04:15 pm, Saturday 30 June, 2012

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has issued an update on the commencement of new requirements under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (the Regulation).

Although the Regulation started on 1 January 2012, some of the requirements in it had a delayed commencement or transitional arrangements in place. Over the next eighteen months, these requirements will come into effect on specific dates.

Emergency plans (section 43 of the Regulation)

From 1 July 2012, a person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure an emergency plan is prepared and maintained for the workplace and implemented in the event of an emergency.

Under Part 4 (Evacuation planning, instruction and practice) of the current Queensland Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008, a duty holder is required to prepare and keep an emergency and evacuation plan. A duty holder is not required to have two separate plans – one plan incorporating the requirements of each of the two regulations will ensure compliance.

Notifying Workplace Health and Safety Queensland of demolition work (section 142 of the Regulation)

From 1 July 2012, the following demolition work must be notified in writing to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland at least five days before the work starts:

1. demolition of a structure, or a part of a structure that is load bearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure, that is at least six metres in height
2. demolition work involving load shifting machinery on a suspended floor
3. demolition work involving explosives.

For this requirement, the height of a structure is measured from the lowest level of the ground immediately adjacent to the base of the structure at the point at which the height is to be measured to its highest point.

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12:23 pm, Friday 29 June, 2012

WorkCover NSW together with the cattle saleyard industry is delivering on their commitment to improve safety in the industry as a program of visits to saleyards across the state is launched.

An Action Plan was developed after a Narrabri stock handler was killed in 2010 when he was hit by a cattle saleyard gate as it was struck by an animal.

WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety Division General Manager, John Watson, said the Action Plan will promote and support safety improvements in the NSW livestock saleyard industry.

“This industry is a vital part of the NSW economy with 2.1 million head of cattle sold at saleyards during 2009/2010,” said Mr Watson.

“This program aligns with one of our current focus industries, sheep and beef cattle – an industry where safety improvements can be made.

“The most common incidents involve workers being hit by cattle as well as manual handling injuries and slips, trips and falls from vehicles.

“As industry deals with work health and safety risks on a daily basis, it’s vital it remains a partner in the development of any improvements.”

A workshop was conducted in July 2011 to tackle safety issues in saleyards. This led to the establishment of the Action Plan which involves saleyards undertaking safety assessments and putting in place improvement plans.

“It’s now time to see what change is occurring and review safety in NSW saleyards,” said Mr Watson.

“The findings of the visits will be passed on to industry and used to further improve safety with the aim of ensuring saleyard workers can return home safely at the end of a hard day’s work.

“Any safety improvements that reduce the likelihood of injury will have appositive effect on industry competitiveness and the NSW economy.”

Executive Officer of the Australian Livestock Markets Association Incorporated, Anthony White, expressed their commitment to improving safety at their sites.

“The members of Australian Livestock Markets Association Incorporated are committed to constant improvement of safety at their sites. This will be achieved by working closely in collaboration with agents, carriers, vendors and regulatory authorities across Australia,” said Mr White.

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11:36 am, Friday 29 June, 2012

A worker from Kilmore was injured after falling 2.4m at a housing development at Doreen on Thursday.

WorkSafe is conducting an investigation over the incident which happened around 8.10am at a Midland Rd. Site.

Initial investigation found that the man was on top of a house frame marking the location of roof trusses.

He was in a serious condition and was brought to the Alfred Hospital.

The Director of Worksafe’s construction division, Allan Beacom, said working at height was a major source of serious workplace injuries and fatalities, especially in the construction sector.

“WorkSafe is running projects targeting basic hazards in the domestic construction sector, which will look at ensuring people are using the right equipment and that they have the right training to do the job safely.

“As we say in our current safety campaign, the overwhelming majority of incidents can be prevented at little or no cost.

“It takes only a little time and thought to put safe practices in place, but an ongoing effort is needed to ensure they’re consistently maintained,” said Mr Beacom.

“This is a tragedy for the man, his family and workmates and should send a message to the entire community – employers and workers alike – that high safety standards must be in place, and applied, at all times.”

More information on preventing workplace injuries and workers compensation matters can be accessed through the WorkSafe Victoria website.

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01:56 pm, Thursday 28 June, 2012

A petition against the O’Farrell government’s reforms to workers compensation scheme was launched by the NSW opposition.

Changes to WorkCover scheme was passed into law last week amidst strong opposition from trade unions and opposition. The changes include capping benefits as well as medical expenses and putting an end to claims over travels to and from work.

AAP reported that opposition Leader John Robertson promised to fight the government on the issue all the way to the 2015 election.

“Last week Barry O’Farrell passed draconian laws in the dead of the night that broke the safety net for virtually every injured worker in NSW,” said Mr Robertson.

“I issue an invitation to every injured worker.

“Sign Labor’s petition and join our campaign.”

The state government has reiterated the importance of the WorkCover overhaul to compensate the $4 billion deficit in the scheme.

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11:36 am, Thursday 28 June, 2012

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is encouraging farmers and other rural workers to focus on controlling the top six health and safety risks in the farming industry. These include quad bikes, tractors, other farm vehicles, unguarded machinery, hazardous manual tasks, and animal handling and mustering which has resulted to three deaths in rural Queensland workplaces over the last year.

This call is in line with the observation of the National Farm Safety Week from 16-21 July, which is held to raise awareness of farm safety issues across Australia, as part of Farmsafe Australia members’ effort to reduce injuries and fatalities on farms.

This year’s theme, ‘Safe Farms: Fix It For Everyone,’ will show how the newly implemented WHS laws emphasise the importance of basic safety for farmers, their workers, their families and contractors.

Rural property owners will also be encouraged to identify major hazards on their farms, consider solutions to address the hazards and then take action.

Farmers will also be given the opportunity to talk about safety issues with other family members, workers and contractors and to work together to address safety issues.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland calls on farm workers, whether family members, employees or contractors to realise potential hazards on the farm and know the steps to reduce the risks. New or inexperienced workers are particularly at risk, and are advised to get a full safety induction which highlights the workplace’s expectations for safety and limiting risks.

More information on National Farm Safety Week is available through www.farmsafe.org.au. A copy of the Farm Safety Brochure can be accessed through Workplace Health and Safety Queensland’s website.

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01:00 pm, Wednesday 27 June, 2012

WorkCover is on site at Barangaroo today and will make a final arbitration on the asbestos find later in the day.

Officials from the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) found asbestos at the site on Monday.

A stop-work meeting held by workers on Tuesday resolved to stop excavation until an independent hygienist declared the area to be safe.

The 40 construction workers who have been digging foundations on the southern end of the site will instead work on the northern end.

NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell said the site was expected to have problems.

‘What’s happening at Barangaroo is remediation work,’ he said.

‘We know that for decades this was an industrial site that wasn’t cared for in the way that industrial sites are cared for today.

‘So yes, there are some bad things there.’

Mr O’Farrell said workers at the site were being taken care of.

‘I’m convinced though that all of the actions by contractors and the companies to date are in accordance with WorkCover practices and procedures,’ he said.

‘WorkCover is on site today, they’ll make the final arbitration on that.’

Earlier, CFMEU assistant state secretary Rob Kera said developer Lend Lease had previously declared the site to be safe.

‘I believe they handled the situation disgracefully … from a company that says they follow world’s best practice,’ he told AAP on Tuesday.

It’s the second time work has been halted at the high-rise development because of fears about asbestos.

About 150 workers were removed in April after the CFMEU said testing revealed the area was contaminated by toxic chemicals, including asbestos and high levels of lead.

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12:39 pm, Wednesday 27 June, 2012

Australian workers are facing increased safety and health risks as summer becomes hotter, an expert warned.

According to a report by the Herald Sun, academics at the National Climate Change Adaptation Conference, which opened on Tuesday, said a review on workplace laws should be done as summers become hotter.

Dr Elizabeth Hanna from the Australian National University’s centre for epidemiology and population health, said increasing summer temperatures were causing more heat-related health problems and fatalities, with many happening at work.

“Australia really needs to start developing some adaptation options because what’s going to happen is we’re going to face that horrible question, ‘Do we down tools over summer or work until we’re dead?’” said Dr Hanna.

She also said that days when temperatures reached more than 35C would triple over the next decade.

“The problem is if you sweat up to maximum you become dehydrated, and dehydration has the double whammy – it impairs your mental ability and so people can have poor judgment, particularly if they’re using equipment and machinery and can increase accidents.

The Herald Sun further reports that there are 1000 heat-related fatalities every year, and this figure is expected to increase.

Dr Hanna is leading an ANU study to learn about industries and activities that are most susceptible to heat-related diseases.

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11:56 am, Wednesday 27 June, 2012

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued an electrical safety recall for a selection of HPM white extension leads. The extension leads were sold nationally between 1 March and 14 June 2012 in Mitre-10, Officeworks, Dick Smith Electronics and Big W.

According to NT WorkSafe Executive Director Laurene Hull, the wires in the leads were accidentally transposed during manufacture, which means the pins on the plug may not be wired to the proper aperture on the socket. This may lead to a risk of an electric shock.

Those who have purchased the extension leads are advised to immediately unplug the item and stop using them.

Consumers are also advised to contact the HPM Legrand Australia call centre on 1300 369 777 (selecting option 1) from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. They are also requested to have the potentially affected product with them when making the call.

More information can be found in the Product Recall Safety Notice.

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11:27 am, Wednesday 27 June, 2012

The Department of Mines and Petroleum is conducting an investigation over asbestos contamination at Pilbara mine sites.

A mining company confirmed that brown asbestos was found last month at its West Angelas mine site.

ABC News reported today that the fibres were identified in material which was brought in from a quarry in Newman as landfill.

A spokesperson from the mining company said asbestos exposure level was below occupational exposure limit. Employees were immediately informed of the contamination. The quarry has voluntarily halted its operations.

According to CFMEU, tests for asbestos contamination were also conducted at the Jimblebar mine site near Meekatharra. The mining union’s safety officer, Steve McCann said he spent three days investigating the site after receiving information of asbestos contamination from concerned workers.

He said he was concerned that workers at the Jimblebar mine site may be exposed as investigations continue.

“The mine itself has been made aware; their position on the subject until they receive confirmation from further testing, they were going to continue to use this,” said Mr McCann.

“Even the risk of contamination or exposure to the workers on that site, they should at least stop production until such time as they have confirmation that the material they’re using is safe.”

A meeting was called by The Department of Mines and Petroleum together with the union, the quarry, WorkSafe WA, and concerned mining companies to talk on the potential health consequences of the contamination.

An initial report on the contamination at West Angelas will be submitted on Thursday.

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08:42 pm, Tuesday 26 June, 2012

WorkCover is investigating the sudden collapse of a ceiling in a Sydney primary school library last Thursday.

The incident has sparked an urgent investigation into the safety of similar buildings erected under the federal government’s Building the Education Revolution.

Dozens of children were evacuated from St Christopher’s Catholic primary school in Panania after the ceiling crashed to the floor.

The metal and gyprock roof caved in not long after children had left the room.

“She [the librarian] saw a crack and went to the adjoining room and ushered the children out,” said a Catholic Education spokesman, Mark Rix. “She was very alert and astute.”

“We expect to send our children to school and they will be safe,” said one father, who did not want to be named. “They could have been killed. It is unacceptable.”

The library had only recently opened after a $2 million refurbishment under the BER scheme.

WorkCover has launched an investigation and the federal Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations has alerted other schools that have had buildings erected by the same contactor.

The original contractor responsible for the refurbishment went into liquidation last year.

Since the roof’s collapse, structural engineers had given the all-clear for students to return to adjoining classrooms, said Mr Rix. The library would remain closed while WorkCover investigated.

Mr Rix said two other Catholic schools which had buildings erected by the same company under the BER program have had them checked by structural engineers and they had been declared safe.

A spokesman for the department said it had warned other education authorities about the collapse and would inform them of WorkCover’s findings. He said a taskforce that examined the scheme rated the quality of Catholic sector BER buildings as among the highest in the country.

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