01:01 pm, Monday 3 June, 2013

WorkCover NSW has issued a reminder for property owners, operators and employees to keep safety as their number one priority when they are conducting farming work. This follows an incident where a 38 year old grazier suffered serious injuries when his arm was crushed.

The arm of the man was caught by the lowering tipper of a truck that had just finished unloading 20 tonnes of fertiliser and the driver was busy with paperwork and according to WorkCover NSW not appropriately monitoring the area immediately around the truck.

John Watson, the General Manager of WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety Division, said that farm work can be dangerous if safety is not at the forefront of thinking and given priority.

He said that as numerous activities with agricultural work being undertaken in remote and isolated areas that are not close to any assistance safety is even more important.

Mr Watson said that the most frequent injuries in rural areas involve mobile plant and vehicles such as machinery, tractors and quad bikes.

He said that sheep and beef farming had been made a priority in the agriculture sector as part of WorkCover provide support for more dangerous industries, it had been identified as one of the highest risk industries in the state.

Mr Watson said that through the Sheep and Beef Cattle Farming Program WorkCover would be working with the industry to help create practical and sustainable methods of improving farm safety as well as strategies for making sure that workers could return to work quicker.

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06:18 pm, Thursday 2 May, 2013

Photo: SafetyCulture Library

WorkCover NSW is reminding businesses to prioritise managing hazardous noise in the workplace.

WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety Division General Manager, John Watson said businesses are required to manage the risk of hearing loss from workplace noise under NSW work health and safety laws.

“Hazardous noise can destroy the ability to hear clearly and make working safely more difficult,” said Mr Watson.

“From 2008/09 to 2010/11 there were 10753 claims for hearing loss throughout NSW at an estimated cost of more than $171 million to the NSW WorkCover Scheme.

“Hearing damage generally occurs gradually over a number of years and is often irreversible.

“Hearing can also be damaged immediately from exposure to impulse noise such as explosive powered nail guns, firearms and stamping presses.

“By managing the risks associated with noise, businesses can protect workers from hearing loss, improve conditions for communication and create a less stressful and more productive work environment.

“WorkCover inspectors can provide advice and assistance to businesses on the basics of managing noise and preventing hearing loss in the workplace as well as who is responsible and how to identify and manage noise hazards.”

Mr Watson said WorkCover recognises that safety improvements can be financially challenging.

“WorkCover recognises that finding money for safety improvements can be challenging,” he said.

“To support small businesses and sole traders, WorkCover offers rebates of up to $500 to help purchase and install safety improvements through its Small Business Rebate Program.”

Further information can be obtained on the WorkCover NSW website.

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11:26 am, Thursday 21 February, 2013

WorkCover NSW issued a reminder for all businesses to give importance on the proper first aid procedures to reduce workplace injuries.

General Manager of WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety Division, John Watson said many businesses are taking for granted the importance of having proper amenities and first aid.

“Every worker should go home safely at the end of the day and under NSW work health and safety laws, businesses must provide adequate amenities and first aid,” said Mr Watson.

“If a worker is injured, first aid can reduce the severity of the injury and, in extreme cases, a quick response can mean the difference between life and death.

Mr Watson said first aid requirements may vary depending on the nature of the work being carried out, as well as several factors including the number and composition of workers and hazards at the workplace.

“Every business must provide first aid equipment and ensure that each worker has access to equipment and facilities to administer first aid.

“They must also ensure there is an adequate number of workers trained to administer first aid that workers have access to them.”

Mr Watson said workers must have a clear understanding of first aid.

“Under work health and safety laws, workers must comply with any reasonable instruction and cooperate with any reasonable policy or procedure relating to health and safety at the workplace, including first aid and the reporting of injuries and illnesses.

“A business should also regularly review their first aid arrangements in consultation with workers to ensure they remain adequate and effective,” he said.

More information is available on the WorkCover NSW website.

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11:31 am, Tuesday 10 April, 2012

A safety warning on working from heights has been issued by WorkCover NSW following four serious incidents in recent months.

John Watson, General Manager of WorkCover NSW Work Health and Safety Division said that three workers had died and one worker was seriously injured in separate incidents across the state.

“Working from heights can be dangerous and, as these incidents show, a fall can result in serious injury or death,” said Mr Watson.

“These risks are highlighted by WorkCover data that indicates 2009/10 5,745 workers were injured in a fall from heights at a cost of more than $72 million.

“Under work health and safety laws, workplaces must have safety systems in place to prevent workers falling from heights.

“Businesses must provide workers with information, instruction, training and supervision in risk control procedures.

“Workers are required to follow the procedures set out by the business who must provide a safe workplace by identifying foreseeable hazards, assessing risks and taking action to eliminate or control those risks.”

There are specific measures that workplace safety laws require to minimise the risks of working at heights.

• Appropriate personal protective equipment should be used.
• The work area should be stable.
• Physical barriers should be in place over exposed edges.
• Safe access and walkways should be provided to all parts of your workplace.

More information on working from heights can be found on the WorkCover website.

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03:02 pm, Wednesday 4 April, 2012

A third serious incident involving an excavator in less than two months prompted WorkCover NSW to issue an urgent warning to businesses and workers.

John Watson, WorkCover’s General Manager of Workplace Health and Safety Division, said that the third incident was reported to WorkCover on Tuesday.

“Preliminary investigations have found that a 20-year-old man was hit by an excavator bucket in Dapto, causing suspected serious and permanent injury,” said Mr Watson.

“In the past two months two workers have suffered fatal injuries on demolition sites in Sydney after buckets fell off excavator booms.

“Incidents such as these are avoidable. Workers must pay constant attention when working with and around excavators.

“These tragic events have far-reaching consequences for friends, families, and communities.

“We want all workers to return home safely to their families at the end of every working day.

“These tragic incidents demonstrate why the demolition and construction sectors are a major focus of WorkCover’s 10/5/5 Program, which targets the top 10 highest risk industries, and the top five injuries and illnesses in those industries.”

Mr Watson enumerated the following actions that businesses and workers could take to improve safety when working on and around excavators:

• Excavator operators need to know how to operate the specific quick hitch on the excavator they use, whether it is automatically secured or by manually inserting a pin.
• Quick hitches should be maintained and in proper working order. Ensure people are not exposed to risks by establishing an exclusion zone when the excavator is in use.

The safety alert on working with excavators can be found on WorkCover’s website.

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03:16 pm, Friday 30 March, 2012

A free asbestos safety webinar will be conducted by WorkCover NSW next week to assist businesses and workers in understanding recent changes in work health and safety laws for working with asbestos.

The Asbestos Removal and Demolition Requirements webinar is part of WorkCover’s efforts to support NSW business, industry and workers adjust to the new laws and will cover all asbestos removal and demolition requirements.

John Watson, General Manager of WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety Division, said that the webinars have become very popular with more than a thousand people participating in other webinars held on the new laws this year.

“On 1 January 2012 new work health and safety laws commenced in NSW as part of harmonised national laws,” said Mr Watson.

“The webinar will provide an opportunity for employers and workers adjusting to the new laws to ask questions and seek clarification on how the new laws affect their workplace.

“All you need is an internet connection to receive interactive work health and safety advice in real-time.

“Places are limited and anyone likely to work with asbestos is encouraged to go online and register today.”

The webinar will discuss when asbestos work can occur, licensing requirements and changes, and the general requirements for WorkCover.  Other subjects include asbestos in soil – new changes, notifications, The Asbestos Register, The Asbestos Management Plan, equipment use, health monitoring, training, role of the supervisor, and what to do in an emergency situation.

The webinar will be held on Wednesday, 4 April from 11am – 12pm. Webinar participants must pre-register at WorkCover’s WHS webinars page.

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