For the latest update on OHS News and information from across Australia.

OHS News - January 2009

NT: Investigations Are Still Underway After Acid Spill

Soil tests will be done today at the site of last week's acid spill in Darwin's rural area.

About 8:00pm on New Year's Day, a tanker carrying sulphuric acid to the Ranger uranium mine overturned, spilling about 6,000 litres of the chemical.

The accident happened on the Arnhem Highway, about 100 kilometres from Kakadu National Park.

The acid was neutralised on site and isn't thought to have affected surrounding wetlands.

The spill was contained to an area of about 50 metres long by three metres wide.

A spokeswoman for the Environment Department says officers will go to the accident site to test pH levels in the soil to ensure there's been no contamination.

The transport company Chemtrans and Worksafe NT are continuing their investigations into the crash.

NSW: Workcover To Inspect Hospital Faults

Tuesday January 6 2009 07:14 a.m. Source: ABC News

The New South Wales Greater Southern Area Health Service (GSAHS) says it is working to permanently fix problems at the Batlow-Adelong Multi Purpose Centre as soon as possible.

The Nurses' Union says the building has loose wires, a hole in the ceiling and dangerous water leaks.

Nurses at the hospital are only admitting emergency cases and other patients are being transferred to Tumut and Wagga.

The Union expects Workcover will inspect the centre this week.

The MPS committee's Chairwoman Jan Knott visited the building on Friday and says some areas have been roped off.

"Where there's been damage in the ceiling they've taken the panels out so of course you can see the wiring and everything else there," she said.

"But the actual hallway where it is, they've got these areas cordoned off so that people can't walk through there if any water drips down."

Ms Knott says she supports the nurses' concerns.

"It is not only staffing issues, it's also the patients that are in there, it's their safety and you know it is an aged care section there which is their home," she said.

The Health Service says residents and nursing staff are safe and no occupied aged care resident rooms are affected by the defects.

The Service's Acting Asset Manager Mal Allen responded to the concerns late last week.

He says he appreciates it is a stressful time for staff.

"We've got a number of defects but obviously these are high on the priority now because of what happened recently and we're hoping to meet up with Joss Constructions early next week to try to resolve these issues quickly along with their contractors," he said.

"But effectively the hospital is safe as such in regards to these water issues.

Mr Allen says the leaks were caused by a problem with the air-conditioning and have now been repaired.

"One electrical light was removed and they've made that safe with no hanging wires there that could cause any danger," he said.

"Some of the roof panels were removed, being suspended ceilings, because they'd actually got water damage and they would have been unsafe to put back in place.

"It's an ongoing thing. We anticipate now to try to get these rectified quickly.

"It has been an issue the last couple of weeks with Christmas and New year and contractors obviously taking leave."

VIC: Workers to Be Alert After Going Back To Work

Monday January 5 2009 07:06 a.m. Source: The Age

Workers and employers have been urged to be alert when they return to work after the Christmas break tomorrow because January is among the deadliest months in the Victorian workplace.

The acting executive director of the state's work safety regulator WorkSafe, Eric Windholz, said workers were still in holiday mode when they returned to work and were often careless. "People come back, they've taken their mind off the job, they've had a well-earned holiday and sometimes it takes them a little while to do the basics of making sure they're working safe," Mr Windholz said.

"Recommissioning their equipment, starting plant, starting at construction sites again, people may not have their minds on the job and they get hurt."

WorkSafe said there were 21 traumatic work-related deaths in 2008 and 22 in 2007. January was one of the deadlier months with three deaths last year and five in 2007.

The 10-year average is 28.4 deaths a year. There were 39 fatalities in 1999, the highest in that period, and 18 in 2005 — the lowest ever.

NT: Truck Rollover Sparks Environmental Concerns

Friday January 2 2009 12:47 p.m. Source: ABC

Police say up to 17,000 litres of sulphuric acid was spilled last night when a truck rolled over on the Arnhem Highway, near the turn off for Fogg Dam.

The acid is both hazardous to touch or breathe in because of its caustic nature.

The acid leaked from the rear trailer into a culvert on the side of the road, and hazmat crews have spread neutralizing agent to contain the spilled acid.

The road train was heading for the Ranger uranium mine, which sits in the middle of Kakadu National Park.

The Friends of Fogg Dam's president Heather Boulden says the spill should prompt a review of the transport of dangerous liquids through wetland wilderness areas.

"There's only two roads into Kakadu, but the whole area is really important, so it's one of the hazards of having a mine in a world heritage national park."

While Fogg Dam is not part of Kakadu, she's particularly worried about the effects of the chemical on birdlife if the acid seeps into the water supply.

"It would be very difficult to clean up, I'm sure, and in a wetland I would imagine there is huge potential for it to spread over a vast area."

Worksafe, which is investigating if the acid was being transported safely, says the spill is one of the largest in recent history.

Police watch commander Gavin Kennedy says the wider impacts of the spill aren't yet known.

"Environmental protection persons are going to attend today to assess the damage."

Police will investigate the accident, but so far they've ruled out alcohol as a factor in the crash.

NSW: Nurses Concerned Over Building Safety

Friday January 2 2009 11:08 a.m. Source: ABC

Nurses at a new hospital in the New South Wales town of Batlow are refusing to admit more patients until defects in the building are fixed.

The NSW Nurses Association says the Batlow Multi Purpose Service which opened in August still has loose wires, missing wall panels, a hole in an office roof, and dangerous water leaks.

The union says it is seeking an urgent Workcover inspection next week.

In the meantime patients needing admission will be transferred to hospitals in Tumut or Wagga Wagga.

The Greater Southern Area Health Service says contractors are fixing the problems.

Susan Pearce from the Nurses Association says members have not taken the action suddenly or lightly.

"I have been told that the condensation building up in the ceiling from the air conditioning unit was so bad that you know they had a bucket in there."

"When it rains there are a lot of leaks, there are loose wires hanging out of the ceiling in some parts of the hospital."

NSW: Fears Of Crane Collapse Leads To Evacuation

Monday December 29 2008 2:08 p.m.

A Sydney construction site has caused concern after a crane was found to be "leaning precariously" on the site at 11:15 a.m. today.

Five heritage listed apartment buildings were evacuated as residents were concerned the crane may destroy their apartments.

WorkCover conducted a site inspection and deemed the site to be safe and that Safety Procedures for the crane were being implemented.

It has been reported that the crane had been leaning for over a month and WorkCover had only been called today.

A police Spokesperson has told reporters that "the crane's tilt is normal" and the Potts Point construction site could continue to operate as normal.

Residents were advised that it was safe for them to return to their buildings and no further action was pending.

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

QLD: Tractor Slasher Accident - Second Farm Fatality In A Week

Sunday December 28 2008 5:34 p.m.

QUEENSLAND Premier Anna Bligh says her Government will heed any lessons learned from investigations into the death of a young boy on a farm west of Brisbane.

A four year old boy has died after falling from a tractor that was being used to slash grass on a property in Gatton.

The farm is non commerical, so it is not considered to be a workplace accident, however it highlights the need for appropiate Safety Procedures for Tractor Slashing to be used.

The accident occurred on the family farm at about 5.30pm (AEST) and the boy died at the scene.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said,

"It's a terrible, tragic loss, and if we can learn anything from this young child's death then certainly we'll be doing that," Ms Bligh said.

The Department of Employment and Industrial Relations website advises that: "Generally, passengers SHOULD NOT (sic) be allowed to ride on tractors."

The department advises that passengers should be carried only for instruction and training, or in situations of extreme emergency.

This is the second fatality to occur on a Queensland farm in less than a week. Last Monday, Cattle Farmer Matthew Kersh, 42 was killed when attempting to remove his childrens kite from powerlines on a neighbouring property.

It is believed the whilst Mr Kersh wasn't working around the electricity at the time, he did use a pole to reach the kite, and the electricy jumped approximatley one metre to make contact with the pole.

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

SA: No Safety Harness Skylight Fall Results In Fine

Friday December 26 2008 9:39 a.m. Source: ABC News

The Industrial Relations Court has fined two companies over a worker's fall through a skylight.

The apprentice electrician, 25, fractured his spine in several places when he fell 4.5 metres while installing airconditioning at an engineering shop at Olympic Dam, in South Australia's far north.

The accident happened just days before his wedding.

An investigation found the worker was not wearing a safety harness and failed to use crawl boards to cover skylights.

The Employer was fined $27,000 for breaching the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act.

The workshop owner was fined $24,000 for failing to ensure the building was in a safe condition.

The man recovered from his injuries and returned to work within three months.

QLD: Farmer Electricuted Retrieving Kite

Tuesday December 23 2008 9:46 a.m.

A North Queensland father of four has been eletricuted on a cattle station 64km West of Richmond.

Matthew Kersh a 42 year old cattle farmer was attending a christmas party at 7:30 p.m. yesterday evening at a neighbouring property when he attempted to retrieve a kite that was entangled on a power line.

Early investigations have revealed that a metal pole was used to try and free the kite when the electricty jumped from the line onto pole, fatally injuring Mr Kersh.

The Kersh family had been involved in the region's cattle farming for over thirty years and family members have said, "Matt was a dedicated father and a gun musterer".

Workplace Health and Safety are investigating and farming communities are encouraged to implement Safe Work Method Statements for working around electricity.

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

NT: Construction Worker Falls Six Metres On Worksite

Monday December 22 2008 3:27 p.m.

A worker has been injured after falling six metres on a commercial construction site in Darwin.

The 24-year old rigger, was working in wet conditions he slipped on scaffolding and fell. It was not clear what Scaffolding Safety Procedures were in place, however a difficuilt rescue began in order to retrieve the worker from the fourth floor of the partially built building.

The construction worker had only been on the job site for two days, when he fell several stories whilst not wearing a safety harness. Rescue workers had to scale a make shift set of stairs to reach the worker.

The high rise developement was brought to a standstill while Fire and Ambulance crews strapped the injured worker to a spinal board and used an onsite crane to lower the worker to the ground.

WorkSafe have launched investigations into the incident. Seasonal monsoon rains have made working outdoors more dangerous than usual and any Principle Site Contractors are urged to conduct risk assessments reguarlarly to meet the changing conditions.

Site Safety Plans should incorporate Work Method Statements for all site tasks, including working on Scaffolding.

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

QLD: Mining Safety Audits

Monday December 22 2008 7:00 a.m.

Queensland mining companies will be audited for compliance with health and safety standards.

State Mines Minister Geoff Wilson says a report prepared by his department reveals too many workers are being injured in quarries and safety around heavy machinery is also being comprimised.

Mr Wilson said there had been one death over the last 12 months and the number of disabling injuries in quarries had doubled.

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche says mining safety has improved dramatically but mining safety procedures are constantly being reviewed.

"We accept the Minister's challenge to do better, particularly in the area of mobile equipment and that's why the industry has set up a working party to come up with some solutions for the accidents that keep happening involving mobile equipment," he said.

Report by OHS News Reporter - Julia Alder - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

VIC: Hiab Crane Compensation Likely

Monday December 22 2008 7:00 a.m.

A man whose arm was crushed in a hiab crane accident in 2000, last week won a three-year legal battle for compensation.

The man will now seek more than $150,000 for pain and suffering following the workplace accident.

The Victorian Supreme Court of Appeal overturned two previous court decisions that ruled the 44-year-old's injuries were not "serious".

The man was working as a truck driver for a timber company when he was unfolding a crane fitted to the back of his truck. The accident happened when the crane's arm became detached, falling straight down on his arm.

The Court of Appeal found the man's right arm was permanently injured - he could not fully flex his forearm at the elbow, he had suffered significant loss of the power grip and there was a high chance he would develop arthritis.

Until last week, other WorkCover claims similar to the injured driver's were being dismissed based on a County Court decision handed to him three years ago because it was used as a precedent.

Justice Nettle of the Court of Appeal suggested WorkCover disputed the worker's claim because he did not dwell on his injuries. He said the plaintiff got on with his life, while enduring on-going pain, and managed to start his own bobcat business.

"It would be unfortunate, and in my view wrongheaded, if in future such an applicant were treated less favourably than another who, being of less strength of character, simply resigned himself to his injury," Justice Nettle said.

Report by OHS News Reporter - Julia Alder - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

NT: Another Workplace Fall

Friday December 19 2008 06:58am Source: Northern Territory News

A man is lucky to be alive after he fell several storeys from a high-rise construction site in Darwin city yesterday.

The 24-year-old rigger severely broke his left leg in the fall.

He was working on the office development on Woods Street behind the Mantra Pandanas when it is believed he slipped on wet scaffolding about noon. He was not wearing a harness and plummeted a number of storeys before landing on a platform on the fourth-floor of the building.

Fellow workers rushed to his side fearing the worst.

"He was pretty messed up," a worker said.

"His leg had broke pretty badly - it was sticking out the opposite way."

The accident sparked a full-scale rescue operation with St John Ambulance and Fire and Rescue crews having to climb up a set of makeshift stairs to get to the injured scaffolder.

Fearing he had spinal injuries, they strapped him to a stretcher and had to use an on-site crane to slowly lower him down to the ground.

He was then taken by ambulance to Royal Darwin Hospital where he remained in a stable condition last night.

Concerned workers and friends of the man gathered round the injured worker as ambluance officers stablilised him before placing him in the ambulance.

NT WorkSafe officers scoured the site after the incident and ordered Gwelo Developments management to put a range of safety measures in place. The inspectors also asked that a full evaluation of fall protection be conducted and that all workers on site get debriefed.

They did not close down the site, saying "there is no immediate risk posed to workers or the public".

Work continued on the site as normal until late yesterday afternoon.

NT WorkSafe officers said they will continue to investigate what caused the accident.

OHS News Tip: Scaffolding Safe Work Method Statement

VIC: Fruitpicker Dead After Vehicle Accident

Friday 19th 2008 06:49am Source: The Age

A fruitpicker has died after being run over by a reversing truck, in one of several workplace accidents on Thursday.

The 65-year-old woman was hit by the truck at a vegetable-growing property in Werribee South, west of Melbourne, about 1.45pm (AEDT).

An ambulance spokeswoman said paramedics attempted to revive the woman but she died at the scene.

WorkSafe Victoria said the accident was just one of several workplace incidents in one day.

Earlier Thursday, a man had four fingers and the top joint of a fifth amputated as he was unloading steel from a truck on a construction site.

And two men were seriously injured when the cherry picker they were working in tipped them out and they fell about six metres.

WorkSafe's executive director John Merritt said in the lead-up to Christmas, it was time to remind people to keep their minds on the job.

"One death is too many but today the chance of multiple fatalities was high," Mr Merritt said.

"As it is, one man has been badly hurt and two others are lucky to be alive."

OHS News Tip: Vehicle Accident Work Method Statement

QLD: Truck Driver Jailed For A Year

Thursday 18th 2008 07:17am Source: Gold Coast News

A truck driver who was on the phone to his mother when he caused a crash that killed one person and injured nine has been jailed for a year.

Although he had shed tears earlier, Michael Robert Hogan, 37, of Kyogle, showed little emotion yesterday when told he would be sent to prison.

Hogan, who pleaded guilty, appeared in the District Court at Beenleigh for sentencing on a charge of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and grievous bodily harm.

The charges followed an incident involving the prime mover he was driving, and six other vehicles, on the M1 at Yatala in July, 2006.

Outside court yesterday, crash victim Patrick McCue, who was severely injured in the incident, said he felt the sentence was too lenient.

Attorney-General Kerry Shine, after being told of the one-year sentence by The Bulletin, said he would request a copy of the judge's sentencing remarks.

A spokesman for Mr Shine said the Attorney-General would peruse the material to see whether there were grounds for an appeal. Mr Shine has 28 days to appeal.

The court was told Hogan was transporting a load of household rubbish north on the M1 when his truck careered into southbound lanes, across a vegetated centre median strip, colliding with oncoming traffic.

During the crash, which a witness had previously described as like 'a bomb going off', Erin Schuster, 24, was killed and Mr McCue, an Energex worker, seriously injured.

Eight others were also injured but the court heard emergency workers and the families of those involved in the incident had also been gravely affected.

Witnesses said Hogan appeared to make no attempt to straighten the truck or brake as he crossed on to the wrong side of the motorway.

The crash also caused the closure of southbound lanes of the motorway for up to five hours.

Yesterday morning, Hogan arrived at court flanked by family and supporters, more than an hour before his hearing was due to begin.

He wore a dark suit and dark tie, as he silently made his way into the court house. A sombre mood prevailed in the courtroom as accident victims, their families and Hogan's supporters sat stony-faced in the public gallery as the hearing began.

In arguing for a jail term of three to four years, Crown Prosecutor Megan Heywood said there was strong evidence to suggest Hogan, who had been a professional truck driver for most of his adult life, had been speaking on a mobile phone to his mother at the time of the crash.

"As the driver of a heavy vehicle he assumed the risk of talking on a mobile phone," she said.

"The defendant must have known that it was dangerous."

In asking for leniency, barrister Charlie Bagley said Hogan had suffered psychological distress to the point he had attempted suicide twice in the aftermath of the incident.

The court also heard Hogan, who sustained head injuries in the crash, could remember nothing about the crash, including whether he had been speaking on a mobile phone.

During the hearing, Mr Bagley offered an apology to the victims and their families on Hogan's behalf.

Judge Ian Dearden repeatedly described the consequences of the 'classically and clearly preventable' crash as 'catastrophic'.

After reading several victims' impact statements, Judge Dearden acknowledged Hogan's remorse, good driving record and lack of criminal history before imposing the three-and-a-half year sentence, with only 12-months to be served in actual custody.

He also said Hogan and his family had suffered along with the victims and their families.

Hogan was also disqualified from driving for four years.

Mr McCue, speaking outside court, said he thought the sentence seemed lenient.

"Twelve months does seem like a fairly light sentence for killing someone and destroying so many lives and you've got to think that if Carl Williams would have run over his victims instead of shooting them, he might be out on the street now," he said.

Also outside court, mother and daughter, Sandra Eastwood and Renee Cole, who were also both injured in the crash, said they were struggling to forget.

"I remember every graphic detail," said Ms Cole who was pregnant at the time of the crash. "We relive it most days of our lives ... we just have to get on with it."

OHS News Tip: Safe Work Method Statement

QLD: Worker Dies In Tractor Accident

Wednesday 17th 2008 07:14am Source: News Mail

A man died in more than a metre of water and mud after he was pinned under a tractor that fell into an irrigation channel at a Moore Park Beach farm yesterday.

He was about to start work spraying weeds along a cane railway line at Lindemans Road when the tragic accident occurred about 6.45am. Senior Constable Tim Lowth said Stephen Michael Hetherington, 69, was killed in the incident. Mr Hetherington, who also lived on Lindemans Road, was reversing his tractor when the accident happened. 'He reversed his tractor to commence the spray and the embankment has collapsed under it,' Snr Const Lowth said.

'He was on the tractor as it fell into the creek.'

The man was pinned underneath the piece of machinery in the drain and the accident was concealed from the road by the railway embankment.

Queensland Fire and Rescue Bundaberg station officer Chris Sheather said a neighbour first discovered the scene and raised the alarm.

Emergency services rushed to the area, but could not do anything for the tractor driver, who had died sometime between 6.45am and 8.20am.

The Bundaberg Energex Community Rescue Helicopter was called, but was stood down after the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police blocked the road for about two-and-a-half hours as they discussed the best way to remove the tractor from the water channel.

Mr Sheather said police organised a tow truck with a winch to right the tractor and it arrived about 10.45am.

'(Police and firefighters) then rigged up a ladder and stretcher and recovered the body from a drop of between two and three metres,' Mr Sheather said.

'It was quite steep and there was a risk of further wall collapses from the side of the bank.' Neighbours congregated in the farmhouse on the Moore Park Beach property as police and firefighters watched over the scene until the body could be safely retrieved.

Snr Const Lowth said Mr Hetherington was contracted to spray the weeds along the cane train line and the water channel A spokesman from Queensland Workplace Health and Safety confirmed to the NewsMail that it was investigating the fatal incident.

OHS News Tip: Tractor Safe Work Method Statement

VIC: Unsafe Machinery Causes Worker's Death

Tuesday 16th 2008 07:29am

A company and its director have been fined a total of $200,000 after a worker was killed in 2006 while operating an unguarded machine.

The employee was looking into the machine, which made exhaust pipes, when he was fatally struck on the head.

The machine's main safety feature, a laser safety curtain, was not working properly at the time.

The court said the company had failed to ensure safety procedures for the machine were in place, such as lock out procedures for plant and equipment.

The company pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to provide and maintain a safe workplace and was fined $100,000.

Its director pleaded guilty to one count of failing to provide training, supervision and instruction to the worker and was also fined $100,000.

It is the first time a director has been sentenced for a workplace fatality under the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004.

Report by OHS News Reporter - Julia Alder - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

VIC: WorkSafe Christmas campaign looks at the news

Tuesday 16th 2008 07:01am

With Christmas around the corner it might seem a strange time for WorkSafe Victoria to release a new television commercial.

The new TV commercial to be screened from last night builds on the award-winning success of the previous Homecomings commercials.

The campaign will also run on radio, be shown on outdoor billboards and in cinemas from Boxing Day.

The television advertisement shows a mother and two children watching television when a news-flash advises of a disaster at a construction site.

“Wasn’t that where dad was working?” asks the daughter.

WorkSafe’s Executive Director John Merritt said the campaign reinforced the 'moral right' of workers to return home safely every day.

“At this time of year when many Victorian Christmas dinners will be missing someone, this campaign is a reminder that workplace injuries don’t take holidays.

“Victorian workplaces are at their busiest right now. Retail and warehousing environments are obviously exceptionally busy, but in many offices, construction and manufacturing businesses, people are rushing to get work finished before an extended break.

“Employers at this time of year need to take exceptional care to ensure their people are properly trained, supervised and working in a safe way.

“This is particularly true of industries where there are many people taking jobs straight from school or university.

“With the working environment to become more frantic in the next couple of weeks, now is the time to ensure every workplace has the systems and procedures in place to minimise risk.

“People need to concentrate on what they’re doing, not what they might be doing tonight, at the weekend or on their well-deserved break.

“You’ve got to make sure you’re in a position to enjoy the fruits of your labour,” Mr Merritt said.

“There are signs of major improvement this year on many fronts including a decline in the number of workplace fatalities, but as Thursday’s tragedy at Ballarat shows, the whole community suffers each time a life is lost or someone is badly hurt in the workplace.

Reported workplace injuries and deaths by financial year.

Calendar year fatalities.

VIC: Avoiding Worker's Heat Stress

Monday 15th 2008 07:31am

Employers who engage staff to work outdoors over summer should ensure adequate Sun Protection policies are in place.

A recent Victorian Council of Social Services report on climate change predicts that as annual temperatures rise due to the effects of global warming, heat-related deaths in Victoria will rise from 582 a year to 604 by 2020 and to 1318 by 2050.

Shearers spend alot of time working in the heat. Their industry's health and safety report calls for an understanding of the dangers of heat stress. Whilst new farming machinery has the luxury of air-conditioning, not all paddocks and saleyards have shade.

Heat stress came to the fore at one cattle sale in southern Victoria last year. The temperature soared to 45C, leaving many stock agents exhausted. One agent was hospitalised with dehydration for several days.

Staff were instructed before the sale to drink plenty of water, wear hats and sunscreen and there was a plan to rotate auctioneers so they could rest. Water was on sale for buyers and vendors and buckets were placed around the yards for people to wet their heads as they moved about.

It is difficult for sale organisers to cancel a sale at the 11th hour, since stock must be selected, transported and drafted in the days before the sale.

While the heat-stress victim made a full recovery, the incident provided some lessons for those working outdoors in the heat.

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

QLD: Workplace Accidents Leave Two Companies Fined

Monday 15th 2008 07:17am Source: ABC News

Two Brisbane companies have been fined after a worker lost his eye and another fractured his arm in separate workplace accidents.

Buildmark Constructions has been fined $30,000 after a worker lost an eye in a nail gun accident on Brisbane's northside.

It happened last year at Wavell Heights when a nail ricocheted off a compressed fibro sheet into the eye of a man working below.

The Brisbane Industrial Magistrates court heard the company failed to maintain an exclusion zone around the worker prior to the accident which would have prevented the injury.

In another incident a man fractured his arm when he was struck by a burst high pressure hose at Murarrie.

Barry Bros Specialised Services pleaded guilty in the Wynnum Industrial Magistrates Court to failing to ensure the safety of a worker.

No conviction was recorded against either company.

OHS News Tip: Safe Work Method Statement

VIC: Teen dies at Ballarat mine

Friday 12th 2008 07:38am

WorkSafe is investigating the death of a 17-year-old Ballarat worker who was run over by a truck at Ballarat’s Lihir gold mine today.

Although WorkSafe’s investigation is at an early stage, it is understood the young man was hit by a truck from which he had just alighted after a break.

The young worker, who was from Ballarat, was employed by a company contracted to do earthworks at the mine.

The incident happened just after 10am.

WorkSafe’s Executive Director John Merritt, said the death of the first-year apprentice should send a message to all employers and workers about the need to ensure workplaces were as safe possible.

“In the lead up to Christmas when most people are extremely busy, today’s incident should send a strong, clear message about how most deaths and injuries occur with people doing routine tasks.

“At this time of year, people are busy getting work completed before holidays, completing contracts or trying to juggle a range of work and social requirements. In retail and warehouse environments they’re handling enormous amounts of stock on a daily basis.

Today’s death comes days before a new advertising campaign to promote workplace safety.

Television advertising goes to air Sunday night.

“As our Homecomings series of ads show, the reasons for everyone to be safe at work aren’t there at all.”

OHS News Tip: Vehicle Accident Work Method Statement

WA: Fortescue Fights Charges

Thursday 11th 2008 07:37am Source: The Australian

Billionaire miner Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest's Fortescue Metals Group will defend charges over the deaths of two workers last year when Cyclone George flattened one of the company's railway camps in the Pilbara.

Lawyers for FMG and six other companies pleaded not guilty in the Perth Magistrates Court yesterday to more than 40 charges brought by Worksafe under the West Australian Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The charges include the failure to provide a safe work environment, failure to design and construct temporary accommodation and other buildings capable of withstanding a cyclone and failure to properly instruct and train workers.

Charges were dismissed against the Darwin-based Spunbrood, which trades as NT Link, and is involved in the installation of transportable buildings.

Another company named in the original charges, Len Buckeridge's BGC Contracting, pleaded not guilty at a September hearing.

Cyclone George destroyed one-third of the FMG rail camp 1100km south of Port Hedland in March last year.

Perth mother of two Debbie Alexandra Till, 47, was killed when the portable home, or donga, she was sheltering in was flung across the site.

She had been working as a kitchenhand for the property and maintenance services company Spotless Services Australia, one of the companies charged.

Craig Allan Raabe, 42, of Gympie in Queensland, who had been working for BGC Contracting, died hospital from head injuries suffered in the cyclone.

The Worksafe charges also relate to the injuries sustained by seven people at the camp during the cyclone.

The other companies charged are Pilbara Infrastructure, Spotless P&F, Laing O'Rourke and WorleyParsons Services.

FMG and the six other companies that pleaded not guilty yesterday will reappear in the Perth Magistrates Court on February 17 for a trial allocation hearing. BGC is due back in court on March 11 next year.

OHS News Tip: Safe Work Method Statements

NSW: Worker Dies From Truck Fall

Thursday 11th 2008 07:28am

Workcover NSW and the Police are investigating the death of a man during a workplace incident this week.

The man was unloading a semi-trailer at his employer's premises when he fell from the vehicle and lost consciousness. He later died at hospital.

WorkCover will conduct a review of what Safety Procedures for Loading and Unloading Trucks were in place.

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

QLD: $30,000 Fine After Work Injured On The Job

Wednesday 10th 2008 07:15am Source: The Morning Bulletin

A Biloela machinery business was yesterday fined $30,000 after an employee suffered a fractured eye socket and jaw when equipment failed.

An adjustment bolt from a sheet metal roller, which was “overloaded by 10 times its capacity”, struck the worker in the face as he stood beside the machine. The company, Lamont Investments Qld Pty Ltd, failed to ensure correct workplace health and safety procedures for operating the particular piece of equipment.

Yesterday the two owners of the business pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court to failing to discharge a workplace health and safety act.

Department of Employment and Industrial Relations representative Raymond Kickbush said the employee of two years was with an experienced boilermaker when the accident occurred on July 11, 2007 at 11am.

He said the worker's injuries were equivalent to grievous bodily harm and he required two operations.

Mr Kickbush said Lamont Investments failed to identify systems of work as a hazard, develop safe operating procedures based on risk assessment and provide support and training.

Defence barrister Jeff Clarke said Lamont Investment has since rectified all matters and contracted a private workplace health and safety company to review procedures.

He said the owners purchased the small business, which employees eight workers, in 2004 and were not aware the machinery was a hazard.

“They are fully aware of the obligations for safe operation of machinery,” Mr Clarke said.

“Thankfully there was no underlying head injury or lasting eye impairment.

“They've also been very supportive to the employee.”

Thankfully there was no underlying head injury or lasting eye impairment

OHS News Tip: Sheet Metal Work Method Statement

NSW: Six People Being Treated After Chemical Spill

Wednesday 10th 2008 07:06am Source: Nine MSN

Six people have been treated by paramedics after inhaling fumes during a chemical spill in Sydney's west.

A NSW Ambulance Service spokeswoman said two people were taken to Fairfield Hospital suffering breathing complaints after sulphur dioxide fumes were emitted from industrial premises at Chifley Street, Smithfield, about 7.40am (AEDT) on Tuesday.

"Chemicals have been mixed to produce sulphur dioxide," the spokeswoman said.

The fumes were confined to the site.

Hazardous materials fire brigade officers, police and four ambulances attended.

OHS News Tip: Chemical Handling Safe Work Method Statement

NSW: Worker Lucky To Be Alive After Auger Accident

Tuesday 9th 2008 07:39am Source: Narromine News

Feelings of luck and thanks are the emotions felt by Mark Elliss and his family as the 30-year-old Trangie man embarks on the road to recovery. Mr Elliss was yesterday back at home after spending the past fortnight in Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital after 132,000 volts surged through his body.

“I’m lucky to be alive,” Mr Elliss said.

The Agrigrain Narromine employee suffered burns to 80 per cent of his right leg after a grain auger he was operating touched overhead powerlines on November 16.

“We were really busy with the start of harvest and run off our feet,” he said.

“I thought I lowered it (the auger) enough but I ended up clipping the powerlines.

“It wasn’t until I went to get off and put my foot on the ground that I felt the electricity shoot through.”

Mr Elliss said the electricity went from his foot and up his leg before shooting out from his thigh.

“I was lucky it didn’t go all the way through to my heart or brain,” he said.

Mr Elliss remembers the accident as he did not lose consciousness and describes the pain as a burning sensation before his leg went numb.

“I kept asking the boys ‘how bad is it, how bad is it?’ and was really worried as I couldn’t see the damage.

“The ambulance was pretty quick to respond and rushed me off to Narromine Hospital.”

OHS News Tip: Auger Work Method Statement

QLD: Crane Failure At Coal Mine

Tuesday 9th 2008 07:25am Source:

WorkSafe is investigating an incident where a crane failed at a coal mine in central Queensland causing major structural damage and leaving one worker injured.

The incident occurred during a maintenance operation and involved one of the mine's five draglines.

The boom of the dragline was being lowered by four cranes and, as a result of winch failure with one of the cranes, the boom fell around 30 metres, causing minor injuries to the crane operator and major damage to the dragline's boom.

OHS News Tip: Crane Safe Work Method Statement
Report by SafetyCulture OHS News Reporter - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

VIC: Company Fined $175,000 for Unsafe Forklift Practices

Tuesday 9th 2008 07:14am

A storage company has pleaded guilty to forklift workplace health and safety breaches, following the death of a worker who was hit by a forklift and died in 2005.

The court found that the company did not have any adequate traffic management systems in place as pedestrian walkways were crossed by forklifts and visibility for forklift drivers was hindered. It said the company should have known and identified these risks.

Forklifts have been involved in the deaths of 56 people in Victoria since 1985. Of these 30 were pedestrians who were struck by either a forklift or a falling load.

WorkSafe’s Executive Director John Merritt said with warehouses and businesses facing their busiest time of the year over Christmas, it was essential they enforced high standards of traffic management.

“A reflective vest is little protection against a forklift if the business does not have safe OHS systems in place and if it does not ensure drivers are properly trained and licensed and using a seatbelt.

“At this time of year, many people in these environments are young and/or inexperienced. They’re at risk if they’re not properly inducted and know the rules about working in areas with forklifts or being able to take shortcuts."

OHS News Tip: Forklift Work Method Statement
Report by OHS News Reporter - Julia Alder - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

VIC: Hallam business guilty of workers compensation offence

Friday 5th 2008 08:55am

Pet product importer and supplier, Global Pet Products, pleaded guilty in the Dandenong Magistrates Court on Wednesday 3 December to failing to provide an injured employee with suitable employment as required under Victoria’s workers compensation legislation.

The Court heard that the injured worker was employed as a warehouse picker and packer when she suffered an injury to her lower back in 2005. Her workers compensation claim was accepted and she was later certified by her doctor as having a capacity to return to work on modified duties.

Global Pet Products failed to provide suitable employment, however, because of her inability to perform her pre-injury duties. Her employment was later terminated in 2007.

Under the State’s workers compensation laws, an employer is required to provide employment to an injured worker who has a capacity for work.

Evidence also revealed that Global Pet Products never contacted the injured worker to discuss her return to work options and was uncooperative in its attempts to return the worker to modified duties.

The company was subsequently convicted and fined $4,000. It was also ordered to pay costs of $400.

Magistrate Luisa Bazzani said the intent of the legislation was for a speedy and safe return to work for injured workers. “This can’t happen without an employer’s backing, which was non-existent in this case.”

WorkSafe Executive Director, Len Boehm said helping an injured worker return to work is good for the worker, their families, their workmates and for business.

“Under the legislation, an employer must keep an injured worker’s position open for 12 months and if the worker has a capacity they must be provided with suitable employment.”

Mr Boehm said that identifying and prosecuting cases like this helps to build awareness among employers about their legal obligations to support injured workers and the importance of helping an injured worker return to work.

“WorkSafe is committed to doing everything it can to ensure injured workers receive the care and support they need to re-enter the workplace. Employers who ignore their responsibilities will be penalised.”

OHS News Tip: Safe Work Method Statement

ACT: Work Method Statements Need To Be Put In Place

Friday 5th 2008 07:29am Source: Australian Ageing Agenda

A national workplace hazard survey which targeted the health and community services industries, found that most workers are given some form of control to reduce the risk of workplace injury.

The National Hazard Exposure Worker Surveillance (NHEWs) survey conducted by the Australian Safety and Commission Council is the first survey of its type.

The council’s Chairman, Bill Scales said that although the overall findings are encouraging, some workers reported that their employers had no controls in place for managing riskd.

“This is not acceptable,” said Mr Scales. It is everybody’s right to be safe and healthy at work and all employers need to review their approach to these important issues.”

The survey was based on telephone interviews with 1900 workers from five priority industries, including health and community services, construction, manufacturing, and agriculture, forestry and fishing and transport and service.

The council has also produced a handbook on minimising the risk of workplace hazards.

OHS News Tip: Safe Work Method Statement

VIC: ‘Mates’ burn new apprentice in prank – see you in court

Friday 5th 2008 07:17am

WorkSafe has prosecuted two men who set their friend alight in a workplace prank that went horribly wrong in January.

Dandenong Magistrate Peter Reardon said Robin Daniel Marshall 20 of Beaconsfield and 19-year-old Dylan Poulton of Nar Nar Goon went ‘far beyond larrikin behaviour’ when they ignited brake-cleaning fluid sprayed on an apprentice who had only been working with them at Hallam for three days.

He said that as the two defendants had been disciplined the previous day for setting brake fluid alight, it was inevitable that someone would be hurt.

A third man is yet to face court.

Marshall and Poulton both pleaded guilty to workplace health and safety charges and were each convicted and fined $5000.

The court was told the young worker, 17 at the time of the 9 January incident, was off work for several months with first, second and third degree burns which required surgery, the application of artificial skin and physiotherapy.

The two men before the court this week were sacked – yet remain friends with the injured man.

WorkSafe's Executive Director (Health and Safety), John Merritt, said it was the latest in a string of recent prosecutions involving workplace pranks.

"Along with WorkSafe's current campaign urging young workers to speak up about safety concerns, this case, and others like it, is a warning that there are consequences for breaching safety laws.

"Many young people are joining the workforce at this time of year and in coming months.

“What they do not need to deal with is people playing pranks which puts them, and others, at risk.

"The people involved in these cases do not set out to hurt anyone. What they have to realise is that many incidents where people are just having ‘fun’ don't have a happy ending.

Employers have clear responsibilities to properly train and supervise their employees, particularly the young, new or inexperienced.

Likewise workers must work in a safe way at all times and not put themselves or others at risk.

"What begins as a bit of fun can lead to serious, permanent injuries.

“Just because you're young, you're not indestructible - in fact you're more vulnerable because the potential for serious consequences are not always recognised.”

"In this case a young man has suffered serious burns and he still carries the scars.

"To be remorseful after something happens is appropriate, but these incidents shouldn't happen at all."

“For everyone involved, the consequences can last a life-time.”

Young workers at risk:

November 2008 - Young forklift driver does dangerous stunts and posts them on YouTube - convicted and ordered to do 50 hours of community work and a 5-day health and safety course by Seymour Magistrates Court

October 2008 - Two young men pleaded guilty in the County Court after an explosion of acetylene which they had been playing with. Both suffered some hearing loss and now have tinnitus. They were placed on a 12 month good behaviour bond and ordered to pay $1000 to a charity that works with deaf and blind people. Heard at the Wodonga County Court

August 2008 - Young worker ordered to complete a TAFE course after shooting fellow worker riding on the outside of a forklift with a fire hose. The other worker fell or jumped from the machine and was run over. Heard at Benalla Magistrates Court

OHS News Tip: Safe Work Method Statement

QLD: Unbolted Concrete Beam Causes Worker's Death

Thursday 4th 2008 07:25am

The construction worker injured on Monday on a state government transport site has died in hospital just hours after a concrete beam slid out of a pylon and landed on his pelvis, amputating his legs.

According to the construction workers union, the 18-tonne beam that killed the worker at the Eastern Busway building site was not bolted into place.

One of his workmates suffered a broken leg and two others jumped out of the way.

The CFMEU state secretary Michael Ravbar said early investigations into Monday's death suggested it was an accident waiting to happen.

"That beam had been sitting there for weeks and it wasn't actually bolted in. It was on a temporary thing," Mr Ravbar said. "You just don't get beams rolling off and falling on to workers and it was just lucky the other three didn't die with that accident."

The death of the worker was the 18th in the state's construction industry this year, making it the worst on record, Mr Ravbar said.

"There's a lot of anger and frustration in our industry. They're just sick and tired of too many deaths," he said.

"And it's not just the deaths, the amount of serious accidents has gone up threefold."

Following the incident, Mr Ravbar led a protest march of more than 3000 construction workers through Brisbane's CBD to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's office at Waterfront Place.

A spokeswoman for Transport Minister John Mickel said investigations were continuing.

OHS News Tip: Concrete Preparation and Laying Safe Work Method Statement
Report by SafetyCulture OHS News Reporter - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

VIC: 457 Visa Holders Subjected to Unsafe Work Practices

Thursday 4th 2008 07:13am

A Victorian Magistrates Court has fined a printing company $100,000 for breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic) in relation to employees it sponsored under sub-class 457 visas.

457 visas are a method by which an employer can sponsor an overseas worker to perform work for them in Australia where there is a shortage of skilled labour locally.

The printing company sponsored two Chinese nationals, neither of whom spoke English, to work at their factory.

One worker suffered permanent disability after both his arms were trapped and fractured by an unguarded printing machine he was working on. He was later forced to return to work by the printing company.

In April 2006, the other employee broke his right wrist after falling from a ladder. Then in June 2006, he suffered a further injury while using a drill with his left hand which kicked back breaking his arm. He continued to work using his right hand which was still in a cast.

His 457 visa had been approved on the basis that he had attained electrical trade qualifications in China. He was, however, instructed to perform duties such as assembling scaffolding and welding, neither of which he was skilled in.

While he was off work due to the injuries, the printing company sent him a written notice alleging that his work performance was below standard due to his failure to follow occupational safety and health procedures. Two months later, the printing company purported to terminate his employment.

It was held that employers must provide adequate information and instruction to employees to perform work safely. This extends to tailoring safety policies to the native language of their 457 visa holders in the event that they have difficulty reading or comprehending English. Induction training, safe work procedures, competency assessment and even safety signs will require translation to ensure an employer meets their duty.

OHS News Tip: Safe Work Method Statement
Report by OHS News Reporter - Julia Alder - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

QLD: Employers Liable for Christmas Party Injuries

Wednesday 3rd 2008 07:59am

The combination of alcohol and festive cheer could turn the office Christmas party into a major headache for employers.

Workplace laws relating to injury sustained by office employees still apply, even if the party is not held on office premises. A function at the local pub or club is still considered the workplace and the employer is responsible for providing a safe environment.

An injured staff member could potentially cost a company thousands of dollars in compensation or medical bills.

If a drunk employee is injured at an office Christmas party or even after they have left it, the employer could be slugged with extra Work Cover premiums as well as the staff member's medical costs.

Corporate change expert Karen Williams said smart bosses are taking precautions to ensure the annual holiday celebration is safe and trouble-free.

"I have seen companies go down the path of organising transport to and from the function, encourage responsible drinking and issue warnings about the consequences of bad behaviour," Ms Williams said.

"Personal safety and security of staff should be a high priority, especially when there is lots of alcohol involved."

OHS News Tip: Social Functions Policy Work Method Statement
Report by SafetyCulture OHS News Reporter - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

WA: Builder Fined for Worker's Roof Death

Wednesday 3rd 2008 07:52am

A builder was this week fined $15,000 over the death of an employee who fell 9m from a warehouse roof in Fremantle.

The builder, who was hired to replace two warehouse roofs in November 2004, pleaded guilty to failing to provide and maintain a safe working environment.

The court heard that when the builder and an employee were on the roof of one warehouse removing screws from the existing roof sheets, another worker questioned the builder's work methods. Specifically, why the two men were removing all the screws from the roof sheets they were walking on when the sheets could slide down the roof toward the gutter.

The builder explained that they had left a row of screws in another area of the roof. But, both he and his employee later started walking on an area of the roof where the sheets had been completely unscrewed.

The court heard that one of the unscrewed sheets slid down the roof whilst the employee was standing on it. He fell nine metres to the concrete floor below and died in hospital later that morning.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said the case illustrated the extreme importance of providing adequate protection against falls.

"These men were working at a considerable height, but a safe system of work was not in place," Ms Lyhne said.

"It's really disappointing to see a lack of fall protection in workplaces because falls are readily preventable and it need not be difficult or costly to ensure that suitable barriers or fall arrest systems are organised before a tragedy can occur."

Ms Lyhne said falls were one of the main causes of death in the construction industry, and that four WA workers have died from falls in less than 18 months. A further 1260 workers are injured from falls each year.

OHS News Tip: Working on Roofs Work Method Statement
Report by SafetyCulture OHS News Reporter - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

NSW: Worker Falls On Job Site

Tuesday 2nd 2008 07:32am Source: The Leader

A man, 64, is in St George Hospital in a stable condition today after he fell from a Kingsgrove work site and suffered head injuries.

An Ambulance Service of NSW spokeswoman said paramedics took the man from a William Street building site at 2pm after he fell "some height'' .

She said ambulance crews warned the St George Hospital emergency room to be ready for a seriously injured patient.

A Work Cover spokesman said an accident investigator was at the site and that full details of the accident had not been determined.

OHS News Tip: Safe Work Method Statement

SA: Companies Fined For Failing to Provide Safe Work Place

Tuesday 2nd 2008 07:27am Source:

Two companies were last week fined a total of nearly $180,000 for failing to provide a safe work-place.

A worker died nearly three years ago after falling into a travelator at a Pasadena shopping centre work site.

An Industrial Magistrate also awarded $20,000 compensation to the family of the 34-year-old carpenter.

However, a support group is calling for a review of compensation in industrial accidents.

The founder of a support group for families who have lost relatives in industrial accidents says compensation payouts for industrial deaths in South Australia needs to be reviewed.

Andrea Madeley from the support group, VOID, says $20,000 compensation for a life is not enough.

"It's paltry. And I actually wonder if the guy's not actually going to front up to court what are the chances of that compensation actually being paid," she said.

OHS News Tip: Industrial Safe Work Method Statement
Report by SafetyCulture OHS News Reporter - Julia Alder - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

WA: Two Workers Killed in Cement Explosion

Tuesday 2nd 2008 07:20am

WorkSafe WA is investigating an incident which occurred on December 1 in Broome where two men were killed in an explosion while loading a truck with pressurised material.

Police said the two men were standing beside the truck loading a powder material used to make cement when a pressurised vessel on the rear of the vehicle exploded.

The men involved are believed to be fly-in, fly-out workers.

OHS News Tip: Cement Safe Work Method Statement
Report by SafetyCulture OHS News Reporter - Julia Alder - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

QLD: Concrete beam falls on worker

Tuesday 2nd 2008 07:15am

A construction worker has lost his leg in a freak accident while working at a Queensland transport project.

The man was one of three workers in a cherry picker when a nine metre concrete beam fell on to the machine. The worker became trapped in the cherry picker and suffered serious injuries.

A crane was used to lift the beam off him. It is the second serious transport infrastructure workplace accident in Queensland in three months.

In September, two men working on a tunnel project were injured after an explosion. The men suffered burns after failing to extinguish a cigarette before opening a 20-litre fuel container.

OHS News Tip: Commercial Construction Industry Work Method Statement
Report by SafetyCulture OHS News Reporter - Julia Alder - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

TAS: Protesters To Possibly Face Safety Charges

Monday December 1st 2008 07:29am Source: ABC News

Workplace Standards Tasmania has warned the tactics being used by some forest protesters are putting lives at risk.

It is so concerned about the issue it has launched an investigation into whether protesters in the southern forests are breaching workplace safety laws.

The investigation could lead to the prosecution of protesters if workplace health and safety has been compromised.

The Workplace Standards General Manager says in the past week several protesters have put themselves in harms way risking serious injury or death.

Mr Ormerod says in one incident, a logging worker needed counselling after a protester appeared from the blind side of his excavator while he was moving a log.

"When he brought the log around to that side he almost hit the protester," Mr Ormerod said.

The Huon Valley Environment Centre has co-ordinated protests in the Weld Valley and the Geeveston area.

A spokeswoman Jenny Weber rejects claims their actions are risking the safety of workers.

Workplace Standards will prepare a case for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

OHS News Tip: Safe Work Method Statement

NSW: Council Fined For Unsafe Workplace

Monday December 1st 2008 07:18am

Tumut Shire Council was fined $160,000 for unsafe work practices in the Industrial Commission this week after an employee died at a roadworks site in 2003.

However, Council general manager Chris Adams says the State should overhaul its occupational health and safety laws which he claims are stacked heavily in favour of the employee.

Adams says some workplaces, like roads, are inherently dangerous.

After the accident, we spent many months going over and over and over our procedures, and the people on the job kept on saying to us these are the right procedures, these are the safest procedures for us to be doing,| he said.

But when you're getting that message but you're still found to be having an unsafe workplace, I just don't know what WorkCover's trying to prove to be quite honest.

I think it's an issue for all employers to look at the way the Act is written and the implications for their business should they have an accident, he said.

OHS News Tip: Safe Work Method Statement
Report by OHS News Reporter - Julia Alder - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

VIC: Helping southern employers prevent return to work disputes

Monday December 1st 2008 07:12am

WorkSafe Victoria is hosting an interactive session in Rowville next Tuesday 2 December aimed at helping employers in Melbourne’s south and south eastern suburbs prevent and manage return to work disputes to obtain better outcomes.

From July 2002 to 30 December 2007, the regions of Monash, Kingston, Bayside, Glen Eira, Greater Dandenong, Frankston and Mornington Peninsula reported a combined total of over 32,600 claims, costing nearly $528 million in treatment, rehabilitation and compensation costs.

The session will provide local employers and Return to Work Coordinators with information about common types of disputes that can arise and practical tips to prevent them from occurring or becoming adversarial. The steps involved in developing a successful dispute management policy within the workplace will also be examined.

A panel discussion involving WorkSafe’s return to work experts and the Accident Compensation Conciliation Service will ensure local employers have an opportunity to have their legal and technical questions answered.

According to WorkSafe Executive Director, Mr Len Boehm, “Helping injured workers return to work in a safe and sustainable way can be a complex process.

“Employers, just as much as injured workers, do not want disputes to occur. If a dispute does arise it is in everyone’s interest to resolve it quickly, fairly and preferably without litigation.”

The event will be held at 8.30am at Quality Inn Baton Rouge in Rowville.

“This is a valuable opportunity for employers in Melbourne’s south to meet return to work experts and others in their local community to share experiences and knowledge”, Mr Boehm said.

OHS News Tip: Safe Work Method Statement

NSW: Company Fined $85,000 After Workplace Accident

Friday November 28th 2008 07:45am Source: The Standard Anonymous Gifts

A WorkSafe prosecutor yesterday said the company had noted in an OH&S committee meeting on August 13 last year that the height of the finger jointing glue head should only be moved when the cutters were not operating.

However, the directive had not been relayed to employees operating the machine.

The risk was remedied one week after the incident when guards were put in place.

Warrnambool Timber Industries started in 1987 and is the second largest producer of laminated beams in Australia with turnover increasing four-fold in the past nine years.

The court heard the company is an Australian leader in relation to work practices and Mr Goodall held a number of high-profile positions within the industry.

The company later spent $145,00 in risk assessments and $220,000 upgrading a hopper system.

Magistrate Ron Saines said it was easy to be wise after an event.

He said the physical and psychological impact of Mr Olle's injuries would be severe and life-long. He convicted and fined the company $85,000 with $5535 costs, saying a guilty plea had earned it a substantial discount.

OHS News Tip: Safe Work Method Statement

Looking for more OHS News stories, then visit our November OHS News Page.