07:40 pm, Thursday 16 May, 2013

A report into the death of a paramedic in 2011 when he fell to the base of a cliff after trying to rescue an injured canyoner from a rock ledge revealed issues with several safety measures in the NSW Ambulance Service.

The report released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau found that the paramedic and the injured man were accidentally pulled from the rock ledge as the helicopter was manoeuvred in preparation to lift them out using its winch.

The ATSB also identified safety issues related to training and the use of the helicopter’s lighting and radios. Several organisation issues that could adversely influence the way crews act in similar circumstance were also identified.

ATSB chief commissioner, Martin Dolan through an ABC report said the crew had assumed the paramedic had given a hand signal to show he was ready.

“On our analysis of the evidence that securing rope was not done, so there was clearly a miscommunication at that point,” said Mr Dolan.

“This is a tragic accident – and it is an accident – and we stress that the pulling off the ledge was an accidental consequence in a situation where there was low light conditions,” he said.

In response to the accident, the Ambulance Service of New South Wales as well as the helicopter operator took some safety actions on the operating scope applied to retrieval operations and procedures used by helicopters and emergency crews.

Paramedics have also been required to conduct annual night winching currency training. Safety actions were also taken in the areas of general crew training and operational risk assessment.

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07:02 pm, Wednesday 1 May, 2013

WorkSafe WA is investigating the work-related fatality which happened at a site in Bunbury today.

A worker died while working on the road at the site when he was struck by a grader.

WorkSafe inspectors immediately went into the site on the corner of Robertson Drive and Somerville drive. They will be investigating the incident.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch said any work-related death was a tragedy and, expressed his condolences to the victim’s family.

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12:50 pm, Friday 19 April, 2013

Photo: SafetyCulture Library

WorkCover NSW has released a new safety alert on working with or around mobile plant to remind officers and workers of persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) of the risks associated with mobile plant in the workplace.

WorkCover said mobile plant, such as forklifts, elevating work platforms, delivery vehicles, order pickers, earth moving equipment, prime movers and cranes, have the potential to seriously injure or even kill people if they run into them.

Ten fatalities and more than 2000 injuries have been recorded in incidents involving mobile plant on construction sites.

PCBUs are required under work health and safety legislations to ensure that health and safety risks for workers and the public are reduced or eliminated so far as is reasonable practicable. PCBUs should consult with workers when they identify hazards and make decisions about how they can eliminate or minimise the risks.

Workers should also receive adequate information, training, instruction or supervision to protect people from plant-related risks.

More information about working safely with or around mobile plant is found on the WorkCover NSW website.

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07:26 pm, Friday 29 March, 2013

As at 25 March 2013, 34 Australian workers have died at work.

This is according to Safe Work Australia which records work fatality and injury, updates statistics and prepares several reports. The data is an initial estimate for the number of people killed and is based on initial media reports.

Worker deaths by industry of workplace as of 25 March 2013:

Work-related status of this report cannot be confirmed until the death is investigated by authority. Once confirmed, it is reported in the Monthly Fatalities Reports.

Safe Work Australia’s Notifiable report provides a national summary of work-related fatalities notifiable to Australian work health and safety jurisdictions. Aside from providing an estimate of the number of work-related fatalities, the report also shows details of the types of incidents involved. It also includes details of the industry of the workplace, at which the fatalities occurred, as well as the industry of the decedent’s employer.

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01:35 am, Wednesday 20 March, 2013

Photo: SafetyCulture Library

A global resources company was fined $130,000 over the death of one of its workers in Port Hedland in 2008.

According to ABC, the worker was crushed to death while carrying out maintenance work on a scissor lift.

The company was prosecuted and was found guilty early this year for failing to maintain a workplace in which its workers were not exposed to hazards.

The Magistrates found the company had failed to render sufficient instruction and supervision, and did not implement proper job hazard assessment.

They were ordered to pay court costs of $300,000.

The company said they are still committed to improving their safety performance and to ensure that their workers will return home safely every day.

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10:26 pm, Tuesday 12 March, 2013

Photo: Safe Work Australia

As at 6 March 2013, 28 Australian workers have been killed while at work. This is according to the latest data gathered by Safe Work Australia.

Safe Work Australia records cases of work fatality and injury, updates statistics and prepares several reports. The data is an initial estimate for the number of people killed and is based on initial media reports.

Workers deaths by industry of workplace as of March 2013:

Work-related status of this report cannot be confirmed until the death is investigated by authority. Once confirmed, it is reported in Safe Work Australia’s Monthly Fatality Reports.

Safe Work Australia’s Notifiable report provides a national summary of work-related fatalities notifiable to Australian work health and safety jurisdictions. Aside from providing an estimate of the number of work-related fatalities, the report also shows details of the types of incidents involved. It also includes details of the industry of the workplace, at which the fatalities occurred, as well as the industry of the decedent’s employer.

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10:23 am, Monday 18 February, 2013

Photo: SafetyCulture Library

A crane driver died after falling from 10 storeys at a construction site in Melbourne’s CBD Monday morning.

According to initial reports, the man fell at the construction site on the corner of Lonsdale and Elizabeth streets just before 7:40am.

All workers have stopped work today to give way to investigations.

A union spokeswoman said a meeting will be held on site at 1pm today.

Police and emergency services are at the scene. WorkSafe investigators are also onsite and are making further inquiries.

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03:03 pm, Wednesday 16 January, 2013

Following the suspected heat-related death of a worker at a site on the outskirts of Roma on Monday, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland encouraged employers to ensure their workers are protected from heat stress.

Employers are urged to provide protection for their workers from the heat and sun. Workers are advised to follow their employer’s instructions regarding heat stress and sun safety.

According to the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, a road worker was brought to Toowoomba Base hospital for heat-related treatment. A housing construction site worker was also treated by ambulance workers for heat stress.

Just late last year, a worker in his twenties died while his colleagues were hospitalised with severe dehydration after walking 6 km in 45 degree heat when they could not free their bogged vehicle in the Simpson desert.

Queensland’s safety watchdog warns that extreme heat conditions can lead to heat-related health problems such as cramps, exhaustion, heat stroke, and fainting. Employers should consider all factors including heat, humidity, water intake, breezes, protective gear, the physical condition of workers and their hours of work.

For more information, workers and employers are advised to visit WHSQ’s website or call the WHS Infoline on 1300 369 915.

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08:39 pm, Monday 14 January, 2013

SafeWork SA is conducting an investigation over two burn accidents which happened on the same day this month at the Port Pirie.

ABC News reported that South Australia’s work safety watchdog is investigating whether the smelting company breached workplace safety laws after two of its workers suffered serious burns on January 3.

A 53-year-old worker suffered burns to his face and neck while cleaning a hot flue. Shortly afterwards, a 43-year-old worker suffered burns to his feet, thighs and hands while cleaning waste products in the same area. The victims were brought to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

The smelter refused to comment over the incidents. SafeWork SA will not reveal more details regarding the incident as investigations are still ongoing.

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07:47 pm, Monday 14 January, 2013

Photo: SafetyCulture Library

A man who died after falling ill at a site on the outskirts of Roma in Queensland is suspected to have suffered from heat stroke.

According to ABC News, paramedics were called to treat the 38-year-old worker at the site in Mooga. He suffered from a heart attack on the way to the hospital and was dead on arrival.

Ongoing investigations are being conducted to confirm the cause of the man’s death.

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