05:52 pm, Wednesday 15 May, 2013

Photo: SafetyCulture Library

A roofing contractor was fined $2500.00 for conducting work on a roof without sufficient fall prevention system.

The contractor pleaded guilty to failing to provide adequate fall prevention where there was a risk that a person could fall two metres or more, and was fined in the Mandurah Magistrates Court last week.

In May 2011 the worker was seen by a WorkSafe inspector working near the edge of the roof of a single-storey tilt-up panel warehouse. He was not wearing any fall injury prevention system and had no edge protection. He was issued a Prohibition Notice.

He was previously issued with five Prohibition Notices between 2005 and 2008 in relation to working at heights without proper fall prevention system.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch was disappointed that there are still people who are not taking risks of falls seriously.

“It is evident that (the worker) just assumed that he was not going to fall from the roof and consequently did not bother to take any preventive measures,” said Mr McCulloch.

“Falls are a significant cause of workplace death, and 16 Western Australian workers have died as a result of falls in the last four years,” he said.

Mr McCulloch said accidents are preventable and encouraged workers to ensure that safe systems of work are in place.

“Falls are almost always readily preventable, and it need not be difficult or costly to ensure that safe systems of work are in place at all times.

“A Code of Practice on fall prevention has existed in WA for more than 20 years. The current code is comprehensive, providing information on the identification of common fall hazards.

“I urge any person or entity in control of a workplace that presents a risk of falls to ensure safe systems of work in place and that this code is available in the workplace at all times.”

Report by Haydee - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

04:07 pm, Tuesday 29 January, 2013

A major fast food retailer has told a hearing in an Adelaide court that a cleaner who slipped and fell outside one of its shops is responsible for her own injuries.

The 60 year old cleaner said that she feel after she slipped on some liquid spilled in an access passage at the back of the food outlet located in a shopping centre complex in October 2008.

She is suing both the fast food outlet and the management of the shopping centre claiming that she hurt her lower back, neck and buttocks and had headaches and psychological injuries that have affected her capacity to live a normal life and go back to full time employment.

She said that the liquid was present in the access area because of the negligence of the fast food store’s workers and that neither of the two defendants warned her of the hazard there.

The cleaner said that none of the staff working at the centre were properly trained in disposing of the liquid and that there wasn’t cleaning or regular inspections in the area.

The husband of the woman is now connected to the claim saying that he has, because of his wife’s injuries, endured a loss of companionship, services and assistance.

The defendants are refuting the claim and the fast food retailer has claimed that the spill was apparent and that the cleaner was not wearing the appropriate footwear at the time of the incident.

They claim that the fall happened due to the negligence of the cleaner as she did not “keep a proper lookout.”

The shopping centre also says that they do not have a duty of care to the cleaner as she, “was obliged to inspect and clean the area.”

The shopping centre claims that they have systems implemented to manage spills and that because she didn’t stop and clean up the liquid she contributed to the accident. They also claim that her injuries were short-term and that she is fully recovered.

There will be another hearing in March.

Report by Zoe Dunbar - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

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.

Report by Haydee - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know