeling off her eye lids, cheeks, stomach, and anywhere else you could imagine.
She was forced to use a steroid cream every day to attempt to avoid flare-ups of the rashes that often last for months.
Dyson said she was exposed to a range of chemicals including tantalum chloride, pentanol, ruthenium chloride, hexachloroiridate solution and, to a lesser extent, epoxy, nickel and cobalt. Now, even water can result in a horrible rash.
Dyson alleges that her employer failed to provide her with the proper protective clothing and only gave her yellow dishwashing gloves.
“It wasn’t until I saw a specialist and showed him what gloves we were using that he found out we should’ve been using rubberised gloves that don’t seep,” she said.
She resented that she had to investigate the safety of the chemicals she was working with, instead of the onus being on her employer.
Slater and Gordon workers’ compensation lawyer Joel Schneider warned many workers were still being exposed to hazardous chemicals.
Mr Schneider said people worried about their exposure to chemicals should contact WorkSafe.
More info on Personal Protective Equipment or PPE
Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/16617862/worker-was-exposed-to-chemicals/
Asbestos At Park May Be Due To Hut
A member of the public has suggested asbestos found this week at Stromlo Forest Park may be from ruins of a hut that was built almost 60 years ago.
The man, who did not want to be named, said he had been walking the trails on Mount Stromlo for many years and the asbestos could have originated from a now-ruined structure known as Magnetic Hut.
The Australian National University website says the hut, the first paleomagnetic laboratory on campus, was built in 1955 and was a ”long, timber-frame structure clad in weatherboards”. Sections of the hut were removed in the 1970s.
Small pieces of bonded asbestos were found on a cycling track at Stromlo Forest Park. The results of soil and air tests are due by the middle of next week. The track has been closed.
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Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/claims-asbestos-may-be-linked-to-hut-20130405-2hcsj.html#ixzz2Q1KNU9ce
Unions Raise Asbestos Handling Concerns
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has raised serious concerns regarding the asbestos handling practices of a South Queensland waste disposal company.
The potentially-deadly substance was reportedly placed in a skip bin at the JJ Richards Darling Downs site last month. WHS Queensland has reportedly issued prohibition notices and ordered a decontamination of the zone. However, TWU spokesman Peter Biagini says the health of workers and their families could have been put at risk.
“It’s getting moved around with an excavator and our concern it’s in the air and it’s exposed workers to asbestos and not only that, their families as well,” he said.
“It gets in your clothes, goes home, in the washing machine.”
Mr Biagini says the TWU has raised its concerns with authorities.
“JJ Richards … [has] contracts with many, many councils all over Queensland and our concerns are they could be doing the same thing in many other sites,” he said.
“We’re calling on the State Government and councils – we’ve written to the councils as well – urging them to do an inspection to make sure that they are handling it legally.”
However, JJ Richards has issued a statement saying it adheres to all regulations regarding asbestos.
The company’s branch manager, Tom Richards, says in the statement the company takes the welfare of its staff and the public very seriously.
“The health of our employees and the greater public is paramount and we have strict health and safety measures in place to ensure their ongoing safety,” he said.
“Our workers’ compensation history demonstrates this commitment, with the company operating at well above the industry standard.
“Our health and safety and environmental records demonstrate our commitment to these important health and safety and environmental matters.
“We welcome audits of our sites by relevant authorities at any time and give the community our assurance that should any concerns be identified, we will address them with priority.”
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-09/union-raises-qld-asbestos-handling-fears/4617638?section=qld
Environmental Awareness: Day Care May Close Temporarily Due To Emissions
A family day-care is concerned that they may be forced to disrupt their play group if sulphur dioxide becomes too much for children to handle.
Incitec Pivot’s acid plant — a key player in reducing the amount of SO2 from Xstrata’s copper smelter, will be undergoing maintenance for a week. The company which monitors releases from the copper smelter stack, will subsequently be out of commission temporarily, which Xstrata’s spokesperson stated may result in more visible plume coming from the smelter plant.
The company spokesperson called on anyone who feels they are having issues, to contact the company’s community feedback hotline.
Day care manager Elaine Hardwick, who is business is near Xstrata Mount Isa Mines, says on previous occasions staff have finished their playgroup early due to the sulphur dioxide in the air. Ms Hardwick says two or three times over the past few years staff were able to smell and taste the sulphur dioxide coming from Xstrata’s copper smelter stack. She says she would like to see more promotion of the company’s feedback hotline as a way of giving advice to residents.
“If they could get feedback from services when there are issues, it might help them to provide better support to the community as in what to do and what not to do and how to handle it,” she said.
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-09/acid-plant-emissions-may-impact-day-care-centre/4617612?section=business
Bike Trail Closed Until Asbestos Removed
Scattered areas throughout the mountain bike trail at Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra have been closed down following the discovery of asbestos. Pieces of material believed to be asbestos was discovered on two sections of the track.
The material is believed to the remains of the Australian National University’s buildings (ANU) which were destroyed in 2003 bush-fires.
The asbestos material is expected to be removed by ANU by the end of the week and the park will remain closed for sometime after as a safety precaution.
Signs are in place near Red Rock and Tall Trees informing trailblazers of alternative routes.
Organisers of the World 24-hour Solo Mountain Bike Championships say the discovery should not affect the event.
Asbestos was found during earthworks to establish the North Weston Ponds site, near the new Molonglo suburbs of Wright and Coombs.
The ACT Government allocated $20 million for the clean-up of the pond site.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-04/track-closures-at-stromlo-forest-park/4608672?section=act
MUA Rally Against Businesses Over Safety Concerns
The Martime Union of Australia and thousands of its members will rally outside the offices of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to call on the business community to cease its campaign against waterfront safety reforms.
The union says the ACCI has intervened in the development of the National Stevedoring Code of Practice (NSCOP), which the MUA says seeks to create a uniform national set of safety guidelines for stevedoring.
“Wharfies are fourteen times more likely to die at work than the average Australian worker,” MUA assistant national secretary Warren Smith said.
“The development of the Code of Practice has been underway for several years through a collaborative effort between Safe Work Australia, the state regulators, the MUA and industry representatives.
“However, the day after the death of wharfie Greg Fitzgibbon at Newcastle Port last year, the big stevedoring companies and the representative of foreign shippers, Shipping Australia, tried to bomb the code.
“To its credit, Safe Work Australia maintained the key protections in the code, but now ACCI has weighed in, delaying the code’s progress by making factually incorrect, misleading claims about the cost of implementation to industry.
“Any stevedore that is obeying current laws won’t experience any problems or additional costs implementing the Code of Practice.
Smith said the safety of workers was the most important aspect of implementing the code.
“Every worker deserves to come home from work alive and unhurt. It is disgraceful for ACCI to misrepresent any impact on a company’s bottom line when it comes to protecting the safety of workers.
“This nineteenth century way of viewing industrial relations is at odds with community standards and indeed international safety standards.
“The fact that we even need to be having this argument about the primacy of workers’ lives over profit in 2013 is an absolute disgrace.”
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Source: http://www.logisticsmagazine.com.au/news/mua-rallies-against-business-groups-over-safety
OHS: Wharfies Demand Safety Reforms
Hundreds of wharfies and union workers throughout the country are rallying for industry support for waterfront safety reforms.
The protests are part of a national campaign by the Maritime Union of Australia to push the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to end its opposition to a national stevedoring code of practice.
Workers rallied in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin and Devonport on Tuesday, but not in Perth, where other union meetings were being held.
About 40 union members turned up blowing horns and waving placards at chamber offices in Brisbane and succeeded in gaining a 20-minute police-brokered meeting with ACCI members.
Outside the NSW Business Chamber, 200 protesters rallied against opposition to the code, aimed at protecting the safety of workers.
MUA Sydney branch secretary Paul McAleer said the ACCI argued the code was too expensive, but that was a step backwards.
”For them to say that the cost of implementing the code is an obstacle effectively says wharfies’ lives and safety are not a priority for them,” Mr McAleer said.
In Melbourne, MUA assistant national secretary Warren Smith told more than 100 union workers that waterfront workers were 14 times more likely to die on the job than the average worker.
ACCI spokesman David Turnbull said industry would work with unions to make sure the code reflected good practice. He said Safe Work Australia would make the final decision on the code.
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Source : http://www.smh.com.au/national/wharfies-demand-industry-back-safety-reforms-20130326-2gsdg.html#ixzz2P3R5TBB2
Young Workers Face Higher OHS Risk
Nearly 20 per cent of all workplace injuries experienced by Australian workers were involved individuals 25-years old and younger.
Safe Work Australia’s Work-related injuries experienced by young workers 2009-2010, report found the injury rate of young workers (the rate of injuries per 1,000 workers) was 18 per cent higher than for those aged over 25.
Compared to workers aged 25 and over (56.2/1000 workers), the rate for younger workers was significantly higher at approximately 66.1 OHS injuries per 1000. The report revealed that the disparity was greatest in the manufacturing, accommodation, food service, healthcare and construction industries.
The report also showed that nearly 66 per cent of injured workers never applied for workers compensation, with about half of them feeling their injury was too minor to lodge a claim.
Chair of Safe Work Australia, Ann Sherry stressed the need for young people to comprehend the various safety issues in their workplaces and learn the value of following procedures.
“Often in their first jobs, young workers can get caught up with the excitement of entering the workforce,” Ms Sherry said.
“They may overlook the need to be familiar with the potential workplace hazards and safety procedures in place.”
She said the statistics in the report showed why it was necessary for young people to learn safe workplace practices and who they should go to for help.
“The safety habits and behaviours they learn now will set them up for positive safe work practices for the remainder of their working lives,” she said.
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Source: http://www.psnews.com.au/Page_psn3543.html
Confined Spaces: Mine Worker Health Concerns
A health researcher is concerned that data from hundreds of thousands of mine workers which studied the long-term health affects, is no longer being collected.
Lin Fritischi, an epidemiologist from the WA Institute of Medical Research at the University of Western Australia, stated that the data was crucial to learning of the health implications for WA mine workers.
Fritischi is worried that proper analysis of the information or thorough consultation with health experts was avoided prior to cancellation of the data collection.
“We’re concerned the Mine Health Surveillance was stopped without a full public consultation,” she said.
“It was announced on the 12th of January and stopped on the 13th, we’re worried there wasn’t a full thinking through of it.”
The program involved conducting health assessments on workers who are regularly exposed to dangerous chemicals such as those contained in diesel emissions.
Cancellation of the study is of particular concern for health experts after the World Health Organisation recently classified diesel emissions as a cause of cancer.
“We think they should use the mine health data they have collected to properly evaluate whether the mine health scheme should remain in place,” Professor Fritschi said.
“If the data proves useful, then they should consider continuing the program.”
More than 11,000 WA miners work underground and are exposed to diesel emissions in a confined environment on a daily basis and there are guidelines in place recommending companies keep that exposure within safe limits.
The Department of Mines said it stopped the program because its analysis of the data found the program neither prevented nor detected ill health at an early stage and therefore wasn’t helpful.
The department’s Mike Rowe refutes claims the studies weren’t thoroughly analysed and says that information is publicly available.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-03-04/mine-worker-health-research-program-closes/4551734?section=wa
MBA Responds To Construction Safety Report
A Prominent building industry organisation has responded four months after scathing inquiry into the safety of Canberra’s construction sector.
The Master Builders Association (MBA) accepted a majority of the “Getting Home Safely” report’s 28 key recommendations, but it also made additional suggestions.
The association wants to introduce random drug and alcohol tests for workers in order to improve safety.
MBA organised a working group to reply to the report. Former director of the Australian War Memorial Steve Gower, will head the group.
Following months of considerations, Gower believes more can be done to improve Canberra’s workplace safety.
“If we are serious about safety in the workplace, as indeed we all should be, the time has arrived to have random testing of workers on the sites for impairment,” he said.
MBA ACT President Simon Butt cited drug and alcohol impairment as a continuous concern.
“The group felt that it was important,” he said.
“It is not a panacea, no particular element is a panacea to all of the problems that are going forward.
“But it is seen, and it has been around for a long time, and there has been some resistance from some industry players to actually bringing this on board.”
But ACT WorkSafe Commissioner Mark McCabe says drug and alcohol impairment is not the pertinent issue.
“The report responded to four fatalities in Canberra in one year and a large number of series injuries,” he said.
“None of those that I’m aware of related to drug and alcohol issues.”
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-03-27/mba-responds-to-safety-report/4597990?section=act
Tasmania’s Ambo Workers Face Fatigue Issues
Tasmania’s ambulance workers are reportedly at risk of being “worked into the ground” because of a dramatic increase in overtime.
Tasmania Liberal party health spokesman Jeremy Rockliff cited leaked statistics that showed ambulance workers were on the job a total of 3469 hours overtime in the first two months of 2013 in southern Tasmania. He states that the data also shows that at least 30 crew shortages occurred and sometimes service was cancelled completely.
“This is clearly an ambulance service in crisis,” he said.
Rockliff emphasized that staff were under stress which could potentially result in a workplace accident.
“As one paramedic put it in a recent survey: ‘It’s only a matter of time before a staff member crashes a vehicle or suffers major ill health due to exceeding their stress-fatigue limit’,” Mr Rockliff said.
The Government stated an additional $48 million had been spent on ambulance services over four years, but demand for services was on the rise.
To cope with the demand, an additional 18 paramedics have been employed since December and 12 more are expected to be employed in April.
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Source: http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2013/03/24/375349_tasmania-news.html
Asbestos Legislation Hits Parliament. Removal Agency Established
Parliament has drafted new legislation which would effectively establish an asbestos board.
The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency is expected to work with jurisdictions to establish a nationally consistent method of asbestos eradication, handling, and awareness. The agency will also manage environmental and public health issues attributed to asbestos.
The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency was a key component found in the Asbestos Management Review 2010.
The introduction of the asbestos agency joins recently harmonised OHS legislation across the country in order to maintain a consistent national approach.
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Bill Shorten said Australia’s past widespread use of asbestos has left asbestos ridden material in the built environment. “It’s been almost a decade since asbestos was banned in this country and still, today, the dangers of this silent killer remain,” Mr Shorten said. “Asbestos is the worst industrial menace that will go on killing for decades. “The sad truth is that asbestos-related deaths are not expected to peak until 2020, and that tragically, we are expecting another 30-40,000 people to be diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases in the next 20 years. “There are children not yet born who will die of asbestos related diseases. “We owe it to future generations to come to grips with the blight of asbestos.”
Shorten stated that the agency is the first bristle in a broad stroke against illegal dumping. He hopes the legislation will encourage safe disposal across Australia.
“The Agency will work in tandem with all levels of government, unions, industry and support groups to implement a plan of action to eliminate asbestos exposure,” Mr Shorten said.“This is the first time that we will have a coordinated approach to eradicating, and handling asbestos beyond our workplaces.”
The new Agency is expected to be operational from 1 July 2013.
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Source: http://www.psnews.com.au/Page_psn3541.html?utm_source=psn354&utm_medium=email&utm_content=news1&utm_campaign=newsletter_www
Tasmania Councils Criticise Government Asbestos Plan
Tasmania’s councils have criticised the State Government’s plan to remove asbestos from all government buildings by 2030. The councils are reportedly concerned that the plan is not feasible, nor is it cost efficient. They also cited concerns over whether or not the level of expertise was available in the state to complete such a large scale task.
Councils doubt whether the goal is realistic and Local Government Association’s Barry Easther believes the plan has not been properly considered..
“What costs are going to be involved and how everyone’s going to pay for it?” The Launceston City Council’s Robert Dobrzynski says the plan extends to civic infrastructure, including the existing network of asbestos-based water piping. “There would be literally hundreds of kilometres of asbestos pipe.” The Workplace Relations Minister, David O’Byrne, says the Government is still trying to work out the cost of the plan.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-03-26/councils-fear-asbestos-clean-up-too-costly/4595536?section=tas
Confined Spaces: Worker Injured by Fallen Rock
An underground mine worker at La Mancha Resources’ Frog’s Leg gold mine near Coolgardie was seriously injured in a rock fall yesterday.
The company said a rock became dislodged and fell on the 27-year-old man’s legs during routine machinery maintenance. It happened about 7am in an underground section of the mine.
“The company’s emergency response plan was immediately implemented and first aid was administered at the scene,” a La Mancha spokesman said.
The spokesman said the worker was having treatment at Kalgoorlie Hospital where he had been taken by the on-site ambulance.
The Department of Mines and Petroleum said it believed the worker had a crushed foot, broken leg and injured back.
Operations at Frog’s Leg were suspended after the accident but were expected to resume last night, apart from at the incident site, providing the company completed a full safety assessment to the satisfaction of the mines department.
The incident comes after it was last week reported the miner would look to double its workforce in the Goldfields. The expansion will be bankrolled by new owner and Cairo billionaire Naguib Sawiris.
About 160 people work at Frog’s Leg, but the miner wants to create 80 positions to reopen its White Foil open pit and 40 positions for its $110 million processing plant, due for completion next year.
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Source http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/16411448/worker-injured-in-mine-rock-fall/
Risk Management:Victorian Dies in Garbage Truck Mishap
An elderly man has died after being hit on the head by a garbage bin while walking through a Melbourne fast food restaurant car park.
The man and his wife were both hit on the head by the bin as it was being lowered and emptied by a garbage truck.
The couple was walking through the restaurant’s car park in Melbourne’s northeast when the accident occurred last Friday, a WorkSafe spokesman said.
The South Morang couple both suffered head injuries and were taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
The 86-year-old man died later that night.
His 83-year-old wife remains in a stable condition.
WorkSafe Victoria chief executive Denise Cosgrove said the authority was investigating the tragedy.
“It serves as a reminder of the dangers of vehicles operating close to pedestrians,” Ms Cosgrove said in a statement on Thursday.
The death takes the number of fatal Victorian workplace accidents to five in 2013, compared with four at same time last year.
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Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/vic-man-dies-in-garbage-truck-accident/story-fn3dxiwe-1226597467094
Boss of Insulation Death Employee Was Warned Seven Times
The company who employed the apprentice who was electrocuted while installing insulation, was reportedly sent seven safety alerts prior to the death.
Only weeks before the death, the company was sent a commonwealth ministerial notice reminding installation business to cut all power off in homes while putting insulation in.
The first-year apprentice collapsed and died in November 2009 when he was electrocuted while installing fibreglass insulation in the ceiling of a home.
The apprentice had been employed for less than a month prior to his death, and had yet to undergo any formal training that would render him capable and competent in electrical safety.
The Court heard that had the power been shut off while Rueuben Barnes began laying insulation, the outcome would have been different.
Co-director Chris Jackson of Arrow Property Maintenance claimed to only recall one of the seven notices regarding electrical safety that were emailed to the company.
The alerts called for installers to undertake a one day safety training.
Jackson alleged that he was computer illiterate and an administrative employee, Denise Watson checked all company email correspondence.
“You never saw any of these installer advices?” barrister Geraldine Dann, acting for Barne’s siblings, asked.
“No,” he replied.
“Denise never brought any of them to your attention?”
“No.”
Mr Jackson added he may have seen one of the notices but believed his company was complying with safety requirements.
The inquest will last one week, with an addition three days in May.
More info on Electric Safety
Source: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/insulation-electrocution-boss-warned-seven-times-20130312-2fy0r.html#ixzz2NkCgYuLA
OHS: Crushing Conveyor Belt Incident To Be Investigated
A 27-year old worker was rushed to the hospital following a serious incident that resulted in his leg becoming lodged in a conveyor belt.
According to a spokesperson for Ambulance Victoria revealed that the paramedics were called to Thorton Engineering early in the morning.
Upon arrival they discovered the man had serious crush injuries to his leg. He was rushed to Geelong Hospital and was said to be in stable albeit, serious condition.
WorkSafe Spokseperson Rosanna Bonacurrso stated that the watchdog organisation was notified of the incident at the Corior workplace. Bonacurso stated
“It’s believed a 27-year-old worker suffered injuries to his right leg after it was caught between a roller and steel product.
“A WorkSafe inspector visited the workplace this morning and is making inquiries.”
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2013/03/08/360778_news.html
Just 13 per cent of Australians Have First Aid and CPR Training
St Johns Ambulance is reportedly disturbed at the findings of its report that shows just 13 per cent of Australian workers are trained in both first aid and CPR.
The report revealed that approximately 87 per cent of workplaces have failed to provide first aid training, despite the fact that first responders can dramatically change an injured person’s chance of survival.
St Johns claims that most Australian employers are simply uninformed of Safe Work Australia’s new Code of Practice for First Aid.
Retail businesses fared the worst, with just six per cent of workplaces with employees trained in first aid.
The best performing industry of the report was the education sector. This sector had approximately 21 per cent of workplaces that met current first aid standards.
New South Wales, the ACT and Victoria were the top performing states, compared to Western Australia were less than nine per cent of workplaces met guidelines outlined in the new Code.
More info on First Aid Training
Source: http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2013/03/08/360778_news.html
Alertforce Joins Forces With LexisNexis For WHS-Modules
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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POTTS POINT, NSW- Australia’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and environmental training company, AlertForce (AF) has partnered with leading content provider LexisNexis to provide LexisNexis Online Training- Work Health and Safety (WHS ) modules.
The partnership will combine AlertForce’s Occupational Health and Safety training expertise with LexisNexis renowned legal content, to provide participants with the ability to identify and apply crucial aspects of the Model Work Health and Safety Act.Together both organizations have specially designed three interactive online training modules to allow participants the ability to engage in the modules at their own convenience. Each training module was written in conjunction with employment specialist law firm Harmers Workplace Lawyers.
The following modules will be offered:
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Course 1 – Health and safety duties
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Course 2 – Health and safety representation in the workplace
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Course 3 – Health and safety consultation in the workplace
Each course should take under an hour depending on the individual user and time spent exploring additional resources.
Completion of the LexisNexis Online WHS training modules will provide participants with the opportunity to earn CPD/CLE points ensuring that individuals are competent and compliant with the tools needed to sharpen your organisation’s competitive edge. Each course can be purchased individually allowing participants to engage in the modules according to their own schedule. In addition to offering this convenient option, organisations are also able to purchase a 12-month subscription in order to continuously train employees.
Brendan Torazzi, the founder of AlertForce says, “ Our partnership LexisNexis allows you to learn at your own pace in a convenient and cost effective way and earn CPD/CLE points without the travel times or costs associated with external training! ”
AlertForce (https://alertforce.com.au) specialises in delivering fast, competency-based, interactive short online and face to face OHS & E courses to mitigate risk and health and safety & environmental hazards in Australian workplaces.
For more information please contact Brendan Torazzi – CEO AlertForce. Ph: 1300 627 246
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Electrical Safety: Insulation Inquest Reveals A Lack of Training
A investigation by a coroner has revealed that the Brisbane teen who died while installing insulation, had received no training and was not supplied with the proper protective equipment.
The court was informed that newly-hired carpentry apprentice Ruben Barnes, 16, had been employed by Arrow Maintenance for under a month when he was electrocuted at a Rockhampton home in 2009.
The corner informed the court that the teen had not received any insulation training and no induction, and co-workers had not been trained in first-aid treatment for electric shock.
The apprentice was one of three individuals who died in Queensland as a result of home insulation safety errors.
A month prior, Mathew Fuller, 25, also suffered electrocution at Logan, while Mitchell Sweeney, 22, died in north QLD in early 2010.
The inquest will look into 11 safety issues such as why it was not mandatory to cut off or isolate any power during installation jobs.
More info on Electrical Safety
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-03-11/insulation-inquest-told-no-training-provided/4566040?section=qld
OHS:UK Pie Manufacturer Employee Death Hits Close To Home
Andrew Jones Pies, a Yorkshire based pie manufacturer which is now facing bankruptcy , has been ordered to pay £375,000 following a gas explosion which killed a man an injured another.
The manufacturer has been found in breach of health and safety laws, with a judge claiming it had “failed dismally”.
According to reports, the judge acknowledged that while the business is not in a financial position to pay the fines, the charges expose the manufacturer’s failings.The explosion occured in 2009 when baker David Cole, repeatedly attempted to light a 3-decade old oven, unaware that gas was building up inside the baking chamber. Eventually the door blew off the oven and hit Cole, who was trapped when a section of the roof collapsed. Cole died and another worker at the scene was seriously injured.
The case is similar to a local case involving the directors of the Pokolbin’s Drayton’s Family Wines. The winery was charged with failing to ensure the safety of their workers which resulted in a 2008 explosion which killed two people.
Workcover NSW launched a criminal investigation against the winery almost two years after a coroner revealed that poor safety measures was a key cause of the blast which killed two employees.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.foodmag.com.au/news/uk-pie-manufacturer-fined-375-000-for-safety-brea
Fire Safety: Association Pushes For Caution After Firefighter Death
The Association of Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades raised concerns for volunteer firefighters and stressed the importance of diligence, following the death of a firefighter on Friday.
Sixty-year-old Hori Clarke was killed by a falling limb while clearing burnt trees and rubble with volunteer firefighters in Quindanning.
AVBF president Mr Terry Hunter, who called Mr Clarke “a member of the AVBFB family”, said the tragedy was a difficult reminder of the many risks volunteers were exposed to every day when they went to work for their local communities.
“With an increased number of fires and other dangerous incidents in recent weeks, the AVBFB again expresses its concern for the safety of our members and urges everyone to be extra diligent while defending their local communities,” he said.
Mr Hunter issued a statement offering condolences to Mr Clarke’s family.
“I, like many of our 26,000 members have been deeply saddened by the news.
“Our most heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victim.”
Mr Hunter said local government, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and AVBFB would work together to offer support services to Mr Clarke’s family and brigades in the area.
More info on Fire Safety
Source: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/association-urges-care-following-firefighter-death-20130223-2exy9.html#ixzz2MPiY1dDG
Crane Failure Results in Crash
A shipping container packed with a significant amount of steel smashed into the deck during the loading process. A crane operator allegedly attempted to squeeze the 12m (plus) container into a small space on Sea Lion at Toll Perkins ship yard.
Reports stated that an exposed hydraulic hose was struck and severed, causing pressure to the crane to drop.
Maritime Union NT organiser Thomas Mayor recalled that it was the third incident of its kind on Darwin wharves over the last 2 years .
“That’s three times too many,” he said, “There were people in the danger zone when the container dropped – it’s lucky no one was killed or maimed.”
The foreign-flagged ship is contracted to run between Darwin and Gove.
“HA worksafe! the toothless dog, all bark no bite! the unions have no power they have proven that time and again they just rub shiny patches with their useless arses into their leather office chairs! one thing is for sure is that these big companies dont care their OHS might as well be written on the dunny roll in the public toilets, thats all their good for! ”
Mr Mayor, who said the route traditionally belonged to an Australian ship and crew, raised fears Sea Lion did not meet NT regulations.
“A lot of ships register in other countries to avoid tax and basic regulations,” he said. “We hope to see an Aussie ship back on the run soon.”
NT Work Safe will investigate the accident.
Toll Perkins Darwin spokesman Christopher Whitefield did not respond to questions by the time of publishing.
More info on Cranes, Hoists and Slings
OHS:Spinal Injury Results in 60k Fine
A woman who suffered a fractured skull, broken ribs and serious spinal injuries almost three years ago, has seen her employers fined approximately $70,000 for the inability to protect her.
National Fleet Administrative Services pleaded guilty for failing to provide and ensure a safe work environment.
The company contracts drivers who transport goods. According to WorkSafe, In 2009, a driver was sent to a customers residence to move two large industrial ovens. The driver told the woman, an employee of NFAS, to lift the oven off the factory floor with the help of a device known as a “walkie stacker”. However, the truck did not have “roll stop devices fitted” and the stacker rolled backwards and fell off the end of the truck effectively pinning the woman to the ground.
It was revealed that the driver had not received any training on how to use roll stop devices or how to properly use the tail lift on his truck.
WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch called the driver’s lack of training “a recipe for disaster,” in a statement on Monday.
“The customer’s employee needlessly suffered serious injuries as a result,” he said.
“The case should serve as a reminder to employers of the importance of training workers in all aspects of operating machinery and having safe systems of work in place at all times, especially when handling heavy items.”
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/company-fined-60k-for-spinal-injuries-20130225-2f1re.html#ixzz2MPdYbua9
OHS: Air Collision Narrowly Avoided Due to Faulty Radio Switch
A close-call involving two aircrafts at Jabiru at the edge of Northern Territory has examplified the need for regularly checking radio equipment.
Jabiru is inside Kakadu National Park, approximately 230 kilometres east of Darwin.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-27/aviation-safety-near-miss-jabiru-nt/4542854?section=nt
OHS:Unions Left Out of WorkCover Pamphlets
The state’s peak union body has accused WorkCover NSW of sidelining the unions in newly released leaflets.
Unions NSW secretary Mark Lennon raised concerns that a new fact sheet advising sick and injured workers on how to make compo claims and disputes, failed to make mention of any trade unions.
Lennon stated that documents of similar nature had always mentioned them in the past.
“People should always be made aware of their rights to seek information from various sources, including from their union,” he told AAP on Wednesday.
Mr Lennon lamented that sick or injured workers were vulnerable and sometimes needed help with their cases.
The new fact sheet comes a year after the state passed far-reaching WorkCover reforms to help lower the $4 Billion deficit.
Benefits and medical expenses were capped and journey claims axed for many workers.
“I think this makes the situation even more difficult,” Mr Lennon said.
WorkCover could not be reached for comment on Wednesday night.
More on Occupational Health and Safety
Source:http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/we-were-sidelined-in-compo-leaflet-unions/story-e6frf7kf-1226587207557#sthash.gNvvp86C.dpuf
OHS: Worker Struck by Ute At Mowbray
A road worker died after being struck by a utility vehicle in the Launceston suburb of Mowbray.
The 62-year old man from Ravenswood, was holding a stop-go traffic control sign when he was struck and thrown back approximately 15m.
He was rushed by ambulance to the Launceston General Hospital but succumbed to critical to both internal and external injuries and later died.
Tasmania Police Sergeant Nicholas Clark stated that the middle-aged driver of the Nissan flat tray vehicle was not injured but will undergo standard drug and alcohol tests at the LGH.
The accident which occurred on a suburban stretch of Vermont Rd at Mowbray, was witnessed by several coworkers who had been resealing the road.
Sgt Clark revealed the police will be investigating the speed and specifics of the accident while Workplace Standards will be investigating the work site’s signage and safety arrangements.
“We just ask motorists if they come across roadworks to pay particular attention to the signs there and slow
down,” Sgt Clark said.
“If the maximum speed is 50km, 40km or 60km, that is the maximum speed.
“Slow down, take your time and look out for people who are on the road or on the edges of the road.”
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2013/02/06/371764_print.html
Asbestos Discovery Halts Work on Construction Site
Refurbishing at the Telstra Building in Deakin, was stopped after WorkSafe ACT and the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate issued stop-work notices to the contractor for breaches connected to the discovery of asbestos on the site.
Construction union representatives inspected the site and cited several concerns with authorities.
The contractor, Business 2 Business Commercial Fitouts (based out of Sydney) shut down the site following the inspection.
Dean Hall, ACT branch secretary of the CFMEU, reported that in addition to the building’s asbestos register being inaccurate,the correct process of an asbestos audit and management plan were not followed by the contractor.
A Telstra spokesman stated that they were ”aware that a contractor working on behalf of Telstra found some asbestos at a vacant part of the Telstra site”.
”The contractor took immediate action to ensure the safety of their employees … [and] is now working with appropriate authorities to ensure the site remains safe for anyone who works there.”
A spokesman for the ESDD said ”The head contractor did not have the appropriate licence, the asbestos removalist is licensed in the ACT. However, there were no approvals in place to undertake the work. None of the work on the site had the relevant approvals.”
It is unclear how long the site with be closed considering the number of approvals required.
More info on Asbestos Training
Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/work-halt-called-on-asbestos-site-20130215-2ej36.html#ixzz2LBGg0jj1
Fatal Fall Prompts WorkSafe Investigation
WorkSafe is currently investigating the state’s first workplace fatality of the year which occurred at a Somerton crane company.
A middle-aged man was found unconscious at the Hume Highway business by his workmates.
The man was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital but eventually died.
Recently another Somerton business was found guilty and ordered to pay $275,000 following a workplace death in December 2011.
A workplace spokesperson stressed that despite the deaths, Hume workplaces are no more dangerous than other areas
“As many businesses get back into full swing after the holidays, the best thing for all businesses to do, regardless of the area or industry, is to make safety their priority,” she said.
“Regardless of whether the job’s been done a thousand times before, we urge businesses to step back and assess what could go wrong, identify solutions and put them in place.”
Preliminary investigations into the recent fatality hinted that the man may have died as a result of falling from a prime-mover cabin. He suffered a serious injury to the back of his.
WorkSafe general manager for health and safety operations Lisa Sturzenegger said, “The fact that this happened on the Australia Day public holiday is a tragedy for the family, friends and colleagues and a timely reminder for all Victorians to continue to exercise vigilance.”
More info on Occupational Health and safety
Source: http://www.humeweekly.com.au/story/1273441/fatal-fall-at-somerton-sparks-plea-for-work-safety/?cs=12
Perth Company Fined 10k for OHS injury
Perth-An engineering company was ordered to pay a $10,000 following a dangerous work incident that left an unlicensed 16-year-old apprentice without two fingers.
The Fremantle Magistrate’s Court accepted KEP Management Services Pty Ltd (trading as Phillips Engineering) guilty plea for two charges of allowing unlicensed work.
The apprentice was being taught by a crane operator how to sling and direct loads when he got his hand caught between steel beams. His right index and middle finger were amputated at the middle knuckles.
Upon investigation, WorkSafe discovered that no one in the workplace had gained the proper licence for the work.
His right index and middle fingers were amputated to the middle knuckles.
The apprentice, 16, could not be granted the required license because it is not issued to individuals under 18.
WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch said,“A 16-year-old apprentice is not likely to be in a position to refuse to do work he is not licensed to do, which makes the situation that existed at this workplace even more worrying,” Mr McCulloch said.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/16097117/fine-after-apprentice-loses-fingers/
Brush Fire Properties Need Safe Asbestos Removal
Following the property destruction during the brushfire season, WorkSafe is reminding Victorians to ensure property cleanups do not expose them to asbestos
In the wake of devastating property losses during this bushfire season, WorkSafe is reminding Victorians to take particular care during the clean-up of their properties to avoid potential exposure to asbestos.
Less than 25 years ago, asbestos was a frequently used material in roofing, sheet walls, ceilings and in moulded products.
Other common asbestos-containing materials and products included vinyl floor tiles and sheets, insulation materials, and sealants.
Lisa Sturzenegger, WorkSafe’s Health and Safety general manager for operations, said, “We’re asking people undertaking a clean up of bushfire-damaged property to take particular care to avoid disturbing asbestos fibres.
“The safest way to remove asbestos, particularly if the asbestos is friable, that is it is crumbling or disintegrating, is to contact a licensed asbestos remover. There is a list of licensed asbestos removers at www.worksafe.vic.gov.au,” Ms Sturzenegger said.
“We strongly encourage property owners not to attempt to remove asbestos materials themselves. If you suspect that you have asbestos on your property, there is really only one way to identify it, by having it checked by an analyst accredited by the National Association Testing Authority.
In general, most asbestos materials used in the construction of houses are solid in nature and do not pose a significant risk. However, when asbestos is exposed to high temperatures, such as those found in bushfires, it can become less-solid (friable) and begin to crumble. This may result in the release of asbestos fibres into the atmosphere.
More info on Asbestos Training
Source: http://www.worksafenews.com.au/news/item/302-safe-removal-of-asbestos-from-bushfire-damaged-properties.html
Unions Push for Asbestos Awareness Campaign
Since being diagnosed with mesothelioma six years ago, Serafina Salucci has lost a lung and endured several rounds of radiotherapy.
Earlier this week she partnered with Australia’s biggest unions in their efforts to push state and federal governments to finance and implement all recommendations made by Asbestos Management Review Comittee (AMRC).
Salucci believes a national awareness campaign can put a stop to others experiencing the tribulations she has experienced.
“The reason why public awareness and education is so important is the fact that there is no cure for mesothelioma,” she told reporters on Wednesday.
“Once you’ve got it, that’s pretty much it.”
Living with an asbestos-related disease has “been hell“ Salucci said.
“You can’t put it into words what it’s been like and what it’s done to my life and how difficult it’s been.”
The Australian Manufacturer Workers’ Union (AMWU) and Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) recently launched a campaign to compel the federal government to “address the deadly threat of asbestos that is still present in many older homes, government and commercial buildings”.
The unions released a joint statement saying that Australia has highest per capita rate of asbestos-related disease, two thirds of houses built between the 1940’s and 1983 still contain asbestos.
“It’s time for the Australian government to implement a strategy to effectively tackle the threat of asbestos,” AMWU National Secretary Paul Bastian said.
“That means the recommendations from the Asbestos Management Review Committee need to be implemented and fully funded to eradicate asbestos from our environment by 2030.”
Mr Bastian predicts that asbestos-related deaths will continue to increase for the next seven years.
“This is why we need to establish a dedicated National Asbestos Authority, and a national set of laws.”
More information on Asbestos Training
Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/16129409/unions-seek-end-to-asbestos-danger/
Asbestos Concerns for Crown Casino
Concerns have been raised over Crown Casino residents’ possible exposure of to asbestos and other toxins.
Asbestos and other materials were reportedly unearthed four months ago while work was being done on a southern parking lot project for the casino complex.
Locals allege that despite the work being halted back then, the Health Department was only informed of the contamination recently when residents informed authorities.
“Nearby residents, Crown patrons and hundreds of park users have potentially been exposed to the excavated sand since November with no public warning or even signage,” resident Jeff McCann said, adding that authorities had confirmed to him that asbestos was present.
“Attempts to cover the sand piles with mulch look to be ineffective (and) several questions arise, why the secrecy? Warnings should have been issued. Why was the Department of Health not notified sooner?”If the excavation from a relatively small sample of the former Peninsula rubbish tip has revealed asbestos and other toxic wastes, what the hell will be found when the entire golf course is excavated for Crown’s hotel and the stadium?”Given the latest discovery, the Environmental Protection Authority should now do a complete study on the whole development site, both for the proposed six-star hotel and the Perth stadium.”
A Health Department spokeswoman stated that work on the site had ceased in early November 2012 upon the discovery of the contaminated materials.
“At the request of the Town of Victoria Park the WA Department of Health inspected the Burswood site on Tuesday, February 5 to assist them to determine any potential health risks,” the spokeswoman said.
“At this time, no risks have been identified.
“When work was stopped, all stock piles were sprayed with hydromulch, an acceptable protection strategy.”
The spokeswoman revealed that the preliminary visual inspection failed to identify any “exposed” asbestos and that “at the current time” there appears to be no public health risks to people nearby parkland, the casino or residents.
“The Department of Health’s inspection did not observe any uncovered stock piles of potentially contaminated materials,” she said.
But the spokeswoman stated that the department had requested a more extensive investigation of certain parts of the site which had been left undisturbed “to establish if there is anything of concern from a health perspective and if so how best it be managed”.
A spokeswoman for the Premier’s office said the Department of Building Management and Works would head the project in lieu of the Burswood Park Board. “The Department has confirmed that no contaminated material is stockpiled,” the spokeswoman said.”Any contaminated material on site has been sealed. The stockpiled material on site is clean fill.’
Crane Safety Top Priority After Collapse
WorkCover NSW swiftly moved ahead a safety inspection program of tower cranes throughout the state following last year’s crane fire and collapse at a Sydney construction site.
The inspections which were poised to begin later in 2013, have since been pushed ahead, WorkCover NSW said in a statement.
The rescheduling comes after a crane at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) site at Broadway became engulfed inflames, before the cables gave way causing the whole thing to collapse
Fortunately there was no one hurt in the incident and the crane crew was praised for saving the lives of building workers and the public.
Responding to the incident, WorkCover NSW stated tower crane verification inspection program will start with the type involved in the Sydney collapse.
The inspections will examine existing risk controls such as crane pre-assembly and pre-use inspection systems.
A physical inspection of the cranes will also occur.
‘The Sydney CBD crane collapse had never happened before and at the time of the incident was considered extremely unlikely,’ WorkCover General Manager John Watson said in a statement.
‘WorkCover’s thorough investigation into the causes, systems of work, maintenance of equipment and adequacy of control measures is continuing.’
More info on Cranes,hoists and slings
Source: http://www.skynews.com.au/topstories/article.aspx?id=838523
OHS:Safety Top Priority in Maitland
WorkCover NSW is strongly encouraging Maitland businesses put safety above all else in 2013.
Thousands of young workers will enter Hunter workplaces for the first time, therefore safety should be ensured to limit any injuries.
WorkCover’s acting Maitland district co-ordinator Greg Saunders said young workers suffered a greater risk of workplace injury than most other workers because of a lack of significant experience
He also cautioned that complacency could be a risk for older workers returning from holidays.
“Starting a new job can be an exciting experience for a young person entering the workforce or a new workplace,” Mr Saunders said. “Many young workers are also keen to impress and take risks that more experienced workers may not.
“Unfortunately, 12 per cent of all injuries in NSW workplaces occur among the state’s young workers with 2767 workplace injuries and one fatality in the Hunter during 2011/12.”
Mr Saunders said the return to the work period at the end of the school holidays required extra caution on the part of more experienced workers.
“Complacency is a major factor in many workplace incidents and workers should be reminded that safety is the top priority when returning from holidays,” he said.
Hunter Valley business MIGAS Apprentices & Trainees provides a comprehensive induction process to ensure all employees understand their workplace safety rights and responsibilities.
“The safety and well-being of our staff and our apprentices and trainees is our first priority,” CEO David Brown said.
“We strongly believe that all injuries are preventable and every person should go home in the shape they came in, if not in a better frame of mind.”
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/1249321/push-to-make-work-safety-a-priority/?cs=171
Dry Cleaner Audit Following Dangerous Incident
Soon after receiving criticism for “high handed statements”, WorkSafe ACT will be auditing all dry cleaners throughout the territory. WorkSafe has already issued approximately 60 improvement notices in just six inspections.
Work Safety Commissioner Mark McCabe stated that he was ”appalled” at the first results of the audit, which were launched in response to a near-fatal carbon monoxide leak from a Woden dry cleaner.
The Drycleaning Institute of Australia expressed their disappointed by the alleged lack of communication from WorkSafe ACT pertaining to any breaches.
Chief executive officer Philip Johns said the Work Safety Commissioner’s comments were “accusing” the entire industry of being responsible, despite the industry’s efforts to work very hard to be compliant with all safety laws.
”We would hope that the authorities come to us if there are any particular breaches, rather than making some fairly high-handed statements about getting your house in order, otherwise cop a $250,000 fine,” Mr Johns said.
”A little bit of working together is actually going to help us achieve more,” he said.
Johns revealed that the industry will conduct their own audit to address any potential safety issues.
McCabe said on Wednesday he would be more than happy to assist the industry with the internal audit.
He said it was to premature to commence talks with the industry, given the audit was still in its early stages.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/dry-cleaners-have-their-say-20130131-2dnvv.html#ixzz2JmLGdv8m
Construction Safety: Collapsed Wall Hospitalises Two Workers
A collapsed wall at a Hawthorn building site has resulted in two men, both in their twenties, being hospitalised.
The men were doing construction on an apartment complex the morning the accident occurred said a spokeswoman for Worksafe Victoria, Rosanna Bonaccurso,
The men were evening out concrete on a wall when the rock supported by the wall fell onto them, she said.
“The rock has fallen off the wall onto them,” she said. “They were both transported to hospital.”
The Metropolitan Fire Brigade arrived at the scene and had to pry of the men out of the rubble using a crane.
Bonaccurso revealed Worksafe Victoria issued a prohibition notice on the site preventing any further work until an engineer has conducted a thorough investigation of the site.
Both men suffered minor injuries – one an injured hip, the other an injured wrist – and were taken to the Alfred Hospital.
More info on Construction Safety
Source: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/two-workers-injured-in-wall-collapse-20130130-2dkhf.html#ixzz2Jd3MohNa
OHS: Safety Blitz Results in Dozens of Notices
A safety raid on building sites in north Canberra has resulted in several improvement notices and on-the-spot fines.
The raids were organised by WorkSafe ACT inspectors and were reportedly a part of an continuous campaign to improve safety in the construction industry.
In excess of 80 improvement notices and infringement notices were issued midday and the tally is expected to rise according to WorkSafe Commissioner Mark McCabe.
He says inspectors are finding the same type of problems throughoutmost building sites.
“There’ll be a lot of issues associated with sites not being fenced with no amenities for workers, fall from heights issues and electrical issues – those last two are quite important,” he said.
“The on-the-spot fines were largely about lack of signage on sites.”
The Harrison blitz follows a crackdown on residential housing developments in the Molonglo suburb of Wright in December
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-31/harrison-work-safety-blitz-fines/4492602?section=act
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Fire Safety: Worker Hospitalized After Dangerous Factory Fire
A factory worker is in intensive care at Royal Brisbane Hospital after suffering burns to both his face and torso following a factory fire in Brisbane.
A firefighter was also injured during the incident.
The Fulcrum factory fire started early in the morning. Fire crews rushed to the scene after it was revealed that the very flammable chemical, methyl keytone was on the premises.
The chemical which is typically used as a solvent was reportedly stored in a locked fire-proof cupboard.
Three people were stuck inside when Fulcrum production supervisor Chris Baker arrived on the scene.
One “long-term, experienced employee” suffered severe burns to his upper torso. His lungs are also believed to have suffered burns.
According to Fulcrum managing director Graham Scudamore-Smith, this is the first fire of this nature to occur on the property.
“They managed to get him out and into a shower,” he said.
“We are prepared for these sorts of things,” he said.
Queensland Fire and Rescue on call inspector Ted Ireland stated that the cause of the fire is still unclear.
“On arrival they had a fully involved fire on the upper levels and the placement of our lines have been really good, they were able to knock it out really quick,” he said.
“The guys (factory workers) that were here did really well, they shut everything down and self-evacuated.”
Ireland praised the fire crews vigilance considering the water shortages.
“We’ve got a specialised foam pump that’s been repositioned at Annerley for this sort of event,” Insp Ireland said.
“A lot of things lined up to give us a good outcome.”
Scientific officers are now on site to ensure the dangerous chemicals are contained.
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Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/factory-worker-taken-to-hospital-with-serious-burns-following-factory-fire-at-moorooka/story-e6freoof-1226565642189
Construction Safety: Union Outraged Over Worker’s Death
The death of a 32-year old Tasmania Pole-driver has shocked the construction industry and union officials.
“Construction unions have been voicing very strong concerns about safety standards in construction for quite some time with very little response,” union boss Kevin Harkins said.
The victim was reportedly a subcontractor to the building firm building a new waste transfer station for the Hobart City Council at the McRobies Rd site.
The man died when a one-tonne steel beam fell as he was positioning it into a hole prior to driving it into the ground.
While positioning the beam, it swung through the air and struck the man in the head.
“”The webbing connecting the beam to the excavator then broke free, resulting in the beam falling on top of the man, and he sustained critical injuries” said Inspector Glen at the scene.
First Aid attempts were made by the man’s fellow colleagues, but he unfortunately died at the Royal Hobart Hospital soon after.
Workplace Standards will also be investigating and compiling a report for the coroner.
Unions Tasmania says the loss of any life at work is completely unnecessary.
“The pain now faced by this man’s family, friends and work colleagues is immeasurable,” Mr Harkins said.
“I think the time has come for construction unions to play a far more proactive role in safety on worksites, and that’s what we are going to do,” he said.
“The time to rely on others to protect the safety of workers is over.”
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Source: http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2013/01/30/371296_tasmania-news.html
Compensation for Injured Public Servants Almost $1 Billion
This year twice as much money is being paid out to compensate stressed federal public servants. The cost has doubled to almost $1 billion for 2011-2012.
The Federal Government’s workplace compensation insurer Comcare, blames the dramatic increase in claims and a result of public servants “not recovering as quickly as they should”.
They have also attributed the increase to lower interest rates on earnings and higher forecasts for inflation.
Comcare has been overseeing the recent surge in compo claims for bullying and an ” adjustment disorder”.
Comcare’s most recent annual report stated the cost of ongoing workers’ compo claims have risen from $459 million in in 2011 to $994 million a year later. Increases are slated to increase by 25 per-cent this year in order to combat the $564 million loss.
Comcare’s latest annual report reveals the cost of ongoing workers’ compensation claims soared from $459 million in 2011 to $994 million last year.
Comcare’s acting chief executive, Cathy Skippington, attributed the loss to ” economic factors and because some injured workers are taking longer to get back to work “.
“As a result, we’ve had to increase our scheme premium rates substantially to return the scheme, over time, to a fully funded position.”
A Comcare spokesman said the operating loss would have no effect on the Government’s Budget
Skippington also revealed a “moderate” increase in mental health claims during 2012.
“People are much more aware of bullying now and the fact they don’t have to put up with it,” she said.
bullying has accounted for nearly half of the mental stress cases.
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Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/compensation-payouts-to-federal-public-servants-double-to-1-billion/story-e6frea6u-1226553103168
Company Offers Free Cancer Prevention Skin Checks
Toowoomba construction company McNab have reportedly shown their dedication to the continued awareness and prevention of skin cancer for their staff. Queensland is the capital of skin cancer in Australia and Australia has one of the highest death-rates for melanoma in the world.
McNab launched a Safe Summer campaign which informs and educates staff about sun exposure, hydration and personal protection from the sun and UV rays.
McNab have joined forces with Danger Sun Overhead’s Joanne Crotty whose husband, a carpenter, died from melanoma skin cancer at the age of 43.
“I never thought I’d be a widow at 38 with four young children, especially from an illness that is preventable… and I’m just one story,” Ms Crotty said.
“80 per cent of cancers detected in Australia are skin cancers and two out of three people will be diagnosed before they are 70 years of age.
“There is a need for education.”
McNab has even gone to the extent of offering staff free skin cancer inspections throughout the summer months and it is already proving to be a successful movement.
McNab HSEQ Manager John Martinkovic said “With the incentive for our staff to get checked for free, we are seeing them book themselves in for an appointment, and their families as well. We’ve already seen cases of melanomas being treated earlier.
“There is no cure for skin cancer, and the fatality statistics are only going up. Your only hope is early detection” he said.
More info on Construction Safety
Source: http://www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/hunter-mines-fatality-free-for-2012
Fire Safety: Darwin Business Faces Charges For Tradesmen’s Death
A Darwin business was held accountable for the gas explosion death that killed a young Irish tradesman.
Twenty-four year old Paddy Bird died instantly when his work vehicle suddenly exploded on the driveway of his home in December 2011.
The refrigeration mechanic had pressurised flammable gas cylinders stored in his van the explosion.
Berrimah-based Damday Pty Ltd has been charged for the incident which resulted in his untimely death.
The Northern Territory Work Health Authority reported that the company breached the employer’s general statutory duty of care.
The charge fell under the provisions of the WHS Act that was applicable at the time of the accident.
The charge has been laid under provisions of the Workplace Health and Safety Act that was in force at the time of the accident.
The previous legislation has since been repealed and replaced with new legislation.
The maximum penalty for the charge is $650,000.
The matter is stands before courts until next month.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-15/gas-explosion-company-charged-paddy-bird-dies/4466112?section=nt
Construction Company Fined for Worker’s Death
A construction company tasked with upgrading roads, now faces a fine of $250,000 following the death of one of its workers.
The labourer was only on his second day on the the job with Coastal Asphalt and Civil Constructions and was laying asphalt when a three-tonne multi-wheeled roller ran over and crushed him. The incident in question occurred in January 2010 and was said to have been caused when the man was helping a vehicle operator clear asphalt stuck to the roller.
A preliminary investigation by WorkCover revealed that the Gosford company had failed to adequately train or supervise the labourer.
”This tragedy could have been avoided had there been the right instruction and the vehicle properly maintained,” the NSW Finance Minister, Greg Pearce, said on Thursday.
The worker was removing the asphalt from the roller by spraying it with diesel, when suddenly the brakes were accidentally released, causing the vehicle to roll forward and crush him.
”The incident could have been prevented if the roller’s built-in diesel spray unit had been working,” Mr Pearce said.
The company has pleaded guilty to a breach of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and will pay a fine of $250,000 plus court costs.
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Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/fine-for-company-in-roadroller-death-20130117-2cw46.html#ixzz2ISEbXwZd
Smelter Accident Prompts Investigation
SafeWork SA is attempting to determine if the Port Pirie smelter Nyrstar broke workplace safety standard laws which resulted in two of its workers suffering serious burns.
Nyrstar has yet to agree to discuss over the incidents which occurred at the smelter early this January. The first incident involved a 53-year-old male worker who sustained burns to both his face and neck while cleaning a hot flue.
Sometime afterwards, a 43-year-old worker suffered burns on his feet, thighs and hands while cleaning waste products in the same area.
Both men were treated at Royal Adelaide Hospital.
SafeWork SA has rejected any request to reveal further details until a thorough investigation has been conducted to determine if there have been any breaches of work health and safety laws
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-14/smelter-accidents-under-investigation/4463760?section=sa
OHS:WorkSafe Investigating Death of Roma Worker
AN investigation has begun into the death of a coal seam gas project worker during last week’s heatwave.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has confirmed it is investigating the 38-year-old employee’s death on Sunday at Roma, where temperatures reached 42.8C.
Police are also preparing a report for the coroner.
Electrical Trades Union assistant state secretary Peter Ong said members had told him the man collapsed in his donga after finishing work on Sunday and hit his head.
He was taken to the Roma Hospital, in southwest Queensland, and pronounced dead.
Queensland Health said nine people had been seen at Roma Hospital since New Year’s Day with heat-related conditions.
Two people were admitted.
Another person has been admitted to the St George Hospital with a heat illness since the start of the year out of seven people who turned up at the emergency department affected by the extreme temperatures.
Figures provided by the Bureau of Meteorology show the mean average maximum temperature for Roma so far this year has been 38.9C, almost five degrees higher than the average January mean since records were kept.
Project manager Fluor Australia said it was investigating and assisting authorities in their investigations.
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Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/workplace-health-and-safety-authorities-investigating-the-death-of-38-year-old-worker-at-roma-on-sunday/story-fndo45r1-1226555379672
Maintenance Audit Following Dry Cleaner Gas Leak
A poisonous gas leak hospitalised workers has prompted urgent checks on the territory’s dry cleaners after preliminary investigations suggested inadequate maintenance as the cause.
Possibly deadly carbon monoxide is believed to have escaped from a faulty boiler at Bell’s Dry Cleaners at Bonner House.
That gas reportedly streamed through an airconditioning unit, and leaked into a nearby alterations shop.
Two workers at the shop collapsed from the fumes, as did the security officer who tried to assist them. Later a paramedic and Bell’s employee also suffered from effects of exposure . The hospitalised individuals were kept overnight and were discharged at the start of the week.
There is still uncertainty regarding the amount of time they had been inhaling the deadly gas, but fortunately they are believed to be void of any permanent injuries. Investigations from WorkSafe ACT visited the site to conduct further investigations. Advertisement
WorkSafe attributes the accident to ”maintenance shortcomings” on the boiler, and are now looking into maintenance records for all relative equipment.
”We’re almost certain now that the fault is from a faulty boiler in the dry cleaning company,” said Work Safety Commissioner Mark McCabe. ”We’ve got a firm belief now that those maintenance issues probably led to the incident.”
Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/dry-cleaner-audit-after-faulty-boiler-causes-gas-leak-20130114-2cpch.html#ixzz2IIOw69VB
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Confined Spaces: Galaxy Blast Claims Another Life
Another worker has succumbed to the effects of an explosion that occurred last November at a Chinese Lithium plant owned by Galaxy Resources.
Australian Securities Exchange released an update earlier this week stating that a second worker had died as a result of an infection sustained from the injuries following the accident.
Galaxy had previously revealed that several employees and contractors were exposed to heated sodium sulphate solution and suffered second-degree burns. Investigations into the causes of the explosion were reportedly done by the company and China’s Suzhou Safety Bureau.
Their report concluded that an “abnormal and unexpected blockage” resulted a mass of sodium sulphate which caused the fibreglass pipework to rupture.
“Employees and contractors affected by the incident continue to recover, and the company continues to support them and their families,” the statement said.
“The company has business, commercial and welfare insurance policies in China that cover the business interruption and the affected employees.”
Galaxy reported that stainless steel replacements were on the way and the the ruptured section is expected to be repaired by February.
The company manages the Mt Cattlin mine.
Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/15844412/second-worker-dies-after-galaxy-blast/
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OHS:Man’s Injury Blamed on Dock’s Poor Safety Standards
A man’s arm was seriously injured while working at a dock supplying Chevron’s large LNG project in Western Australia, according to the Maritime Union of Australia.
The MUA was rushed by air ambulance to Perth when his arm was crushed between the dock and a barge at the Mermaid Marine Supply base.
There have been conflicting reports as to the severity of the injury, with the Mermaid Marine spokesman claiming the the injury was to the wrist and was treated at the Nickol Bay Hospital in Karratha.
The spokesperson claims he is resting at home following the incident.
“The health and safety of our employees is paramount and all steps will be taken to ensure our employee makes a full and speedy recovery,” the company said.
“The incident is currently under investigation.”
MUA WA secretary Chris Cain remarked on Chevron and its contractor’s poor safety record at the Mermaid Marine Supply base for months.
“It’s becoming clearer and clearer that Chevron and their contractors like Mermaid are cutting corners to make up time and money on the Gorgon project,” Mr Cain said.
The union said WorkSafe WA was advised of the level of poor training and management and the accident was “inevitable”.
“We’ve got serious issues when the day after WorkSafe says there’s no problem, ambulances are called to an accident of the type exactly predicted by health and safety representatives,” Mr Cain said.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.perthnow.com.au/business/poor-safety-blamed-for-dock-worker-injury/story-e6frg2qc-1226537890019
SA Moves Towards OHS Harmonisation
New legislation purposed with aligning South Australia’s workplace safety laws with the nation’s harmonised standards, are now being implemented.
Starting January 1, the states WHS Act 2012 took over where the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act 1986 left off. This change means that SA has joined NSW, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory in their adoption of the OHS Harmonisation laws.
SafeWork SA acting director Robin Scott reports that the new legislation will basically be aligned with existing requirements resulting in a minimal impact on businesses throughout the state.
OHS Harmonised laws are expected to ensure consistency in protection and national recognition of certification and training for interstate workers in addition to reducing compliance costs for employers who throughout various states.
OHS: Whyalla First To Launch Statewide Safety Initiative
Whyalla will be the first in the state to launch an initiative developed by Safework SA in order to compel community businesses to collaborate on reducing workplace injury. Safework SA Executive Director Bryan Russell met with local business leaders and industry groups to discuss the Zero Harm Business Leaders forum . Safework SA proposed that a periodical forum be held in Whyalla.
“We met with key business groups to establish a high level discussion group to share ideas and solutions to drive further improvements in safety performance in Whyalla,” Mr Russell said. The general consensus regarding the forum was positive and Russel indicated Safework SA intends to work on implementing it.
“The participants in the meeting fully supported the proposed business leaders forum and everyone welcomed the opportunity to work collaboratively towards improving safety at work,” Mr Russell said.
“Any injury in the workplace is one injury too many and efforts by all individual parties to reduce injuries in the workplace are welcome.” Mr Russell said the initiative was an exciting opportunity for Safework SA to work collaboratively with key business leaders in Whyalla to achieve safety improvements. “This is as a significant initiative to engage businesses, workers and government in achieving a shared vision for reducing accidents in the work place,” Mr Russell said.
Source: http://www.whyallanewsonline.com.au/story/1190906/whyalla-first-to-pilot-statewide-workplace-safety-initiative/
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Construction Workers Awarded For Crane Fire Bravery
Three construction workers were awarded for their bravery after a crane was engulfed in flames and began to collapse inner Sydney last month.
Workers were cleared from the site and the road close-by was closed after the fire at the construction site at the University of Technology Sydney.
Glen May was operating the crane and was fortunately able direct it away from busy streets before the arm came crashing down.
Fellow employee, Nuno Nunes, helped guide May to safety while Gordon Cameron, the site’s construction union delegate, cleared the area of all civilians and workers.
The men received their awards at the inaugural Joes Owens Bravery Award at Sydney Trades Hall.
New South Wales Opposition Leader John Robertson presented the awards.
“Today is a significant day because we acknowledge three heroes of the building industry,” Mr Robertson said.
The three men were humble in the receiving of their awards and are reluctant to be referred to as ‘heroes’
“I would do the same again. I’ve worked with Glen for a while and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him,” Mr Nunes said.
The WorkCover Authority of NSW continues to investigate the incident.
More info on Construction Safety
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-14/bravery-awards-for-sydney-crane-fire-workers/4428142
Unions Worried Asbestos Report Will be Concealed
THE Australian Workers Union visited Hobart saying it feared Cement Australia would hide a long-awaited research report into worker asbestos exposure because of legal advice.
“(The report’s) been going through an editorial process for a couple of years now,” Dr Berger said.
“The promise from the executives always was it would be made public.”
However, Dr Berger said he had been informed company management was still keen to release the academia-related study report but its “legal team will not allow it”.
“At the moment they have backed off – I have been told it will not be released,” he said.
Asbestos Free Tasmania chief executive Susan Wallace said she understood some of the data might be presented to Cement Australia workers, adding she was puzzled as to why it had not yet been made public.
“I’m about to write them a letter on that very matter,” Ms Wallace said.
The historical worker study was part of a four-step strategy to deal with worker asbestos exposure at the site.
The plan included ridding the plant of asbestos, health screenings for workers, a Monash University study to compare the health of workers with the general Railton community, and the historical study involving Goliath Cement board minutes, interviews with former workers and asbestos removal research.
A Cement Australia spokeswoman based interstate said the company was making no comment about the study or disclosure.
“I’m not in a position to comment on that particular matter,” she said.
Confined Spaces Report Reveals Inadequate Training in Mining Industry
A new report revealed that some companies in the Australian mine industry are providing an inadequate level of training to employees.
Australian mines appear to be cutting corners in order to meet safety regulations. A Queensland Department of Mines safety report cautioned that some training organizations commissioned by the mining companies were rushing mine safety training to comply with pressure from mining companies in order to cut training time.
The report states that the 2011-2012 fiscal year,has the potential of being the most dangerous fiscal year in mining sites in the past 10 years. There’s been increases in injuries, in the time employees needed to recover from inuries, and in employees who needed medical attention
According to the report, mines were employee untrained workers and putting said workers through inadequate training regimens. The report did not indicate however that despite an increase in injuries, Australia still boasts one of the world’s safest mining industries.
In an effort to improve these safety failings, complaints will be reported to the Australian Skills Quality Authority, a regulator of training programs. This agency will be taking over responsibility from the Department of Training and Employment.
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OHS: Christmas Season Bad For Bosses
Australian employees are expected to take approximately one million sick days this holiday season, costing employers $350 million.Absenteeism will be especially high this season with data suggesting that 1,069,889 working days will be lost mainly because Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve both fall Mondays.
This means that anyone who decides to fake sickness on December 24 will be subject to a five-day break. In addition, those who decide to avoid work on December 31 will get a four day break. Approximately 570,000 ‘sickies’ are expected on these two days.
Surveys conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, Morgan and Banks and Direct Health Solutions on workplace absenteeism, revealed that 67 per cent of workers admit to taking a sick day on a Monday.Reports indicate that employees who have become more privy since they are now 50 per cent more likely to ask for a certificate before or after a public holiday.
Many workplaces that stay open during the Christmas- New Year period suffer from higher levels of absenteeism.According to Paul Dunden, chief executive of Direct Health Solutions, service and production roles going full throttle during the Christmas period.”As a result these industries are at risk of high levels of absenteeism either side of public holidays over the festive season,” he said.
Retailers are especially susceptible to absenteeism.
“Retail tends to increase shifts during the Christmas and Boxing Day sales period because it is the busiest shopping period in the year,” said Margy Osmond chief executive of the Australian National Retailers Association.
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Source: http://tools.themercury.com.au/stories/53873245-business-news.php
WesTrac Pays Out For Worker’s Lost Leg
Two companies will pay out a quarter million dollars for a workplace accident which resulted in a man’s leg getting crushed while he was working on a reservoir at Eraring power station.
According to the Industrial Court, On July 2,2009 the WesTrac employee was at the site to repair a dozer which was leased to earthmoving company, Hardy Bros Mining and Constructions Pty Ltd.
The victim — with the help of other workers, was attaching a 1352 kg piece of equipment to the dozer when the equipment fell and stuck the victim and falling on his right leg.
His leg was subsequently amputed below the knee.
WesTrac, Hardy Bros and Hardy Bros director Robert Hardy all face charges under the OHS act, and have pleaded guilty.
The judge presiding over the case said they had failed to provide a safe system of work and failed to provide adequate equipment for carrying the replacement part.
WesTrac was fined $150,000, Hardy Bros $105,000 and Robert Hardy $11,250. The judge ordered them to also pay legal costs.
‘‘The evidence demonstrates that [the offenders] have taken responsibility in different ways for their acts and omissions in relation to this accident,’’ Justice Haylen said.
‘‘In particular, WesTrac has provided not only financial [support], but support at many levels for [the victim] from the time of his hospitalisation through to his rehabilitation, and in securing a career for him within the company structure.
‘‘It is to be noted that, despite its extensive safety programs, there remained a significant gap in [WesTrac’s] safety processes relating to repairs in the field.’’
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Source: http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1168039/companies-fined-for-lost-leg/?cs=305
Confined Spaces:CFMEU Campaigns Against QLD Mining Legislation
The CFMEU has launched a campaign against the Queensland State Government’s proposed safety legislation changes.
The ad which was recently broadcasted, utilizes the symbol of death itself, the grim reaper, and makes reference to the recent disaster at the Pike River mine in New Zealand which killed 29 men.
The ad went to air to coincide with Joanne Ufer’s address to parliament. Ufer’s son was killed in the 2010 Pike River mine disaster.
She used her address to appeal to the government to stop its proposed safety legislative changes, CQ news reported.
“Mine safety is a matter of life and death.” Ufer said.
“My family will never recover from what happened to Joshua but I wanted to make sure the government knew the implications of messing with a safety system acknowledged to be the best in the world.”
The union said the State Government was under pressure from the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) to remove powers currently held by mine check inspectors and place the authority in the hands of mine management.
Check inspectors currently have the power to halt production; any move to restrict or remove this authority would reverse the lessons learnt from the Pike River Royal Commission, the CFMEU said.
CFMEU Queensland secretary Tim Whyte has appealed to the QRC to drop its proposed safety deregulation plans.
“Queensland has the safest mining industry in the world – why mess with it?” he said.
Earlier this month Australian Mining reported the CFMEU was fighting the Queensland Resources Council’s push to ‘deregulate’ mine safety.
At the time the QRC said the union had abused its ability to close mines and these changes to safety rules would bring regulations closer to those in NSW.
This latest campaign comes after the CFMEU’s mining adverts were last week shelved by Qantas, marked as being against the company’s advertising guidelines, Luke Enright Qantas spokesman said.
“It ran for a day and then we had it pulled off the next day,” he said. “It wasn’t censoring a union ad – we don’t allow any political ads.”
The CFMEU’s national secretary Michael O’Connor condemned the decision, saying it was undemocratic to stop legitimate public debate.
“There is nothing remotely controversial about these commercials,” he said.
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Source: http://www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/cfmeu-calls-to-stop-the-deregulation-of-mine-safet
Vic Premier :Mirvac Unsuitable For Construction Safety Probe
THE push for an independent inquiry into soaring construction costs in Australia was in danger of collapsing last night over Labor’s insistence that it be run by the chairman of one the country’s biggest property developers.
Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu recently denounced Tasmania’s bid for Mirvac chairman James MacKenzie to head up the construction industry panel.
In a letter to Tasmania’s Premier Lara Giddings, Baillieu commented on the inappropriateness of appointing a panel or chair members who lacked experience independent of the government or industry, no would it be appropriate for one who had already stated a position on the inquiry.
Baillieu flatly rejected such an appointment.
The letter was in response to Giddings’ writing to all the states and stating that the battle over MacKenzie raised questions considered into construction costs, since she believed some states were prioritizing politics over the merits of the inquiry.
Giddings criticized Mackenzie opponents for allegedly holding up the inquiry since COAG had previously agreed that a panel would be organized by the middle of next year.
“If states continue to put apparent considerations of personality and partisanship ahead of the merits of a review, then it is questionable as to whether such a review should proceed at all,” she wrote.
Tasmania is one of the two remaining Labor states which has lead to Victoria alleging that MacKenzie was a “put-up job” by the Prime Minister to stifle any investigating into construction costs.
Gillard’s office declined any comment and MacKenzie has not been included in any public discourse.
Mr MacKenzie is one of the nation’s most prominent industry leaders and is a former head of a Victorian workplace insurance scheme under the previous state Labour Government.
He also has been a highly visible critic of Baillieu government intention to strip $500 million from Victoria’s WorkCover Authority.
Ms Giddings commented on the opposition to MacKenzie stating, “Such behaviour has resulted in four months of delay to the process and is therefore at odds with the arguments made regarding the urgent importance of this review,” she said.
More info on Construction Safety
Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/mirvac-boss-unfit-for-build-probe-baillieu/story-e6frgczx-1226530809120
Tests Commenced on Crane Following Dangerous Collapse
Engineers will today start testing parts of a crane that collapsed in Sydney last week, as WorkCover tries to find out what went wrong.
The collapse happened at a building site at the University of Technology (UTS) in the inner-city.
Authorities could not believe that no one was hurt or killed when a crane at the Lend Lease construction site caught fire, 45 metres above the ground.
The driver managed to steer it away from Broadway so that it did not hit the busy street when it came crashing down.
Instead it fell on a building site.
Over the weekend, Lend Lease undertook the massive task of removing most of the crane from the site.
John Watson, a general manager at WorkCover says the parts will be sent to Londonderry in Sydney’s west for testing.
“We’ve seized part of the crane – the main engine and hydraulic systems of the crane,” he said.
“They’ve been transferred to Test Safe Australia.”
Mr Watson says it is only the third collapse involving this kind of crane in the world.
More info on Cranes,Hoists, and Slings
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-03/tests-begin-on-crane-after-dramatic-collapse/4404084?section=nsw
Workers Protest over Suspicious Dismissal of Two Fellow Employees
Numerous construction workers at the Royal Adelaide Hospital have taken a stance against the firing of two workers they believe were punished for raising health and safety concerns.
The protestors walked to the offices in North Terrace of the HYLC joint venture group. The project their working on is meant to be a hospital for the SA Government.
Union rep Darren Roberts said the protest was in response to two workers on probation who were dismissed without explanation.
HYLC stated it was proud of its safety record and management had an open-door policy with workers.
The hospital is to be erected at the western end of North Terrace. It will replace the old RAH at the eastern end of the city
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-06/workers-protest-on-rah-site-safety-issue/4413070?section=sa
DOCs Workers Compensation Claims Rise by Almost a Third
The NSW opposition stated that a big jump in the number of workers compensation claims being made by caseworkers from the Department of Family and Community Services should be a cause for alarm.
Recently released figures from the department’s annual report reveal that the amount of caseworkers lodging claims has increased by almost a third this year.
Psychological injury remains prime reason for workers seeking out compensations. Psychological injury accounts for approximately a third of all claims.
New figures from the department’s annual report show that the number of caseworkers lodging claims in the past year has increased by almost a third.
Spokesperson for the opposition Linda Burney, attributes the figures to coworkers being stressed by a system that has too many vacant positions.
She called on the Minister for Community Services, Pru Goward, to take notice.
“Pru Goward refuses to reveal what the vacancy rates are. We know that vacancy rates are up to 40 per cent in the western parts of New South Wales and some parts of western Sydney,” Burney said.
“If there are vacancy rates of 40 per cent that means caseworkers are under enormous stress, because they are trying to cover those vacancy rates.”
A spokesman for Goward has disputed the accuracy of the Opposition’s vacancy rate figures, stating that there had been no reduction in the number of child protection workers since the Government came into power.
The Minister requested a full briefing on workers compensation from the head of the department.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-06/docs-workers-compensation-claims-leap/4412032?section=nsw
Ausgrid Tackles Underground Asbestos At Substations
By Christmas time workers will have commenced the removal of asbestos from Sydney’s small underground power stations. This is seen as a effort to rid the entire power industry of the deadly building material.
Asbestos will be removed from 10 small electricity substations throughout the city in the next few months, in areas such as Circular Quay and Hyde Park.
The Electrical Trades Union unveiled internal Ausgrid documents last month that documented approximately 49 asbestos-related illness cases at the company over 22-years. The union reports that friable– or easily crumbled– asbestos is still hidden away at the underground electricity substations and meter boards. They have since called on the companies to be reviewed and have the asbestos removed.
However, an Ausgrid spokesman said the holiday asbestos-removal was was part of the provider’s ”normal asbestos removal program” at over 250 substations under the city’s footpaths and roadways.
The spokesperson stated that the work will predominantly take place in the evening to avoid significant disruptions, but a small number of households will experience interrupted electricity supply.
The spokesman added,anyone being affected by electricity cuts will be notified of any planned interruption.
According to the government’s National Health and Medical Research Council, estimates indicate there have already been at least 4,700 deaths from mesothelioma in Australia since records began in the early 1980s. Over 25,000 Australians will die from it over the next 40 years and currently 500 men and 100 women develop mesothelioma annually in Australia. This number is expected to rise to 900 cases per annum by 2020.
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Source: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/power-stations-to-be-rid-of-asbestos-20121206-2ay5s.html#ixzz2EUpFtmqe
Construction Safety: AcetewAGL Would “Rather a Disgruntled Customer than Dead Worker”
ActewAGL boss Michael Costello says he would rather have a disgruntled customer than a dead worker and Canberra’s construction industry risks falling prey to unrealistic deadlines and cost-cutting which directly impacts on workplace safety.
In a submission to the ACT government’s workplace safety inquiry, Actew AGL and ACTEW Corporation have both called for tender processes to be reformed to include weight given to a contractor’s workplace health and safety record, equal to that of the cost and schedule.
Mr Costello said the tender process needed to reward companies which built workplace safety into their bottom line, not penalise them in a highly competitive marketplace.
As head of ActewAGL, which maintains and supplies the ACT’s electricity and gas supply, Mr Costello said he was obsessed with mitigating the risk of such dangerous industries to his 900-strong workforce – 350 of whom worked in the field.
Both incidents still resonated with company management to this day, Mr Costello said.
He believed it was timely for the government to call an inquiry – due to report on Friday – not only because of the four recent workplace deaths but because safety culture needed to evolve constantly in order to prevent complacency from setting in.
“Safety is not a static thing. It is not a case of ‘I’ve done it, I’ve got a safe workplace’. You’re dealing with humans and one of the biggest problems we have is you get complacent, you get bored, you cut corners.”
Since his appointment as chief executive of the part-government-owned utility in 2008, Mr Costello instigated a “root and branch” review of safety systems undertaken by Deloittes. He also hired a specialist director of Environment, Health, Safety and Quality, Dianne King – who holds a Masters of Occupational Health and Safety and has a background is in Defence.
Mr Costello said he was acutely aware of the innate dangers of a workplace in electricity and gas supply – “which is both dangerous to the workers and to the community”.
Mr Costello said ActewAGL was incorporating many new strategies into ongoing safety improvements which included paying cash incentives to workers who reported “near misses” so they could be analysed. He also made a point to meet personally with every worker who suffered an injury requiring them to take time off work to discuss better ways of managing risk. In the last year, three workers lost a day’s work and one lost more than five days following an injury.
While Mr Costello said his preoccupation with workplace safety kept him up at night, he also believed improved safety meant better business.
Commissioner Mark McCabe said ActewAGL and ACTEW Water had “relatively good safety records” and he accepted the Cotter Dam Enlargement was a huge and complex site.
“I am pleased to see that a number of issues we identified on site earlier in the year have been resolved.”
More info on Construction Safety
Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/make-safety-equal-to-cost-and-schedule-actew-20121122-29s0g.html#ixzz2DAo6QZz9
Safety Watchdog Goes After RailCorp for Workplace Death
The State’s transport safety regulator is seeking prosecution against RailCorp, for the death of a track worker who was struck by an oncoming train at Kogarah.
Tamati Grant, 59 was struck and killed by a train while attempting to avoid the southbound train from Hurstville on April 13,2010.
The fatality was blamed on a failure of a RailCorp employee- an area controller- at the train operators signalling complex in Sydenham. The area controller was supposed to alert Grant’s cleaning team of the arrival of the train but failed to do so, resulting in his death.
The Independent Transport Safety Regulator is set to prosecute RailCorp and the area controller for breaching the Rail Safety Act of 2008.
The specific charges that will be aimed at the company, the operator or the company’s former area controller, are not yet clear.
A 2010 prosecution of the Australian Rail Track Corporation, which manages freight lines around the country, resulted in a $200,000 fine. Under the act, individuals can face jail terms of up to two years.
A report into Mr Grant’s death was compiled by the Office of Transport Safety Investigations and it outlines a succession of errors and breaches of procedure.
The report outlined a crucial error in which the area-controller told the leader of Grant’s team that “signal blocks” were on, which would block any potentially incoming trains from passing through. The blocks as it turns out, were not on and by the time the area-controller became aware of this, the train had already been within the teams sights. Grant’s co-workers quickly scrambled to evade the train but tragically he was not so fortunate.
Months prior the fatality, the area controller had taken sick leave, for reportedly seeking treatment for ‘‘psychological conditions and drug rehabilitation”. He allegedly wanted to call in sick on the day of the fatality.
The proceedings against RailCorp are listed expected to be mentioned in Industrial Court of NSW on December 13.
The court date for the area controller is listed for hearing before the Chief Industrial Magistrate between March 4 and 13.
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Source: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/safety-watchdog-to-prosecute-railcorp-over-workers-death-20121129-2airr.html#ixzz2E8TdOOPN
OHS Training: South Australia– Worst WorkCover Scheme in the Nation
SOUTH Australia’s WorkCover scheme has the worst performance record in the nation and needs to have amendments made in order to compel injured workers to return to work, a parliamentary committee says.
After two years, the inquiry board comprised of Labor, Liberal, and Independent MP’s has found SA has the country’s lowest return to work rate at only 70 percent.
Tasmania’s the top of the list with 80 per cent.
The report calls on the State Government to develop a nationally recognized method of analyzing return-to-work rates because the current data is considered inadequate.
The report alleges that enforcing performance standards for worker’s rehabilitation providers which receive referrals through the WorkCover scheme and administering better reporting of their return-to-work stats would also help.
Other recommendations outlined include:
- Ensuring weekly workers’ compensation payments do not fall below the minimum wage.
- Identifying the claims which need some “intensive” early management.
- Greater incentives for employers to take on costs through self-managed insurance.
“Why wouldn’t you give more contracts to those providers that have got the best return-to-work outcomes?” Mr Lucas said.
He said MPs also referred to the controversial changes to the WorkCover scheme in 2008 which were “intended to increase return-to-work rates and reduce levy rates and WorkCover’s unfunded liability (but) clearly there has been no evidence of those goals being achieved”.
The report advises that changes be made by July 2014
Worker’s Rehabilitation Minister spokesman,Jack Snelling said: “Exactly as Rob Lucas acknowledges, the committee has noted it is still too early to measure the final impact of some of the 2008 changes”.
WorkCover’s unfunded liability rose from$437 million at the same time the previous year to $1.389 billion at June 30 this year.
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Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/south-australias-workcover-scheme-is-the-worst-performing-in-the-nation/story-e6frea83-1226528478725
Asbestos Training:Lawyer Praised For Asbestos Battles
Theodora Ahilas clients have all had contact with asbestos throughout the past 5 decades. Now her clients are dying and the pressure is on to ascertain the time of exposure so their families can receive compensation within their lifetimes.
Ahilas is an asbestos solicitor and has taken on approximately 1000 mesothelioma victim’s cases.Now, in the same month that seven James Hardie directors been fortunate to have their penalties reduced, she’s been awarded the Law and Justice Foundation’s Justice Medal, for her commitment to their victims.
”I’ve seen people give their last breath getting compensation for their families,” Ms Ahilas said.
”It’s awful, but it’s still amazing that the human spirit is still prepared to fight at that point. That’s why I love the work.”
However, the economics behind compensation for asbestos victims has evolved in her two-decade career.
The first influx of victims reports was the mining and factory workers who suffered direct exposure to asbestos and often battled its manufacturers, who allege to not have known about asbestos adverse affects until 1960.The second emergence of victims came from builders and plumbers whose work involved with fibro products.
Now reports indicate that a third influx is expected to come through– from women and children who washed the overalls of all those workers, the bystanders and DYI home renovators.
Now the third wave is coming through – the women who washed the overalls of those workers, the bystanders and the home renovators.Invariably, they have no idea when they were exposed.”I say to people when they come to me, ‘Think of it as a big jigsaw puzzle,”’ she said.
”It’s a forensic exercise. You’re looking at something that happened 30 or 40 years ago. You look for records to see what products they might have used. It’s a lot of talking to witnesses and going back and finding people,” Ms Ahilas said.
The third wave of victims demonstrates how indiscriminate mesothelioma can be.
”It could happen to anyone. There were several middle management [people] at James Hardie who developed mesothelioma, and that would be from walking through the factory.”
But if they ever sought compensation, they never called Theodora Ahilas.
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Source: http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/lawyer-wins-prize-for-asbestos-battles-20121121-29q3a.html#ixzz2DAQazd34
People Must Stay Alert As Asbestos Can Exist Anywhere
Paul Howes, national secretary of the AWU recently published an article regarding asbestos victims. In it he described how asbestos exposure victims try to live their lives the best they can, considering the welfare of their families over their own. But underneath the courage lies a furious sense of betrayal that they were left unprotected and exposed to the fatal substance.
The physical toll the disease has taken is apparent for all to see, but the emotional toll while not visible, is significant.
The danger of asbestos has not dissipated, in fact many experts believe there will be a new batch of unfortunate victims of recent exposure in the coming years.
Breathing in airborne asbestos fibres can be deadly at even the smallest amounts. Unfortunately, many homes throughout Australia that were built prior to 1988, may have have been built with asbestos building material.
Simply doing DIY renovations on a home can result in asbestos exposure and subsequently, lifelong problems.
Approximately 600 people die of asbestos-related diseases (such as Mesothelioma) annually. It is therefore imperative that people remain vigilant and aware, and treating asbestos very cautiously.
The federal government has embarked on an asbestos cleaning mission, and has set up an Office of Asbestos Management. This office would deal with the management and eventual removal of the fatal material. Unions hope that the agency will herald in a plan to remove all asbestos from Australia by 2030.
Workers have consistently been pitted against their employers as a result of asbestos exposure. Average people have been up against large companies for their part in the dumping of asbestos. Fortunately, there has been some level of financial compensation for their suffering, but it cannot begin to suffice when considering the amount of suffering these victims endure.
One would think that this type of thing is rare and workers will no longer be exposed to these dangers again. However the use of asbestos was only banned in Australia in 2003 and as seen in the news, many big corporations have been accused of dodging safety laws and responsibilities to workers.
It is a very unfortunate when someone dies as a result of something that has happened to them at work and every effort should be made by companies to ensure that the proper training and equipment is provided when there is a potential of exposure.
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Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/vigilance-is-vital-as-asbestos-killer-lurks-everywhere/story-fndo317g-1226518940630
Proposed New Legislation Will Allow Amputee Worker To Receive Compensation
A legal loophole that left a man unable to access workers’ compensation despite losing his leg in a workplace accident will be amended by proposed new legislation.
Workplace Relations minister David O’Byrne, under pressure from union delegates, yesterday revealed the new laws, which address the issue of “sham contractors”.
Glenorchy man Anthony Young was denied workers’ compensation after a workplace accident at K&D Brickworks at New Town resulted resulted in the loss of his leg.
Mr Young was working for two years at brickworks but was technically contracted with a contracting company.
In July Mr Young was unsuccessful in his appeal for workers’ compensation after the Court of Appeal in Hobart sided with an earlier decision that he was an independent contractor — not a worker, and therefore not entitled to workers’ compensation.
Mr O’Byrne said the amendments to the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 would render workers’ compensation rights to anyone on a sham contract.
“They extend the definition of ‘worker’ to ensure anyone on a sham contract has the same workers’ compensation rights as people on traditional contracts,” the minister said.
The new laws are currently facing debate and review.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/11/22/366625_tasmania-news.html
State and Federal Government At Loggerheads on Asbestos Issue
Talks intended to solve Canberra’s buried asbestos crisis have come to a standstill after the territory government accused the Commonwealth of double standards.
Both sides are now deadlocked on determining who will shell out hundreds of millions of dollars to clean up over 100 sites around the capital where deposits of the fatal building material might have been buried for decades.
Chief Minister Katy Gallagher says the federal government has funded elaborate asbestos removal operations on various contaminated sites but is negating responsibility for others. Gallagher is appealing to Prime Minister Julia Gillard to get involved.
Regional Affairs and Local Government department stated that they are developing a national solution to buried asbestos.
The deadlock creates difficulties for Canberra’s important urban renewal project, the East Lake development in Kingston. It was all set for medium and high-density housing for up to 8000 occupants. There is reportedly, over 600,000 cubic metres of contaminated soil at the East Lake site. Much of the waste are remnants from the construction of the Parliament House. The estimated cost for cleanup is $90 million
The Commonwealth has allegedly refused to assist in the cleanup, arguing that the ACT state-government must accept responsibility. Ms Gallagher said the Commonwealth had cleaned up polluted land at Kingston Rail Yards, on former National Railways land and that defence sites at Bonner and Lawson had been remediated at federal expense. To refuse to fund clean-ups at other sites was ”inconsistent.”
Ms Gallagher said the talks between the two parties, convened last year after she threatened to sue the Commonwealth, had broken down but that the territory would not stop pursing an agreement with the federal government.
”I consider the Commonwealth has a moral and financial obligation to the citizens of the ACT to assist in remediation of sites contaminated prior to self-government,” Ms Gallagher said.
”The Commonwealth has accepted responsibility for remediation in a number of cases on an ad hoc basis.”
There are said to be approximately 114 former landfill sites that are contaminated, leading to problems for the sites construction.
A spokesman for the Department of Regional Australia and Local Government said that a national plan was being developed for the management of buried asbestos.
”The Commonwealth remains committed to finding ways to address asbestos management issues nationally,” the spokesman said.
”We established the Office of Asbestos Safety in September 2012 to respond to the broad-ranging Asbestos Management Review and to develop a national strategic plan by 1 July 2013.
Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/gallagher-plea-to-pm-as-asbestos-talks-fail-20121116-29hxd.html#ixzz2DARAjxWW
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OHS: WorkSafe Hopes For Safer November and December
WorkSafe Victoria is hopeful that the end of 2012 will be safer as compared to the “catastrophic” level of incidents last Christmas.
Leading up to last Christmas, seven people died in less than two weeks, fortunately this year’s results have been better.
This year approximately 14 people have died in the workplace, two less fatal incidents than the same time last year.
In the lead up to Christmas last year seven people died at work in less than a fortnight, but so far 2012 results have been better.
So far this year 14 people have died at work, two less than the same time last year, according to Fairfax Media
November and December are notorious for their typically higher level of workplace fatalities with over 26 deaths in the last 5 years within these two months.
SafeWork executive director health and safety Ian Foryth attributes the deadly two months to a number of factors.
“Organisations rushing to finish jobs before their summer break and peak periods for the farming sector can mean that corners are cut and safety becomes less of a priority,” he said.
“It can be a lethal combination and it only takes a moment’s inattention for tragedy to strike … Everyone should return home safe at the end of the day and when this doesn’t happen, it’s a tragedy for all involved.”
Forsyth indicated that most of the workplace deaths in 2012 involved people carrying out regular duties, and it wasn’t just workers with dangerous jobs that risked injury or death.
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WorkSafe Zeros in Injury Hotspot
Greater Dandenong has a record high injury rate in Victoria, and a large billboard has already been put up on a local road to inform the public.
The area is home to approximately 40 per-cent of Victoria’s Manufacturing industry. The industry has a total of 780 workplace injury claims from July 2007 to June 2012.
The Manufacturing industry was home to over half of the incidents to happened in the manufacturing industry.
The most occurring injury was Misculoskeletal at 232, with ‘open would’ injuries in second place with 185.
In addition there were 45 amputations.
WorkSafe health and safety operations general manager Lisa Sturzenegger called for a more hands-on approach from workers and employers alike.
“Employers must get on the front foot by taking a preventative approach to identifying and controlling the risk of dangerous machines at their workplace,” she said.
“Workers need to ask questions and not take anything for granted.”
More information on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.manmonthly.com.au/news/worksafe-targets-manufacturing-injury-hotspot
Asbestos Training: Asbestos Dumping Discovered At Reserve
A large and worrisome amount of highly degraded asbestos material is dispersed throughout a popular recreational area.
The Peter Murrell Reserve at Howden is reportedly ridden with broken pieces of the deadly substance which was dumped there by unprincipled renovators. Amidst the scattered refuse is blue asbestos, said to be the most fatal to human beings.Even though the problem was reported to authorities two months ago, and despite an apparent clean up, hundreds of asbestos fragments remain on the ground of the park.
Asbestos was a popular building material used in the post-war era, prior to being progressively banned from the 1980s. Inhalation — regardless of how minute, can cause fatal mesothelioma years or even decades after exposure.
Builder Scott Cordwell was horrified to find asbestos throughout the reserve.
“I just live around the corner and I walk my dogs around there,” he said. “I went up there and I noticed a lot of it kicking around. This stuff is broken down and weathered and it’s quite a risk … if you pick it up it just disintegrates.”
There is a distinct lack of warning signs or barriers preventing members from the public from being exposed to the deadly material.
Parks and Wildlife Service general manager Peter Mooney recalls hearing reports of asbestos in the reserve from Workplace Standards Tasmania and Kingborough Council in October.
“A sample of the asbestos was collected. This was tested and confirmed to be asbestos,” he said.
“PWS staff then removed and disposed of a small amount of material on 23 October according to the proper process for disposal of asbestos.’
“Given that dumping of material such as this in bushland close to urban areas was a very common occurrence for many years, there may be other small deposits at the reserve.
“PWS will continue to remove this material as it is found and as it is reported by members of the public.”
The revelation comes days after the Asbestos Free Tasmania Foundation launched the Tasmanian Parliamentary Interest Group on Asbestos.
AFTF spokeswoman Susan Wallace is concerned that asbestos might be present in the reserve and believes an investigation and clean-up is urgently needed.
“If it’s lying around like that it should be a matter of priority,” she said. “They need to get an appropriately trained person in there to get some samples and do some testing and as a matter of urgency they need to organise a clean-up. Any asbestos that is releasing fibres into the air poses a health risk.”
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http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/11/22/366586_tasmania-news.html
Construction Safety: WorkSafe Stops Concrete Pours at Work Site
Safety Watchdog, WorkSafe, has stepped in to halt a concrete pour on a large Canberra construction site. This comes soon after WorkSafe cautioned that the industry was disregarding safety laws.
WorkSafe ACT stopped the pour at the Lyons apartment construction project after workers cited concerns that they were put in danger.
It is believed that contractor indicated that a deck for the pour was ready, however, numerous tradesmen were still doing work on it even though the pour was being readied.
Work Safety Commissioner Mark McCabe said After discovering several problems, his inspectors called for the pour to be stopped. Of the most serious issues, was that work was signed of as completed even though it had not been.
The incident follows a meeting between WorkSafe ACT and concrete companies last week, in which the companies expressed concerns that some building firms were pressuring them go ahead with pours in unsafe circumstances.
McCabe said pours were too dangerous to skimp on safety.
“There have been a number of significant incidents in the ACT recently that have involved dangerous concrete pours. This kind of risk taking is just unacceptable.”
Ben Catanzariti was killed during a pouring accident in July this year at a Kingston Foreshore site, which also injured two other workers.
Mr McCabe described concrete pours last week as one of the construction industry’s most dangerous activities.
He said he was concerned that developers were forcing workers to ignore safety precautions so as to lower costs.
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union’s ACT secretary, Dean Hall, said workers on the site called the union on Thursday morning because they feared for their safety.
“They were concerned that they were under pressure to work in an exclusion zone, and they could see the concrete trucks rolling up and getting set up to pour. That should never have happened.”
He said the union was firmly behind WorkSafe ACT’s crackdown on the industry.
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Source:: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/safety-watchdog-shuts-down-site-20121115-29dz5.html#ixzz2CpJKpE3K
Mental Fatigue or “Burn Out” — A Recognised Disorder Costing Billions
Executive burnout is a condition that costs business billions of dollars each year in lost productivity and stress leave. In order to avoid this, corporate leaders should be given “mental checks” to ensure that they haven’t succumbed to mental fatigue.
Burnout is one of the only mental disorders Work Safe Australia believes to be directly influenced by excessive work. Reports indicate that burnout leads to a “stress bill” of $20 billion to businesses annually.
Over worked executives are at the highest risk and their slow descent into complete burnout can negatively effect companies while also spilling out into personal lives.
Robyn McNeill is a prime example of someone who has been negatively impacted by burnout. McNeill came close to losing her family and her life when she was tried to constantly balance her high pressure project management job with her personal life.
“The first episode of burnout I had was when I walked out on my two kids and their father because I couldn’t cope,” says Ms McNeill.
“It was fight or flight syndrome, and I chose flight. I didn’t realise I had burnout, I thought my marriage was the problem, I was blaming everyone else.”
“I was mentally exhausted and unable to cope with situations I could normally deal with. One day I told my husband to take all the sleeping tablets and throw them away because if he didn’t, I would take them all.”
Ms McNeill believes her situation could have been helped, had she sought assistance early on.
“It is a journey to burnout,” she says “It starts with stress but if you take no action, the symptoms get worse. You start to lose clarity of thinking, the ability to make good decisions or to be creative, your physical and mental health are in decline. You need to identify what is going on and take action early.”
Clinical psychologist Dr Simon Kinsella suggests that businesses should arrange an annual mental health check for top executives to help tackle issues that some may not acknowledge as problems.
“I am definitely seeing more cases of executive burnout. Executives and CEOs have a higher level of pressure to deal with such as mergers or insolvencies. But they have very driven personalities, they feel weak if they are not coping, and they fear if they show signs of weakness, the culture at executive level will see them as vulnerable,” Dr Kinsella says.
Signs of BURNOUT
Recognising and acknowledging burnout early is a key step in avoiding it’s disastrous effects one’s life. Some symptoms are as follows:
- Inability to sleep- Insomnia and irregular sleep patterns is a frequent sign of someone under too much stress
- Unusual Moods- Males often display overt aggression when burnout, while women are more likely to cry for what seems like insignificant issues.
- Unusual Eating habits.
- The feeling that you are unable to cope
- Feeling Depressed
- Lashing out and blaming others for how you feel
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Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/meltdown-exec-burnout-costing-billions/story-e6frg6n6-1226508470134
NSW Orders Asbestos Audit on Energy Companies
The NSW government has ordered an industry-wide asbestos audit for the state’s big electricity providers following meetings with unions and power companies.
OHS: A Significant Decline in Work Safety
Approximately 33% of ACT workplaces that had a safety inspection last financial year passed – a significant decrease on previous years’ outcomes.The dismal results have showcased a policy difference between the government and its new cabinet partner, Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury, who wants the building industry put more money into training workers.
A third of inspected businesses complied with health and safety laws in 2011-12, compared with just under 55% per cent in 2009-10. The government’s objective was reportedly 80 per cent.ACT Work Safety Commissioner Mark McCabe said the trend was likely to reflect his inspectors’ focus on the construction industry, which has been tainted this year by a record high rate of safety incidents and deaths.
Mr McCabe and former public service commissioner Lynelle Briggs will presumably report the findings of their inquiries into industry practicess within a week.WorkSafe ACT and its preceding agencies reportedly lost half of their inspectors over the past seven years, at a time Canberra was undergoing a construction boom.
A disappointing 34 qualified inspectors now supervising construction sites, reduced from 68 in 2004-05.Labor frontbencher Simon Corbell, who became the ACT’s first Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations Minister last week, said yesterday the result showed why the government had created the new portfolio.
”Poor compliance across industry is a deep concern for the government. My first priority will be to respond to the findings that Mark McCabe and Lynelle Briggs present in the coming weeks.”
Mr Corbell said the government hired five extra inspectors when it merged WorkCover with WorkSafe in 2010.”But I don’t think inspecting capacity on its own will solve this problem. We need to improve the culture of occupational health and safety in all workplaces,” he said.”We need to be sure that businesses don’t just see it as red tape, and instead treat their safety of their workers as a matter of real importance.”
The Greens attempted unsuccessfully to campaign for workplace safety funding during the last Assembly.The minor party went to last month’s ACT election pledging to increase a building industry levy from 0.2 per cent of the value of construction projects to 0.3 per cent, to raise more money to train apprentices.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/dramatic-decline-in-worksite-safety-20121111-296sm.html
Human Resources: Etter Accuses Governor of Bullying
Barbera Etter, former head of Tasmania’s Integrity Commission, has accused the State Governor of bullying. These accusations come nearly a year after Etter quit her job as Integrity Commissioner, one year into a five-year contract with the government.
OHS: Builder and Union Clash Using Ads
Conflicts between builder Grocon and Victoria’s most prominent construction union continue, with expensive billboard attack-advertisements being erected throughout Melbourne’s freeways. A spokesperson for Grocon described the give billboards as a fragment of a campaign meant to discredit or “distract from the union’s increasingly toxic brand”.
The billboards were erected at the Flemington section of CityLink, the Monash Freeway in Richmond and the West Gate Freeway in Port Melbourne.The ads are estimated to have cost approximately $20,000 monthly. As such, the ad is expected to remain in place until the end of the month.
The Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union has also taken to running ads amidst the dispute with Grocon. The dispute was reportedly started following a disagreement over who was to appoint shop stewards and the right to display union paraphernalia at work sites.Police clashed with protesters at a Grocon Lonsdale Street Emporium site, when a picketline was formed last August. Grocon claimed in court that the picket line was a tool to intimidate its employees.
Bill Oliver, state secretary of the union’s building division, claims to have remaining concerns regarding the safety of workers on Grocon’s sites.
“Until workers are able to have proper safety representatives rather than employer-appointed stewards, the union will continue to have concerns,” he said.
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Source: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/union-billboards-attack-grocon-on-safety-standards-20121108-28zua.html#ixzz2Bqu8pUtj
WA Proposes Removing Levy To End Illegal Asbestos Dumping
The Illegal disposal of asbestos in Perth is expected to end after a landfill levy for the deadly substance is dropped, according to the WA government.
The exemption will be in place as early as Januay 2013, and will apply to asbestos sheeting bound in black plastic– however asbestos- contaminated soil will still be subject to the levy.
Environment Minister Bill Marmion stated that the new measure is intended to discourage and deter illegal dumping.
Regardless of increased fines, people had continuously dumped asbestos sheeting in bushland and other sites away from public scrutiny. The Waste Authority advised that the landfill levy could be unintentionally pushing people to people to dispose of asbestos waste improperly.
“This is good news for small business and families, reducing costs and protecting the health of communities and the environment,” Mr Marmion said.
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Source: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/wa-bid-to-stop-illegal-asbestos-dumping-by-removing-landfill-levy/story-e6frg13u-1226512262288
Asbestos Safety:Electrical Trades Union Puts Pressure on Ausgrid
The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) is convinced the number workers sick from asbestos exposure will rise at electricity distribution company Ausgrid. The ETU stated that 49 asbestos-related illnesses have been cited in the last 20 years at Ausgrid. Recently, the same company uncovered asbestos in its underground substations in central Sydney.
Spokesperson for the company, Anthony O’Brien claims that majority of the hazardous material has been removed. “In the Sydney CBD asbestos has been present in some substations for a long time. We have removed the asbestos from 90 per cent of those stations, so more than 30 have had asbestos removed,” he said. The union alleges that work has been suspended on the sites because Ausgrid refuses to pay overtime for night work. Their efforts to make the areas safer have all been conducted after hours to avoid public scrutiny.
The ETU is currently pushing for the industry to design and implement an urgent removal plan The union’s state secretary Steve Butler has threatened work bans if no government action is taken. “I think it goes countrywide. I’ve got no doubt this problem exists in New South Wales, it exists in Victoria, it exists in Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.” NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson supports Butler’s position on involving the government.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-06/electrical-union-raises-ausgrid-asbestos-fears/4356096?section=nsw
WorkCover Amends Laws To Include Fire Fighters With Job-Related Cancers
SA firefighters will incontrovertibly receive WorkCover payments if they are diagnosed with work-related cancers.
The State Government says SA will be the first state the amend its laws to cover firefighters diagnosed with such cancers as primary brain,bladder, kidney, breast and prostate cancers.
Workers’ Rehabilitation Minister Jack Snelling indicated that the new measures will implemented by July 1,2013.
“The onus of proof should no longer be on those who risk their lives for our safety every day,” he said.
United Firefighters industrial officer Joe Szakacs reported that dozens of firefighters are currently suffering or recovering from job-related cancers.
He cited research that showed a professional firefighter with five years’ experience has five times the risk of contracting 12 different types of cancer than others throughout the community.
Premier Jay Weatherill said attributed firefighters exposure to toxic chemicals and fumes in the line of duty, puts them at a higher risk of the disease.
He believes the amendments would make it “easier for those firefighters to get the compensation they deserve for putting themselves in harm’s way”.
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Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/workcover-change-for-firies-diagnosed-with-job-related-cancers/story-e6frea6u-1226510713687
OHS:Perth Company Pays Out for Injured Labourer
A Perth company was told to pay $10,000 to an employee who lost part of a finger in a mincing machine.
In February 2010, a labourer at D’Orsogna Limited was using a mincing machine that had a metal chute also known as a hopper, in which meat was fed into.
The employee placed 200kg of meat onto a hoist and checked the levels of meat being consumed by the hopper.
Upon inspection, the labourer noticed the meat was not reaching the mincing area. This prompted the worker to use his hand to push the meat down which resulted in him getting his finger stuck in the mincing area. He was subsequently required to have his finger amputated at the knuckle.
D’Orsogna LTD pleaded guilty in court for failing to provide and uphold a safe work environment for employees.
In a recent case, Harvest Freshcuts was told to pay over $50,000 when an employee lost two fingers in a vegetable slicer.
WorkSafe executive director Ian Munns said “It’s disappointing that the message evidently still has not gotten through that it is never safe to allow the moving parts of machinery to remain operational when workers may have to make adjustments or perform maintenance,”
“Subsequent to this incident, the employer installed a safe system of work for this mincer that cost less than $3000 – far less than the total $11,548 the company ended up paying in a fine and costs.”
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Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/15313188/company-fined-10-000-after-mincing-accident/
Construction Safety: Neglected Safety Issues At Concrete Pours
Concerns over surging budgets and prolonged delays are pushing construction companies to neglect safety measures related to concrete pours, according to a safety watchdog.
Work Safety Commissioner Mark McCabe, regards concrete pours as a major “pressure point” in the ACT industry, and subsequently one of the most hazardous activities in construction.
McCabe is joining the government inquiry panel that will be investigating suspected malpractice in the industry. The inquiry was ordered following 4 workplace deaths on ACT construction sites in under a year.
The inquiry is expected to conclude later this month, but McCabe believes that pressures to reduce costs were compelling workers to neglect safety problems in various areas of the job (i.e concrete pours).
A pour was halted half-way at Empire Building Group’s construction site in Harrison, after significant safety breaches were discovered throughout the access area. As a result, truckloads of concrete were directed away from the site—a move which is expected to be costly for the company.
McCabe identified aspects that contributed to the dangerous nature of concrete pours; namely the backed up waiting lists for concreting contractors (which is said to have been caused by the rapid growth of ACT’s construction industry and subsequently made any delays unappealing).
McCabe revealed that any delays on concreting can result in tens of thousands of dollars per day (of delay).
The company is working desperately on the safety issues at the worksite in Harrison. WorkSafe ACT will resume investigations at the site.
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Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/rushed-concrete-pours-raise-safety-alarm-20121104-28sgd.html#ixzz2BOiZlJpn
Two Million Homes Hold Potential Asbestos Dangers
Approximately Two million homes constructed prior to 1988 could hold potentially fatal asbestos dust around electricity meters. Workers have been ordered to wear safety masks while doing work involving the meter boards.Meter boards put in prior to1988 contain asbestos that becomes deadly upon being disturbed by drilling associated with the installation of modern meters and solar energy.
Endeavour Energy released a ”hazard alert” to all 3000 workers on Thursday following after workers revealed that they discovered asbestos residue around meters.
The Electrical Trades Union subsequently ordered its members to halt work on or near potentially hazardous board.Labor’s bungled solar bonus scheme has increased the rate of work being carried out on meter boards over the past five years.
Endeavour Energy reportedly informed customers and electrical contractors that they should don safety masks when ”opening or working on” older style fibro meter boards.
Members of the union have been instructed not to return to work until the the boards are deemed as “asbestos free”. The situation is considered high-risk as the asbestos is friable ( breathable) and thus exposure is a higher risk.
Criticism has been directed towards EE for simply telling workers and customers to wear personal protective equipment rather than acting quickly and appropriately. The union believes the company could have directed more efforts to dealing with the risk to both staff and the public.
Barry Robson, of the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia, has criticized the company as well for identifying the problem but not warning households.
There are concerns that if an urgent public awareness campaign is not launched, then a wave of new asbestos victims will emerge.
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Source: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/households-unaware-of-asbestos-alert-20121027-28c84.html#ixzz2AZKYWoC8
Unions Worried About Weakened Fatigue Legislation
Regulation to manage fatigue among NSW train operators may be weakened under proposed reforms, according to the national rail union.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union stated that the reforms could result in drivers working for over 10 hours at a time. These new national rail safety laws will reportedly replace state-based laws. States have accepted the new laws, although Transport Minister, Gladys Berejiklian succeeded in her attempts to retain stronger fatigue management provisions in NSW.
Both Transport for NSW and the Federal Minister for Transport, Anthony Albanese state that fatigue management systems will not be weakened under the new laws. However, national secretary of the RTBU, Bob Nanva stated that semantically, the draft federal laws threatens stronger provisions in NSW.
The union submitted a report clarifying the ways in which state’s regulations could be weakened. Both long distance and inter-urban drivers, fall under the current NSW regulations, but only apply to “long distance” trains.
“This proposed wording clearly changes the current NSW arrangement by leaving sufficient ambiguity to argue that inter-urban services are not long distance trains – and therefore not subject to the shift limits that currently apply to those services,” the union’s submission states.
According to the union’s submission, in NSW train drivers are required to have a minimum break of 30 minutes between the third and fifth hours of each shift.
The draft national laws, however, required a “maximum” 30-minute break only to be “scheduled”.
But this has since been changed to “scheduled and taken”.
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/national/union-fears-over-train-driver-fatigue-20121024-284xn.html#ixzz2AYmhxHJA
Fire Crews Face Fatigue Management Issues
Rural firefighters are suffering from fatigue and dehydration as they operate rakehoes and chainsaws to control southeast Queensland’s wave of grass and bush fires.
Volunteers are consuming approximately a litre of water every hour in order to keep up pace and creating fire breaks during 12-14 hour shifts.
First responders were replaced by “strike teams” of fire fighters from Stanthorpe and the Sunshine Coast.
Rural Fire Brigade Association president Mike Garrahy predicted some time ago that this would be one of the worst fire seasons in many years. Thus far, his assertions have been all but prophetic.
Residents and Firefighters alike, have been grateful that the temperature has not risen and it hasn’t been drier — however it would be several additional days until the fires are controlled. According to rural operations regional director Peter Varley, the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service is monitoring the level of fatigue and will be replacing crews when fatigue begins to pose a problem.
“We have a fatigue management plan, but we have a limited amount of volunteers, they do a marvellous job. It’s something that we keep in mind all the time, that we have to keep changing those crews over.”
Mr Garrahy indicated that guidelines were implemented that ordered firefighters to return home for rest after two and half shifts .
Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/fire-crews-fight-fatigue-as-they-battle-southeast-queenslands-grass-and-bush-fires/story-e6freoof-1226502721942
OHS: Brimbank Paid Out $5 million in Half a Decade
In excess of $5 million was paid to workers who suffered injuries at the hands of machinery or equipment in Brimbank workplaces in the last half of this decade.
Worksafe Victoria’s reports reveal that there were 274 injuries in the region between June 2007 and June this year, adding up to appproximately $5.6 million in compensation to workers.
Brimbank is currently ranked 13th in the state, only being surpassed by neighbouring Wyndham, Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong local government areas.
Greater Dandenong is number one in this exclusive group,with a startling 780 injuries as well as claims that add up to over $20 million.
According to Worksafe health and safety operations manager Lisa Sturzenegger ,Victorian workers lost 450 body parts as a result of machinery accidents in the past five years.
She attributed the $220 million medical bill to the amputations, cuts, crushing and other injuries to nearly 11,000 workers as well as the subsequent treatment, rehabilitation and financial assistance
In under five years, nearly $2 million in fines were charged to employers following WorkSafe prosecutions that revolved around guard rail safety measures as well as a multitude of unsafe machinery cases .
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Source : http://brimbank-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/5m-for-work-injuries/
OHS: WorkSafe Pressured To Rush Inquiry
Worksafe is refusing to prematurely release the details pertaining to a pearl diver death investigation.
Jarrod Hampton of Melbourne, died in April while he was diving off the coast of Broome for Paspaley Pearls. WorkSafe took statements from witnesses and has been looking into the safety record of the company.
Commissioner Lex McCulloch stated that the pressure has been put on in order to rush the outcome. He is however, confident that the result will remain thorough and accurate.
Commissioner Lex McCulloch says he has experienced enormous pressure to rush the outcome but maintains it will be thorough and accurate.
Since the investigation started, countless emails and printed letters have made their way through the ministry and some have even reached the premier’s office.
The letters are reportedly requests for updates on the current situation regarding the death. McCulloch said the process may take longer but the process will be thorough.
“If there’s been errors made or gaps in what we need to do, then the industry will assess those and try to meet them,” said Pearl Producers Association chief executive officer Brett McCallum
A Coroner’s report is being anticipated.
Despite the police report on Hampton’s death already finalised, the Coroner is still awaiting the WorkSafe report to be complete, before it investigates.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-25/worksafe-pressured-to-rush-dive-death-investigation/4333874?section=wa
Manual Handling: Factory Injuries Carry Heavy Financial Burden
Almost 20 thousand Queensland factory workers suffered injuries in the workplace in the past fiscal year which resulted in approximately $204 million in disbursements from WorkCover.
While less than 12,000 claims were made by construction workers, their payout were in excess of $201 million and were responsiblefor 16 per cent of all claims.
Workers in the metals, plastics and meat processing areas are considered to be the highest risk in the manufacturing sector according to the insurer’s yearly repor. t
Queensland secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, Rohan Webb, claimed to have expected the injury report for 2011/12 financial year to be high, “but not that high”.
He attributed the problems to companies who appoint on-site safety managers who lack the proper training for the role. He also targeted companies who fail to properly guard machinery.
“When a safety representative is elected by the workforce we seem to get better results and better safety, Mr Webb said.
He said occupational health and safety standards had weakened with a relative explosion in small- to medium-sized manufacturing operations across the state.
“Unfortunately employers say safety is paramount, but they’re quite quick to cut a corner if it means upping production,” Mr Webb said.
Overall, 3741 Queensland workers injured on the job sued their employer for negligence last financial year, resulting $514 million in payouts.
The report reveals the 150,000 employers insured through WorkCover face premium hikes, with the average rate to increase from $1.30 to $1.45 per $100 in wages.
WorkCover manages 90 per cent of Queensland workers’ compensation claims.
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Source: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/factory-accidents-prove-costly-20121018-27u26.html#ixzz2ABKXg0iY
Fire Safety Social Media Campaign To Launch For Students
The Fire brigade will launch a social media campaign and mobile phone app that aims to educate international students about Fire Safety. The Metropolitan Fire Brigade conducted focus groups with foreign students to gain insight into the optimum ways of reaching them via online networks.
Tentative plans are to launch the campaign next year.
MFB station officer of the Community Education Department, John Hale, stated that many international students live in crowded, dangerous conditions with no smoke alarms and a variety of other fire hazards. The focus groups revealed that many students were afraid to object to the conditions because they were fearful for their student visas. ‘They just don’t want to make a fuss,’’ Hale said.
The MFB plans to release videos and written safety information releases in a variety of languages for students prior to leaving their home country. According to another officer, Rod East, on a weekly basisup to two incidents are attended to at rooming houses, often with international students. East claims to have seen up to 19 students living in one house and he does not think this is uncommon for rooming houses.Recently, fire crews attended to a fire at Reservoir garage that which had been renovated into student housing. The garage was found to not have been properly equipped with smoke alarms and had an overloaded electrical system which potentially caused the fire.
‘‘That actually had three rooms in it. It was only a tin garage that had lining on it,’’ East said.
All the students had reportedly fled the site before fire crews arrived. East said ‘‘If you don’t get to them early enough you’ll never see them again.’’
East stressed that students should be aware that they deserve safe accommodation,he added, ‘‘They don’t have to live like this.’’
Council of International Students Australia national president Aleem Nizari recently discussed his experiences with overcrowding in rooming houses. He witnessed one instance where 16 students were living in a three-bedroom house. He had even witnessed a case inwhich a wardrobe was offered as a bedroom to a student.
Source: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/fire-safety-push-online-for-students-20121023-283e9.html#ixzz2ABQEmf89
Government Rallies Against Asbestos
The Queensland government is putting more pressure into the fight against the often fatal substance, asbestos. They will put increase allotted funding in an effort to remove high-risk asbestos that exists throughout schools and public housing.
According to Public Works Minister Bruce Flegg, one Queenslander is diagnosed with a terminal case of mesothelioma (asbestos related disease) ever six days. This number is expected to rise through out the next decade.
Flegg recently stated there are two million cubic metres of asbestos in public buildings, most of which is in the walls of schools and public housing, with 400 asbestos scares a year.
Dr Flegg announced the government’s plan to invest $1.5 million to prioritise the removal of high-risk asbestos material, particularly fibre boards and vinyl floor sheeting, which is substantially more dangerous than fibro asbestos.
The extra funding is on top of the $26 annual budget for removal.
Dr Flegg said it’s particularly worrying that schools have the most cases of asbestos.
“Asbestos exposure in schools has been going on for a very long time and it is really frightening for parents because there is no way of telling (whether) your child … has inhaled asbestos fibres if the circumstances occur where they may become airborne,” he told reporters.
Dr Flegg would also work with local government to create more dump sites and a central register so people can easily identify a tip to go to instead of illegally dumping the lethal material.
QBuild staff, the government’s construction and building maintenance business, would also be upskilled to have Class B and Class A licences for asbestos removal, to curb the use of contractors.
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Source: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/government-to-ramp-up-fight-against-asbestos-20121018-27t5p.html#ixzz2AAw62nEm
Working At Heights: Worker injured in Construction Site Fall
A 22 year old worker was hospitalized following an construction accident in Canberra.
The worker suffered chest injuries resulting from his falling five metres from an internal shaft at the Nishi Apartments in New Acton.
Ambulance paramedics treated him prior to being taken to Canberra Hospital, where he is currently in stable condition. Over 300 construction workers were informed that they will not be able to return to work until the safety issues are dealt with. WorkSafe ACT designated an exclusion zone around the construction site until it can be properly investigated. Originally just the accident site was roped-off but
Dean Hall from CFMEU said “When you have an accident like this on a building site, what you find is that a lot of workers come forward with concerns they’ve had,” he said.
“We’ve had a number of them approach us already with some pretty serious concerns and allegations.
“We’ve given them the undertaking that we’ll work with management to resolve those, and the site will not go back to work until that takes place.”
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-22/man-injured-in-worksite-fall/4326902?section=act
Human Resources: Union Boss Fined For Bullying Workers
Famed WA union boss Joe McDonald again been fined for bullying employees at a construction site. The most recent fine against Mr McDonald and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union takes the combined total against the pair to over $1 million since 2005, according to Fair Work Building and Construction.
Revealed in the Federal Magistrates Court, Mr McDonald, the CFMEU WA assistant secretary, said that if Herdsman Business Park i workers weren’t a member of the union they could “F**king go and find” employment elsewhere. There are no requirements for workers to be union members.
During a meeting with the employees of various subcontractors, Mr McDonald said he would close down the site because there were not enough amenities or toilets and the scaffolding was not safe. Two other CFMEU officers also instructed workers to stop work and leave the site. All but four did for the rest of the day. The court heard that shortly after, the site manager told Mr McDonald he had arranged for additional toilets for the site, but Mr Donald responded “I don’t care, the men aren’t going back to work”. Mr McDonald was found guilty of unlawful industrial action and making false and misleading statements about workers’ requirements to join the union and fined $6380. The union was fined $28,600 plus $15,000 in costs to be paid to FWBC. Mr McDonald and the CFMEU have been embroiled in numerous legal cases relating to bullying of workers at WA construction sites.
They were recently ordered to pay a $200,000 penalty for engaging in a targeted industrial campaign against the same company on another site. Last year Mc McDonald lost an appeal against a $8000 fine for taking unlawful strike action at City Square in the CBD on July 15, 2009. He had encouraged workers with occupational health and safety concerns to walk off the job for the day. The union also was fined $40,000 for the illegal action. FWBC chief executive Leigh Johns said Mr McDonald was misusing union members’ fees. “Mr McDonald is a recidivist who regularly flouts workplace laws and then turns up to court with no defence, ready to do a deal using CFMEU members’ funds,” Mr Johns said. “While we welcome the court’s handing down the penalties and costs, the fact is that Mr McDonald has wasted the court’s time, as well as some $250,000 worth of union funds in recent weeks alone. “If Mr McDonald stopped his pattern of unlawful behaviour, hard-working members of his union would be better off, in both their industrial outcomes, and through savings of some $1 million his actions have cost them in penalties since 2005.”
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Source: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/union-boss-penalties-top-1m-after-bullying-fines-20121010-27czy.html#ixzz293TI2dms
SafeWork Attempts to Reduce Worker Fatigue
A new proposal dictates that bosses will have to schedule jobs around the social lives of employees and ensure that staff who yawn or daydream are not too fatigued to continue working safely.
The proposal falls under national health and safety laws that were implemented to improve fatigue management.
Employers are angry that the new laws designates them as the “yawn police” , always on duty for workplace fatigue.The government agency’s fatigue management checklist includes headaches, daydreaming, constant yawning, low motivation and moodiness. It has reportedly been proposed that bosses ‘eliminate or reduce the need to work extended hours or overtime’ to avoid fatigue dangers.
“If a worker leaves their job tired and exhausted they may be less able to enjoy out of work activities or could be a danger to themselves and others in the community,” the draft code states
The code states that If a worker arrives to work and is deemed unfit to work because of a lack of sleep, illness or other condition, the worker may be less productive and could endanger themselves or others.The report reveals that the the code recommends that employers train workers in ‘balancing work and personal lifestyle demands’.
Source: http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2012/10/07/123–Safe-Work-Australia-plan-to-reduce-workplace-fatigue-of-workers.html
Surge of Truck Deaths Prompt “Blame Game”
A surge in serious truck accidents on one of Australia’s busiest transport routes has caused conflict over who is responsible.
The Hume Highway between Sydney and Melbourne is one of the country’s major supply routes and is now one its most fatal.
Approximately nine trucks have been wrecked on the north-east Victorian stretch in recent weeks – seven within 10 days.
The most recent accident involved a postal truck which struck a tree and caught fire north of Violet Town The driver did not survive.
Senior Sergeant at Seymour Police Station, Ralph Willingham, believes the problem stems from a lack of resources to combat driver fatigue. WIllingham does not attribute the recent collisions to engineering problems rather, he believes them to be caused by fatigue management issues. He attributes these issues to the industry being under tough economic pressure to “do more in less time” and believes all signs point to fatigue-related causes.
The Victorian Road Authority, VicRoads, works together with the police to enforce road regulations for Trucks.
David Shelton, the director of road safety at VicRoads, says the latest run of accidents is concerning.
“We are looking at whether we can actually do a more enhanced crash investigation process to better understand the underlying reasons why these crashes are occurring,” he said.
“We’re starting specifically in the north-east, and at the moment we’re at the point of saying what sort of methodology – how would we actually examine this?
Shelton believes in order to combat fatigue everyone needs to work together with transport operators to gather information that only they would be privy to — which would help them to understand the root causes of the problems.
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-06/unions-claim-truckies-being-driven-to-death/4299126?section=vic
Asbestos Training: Deadly Substance Found At Girl Guides Hall
Workplace Standards Tasmania is inquiring how asbestos was left undetected at a demolition site in the state’s south.
The deadly substance was buried in the infrastructure of a Girl Guides hall which was demolished for new council chambers.The asbestos was discovered at a rental property where it was misidentified as cleanfill.
Thomas Connelly who resides on the site is considering relocating his family because he fears for his three children’s health. He has subsequently contacted the council, the EPA and the Tenancy Union. Connelly wants out of his lease immediately as he is worried the presence of the substance could have deadly implications.
Connelly recalled stories regarding children who have played near mines in the past and have eventually be diagnosed with cancer. He is concerned that it only takes a small amount of exposure to result in cancer or a related disease.According to the site manager Bill Costin, a report is currently being prepared. Costin said checks had been done on the structure years ago but they missed the asbestos because it was “below the ground”.
Asbestos Free Tasmania Foundation spokeswoman Susan Wallace stressed that what is above the ground isn’t the only important aspect since asbestos had been crushed in the past from demolitions and used to fill foundations.Wallace said this incident teaches those in the industry that simply checking the building is not sufficient.
The council informed the public that the asbestos has since been removed from both sites. However, Connelly claims that it has not been removed and it is 100 metres from his home.
Mr Costin alleges that he was removed and he will investigate further.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-11/absestos-find-at-girl-guides-hall/4307212?section=tas
Brewery Workers Strike Amid Safety Concerns
Carlton and United Breweries are refusing to return to work until safety concerns at beer giant’s Abbotsford brewery are addressed.
The brewer has reassured customers that there is no immediate concern over the disruption of beer supplies.
Approximately 160 brewery workers decided to strike over concerns at the plant. The union representing the workers at the brewery, United Voice, stated that new brewing processes suggested by the company last year was neither safe nor acceptable.
The union also expressed staff concerns that voluntary redundancies offered to staff at the brewery could be withdrawn or even used to get rid of staff.
United Voice and CUB’s parent company engaged Fair Work Australia in search of an emergency hearing, in an effort to resolve the dispute.
CUB said in a statement that it had been going through an extensive consultation process with staff since 2011 over the changes.
It said that some operations were recommencing at the site, that alcohol continued to be delivered and that “no interruption is expected to beer supply”.
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Source: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/cub-workers-strike-over-brewery-safety-20120926-26le4.html#ixzz27tzQEyDU
Purported Cause of Mount Lyell Disaster To Be Challenged
The cause of the Mount Lyell mining disaster is being currently being debated as it awaits its centenary.
Flames ignited in the North Mount Lyell mine in October 1912, resulting in the deaths of 42 miners and the entrapment of approximately 100 workers underground.
A Royal Commission released an open finding but the company fingered an employee as the one responsible. The company claims that the incident was caused by an employee lighting the fire.
Renowned historian Geoffrey Blainey wrote a book about 50 years ago in which he ascertained that the fire was deliberately lit.
“Not with the idea of causing death but with the idea of causing a shock,” he said.
But former MP Peter Schultz is an author of a new book that challenges that position.
He told 730 Tasmania he wanted clear the air and dispute the company’s claims. Shultz believes the company suppressed evidence of several electrical fires that had previously occurred. He added, that despite the commission’s findings that there had only been one fire, there was actually evidence indicating that five fires had occurred and that the pump station was especially dangerous.
“There were no fuses in the control circuits and on two of the previous occasions where there had been fires, they had to switch off the power to be able to put the fires out.”
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-06/cause-of-mt-lyell-disaster-questioned/4299184?section=tas
Asbestos Training: Australian Registry’s First Mesothelioma Report
The first report compiled with data from the recently-established Australian Mesothelioma Registry has been released, and the results are not encouraging especially for labourers
According to Safe Work Australia’s report and the Australian Mesothelioma Registry, 612 new cases of mesothelioma in 2011 were recorded. The new country-wide registry launched in 2011 with the aim of recording and tracking all newly reported mesothelioma cases. The collection of data is to compile research and note patterns and trends.
612 new cases equals to about 2.7 mesothelioma cases per 100,000 people. Safe Work Australia noted however that that the number is likely to be a significantly higher due to “possible delays in confirming or coding some diagnoses.”
Of the 612 mesothelioma cases diagnosed, over half of the deaths were reported by the end of August 2012. Men make up for about 84.5 per cent of reported cases and most patients are 65-years old or older. The report indicated that workers from the construction and building trades were the most likely to have been exposed to asbestos in their careers.
The registry has patients complete and asbestos questionnaire to gain some insight into their history of exposure. A patients completed the survey and 87 also completed a telephone interview.
Australia has one of the world’s highest per capita rates of mesothelioma, a rare cancer that attacks the membranes around organs and often resists conventional therapies. According to Safe Work Australia, Australia both produced and was one of the biggest consumers of asbestos until the mid-1980’s. Even though the Australian government issued a total ban on the use and importation of all forms of asbestos in 2003, it is still present in thousands of homes and buildings.
At the beginning of this year the Australian government started a campaign meant to at encourage do-it-yourself homeowners to have asbestos assessments or have it removed before building or renovating a home.
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Source:First Australian Mesothelioma Report Confirms 612 Cases”, September 24, 2012, Occupational Health & Safety website.
Confined Spaces: WA Mines 3x More Fatal Than Any Other State
WA mine sites are three times more fatal than other states in Australia, according to recent reports from Safe Work Australia.
The report also revealed that workers are treating their own injuries on the job out of fear of being fired. This “culture of cover-ups” is reportedly a result of mining companies trying to keep profits and production at full speed. Following inquiries by The Sunday Times, Department of Mines and Petroleum director-general Richard Sellers said inspectors will probe the first-aid kit claims.
Mining is reportedly number three on the list of deadly jobs in WA, only surpassed by the agriculture and construction industries. Over a dozen lives have been lost in four years, with countless injuries and close-calls.
Since WA has over a third of Australia’s mine workers, it accounts for nearly half of the deaths.
Safe Work reports that from 2007- 2011 16 mine workers died in WA. Of the mining deaths Queensland had five fatalities,NSW and SA had five, and Victoria had one.
It was also revealed that
- Companies are informed prior to safety inspections
- Following this month’s ore price drop, whole mine-safety teams were laid off.
- Some inductions for new recruits consist of simply a video with a questionnaire with answers provided.
- Department of Mines noted over 50″significant incident reports” in under two decades. Some incidents include crushed workers, and deadly fumes in underground mines, explosions and other mining disasters.
Advocacy group FIFO Families’ said several workers acquired their own first-aid kits for work because of the the fear they have of reporting “lost time injuries”. This fear is thought to stem from companies linking bonuses to “no lost-time” injuries since some contractors desperately wanted a clean safety record.
Consultant and campaigner Helen Fitzroy, who founded legacy charity Miners’ Promise following the mining death of her husband, has called for an elimination of production bonuses because they result in workers not reporting incidents.Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union secretary Gary Wood stated that mine inspections were often “controlled” during site visits .He confirmed allegations that some companies had no desire to have injury reported on their record.
Mines Department director-general Richard Sellers noted the success of his inspectors hosting impromptu safety inspections. Sellers stated that these “pop” inspections had prompted a safety overhaul in WA that has made the mines some of the safest in the world.
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Fatigue Management:Transport Company Fined $9000
A WA transport company was subject to a $9000 fine for nine charges pertaining to their failure in ensuring drivers were on the road between the prescribed hours in order to combat fatigue.
Eight of the charges leveled against Taramore Pty Ltd, were for breaching regulations set out by Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. These set of regulations states that responsibility is on employers to effectively manage fatigue and assist drivers by having efficient systems implemented.
Without a proper system, drivers often exceed the amount of the work time allowed without resting after up to seven consecutive hours.
The last charge placed upon Taramore was for allowing a driver who was not certified fit by a medical practitioner.
The case was heard in the Magistrates Court of Western Australia on 17 August. In addition to paying the $9000 in fines the company is now also responsible for paying $11,000 in costs.
Many drivers drivers either worked for the Taramore Pty Ltd in excess of 10 hours/twice a week or worked for the company for a total of over 60 hours in one week.
According to reports, the company did not set up trip schedules and left it to drivers to regulate their own trips. Drivers were expected to record trip sheets and return the paperwork to the company at the end of each shift. The trip sheet indicated that the drivers exceeded the permitted amount of work time as set out by regulations.
WorkSafe Commissioner Lex McCulloch said driver fatigue is a serious risk to the safety of long haul drivers and to the public.
“The importance of the management of fatigue is well known and recognised as a serious risk by the industry. There are real dangers when fatigued transport workers drive and it is disappointing when there are cases like this,” McCulloch said.
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Source: http://prosecutions.commerce.wa.gov.au/prosecutions/view/1386
Young Parent Campaigns For OHS After Serious Accident
A young mother of two, Tiffany Ward has been adamant campaigner for occupational health and safety since she almost lost her arm in a a potato processing plant accident in 2008. The life changing accident has compelled her to become deeply committed to preventing others from suffering such debilitating injuries in the workplace.
Ward now appears in a recent government-backed film meant to educate workers about the importance of safety practices at work. In the video, Ward recounted the moment she realized how serious her injury was, after a workmate unwittingly pressed start on the potato slicer while she was cleaning it.
Ward recalls looking down and seeing torn flesh and bones instead of her arm. Her body was reportedly lifted off the ground because of how twisted her arm was in the machine.
Other employees had to hold Ward up for approximately 40 minutes until medics were able to free her. The injury has left her family mentally and financially wounded and her disability has limited her job prospects.
“I drop things all the time. All the cutlery and plates in our house are plastic because I have no strength in my right arm,” she said.
Ward is hopeful that the film will be seen as a warning to young people now entering the workforce.
“It can happen to anybody. It doesn’t only happen to middle-aged men,” she said.
Every year over 25 workers die as a result of occupational accidents in Queensland and over 5000 are left with detrimental injuries. The cost of workplace accidents is estimated at $6.2 billion of public funding annually.
Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/new-push-to-prevent-workplace-accidents/story-e6frf7kf-1226478898090
Fire Safety: Fatal Winery Blast Awaits Prosecution Decision
WorkCover revealed that it is currently trying to ascertain whether or not it is in public interest to to take legal action following a fatal Hunter Valley winery blast.
The explosion at the Draytons Family Winery in early 2008 resulted in the death of respected vigneron Trevor Drayton and welder Eddie Orgo.
Assistant winemaker William Rikard Bell was only spared because he jumped into a dam to douse flames that had engulfed his body .Last year Deputy State Coroner Hugh Dillon placed blame of the explosion upon systemic failures.
He reportedly discovered that liquid ethanol vapours ignited while Orgo was welding a wine vat.Upon the initial inquiry it was believed that the blast fell into the category of negligent manslaughter as a result of an industrial accident.
WorkCover has reportedly conducted an investigation and is currently reviewing all available evidence from the initial inquest. WorkCover will determine whether it is in the best interest of the public to let public prosecution proceed.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-24/no-decision-yet-on-possible-prosecution-over-fatal-winery-blast/4276754?section=nsw
Dangerous Goods: Chemical Leak and Boral Plant Fire In One Week
A Caltex oil refinery in Brisbane was evacuated following a chemical leak which left four workers injured.
Emergency services rushed to the scene upon receiving reports of spilled chemical and vapour cloud emanating from the area. Queensland Fire and Rescue Spokesman said paramedics were on the site helping and treating the four individuals who were injured in the leak.
Reports indicated that the four workers weren’t seriously hurt but they are seeking treatment.
A Hazmat crew and scientific officer also joined the fire services at the scene. The leak is said to be under control and it is still undetermined how the leak was caused.
This incident follows the Boral Asphalt factory explosion. The massive factory explosion rocked Narangba and caused black smoke to be visible from a significant distance away. Reports on how the factory explosion were also sketchy but fortunately all workers were accounted for. Boral is currently investigating an explosion that caused a fire at one of their plants in Queensland.
Six workers for the Boral plant were given the all clear by paramedics . The Company’s general manager said the explosion occurred when a holding tank suddenly released pressure.
The resulting blaze took up to eight fire crews to control.
Mr McGuire said there was no clear cause for the explosion.
“We are working closely with the appropriate authorities and undertaking a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the accident,” he said in a statement.
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Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/workers-injured-after-chemical-leak-at-the-caltex-oil-refinery-in-east-brisbane/story-fndo1yus-1226481339549
Work Continues At Site Despite Asbestos Concerns
WorkSafe ACT has permitted work to continue on an Canberra construction site despite recent asbestos handling concerns.
Construction union, CFMEU is pushing for the hotel redevelopment site to be shut down amidst concerns.
According to the union, asbestos was neither being removed nor disposed of properly which has prompted workers to refuse returning to work.
CFMEU ACT branch secretary Dean Hall remarked that workers were not wearing proper protective gear nor were they being properly decontaminated once they’ve commenced work.
Work Safety Commissioner Mark McCabe stated that inspectors have visited the site and are satisfied with the employers efforts to address union concerns. McCabe said an asbestos removal company was referred by the ACT Planning and Land Authority which are responsible for licencing.
Prior to the inspection, Hall had expressed concerns that both workers and the public were potentially being exposed to the deadly substance.
Hall stated that a number of issues are cause for concern.
” We have the direct threat that there could be something go wrong with the demolition process and not only kill workers on the site but more importantly there is no or very little protection for the public,” he said.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-27/asbestos-fears-at-canberra-building-site/4282806?section=act
Working At Heights: Worker Hurt Amid Asbestos Concerns
Another Canberra worker was hospitalized following a workplace accident and an inner city building was shutdown amid fears over asbestos handling.
The house-painter was hospitalised with suspected spinal injuries and broken bones following a four-metre fall from a ladder while painting a house.
This incident comes less than a week after a 20-year old apprentice suffered electric shock and fell five metres from a ladder and onto concrete. The apprentice accident took place the same day as a large workers rally for better workplace safety. Since the accident the apprentice has gone from “serious” condition to stable.
WorkSafe Commissioner Mark McCabe said the most recent injury occurred early in the afternoon while the painter was working alone on a house. McCabe stressed the importance for workers and bosses alike to be careful.
Currently the painter is hospitalized and awaiting X-ray results.
McCabe also discussed the Braddon demolition site in which workers have refused to work because of serious safety concerns and the alleged mishandling of asbestos on the job.
According to the building union, a significant amount of asbestos-contaminated rubble was rejected at the Mugga Lane tip because of issues with how it was sealed.
Construction union, CFMEU stopped working at the site because of concerns that basic asbestos safety measures were not being followed.
Branch secretary Dean Hall stated that the workers were inadequately trained and were not properly equipped with safety gear. In fact, some workers were not wearing any safety gear at all and were exposing themselves to asbestos.
These same workers would reportedly then leave work with asbestos contamination on their clothes and go home to their families without proper decontamination. There are concerns also that since the large bundle of waste was not sealed properly, fibres could have traveled to other communities.
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Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/worker-hurt-as-asbestos-fears-emerge-20120926-26lvt.html#ixzz27u0sMo00
Construction Safety: Crane Protests Avoidable
An 800-person rally at a new Perth children’s hospital site might have been eluded if the building contractor had publicized the results of a safety test, the construction union says.Workers at the Nedlands site put their tools down on Friday after the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union claimed contractor John Holland backed out on a verbal agreement to obtain an independent engineer’s review into a near-fatal crane accident last Tuesday.
The accident was reportedly caused by a fitting failure on a tower crane that brought down a two-tonne block and 50m of rope that almost landed on workers.The CFMEU said Holland agreed to share safety information relating to the crane but went back on his agreement, which resulted in the strike.
Fair Work Australia became involved and ordered an stop to industrial action until the issue was settled.Despite Holland’s promises to contract an independant engineer to conduct the report, Holland has allegedly conducted their own tests on the crane and did not share the information.
“If they had stuck to their verbal agreement, none of this (action) would need to have happened,” the CFMEU said in a statement.
“The incident which caused the dispute was immediately reported to the relevant workplace safety authorities and we continue to fully co-operate with authorities in their ongoing investigations,“ John Holland group managing director Glenn Palin Palin said.
The site has been granted permission to continue work.
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Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/14946076/crane-protest-could-have-been-avoided/
Construction Safety Incident Leaves Apprentice Seriously Injured
A 20-year old Canberra apprentice is fighting to survive after a workplace accident at the old bus depot in Phillip.
- The apprentice electrician has reportedly suffered serious head injuries after he received electric shock causing him to fall five metres from a ladder.
- He was working for a contractor on behalf of the ACT government to perform maintenance on the site.
- Since the accident, the worker has undergone two surgical procedures at a Canberra Hospital. WorkSafe are currently inquiring about the incident.
- Interestingly, the accident occurred the same day as approximately 600 construction workers marched on the Legislative Assembly in protest of the territory’s recent work safety record which has seen four workplace deaths in the state in less than a year.
Officials from the apprentice’s union are angry over longstanding concerns of declining safety records.Electrical Trades Union official Mick Koppie believes that WorkSafe is being worked above its capacity. Koppie believes the safety regime is overstretched and
Chief Minister Katy Gallagher believes the incident highlights the need for a reform of workplace safety laws or at least rigorously enforced.ACT Work Safety Commissioner Mark McCabe said the incident displayed a need for vigilance on the sides of both workers and employers.
”I am saddened to learn of the incident that occurred [on Tuesday] and it proves that dangers lurk in every workplace,” Mr McCabe said.
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Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/20yo-fighting-for-life-after-worksite-accident-20120920-268if.html#ixzz27KXlsj4a
OHS: Safety Review Underway At Newcastle Port
A sudden safety review is in operation after a man was crushed to death by 20 tonnes of aluminum at Newcastle Port.
This is the second workplace death to occur on the docks in 10 days Wharfie Greg Fitzgibbon was killed when the pallet of metal ingots collapsed on to him at the Eastern Basin Distribution Centre.The father of two was loading onto a 36,000- tonne cargo ship when the incident transpired. Maritime Union of Australia assistant secretary Warren Smith expressed regret over the loss of another member due to a workplace accident that could have potentially been avoided.
A 55-year-old man suffered a cardiac arrest and died on board another cargo ship docked at the port. Union sources stated that he was discovered at the bottom of a stairwell with signs indicating he was injured before he died. Autopsies are being conducted on both men and a police investigation is underway.
WorkCover and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) have commenced safety inquiries and the union is attempting to meet with Fitzgibbon’s employer, Newcastle Stevedores. According to the ATSB, the packets of ingots collapsed onto him as it was being transported onto the ship.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/newcastle-dock-death-second-in-10-days-20120924-26gim.html#ixzz27X9ES2F4
OHS:Worker’s Crushed Arm Leads to Company Fining
A company has been fined $90,000 after a worker’s arm was severely injured in a machine.
Goodman Fielder Consumer Foods Pty Ltd was convicted and fined last week over an incident at its Pampas factory in West Footscray which left a worker with serious and permanent injuries to his arm.
The company admitted guilt in court to failing to provide a safe work environment and failing to provide proper training under OHS regulations.
The injured employee worked for labour hire company Skilled Group Ltd and had been working at the company’s Pampas factory for two years before the incident occurred September 2009.
It was revealed in court that the worker was cleaning a dough extruder when it suddenly activated, catching the worker’s arm in the machine.
An investigation found the worker received insufficient training in how to operate the machine’s controls, which led to him failing to properly de-activate the machine before cleaning it.Informal training was carried out while on the job by fellow workers but they did not meet the proper OHS approach.
The investigation also revealed that the machine was not properly guarded.Lisa Sturzenegger, WorkSafe’s General Manager for Health and Safety Operations, said
“Properly guarding machines is a fundamental safety requirement that employers must act on to avoid incidents like this from happening,” she said.
“Businesses have to make sure moving parts of a machine have proper guards or physical barriers fitted.
“As this incident has shown, inadequately training staff can have distressing consequences for all involved.”
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Source: http://www.starnewsgroup.com.au/star/footscray-yarraville/363/story/154106.html
Fire Safey: Worker Suffers Burns From Fuel Station
A man has been hospitalized with serious burns following a workplace accident at a fuel station in Canberra’s north.
The middle-aged man was doing contract work at Caltex service station in Maribyrnong Avenue at Kaleen.
He attempting to repair something underground when a fibreglass fuel tank caught fire.
The man was rushed to Canberra Hospital with serious burns to his arms and legs, and potential airway burns.
He is in a serious,albeit stable condition.
ACT Work Safety commissioner Mark McCabe says an investigator is at the scene.
“Our investigator will be attempting to ascertain how this accident happened? Could it have been avoided?” he said.
“What should be done to ensure that we don’t have an accident like that again in the future?”
The service station has since reopened.
Source :http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-11/man-burned-at-kaleen-services-station/4254954?section=act
Inquiry Labels Fertilizer As Fire Safety Risk
Fertiliser company Incitec Pivot discussed potentially moving from its Port Adelaide premises if taxpayers help pay for a relocation.
Residents are eager for the plant to be moved since a 2010 SafeWork SA assessment which claimed there was an ammonium nitrate explosion risk. The company stated that despite rumours of the contrary, the risk of explosion was significantly small and the company does not desire to move. Greens MP Mark Parnell says the inquiry was informed that the company owuld move in the event that government assistance was offered. Parnell however is concerned about the large sums of money needed to relocate a dangerous industry. He added that it is a possibility once the public can get a cost efficient price for the move.
Currently there is a conflict between the company and regulators. IP does not believe there is a risk and SafeWork maintains that there indeed is a danger. Incitect’s COO James Whiteside believes the inquiry’s risk assessment was alarmist.
Whiteside stated that in order for an explosion to occur a complex combination of chemicals and other products are needed. That said, he believes that there is a very small risk considering their security on the site.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-12/inquiry-considers-fertiliser-explosion-risk/4256476?section=sa
Human Resources: Survey Says a Third of Public Workforce Witness Bullying
The state government survey of thousands of Victorian public workers revealed that over one-third had witnessed an incident of workplace bullying since last September.
Another two-fifths claim to have been at the receiving end of bullying, three per cent of which had submitted a formal complaint.
Approximately 62,600 public service workers were asked to participate in the survey and a reported 18,500 people responded. This large sample reportedly indicate that the results are “highly reliable” due to the large size of the sample.
The opposition implied that the results indicate a growing problem in Victoria’s public workforce. They believe the problem is compounded by the Baillieu Government’s intention to cull 4200 bureaucrats.
Victorian Parliament passed “Brodie’s Law” law year which reformed existing offences of stalking so that it clearly covers serious bullying or harassment. Now the new legislation potentially covers threats and abusive language or any act that seems to indicate stalking.
WorkSafe has yet to prosecute a state government department for bullying despite rumours of a growing culture of stress within the public service in areas such as youth justice and prisons.
The extent of workplace bullying in Australia is undetermined, which enforces the beliefs of some that a Senate inquiry is currently needed.
The extent of bullying in Australian workplaces is unclear – a reason for a Senate inquiry into the issue under way at the moment. Reports have indicates that Victoria suffers from a “relatively high figure” number of bullying and harassment incidents due to a workplace education campaign that potentially put mental stress.
The median average of weeks taken off by victims of workplace bullies was 13.
Source: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/a-third-of-public-service-witness-bullying-20120912-25ssk.html#ixzz26aBJ8dYi
Working At Heights: Arborist Falls From Tree
Hobart City Council is looking into an incident involving a worker who fell out of a tree outside of the Parliament House. The Arborist from Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens was allegedly performing tree surgery work on the elm which had suffered damage from recent fierce winds. While operating on the tree, the arborist lost control and fell approximately 5m to the ground.
Gardens director, Lesley Kirby stated that she was informed the man was not critically or even seriously hurt, but he is receiving assessment from the Royal Hobart Hospital.
It is believed that the worker was wearing a safety harness and helmet at the time of the accident.
It is currently unconfirmed what caused him to fall.
The arborist was contracted by the council to cut down and assess the safety of the large elm trees.
The individuals were contracted following the strong winds that brought down a tree in the Salamanca Market. Council General manager Nick Heath stated that the number one priority at the moment was ensuring the safety of the trees.
Working at Heights incidents remain one of the most frequent sources of workplace injuries.
Source: http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/09/12/360931_most-popular-stories.html
Bully Sets Worker on Fire; Leads to Calls for Law Reform
Law pundits believe a bullying case where a young man was set aflame by a co-worker shows serious problems with the Occupational Health and Safety scheme
Nick Clements stated that he was squired with a highly flammable cleansing solvent and then was subsequently set on fire by a co-worker at Haeusler’s farm machinery dealership in Victoria. Clements, who had been diagnosed with high functioning autism as a child, was nine days into a two-week trial period when the incident occurred. Clements was reportedly squirted in the crotch with the flammable substance.
Nathan Frizzle, the apprentice who set Clemments on fire is still employed at Haeusler’s after pleading guilty to the assault.Frizzle was granted a 12-month good behaviour bond and a just a $500 fine.
Prior to the court ruling, WorkSafe, decided it would not take any action because of the police charges.With most options expired, the Clements family plans to lodge a victims-of-crime complaint with the Director of Public Prosecutions.
WorkSafe’s decision has left Clements and his family very disappointed.
“I find it a disgusting outcome. It feels like a real spit in the face to see what he got,” said Clements.
Famed anti-bullying lawyer Moira Rayner is heading efforts to establish a national tribunal to allow civil claims.Rayner believes WorkSafe’s behavior to Clements is not exclusive to him and the watchdog organisation should have done much more to help him
“I have always regarded bullying as a failure by management and all our bullying law is unsatisfactory because they don’t give the individual a personal right of redress,” she said.
“If they make a WorkCover claim or a WorkSafe claim and it doesn’t end up because of technicalities in addressing their problems, then the person who’s been bullied, victimised and psychologically if not physically harmed may well have on top of that a sense of grave injustice.
“When someone could have been killed in a classic apprentice-playing-with-fire incident, there should have been an immediate and effective intervention in the workplace so the employer, the employees and the apprentices got the message very loud and clear that this could have ended up in a manslaughter charge.”
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-10/calls-for-workplace-law-reform-after-man-set-alight-by-co-worker/4253808?section=vic
Victorian OHS Lawbreakers Still Own Millions
Occupational Health and Safety An inquiry conducted by the Herald Sun has revealed that 45 firms and 13 individuals are avoiding fines they were charged with since 2007 over workplace deaths.
Since 2002 there has been approximately 269 workers killed.
The average lost life fines are typically around $170,000 and the median is $95,000. Interestingly, WorkSafe’s prosecution database revealed that some cases involving lost fingers have had higher fines imposed than those involving the death of a worker.
One such company was fined $145,000 when a worker lost a thumb.Another company was fined $25,000 when a worker had to have three fingers amputated.
Other results of the investigation concluded :
- Some companies have been found to go into liquidation to avoid paying fines and then reopening shortly after.
- Approximately every 17 days a worker is killed in the workplace in Victoria.
- Since 2009-2010 the number of WorkSafe visits have dropped drastically.
- Some families have had to wait up to seven years to see the company responsible for the death of a loved one, to be fined.
- Individuals or companies charged can operate their businesses for years before charges are laid. Only approximately 40 per cent of
- lawbreakers are charged within the first 12 months. The most courts can
- Individuals charged can be jailed for up to five years, however no one has yet been imprisoned for any related charges.
- The highest fine imposed for the death of a worker was $1.4 million. However the company, AAA Auscarts Imports Pty Ltd went into liquidation and the fine was never paid.
Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/families-demand-action-on-workplace-charges/story-e6frf7kx-1226463481904
Discussions Persist Over OHS Harmonisation Bill in SA
Those within the OHS community have been in deep discussion over the passing of the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) bill through the South Australian Parliament. Despite the bill reaching the committee stage (and thus requiring a third reading), some speculate that the WHS bill will fail to be enacted into law.
On September 6, Russell Wortley commented “There has been a lot of fear mongering about the effects of these laws. I want to assure honourable members that these fears are misguided and, sadly, often based on misinformation from lobby groups with a particular self-interest in seeing this legislation defeated.”
Wortley believes that not passing the bill will lead to a limited safety infrastructure and limited safety measures between the employer/employee. He stated that not passing the laws would mean that SA workers will have lower safety standards than those in other states throughout AUS.
Wortley stated that many of the Housing Industry Association’s predicted costs of passing the bill include costs for items that are not mandatory under the WHS bill (future or current). Other costs put forth by the HIA are for items or materials that are currently included in safety measures enacted throughout SA and as such should not be considered additional charges.
Wortley believes HIA’s actions as an effort to gain political and media attention instead of an effort to provide a detailed analysis.
Source: http://hansard.parliament.sa.gov.au/pages/loaddoc.aspx?aa=2&dt=2012_09_06
Employer Shown to Have “No Regard” for Worker Safety
A Myaree tree lopper was fined following an incident that resulted in him and another worker being tossed from the bucket of a cherry picker onto the roof of a nearby building. The accused, Gerald Shields pleaded guilty to failing to ensure a safe work environment as provided for his employees. He was subsequently fined $12,000 in the Rockingham Magistrates Court.
In May 2010, Shields was contracted by the Department of Housing and Works to undertake the tree cutting services. Shields and his employee were looping branches from the cherry picker when the front passenger stabiliser leg sunk into an old drain causing the cherry picker to topple to ground.
The two men were launched from the cherry picker and onto the roof of a nearby building. Shields suffered only superficial scalp injuries but his employee suffered injuries to both his right wrist and forearm.
It was revealed in court that the recommended spread plates were not being utilized for the stabiliser legs on the soft ground – contrary to operating instructions. It was also disclosed that the men were not wearing safety harnesses or any other personal protective equipment (PPE) . The court also revealed that Shields did not ensure that employees used PPE at all recommended times.
WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch said the case was a prime example of an employer who neglected the safety of his workers. McCulloch stated that Shields had “no regard for his own safety or that of his employees”.
“A WorkSafe inspector conducted a workplace investigation six months after this incident and found that the safety interlock switch on Mr Shields’ replacement EWP had also been tampered with, this time being held down with a cable tie.”
According to McCulloch 16 WA workers had died as a result of workplace falls in almost 5 years and most cases were almost always preventable.
Source: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/boss-fined-had-absolutely-no-regard-for-his-safety-20120907-25jam.html#ixzz267BTDS84
Home Renovators Warned Of Asbestos Exposure
Do-IT-Yourself home renovators are being encouraged to not become the next generation of Tasmanian victims to the deadly substance, asbestos.
Majority of homes built prior to 1990 are expected to have some asbestos and many experts are concerned that most people are completely unaware of the dangers.Asbestos Free Tasmania CEO Susan Wallace stated that approximately 15 people are diagnosed in Tasmania with mesothelioma every year and she is worried that a new wave of victims will emerge out of home renovators.
According to Wallace, Australia has the highest rate of asbestos-related deaths from mesothelioma. She said the number ranges between 600 and 700 annually. She added that a new wave of preventable diseases is emerging in people exposed to asbestos from home renovations.
Occupational Hygienist Caroline Langley said Tasmania appeared to have a higher number of homes with asbestos. Langley stated that they are seeing an increase in the number of individuals who are renovating instead of buying new properties.
In fact, president of the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia, Barry Robson stated that the number of women developing mesothelioma fell within the renovation boom.
Federal Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten recently announced plans to set up a national office to oversee asbestos awareness and management issues. This agency will be independent of other safety watchdog organisations and will focus squarely on asbestos related issues.
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Source: http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/09/05/358841_real-estate-news.html
How Can We Make Australia Asbestos-Free
In a recently published article, Paul Bastian, the National President of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, explained how Australia could be asbestos-free in the future.
After several years of litigation and lobbying, Australia still suffers from a problem with asbestos. Bastian believes the federal government needs step it up and provide leadership on this public health issue.
Asbestos can still be found in bathrooms, kitchens, roofs and garages in approximately 66% of all Australia homes built between 1945 and 1980.
Australia’s alleged penchant home-renovation is uncovering much of this asbestos, and Bastian believes that poor community awareness and a variety of different laws relating to asbestos is compounding the asbestos danger.
The other problem is that up until the late 1970s nothing was written on asbestos to identify it, so you can’t necessarily tell if a material contains asbestos just by looking at it.
The World Health Organisation states that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos, and the inhalation of asbestos fibres is known to cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and other respiratory diseases.
Australia has the unenviable record of having the highest incidence of asbestos related diseases in the world, and it’s estimated that up to 18,000 Australians are likely to die from mesothelioma by 2020.
That’s why the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, the ACTU, the Cancer Council Australia, and asbestos support groups are now calling for the removal of all asbestos from public and private buildings by 2030.
That may sound like a costly exercise, but the long-term cost of inaction is far greater.
63 year-old Queenslander Ray Colbert is someone who knows just how costly exposure to asbestos can be.
Ray worked with asbestos for nine years while he was in the Royal Australian Navy.
He now suffers from asbestosis, is wheelchair bound, and can only breathe with the help of a respirator.
Ray is part of the second wave of asbestos victims who were exposed to the product through work, and he says there needs to be an education campaign to ensure there is not a third wave of victims exposed to asbestos in the home.
“We have to have a proper safety audit to identify it and once we’ve done that we can then set about planning its removal. Till then you’re just going to create another hazard and contaminate more people.”
The AMWU along with the ACTU is are calling on the Federal Government to establish a National Asbestos Authority to act as an information hub and coordinate this asbestos removal and education.
We need to help the public identify what products were made containing asbestos and ensure there is a role for local government in asbestos removal.
A first step in this process would be to introduce asbestos safety certificates on the sale of any property or commercial dwelling. This would enable vendors to identify if there is asbestos, where it’s located, what condition it’s in, and how it can be removed.
The public health challenges posed by asbestos time-bomb are great and we need supportive public policy to prevent further suffering and disease.
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AlertForce Awarded at E-Training Conference
AlertForce has successfully participated in the LearnX -Learning and Technology Impacts Awards . LearnX is a non-profit organisation highlights the progress of learning and supporting technologies. The August 30th conference in Mebourne will include various professionals throughout the corporate, education, and private sectors. More specifically, the conference targets learning professionals who operate and manage e-training solutions and services.
Alertforce has proudly accepted the 2nd place awards for Best Learning program- Environmental, and Occupational Health and Safety training programs. Each participant was evaluated according to areas such as: Best Talent, Best Learning Program, Best New Initiative, and Best eLearning design. Within these categories, AlertForce was honoured in the Occupational Health and Safety in partnership with client Port Stephens Council, Environmental in partnership with Carbon Training International, and Compliance (finalist) with client Daly International.
AlertForce has continuously excelled and innovated in a variety of areas relating to quality occupational training, and these awards only further support that notion.
AF company founder,Brendan Torazzi ( On the right in the image) stated that the ” diversity of our commendations signifies how prolific and diverse our OHS & E training and eLearning services are!”
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WA Seeking Consultation on OHS Regulations
As expected, Western Australia is taking a thoughtful approach to proposed national Work Health and Safety (OHS) Regulations.
Half a year after the Federal Government had hoped that the OHS Harmonisation laws would be implemented, the State Government is gathering public consensus on the costs and benefits.
WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch stated that harmonised OHS laws would affect all WA workplaces on various levels. Thus the board believes that a consultation process will allow them to consider how the new laws will affect the public.
Six months after the Federal Government had hoped that uniform laws would be in place, the State Government is seeking public comment on the costs and benefits.
In 2010 an Australia-wide consultation process took place however, the current consultation period is meant to specifically gauge how WA workplaces feel about the OHS Harmonisation Laws.
WorkSafe appointed Marsden Jacob Associates as the ones who will conduct the two-month consultation process to gauge the potential pros and cons of the proposed OHS Harmonisation laws to the WA public.
An information campaign will be in operation nd six public forums will also be held in regional WA.
Union Shuts Down Cotter Dam Amid Construction Safety Concerns
Workers have set up a blockade effectively halting work at Canberra’s Cotter Dam construction site.Construction union, CFMEU formed the blockade at approximately 5:00am citing endless safety concerns. Workers are also reportedly upset over the liquidation of a contractor which operates three cranes at the Cotter Dam worksite.
CFMEU ACT branch secretary Dean Hall stated that police have been present in the area and are threatening to tow away cars that stop at the site. Hall attributes this behavior to the police desiring them to clear out the blockade. The union however, has made it clear that they have no intention of clearing the blockade until they are confident in the response they get from their employees regarding entitlements and safety of the workers. Only once the cranes are certified as safe and workers entitlements are paid, will workers allow work to commence on the site.
CTEW Water managing director Mark Sulliva has rejected assertions that there are ongoing safety problems at the site.
“We haven’t seen any specific issues of safety raised and certainly we’ve had regular reviews by Worksafe and Comcare,” he said..
Chief Minister Katy Gallagher stated that she is confident in how construction on the dam is being managed . Gallagher said that she understood the union’s position but believes that other methods of resolving issues must be considered to continue work on the site. The latest delay is yet another problem to hit the project , which has been plagued by wet weather since 2010.
It was due to be completed this month, and its budget has blown out to more than $400 million.
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Source: http://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/union-shuts-down-cotter-dam-044356519.html
OHS:Silence Is Perpetuating Safety Issues
Unsafe practices within the construction industry has compelled General Simon Corbell to call for a safety probe.
This news come soon after the untimely death of 21-year -old concreter Ben Catanzarity who died when a concrete boom struck and killed him. These type of incidents have even be have garnered it a reputation as an industry that profits off the marginalization of worker’s safety. Usher has even gone to refer to the atmosphere of workers as “apathetic” throughout Canberra.
In addition to the accused breaches, the site representative has also fused requests for Worksafe to visit the site.
Eventually inspectors closed the site due to the large number of non-compliance infractions and a general lack of interest of the company to improve safety. .
While these issues may have long gone undetected, that is no longer the case. Both WorkSafe ACT and the government are working in conjunction to take on a a hardline approach that will leave no room for these practices to continue.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
OHS:Gas Rig Deaths Lead To Safety Recall
Workers have refused to return to work on a gas rig off the Victorian coast following the deaths of two workers. The Australian Workers Union stated that they are seeking improved safety measures for the rig before workers return to work. The union argues that offshore rigs are some of the most dangerous professional environments on the planet. The ACTU stated that they have also called for the improvements because they had previously warned that the petroleum industry was accident waiting to occur.
AWU Victorian secretary Cesar Melhem he had serious concerns the drilling union and they have subsequently cautioned workers not to return to work until they are satisfied with the investigations and methods implemented to improve the Occupational Health and Safety standards.
Origin and it’s subsidiary, Stena Drilling are currently investigating the deaths, as well as the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA). The AWU Victoria is attempting to position itself in a formal role within investigations.
ACTU assistan secretary Michael Borowick is also asking for offshore workers to take on the same national workplace health and safety rights and protections as individuals on shore.
“We need to get to the bottom of this tragedy, but unfortunately, unions have been warning for some time that the offshore petroleum industry is an accident waiting to happen,” Mr Borowick said in a statement. Borowich desires a harmonised model OHS act that includes the entire offshore petroleum industry.
Source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8523679/gas-rig-deaths-prompt-safety-review-call
OHS: Amputee Charged For False Claims
The court has discovered that the Melbourne amputee who received $112,000 for being confined to a wheelchair, was in fact coaching a basketball team and running a football club canteen.
Rita Mercuri’s left leg was amputated below the knee over two decades ago, after a workplace accident in 1985. Since the accident she has received weekly benefits but after 2008 she began claiming 24-hour assistance from carers. She also reportedly informed doctors that she was wheelchair-bound and required to endless care and was not able to maintain her hygiene or use the toilet independently.
Video surveillance surfaced that showed her both driving and walking.
Mercuri pleaded guilty to eight charges when she appeared before magistrate Suzanne Camero’s Court. Camero has adjourned Mercuri’s case which awaits an additional psychiatric report. Sentencing will take place on December 3.
Source: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/amputee-claimed-false-payout-20120829-2514w.html#ixzz25AXDNrV8
Asbestos Concerns at Hospital
After a contractor falling through the Royal Adelaide Hospital ceiling, a patient was forced to relocate because of asbestos concerns.
The contractor reportedly fell through the ceiling and into the pantry room which is connected to the orthopaedics ward. While the ward experienced no disruptions, a patient in a room near to the pantry was shifted to a bed further away.
The room will remain sealed off until the asbestos is removed. The contractor was taken to the hospital in order to determine the severity of his injuries.
Upon discovery of the asbestos in the ceiling area, the hospital staff immediately implemented standard asbestos safety measures and restricted access to the area.
Air testing devices were used to ensure the air quality was at a safe and risk-free level for patients and staff alike.Luckily the sub-contractor suffered and was treated by the Emergency Department for only minor injuries. Safework SA has been informed of the incident.
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Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/asbestos-scare-at-royal-adelaide-hospital/story-e6frea6u-1226458930290
Fire Safety: Company Faces Fines for Explosion
A subsidiary of Air New Zealand has been fined $56,000 following an explosion at Adelaide Airport that left an engineer with serious injuries. The engineer, Mark Meehan sustained a broken arm, burns and abrasions to his hands and face in the March explosion. At the time of the explosion, Meehan had been repairing the wing of an aircraft on the TAE Aviation grounds.
SafeWork SA investigated the explosion and recovered remnants of fuel or vapours within a fuel tank in the wing which were ignited by a spark from a tool Meehan was using. TAE pleaded guilty in the Industrial Court for breaching Occupational Health and Safety laws, by failing to educate Meehan on the potential risk of explosion.
The company was subsequently convicted,fined and ordered to improve its safety procedures.
Meehan has since returned to active work duties.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-30/company-fined-over-airport-explosion/4233326?section=sa
Mining Safety Boss Calls for Feedback From The Industry
Four new mine inspectors have been appointed throughout Australia. The inspectors will be predominately focusing on the state’s Northwest, while the the other will cover the Southwest. The WA Department of Mines and Petroleum stated that each inspector brings forth experiences from varying backgrounds, whether it be an expertise in geotechnical,mechanical, process engineering and mining engineering.
Simon Ridge, DMP state mining engineer stated that the new appointments fall under the Department’s efforts to improve and maintain safety under the RADARS program. Each inspector completed intensive training programs which will help ensure that their work is of the highest standards. Ridge said that the main focus is the implement a cultural change within the industry –by encouraging operators to keep safety a top priority at all times.
Ridge has assisted significantly in the appointment of 25 mines safety inspectors in the previous two years.
Recently, the DMP resources safety boss urged mining industry operators to review proposed new health and safety regulations for WA.
The Commonwealth,State and Territory Governments, unions and employer organisations; have developed a new national model for WHS Regulations and model codes of practice. Ridge is currently undertaking consultation on the model legislation.
The process is currently aimed at determining the cost and benefits of the proposed regulations that would apply to the mining industry in WA. Ridge has encouraged mining industry stake holders to involve themselves in the consultation process. Ridge encouraged the submission of feedback from mining industry professionals so that the new regulations could effectively be applied to the minerals sector.
According to the DMP, financial consultants Marsden Jacob Associates will be receiving feedback until October 12.
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Source :http://www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/new-safety-inspectors-hit-wa-mines
Working at Heights: DFEEST Faces Fines For Injured Student
Safework has released a press release detailing the events surrounding the injuries suffered by a student who fell while working at heights. According to the courts,the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology to blame for his injuries.
DFEEST has been fined $120,000 by the Industrial Relations Court following the injury of the student.
DFEEST, the agency responsible for TAFE, pleaded guilty to breaching section 22(2) of the Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Act 1986 by failing to ensure the student’s safety, failing to provide fall protection and failing to conduct and document a proper risk assessment for the task.
The incident occurred at the Gilles Plains campus in November 2009, when a construction student walked across and stood on ceiling beams to help remove a panel. The student lost control and fell 4.5 metres through exposed plasterboard to the floor. He broke several bones and suffered serious and permanent injuries. It was revealed in court that while DFEEST did conduct an internal investigation and amended its Working at Heights and Hazard Management policies, the amendments did not go far enough to explicitly state the proper safety measures that would be necessary to avoid a similar incident.
The court fined DFEEST $120,000 (following a 20 per cent discount to account for an early guilty plea and expression of contrition) and also ordered they pay compensation of $20,000 to the student.
More info on Working at Heights
Source : http://www.safework.sa.gov.au/uploaded_files/20120810_dfeest_fined.pdf
Workers Union Launches Investigation Into Two Rig Deaths
The Australian Workers Union (AWU) revealed their intentions to launch an investigation into the two deaths of offshore drilling rig workers in Victoria. The two men were killed in an operational incident approximately 50 km off the coast of Port Campbell.
The Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit recently returned to land and the AWU stated that they have been briefed on the incident. Reports indicate that something malfunctioned with the equipment and it struck either one of both of the workers which lead to their unfortunate deaths. More details are expected to emerge, however, for now all work has been suspended, and the well has been secured. Police flew to the rig following the accident.
The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environment Management Authority (NOPSEMA) launched an investigation into the deaths. Origin (the company in charge of the drilling Unit) stated that there were no environmental issues as a result of the incident and the gas production will not be adversely affected.
The Union intends to investigate the incident further in order to avoid similar accidents from occurring in the future. The oil and gas industry offshore has reputable and good quality occupational health and safety standards, but the work is inherently dangerous.
A full investigation with the company and the safety authority will be launched.
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-28/awu-launches-probe-into-drill-rig-deaths/4226664?section=vic
OHS: WorkSafe Goes After Dangerous Machines
Two business in Victoria were fined approximately 35,000 following an incident involving an unguarded machine that left a contractor with a crushed thumb.These prosecutions emerged just as WorkSafe Victoria begins a year-long campaign against dangerous machines in the workplace.
WorkSafe’s Regional Director Shane Gillard strongly desires for businesses to regularly revisit safety measures around machinery. He noted that removing guarding from a machine (as happened in the above incident) is a potentially disastrous scenario.
“Guarding is there to protect workers from being seriously hurt or killed, yet we frequently come across incidents where someone has suffered a serious injury that could easily be prevented,” he said.
In order to protect workers, employers need to ensure that appropriate machine safety apparatus is provided. WorkSafe recommends that employees who manage,maintain or own machinery should ensure that ”
- all moving parts that can touch with any part of the body, deliberately or otherwise, are protected by a physical barrier or guard
- all staff, especially those with little experience with machinery, are properly trained and consistently supervised; and
- machinery usage follows manufacturer as recommended by the
Source: http://www.ferret.com.au/c/CPR-Safe-Ind/WorkSafe-Victoria-targets-dangerous-machines-What-can-you-do-to-ensure-employees-are-protected-n1831988
Human Resources: A Tragic Result of Workplace Bullying
An inquiry into workplace bullying has revealed a case involving the suicides of a brother and sister as a result of the brother being bullied and sexually abused in his first full-time job.
The parliamentary inquiry revealed that the teenage boy left high school at age 16 to start work as an apprentice chef at a local hospital. It was at this hospital he experienced an ingrained culture of workplace bullying in the hospital kitchen. He was at the end of constant put-downs,jokes, sexual innuendo, tampering with his possessions and eventually, sexual abuse.
The brother was reportedly being bullied consistently for two years by his immediate supervisor and co-workers.
The culture of bullying in the kitchen had allegedly become so ingrained that many long-standing members of staff became used to it and subsequently turned a blind eye or laughed along with the taunting.
About the inquiry:
- The impacts of workplace bullying in Australia could be as high as $36 billion every year
- The committee in investigating what can be done to prevent workplace bullying
- Submissions are still open to the public, with the committee to report its findings to parliament in due course
Source: http://www.ipswichadvertiser.com.au/story/2012/08/17/tragic-effects-workplace-bullying/
Hospital Reports High Number of Working at Heights Incidents
According to Royal Hobart Hospital staff, serious injuries resulting from falls seem to have risen by 20 per cent this year.
Neurosurgeon and member of the Royal Hobart Hospital trauma committee Pauline Waites, and Professor Richard Turner of the University of Tasmania School of medicine, stated that a growing number of serious or fatal injuries have been seen at the hospital recently.
Some injuries reported are a fatal brain haemorrhage,a spinal fracture, multiple spinal fractures and a depressed skull fracture.The hospital’s trauma meeting has revealed that they have dealt with a large number of accidents from people falling off roofs.
Though Tasmania does not keep a registry of trauma from falls, figures released by Ambulance Tasmania indicate that the number could be in excess of 5000.Workplace Standards general manager Roy Ormerod stated that the safety overseer has investigated over 200 falls in the workplace annually. Ormerod said that the definition of a fall was broad as it includes anything from a fall from a roof to a fall from the cab of a truck or even falling down one stair.
The watchdog’s priority is reportedly specific to falls from ladders, unstable scaffolding, and other high-risk work practices.
Ormerod said new tentative health and safety regulations will place greater responsibilities on employees to ensure that all risks attached to Working At Heights were minimised.
Source: http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/08/13/352801_tasmania-news.html
Coroner Calls for Covered Quarry Trailers
The Coroner has called upon the Northern Territory Government to introduce legislation demanding that all trucks carrying quarry loads must cover their trailers.The recommendation follows an investigation into the road death of a Queensland woman south of Darwin, last year.
Rosalyn O’Neill, a senior, was a passenger in her husband’s vehicle on the Arnhem Highway when a large rock smashed through the windscreen and killed her instantly.The coroner’s investigation was launched to determine whether the rock fell from a mining truck or was already on the road.
The findings released by Coroner Greg Cavanah revealed that there was no evidences that quarries operating near the accident site were responsible for the rock being on the highway.Cavanagh stated that the prospect of another car striking and subsequently propelling the rock on the highway into a victims path was “an extraordinary coincidence”
Scott Basnett of Darwin, was in a car in front of the vehicle being driven by Mr.O’Neill.
He told the investigators that he had hit a rock and when he looked behind him he saw it careen across the road and strike the windscreen of another vehicle.Cavanagh said that no individuals were to blame for “this terrible tragedy”
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-10/rock-road-death-inquest-finding-coroner/4190676?section=nt
OHS:Commonwealth Contractor Fined $50k
WorkSafe hopes that a recently imposed fine on a Commonwealth contractor will send a strong message to other companies who consider sending inadequately trained and equipped workers into Goldfields desert.
MAX Network was fined $50,000 following a guilty plea for sending two female employees in a car to the remote community of Tjuntjuntjara.
The women were lost in the desert all night and spent the night their until coming across a roadhouse the following day.
WorkSafe commissioner Lex McCulloch stated that employers and staff need to understand the risks of travelling in remote areas.
McCulloch said this case highlights the need to be very vigilant for the many workers who traverse great distances in their daily professions. He added that it is fortunate that the incident did not result in a tragedy. He stated that the situation could have easily ended in a much worse result.
McCulloch said that companies need to assess the risks for remote area work, and develop strategies and manage whatever risks for their adequately trained staff.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-16/contractor-fined-50k-over-lost-workers/4202984?section=wa
Asbestos Made Car Parts Found in 25k Chinese Vehicles
Approximately 25,000 cost-efficient Chinese cars will reportedly be recalled in Australia because some parts were discovered to contain asbestos. The company responsible, Great Wall and Chery may be compelled to recall almost all the vehicles sold- which are believed to contain the deadly substance in engine and exhaust gaskets. The importers in Australia, Ateco Automotive, has been aware of the issue for “a period of months” and has been devising a plan with government departments to deal with the asbestos contamination.
The plan is expected to be announced within the coming days. Despite the asbestos issues , it is believed that the gaskets (made out of asbestos), may not be replaced because of the complex task of replacing them. In fact according to Ateco, many will not be need to be replaced through the life the vehicle. Source:
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/national/chinese-cars-found-to-contain-asbestos-20120814-246r1.html#ixzz23ZMzs7Bd
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Curtis Island LNG Hub Workers Exposed to Asbestos by Employer
According to a union spokesperson, Queensland Island workers have potentially been exposed to asbestos by their American employer.The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) is pushing for an inquiry into the US engineering powerhouse Bechtel since the alleged exposure to asbestos at Queensland’s future LNG hub, Curtis Island.
ETU state secretary Peter Simpson revealed that he has evidence that 90 out of the union’s 200 members working on the island, were exposed to the cancerous substance while working with construction materials supplied by Indonesia’s Metito.
Simpson stated that results of the investigation show that Bechtel, the main contractor of the site, failed basic duties of care which subsequently resulted in exposure to white asbestos — an illegal and deadly substance. The union is currently attempting to will Bechtel into revealing the location and depth of their dealings with Metito. The union wants to have full transparency before,during and after exposures.
Bechtel has apparently also denied worker’s wages following their recent absences from work after the asbestos exposure.
This is one of various asbestos related cases to emerge in the past month. Asbestos exposure is potentially fatal and can result in numerous ailments, such as mesothelioma and other cancers.
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Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/electrical-trades-union-claims-workers-on-curtis-island-queenslands-planned-lng-hub-have-allegedly-been-exposed-to-asbestos/story-e6freoof-1226439513940
OHS:Cafe Owner Fined For Abusing WorkSafe Inspector
A cafe owner was subject to a conviction and a $500 fine when he attacked a WorkSafe inspector who was visiting his premises.
The inspector was visiting the cafe in Gungahlin as part of an ongoing cafe and takeaway outlet inspection project when the assault occurred.
Prior to the July 2011 incident, the inspector had identified occupational health and safety issues that needed attending to in the business. She returned in July 2011 to see if previously noted issues were addressed. According to WorkSafe ACT Commissioner Mark McCabe, the man became physical and physically removed the woman from the cafe preventing her from conducting her duties.
ACT Magistrates Court concluded that the man had also been verbally abusive towards the woman. He was convicted at the start of June. McCabe said that this recent court case should stand as a reminder that inspectors were public officials and should be allowed to work without any hindrance. McCabe added that WorkSafe’s inspectors should have the right to be safe while conducting their professional duties.
Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/cafe-owner-fined-for-abusing-official-20120803-23kgr.html#ixzz22efPtvQL
Dangerous Goods: Worksafe confident in Worker Safety After Gasleak
WorkSafe is confident Esso’s claims that systems have been implemented to improve the safety of workers at the Longford Gas Plant. In 2009 a gas leak occurred which has since resulted in the company’s conviction and a fine of $40,000.
Court hearings revealed that an operator was injured when over half-a-tonne of gas burst from a high pressure valve. Worksafe’s Jarrod Edwards stated that the company pleaded guilty and has made efforts to improve their safety measures and training since the incident. Edwards added “”Certainly WorkSafe takes all incidents that are reported to us seriously and we have diligently followed up to understand the reasons this has occurred and we have assured ourselves that Esso has the systems in place to not only prevent this happening again in the future but the systems in place to monitor the effectiveness of those systems,”
According to Edwards, Esso has since begun putting more focus behind training for operators and job safety analysis systems since the offence.
WorkSafe is reportedly pleased with the response of Esso, and it is their hopes that the company will learn from the scenario and continue to focus on strong safety systems.
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Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/australian-news/14424906/worksafe-confident-longford-gas-leak-wont-happen-again/
The Opposition Condemns NSW Government’s Worker Comp Changes
The NSW Opposition has condemned O’Farrell Government’s Timetable for announcing changes to worker’s compensation.
An injured individual New South Wales who sustained their injury at the beginning of October will fall within the new scheme. However those already accessing benefits won’t make the conversion until January.
NSW Shadow Treasurer Michael Daly has criticized the sudden changes because they do not allow enough time for injured workers to adjust to the new scheme.
Daley stated that workers who were injured, “through no fault of their own”, and unable to return to work; would not receive weekly benefits.In the coming days NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner, will inspect the multi-million dollar Cancer centre located in Armidale.
The tender is expected to be announced before the end of the week. Richard Torbay of the National Tablelands, will accompany the minister.
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Source:http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-08/nsw-worker27s-comp-change/4184474?section=nsw
Fire Safety: Employers Fined 90k For Severely Burned Cook
A hotel in Adelaide was subject to a $90,000 fine as a result of an incident two years ago that left a female cook with burns on half her body.
The owners of the Royal Coach Motor Inn at Kent Town pleaded guilty for failing to provide and maintain a safe working environment for its employees.
The part-time cook was transferring methylated spirits from a 25-litre container to a smaller container when some of it spilled. The liquid was subsequently ignited by a pilot light on a gas water heater close to where the spirits were kept.
The middle-aged woman suffered serious and deep burns to approximately half her body. The cook will be permanently scarred as a result of her severe burns.
Industrial Magistrate Stephen Lieschke discovered that the worker had no formal training in the proper handling of methylated spirits and the hotel management had thus displayed “hopelessly inadequate consideration” to the potential dangers. Lieschke added that the resulting risk of injury was predictable and could have been easily eliminated. The Magistrate subsequently decided to fine the company $90,000 (after it was reduced by 25 percent due to guilty plea) for their inadequate consideration for safety.
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Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/hotel-at-kent-town-fined-90000-over-cooks-burns/story-fndo1gb8-1226438746745
Working At Heights: Company Fined $90k For Death
An electrical merchant was slapped with a $90,000 fine following the death of a female worker who fell through the ceiling of the store in 2010.Personal Buying Service Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to failing to ensure and uphold a safe work environment, and by that failure, triggering the death of a worker.
The store encompassed a large warehouse with a showroom throughout the floor area. The ceiling of the showroom was approximately 2.75 metres high and was about half the height of the warehouse. The space between the showroom ceiling and warehouse roof was often used for storage purposes for boxes and stock.Use of the ceiling to store boxes prior to 2007 had caused the ceiling to sag so a separate storage shelf was built to store the boxes.Employees were able to access this new storage area via a 1.8 metre ladder, which would require them to stand on boxes of stock. The shelf was not designed for individuals to stand on but employees say they sometimes had to in order to retrieve the items.
In September 2010, a female worker was assisting another worker in retrieving a washing machine box from the shelf. The female worker placed the step ladder on top of an empty box which eventually gave way, causing her to fall and suffer fatal injuries.
WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch said the untimely death was a reminder that strick safety procedures must be implemented especially when involving working at heights.
Source: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/retailer-fined-90000-after-death-fall-20120731-23bsy.html#ixzz22dEfAfTr
NT Drafting Plan For Asbestos Removal At Botanic Gardens
The NT Government is currently mounting a management plan to tend to the removal of asbestos uncovered at Darwin’s George Brown Botanic Gardens.A spokesperson for the Department of Natural Resources and Environment revealed that asbestos was uncovered in the gardens over a month ago.
The asbestos is believed to be among the rubble dumped in the gardens following Cyclone Tracy.The Department stated that it is currently unclear how much asbestos exists at the site, but it is believed to be safe in its current form.
However, despite the government’s assurance, workers have refused to service the garden because they have safety concerns with the asbestos.NT WorkSafe confirmed that inspectors have since visited the site and it is up to the government to deal with the asbestos removal.
Update**
The Northern Territory Environment Department revealed that some soil with suspected asbestos contamination have been removed from Darwin’s Botanic Gardens.
Asbestos was discovered at the gardens approximately a month ago and since then discussions have been ongoing regarding it’s removal.
A spokesperson said some soil has been removed but it was not in a public space.
Staff have still refused to mow the lawns and are continuing discussions with department and union representatives.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-27/asbestos-found-darwin-botanic-gardens/4159836?section=nt
Police Say Employers to Blame for Unsafe Trucks
Police said trucking companies are to blame for endangering of lives of drivers after nearly half the heavy trucks stopped in the South West were found to have safety defects.
Traffic Sgt Gerard Murphy stated that the police stopped almost 200 trucks on Forest Highway last week and issued 85 work orders. Murphy was reportedly “gobsmacked” by the reports that one trucking company was paying a monthly fee to a transport manager for falling below budget for vehicle maintenance.
Murphy is concerned that when trucking companies supply evidence to a coroner’s court , it will be discovered that they are neglecting maintenance and safety. He added that truck drivers have also approached the police with their safety concerns.
The most common fault was reportedly bald tyres, but other vehicles were found to have cracked windscreens and reflector lights.
Murphy said in some instances the truck drivers even jumped out of their vehicles to show the police the problems and claimed they’ve been telling their company to fix it.
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Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/14398869/unsafe-trucks-putting-public-safety-at-risk/
Construction Safety: Fallen Worker May Receive Memorial
There are currently discussions regarding the potential installation of a memorial for a construction worker who was killed last week. Ben Catanzariti, a concreter, was working on a construction site for new Dockside apartments when a 39m boom struck and killed him. Drew Mathias, director of construction management firm Bloc, confirmed reports of discussions pertaining to the installation of a memorial at the new apartments.
Mathias said that they support the concept but do not want to push the family on any matters and will await their decision.Belconnen Concrete, Catzanzariti’s employer, said that they were “deeply saddened” by the loss of the young concreter and the injuries of two fellow workers.Operations manager for the company, Andrew Spinelli stated that the relevant pump had been thoroughly serviced three weeks prior to the incident and had only been in use for a total of 10 hours since the last service.
Belconnen Concrete is reportedly committed to providing full co-operation with WorkSafe ACT and the Federal Police. The company swiftly provided all information and documentation requested by the investigative bodies. The company is reportedly also conducting an internal investigation into the incident.
Belconnen was initially prohibited from using its fleet of concrete pumps following the incident but have since been cleared for operation by WorkSafe.
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Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/memorial-may-be-built-at-site-of-construction-fatality-20120724-22nud.html#ixzz21t8pvqRD
Gov’t Launches Audit into Construction Industry Safety
During a discussion regarding an major industry-wide investigation, Attorney-General Simon Corbell stated that an exorbitant number of companies are neglecting the safety of their employees on Canberra construction for increased profits.
Corbell announced the planned investigation following the fourth workplace death in Canberra since December. Three of the past incidents took place within the civil and construction industry, while the fourth one involved a painter.
Corbell called for an close examination into why the civil and construction sector seems to have uninterested in complying with the government on workplace safety.
Most recently, Ben Catanzariti, a young Kingston Foreshore construction worker, was killed when struck by a 39 metre boom.
ACT Work Safety Commissioner Mark McCabe said that the site has remained closed but did not reveal an open date.
Corbell said an inquiry into the death would likely fall under Work Health and Safety laws and a thorough investigation is needed to gather all the evidence and testimonies.
McCabe is believed to be one of two panel members selected to conduct the inquiry. Corbell believes the investigation would call for submissions, union officials and OHS experts but not a public hearing. Instead it appears that only the report and recommendations will be revealed. The investigation is expected to take up to four months to complete.
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Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/govt-launches-building-industry-safety-audit-20120723-22l0z.html#ixzz21avKTX9V
Human Resources: Report Alleges Serious Bullying Problem at Universities
An academic professional has released a report alleging that bullying has become a widespread problem in Australian universities and should be investigated across the tertiary sector.
Sarah Gregson’s Report into Workplace Bullying at UNSW, was initially reported in Herald early this year, and revealed a culture of bullying and intimidation at the post-secondary institute. It has since been submitted to a federal inquiry into workplace bullying . Gregson, an academic at the institute and the local branch representative of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), stated her intention to lobby the union to extend her survey throughout a multitude of institutions.
Gregson has reportedly sent the report to a variety of activists throughout the union. She stated that the activists seem to be aware of many of the issues and believe a continual campaign is required. It is her hope that a parliamentary inquiry would recommend an improved legislation in the area.
An email to staff from Neil Morris, VP of university services at UNSW rejected the claims made in Gregson’s report. Morris claimed that there was no pattern of bullying and the methods of research were not dependable.
Morris stated that survey methodology was flawed because of numerous factors. He cited the surveys broad definition of “bullying” and numerous other situations as reasons why the survey is not sound. He also stated that the number of complaints and the amount of staff the survey claims to have been bullied do not correlate. The report revealed that majority of the 552 participants had experiences or observed bullying behaviours. 68 percent of participants said they had been bullied while 83 percent had been a witness.
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Source: http://www.smh.com.au/national/tertiary-education/tertiary-bullying-needs-action-says-academic-20120719-22d52.html#ixzz21DdXoYgS
OHS:Comcare Appeals Public Servant’s Compensation Claims
A public servant is at risk of having money taken away after having to fight for compensation for injuries sustained while having sex in a motel. The Commonwealth have appealed to the full bench of the Federal court to strip the public servant of compensation.
The unnamed public servant was sent by her government employer to a country town for a departmental meeting where she stayed in a hotel.
A night prior to the meeting the women suffered facial and other physical injuries when a glass light fitting came away from the wall while she was having intercourse with a male friend.
Originally the Commonwealth workers compensation agency Comcare, rejected her request for compensation, a decision which was supported by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
However, this year Justice John Nicholas of the Federal Court reversed the previous rejection of compensation on the grounds that the woman was “in the course of her employment” when she sustained the injuries.
Comcare has subsequently appealed the decision citing that sexual intercourse was not an activity “expressly or impliedly induced or encouraged” by the woman’s employer.
More information on Occupational health and safety
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/national/twist-in-sex-on-the-job-payout-case-20120719-22biv.html#ixzz21DRsCpFK
OHS: Yarra cleared of Safety Breaches
WorkSafe has cleared Yarra Trams of charges accusing the company of breaching occupational health and safety regulations. The company was initially accused of breaking OHS laws for keeping its fleet of C-class low-floor trams despite the fact that some conditions result in the failure of rear-view cameras.
The workplace safety watchdog, WorkSafe issued Yarra Trams with a notice last month stating that the company was found to be in breach of occupational health and safety regulations by running the aforementioned fleet of trams.
It is alleged that the rear-view camera of these trams fail in wet, dark or glary conditions. Drivers have previously expressed their concerns that the trams had visibility problems with the back end of the trams which also resulted in a difficulty in seeing if passengers had safety boarder or vacated the tram.
WorkSafe ruled that it was dangerous because someone could potentially get caught in the doors and subsequently dragged by the moving tram. However, following a thorough investigation it became clear that the doors were actually not dangerous due to sensitive edges on them. New Cameras are currently being trialed to see if they can function regardless of the conditions present. C-Class trams run only on route 109 in the area between Box Hill and Port Melbourne
Source: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/yarra-trams-cleared-in-safety-check-20120717-228hv.html
Fatigue Management: Truck Driver in Court For Killing Woman
A truck driver has been accused of killing a woman on the South Eastern Freeway and will face the charges in court. The driver is believed to have been driving dangerously and inattentively which led to the death of Linda Carter. Carter was waiting in her car in the emergency lane because of a flat tyre, when a semi-trailer hit her rear.
The car was propelled 140 metres away and the woman received fatal head injuries.
The driver of the truck, Errol Cain reportedly did not realize he had struck the vehicle until he had exited his truck.Prosecutor Peter Longson alleges that Cain was significantly fatigued which resulted in him being inattentive. This is the second time the jury has heard this case.
Defense attorney Joana Fuller said a key issue was whether Cain reasonably believed he could safely operate a vehicle.The jury traveled to Adelaide hills to view the scene of the accident.
The investigation and trial continues. Currently, there has been no mention of Cain’s employer suffering any consequences in the event he was fatigued due to a negligent safety and fatigue standards.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-18/freeway-fatal-truck-smash-errol-cain/4137614?section=sa
Dangerous Goods: Chemical Leaks Contaminates Workers
Four people had to be decontaminated and moved to an exclusion zone following a chemical leak from storage containers in the Port of Brisbane.Emergency services were called to the scene early in the morning after reports revealed that potentially harmful chemicals were leaking onto a boat and the dock.
A spokesperson for the Department of Safety stated that the cause of leak was unclear as is the type of chemical that seeped from the containers.
Approximately four people were reported as suffering from mild headaches and bouts of nausea. They’ve since been treated by paramedics at the scene and will be decontaminated by Queensland Fire and Rescue service. The contaminated individuals will be held in the hospital as a precaution until it they are deemed safe and free of contamination.
A 50m exclusion zone was organized in short notice around the boat while fire fighters donning HAZMAT suits tested the air and attended to the leak.
More info on Dangerous Goods
Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/four-workers-affected-by-chemicals-at-port-of-brisbane/story-e6freon6-1226427725011
Confined Spaces: Trapped NZ Miners Make It Out Safely
Twenty-eight miners were rescued after being trapped underground in a New Zealand mining site. The miners were trapped in the gold mine when a truck caught on fire. The men were compelled to find shelter in a specially designed refuge chamber prior to being safely evacuated out of the mine.
NZ mining industry has claimed the lives of hundreds of miners since the industry emerged over a century ago.
Twenty-eight miners who were trapped underground in a New Zealand mine have been safely rescued.
Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union assistant national secretary Ged O’Connell was confident throughout the situation that miners would remain safe. O’Connell said that the mine was built in such a way that the miners could survive for numerous days based on the amount of amenities available. O’Connell was confident that the training of the miners would provide them with the knowhow to get through similar situations.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-17/fire-in-nz-gold-mine/4135340
Wife of Slain BHP Worker Searching for Answers
The wife of a man killed at BHP Billiton’s Port Hedland site has revealed that she was two months pregnant upon the death of her husband.
A year has passed since the untimely accident in which Fenner Dunlop trainee Jordan Marriott-Statham was killed by a loaded crane. His wife Kelly stated that she is still currently unsure the reason for his death. The Department of Mines and Petroleum stated recently that they are still currently investigating the incident.
Mrs.Marriott-Statham could not emphasize in words how hard the past year has been for her and her family since her husband’s death.
Since returning home following the incident, she has grown increasingly frustrated by the lack of accountability and answers surrounding the death of her husband. She stated however, that a final report would not provide closure but it would provide some answers.
Since the accident, Marriott-Statham stated WA-based leg-acy scheme Miners’ Promise had been a significant help.
More information can be found on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/14190919/widow-still-waiting-for-answers/
Construction Industry Safety Breaches Cost $17 million
Studies have shown that the construction industry was struck by a $17 million in medical bills, lost wages and further costs due to over 1,000 on-the-job accidents. WorkSafe Australia stated that that figure could even be a conservative estimate. WorkSafe inspector Steve Thornely said that workers can face a continual and diverse variety of hazards due to housing sites constantly having different trades on site throughout a project’s development. Thornely stated that in excess of 1,250 safety breaches have been discovered throughout the year.
Thornely attributes theses breaches to inadequate planning, housekeeping and supervision. He stressed the importance of maintaining vigilance in every aspect of the job in ensuring that safety is upheld. He added that many of the accidents or breaches that occur could be easily avoided if industry professionals stayed on top of safety issues and be vocal about unsafe situations.
More Information on Construction Safety
Source: http://designbuildsource.com.au/housing-construction-safety-17-million-issue
Unions Call for Jail Time for Serious Bullying Cases
Unions are pushing for the use of jail terms for cases of workplace bullying. Recently the The Australian Council of Trade Unions’ submitted a motion to a parliamentary committee recommending an increase in the severity of penalties for individuals accused of workplace bullying. The recommendation discusses the potential of implementing jail terms for extreme cases, and increase in recognition that employers have a responsibility to ensure that their workplace is bully-free.
The ACTU discussed the findings of the Productivity Commission which revealed through research that workplace bullying costs the economy between $6 and $36 billion a year.
ACTU assistant secretary Michael Borowick, provided evidence to the inquiry in Melbourne. While Borowick stated her support for stronger and more severe penalties, she did however emphasize the importance of a shift in workplace culture which would thereby ensure that such bullying never occurs.
Employer body, the Australian Industry Group stated that employers were vehemently against any form of bullying and matters of bullying are treated with importance.
More info on Human Resources
Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/actu-call-to-get-tougher-on-bullying/story-e6freoof-1226422944446
Asbestos Found at Deteriorating National Archives Storage Facility
The National Archives of Australia’s Mitchell storage facility is reportedly in such shambles that they are taping down floor tiles which potentially contain asbestos.
Federal Parliament’s Public Works Committee pondered evidence put forth regarding plans for an almost $100 million preservation facility to alleviate the pressure on the existing centre which is so full that it can no longer accept classified documents.
Labor Senator Ann Urqhart remarked that she had noticed at least one tile being held down by tape, on a visit to the storage site. Urqhart inquired as to what plans were in place to guarantee the safety of the staff in the event that asbestos was conclusively discovered.
Archives assistant Director-General Cheryl Watson indicated that certain measures were being implemented to ensure the safety of staff in the wake of asbestos contamination. Watson stated that some highly secretive documents were no longer accepted at the facility, although some other less sensitive documents were still stored at the site. The site has commenced work on upgrading a vault so that documents can continue to be safely stored until a new building is chosen. D
Defence Housing officials informed the committee that a nearby school had been consulted by ACT planning authorities about development of site. Defence Housing also planned to communicate and work with the school.
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Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/tape-used-to-hold-down-asbestos-tiles-at-archives-storage-20120709-21rzv.html#ixzz20H3LrZNG
Dangerous Goods: Families Reportedly Suffering From Gas Exposure
A number of Queensland residents have been complaining of symptoms related to gas exposure, according to the Australian Medical Association. The exposure is likely due to the exploration of 5 coal seam gas wells inside a Brisbane residential estate.
“A number of people live near where CSG exploration is occurring and they are reporting symptoms that are consistent to gas exposure,” says Dr Christian Rowan.As of now, there is not enough evidence to comment on complaints of rashes, bleeding noses, headaches and vomiting by the residents of the Tara Residential estate, which is in close proximity to the CSG exploration. However, eye and throat irritation, nausea and vomiting, severe headache and dizziness, and even blurred vision and heart palpitations are all symptoms related to gas poisoning. In June, government officials were sent to the Brisbane estate to investigate complaints of gassy odours and health concerns.
Lock the Gate Alliance president Drew Hutton said that people continue to call in, complaining of illness. “They’re ringing in saying their whole family is sick”
The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association says it has only been made aware of one family complaining of illness in the Tara Estate, Debbie Orr.
An APPEA spokesperson said that Ms. Orr has refused medical evaluation offers. Furthermore, he says that gas and air samples taken last year revealed insignificant levels of volatile organic compounds or heavy metals at gas fields across Queensland, including Tara. Ms. Orr has called for an independent health study, encouraging people to speak up about their health issues.
“There’s just too many of us with the same symptoms.”
More information on Dangerous Goods
Source: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/families-sick-in-gas-field-ama-20120705-21jd9.html
OHS: Worker Devastated After Courts Deny Him Comp
A Hobart man is devastated after a court judgement denied him workers’ compensation
28 year old Anthony Young lost his leg after it was crushed by a machine at K&D Brickworks while on the job in September 2010.
Despite working at the New Town plant for 2 years, the Supreme Court has decided that Young is not eligible for workers compensation as he was hired under a contracting agency, therefore making him an independent contractor. Young was a contractor employed by Tasmanian Contracting Services when the accident occurred.
Young reportedly devastated by judgement, which was upheld by the Full Court of Appeal. He is said to be struggling to pay medical bills and make ends meet.
“It’s coming to the stage now that I can’t even afford to pay for things I need, so I just go without it. I guess there must be some legal side of things but I don’t know how you can find out someone is not a worker when you pay your taxes, you pay your super just like every other person does.” said Young.
K&D was fined $60,000 as a result of the accident. A case for damages for personal injuries was also lodged by Young against the company but it has not yet concluded
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source:http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-04/amputee-loses-compo-case/4109032?section=tas
OHS: Worker Devastated After Courts Deny Him Comp
Petition May Reignite Debate over WorkCover Overhaul
The NSW opposition launched a petition recently against the O’Farrell government’s WorkCover overhaul. It is believed by some, that the petition will reignite the debate about workers’compensation.
Some of the cuts to WorkCover compensation payments are to public service staff, and those who have injured themselves on the way to and from the job. Despite the successful action of Firefighters going against the cuts, nurses and other hospital staff were not as fortunate as they will feel the effects of the cuts. Police will also be exempt along with the firefighters.
The Opposition’s John Robertson indicated his hope and intentions to get 10,000 signatures on the petition to compel the government to put discussions about the law back on the table. Robertson stated that even though the legislation has passed, the fight is not yet over. Dozens of nurses gathered to hear Robertson speak about the petition.
Robertson feels that there needs to be proper justification for the changes put forth by the O’Farrell government. Thus, he believes there is a need for a debate regarding the issue. Robertson’s hopes will be achieved if they are able to get 10,000 since the government promised last year to debate any issue raised in a petition with 10k signatures.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/business/breaking-news/workcover-petition-aims-to-reopen-debate/story-e6freuz0-1226417897655
Asbestos Training: Mining Sites Closed After Asbestos Fibers Discovered
The Department of Mines and Petroleum is examining the state of asbestos contamination in the Pilbara mine site.Rio Tinto confirmed that brown asbestos was uncovered at the West Angeles mine site last month.
The contamination in question was revealed when fibres were identified in material submitted from Holcim Quarry. A spokesperson for Rio Tinto indicated that the exposure levels were below OHS exposure limits but employees were swiftly informed of the dangers.
The Holcim quarry has voluntarily halted their operations and a preliminary report on the site is due to be submitted shortly.
BHP have subsequently isolated material at another mine site near Meekatharra, following allegations that workers could have been exposed to asbestos. Key industry players have also been called to gather at the company’s behest.
A spokesperson for BHP said tests are currently underway and the safety of workers is not in jeopardy. CFMEU safety officer Steve McCann claims to have spent three days investigating asbestos following calls from reports from several concerned workers.
McCann is worried that workers will continue to be exposed to the deadly substance while the investigation continues.
More info on Asbestos Training
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-27/asbestos-found-in-holcim-quarry-and-minesites/4095068?section=wa
Is Better Fatigue Management Needed For Paramedics?
Recent lapses in procedure have resulted in the Ambulance union declaring that mistakes made by paramedics were the direct result of fatigue. Shortly before this declaration, it was revealed that a 62-year-old woman collapsed from what appeared to be a heartattack. Paramedics arrive at the scene and immediately tried to revive. After 27 minutes, the paramedics gave up and declared the woman dead—then six minutes later the woman woke up. The woman’s heart had never infact started but the allegedly fatigued paramedics did not notice any abnormalities.
A leaked Ambulance Victoria report revealed that paramedics have had fatigue level readings that are equal to twice the blood/alcohol limit. The secretive report quoted paramedics who stated their concerns for the safety of patients and the level of alcohol that many consume to avoid work.The confidential report is almost 3 years old now but little changes have been made to deal with the fatigue levels of ambulance workers, according to the Ambulance Employees Australia union.
State secretary Steve McGhie is concerned that fatigue may be causing incidents such as the one involving the 62-year-old woman.McGhie said he would consider legal action if any of his injuries were the victim of shoddy Fatigue Management
Source: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/fatigued-paramedics-fear-for-safety-of-patients-20120628-215g8.html#ixzz1zbUkvWsZ
Fallen Knives Leaves Manual Labourer Without a Career
A Queensland meatworker had his career cut short when three extremely sharp knives struck his neck,collarbone, and hand in an accident at JBS meatworks.
Steven Larson is seeking over $750,000 in damages after the 2009 freak accident left him without a career.Larson’s claim against JBS Pty Ltd alleges that the former meat-worker has sustained wounds in his neck and hand which has left him with residual pain and the inability to continue as a manual labourer.
Court documents state that Larson was preparing for his shift by sharpening his knives in the “kill floor” at 5:45 am on July 14.A colleague was walking up the stairs directly above Larson’s work area, when she dropped her knife kit and three knives fell and stabbed him.
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Source: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/skewered-meatworker-seeks-750000-compensation-20120628-213ka.html#ixzz1zbuj7KXI
Flemington Market Worker Dies in Forklift Accident
A worker died when he was crushed by a forklift in front of fellow workers at Flemington Markets. Shocked workers said Lilipe Manuoliku Hehea was doing work with a customer when his forklift fell over and trapped him beneath it. He was an employee for a produce wholesaler and was working back and forth between trucks in a hectic loading zone.
Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after the accident but the man had already succumbed to his injuries. One agent who arrived early on the scene said it was a tragic accident. No other workers or vehicles were involved, the man was working on his own prior to the accident.
Some have speculations are that Hehea got distracted or did something unusual to make the forklift turnover. Hehea was a husband and a father. Hehea has worked at the markets for over half a decade. The incident has been described as a “freak accident” that resulted in the death or a respected worker.
WorkCover is currently investigating the incident and have stated that early reports regarding the circumstances of the accident seem to be correct.Police are presently preparing a report for submission to the coroner.Workers in the Flemington market continue to mourn his loss.
More info on Forklift Safety
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/tragic-accident-as-father-crushed-to-death-at-work-20120626-20zax.html#ixzz1z8DnK14d
OHS: Compensation Amendments Marginalize Workers
Lawyers have warned that all injured workers will soon have to pay their legal costs under new workers compensation laws which could potentially leave many unrepresented victims or unreported claims.
Richard Brennan, a Sydney solicitor who represents injured workers claims, warned that Christian Democrats MP Fred Nile had mistakably made it increasingly difficult for injured workers to have their claims heard.
Nile has come under fire for amendments made to workers compensation laws which were allegedly aimed at helping eliminate costs.
Brennan stated that Nile’s attempt to save one out 1000 workers from paying insurance company costs, has instead insured that all 1000 workers will have to pay the fees.He warned that this could potentially lead to insurance companies paying lawyers any fee they desire.
The Labor MP Adam Searle and the Greens MP David Shoebridge fruitlessly attempted to explain the consequences of the changes to Nile but the government has defended the amendments that they believe will rein in on the $4 billion WorkCover deficit.
More on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/changes-to-compo-laws-leave-workers-worse-off–lawyers-20120624-20whh.html#ixzz1yyVotkJM
Unions call for Federally Funded Asbestos Authority
Reports have indicated that unions intend on pushing for the creation of a National Asbestos Authority to help protect people, and remove asbestos from homes and businesses.
Lifelong campaigner against Asbestos, Paul Bastian will meet with Prime Minister Gillard and Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten to discuss the case. The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union national secretary, Bastian said more Australians died from asbestos exposure than in World War II.Bastian believes that the number of people and legal matters dealing with asbestos surely indicates that the problem must be dealt with. The union believes the best way to deal with this problem is a federally funded authority to manage the asbestos awareness, asbestos removal and to protect people from the dangers of the deadly substance.
The goal of the authority, according to the union would be educate the community about the existence of asbestos in private homes, businesses and public buildings. Bastion also mentioned the need for an immediate audit and plan to remove asbestos from all government buildings. He cited State government’s common reports of low levels of compliance with asbestos regulation, as reason for the need for a federally funded scheme to treat the issue as one of critical importance on a national scale.
Shorten recently mentioned that asbestos was indeed a critical issue for the government which is evident by their recently commissioned asbestos management review. The government currently awaits the report’s recommendations which is expected to be released later this week.
Asbestos Victims Association Pleased With Successful Asbestos Court Case
The Asbestos Victims Association revealed that more people will be eligible for damages claims for asbestos exposure following the case of a former Whyalla shipyards worker successfully brought against BHP Biliton.
The Full Court of the South Australian Supreme Court sustained a ruling to grant William Parker $20,000 in exemplary damages.
The court found that BHP failed to prevent Parker from getting Cancer while he was a shipyard worker in the 1970s.Terry Miller of the support group stated that the case was an important win for victims. Miller believes that this case will represent precedent for future cases and will enable more asbestos related cases to make it to court. Miller added, that though not all cases will be made for exemplary damages, this case makes it “more easy”.
Asbestos continues to plague individuals years after Australian companies were ordered to stop using it. Many victims suffer end up suffering from the asbestos- exposure disease Mesothelioma, years after being exposed to the deadly substance.
More information on Asbestos Training
Source: www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-20/asbestos-victim-bhp-biliton-whyalla/4081964?section=sa
Fire Safety: Gas Leak Evacuees Allowed to Return
Approximately 100 staff members have been granted permission to return to businesses in South Brisbane, after a suspected gas leave lead to their evacuation.
Emergency services were informed of a gas leak from a building in South Brisbane early in the morning. Businesses in the surrounding area were all subsequently evacuated for their safety.
The police have since released a statement notifying all motorists and pedestrians that streets closed due to the gas leak have since been reopened.
The leak was reportedly caused by a ruptured gas pipe. The fire safety risk forced the closure of Grey Street between Glenelg and Melbourne streets.
Police were on the scene shortly after reports surfaced. They directed pedestrians and motorists from the area to a safe vicinity.
More information on Fire Safety
Source: m.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/southbrisbane-gas-leak-cleared-20120620-20mt4.html
OHS: Injuries Costing Moonee Valley $41.2 million
Moonee Valley businesses have spent $41.2 million in the last five years to treat the injuries of workers.WorkSafe Victoria released statistics that show that musculoskeletal injuries such as broken bones and sprains caused from slipping or tripping is one of the leading causes of compensation claims.
Annually there are over 15,000 new cases of seriously injured workers who were injured while conducting routine tasks. In the past five years 1515 claims were musculoskeletal injuries in Moonee Valley. Over 29,000 serious injuries occur in Victoria every year, and over half of those were musculoskeletal injuries.
Moonee Valley focuses on their manufacturing, industrial and construction based industries which are home to many of the claims.WorkSafe’s Ian Forsyth stressed the importance of a properly trained and supervised staff that is knowledgeable in the required equipment needed to lift and move loads, and how one should react in a variety of circumstances.
An annual cost of $55,000 is averaged for the treatment and rehabilitation of all musculoskeletal injuries.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.mooneevalleyweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/slips-trips-cost-moonee-valley-412m/2593476.aspx
Asbestos Closes Part of Parliament House
The Lower House chamber of the SA Parliament House has been closed for an undertermined time after asbestos fragments were discovered.
Both paint on the chamber’s canvas and the dust on the ceiling were tested and were revealed to be positive for asbestos fibres. The problem was discovered by heritage architects during their usual inspection of the House of Assembly.
The lower house chamber of the South Australian Parliament House has been closed indefinitely after traces of asbestos were found.
Since the traces are considered minuscule , the risk to parliamentarians has been deemed minimal, but the chamber was closed as a precaution until further tests are conducted.
Since the closing of the Assembly Hall, meetings are reportedly being moved to another section of the Parliament House in Adelaide.
More info on Asbestos Training
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-18/asbestos-house-of-assembly-chamber-parliament/4076322
Working At Heights: WorkSafe Launches Fall Prevention Campaign
WorkSafe has been vigorously promoting their working at heights safety campaign since 2011, and now reports have indicated that following a death of a labourer, they plan to further expand on their efforts to promote safety. The worker fell from a rooftop of an Oakleigh South factory and was found later by workmates. WorkSafe’s General Manager of Operations Lisa Sturszenegger has continuously promoted safety precautions for those who work at heights.
Preliminary enquiry showed that the man is believed to have fallen from up to five metres when he was replacing the factory’s roof. Sturzenegger is reportedly hopeful that this tragedy will send a message to the industry that quality safety standards must be implemented at all times.
Sturzenegger stated that proper equipment, training, supervision, risk assessment, and frequent maintenance is fundamental to maintaining safety in the workplace. This is the most recent death in a series of construction deaths this year. WorkSafe has launched a campaign this week to promote the continual need for safety requirements to be consistently met. Sturzenegger called for a continuous effort to maintain safety standards in order to limit the costs to the community for areas such as compensation, treatment and rehabilitation.
The investigation into the incident continues, and further information is expected as the inquiry develops.
Source: http://designbuildsource.com.au/worksafe-falls-warning-strengthen-workplace-death
Thousands March Against WorkCover Changes
Approximately 5,000 workers in the New South Wales public sector rallied in the pouring rain in protest of the state’s proposed changes to the occupational health and safety compensation scheme.
Some of the participants included firefighters and nurses and thousands of other public sector workers.
During the rally workers laid flowers at the gates of parliament in honour of fallen workers. A band comprised of teenage brothers performed songs in remembrance of their father who was killed on the job.
Upper House Shooters and Fishers MP Robert Borsak will reveal the findings of the inquiry into the compensation scheme. Reports have indicated that Premier Barry O’Farrell has not been swayed by the impact of the rally.O’Farrell is determined that changes to WorkCover will go forward. He believes that nothing will hinder the State Government’s to make a financially stable compensation scheme.
Last year reports surfaced stating that the deficit was $4 billion. In response to the deficit, Workers benefits are allegedly going to be slashed in order to reform the scheme. Mark Lennon, secretary for Unions NSW believes O’Farrell is attacking workers when his aim should instead be the insurance industry.
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-13/unions-to-rally-over-nsw-workcover-shake-up/4067864?section=nsw
Human Resources: Coopers Faces Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
A worker for Coopers Brewery reportedly offered to pull down a female cleaner’s pants to spank her and also touched her inappropriately.
Jennifer Fiedler took her sexual harassment claim to the Federal Court against the company and the accused worker, Terry Allen.
Fiedler is seeking $150,000 in damages over the alleged sexual assault. The incident in question allegedly occurred on the companies property on July,5 2010. Fiedler was employed by Exact Cleaning Maintenance Services and was subsequently contracted to clean at the Coopers building.
Fiedler claimed that she was performing her normal duties and entered a room looking for her mop and asked four men if they had seen her mop. Terry Allen replied to her”No, pull down your pants and I’ll spank your bottom.” She refused his offer and Allen said
“I’ll pull them down and I’ll spank your bottom.” When Fiedler again refused, Allen grabbed her breasts and made a groaning sound. Fiedler said the incident left her feeling “offended, humiliated, and intimidated”.
Coopers denied any liability for the incident on the basis that they took all reasonable steps to prevent Allen’s actions.
More info on Human Resources
Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ipad/coopers-brewery-sex-calim-lawsuit/story-fn6bqpju-1226391646766
OHS: Police Operation Reveals 1300 Truckie offences
A POLICE operation targeting truck drivers has uncovered more than 1300 offences in South Australia, including drug use and tampering with speed limiters.
A police operation aimed at truck drivers revealed over 1300 offences in South Australia such as drug use and speed limiter tampering.
Police are now trying to determine whether trucking companies were privy to the offenses after over 2300 truckers were stopped last month.
Traffic Support Branch Inspector Andrew Thiele made it clear that despite these discoveries, the majority of operators were respectful towards the law. Thiele said the focus is going to shifted towards the small demographic of truckers who continue to disobey and disregard the law.
Of the 2374 trucks that were stopped randomly, 97 of the drivers were reported for speeding or driving recklessly.25 other individuals were discovered to be in possession of drugs while 11 were driving while disqualified.
Polie have also reportedly defected 497 vehicles. Thiele said they will be working in conjunction with interstate colleagues to try and solve this national problem.
More on Occupational Health and Safety
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/truckie-blitz-identifies-1300-offences-in-south-australia/story-e6frea83-1226387745563
Asbestos Discovered At Kurunda Building Site
It has been confirmed that Asbestos was discovered at the Kuranda building site after it was shut down amid health concerns of 15 trainee tradesmen.
The State government is considering handing out fines to the parties responsible. A spokesperson for Workplace Health and Safety Queensland said the presence of the deadly building material was confirmed by testing at a National Association of testing Authorities lab. The safety board stated that they are considering action against the applicable duty holders as a result of health and safety breaches.
Reports indicate that action could be handed out in the form of a fine as well another prohibition notice to further restrict work at the site. The board may also demand that safety practices be improved at the site. The site in question was issued a stop-work notice on Tuesday and has been closed since.
Executive officer for Ngoonbi Co-operative Society, Lionel Quartermaine has yet to comment on the discovery but has previously stated that a qualified worker who was working with the trainees was unaware of the potential threat. Jobfind Centres Australia’s general manager of Queensland Operations, Stewart Williams stated that the co-operative society informed them an inspection had been performed on the house and was subsequently deemed safe to refurbish.
Jobfind job seekers attempting to receive a Certificate II in Construction training, have been relocated to another work site. Work Health and Safety Queensland continues to investigate the incident.
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http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2012/06/08/222985_local-news.html
Gillard:Australians Not Alone in Carbon Quest
The government is attempting to refute claims that Australians are unique in their carbon price by revealing a new departmental findings that show similar schemes are expected to be operational in over 30 countries from 2013.
The research conducted by the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency reveals that Australia will be a part of over 50 national (or subnational) trading schemes when a $23-a tonne tax takes effect on July 1,2012.
Statistics released by the department indicate that the schemes will cover a total population of 850 million and will include approximately 30 per cent of the global economy.
Climate Change Minister Greg Combet stated that with the soon-to-be implemented scheme, Australia was joining the majority of “the world’s industrialized economies”
Combet stated that since Climate change is a global issue then Australia must do their part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The price on carbon is expected to act as an incentive for industries to adopt new clean energy practices.
Opposition climate spokesman Greg Hunt believes the analysis was “humiliating “ because of the difference in carbon prices between Australia and the global community.
But opposition climate spokesman Greg Hunt said the analysis was “humiliating” for the government given the difference in the carbon prices between Australia and other nations.
Hunt stated that the European scheme averaged about $1 per person annually in its first five years, while Australia is expected to be about $400 per person annually. PM Julia Gillard refuted assertions that Australia was home to the highest carbon tax in the world citing Norway’s carbon tax on petrol, Switzerland’s fossil fuel tax, Sweden’s heating fuels tax and Ireland’s carbon tax.
Source: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/australian-not-going-it-alone-on-carbon-price-analysis-shows/story-fn59niix-1226389526347
Confined Spaces : Queensland Won’t Undermine Mine Safety
The Queensland Government has released a press release regarding the safety legislation of the mining industry. According to the press release, the government is currently awaiting notice from the resources sector on a proposal to harmonise Queensland’s mine safety legislation with other states.
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps recently released a paper welcoming industry comment on the model act. Despite efforts to harmonise the safety legislation, there are some concerns with the process. However Cripps said that every effort is being made to ensure that the new model laws were at least as effective as the current mining laws. Cripps cited public fears that since Queensland’s laws are already of good quality, then they may risk adopting lesser-quality harmonised mine safety legislation. Cripps encourages the mining industry to provide input on the mining safety legislation. The Newman Government is allegedly committed providing the highest safety standards with minimal risk to the 58,000 Queenslanders in the industry.
Industry stakeholders have until July,23 2012 to provide input to the State Government.
The laws are reported to be developed with the partnership of industry professionals and union representatives.
The Newman LNP Government is reportedly unconvinced that the national model legislation is the best thing for Queensland and for mine safety.
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Source: http://www.mysunshinecoast.com.au/articles/article-display/queensland-wont-compromise-on-mine-safety,25969
ACT Hints At Legal Action Against Feds Over Asbestos Removal Costs
The ACT government is thinking about taking legal action against the Federal Government over the steep cost of cleaning up asbestos.
Chief Minister Katy Gallagher discussed her unsuccessful attempts at convincing the Commonwealth into funding some of the clean-up costs from when it dumped a significant amount of contaminated soil in Canberra.
Gallagher claims the ACT government spent approximately $30 million to clean up and resign in the new Molonglo development. Almost 180,000 tonnes of asbestos were reportedly removed from the site by the ACT.
A site with 600,000 cubic metres of contaminated waste in Eastlake is expected to cost about $100 million to remove.
Gallagher strongly supports the ACT in their quest to convince the Commonwealth to contribute. The support she has stems from the belief that since the former government authority allowed such practices to occur then Canberra tax payers should not be held liable.
However, the Federal Government is expected to counter on the basis that since the land was transferred to the ACT, liability did as well.
The position of the opposition is that tax payers should not be held financially liable for the “incompetence” of the former governing authority.
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Source:http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-07/act-set-to-sue-commonwealth-over-asbestos-dumping/4057132?section=act
OHS: ACTU Condemns BHP for Safety Practices
The ACTU congress has criticized the safety record of energy resource company BHP Billiton. This condemnation comes after BHP’s company chairman Jac Nasser made disparaging comments regarding Australia’s labour laws. Nasser made comments eluding to the so-called inflexible regulations on labour laws, which he believes are the cause of “never ending” strife within the industry at BHP’s coal mines.
However, ACTU congress in Sydney passed a resolution indicating their support for the 4000 BHP mineworkers who have been involved in stand-off with the company for over a year over enterprise bargaining. ACTU believes BHP desires to weaken safety in Queensland, which ACTU believes lead to the deaths of 29 coal workers at the Pike River Coal mine in 2010.
The resolution passed by ACTU also criticizes the BHP for their lack of cooperation with the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union. Federal Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten addressed the ACTU conference and stated that the cause of industrial strife is simply BHP’s refusal of negotiating with staff. Shorten stated that since the company struggles to persuade its workforce of the need for change, then the problem must not simply be the law but also the method in which the case is being put forth and the involvement of the workforce in question.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/actu-congress-slams-bhp-on-safety-record/story-fn3dxity-1226359189466
OHS: Manufacturing Workers Suffer From Health Issues
New research has indicated that the health of manufacturing workers has reached a problematic level. While desk-workers have typically been known as the “stressed out and overweight”, some manufacturing workers have slowly adopted this stereotype.
Traditionally workers in this industry avoided this tag since their work seemed to involve physical labour which kept them fit. However, a study by WorkSafe Victoria has revealed that things have drastically changed.
The study has revealed that 32 per cent of manufacturing workers are at a high risk of type-two diabetes. The sample of individuals involved in the study was of 40,919 volunteers. Subjects such as cholesterol, bloodpressure and lifestyle were analyzed. The study further revealed that 6.1 per cent of the manufacturing workers suffer from a high risk of heart disease. These figures contrast the 3.1 per cent of white collar workers who suffer the same risk. 25.2 percent of these individuals were also revealed to be smokers.
WorkHealth Ambassador Wayne Kayler-Thomson believes the turnaround is related to the constant changes in the manufacturing industry in which many jobs have become sedentary due to new technology.
White collar workers and their employers have taken steps to improve their health such as the adoption of healthier food options in their cafeterias, and the encouragement physical activity.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/breaking-news/manufacturing-workers-unhealthy-report/story-e6frg90f-1226368854665
OHS:Gran Awarded $270k for Team-Building Injury
Successful Hardware company Bunnings was fined approximately $270,000 after a woman broker her leg during a team-building exercise.
Leanne Grace Bagiante 50, appeared in court recently over the 2008 accident that left her with a broken leg.
The customer service officer broke her leg during a game of ‘tunnel-ball’. The game in question, involves players racing to a roll a ball through a tunnel of their teammate’s legs until each player has participated. Bagiante alleges that the polished concrete floor of the store caused her to slip and crash to ground while she was running with the ball.
The worker,a grandmother; had to wait for a significant amount time prior to being taken to the doctor. The doctor then misdiagnosed Bagiante’s injuries as a simple sprain. The next day the grandmother was back at work but fell sick with pain.
In response to this, Bagiante eventually got an X-ray which displayed that she in fact had a fractured bone in the lower part of her leg.
Bagiante claims the injury has left her with ongoing pain.
The South Port District Court ruled in favour of Bagiante’s claims and handed a $269,644.70 bill to Bunnings for damages.
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Source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8476481
OHS: Xstrata Orders Study On Workers Health
Mining company Xstrata ordered a study that will examine the health of its Northern Queensland workers.
The study will include approximately 100 of the company’s past and present employees.
Spokesman for the company, Steve de Kruijff stated that employers desire to learn how certain work patterns adversely affect their worker’s health.
Kruijff elaborated by stating that companies aspire to learn about the health and well-being of their workforce and their overall quality of life.
The company has reportedly altered its shift system which now includes blocks of four 12-hour work days.
According to Kruijff, miners spend majority of their day sitting down. This revelation has concerned the company,causing them to determine the best method of promoting regular exercise, and healthy living.
Xstrata’s study is expected to last about 3-years.
More information on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-30/xstrata-studies-workers-health/4041222
Asbestos Training Breaches Cause Concern At ACM Removal Site
Workers are concerned that the state’s biggest asbestos-removal site is risking safety by frequently breaching procedure.
Worker’s anonymously contacted The Advertiser news source and informed them that are doubtful that the correct removal methods were used in the first four months of the project. These four months involved the clean-up of 93,000 sq m of asbestos sheeting on the former Mitsubishi manufacturing site.
SafeWork SA officers visit the site frequently and have had inspectors issue statutory notices for non-compliant work practices.
Some of the breaches include a failure to comply with PPE (personal protective equipment) requirements for asbestos-removal. However, there have been reports by former workers (who have quit) that the dangers extend far beyond PPE issues. Some issues have been cited regarding the handling of asbestos sheeting once it is removed from the factory structure by DE-Construct.
One worker stated that sheets were simply “dumped” into trucks with a plastic lining, causing airborne asbestos particles and dust. Workers have also cited concerns with the thick cloud of dust in the factory that they believe may contain asbestos.
A spokesperson for the company stated that the company’s top priority was the safety of their workers.
Asbestos removal is being carried out according to EPA guidelines and under the watchful eye of SafeWork SA.
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Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/asbestos-clean-up-breach-fears-at-old-mitsubishi-site/story-e6frea83-1226370401166
Human Resources: Discrimination Must Be Addressed
A state Equal Opportunity Commissioner encourages women to continue reports of discrimination in the workplace to authorities. This call comes following recommendations from Opposition Leader Isobel Redmon that women should avoid confrontation in the workplace over discrimination and instead focus on work performance to achieve equality.
Equal Opportunity Commissioner Ann Burgess said that despite some women’s attempts to deal with the situation themselves, they have found it to be unsuccessful.
Burgess stated that if women continue to not report discrimination, the culture in workplaces will not change.
Redmon’s comments have met a divisive response. Women’s rights advocates have expressed concerns with her position while others have agreed.
SA Senator Penny Wong encouraged women to speak up against workplace discrimination and emphasised that “silence in the face of unfairness “ does not lead to equality.
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Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sexism-at-work-cant-be-ignored/story-e6frea6u-1226365061692
Cranes, Hoists and Slings: Worker Dies in Crane Accident
A crane has crushed a man to death at a metal factory in Sydney’s west.
A man died when he was crushed to death by a crane at a metal factory in Sydney.According to police, the crane fell, pinning the man against another piece of machinery.
Two fellow workers freed the man but despite their attempts to revive him they could not save him. NSW WorkCover will allegedly investigate the incident.
The manufacturing union stated that the incident signifies the dangers within the industry.
The accident comes at a time when the NSW Government has commenced a campaign to overhaul workers compensation
Tim Ayres of the MWU believes the Government needs to alter their priorities and not be focusing on cutting costs in workers compensation schemes. Ayres stated the need for everyone to focus on increasing the level of safety in the workplace.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-24/sydney-worker-crushed-to-death-by-crane/4029838
OHS:Poor Investments to Blame for WorkCover Woes
Accountants have determined that half of the $4 billion deficit in the finances of the NSW WorkCover scheme is a result of poor return on investments.
The NSW government has however argued that rorting of the worker’s compensation scheme is a significant cause of the problems plaguing the organisation. A report released by the government included a recommendation for slashing benefits to injured workers in order to reduce the deficit.
Deputy Premier, Andrew Stoner made recent statements calling for the need of WorkCover to be a scheme that is without any loopholes, thus preventing rorts while remaining affordable.
Stoner stated that some cases involve part-time workers who have been receiving worker’s compensation for many years despite questionable claims.
WorkCover’s annual report for 2010-2011 revealed that nine people were prosecuted for defrauding the system.
Michael Playford of PricewaterhouseCoopers actuary, stated that an increase in damages claims can be attributed to an emerging “lump sum culture”.However an evaluation from the very same actuary revealed that 50% of the deficit is due to “external influences impacting investment returns achieved”.
The other half of the deficit is attributed to a deterioration in claims management over the past four years. Finance Minister Greg Pearce believes that the investment returns are probably set to further deteriorate. He added that the efforts to improve systems to compel people to return to work earlier, would require a change in benefits.
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Source: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/workcover-woes-blamed-on-poor-investments-and-rorters-20120521-1z1ew.html#ixzz1veNsbCMa
Asbestos Training: West Perth Site Declared Safe,At least For Now
Initial air quality test results reveal that asbestos particles are at a manageable level in West Perth following a large fire in an a
The factory is said to have had an asbestos roof, which caused concerns that the dangerous substance had been released into the air.bandoned factory.
The Vincent council has been significant part of the costly clean up since the explosion; going so far as to pay for the private firm Parsons Brinckerhoff to install several air-testing monitors.
Despite the site being declared safe with regards to asbestos exposure right now, there are still concerns that the construction to be done in the aftermath of the explosion could dig up asbestos dust.
Airborne monitoring at the site is expected to continue during the demolition, which is expected to start within the next few days and last slightly more than a week.
Vicent CEO John Giorgi stated their intention to inform the concerned community of the current status of the clean-up since some residents were concerned when the council made no effort to contact them regarding any health risks.
The clean-up is expected to cost the council between $130,000 to $150,000 because of the need for a demolition and precautions pertaining to asbestos.
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Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/13742776/asbestos-levels-safe-in-west-perth/
Asbestos Training: Over 100 Workers Exposed at WorkSite
Over 100 workers are believed to have been exposed to the deadly substance, asbestos as a result of safety lapses at an Ipswich work site.
Brad Ayers, a contractor is one of the workers allegedly in the “significant potential exposure”
According to workers and union representatives, the workers began work on a bridge where much of their material is believed to be asbestos, however it was never tested to confirm.Work was only halted this month when an analysis identified a substance at the site was revealed to be chrysotile asbestos.
One of the highlighted concerns is that workers were exposed to this substance prior to going home and hugging their wives and children.Ayer is terrified over the prospect of exposing his young children to the deadly substance. He expressed his grave disappointment and anger that the employers allegedly lied to their faces.
The Roadtek project commenced after a truck smash left the overpass on Cunningham highway severely damaged.The Formwork on part of the bridge is made up of a 25mm sheet of asbestos which had to be removed following the crash.
A piece of material suspected to be asbestos was eventually turned in for analysis but work went ahead when staff was informed that the site was safe. Since workers were not informed of the dangers, they did not wear the proper protective equipment.
Chrysotile asbestos is identified as a Class 1 carcinogen under the National OHS commission.
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Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/brad-ayers-33-one-of-more-than-100-workers-potentially-exposed-to-asbestos-from-ipswich-worksite/story-e6freoof-1226359843387
Human Resources: Workplace Bullying Still a Serious Issue
The ACT Greens stated that a survey has revealed extensive bullying allegations in both the public and private sector, and a lack of reporting by victims.
135 workers in the private and public sector participated in the online- survey.Three quarters of the participants claimed to have been bullied, and most of them allege that it occurred within the last twelve months.The survey also revealed that over half of all bullying incidents were left unreported.
85% of those who reported incidents claim to have been dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the response.Majority of participants called for specialist bullying inspectors on behalf of WorkSafe ACT.
Spokesperson for the party, Amanda Bresnan says the survey signifies the need for greater victim support and prevention strategies. Bresnan stated that they are still committed to proposed legislation to deal with the problem of workplace bullying.
The legislation calls for the implementation of specialist positions and an expert advisory committee on the issue.
More information on Human Resources
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-17/workplace-bullying-still-real-problem/4016898?section=act
OHS:Two Companies Fined $140,000 For 2 Deaths
A pair of companies have been fined an aggregate amount of $140,000 for the deaths of two workers at a Broome depot in 2008.
Baker Hughes Australia Ltd and Oilfields Transport Services Pty Ltd appeared in the Magistrates Court for the charge of failing to provide and maintain a safe work setting which resulted in the deaths of two workers.
BH was fined $80,000 while OT received a fine of $60,000 when both companies pleaded guilty
Leon Mobbs, a tanker operator, and Geoff Lucas, manager of BH Broom depot were killed when a tanker burst and exploded while they were trying to release all of the barite powder.
The court discovered that the tanker was not kept in a safe working condition, and it had not been registered nor inspected by WorkSafe or a competent position.
Lex McCulloch believes the incident was an unfortunate example of proper safety systems being in place.McCulloch stated that safety procedures and adequate training had been neglected which could have contributed to the loss of life that occurred that day. Both companies were found to have been culpable for the incident that resulted in the deaths of both of the middle-age workers.
More information on Occupational Health and Safety
Source:http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/companies-fined-140k-for-worker-deaths-20120515-1yom3.html#ixzz1uzFzGnGI
Human Resources: Teachers Bullied in NSW
95% of Australian educators have experienced at least one of 42 “bullying behaviours”, say researchers.
Human Resources: Tribunal Awards Compensation to Nurse
The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) have made a decision in favour of a nurse who was up against the state’s health department.
They awarded the nurse over $20,000 in compensation for her claims of discrimination. The panel found that the nurse was treated unjustly because of her inability to work night shifts due to her medical condition. The tribunal decided that it was unnecessary for nurses to be available ever hour of the day, 7-days a week.
The Queensland Nurses Union (QNU) felt that the ruling signifies the need for employers to be flexible to the needs of their employees. . Secretary for the QNU, Beth Mohle believes the judgement sends an important message to all employers.
Mohle discussed the recent decision will encourage employers to be more thoughtful in the action they take.However, in her opinion, the health board should have been able to apply a reasonable policy without the assistance of the court – especially when involving those with disabilities .
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Source:http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-11/qld-health-ordered-to-pay-nurse-20k-compensation/4004898?section=qld
Supermarket’s Hit Back At Unsubstantiated Claims
The Chairman of Woolworths has defended the company’s reputation for using trucks to move goods throughout the country.
The Transport Workers Union alleges that Woolworths has an unreasonable delivery schedule that transport companies struggle to live up to. The schedules being imposed are allegedly resulting in reckless driving and road deaths, according to the union.
The union held a protest at Coles and Woolworths supermarkets throughout the country.Coles spokesperson stated that the union’s claims are unconfirmed, while Woolworths Chairman James Strong, calls the allegations as “unfair”.
Strong believes that the problem could be dealt in a different manner and asserts that the TWU’s use of sensationalist terms is common.He is hopeful that the public can decipher between the truth and conjecture . He maintains that a rational discussion is needed between the TWU and the supermarket chains.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-10/woolworth-chairman-defends-truck-transport–policy/4003768?section=nt
Working At Heights: Company fined for 2.7 metre Fall
A company was fined for an incident which resulted in a worker sustaining skull and spinal fractures when he fell almost 3 metres onto a concrete slab.
Access Matrix Scaffolding was fined $22,000 in the Perth Magistrates Court for failing to provide a safe work environment which resulted in an injured worker.
The company supplies and builds scaffolding, and the incident in question occurred when a void in a floor was left unfinished and covered with particleboard.
A worker stepped onto the void with the assumption that it was supported by scaffolding and the void collapsed under his weight. He fell 2.7 metres onto the concrete slab, where he sustained the skull and spinal fractures, as well as injuries to his ribs and shoulder.
Despite the particleboard being in place as flooring, the board was spanning a greater length than th manufacturer recommended.
WorkSafe WA commissioner Lex McCulloch said that the case should act as a reminder to the importance of having preventive measures to avoid falls.
According to McCulloch, falls are one of the most frequent causes of workplace death in the construction sector. In the last four years, 16 workers have died as a result of falling.
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Source:: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/27-metre-fall-costs-company-22000-20120508-1yaio.html#ixzz1uKlz5QA3
Asbestos Awareness: Company Fined For Importing Asbestos
A company appeared in Perth Magistrates Court where they received fines for importing asbestos into Australia.
The global engineering company Clyde Bergemann Senior Thermal was found to be accountable for a $64,000 fine for penalties and costs of importing the deadly substance in machinery parts.
3 years ago, CBST imported over 60 machinery parts from China which was allegedly supposed to be used in the development of a power plant.
Customs and Border protection discovered that the machinery contained chrysotile asbestos, also known as white asbestos. It is currently banned for importation under the customs regulations since it can cause serious health defects such as lung cancer.
A year later, the company imported an additional 60 parts with asbestos in it.
CBST was subsequently found guilty of two counts of importing prohibited substances.
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Source: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/asbestos-importer-slapped-with-64000-fine-20120507-1y8l2.html#ixzz1uExSVjs3
OHS:Tribute To Honour Fallen Rail Workers
A tribute has been erected to honour fallen rail workers.
Charles Firmin was operating one of Perths original batch of diesel-powered trains when he was hit by a truck and killed 60 years ago.
His daughter Gillian O’Callaghan, who was 7 at the time of the accident, remembers the day well.Police officers showed up at her door, breaking the news to her mother.
At school other students would discuss the horrific nature of her father’s death and that is how she found out the circumstances surrounding his accident. She said one student even claimed to have seen the wreckage.
Since Perth was so small, many people in town were talking about the death of her father.O’Callaghan’s father was a train operator her whole life, driving steam trains before a new batch of trains emerged with cleaner diesel engines.Her father’s name was recently posted to the Australian Railway Monument in NSW.
The Australian Rail Journey Museum is entreating the public to help in the gathering of an estimated 10,000 other railway workers who have died on duty in Australia.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/13587549/tribute-for-rail-workers-killed-on-duty/
Dangerous Goods: WorkSafe Concerned With Deadly Gas Storage
NT WorkSafe claim that many refrigeration and plumbing companies continue to endanger their employees lives regardless of two tradesmen’s deaths last year.
A 24-year old fridge mechanic was killed when his van blew up in his driveway. Less than a week later, a similar incident caused the death of a tradesman. These deaths have launched inspections of air-conditioning and plumbing businesses by NT WorkSafe.
According to Executive director Lauren Hull, inspectors have been compelled to issue prohibition notices to some businesses.
Hull stated that workers continue to carry oxyacetylene even though it could potentially cause a fatal accident. She said that more than half of the businesses visited have ignored WorkSafe’s many pleas.
More info on Dangerous Goods Training
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-03/worksafe-finding-gas-bottle-workers-at-risk/3987634?section=nt
Asbestos Awareness: 2.9 Million Awarded in Workplace Compensation
Thus far, almost 3 million dollars was paid to Tasmanian workers who are victims of asbestos exposure.
Workplace relations minister David O’Byrn confirmed that the asbestos Related Diseases compensation scheme had already granted payments to eight applicants.
So far the largest compensation awarded under the employer-funded scheme, was $540,000. The program was launched in October and the cost was covered by an employer-levy. O’Byne alleges that Tasmania’s biggest OHS killer was going to become even more of a problem when the contraction rate is expected to be at its highest in the next five-to-10 years.
O’Byrne stressed the dangers of the asbestos substance which exists throughout various government and corporate buildings, and even homes.
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Source: http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/05/04/325001_tasmania-news.html
Worker Crushed in Lift Accident
A man died when he was caught between two lifts in an Occupational Health and Safety accident that occurred in Melbourne early this week. It is alleged that the man was delivering a scissor-lift and a forklift to a Masters Home Improvement store in Preston when he was crushed between the two. Workers discovered the man early in the morning and called emergency services, but unfortunately he had already succumbed to his injuries prior to their arrival.
Worksafe spokesperson Michael Bert indicated that the time of death was undetermined and that the victim could have been trapped for quite some time.
According to Birt, Investigators were at the store, trying to determine the circumstances surrounding the untimely death. The man was said to have been carrying out a routine job.He revealed that all that they know is that the man was crushed by two lifts but the time and how it happened is undetermined. Police are also at the scene preparing a coroner’s report.
This is the fifth workplace death in Victoria this year.
Birt stated the need for workers to consider the various dangers and risks that accompany every-day routine jobs. He urges workers to take heed of the dangers and not neglect the risks so that serious injury or death can be avoided.
Source: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/man-crushed-in-scissorlift-tragedy-20120502-1xxwc.html#ixzz1tlnRnOfB
Coles Supermarket Receives $170,000 Fine and Pays Fees
Supermarket king Coles, received a fine of $170,000 and told to pay legal fees when a worker fell through a ceiling at a branch in Sydney half a decade ago.
The worker scaled a guard rail in order to obtain promotional material stored on a suspended plasterboard ceiling in August 2007. The ceiling collapsed and she crashed over two metres to the ground which left her with cuts to her head, whiplash and bruises.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Coles in fact knew the area was dangerous to use as a roof cavity for storage and had even built a railing and posted a caution sign.
However, WorkCover disclosed that Coles management had not undergone a risk assessment to determine how much weight the plasterboard could stand, and failed to inform staff of the risks of accessing the area.
Coles was fined on behalf of the Industrial Court of NSW and told to cover WorkCover’s legal costs.
WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety general manager, John Watson stated that since the company employed over 23,000 people in 238 stores across NSW, the safety procedures of the company are important to a significant number of people.
Watson also stated that the area should not have ever been permitted for storage of merchandise and management was responsible for being vigilant. He added, saying that despite management being aware of the dangerous nature of the area, the area was still used without any proper training.
Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/coles-fined-170000-over-workers-fall-through-ceiling/story-e6frf7kf-1226340693166
Co-Workers Gather To Remember Fallen Workers
Co-Workers came together to remember workplace deaths and address safety standards;
He wants workers to feel comfortable in reporting safety issues to their manager or union, and for that to happen the culture of the industry must change.More information on Occupational Health and Safety
Unions Want Tougher Consequences for Company Safety Oversights
Unions have requested tougher consequences after a company was fined slightly more than a mine worker’s annual salary for an occupational health and safety accident that resulted in the death of a man.
John Holland received a fine of $242,000 by the Federal Court earlier this month for their breach of workplace safety laws by failing to protect staff from injury or death at a Pilbara mine.
The company’s oversight caused a death at BHP Billiton’s Mt.Whaleback site.
Wayne Moore died in early 2009 when he plummeted 12m from an unsafely secured sheet of grid mesh on a machine. It is undisclosed how much Moore earned, but the typical tradesmen in his sector often earned over $150,000 annually and senior workers often received over $250,000.
The court imposed the highest penalty under the old OHS safety regime when safety watchdog Comcare pursued a successful prosecution. Later, the maximum penalty under the national system rose to $1.5 million for the same type of offense and $3m for more significant breaches. The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union commented that the case displayed the inadequacies of penalties in the region.
State Secretary Mick Buchan stated that nominal fines sent a problematic message to employees since many in the sector earned the same around the same amount as the fine.
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Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/13531660/tougher-penalties-bid-for-fatal-safety-breach/
Inadequate Amount Of Training Results in Crane Death
ACT Coroner’s Court has observed the graphic video of a Canberra truck driver who died when he was trampled by a crane. Geoffrey William Blackfella Gowan died on his birthday a few years ago while picking up large waste bins at Evatt shops. The footage showed Gowan receiving serious neck and chest injuries when the arm of the crane jammed him against the truck with his feet elevated off the ground.
A police witness also showed footage to the court of a re-creation that reveals poor visibility and lighting in the area during the accident. The court maintained that the poor lighting coupled with Gowan’s inexperience and inadequate training contributed to his death.
The Court was informed by work colleagues that Gowan had limited experience with a crane as well as low level of training and competence with the equipment used. The investigation is ongoing.
More Info on Cranes,Hoists and Slings Training
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-24/inquest-canberra-workplace-death/3968286?section=act
OHS: Mechanic Apprentice Suffers Head Injuries
A mechanic from worth is being forced to shell out $3200 for a workplace accident that resulted in serious head injuries on a 16-year old. The mechanic, Paul Egerton has pleaded guilty for charges alleging that he failed to take reasonable care to avoid negatively affecting the safety and health of another individual. The injuries of the young occurred when a bus fell on top of him.
Egerton was employed as a heavy duty mechanic for Path Transit when the incident happened.
Despite the company’s written procedure prohibiting employees from working beneath a bus when it was jacked up, Egerton permitted his two apprentices to do so.The bus was allegedly being jacked up using two wooden blocks while the apprentices were underneath it conducting their work.The bus rolled onto the apprentice causing injuries to his head and chest when they were pinned below it.
WorkSafe’s Lex McCulloch stated that Egerton should have known better considering his ample experience in the field.
According to McCulloch, the incident should serve as a caution for anyone who considers wilfully disregarding safety measures in the workplace. McCulloch hopes the incident will cause employees to be constantly mindful of the safety of employees in the workplace.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/small-fine-for-work-accident-where-bus-fell-on-boys-head-20120423-1xgi1.html#ixzz1t1B7IOWL
OHS:WorkCover Scheme To Receive Serious Cuts
The O’Farrell government plans to make significant cuts to workers compensation which would result in a slashing of lump-sum payments for injured workers and eliminating weekly benefits for long-term recipients from the scheme after a specified time. Workplace lawyers have cited concerns that the changes would designate NSW into “the meanest system in the country”
The government has stated in the past that it intends to re-evaluate the $13 billion WorkCover scheme which encompasses a deficit of approximately $5 billion. An announcement regarding these changes is expected by Tuesday.
Various lawyers and union representatives are concerned that 50% of the 28,000 workers who receive benefits and medical expenses; will be abandoned because of the proposed changes to the scheme.
Barrister Bruce McManamey stated his concern that the coming changes may result in injured workers losing their homes.
Currently, injured workers receive their normal, full salary for the first 26 weeks off work. A scaffolder without children or a partner would receive $1100-1500 a week for the 26-weeks. If the worker is off for longer the payout would drop to $432 a week.The proposed changes would make it so that an injured worker could receive only 90 per cent of their salary, but not exceeding that amount.
Some Lawyers have alleged that the cuts to WorkCover are to ensure that NSW does not lose its AAA credit rating.
More information on Occupational Health and Safety
Source:http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/injured-workers-face-savage-compo-cut-20120421-1xdq0.html#ixzz1spnIf1bi
Confined Spaces: Mine Worker Injured At Leonora mining site
A young mine worker was injured in an underground incident in Leornora. He sustained injuries to his throat and chest area when he was struck by some apparatus.
He was airlifted by the Royal Flying Doctor Service to Royal Perth Hospital where he received treatment.
The accident took place at the King of the Hills mine a few kilometres north-west of Leonora. According to St Barbara Managing Director and CEO Tim Lehany, the man is a worker for contracting company Byrnecut.
The mine is owned by a Melbourne gold mining company, St.Barbara. Lehany alleges that the incident did not result in any falling rocks. According to a spokesperson, there is currently no scheduled formal investigation by the Department of Mines and Petroleum.
More information on Confined Spaces training
Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/13474320/man-injured-in-mining-accident/
Asbestos Awareness: SafeWork Investigates Deserted Dump Site
SafeWork SA has been charged with the task of immediately cleaning up an abandoned asbestos dump site in Wingfield.
Unions brought the site to the attention of the authorities after the All State Group went into administration which left asbestos sheeting and insulation exposed.CFMEU secretary Martin O’Malley said despite the company’s licensed ability to remove the asbestos, it first had to be monitored by Safe Work . WorkSafe will have to determine if the harmful substance was sealed in airtight bags or containers.
O’Malley maintains that the site was littered with asbestos materials as well as other building matter.He continued by stating that members of the asbestos removal business that existed there were exposed to asbestos and residents living the wider community may have been exposed to deadly asbestos dust.
SafeWork has spent a significant amount of time at the site where they commenced the investigation immediately after The Advertiser informed them of the dangerous substance’s existence in the area.
O’Malley said Safe Work SA has to justify a 4m- high pile of asbestos ridden matter for over a year that was left unattended for a year.
BRI Ferrier, the appointed liquidator yet to commented on the status of the asbestos dump site.
More information on Asbestos Awareness
Source:http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/company-deserts-a-toxic-wasteland-at-wingfield/story-e6frea83-1226333740842
OHS:Pearl Producers Shocked By Diver’s Death
Western Australia’s Pearl Producers Association says the industry has been shocked by the death of a 22-year-old pearl diver in the Kimberley, the first death of its kind for more than 20 years.
WA Pearl Producers Association stated that the industry is shaken by the death of a 22-year old pearl diver. The association stated that a death of this cause has not occurred in over two decades.
The diver was a member of a six-person driving team that was diving from a boat at a Paspaley wild shell harvest close to Eighty Mile Beach.
According to police, the diver was found in a distressed state but died shortly after. Association chief executive Brett McCallum says the cause of death is currently undetermined.McCallum assured that the association will do everything in its power to determine what the cause of death is and how it can be prevented through improvements in any area. He added that the industry has worked diligently to improve safety standards.
According to the association, all divers must undergo arduous health and swimming tests before being permitted to enter the water.
WorkSafe and Water Police are investigating the scene in order to prepare a report for the coroner.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-16/industry-shocked-by-pearl-divers-death/3951608?section=wa
Human Resources: WorkSafe Says CIT Has Inadequate Bullying Systems
ACT Work Safety Commissioner Mark McCabe revealed that an investigation in to workplace bullying which was conducted at the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT), is now completed.The investigation was launched as a result of several ideas submitted to WorkSafe ACT by various CIT employees regarding CIT measures for handling bullying and harassment situations.
McCabe said that the WorkSafe ACT investigation determined that the CIT had breached the Territory’s health and safety legislation.
The investigation revealed that the CIT lacks an adequate prevention and response system for incidents of bullying and harassment in the workplace.
WorkSafe issued an Improvement Notice that compels the CIT to improve a number of aspects of its systems and procedures regarding bullying and harassment of staff. The CIT has six months to fulfill all the requirements in the notice in order to ensure that the organization has an efficient prevention and management system for this human resources issue.
The report regarding the bullying and harassment systems at CIT is called WORKSAFE ACT INVESTIGATION INTO COMPLIANCE BY THE CANBERRA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (CIT) WITH ITS DUTIES UNDER THE WORK SAFETY ACT 2008 AND THE WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT 2011 IN RESPONSE TO ALLEGATIONS OF BULLYING AND HARASSMENT AT THE CIT . It can be accessed and downloaded in PDF format from WorkSafe’s website.
More info on Human Resources
Source: http://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/news/view/1312/title/investigation-into-bullying-at-the
OHS:Cruise Ship Crocodile Attack Probed By WorkSafe
WorkSafe has stated the possibility that they will investigate a crocodile attack that happened in Kimberly because the victim was at work at the time of the attack.
Tara Hawkes 23, was exiting a fresh-water pool at Talbot Bay, when she was attacked and bitten on the leg by an approximately two-metre crocodile.
Hawkes is an employee at True North, a cruise ship owned by North Cruises. The boat’s owner is currently preparing an accident report to be handed over to Worksafe.
Worksafe Commissioner Lex McCulloch says the report will assist in determining whether or not charges are to be laid.Worksafe says it will most likely investigate a crocodile attack in the Kimberley because the victim was at work at the time.
McCulloch indicated that the investigation may indeed lead to charges if the company is not able to show them that they have measured the risks and provided training for their employees so that they know what to do in similar situations.He added that they have been in contact with the company and will be gathering more information regarding the accident and then they will make a decision on how to proceed next.
Hawkes suffered lacerations to her leg and is currently receiving treatment in Perth where she was flown to following the incident.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source:http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-03/worksafe-considering-croc-incident/3930384
Fake “Asbestos-Free” Documents Endanger Maritime Workers
Australian maritime workers are frequently being exposed to potentially fatal asbestos fibres aboard foreign registered ships that have been discovered with fake papers citing that they are asbestos free.
The Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers have expressed concerns that vessels or tug boats being brought into the country, continue to endanger the safety and lives of seafarers.
The union’s concerns were included in a public submission to the federal government investigation into asbestos management.
The submission states that the International Maritime Organisation has distributed warnings that asbestos has been uncovered in ship fire blankets, wall and ceiling coverings, and other parts of the ship.
Federal Laws dating back to 2005, have prohibited the entry of vessels containing asbestos, however ships continue to arrive in Australia with asbestos ridden materials. The ship carry “asbestos free” certificates but they have often been proven false by respectable Australian authorities.
The submission also cited a difficulty in enforcing Australia’s health and safety laws on internationally- registered ship, which have proven an obstacle in the process of achieving asbestos-free workplaces.
According to the submission, eight tug boats brought in from abroad, were discovered to have a serious amount of asbestos on their vessel despite being in possession of “asbestos –free” certificates.
The federal inquiry on asbestos management will be finalized in June.
More info on Asbestos Awareness
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/national/maritime-workers-still-face-asbestos-risk-20120408-1wjli.html#ixzz1rxSYlBuC
Manual Handling: Queensland Council Pays $400,000 To Injured Worker
A northern Queensland council was told to pay a worker over $400,000 in compensation for injuries he received to his back while swinging a sledgehammer while working.
The Supreme Court in Cairns directed Cook Shire Council to pay Darryl Hosmer following the injury he received to his spine.
Justice Jim Henry published a 35-page decision which cited that despite early denials by Cook County , the council has admitted responsibility for the injury Hosmer received to his lumbar spine while conducting a task.
According to Justice Henry, Hosmer alleges that the spinal injury was a direct result of the council’s breach in its “ obligations and duties” in ensuring workers safety.
However, Justice Henry said that despite the council admitting liability they have also denied that the incident caused the stated injuries.The court was informed that Hosmer was inspected and assessed by two notable orthopaedic surgeons in October and November 2008. The injury is said to have been caused by the repetitive action of swinging the sledge hammer and then bending over to strike ‘dumpy pegs’ into the ground.
Hosmer was awarded damages of $413,600.43. $250, 000 of the total compensation accounts for a future economic loss. $30,000 is awarded for a loss off superannuation and the remaining $45,000 was awarded for general damages.
More info on Manual Handling
Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/cook-shire-council-pays-worker-400000-for-back-injury/story-e6freoof-1226325480162
Asbestos Awareness: Work-Site Closed Amidst Asbestos Concerns
Unions claim they’ve been forced to shut down and pause work on an inner Sydney site because of asbestos exposure concerns.
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) says work has been halted and 150 workers were told to evacuate the work site.Union state secretary Brian Parker says that documentation indicates that there have been several occasions where asbestos has been discovered on the site.
According to Parker; no action has been taken by the project manager Bovis Lend Lease.Lend Lease spokesman David Hutton ensured that safety was the companies top concern.Hutton claims that small traces of historically buried asbestos have been uncovered throughout the last five years.
Hutton confirmed that the company has always closes and quarantines the site when asbestos is discovered in a small number of excavation locations. The asbestos is then allegedly removed in accordance with WorkCover regulations.
More info on Asbestos Awareness
Source:http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-10/asbestos-found-at-barangaroo3a-unions/3941938
Confined Spaces: Late-Night Mining Work Resumes After Gas Leaks
Evening mining operations have continued at a North Queensland coal mine which has struggled with a series of hazardous gas leaks.A month ago, the Mining company Thiess, made the decision to suspend late night operations at the site following a several gassing incidents recently.
25 miners have been taken to the hospital in the last two months after being exposed to hazardous gases.A spokesperson for the company stated that five new monitoring stations have been placed on the site and staff have received supplementary training.
Since operations have resumed last weekend, there has been low-level readings but the exposure was not enough to negatively affect others.
The company is exploring potentially long-term solutions to the issues.
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-11/night-mining-resumes-after-miners-gassed/3942626?section=qld
More info on Confined Spaces
OHS: Timber Company Doubles Fine After Appeal
A subsidiary of a notable Australian forestry company received nearly double their initial fine on appeal for Occupational Health and Safety breaches . Carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts Australia Pty Ltd, now under BSG Holdings Pty Ltd, received a conviction and fine of $230,000 after originally receiving a $120,000 fine in November 2010. Michelle Cooper died in 2008 as a result of a collapsed timber pack which exceeded a tonne in weight. The timber pack hoist fell on her as she dislodged a piece of jammed material.
The Director of Public Prosecution stated that the original fine was inadequate which compelled the undertaking of the case. Judge Tinney acknowledged that the company does not openly disregard safety but neglected to ensure that a common hazard was given more attention considering the size and nature of the machine involved. WorkSafe’s Executive Director for Health and Safety, Ian Forsyth is pleased with the increase because of the high-risk nature of timber milling.
Forsyth believes that the highest standards of safety must be upheld for timber workers. Forsyth signified that they were disappointed that a company of such high regard in the industry were not leading the way with regards to health and safety. He believes there is now an opportunity for the industry to closely examine where safety improvements can be made to limit risks and costs.
Source: http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/wsinternet/worksafe/sitetools/news/carter+holt+harvey+workplace+fatality+fine+nearly+doubled+after+appeal
Residents Outraged At Plans to Dig Up Asbestos Ridden Site
Sydney residents are outraged over plans to dig up an asbestos ridden site in order to build a huge waste treatment plant. In the late 1990s the deadly effects of asbestos were fully realised so the owner of the site, James Hardie, tore down their buildings and built a concrete slap.
It has been five years since the asbestos-caused death of Bernie Banton, a former James Hardie employee who worked at the site. Residents are concerned and angry about the plans to dig up the contaminated site.
A German waste management and recycling company is looking to construct a commercial and industrial waste treatment facility where the James Hardie building was once located. However, residents are concerned that digging up the soil under the concrete slap will put their safety at risk since it is laced with asbestos. The site is located adjacent to a childcare centre.Residents have been adamant in their protest against the development, and their feelings that the government is putting corporate interests above public safety. Parents have since threatened to remove their children if the project proceeds.
Remondis has conceded that although the land had been cleaned up by Sydney Water, asbestos particles were still present in the ground. Mohan Selvaraj, a technical manager for Remonidis, said that the process will not include digging up the concrete slab except to provide sewage. Selvaraj said this part of the process will be monitored by Work Cover despite the ease to do it.
President of the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia, Barry Robson, feels that the project is outrageous because any construction or vehicle is at risk of fracturing the concrete slap. Robson is concerned that a fifth wave of victims will occur.
NSW Planning Assessment Commission will make a decision regarding the project sometime after the public comment period closes on April 10.
More info on Asbestos Awareness Training
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/residents-livid-over-plans-to-dig-up-asbestos-site-20120327-1vwlh.html#ixzz1rDbJ2h78
Highway Work Delayed Due To Construction Safety Issues
Construction work at the Monaro Highway duplication in Fyshwick has been halted after the construction union visited the site and raised various safety concerns.
Construction, Forestry Mining and Energy Union official Brett Harrison arrived at the site where he proceeded to examine potential safety breaches and ensuring that contractors were working to rectify any problems. Harrison cited issues with protection on each side of the bridge, scaffolding, and handrails.The union is concerned that these dangers put passing motorists at risk.
WorkSafe ACT has allegedly visited the site on two occasions and found no problems. Senior project manager Ben Helmers stated that the issues cited by the CFMEU were fixed immediately.Helmers said there were no serious risks but in the interest of all parties, they fixed whatever issues were cited.He said all of the issues relate to general maintenance and the company does frequent inspections to make sure that safety standards are maintained.
More info on Construction Safety
Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/highway-work-halted-20120404-1wdfq.html#ixzz1r7SzrRiR
OHS:Ten year Work Health and Safety Strategy Open For Comment
The draft Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy for 2012-2022 is now available for public comment.
Safe Work Australia has made a list of frequently asked questions pertaining to the draft commenting process. Comments can be sent to [email protected]. If it is not possible for you to email your comments then you can use post to mail the comments in.
The public comment period will be stopped at 5:00 pm on May 21, 2012. No extensions will be given for public comment. The draft strategy can be accessed from the Safe Work website where the public will be able to download a PDF and Word Format draft.
The purpose of the comment period is to utilize a wide range of expertise and experience in ensuring that the highest standards are met in implementing the safety strategy. Any area of the draft can be commenting on by anyone interested in the occupational health and safety legislation process.
SafeWork has supplied a template for participants to comment on the draft. In this template they have provided a cover sheet and a public comment response form. The cover sheet is important because it gives Safe Work Australia your permission to publish your comments on their website. All comments will be accepted and considered when pertaining to the Work Health and Safety Strategy draft. There is no amount of detail that must be included in your comment since all feedback and comments will be welcomed and will assist in a comprehensive safety strategy.
It is important to note that even if you submitted comments on the Model Work Health and Safety Act/Regulations/Codes of Practice then you should still comment on this draft since it is a separate body of work to the work health and safety legislation.
This legislation will be implemented in planned improvements to occupational health and safety in the next decade.
All comments are expected to be carefully considered and used in order to determine what aspects of the strategy can be improved. Following the comment period, the strategy will be revised with consideration of all the public comments. Considering the influence this strategy could have on you or your employees throughout the next ten years, the public should serious consider commenting on the strategy in order to ensure that the views, needs, and opinions of the public are considered.
The new Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-2022 is expected to be implemented later this year.
Source: http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/AboutSafeWorkAustralia/WhatWeDo/PublicConsultation/Pages/WHSStrategyPC.aspx
Man Dies in Construction Safety Accident
A worker died at a Canberra constructed site when his truck struck overhead power-lines .The man was employed by Kenoss Contractors when the incident occurred which left him lying on the ground beside his vehicle.
The Canberra site and a Molongo site were recently closed down by WorkSafe ACT.The matter is expected to be referred to the coroner, according to WorkSafe Commissioner Mark McCabe. The police are also allegedly investigating the incident.McCabe said the two work sites will be closed for an undetermined amount of time.The sites will be deemed unsafe until the contractor has ensured that steps have been taken to rectify the issues.
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Tasmanian Company fined $60k for OHS Accident
Tasmanian building supply company Kemp and Denning was ordered to pay an approximately $60,000 file because of an occupational health and safety incident in which a worker lost his leg.
In 2010, Anthony Young was pinned in a crusher at the company’s New Town brickworks which resulted in him having his leg amputated.
The company pleaded guilty in the Magistrates Court to failing to ensure safety from injury and health risks. A spokesperson from Workplace Standards has maintained that K and D have since made changes to their safety measures at the site.
Roy Omerod of Workplace Standards says that the incident is testament to the need to keep workers safe because of the cost to the person and the industry.The company has yet to comment on the fine. K and D will be closing the brickworks next month because of the cost of environmental regulations.Young is currently appealing against the Supreme court decision to halt his workers compensation.
Despite Young’s working at the plant for two years, he was a contractor for Tasmanian Contracting Services and is thus not eligible for workers compensation.
Young has commenced a civil action seeking damages.The Full Court has not yet laid its decision on the matters.
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-28/brickworks-fined-after-worker-crushed/3918222?section=tas
OHS: NSW Premier Seeks to Change Workcover Scheme
New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrel emphasised the need for change in the state’s WorkCover compensation system because of massive expenditures.
O’Farrell says that the reforms will not be revealed for another month.
O’Farrell has received criticism for not being bold enough in his first year in office. Since then, O’Farrell has announced his plans to take his time to respond to questions regarding a new audit for the WorkCover system.
He said that they have received the report regarding the financial situation with WorkCovers scheme, and they are planning to discuss their plans within a month. O’Farrell also made reference to the audit’s warning that the scheme will be $4 billion in deficit by year’s end.
The government will look into making the scheme more sustainable since the deficit currently amounts to $9 million a day.Premiums are twice the cost in NSW than in other states, said O’Farrell
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-26/o27farrell-to-slash-costs-of-compensation-scheme/3913224?section=nsw
Working At Heights:Death of Worker Investigated By WorkCover
A middle-aged construction worker has died after falling approximately three metres from scaffolding. According to the Police, the Green Valley worker fell at the Sydney building site on the corner of Pitt Street and Campbell street. He died upon the arrival of emergency services.
Workcover and CFMEU State Secretary, Brian Parker said that an investigation has already commenced.
Brian Parker said the accident affected him on a personal level because he knew the worker who died in the accident. Parker has extended his condolences to the family. Work on the site has been halted until a full investigation into the accident has been completed. The ambulance workers were not able to say whether the worker had a heart attack prior to the Working at Heights accident.
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/construction-worker-dies-in-fall-from-cbd-scaffolding-20120327-1vvgx.html
Warehouse Safety: Food Company Fined After Worker Loses Finger
Food manufacturer Healthy Snacks Australia has been fined $60 000 after a worker had a finger partially severed by a moving machine.
The Australian company plead guilty in the Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court this week to one count of failing to provide a safe system of work and proper instruction, training and supervision.The employee allegedly crawled under a device that was utilized for the manufacture and packaging of health bars; to sanitize its rollers. The court heard that crawling under the machine to take off the guarding was common practice in the factory.
While the worker was cleaning the machine, it would remain in operation so that the rollers may perhaps be cleaned. However, on 29 June 2010, when the worker undertaking the task, the cloth she was using became trapped and as she tried to remove it, her supplementary hand, which was resting on the machine so she can balance herself, was caught in the rollers.
The moving machinery severed half of her middle finger.The investigation by WorkSafe alleged that Healthy Snacks Australia neglected to conduct an efficient risk assessment associated with the use of the machine, nor did they ensure that employees were prohibited from cleaning the machine while it was operating. The company was also found to not provide any training or supervision to its workers who cleaned the machine. Lastly, the company neglected to inform the employees of standard operating procedures, specifically when cleaning the machine. Healthy Snacks AU was ordered to pay a $60,000 fine and $3000 in WorkSafe expenses on the case.
More info on Warehouse Safety
Source: http://www.manmonthly.com.au/news/worker-loses-finger-food-manufacturer-fined-600
WorkSafe Lose Cyclone Appeal Case
WorkSafe lost an appeal in WA Supreme Court over charges against Fortescue Metals Group that resulted in the injury of workers during a 2007 cyclone. FMG and its subsidiary company, Pilbara Infrastructure, had 17 charges against them for failing to maintain a safe work environment during Cyclone George. However, all charges were dismissed by the Magstrate’s Court in 2011.
Since then, WorkSafe attempted to appeal the decision but the Supreme Court again dismissed the claim. Despite the deaths of Debra till and Craig Raabe and the injuries, both courts reviewed the evidence and dismissed the charges. FMG is allegedly pleased with the decision from the courts. Four other companies connected with the rail camp with WorkSafe charges against them have had them dismissed or have had successful appeals.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source:http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-23/worksafe-loses-fmg-appeal/3908856?section=wa
OHS: Overloaded Scaffolding Luckily Spares Lives
WorkSafe stated that it is fortunate that no one died as a result of scaffolding that collapsed on to a busy Prahran street.
Three people received injuries from the scaffolding that was overloaded with bricks and modified.The construction company, Asian Pacific Building Corporation receive a fine of $170,000 because of the accident.WorkSafe director Allan Beacom stated that the incident could have had much more serious ramifications.
Beacom said that due to the busy nature of the street it is lucky that no one was killed because it could have resulted in multiple fatalities.He believes that the amount of the fine is significant in that it reflects how serious the offense is.
OHS: Fallen Excavator Kills Teen
A teenager succumbed to severe head injuries that he received as a result of an excavator bucket that collapsed on his head.Emergency services were informed that the bucket came off an excavator and landed on the teen’s head in Edmondson Park.
He was admitted to Liverpool Hospital where he was said to be in critical condition. He suffered cardiac arrest and eventually passed away.WorkCover representatives made their way to the excavation site in order to commence an investigation.
Recently, a man in his 30s also died in Sydney at a housing demolition site.The accident involving the bucket occurred because the pin that was supposed to keep the bucket on the excavator was out of place.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-22/teenager-killed-by-falling-excavator-bucket/3906916?section=nsw
Human Resources: Greens Launch Bullying Survey
A new survey was launched to determine the extent in which unreported bullying incidents occur in ACT workplaces and schools.
The ACT Greens launched the online survey to find out if people were satisfied with the complaints process upon reporting incidents of intimidation. Greens MLS Amanda Bresnan maintains that the survey is completely anonymous .
Bresnan stated that they have acknowledge that the workplace has a very high incidence of bullying. Therefore, they have are trying to gather more information as to why incidents go unreported.
Bresnan added that some individuals have been dissatisfied with the response they get upon filing reports. She indicated that this dissatisfaction could be a main reason for the lack of reporting. She alleges that the government needs to do more on the issue of workplace bullying because other states have introduced expertise in the legislation which could potentially increase confidence in the system.
More info on Human Resources
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-16/act-greens-bullying-survey/3893544?section=act
OHS: Union Officials Denied Entry To WorkSites
Three union officials have been prohibited from gaining entry to worksites because a federal workplace umpire denied the issuing of a right-of-entry permit to them.
All three members are of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, and all three of them were found to be unfit and not “proper persons” to enter worksites.
The officials are Gareth Stephenson, who was part of a conflict in 2009 on the West Gate Bridge; Michael Powell, who was declared by Fair Work Australia to be responsible for “disregarding various aspects of industrial law”; and Shaun Reardon, who was found to have broken building laws in five incidents; such as the Melbourne closure in 2009.
Commissioner Leigh Johns is not confident that three officials will be able properly carry out their jobs because of the lack of permit.
CFMEU state secretary Bill Oliver said the union is considering an appeal.
Source: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/union-officials-banned-20120320-1vi2p.html#ixzz1piWxCgWn
OHS:Memorial Set Up To Honour Fallen Workers
A year from now, a national memorial will be erected in the nation’s capital to honour fallen workers. Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten stressed on the importance of recognising the contribution of Australian workers in building the nation.
The memorial will also act as a focal point for Workers Memorial Day, every 28th of April each year.The design of the memorial will feature a set of slnder columns which will represent the contributions and sacrifices made by nationwide workers on a daily basis.
NSW Senator Doug Cameron said the memorial will serve as an important reminder of the importance of occupational health and safety and the need for a concerted effort by all to prevent workplace accidents.
According to Shorten in his statements to Parliament; the average age of workers who are killed is 37.The most recent Safe Work Australia report released by the government revealed that 216 Australians died in 2009-10, and the cost of compensation claims has exceeded $60 billion.
However, Shorten said “ the human cost and the emotional cost was immeasurable.” Thus, Shorten believes it is important for Parliament to recognise where they have failed in respect to workplace safety.
The federal government has granted $3 million for the construction of the memorial which is expected to be completed in March 2013.
Source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8435247
OHS: School shutdown for structural repairs
A Canberra south elementary school has been closed until Easter after major structural risks were discovered in two of the school’s buildings.
The Taylor Primary school buildings are approximately 40 years old and they are believed to have eroded due to water damage.
Over 220 students and staff will be immediately evacuated to a recently constructed school–Namadgi Primary ,approximately 2 kilometres away.
ACT Education and Training director general Jim Watterson says the problems at the primary school are being taken seriously.
Watterson said there is significant damage to the sub-frame.The ACT will continue to monitor the buildings and ensure that the buildings is safe.
Namadgi Primary will be holding a meeting to explain arrangemens pertaining to future classes and transport arrangements.
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-14/taylor-primary-school-to-close-until-easter/3889698?section=act
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Occupational Health and Safety Compensation Schemes May Merge
Victoria’s two worker’s accident compensation panels face a possible merger as the government attempts to reduce its deficit and fix its budget surplus.
Since the state’s finances are under heavy scrutiny, the government has inconspicuously asked the Essential Services Commission to conduct a thorough review of the WorkCover Authority and the Transport Accident Commission.
It is believed the review, which has yet to be publicly announced, is discussing combining the two entities, since both deal with accident prevention and compensation. The idea is that the merger could potentially save several millions of dollars.A spokesperson for Assistant Treasurer Gordon Rich-Phillips said that currently there was no concrete plans to merge the two authorities, however the government could not pre-empt what might be concluded in the review.
These discussions come after the government’s plans to strip WorkCover of almost $500 million to help keep the budget from falling into deficit. Opposition finance spokesperson Robin Scott spoke on the possibility of a merger as “fundamental threat to the integrity of both organisations”
Maurice Blackburn senior Lawyer John Cain said that merging the two agencies might not be a possible since both entities are governed by separate legislation. Cain said that the risk of merging them is that the quality of both schemes will suffer.
Source: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/tac-workcover-review-20120312-1uwkv.html#ixzz1p2l2pguf
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OHS:Truck Driver Charged For Two Deaths
A truck driver has been charged for dangerous driving that resulted in the deaths of two individuals.
An aspiring student Sarah Frazer and a respected tow truck driver Geoff Clark were killed when a table-top truck hit them on the side of the Hume Highway.
Mr Clark pulled over to assist Frazer, whose car had shut down. The 23-year old student was about to excitedly embark on her dream of going to school for photography. Clark, a father of four, was helping Frazer prepare her vehicle for towing prior to the incident.
Both Clark and Frazer died instantly and the truck’s driver was hospitalized for shock. The driver has assisted police in their investigation. The 24-year old driver received three charges; including two counts of dangerous driving resulting in death, and negligent driving resulting in death.
He will appear in court on May 8.
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Source: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/truck-driver-responsible-for-two-deaths-charged-20120312-1uucs.html
OHS:WorkCover May Receive Cuts and Reforms
Following statements to Parliament from Finance Minister Greg Pearce, it appears that NSW Government is discussing serious cuts to WorkCover. Pearce appeared before parliament where he declared that Workcover’s deficit had increased by $1 billion in six months.
Pearce stressed the importance of the Government implementing new ways of enticing the claimants to return to work. Thus, the Government is attempting to improve the rehabilitation practices and return to work schemes. Pearce believes it is imperative that the government reduces the deficit by reforming the current scheme.
Jana Gumbert from the Australian Lawyers Association is concerned that the changes will affect seriously injured workers.
Gumbert fears that seriously injured workers will lose their right to sue for limited benefits and have to rely simply on the limited support provided by insurance companies.
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OHS:Transport Workers Union Calls For Accountability
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) says retailers such as Coles and Woolworths need to be held accountable for trucks detected speeding on the nation’s roads. The Transport Workers Union (TWU) alleges that retailers like Coles and Woolworths need to be held responsible for the speeding trucks on the nation’s roads. Police determined that a B-double truck was doing 142 kilometres an hour on the Hume Highway in NSW.
The truck belonged to the transport company, Scotts Transport. TWU national secretary Tony Sheldon says the company has received safety complaints in the past. Sheldon alleges that road authorities and the Fair Work Ombudsman should be investigating why trucks are speeding. Sheldon says that the cost pressures and deadlines of companies like Coles are having a detrimental effect on the trucking industry in order to make increased profits. Officers are planning to inspect an additional 32 of Scott’s trucks because of past safety complaints.
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-08/twu-wants-major-retailers-accountable-for-speeding-truckies/3877384
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OHS: Transport Company Fined $45k For Worker’s Injuries
A Transport Company was fined $45,000 for failing to ensure the safety of an employee which resulted in injury at a Burnie port site.
The company, Toll pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that truck driver Gary Oliver was safe at work. Oliver suffered life threatening injuries when he was struck by a B-double truck in September 2010. The incident left Oliver hospitalized for a significant amount of time; as he only got out of the hospital recently.
Magistrate Don Jones recognised that the company had expressed remorse and had spent approximately $40,000 on travel costs for Oliver’s family to be by his side in Melbourne.
Changes to the site have been implemented to ensure that it is safer but the magistrate believes the changes should have been made prior to the injury of an employee.
Jones said that there were clear measures that could have been undertaken to ensure the safety of Oliver.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-07/company-fined-over-work-injury/3873802?section=tas
Fire Safety:Fire at Construction Site Causes Toxic Smoke
A fire at a building under construction in Melbourne sent toxic smoke dispersing across town.
The fire occurred on the two highest levels of the seven story building. Approximately seven fire crews were needed to help extinguish the fire. The fire is believed to have burned through polystyrene materials.
The fire allegedly ignited as a result of sparks from a welder which came in contact with electrical wiring of an office tower.Luckily, the 40 firefighters eventually got the fire under control without any serious injuries.
Fire Brigade Commander Lou Mele stated that workers had to use extinguishers for the Fire Safety incident since water to the site was shut off.A workman is being treated for smoke inhalation.
Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/fire-erupts-at-cbd-building-site/story-fn7x8me2-1226289177351
OHS: Glass Panels Endanger Workers At ASIO Site
Concerns have arisen regarding the safety of workers at a recently established ASIO site in Canberra. These concerns have emerged after approximately 19 panels of glass cracked and crashed to the ground at the sites main entrance.
Workers were immediately vacated from the area when the danger became known however no injuries have occurred. The construction union said the responsibility lies with the builders to ensure that no future incidents occur.
The Construction,Forestry, Mining and Energy Union claims that it was not informed of the incident for several days and the secrecy and tight security surrounding the project have hindered the unions ability to protect the workers.
The secrecy and tight security at the site has only succeeding in hindering the unions abilities to protect the workers.
ACT secretary Dean Hall claims that the builder, Lend Lease was piggybacking on ASIO’s reputation to deny the union efficient access to the site. Hall says that they have issues because the builder has restricted the right of entry wherever possible, and they are hiding behind their client.
The Half-Billion dollar headquarters in Caberra came under serious scrutiny and controversy when a teenager was found unconscious for up to 36 hours after falling nine metres into the basement of the site.
A spokeswoman for the Department said the panels from the façade of the main entry “progressively failed” from approximately midday. The panels remain unfixed to the building. Investigation into the Occupational Health and Safety incident continues but WorkSafe commissioner Mark McCabe has stated his satisfaction with how the incident was handled.
Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/fears-for-asio-site-workers-20120305-1uels.html#ixzz1oNqi2jFJ
Electrical Safety: Worker Survives High Voltage Shock
A worker has luckily survived a potentially fatal electric shock when the boom of a concrete pumping truck came into contact with high-voltage power lines.
The building site worker was allegedly controlling a section of the boom in which concrete flows when another part of the device connected with the power line. The Collinsvale incident caused a blackout for approximately 1300 customers before it was eventually restored.Aurora energy spokeswoman, Sarah Baddeley said that the incident should stand as a warning for people to take heed when using high objects. Baddeley stated that there were 36 incidents of contact with electrical lines in Tasmania.
In response to these incidents Aurora Energy has launched a “Look up Look Out” campaign aimed at promoting electrical safety.The incident was investigated by an electrical inspector on behalf of Workplace Standards.WorkPlace Standards general manager Roy Ormerod lamented about the high number of incidents pertaining to equipment coming into contact with power lines.
Approximately half of the incidents reported to WorkPlace standards were in relation to electricity.Other Electrical Safety incidents reported to Workplace Standards included separate incidents in which a tray truck and an excavator came into contact with electrical wires. Fortunately in all of these cases the operators evaded serious injury or death.
Source: http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/03/01/305121_tasmania-news.html
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OHS: Worker Loses Fingers To WoodChipper
A supplier of woodchipping machines based out of Australia was subject to a $30,000 fine following a workplace incident that resulted in a worker losing several fingers. A Perth Magistrate determined that CJD Equipment was guilty of neglecting to ensure the manufacturing of the machine was safe. The worker’s employer has already been fined for the incident. According to WorkSafe WA, CJD Equipment supplied the machine to Softwood Logging but it lacked a guard on a section of the machine. The man was operating the woodchipper when the “oversprout” which is a piece of machinery that is supposed to eject waste from the chipper. At some point, the chipper became blocked which compelled the worker to attempt to clear the blockage. The workers right hang was struck by the chipper which resulted in him losing his index, middle and ring fingers.
WorkSafe WA director stated that the guarding of the moving parts of machinery is one of the simplest and obvious ways of limiting the risk of injury to machinery operators. The responsibility of the supplier, according to the director, is to ensure that the machine is safe to operate. Following the incident the employer installed a guard on the overspout.
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Source: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/woodchipper-supplier-fined-30000-over-lost-fingers-20120228-1u0p8.html#ixzz1njeQXFNs
Holden Hill Residents Fear Asbestos Exposure
Residents of Holden Hill are concerned and fearful of potentially asbestos-ridden debris that has yet to be removed. The debris is said to be from an exploded house four months ago.
The township’s council is not able to remove the remains because it says the responsibility lies with the homeowner. The house suddenly exploded and was reduced to rubble in October.
Bricks,glass and building materials were thrown onto roofs and backyards of neighbouring houses. According to the police, the explosion was caused by a deliberately lit fire with the use of an accelerant. The homeowners whereabouts have yet to be confirmed. Council mayor Miriam Smith stated that discussions with the owner are ongoing. At this time the area is fenced off for public safety and to ensure that the area remains untouched. However, the council’s power is limited for legal reasons
According to Safework SA; asbestos exposure can lead to asbestosis and other serious ailments. SA Asbestos Diseases Society president Ian Sheppard stated the urgency for the site to be cleaned up because short-term exposure to asbestos fibres is as equally dangerous and long term exposure. Residents are concerned because no one is taking charge or responsibility for the clean-up and asbestos fibres may be blowing in the wind unbeknownst to residents.
More information on Asbestos Awareness
Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/asbestos-fear-grips-families-after-holden-hill-house-explosion/story-e6frea6u-1226284405560
OHS: Cleaners Seek Apology for Contaminated Water From Mining Company
An assembly of cleaners in Mount Isa is seeking an explanation and recompense from the mining company Xstrata after they allegedly consumed contaminated water while at work.
Laurie Costa and two fellow workers suffered from a serious illness after they drank from a water cooler at the mining site. The water is said to have contained elevated levels of iron and microbial load, however no E.coli was detected during the initial tests. Costa says that the company has refused to compensate the group for lost income. She believes it “comes down to principle” and they should thus be compensated for time they were forced to take off to recover. The workers were required to take a month off of work where they dealt with constant phone calls, and the dismissal of their Occupational Health and Safety concerns by others.
The workers are frustrated and disappointed with the company for refusing to accept responsibility or even apologize. The workers are discussing their options through WorkCover Queensland.
Contaminated water can potentially be very dangerous and can lead to dehydration, diarrhoea to more serious conditions that can potentially lead to disease or even death.
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-28/cleaners-demand-contaminated-water-compo/3856368?section=qld
OHS: Victorian Workers Fear WorkSafe Cuts
Victorian worker’s safety and compensation are at risk because of a declaration of the Victorian Government to strip almost half a billion dollars over four years from the WorkCover Authority, WorkSafe. State Government spokesmen have stated that the decision was made to balance the budget of the government.
Various individuals such as Maurice Blackburn, have commenced an online campaign that features a petition and other social media devices in order to compel the Victoria Government to stop their proposed cuts. Workplace Law expert John Cain stated that the plan of the Victorian Government is seriously flawed. He believes it will negatively effect the employer WorkCover contributions which could drive up premiums and threaten compensation entitlements for the injured. Individuals concerned with the cuts have cited that the decision is “unfair” and marginalizes the injured.
Victoria has over two and half million workers and this year approximately eight out of ever thousand workers will be injured at work, will require time off and will need to receive benefits.
Cain stated that more money needs to be invested in preventing workplace injuries as opposed to putting more pressure on premiums and compensation for injured workers.
“It’s a short-sighted plan that leaves little buffer to keep premiums affordable for business. “This is a back door tax that is bad for business, bad for workers and bad for Victorians. “No one should let the State Government jeopardise workers’ safety and entitlements – and Victoria’s future”
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Source : http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/599288#ixzz1nXSfgCiY
Demolished Boatshed Causes Asbestos Concerns
A resident of Church Point has cited concerns with the tearing down of an asbestos-ridden boat shed opposite his home.
Warning letters were delivered by the Pittwater Council throughout the neighbouring properties, informing citizens of the removal of the dangerous mineral.
Asbestos warning signs were also found throughout the site. However, citizens have noted that the council-contracted workers were destroying the building with hammers and showed no consideration for the containment of asbestos dust. A concerned citizen, Collyn Rivers said that the building was left in a “huge pile” for a long period of time. It is alleged that the workers simply tore the building apart without taking any occupational health and safety precautions.
It is important to note that Asbestos fibres are hazardous if inhaled.
Rivers is concerned that people may have unknowingly been exposed while in the vicinity. A spokesperson for the Pittwater Council said the contract workers removed the asbestos according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules.
The shed was listed to for demolition following a council report that stated the building presented the potential for numerous hazards.
As reported by the Manly Daily last October, the shed was listed for demolition after a council report said it posed “numerous hazards and presents as a potential nuisance to third parties”.
The decision upset the non-profit jewellery and metalworking organisation Silver Plus, which successfully applied for a $40,000 state government grant to have the boatshed rebuilt as a workshop.
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Source: http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/news/story/asbestos-health-fears-from-demolished-boatshed/
Canberra Citizens Unknowingly Exposed To Asbestos
Citizens of Canberra may never know the extent in which asbestos was dumped throughout the ACT. Health authorities said the outrage and hysteria that surround certain discoveries vary because of the various levels of risk. Asbestos assessor Frank Poole stated that a significant amount of asbestos remains in old housing from when workers were building the national capital, which was later knocked down and buried.
During the second World War, fibro structures such as POW and military camps were swiftly constructed with the use of asbestos sheeting. When the war ended, it is alleged that instead of retaining the sheeting, the structures were just knocked down.
Poole said that there were no records indicating where builders dug holes to dump asbestos. People can be unexpectedly be exposed to the dangerous substance from worn friable asbestos in an old air-conditioning unit or from dust from renovations.
Most recently, asbestos has been uncovered at Lyneham sports precinct as well as units at Kingston Foreshore. Houses built prior to 1985 in most suburbs have a very high chance of containing asbestos. Asbestos fibres can gloat in the air for a long time, where they can potentially be inhaled. Asbestos exposure can lead to lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.
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Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/no-records-mean-we-may-never-know-extent-of-dumped-asbestos-20120219-1thg5.html#ixzz1n4A89kGE
Truck Driver Charged For Fatal Hume Highway Accident
A truck driver from Sydney has been charged over a collision that resulted in the death of three people on the Hume Highway in January. Investigators have commenced what has been described as an “unprecedented” operation on the company the trucker works for. Vincent George of Lennons Transport Services, was charged with three counts of dangerous driving that resulted in death . The B-double truck traversed an embankment before crashing through a guard rail and smashing head on into another vehicle. The fatalities of the accident are, Calyyn, and his ageing parents Donald and Patricia Logan. The family had just finished visiting a newborn addition to the Family. George has since had his licensed suspended and will face a court in May.
Police indicated that impending charges are possible upon the release of toxicology results. A Sydney truck driver has been charged over a horrific crash that killed three people on the Hume Highway last month. Road Safety authorities and the police are reviewing Lennon’s line of trucks. Each driver will be tested for illicit substances, and trucks will be searched. Drug detection dogs will also be present at various inspections. Police Assistant Commissioner, John Hartley is confident that the operation will act as as a warning to the trucking industry. Hartley said “charges will be laid” to any trucking company that decides to neglect their safety measures.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-22/truckie-charged-over-fatal-hume-highway-crash/3843984?section=nsw
Construction Safety: Parliament Debates Over Construction and Building Bill
Currently a new building and construction law is being debated before Federal Parliament. The bill entitled The Building and Construction Industry Improvement Amendment Bill 2011, will effectively replace the Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) with the Office of the Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate.
The bill will also obtain information or documents relevant to investigations and it will be on a compulsory basis.
Federal Independent MP Bob Katter has taken issue with the bill over the coercive power provisions withi it. He stated in parliament that he would like to see amendments to remove such requirements and reinstate the right to silence.
He offered support to a various aspects of the bill and stated that the exciting laws brought in by the Howard Government were difficult for workers to complain about.
The Australian Greens have also taken issue with the coercive aspects of the bill.
The ALP claims that certain safeguards within the bill, such as the right to representation and the right to refuse to give information, will ensure that people are not taken advantage of. The coercive powers are subject to a 3-year sunset clause.
The Opposition is in favour of retaining the ABCC.
The bill will appear before the Senate on Feb.29.
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Source: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2011B00235/Explanatory%20Memorandum/Text
PPE Safety: Chicken Processing Plant Safety Concerns
Sorel Singh was without his usual PPE Safety equipment (protective clothing) on the evening in August 2010 when he was summoned back to Bajada Poultry’s chicken processing plant. Singh is a contractor and was ordered to spray down a machine referred to as a “chain line”. This machine can dispatch birds at a rate of 183 per minute, or 10,000 an hour.
On this night while the machine was in operation, Singh’s jacket got caught and he was dragged quickly in to the processing machine and died.
Following the incident, the machine was down for only a few hours. A worker claims that WorkSafe told Bajada to change its practices and commenced an investigation. WorkSafe Victoria has yet to reveal if Bajada was going to prosecuted over Singh’s death.
On February 2nd 2012, a worker at the same factor was admitted at the hospital after he sustained serious burns. The worker was standing on a three metre ladder while attempting to unblock a tallow pipe. The worker fell and triggered a safety valve that shot hot fat all over his face and neck.
The machine was back in action within hours, by 6am, a worker said. WorkSafe told Baiada to change its practices and began an investigation which, it told Weekend Business, had just been completed. WorkSafe Victoria, however, would not reveal if it planned to prosecute Baiada over Singh’s death.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has expressed deep concerns over the concentration of power in the hands of Bajada and other major poultry processing plants.
Source: http://www.goulburnpost.com.au/news/national/national/general/behind-the-closed-doors-of-poultry-processing/2459859.aspx?storypage=3
OHS: WorkSafe Profile Report Reveals High Risk of Diabetes
A recent study conducted by WorkSafe Victoria and Monash University revealed that one quarter of employees in Victoria are at a serious risk of developing type 2 diabetes or heart disease. The study was conducted with the involvement of 400,000 employees throughout Victoria.
The study also revealed that 90 per cent of employees neglect to ingest sufficient amounts of fruit or vegetables. Approximately 70 percent of the sample are said to be receiving insufficient amounts of exercise.
Diabetes occurs when there is an overabundance of glucose found in the blood.The chronic disease is the sixth highest cause of death by disease in Australia as it can result in instances of heart disease, stroke and renal failure.
The risks of developing Type 2 disease is significantly increased when coupled with lifestyle factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, lack of physical activity, and poor diet.
Despite the lack of an existing cure for type 2 diabetes, it can be effectively managed by adopting a healthy eating system and regular physical activity.
Considering the average person spends a third of their day at work, WorkSafe has recommended to approximately 4,000 employees to see their doctors immediately because of high blood pressure and blood glucose levels.
WorkHealth ambassador Wayne Kayler-Thomson said business owners should take the responsible action of ensuring that measures are undertaken to improve the health of their workforce, for the benefit of both employee and for the business’ bottom lines.
According to Thomson, improved health can help reduce absenteeism, boot productivity, and attract motivated, committed staff to deliver strong results for the business.
Thomson recommended workplace initiatives such as health checks, encouraging exercise and supplying fruit and vegetable boxes, to help encourage a healthy workforce.
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Source: http://www.monash.edu.au/ohs/wellbeing/work-health-check-peninsula.pdf
Dangerous Goods:Parents Have Questions for WorkSafe over son’s death
The parents of a young trade worker have demanded answers from Victoria’s workplace safety watchdog regarding their son’s death from an exploded vehicle. They believe the organisation failed to protect their son.
The refrigerator mechanic Joey Cosento, was in his van when it exploded because of a build-up of gas that ignited on the street.The parents have not been able to return to their home where the incident occurred and have opted to rent a house nearby.
Since the incident, windows are still boarded up and damage is still apparent in the area. The tradesman’s parents have described the scene as “the most horrific thing” they had ever seen.
A similar incident occurred in 2009 when gas bottles caused a van to explode. It is alleged that one of the gas bottles in Joey’s van was leaking. His parents claim that if WorkSafe had done more to tighten regulations on the storage of gas bottles, that their son may not have died. Mr.Corsentino believes that WorkSafe should have patrolled more efficiently, and did their job in ensuring their son’s safety.
WorkSafe spokesman Michael Birt stated that there are indeed industry education programs dealing with the safe storage of gas bottles. Birt added that it was the employer’s responsibility to enforce safety regulations. WorkSafe has launched an investigation despite the fact that the Consentinos have yet to discuss with WorkSafe regarding their concerns.
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Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/young-tradie-joey-cosentino-should-not-have-died/story-fn7x8me2-1226269144563
Construction Safety: Company Fined 60k for Paraplegic
A magistrate has granted a small building company six years to pay off a fine it received following an incident that resulted in a 27-year-worker becoming paraplegic. The worker reportedly fell four metres at Keysborough in Melbourne in June 2010.
The company was charged for breaching section 21(1) and 21(2)(a) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. It has been reported that the company neglected to ensure a safe working environment by failing to provide a safe system of work for installing roof trusses.
The company pleaded guilty to the charges and subsequently received a fine of $60,000 and ordered to pay court costs of approximately $2894.
Workers for the company were replacing a burnt-out roof of a house when it started to rain which compelled them to rush to make the house weatherproof. The fallen worker’s supervisor said to WorkSafe investigators that he had observed the injured man climb onto the frame of the house prior to his falling.
Despite knowing that the act was risky, he did not tell the worker to immediately come down, believing that he was capable of standing there and lifting one truss. Eventually the man lost his grip on the truss, slipped of the wet roof and fell down an unprotected stairwell void. The worker suffered a punctured lung, broken ribs, a fractured wrist and serious cuts to the head. He also suffered three broken vertebrae and is unfortunately, unlikely to ever walk again.
WorkSafe’s General Manager of Operations, Lisa Sturzenegger, stated that a monthly payment of $850 to meet the total $60k fine would stand as a constant reminder to the company to uphold the company’s safety standards.
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Source: http://www.safetyculture.com.au/news/index.php/02/vic-building-company-fined-60000-after-worker-becomes-paraplegic/
OHS: Over 100 Road Accidents Involve MPs and Staff
Over 100 road accidents in just over a year have involved Federal parliamentarians and their staff. As a consequence of this, over 400 fines were dished out.
Despite these findings, the government has denied the occurrence of a significant increase in traffic-law breaches
All MP’s and senator’s office is granted a taxpayer-funded car, which the politician or their family and staff, can use for any lawful reason. Some parliamentarians who reside in rural areas, have received two vehicles.
The Finance Department has revealed that between August, 2010 and December, 2011, these taxpayer-funded cars were involved in 104 accidents.
Reports have indicated that the drivers have neglected to pay tolls at almost 200 occasions, been subject to 98 speeding tickets, 76 parking tickets, and 9 fines for running red lights. It is important to note that these amounts are only a portion of the number of breaches since the department does not receive every single infringement notice.
Special Minister of State, Gary Gray stated that his office had looked into the infringements throughout previous years and he believe there has not been a “significant change”.
The Finance Department has yet to release the names of parliamentarians that are alleged to have been involved in any of the reported road incidents.
Citizens would be pleased to know that taxpayers do not pay the fines, as the drivers at the time of the offences are the ones held liable for the infringements.
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Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/mps-staff-in-100-road-accidents/2455707.aspx
OHS: Building Officials Change Their Stories Regarding Assault
Two building industry inspectors have allegedly evidence after initially signing off on statements that accused a “militant” union official of head-butting one of them at a building site. Shortly after the alleged assault, both inspectors Mathew Keene and Shaun Hardwick signed off on “de-briefing” statements that alleged that Keene had been head-butted by John Setka, state secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union. The signed statements were then given to their employer, the Australian Building and Construction Commission. A committee hearing revealed that the police were originally informed by a senior building executive that Setka had allegedly head-butted the inspector. However, later signed statements alleged that another CFMEU official Matt Hudson, was responsible for the head-butt.
The hearing will make a decision on whether the unionist should stand trial. Keene has since admitted to destroying original notes from the case, while Hardwick stated that a vital digital recording he had had malfunctioned and erased. Keen has denied any allegations that he had changed his story, stating that he had always stated that Hudson was the one had head-butted him. He recalled signing the de-briefing that cited Setka as the guilty party, yet he claims he told them it was Hudson. Despite admitting to not witnessing the assault, Hardwick’s original statement states that Setka was the one responsible for the head –butting.
The Federal government is currently aiming to abolish the Building and Construction Commission.
More information on Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.theage.com.au/national/building-officials-changed-evidence-20120207-1r5j6.html#ixzz1mJRjCtoD
Environmental Awareness: Arsenic and Other Harmful Chemicals Found at Drill Site
Four unconnected leaks of contaminated water have now occurred at a coal seam gas drilling site near Narrabri in northern NSW since June, according to resources company Santos.The spills lead to the detection of toxic materials such as arsenic, lead, and chromium. Also found were traces of petrochemicals in water and earth samples taken in the area.
After tests last year revealed elevated levels of metals and chemicals, it was revealed that a previously unreported spill of 10,000 litres of polluted water had occurred in June.Santos has recently reported a slew of leaks that have taken place since the company took over the site from Eastern Star Gas last year.Santos claims that their safety practices throughout the site are being upgraded and improved to bring them up to– and beyond, the industry standard.
Conservationists who have visited the Pilliga drilling zone (which is located within one of the last temperate forests in eastern Australia) described the area has degraded and criss-crossed by pipes and gas wells.
Carmel Flint ,of the North East Forest Alliance environment group stated that much of the vegetation in the area is dying because of contamination, and there are pools of black sludge in the water and ground throughout the zone.According to the state government, an investigation has been in operation for the last eight months and staff members from the industry have conducted inspections of the area two times.
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/arsenic-and-lead-found-in-contaminated-water-leak-at-coal-seam-gas-drill-site-20120209-1rx7s.html
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“Dumbed Down” Safety at Construction Sites
Recently, a safety and risk assessment consultant that was contracted following the Beaconsfield Mine incident says construction safety on Canberra sites is being “dumbed down” and over-regulated. Rob Long, previously worked for the ACT government and various safety organisations before becoming a consultant. He believes that regulatory bodies such as WorkSafe and the CFMEU have a lack of focus on cultural change which is impeding on their efforts to tackle unsafe work sites.
Long said that after all the comments regarding safety incidents last year in Caberra, there is little discussion of safety culture. Long is in disbelief that the Cotter Dam project can receive 21 provisional improvement notices and yet there is no discussion of safety culture. Long is convinced that the twenty-one improvement notices are not evidence of problems with the system but rather, an attitudinal problems—safety cultural problems
Mine manager Matthew McGill stated that Dr.Long assisted him in understanding that human characteristics and attitudes could potentially influence the culture especially if they are volatile and inconsistent.
Master Builders Association ACT deputy executive director Jerry Howard gave his support to Dr.Long’s attempts to improve communication on worksites. Howard believes the solution is not simply paperwork, since that only shifted the blame.
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union ACT branch secretary Dean Hall stated that the union appreciates any efforts to stop deaths on worksites.
Source : http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/safety-on-work-sites-dumbed-down/2447636.aspx
OHS Harmonisation: Government Fast Tracks Reforms
Minister for Finance and Services,Greg Pearce announced plans to fast track vital reforms that are needed in WorkCover and the Compensation Authorities. This announcement comes after both Greg McCarthy and CEO Lisa Hunt resigned from their positions.
Pearce stated that his belief that when one considers the current “untenable” scheme of WorkCover, coupled with a growing deficit; it is clear that WorkCover must be reformed.
McCarthy and Hunt allegedly both supported a need for reforms and now the government has decided to move ahead with new reforms under new leadership.
The OHS Harmonisation reforms will be fast-tracked with Deputy Chair, Nicholas Whitlam, and current Chief Financial Officer, Julie Newman. Until replacements are appointed, Newman will be acting as CEO, and Whitlam as Chair. McCarthy has throughout the years, developed various reform options, one of which is the merging of WorkCover and four other compensation authorities; the Motor Accidents Authority, Dust and Diseases Tribunal, Sporting Injuries Committee and Lifetime Care and Support Authority. McCarthy believed the merger of these organisations would be the most economically viable way of ensuring savings.
McCarthy was a vital member of the Board of WorkCover for ten years, where he reportedly worked tirelessly on developing reforms to improve the scheme of WorkCover.
Hunt was CEO since 2010, where she was instrumental in pushing for changes in the workplace by implementing a new Work, Health and Safety regime.
Dangerous Goods:WorkSafe Orders Clean Up of Dangerous Spill
A Northern Territory safety authority says it is satisfied a dangerous mineral spill has been cleaned up. The Dangerous Goods incident occurred when an Adelaide to Darwin train derailed causing the spill.
Approximately, 1,200 tonnes of copper concentrate trickled into the Edith River when a freight train encountered a flooded rail. After the spill, NT Worksafe instructed Oz Minerals to clean up the spill before the end of January.
Reports have indicated that most of the spill has been effectively eliminated from the site surrounding the rail crossing. Oz Minerals was granted a pass from dangerous goods transport laws to carry the mineral in containers covered by tarpaulins.
The company stated that the use of sealed containers will be implemented to carry copper concentrate to Darwin by the end of next month.
The damaged rail is likely to be in working order by the middle of February.Currently, the Territory Environment Protection Authority has claimed that it is investigating another toxic hazard in the Edith River.
The flash flooding that caused the derailment also caused the uncontrolled release of waste water from a retention pond at the mine site.The EPA claims to be actively monitoring the briefs on water quality in Edith River and further downstream because of the spill and derailment.
The EPA stated that they have questions regarding both incidents, primarily regarding any potential environmental issues. After more testing has been conducted a decision will be made on whether a formal inquiry will be held.
More info on Dangerous Goods
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-03/20120203-edith-river-copper-spill-cleanup/3809628?section=nt
Working at Heights: WorkSafe inspectors Close Fire Tower
WORKSAFE shut down Mount Stanley fire tower following an inspection that revealed safety issues with an access ladder. The Department of Sustainability and Environment appealed the decision, citing that there wasn’t an immediate risk.
WorkSafe Spokesman Michael Birt said spotters were at risk of potentially falling from a high section of the ladder connected to the cabin which was located 15 metres off the ground.
The Australian Worker’ Union heeded fire spotters’ safety concerns about the ladder , radiation from TV and radio transmitters nearby and asbestos found in the cabin floor workplace watchdog earlier this month.
WorkSafe issued a prohibition notice on the upper section of the ladder in January,following an inspection. The Department of Sustainability appealed the notice citing that reasons for prohibition did not provide adequate jusitification.
Birt said that the inspector felt that there was an immediate risk to the health and safety of employees.WorkSafe stated that the problems exist in the last section of a steel ladder with a cage at an angle of about 75 to 80 degrees.
Birt said that the handrails were unusable because of the steepness which obligated the person to hold onto the steps in order to climb up. A request has been made to install additional guarding.
Source: http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/local/news/general/worksafe-inspection-shuts-fire-tower/2441092.aspx
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OHS: Another Dam Work Delay
WorkSafe ACT has once again issued a stop work order for part of Caberra’ Cotter Dam construction site because of concerns with safety.Over 20 serious safety issues have been cited since work commenced on the Cotter Dam enlargement project.
Canberra’s water authority ACTEW is enlarging the capacity of the reservoir by 74 gigalitres.
Throughout the week other issues have occurred such as when workers drilling near a crane mistakenly severed the cable while the power was on. These incidents have prompted a prohibition notice.
ACT Work Safety Commissioner Mark McCabe stated that the workers are luckily the accidents were not fatal as the incidents posed serious risks.McCabe stated that he requested investigators to advise him on whether there has been a breach of Work Health and Safety Law that should be referred to the DPP.
Another incident occurred that involved a bolt coming off of the lower section of a crane, compromising its entire structure. Dean Hall from The CFMEU stated that the incident could have seriously and realistically lead to the crane falling down. Hall claims that inadequate bolts are being used to hold the cranes together and thus need investigation.
McCabe stated that he does not believe the incidents were isolated.
Hall stated that there have also been serious issues with communication on the site. Safety concerns raised by workers on the ground have apparently been lost in middle management on their way to upper management.
More Info on Occupational Health And Safety
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-02/act-cotter-dam-stop-work/3806484?section=act
Dangerous Goods: Work Safety Investigation into Workers’ Contact With Chemical
ACT work safety authorities will be conducting an investigation into the exposure of the two electricians to toxic chemicals in a Civic office building. Unions have stated that they are extremely concerned with the incident and are fearful that other older buildings may be contaminated.
Both workers were hospitalised after being sprayed with polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBS, a toxic chemical that can cause skin rashes in the best of circumstances, and damage to the liver and nervous system, in the most extreme cases.
The workers were exposed to the fluid whyen a light fixture they were replacing exploded in the computer room. Both electricians were taken to Canberra Hospital to undergo monitoring.
The Electrical Trade Union stated that PCBs had not been used in light fittings for decades. Thus, the union is deeply concerned by the incident. The Unions NSW-ACT assistant secretary Nevile Betts demanded that the owner of the building search the light fittings throughout the rest of the 11-storey building.
The liquid should have been removed during campaigns to remove PCBS from buildings in the 1980s and 1990s, according to Betts. Betts has also pledged that they will be contacted the owners of the building to launch a thorough audit of the lights and equipment of the building. If any PCBs or any Hazardous Materials and Substances, are found they will be removed using the proper procedures.
Approximately 60 workers were evacuated from the eight floor, and were prohibited from returning the next day.
More Info on Dangerous Goods Training
Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/probe-into-workers-contact-with-chemical/2442629.aspx
OHS: Miner Gets Million Dollar Compensation
A Miner who had a 56-tonne rock land on his dump truck was awarded $1.5 million in compensation. The former professional footballer James L. Geary was successful in his claims against employer Rejv Services Pty Ltd and three associated companies in the Townsville Supreme Court. Geary is alleged to have suffered back injuries when he was significantly jolted by the fallen rock. The incident in question occurred in August of 2005, while Geary was driving a truck that was being loaded with dirt and rock from a digger.
Geary claims to have backed his truck out which could carry 400 tonnes. The digger operator told Geary to brace himself for a big rock which landed on his truck and caused things “to get really violent in the cab”.Geary claims to have been winded by jolt and said he felt a sharp pain in his lower back.
The result was a lumbar spine injury which forced Geary to conduct light duties for a few days until he took sick leave for two weeks.
Geary still had injuries when he returned to work which lead to him quitting his job in 2006. After working a few jobs after with various companies, Geary left the industry. The plaintiff claimed that the reasoning for Geary leaving each subsequent job was because he could “not cope because of his back pain”.
It was determined that Geary was simply too proud of his past as a footballer and strong man that he hid his physical and emotional stresses.Geary was eventually granted $1.5 million for medical bills, past economic loss, future wages and superannuation. His boss was ordered to pay an additional $360 thousand
More Info On Occupational Health and Safety
Source: http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2012/02/01/302061_news.html
Human Resources: Unions and Employers Dissatisfied with Bullying Draft Code
Safe Work Australia has made light of changes to its draft code on workplace bullying following complaints by both unions and employer groups that the code was not specific enough about what constitutes bullying.
SFA spokesperson Ingrid Kimber stated that 70 out of 331 submissions on broader OHS issues, were related to the draft bullying code.According to Kimber (in her remarks to SmartCompany), the body is considering having an expert in the field advise them on the matter.Depending on how drastic of the changes, it may be released once again for public comment.
The draft code on workplace bullying falls under the legislation of the OHS Harmonisation laws which have been approved federally in various states. Of course, Victoria, WA, Tasmania and SA did not legislate in time to meet the January 1 deadline.
According to the draft code, workplace bullying is defined as “repeated, unreasonable behaviour directed towards a worker or group of workers that creates a risk to health and safety”
The following examples constitute as bullying:
- Abusive or offensive language,
- Gossiping and spreading malicious rumours
- Regularly making someone the brunt of practical jokes,
- Unreasonably overloading a person with work or not providing enough work,
- Deliberately changing work arrangements such as rosters and leave to inconvenience a particular worker
The Australian Council of Trade Unions has however, stated that the code fails to address workplace bullying with the same level of specificity and seriousness as any other workplace hazard or risk.
The code, according to critics, must make it clear that the bullying it targets is a “pattern of behaviour”
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry stated that there needs to be a clear difference between feeling aggrieved and what is systemic, inappropriate behaviour” since normal managerial conduct should be seen as bullying behaviour.
More info On Human Resources training
Source: http://www.smartcompany.com.au/managing-people/20120105-employers-and-unions-unhappy-with-draft-bullying-code.html
OHS Harmonisation: Feds Meet With Volunteer Organisations
The Federal Government met with non-profit organisations to discuss new laws affecting volunteers and to find ways to eliminate the red tape involved with working with volunteers.
The meeting was held in Melbourne to discuss workplace health and safety issues with Workplace Relations minister Bill Shorten MP, representatives from Safe Work Australia and; the Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations. Also included were a diverse group of representatives from various not-for-profit organisations.
An important revelation from the meeting is the plan to establish a group to oversee measures to cut red tape of working with volunteers. The plan is to have a group comprised of representatives from the not-for-profit sector, Volunteering Australia, Safe Work Australia, legal experts and various other industry representatives.
To add to these outcomes, the table of representatives discussed and agreed on various matters pertaining to volunteers, such as;
- Safety is of equal importance for volunteers as any other individual since everyone has a right to return home safe.
- A volunteer’s duty has gone relatively unchanged when comparing it to what it was prior to the OHS Harmonisation laws.
- The penalties that would be used for extreme actions are based on already established state laws that existed prior to harmonisation.
- Ongoing efforts to provide increased clarity of the harmonised law’s limited practical consequences for grassroots volunteers are most welcome.
Shorten stated that the Government encourages people to volunteer and support each other’s community. He alleges that the Government will provide “even more clear information and guidance to volunteers who play such an important role in [everyone’s] communities”
Source: http://thirdsectormagazine.com.au/news/new_measures_for_working_with_volunteers/065991/
Electrical Safety: Water Meter Staff Are Shocked
Workers have cited concerns over receiving electric shocks from water meters being installed .Southern Water has reported that six incidents are have been investigated by Workplace Standards since the rollout last year.These reports come after the Master Plumbers Association of Tasmania cited concerns with safety in August regarding the rollout plans.
The association cited problems when the contract for the installation of the meters was awarded to a NSW company which sub-contracted the work out to locals.During that ordeal, the association’s executive officer Adrian Cowie stated that they had received reports alleging that contractors were not adequately trained to do the basic work.
Howrah Plumbing owner Hans Verdou, stated that the schedule for the rollout came too rapidly which, they feared would cause safety issues. Cowie stated that the incidents were not surprising since in the older areas of Hobart, water pipes were used for earthing. He continued by stating that a formal standard safety practice is required in order for people to avoid the potential risk of getting electric shock. However, when the procedure is not executive then a shock could occur.
Souther Water’s Mike Paine stated that all the incidents involved workers coming into contact with stray electrical currents. Paine alleges that the risk of stray currents was identified during the planning phase and was thus included in the safety management plan of the contractor.Southern Water claims they had consulted Aurora Energy and Workplace Standards Tasmania, who both approved their safety procedures.
Workplace Standards general manager Roy Ormerod stated that the issues have been resolved and that measures to reduce risks are being implemented to avoid any risk of electrical shock.
The rollout of water meters will continue this month throughout the Hobart area.
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Source: http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/01/31/296911_tasmania-news.html
WorkSafe Reveals Asbestos Problems At Fun Park
WorkSafe has revealed that asbestos was discovered at a St.Kilda amusement park, Luna Park. The deadly substance was discovered in a tower that supports a large, smiling face structure. The substance was reportedly removed when the iconic fun park was closed in June last year.
WorkSafe issued a safety improvement order to the park management, which did not update a mandatory register for hazardous materials for more than 10 years.
The occupational health and safety laws breach, was discovered when former CFMEU state secretary Martin Kingham was employed by Luna Park to monitor the restoration project. Kingham was a former Victorian president of the Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia.
He led many anti-asbestos campaigns during the 1980s. A WorkSafe report stated that Kingham had provided them with an asbestos register for the workplace but the register was dated May,2001—more than five years old. According to Victoria’s OHS laws, Asbestos registers must be reviewed and if required, updated every five years.
Luna Park executive director Mary Stuart insisted that the park was safe for visitors, following a thorough audit of the park last year. Stuart said the deadly asbestos was not a threat to the public since it was not friable or powder-like. Stuart stated that the park takes its health and safety requirements very seriously.Over the past decade, WorkSafe has found serious breaches of OHS legislation. Electical improvements were ordered for a ride that risked the safety of children when it rose four metres in the air.
For more information on Asbestos Training
Source : http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/secrets-behind-the-smile-20120128-1qn9d.html
Fire Safety: WorkCover Investigates Explosion
WorkCover is currently investigating an explosion at an industrial complex in St.Marys that left a worker with shrapnel wounds to his body and head. Emergency services were called to the Samos Polymer polyurethane-resin plant off Links Road shortly early in the morning on Wednesday, following reports of an explosion.
The middle aged man was working close to a bulky container that contained a flammable liquid. He received wounds to his head,arms, and chest. A spokesperson for NSW Ambulance Service stated that the injured man was taken to Westmead Hospital and is currently in serious but stable condition.
Dunheved Fire and Rescue station commander Garry Mitchell said firefighters from his station and St.Mary were alerted to the site. They found that a large plastic container of a flammable liquid used to make polyurethane had ignited and blow up causing pieces of the container and its metal housing to scatter. Mitchelle alleged that workers were changing out a liquid container that could have possibly still had vapour residue inside, which caused it to ignite.
North St.Marys residents reported hearing the explosion. WorkCover is currently investigating the exact cause of the incident and is determining if all OHS safety regulations were abided by.
Source: http://www.penrithstar.com.au/news/local/news/general/man-wounded-in-explosion-at-st-marys-industrial-complex/2424450.aspx
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OHS: WorkSafe Releases Findings on Worker’s Death
Attempting to climb into a moving truck is allegedly a contributor to the death of a senior man at Hepburn Springs, according to WorkSafe. Emergency crews reached to truck depot after reports came in alleging that the man was trapped.
Police reported that the man was in the yard when a semi-trailer rolled from where it was parked, pinning him against some machinery and then rolling on top of him.Over a dozen friends, family and workers spectated in shock, while emergency services attempted to free the man.
WorkSafe representative Michael Birt stated that the man was a self-employed owner-operator and had connected the prime mover to the loaded trailer before the accident occurred.
Investigators believe the truck’s trailer brakes were applied but not the handbrake, said Birt.
According to the investigators, it appears the truck began to roll forward, which triggered the man to attempt to get into the truck to apply the brakes. However, the man was unsuccessful and was unfortunately run over and crushed by the truck.
Birt stated that it is an important issue to ensure that brakes are applied. He continued by stating that attempting to enter a moving vehicle is a very high risk which they have seen with tractors and now trucks. This tragedy, according to Birt, should compel transport company operators to take extra caution around their trucks. Birt stated that this type of accident can happen to anyone at any time in the transport industry.
More info on Occupational Health and Safety
http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/worksafe-releases-finding-on-hepburn-death/2434141.aspx
OHS: Fire Brigade Officer Concerned With Company’s Safety Practices
Both the ACT Fire Brigade and ACT Workcover had previously cited concerns with inadequate equipment and poor work safety practices by a Mitchell hazardous waste treatment company prior to last year’s explosive chemical fire, according to documents released through Freedom of Information
The aforementioned documents reveal that highly toxic nerve gas phosgene was detected in the fire’s smoke plume but emergency response crews were unable to test for a large exposure to chemicals.
Last September, an explosive chemical fire occurred at the Energy Services Environmental waste treatment plant in Dacre Street. The fire launched fireballs up to 200m above the engulfed building and sent acrid black smoke billowing across Canbera’s skyline.
Amidst the hundreds of pages of confidential government documents released, there are reports of “paint stripping off vehicles” and over 500,000 to 600,000 litres of highly flammable liquids stored in indoor tanks. Eight pallets of fire suppressant foam were ordered from Sydney in order to contain the blaze.
Government emails reveal that a senior ACT Fire Brigade officer cited concerns in 2006 regarding the company’s safety measures. The officer claims that they have attended several incidents at the company grounds throughout the years and when one considers the level of toxic substances present at the facility, concerns do arise.
The officer stated that the issue may be a dangerous goods issue or an occupational health and safety issue. He hopes that someone in these sectors can make a difference in the level of safety at the company. The officer has also complained that the company manager tends to bend the rules regarding safety.
The fire is said to have occurred in an oil separator unit that was left unattended or still running over for the weekend.
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OHS: Main Roads Demand Cattle Trailers Be Modified
Owners of the two largest cattle transportation businesses in West Australia have demanded that inquiry be launched into why Main Roads tried to compel the company to put modified, unsafe semitrailers on the road.
The appeal judgement handled by the District court ruled that the result could have been “catastrophic”.
Operating the fully loaded semitrailers could cause the driver to lose control, crash and subsequently cause injury or death to the driver and people in other vehicles according to Comissioner Michael Gething.
This ruling commences a three and half yearlong battle between managing director John Mitchell and Main Roads and the director-general of the Department of Transport.
Mitchell stated that the costs have not simply been monetary since his reputation and credibility have been severely damaged.
Mitchell wants the Minister for Transport to investigate wh Main Roads tried to force the company into doing this and why heavy vehicle appears to be put last in what appears to be a campaign against them.
Mitchelles 70-year-old family run company operates over 20 combinations of trailers and boasts an “impeccable” safety record.
The issue at hand was involving B-doubles, which are two trailers that weigh about 70.5 tonnes when fully loaded with cattle.
Prior to 2002, Mitchelle built eight B-doubles at a length of about 20m of internal deck space.
The rules were then changed which subsequently restricted B-doubles to 18.8m but Main Roads approved permits to the company to continue running the units.
Each unit costs approximately $280,000 each, and Mitchelle intended to run his B-doubles until June 2017, however in 2008 Main Roads insisted that Mitchell modified his B-doubles by building a partition in the front unit. This is intended to restrict the overall length of the unit to 18.5 m deck space.
Mitchell denied their demands since he alleges that it would render the rigs unsafe because of the way the load would be distributed.
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Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/12714398/main-roads-pushed-for-unsafe-cattle-trailers/
OHS Harmonisation: Safe Work Responds to Media Reports on Volunteers
Safe Work Australia has responded to media reports that they’ve labeled “inaccurate and alarmist”. The media reports are regarding volunteers and the OHS Harmonisation or Work Health and Safety laws.Safe Work is concerned that the reports may discourage volunteers and future volunteers from undertaking work.Chair of Safe Work, Tom Phillips stated that the harmonised OHS laws would not apply to every type of volunteer activity or organisation.
Phillips stated that the laws only apply if the volunteer organisation also employs staff ( in conjunction with volunteers) to carry out work for the organisation. Phillips stated that this stipulation is not new since even the old legislation specifically applied to volunteer.Phillips continued, stating that the duty to ensure a safe workplace remains the primary responsibility of the employee, not the volunteer.
Chief Executive of Volunteering Australia, Cary Pedicini stated his organisation’s support for the OHS harmonisation laws.
Pedicini claims that the harmonisation with result in a higher level of protection for volunteers wherever they decide to volunteer, which Pedicini states is a good thing for volunteers.
In related news, Ordained ministers will no longer be considered simply as “servants of God” according to the OHS harmonisation. Instead they will be known as “workers” who can thus be prosecuted for safety breaches in the church.
Naturally, the changes have alarmed some religious organisations because they also mean that many elderly church volunteers can now be prosecuted for safety breaches and subsequently face fines of up to $300,000 or five years imprisonment.
Source:
http://www.psnews.com.au/Page_psn29710.html
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/church-volunteers-face-jail-under-tough-new-ohs-laws/story-e6frgczx-1226246810395
Human Resources:Opposition says that Labour Government is sending mixed messages on Bullying
Senator Abetz is concerned that the Labor party firstly states that they condemn bullying but then quietly state to the trade unions that they are willing to “pull the teeth of the ABCC”. Abetz believes that the Labor Party is sending a mixed message on the Human Resources issue of bullying.
Legislation was introduced into parliament in November with aims to eliminate the Howard-government appointed ABCC.
Initially the body was established with the purpose of investigating and addressing corruption while also monitoring tactics in the building and construction sector.Abetz stated that the government is “speaking with a forked tongue” since they accept that bullying is bad but then discuss removing a sector where bullying, thuggery, and intimidation , is monitored and investigated.
The ACTU and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union have (according to The Australian) demanded strict countrywide rules on workplace bullying, since they believe an incident of indecent behaviour can result in health and safety risks.
Safe Work Australia has drafted a code of practice on bullying but unions have cited concerns that the model code of practice falls short. Employers are also concerned that the reforms will trigger an
Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten stated that any form of bullying is unacceptable and costs billions of dollars every year when one considers workers compensation and stress leave.
Shorten stated that he had seen the tragic result of letting work place bullying go unchecked. He is referring to the suicide of young woman who was employed within the restaurant industry.
Mr Shorten said the government was “determined” to get a consensus on what constitutes workplace bullying. Shorten has declared that the government is determined to ascertain what the consensus on what workplace bullying is.
Shorten stated that the government is dedicated to developing a code and a effectively stamping out the Human Resources issue, workplace bullying.
Safe Work Australia’s Tom Phillips: Volunteers Should Not Be Concerned about OHS Harmonisation
New workplace safety laws won’t apply to local football clubs and other organisations that are run solely by dedicated volunteers.
The OHS Harmonisation laws will not affect local football clubs and other organisations that rely solely on the devoted volunteers.Organisations such as Uniting Church and Meals on Wheels are allegedly concerned with the new occupational health and safety (OHS) laws, which are being implemented nationally this year.
Safe Work Australia chair Tom Phillips stated that not all volunteer organisations should be concerned with the new laws since they may not apply to each respective organisation.
According to Phillips, the laws will apply if an organisation employs staff in conjunction with volunteers and where work is carried out on behalf of the organisation.The new laws, Phillips says, will not affect community groups or football clubs which do not have employees.
It is the workplace’s responsibility to ensure the safety of workers – and thus, not the volunteer’s responsibility. Phillips continued by stating that prosecution of volunteers is unlikely to occur except in the most serious and exceptional circumstances.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard claims that the government will be taking a commonsense approach in the implementation of the national occupational health and safety reforms. Gillard stated that volunteer organisations will go out of their way to make sure that volunteers are kept safe.
Source: http://www.international.to/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4535:safe-work-australia-chairmans-response-disingenuous&catid=80:politics&Itemid=120
OHS Harmonisation: No Federal Rewards For Reform Delaying States
Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten has indicated that states who contribute to the delay of national reforms should not expect to receive payments from the Commonwealth.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has warned of the possibility of the Commonwealth withholding $450 million in reward payments for the states and territories that are stalling on reforms for Occupational Health and Safety Laws ( OHS Harmonisation).The failure of the states to implement the OHS laws after a year of delays, was costing the country approximately $43 million a week.
Shorten stated that Victoria and Western Australia had made it disturbingly clear that they wanted no involvement in the national OHS harmonisation.Shorten continued by stating that you can’t be a part of the nation of Australia for some aspects but opt out other times for “petty political reasons”.
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon stated that state governments cannot sign off on certain agreements and then not live up to their end of the deal. Roxon believes that the Commonwealth is completely justified in refusing to make reward payments if aspects of national agreements were not met .
NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell has accused PM Gillard of singling out states lead by coalition governments.
Since July, 2008 the Commonwealth, states and territories all agreed to a harmonisation of OHS laws. The laws were expected to be implemented by December 2011 but various state governments delayed the process.
Source: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/no-federal-cash-for-reformdelaying-states-20120113-1pxwf.html
Occupational Health And Safety: Court Reduces Fine for Crane Death
Western Australia’s Supreme Court has reduced a company and its directors’ fines by fifty-percent. The fines were in response to the death of a 22-year-old worker. Luke Murrie was an employee for D&G Hoists when he died as a result of a section of a crane fell upon him in October 2007. The company and its directors were found culpable in the charge of failing to uphold a safe workplace.
The company received a fine of $ 90,000 while the directors were each charged $45,000. Today a Supreme Court threw out the appeals against the convictions but decided that the fines should be reduced.
The company was subsequently ordered to pay a $70,000 fine while each director was ordered to pay $ 10,000. Despite the reduced fines, Janice ( Murrie’s mother) stated that she is pleased that the guilty verdicts were upheld. Janice stated that the case has taken a toll on the family with them focussing on his death, and the circumstances around his death for four years can make people angry and it can wear people out.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-13/workplace-death-fines-reduced/3771966?section=wa
Construction Union Claims Contractors Are Not Reporting Injuries
The construction union claims that half of the construction safety incidents that occur on Canberra work sites are not being reported properly.The 2011 workplace safety legislation, the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 requires employers to report all injuries incurred at work as well as near-misses.
Dean Hall of the CFMEU stated that a lack of reporting of incidents is a continuous problem, especially in the civil construction sector.Hall believes the issue is extremely concerning, as he believes approximately half of the injuries in the construction industry are inefficiently reported or not reported at all.
In December 2011, a 43-year-old worker suffered serious spinal injuries after a roller he was driving roller over at a housing development.The CFMEU believe the incident was not effectively reported, thus the union is calling on the ACT work safety commission to apply charges against the contractor responsible.
The company allegedly reported an incident involving a roller but did not indicate that any injuries occurred.
Hall believes the industry is presently plagued by dodgy contractors. He stated that the contractors are likely performing irresponsibly on numerous levels with a lack of safety system or protection for workers in the workplace. Thus, Hall believes that businesses fail to report accidents or serious injuries because if WorkSafe inspectors investigate an incident they may find other serious problems in the safety infrastructure of the work sites.
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-16/cfmeu-on-accident-reporting/3775134?section=act
Asbestos Training: Asbestos Found In School Science Kits
Despite the State Government proclaiming that its asbestos management guidelines are the strictest in the country, four Year 8 students have found the deadly substance in science kits. Since the discovery, two recalls have been conducted for the decades-old classroom science kits. It is unclear how many kits had been in schools but 159 kits had been removed prior to the second recall. Many of the kits in question were issued over two decades ago.
LNP education spokesman Bruce Flegg stated that the recalls and safety alert made a farce of the State Government’s asbestos management in schools. The Queensland government has proudly proclaimed to home to the most transparent and hard lined guidelines for asbestos management.
Flegg has since accused the Government of trying to keep the recalls discrete and hidden from public eye which is why all parents have not been alerted.
Flegg warned that an excessive amount of examples of children and teachers have been exposed to deadly asbestos fibres .
Experts claim that the risks posed by the kits are minimal despite the fact that there are always risks associated with asbestos.
The kits allegedly originally contained a sample of asbestos rock. Queensland asbestos expert Bill Kwiecien stated that while the kits were a concern and a possible risk to children because of the presence of hazardous material, the actual risk was minimal. Kwiecien stated that it is only a concern because kids are exposed to it but otherwise it would not be of immediate concern.
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Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/asbestos-in-science-kits/story-e6freoof-1226244932839
Construction Safety: Crane Crashes Down Metres Away From Workers
Another accident has occurred at a site that union bosses have declared as a “tragedy waiting to happen”. This time a 40-tonne crane collapsed to the ground, mere metres away from construction workers who were working on the $50 million Mt. Sheridan Plaza redevelopment project.
This is not the first time Workplace Health and Safety officers have had to investigate a construction safety incident occurring at this site. A man was hospitalized in June 2011, when a concrete slab fell upon him.Fortunately, no one was injured when the crane crashed to the ground, but workers have halted the operation of tools until inspectors have granted an all-clear to primary contractors, Broad Construction.
Electrical Trades Union organiser Stuary Traill stated that the site was the worst he had seen during his tenure as a union officials, and workers were growing extremely impatient with the poor safety standards of the site.
Traill said that an audit on the site that took place prior to Christmas, indicated that serious breaches of safety legislation. were present . Traill continued, stating that it seems as if Broad Construction only takes safety issues seriously when an incident occurs and investigators show up.Criticism has arisen of the company “cutting corners” to get the job done quickly.
Broad Queensland’s general manager John McCann stated that an “exclusion zone” was organized through the crane and workers were now able to return to the site.
Traill however, has criticised the company for the length of time it took for them to close the site when the crane fell. He stated that the workers were told to keep working around the fallen crane, despite safety concerns. He said that workers will continue to work there despite their construction safety concerns because they need the work.
Source: http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2012/01/12/200511_local-news.html
Electrical Safety: Man Suffers Electric Shock At Cycling Championships
A man remains in critical condition after experiencing a serious electric shock while setting up speakers at Buninyong’s Cycling Australia Road National Championships. George Langley was connecting the speakers to a tree when one of the cables came into contact with a power line. Police Acting Sergeant Brendan Vann stated that it appeared that Mr.Langley was on top of a minivan while attaching the speakers.
At some point a co-worker tossed Langley a speaker cable which struck an overhead power line. Paramedic Graham McGrath stated that Langley had gone into cardiac arrest as a result of his electric shock. It took five paramedics and a MICA unit to revive him after 30 minutes.
McGrath offered praise for Langley’s workmates and a passing cyclist who conducted CPR on Langley until paramedics had arrived. Langley was working as part of George Langley Public Address Systems, a family business started by his father. It is believed that the business is a long-time contractor for the City of Ballarat. Ballarat Regional Tourism director George Sossi has since expressed regret over the accident, believing that it casts a shadow over the cycling championships. WorkSafe is on the scene and is investigating the freak accident.
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Source: http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/electric-shock-victim-still-critical/2412687.aspx
Occupational Health and Safety: WorkSafe Chief Exec Announces Resignation
It has been a month since the Baillieu government declared that it would cut $471 million out of WorkSafe throughout the next four years in order to keep the state’s budget in a surplus.Greg Tweedly,WorkSafe chief executive for the past nine years, announced recently that he would not be seeking a new contract when his current one had expired.
This announcement was made a month after it was declared that almost half of a billion dollars would be cut from Victoria’s occupational health and safety insurance and subsequently funnelled into general revenue.A spokeswoman for the state government stated the resignation was not linked to the budget cuts– rather, it was a personal choice by Mr.Tweedly.
The budget changes are expected to cut thousands of state public sector jobs, while also charging all motorists with a 35$ increase in registration fees.
WorkSafe is funded by employers via premiums to insure people against accidents. As per the changes announced in December, half of the organisations profits will be handed over to the Treasury until at least 2014/2015.The Opposition has probed what the effects of Mr.Tweedly’s parting would mean for WorkSafe.
Opposition finance spokesman,Robin Scott stated that Tweedly’s departure would result in an even greater difficulty in recovery of the half-billion dollars being stripped from WorkSafe.Tweedly stated that he will endeavour to spend time overseas with his family and friends and eventually seek new challenges later in the year.
Source: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/resignation-adds-to-worksafe-woes-20120111-1pvgu.html
ACTU Clarifies OHS Harmonisation Myths
The ACTU is pushing for workers to take advantage of the new safety laws by adopting safety representatives. The ACTU also stated that the rumour that workplaces can be shut down due to concocted safety claims, is false.
A “Speak Up” campaign has commenced following the implementation of the nationally harmonised occupational health and safety laws( OHS Harmonisation). The campaign was initiated with the intent of ensuring workers understand their rights, which includes their right to elect their own safety representatives.
ACTU assistant secretary Michael Borowick stated that it was unlawful for employers to interfere with the work of health and safety representatives or to hinder their responsibility of representing their workmates.
Borowick stated that it is not compulsory to have a safety representative but the opportunity exists if workers feel the desire to take advantage of that opportunity.Previously, Health and safety representatives had limited powers to dictate directives when workers were endangered.Victoria and WA have yet to come to an agreement regarding the harmonised safety laws; while SA and Tasmania are still discussing the proposal in parliament.
Confined Spaces: Three Miners Injured at Leinster Mine Site
Three injured workers were sent to Perth for medical care after all three of them suffered from injuries at a mine site near Leinster. The men landed at Jandakot Airport and were immediately transported by ambulance to the Royal Perth Hospital.The men’s injuries are considered serious but non-life threatening. The Royal Flying Doctors Service was requested by the mining town following the injury of the three men.
One man is alleged to be suffering from chest injuries after rubble fell upon him. He suffered from bruising and soreness as well as a serious ongoing injury and possible spinal problems. Another worker is said to have suffered a broken arm and possibly spinal injuries, while the last worker has suffered a serious fracture to his leg. All three men remained conscious throughout the ordeal however.
All three men were working in the underground Agnew mine when coils of mesh fell upon them, causing injuries.Mine inspectors are expected to reach the site soon in order to commence an investigation.
Source : http://www.perthnow.com.au/business/injured-mine-workers-airlifted-to-hospital/story-e6frg2qc-1226240840173
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Mining Company Ordered To Clean Up Dangerous Goods
A mining company has received orders to clean up the site of a derailed train in the Northern Territory. Approximately 1,200 tonnes of toxic mineral ore copper concentrate has washed up from the train and into a river during a flash flood.
WorkSafe has declared that the material is a health and environment concern. Oz Minerals has been granted until the end of the month to transport any remaining material to the South Australian border. Oz Minerals was granted special permission to transport the ore in tarpaulin covered wagons, despite the practice being currently prohibited.
WorkSafe has allegedly relaxed the rules in order to ensure that the copper concentrate is quickly taken to the border. Concerns have arisen regarding the potential of wet season rain and storms washing the left over ore into the river.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-07/miner-ordered-to-clean-up-train-spill/3762322
Electrical Safety Investigations Continue into Death of Apprentice
WORKPLACE Health and Safety officers will today continue investigatingthe death of an apprentice electrician who was electrocuted while working at Bentley Park College.
The apprentice, 20, was working inside theceiling of the student services building when he came into contact with live wires about 8.10am yesterday.
Queensland Ambulance Service operations manager Neil Noble said school staff frantically tried to resuscitate the man inside the roof while waiting for paramedics to arrive.
“He was working on electrical wiring in the roof and he’s touched some live wire and it’s electrocuted him,” Mr Noble said.
“Staff at the school did CPR in the ceiling before bringing him down for paramedics.”
Ambulance officers spent about 30 minutes trying to resuscitate him but failed.
His employer, Edmonton-based Goggo’s Electrical Services, did not return calls from The Cairns Post yesterday.
Skills360 Australia chief executive Peter Langbien said he was deeply saddened by the apprentice’s death.
“It’s a tragedy we are still trying to come to terms with,” he said.
“We’re working with all the authorities and are mostly concerned with the (man’s) family.
“Our thoughts are with the worker’s family and co-workers.”
Education Queensland Far Northern regional director Clive Dixon said staff and students were being offered support.
“The Bentley Park College school community in Cairns is deeply saddened by the death of an electrical contractor,” he said.
“This is just an absolute tragedy and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.”
A Department of Justice spokeswoman said inspectors from the Electrical Safety Office and Workplace Health and Safety attended the school yesterday and were investigating the death.
She said the joint investigation would examine if any breaches were committed by the company.
More info on Electrical Safety
Source: http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2012/12/13/237554_local-news.html
Inspectors Launch Information Campaign for Workers
Inspectors from the federal workplace authority will be out in force on Canberra’s building sites on Tuesday.
Fair Work Building and Construction (FWBC) says its industry inspectors will visit sites as part of its ”proactive, educational service to the industry”.
Canberra’s construction sector has been in the spotlight for several months, with an ACT government inquiry into safety in the industry finding a ”distressing safety record” of four deaths and many injuries since December last year, and making 28 recommendations for change.
The report’s first recommendation was for the ACT government to collaborate with Fair Work Australia to crack down on ”sham contracting”, the employment of workers on contractor’s terms, on Canberra’s building sites.
But the agency said site visits were routine and were not prompted by the report of the ACT work safety commissioner Mark McCabe and the former public service commissioner Lynelle Briggs.
The chief executive of FWBC Leigh Johns said on Monday the inspectors would be talking to workers about laws, wages and entitlements.
”We investigate and, if necessary, prosecute breaches of workplace laws, recover wages and entitlements for workers who have been underpaid, and provide education and advice,” Mr Johns said.
”This week’s site visits are really about our inspectors discussing with employers and workers about how to comply with workplace relations law and making sure their sites are fair and productive.
”We understand that not everyone has a lawyer or [human resources] manager on site to provide advice on complying with the law, so we proactively visit sites to help people understand the law and provide answers to any questions they may have.”
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Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/inspectors-to-visit-building-sites-educate-workers-20121210-2b62k.html#ixzz2FRJQIogD
Electrical Safety Contract Lost
AURORA Energy has lost a multimillion-dollar contract to carry out electrical safety inspections in state government buildings to a Victorian company.
The decision of Workplace Standards Tasmania to drop Aurora in favour of TechSafe Australia was yesterday described as “privatisation by stealth” by the Communications, Electrical, and Plumbing Union of Australia.
Union state secretary Rodney Burles said taxpayers would foot the bill of losing 22 full-time equivalent staff at Aurora, who were likely to be re-employed by TechSafe.
“Safety inspections should never have been contracted out in the first place. They should be run directly by Workplace Standards _ they are too important to be privatised,” Mr Burles said.
“These blokes will get redundancy payments from Aurora and walk into the same jobs they were doing before, for more pay.”
Aurora distribution chief operations officer Andre Botha said it was disappointing to lose the bid.
“This is a disappointing outcome for Aurora and the team of 16 electrical inspectors and six support staff and a manager, who have been employed by Aurora to conduct this work independently for WST over more than a decade,” Mr Botha said.
He said Aurora would work closely with affected staff before TechSafe took over in March. Some could be redeployed.
A Justice Department spokesman said five bids were submitted for the five-year Workplace Standards contract which was worth $3 million to $5 million.
He said in the first instance bids were assessed on an ability to supply the service.
As a result, three bids were shortlisted and their value-for-money compared.
“TechSafe met both measures with the highest quality of service and lowest cost,” the spokesman said.
TechSafe has written to Workplace Standards about approaching all Aurora workers with a job offer and, if there are still vacancies, advertising for Tasmanian workers.
Workplace Relations Minister David O’Byrne said the Aurora bid was not competitive.
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Source: http://www.examiner.com.au/story/1185765/safety-inspection-contract-lost/?cs=94
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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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.
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
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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 25th 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
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
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 : 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
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”/
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.
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”.
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.
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/
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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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.
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
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
Throughout the past 2 years workers at the forefront of the ACT’s most hazardous and high-pressure professions have received a million dollars in recompense because of the stress they experience at their jobs. The Emergency Service Agency –which supervises firefighters and ambulance staff, as well as the State Emergency Service which is mostly volunteers – said one of its workers was on mental health leave for 138 weeks.
ACT Policing stated that $434,304 was rewarded to staff in the last two fiscal years in stress leave compensation.Throughout the last two fiscal years the territory’s firefighters have been granted $492,130 while ambulance staff has not been rewarded any stress payments.
Eight staff members at the ACT Health Directorate, have filed claims for ”adjustment disorder”, the directorate said. This year, three claims have been acknowledged and $41,887 remunerated. Hospital nurse and University of Canberra assistant professor Jamie Ranse stated that a number of urgent incidents often caused the most stress. Stress can lead to fatigue management problems.
Mr Ranse, 31, also indicated that situations that remind nurses of their own mortality or susceptibility to illnesses, can cause stress.Employees who are parents, see children being brought in to the hospital, which can also be stressful.
Ranse said after big situations ‘debriefing’ sessions are conducted.Ranse continued by mentioning that some people have different ways of coping and thus ‘debriefing’ sessions may not be beneficial to them.All the agencies claimed that workers who find themselves under immense stress have access to confidential counselling as well as programs aimed at teaching stress management .
Source: canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/stressful-jobs-prove-costly/2348202.aspx
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
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 12th 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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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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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.
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/
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
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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
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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
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
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.
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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
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
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
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/
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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.
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/
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Drug and Alcohol Awareness
Alcohol and drug use can seem glamorous and fun but sometimes substance use creates occupational health and safety risks. Alcohol and other drug use is a major contributing factor in workplace accidents. You need to know about alcohol and other drug use and how it affects you and your safety at work. Drug and alcohol awareness training programs are structured towards protecting both employees and employers by offering strategies to ensure their responsible use of drugs and alcohol. You’ll also learn about how drug and alcohol use affects your health and why we need education on this subject.
Drug and alcohol training programs contain information about the physiological effects of substances hence helping workers to be able to assess intoxication levels in themselves and others. Trainees are able to recognise behaviors that indicate fitness for duty. A trained supervisor for instance is better placed to know how to handle an intoxicated employee professionally, hence easily diffuse potentially dangerous situations before they arise.
Drug and alcohol training programs have become very important to Australian workplaces in fulfilling their legal requirements for occupational health and safety (OHS) policies and procedures. Since employers can be held responsible for OHS breaches, they need to protect themselves. By being aware of their liability, they can be protected both professionally and personally. Even if you know you’re capable of handling intoxicated employers, drug and alcohol awareness training programs can ensure you are properly compliant with the laws in your state.
Fitness for duty training isn’t just for employers. In various industries, employees involved in high risk work
activities such as rigging work, crane and hoist operation or forklift operation, will also need to be trained. You
must always be able to safely carry out your duties in a fit state and not cause increased risk to yourself or
others.
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.
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.