Workplace safety in Regional Victoria
Source WorkSafe VIC: Quoted
10/05/2011
WorkSafe Victoria launched a major awareness campaign in April, targeting Regional Victoria. Since the start of the campaign, less than a month ago, there have been four deaths in regional areas. WorkSafe has renewed calls to regional Victorians and workers to pay more attention to workplace safety.
The latest fatality involved an 18 year-old woman who was crushed by a four-wheeled farm utility vehicle. The incident occurred over the weekend, where the woman was crushed by the overturning vehicle.
The campaign launched in April is aimed at showing how there is a direct connection between safe work and the individuals and the people around them. To illustrate this connection, WorkSafe launched a video demonstrating how not having a safe workplace might affect a country football club.
WorkSafe Victoria is currently investigating the latest work related death.
Work related deaths reported to WorkSafe VIC since the awareness campaign launch.
12 April: A farm worker received crushing injuries when a cow pushed him against a wall on a farm near Inverloch
20 April: At Apsley near the South Australian border an excavator operator died when a tree he was working near fell on to the cabin of his machine.
22 April: A 94-year-old farmer died in a quad bike crash on his property at Hedley in South Gippsland
8 May: An 18 year old farm worker died on an almond plantation near Nangiloc when a four wheeled farm utility vehicle tipped on to its side as the rider was taking a turn.
Model Work Health and Safety Regulations – What does it mean?
Posted by jendeanos in News, OHS Advice on March 24th, 2011
If you are worried or have been scared by all the fear campaigns regarding the Model Work Health and Safety Regulations and Model Work Health and Safety Act then this webinar by Michelle Stromquist and Andrew Theakstone from Workcover NSW is a must watch.
As we indicated in July last year “If you have an Occupational Health and Safety System that is implemented across your organisation, you are at an advantage to meet the new regulations head on. While some minor changes may be required, the structure of a good OHS framework will stand you in good stead to move into the new regulatory framework”.
So don’t be sold dodgey services by those that are peddling the messages that your business is doomed. The reality is that the changes will probably go unnoticed by most of you. Sure there are some important considerations that we need to understand, but as Michelle states in the video, if you are active in management of your OHS risks already, then you will be ableto continue these practices regardless of the changed legistlation.
Pier Holes Need Protection
Source Workcover NSW: Quoted.
2/03/2011
A Penrith based construction company and its director have been fined a total of $275,000 and ordered to pay WorkCover’s legal costs after large foundation holes drilled by the company were improperly secured resulting in the death of a nearby resident in 2008.
The company was engaged to build three townhouses. The company was fined $250,000 and its director was fined $25,000.
The company and director pleaded guilty before his Honour Justice Staff of the NSW Industrial Court to a breach of section 10(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 after WorkCover began prosecution proceedings.
On 12 August 2008 a contractor for the company was drilling pier-holes into the ground around half a metre in diameter by around two metres deep.
After drilling about 17 pier-holes the workers hit a sewer pipe and rang the director to advise him of the situation. The director attended the site and arranged for a perimeter security fence to be installed. The fence did not arrive for two days.
The NSW Industrial Court heard that the only other safety precaution put in place before workers left the unsecured site at around 5pm that first night was a safety tape around the perimeter of the premises. The holes remained uncovered.
The WorkCover investigation determined that some time during the evening a local man, who was a resident of the street and lived within metres of the development, fell into a hole at the site and suffocated.
In handing down its finding the Court held that:
•The defendants failed to properly secure the site with perimeter fencing;
•The defendants failed to carry out an adequate risk assessment to determine the level of risk posed by leaving the premises unsecured and by leaving pier holes exposed;
•The defendants failed to prepare a site safety plan which accounted for the risk of unauthorised access and working with exposed pier holes; and
•The defendants failed to have a system in place to adequately supervise sub-contractors.
WorkCover NSW’s General Manager of Work Health and Safety Division John Watson said the judgement sends a strong message and reinforces the importance to maintain constant vigilance and take all practicable precautions to ensure workplace safety.
“There was an obvious risk to the safety of this person and other residents in this street and steps should have been taken to prevent the incident and resulting death,” Mr Watson said.
“Safety should be the highest priority for all employers, particularly for those working in the construction industry.”
Crane Safety Alert
Source Workplace Health and Safety Queensland:- Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is investigating two separate fatal crane incidents that occurred on Tuesday 25 January 2011 at a site in Warwick and Sunday 30 January 2011 at a site in Cloncurry.
The crane operator in Warwick died at the scene from crush injuries sustained after the crane rolled over while lifting and slewing a 3.3t concrete block. The operator was crushed in the crane’s cabin as it rolled.
In Cloncurry, a worker helping to guide a steel container was electrocuted and died at the scene when the boom of the crane carrying the container came into contact with overhead powerlines.
It can happen to you.
Anything That Causes Sparks or Flame
News today that a spark from an angle grinder has ignited bushfires in Perth destroying over 45 homes. Fortunately there has been no deaths as yet. In another incident a factory fire in Western Sydney has completely destroyed the business premises and has placed the future of the medium sized company in jeporardy.
If your employees are invloved in “Hot Work” such as welding, grinding, using oxy acetelyene or gas burners, you need to take actions to ensure the potential for cuasing major damage and harm from fire is controlled. this should involve, particiularly in high risk areas, some form of “Hot Work Permit”.
Hot Work permits are generally issued for any activity that generates flames or sparks. The permit process is used to verify there are sufficient controls in place to mage the risk of fire.
Need help?
Do You Use Mobile Elevated Work Platforms?
Source Workcover NSW 24/01/2011
WorkCover NSW is investigating an incident at Meadow Crescent, Meadowbank today after a male worker died.
Initial reports indicate that the worker was painting a block of residential units in a cherry picker when the cherry picker toppled over. The worker is reported to have fallen approximately 11 metres from the cherry picker’s basket and died at the scene from his injuries.
WorkCover has sent an inspector to the site and will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident as well as prepare report for the Coroner.
A Cult Classic
Posted by jendeanos in Workplace Safety on January 6th, 2011
A quirky classic from 1970.
Design Risk Assessment – Safety Secret
Posted by jendeanos in Workplace Safety on December 2nd, 2010
A study by the National Health and Safety Commission found that at least half of the incidents in mining, transport, agriculture, construction, trade and manufacturing industries definitely or could be said to probably be the result of design related issues.
Probably one of the areas in Workplace Health and Safety that is taken for granted the most is the area of safety in design. If done well safety in design can eliminate a large proportion of OHS incidents. Sure there are allot of external factors that may influence your efforts, such as plant and machinery manufacturers designing out risks. But this should not prevent you from playing your part. We tend to take great efforts to design out risk in major developments, but we can sometimes neglect the smaller projects.
In all states and territories across Australia OHS legislation discharges duties to designers. But more importantly good risk assessment in design early in the project can eliminate allot of headaches further down the line, for example in operation and maintenance of the plant. Safety in design is one tool you should have in your project management kit bag. Better OHS outcomes will be bound to follow.
Expression of Interest – OHS/HSE System Administrator
We have a client that is seeking an OHS/HSE System Administrator. Ideally the candidate will have a solid background in administration of OHS systems. There will be some OHS systems development required. The candidate requires excellent computer skills. This is a good oppourtunity for someone to get started in OHS and get exposure to major projects.
Cert IV or higher is required. You will be required to travel interstate for short duration site visits.
To express your interest in this position please use our contact page.
We welcome all applications, however we will only respond to candidates that meet the criteria.
Expression of Interest- OHS Officer 3 Month Contract Role – NSW
We are calling for expressions of interest from suitably qualified OHS Officers for a 3 month contract role in the NSW Southern Tablelands.
The candidate must have:
- OHS qualifications (Diploma or greater)
- Minimum 3 years experience in OHS roles
- Onsite OHS construction industry experience
- Proficiency in conducting risk assessments in construction environments
- Experience with crane operations
- Safe work at height training
- Proficiency in the Microsoft suite of products (word, excel, outlook)
To express your interest in this position please use our contact page.
We welcome all applications, however we will only respond to candidates that meet the criteria.
Workcover Advisory Visits
Posted by jendeanos in Workplace Safety on September 24th, 2010
If you are a small business and employ less than 20 employees, you may be elgible for a free Workcover safety advisor visit. Workcover safety advisors provide practical advice about your workplace health and safety. If you have a concern about the safety of your employees contact Workcover NSW on 13 10 50 and ask about a workplace visit.
This is a really great service for NSW Small Business.
If you need an OHS Consultant, Safety Audit, OHS Contractor or any assistance with your workplace health and safety call 1300 we do ohs (1300 933 664).
Online OHS Advice
Posted by jendeanos in OHS Advice on August 18th, 2010
What do you want to know about Occupational / Workplace Health and Safety. We are offering no obligation OHS advice over the phone or via the comments sections on this blog. So why not post a comment and get started on your journey to better OHS management.
If you need an OHS Consultant, Safety Audit, OHS Contractor or any assistance with your workplace health and safety call 1300 we do ohs (1300 933 664).
Harmonisation of OHS Law and Your Business
Posted by jendeanos in OHS Advice on July 29th, 2010
In 2008 COAG committed to reforming the OHS regulatory framework across Australia. The process is well underway, with the Model Work Health and Safety Act being released for public comment and the Work Health and Safety Regulations due for public comment towards the end of 2010.
Each State and Territory will be required to develop and adopt legislation that supports the National Work Health and Safety framework.
For businesses that operate across boraders this will mean a more eficient and effective OHS compliance strategy can be adopted. We have many years of experience dealing with clients who have struggled to maintain OHS systems to meet all the varied OHS regulatory compliance measures across boarders and anything that will assist this complex web of obligations to become simpler can only be a good thing.
So what does this mean for your business?
If you have an Occupational Health and Safety System that is implemented across your organisation, you are at an advantage to meet the new regulations head on. While some minor changes may be required the structure of a good OHS framework will stand you in good stead to move into the new regulatory framework,
If you currently don’t have any systematic OHS management across the business you will need to develop a specific system for your business. The best place to start in developing an OHS system is by identifying your OHS risks and safety measures for control of these risks. Find an OHS consultant to assist your business moving forward into a new era of national OHS laws.
For simple and practical advice contact us on 1300 we do ohs (1300 933 664) or reply to this post with any questions. We are here to help your business grow.
OHS Help
Posted by jendeanos in OHS Advice on July 16th, 2010
If you need any assistance with your OHS please don’t hesitate in contacting us via our OHS blog. We will answer any questions you may have regarding OHS.
- OHS Regulations
- Workplace Health and Safety
- Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation
- OHS Audit
- Safety Inspections
- Site Specific Safety Management Plans
- Construction Safety
- OHS Consultation
- Safety Training
For simple and practical advice contact us on 1300 we do ohs (1300 933 664) or reply to this post with any questions. We are here to help your business grow.
Workcover Safety Advice
Posted by jendeanos in OHS Advice on July 14th, 2010
If you are a small business with less than 20 employees in NSW you can access free safety advice and site visits from Workcover NSW. This service is designed to assist small businesses with gaining OHS information and practical assistance to meet your legal obligations.
Workcover NSW can assist developing a safety action plan to map out a pathway to improved compliance and risk management for your business.
For more information contact Workcover NSW or call us on 1300 we do ohs (1300 933 664). Or reply to this post with any questions.
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