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

OHS News- August 2008

WA: Alcan Admits To Workers Death

Friday August 28th 2008 07:35 a.m Source: WA Today

A worker at an Alcan refinery was "catapulted" to his death on the same day his baby girl "laughed for the first time", a Darwin court has heard.

Spray painter Daniel Aaron Burman, 33, was hurled 10 metres from an elevated platform on April 23 last year, after the machinery supporting him became unstable.

A second man was injured in the fall at the Gove alumina refinery in north-east Arnhem Land.

Alcan has pleaded guilty to two charges under the Mines Management Act - failing to conduct regular maintenance and failing to ensure machinery was operated by a qualified worker - and faces a maximum fine of more than $1 million.

At the time of the accident, the company was owned by Canadian aluminium giant Alcan, which admitted on Thursday that Mr Burman and his co-workers did not have proper training.

The Alcan group has since been taken over by Rio Tinto.

Alcan also conceded the machine Mr Burman fell from, an 800AJ Boom Lift, was not adequately maintained, with a safety check the day before the tragedy called off because of windy conditions.

"These failures were a cause of the accident which resulted in the death of Daniel Burman," prosecutor Tom Anderson told Darwin Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

"(The boom lift) hit the ground ... the impact had a catapult effect.

"Burman fell out of his harness because he was not wearing it properly. He fell 10 metres to the ground and died almost instantly."

In a victim impact statement tendered to the court, Mr Burman's partner Sheree Leanne Russell said their 12-week-old daughter "laughed for the first time" earlier that day.

"I tried to call Daniel so that he could hear her, but his phone went straight to message bank," she said.

"I did not think anything of it, as I knew that he was working on fuel tanks, so his phone would probably be switched off."

Ms Russell said she went into shock when she found out about the accident.

"Daniel and I were trying for another baby ... We talked about getting married, travelling around Australia and buying our own place," she said.

OHS News Tip: Elevated Work Platform Work Method Statements

VIC: Safety Of Bar-Staff At Risk From Glass Attacks

Friday August 28th 2008 07:21 a.m.

A national increase in glassings in licensed venues has put pressure on nightclubs to replace glass with plastic.

A licensed city venue has trialled a no-glass policy in its upstairs nightclub, following a call for from Channel Nine's A Current Affair for a national ban on glass pots in such venues.
Th issue was highlighted by an alleged attack with a glass at a Geelong nightclub on the weekend.

City mayor Bruce Harwood said it would be a sad indictment on the community if nightclubs were forced to remove glassware to stop the dangerous attacks.

But, he said it was something that the nightlife industry would have to consider.

OHS News Tip: Workplace Safe Work Method Statements

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

WA: Worker Dies At BHP Mine

Thursday August 27th 2008 07:24 a.m.

Investigations are underway into the death of a worker at a BHP owned Pilbara mine site on Tuesday night.

The worker was a fly-in, fly-out employee who died from injuries sustained while operating equipment at the Yandi mine.

The incident occurred during the night in an industrial workshop.

It is the second fatality at a WA BHP mine in less than a month.  A worker was killed at the company's Port Hedland iron ore loading facility.

During the last financial year, 11 employees were killed at various BHP sites around the world. BHP Chief Executive Marius Kloppers earlier this month expressed disappointment with the safety record of the world's biggest mining house and said safety in the company needed to improve.

OHS News Tip: Workplace Safe Work Method Statements

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

NSW: Ship builder dies, overcome by chemicals

Thursday August 27th 2008 07:16 a.m.

WorkCover is investigating an incident where a ship builder was overcome by fumes and died while working on a boat in a factory in Russell Vale yesterday.

The man was found unconscious by a fellow employee in the hull of a catamaran he was helping to build.

He had been working with solvents and was not wearing any breathing apparatus.

OHS News Tip: Chemical Handling Safe Work Method Statement

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

SA: Worker Falls From Ladder, Construction Firm Fined

Wednesday August 27th 2008 07:37 a.m.

A construction and engineering company has been fined  $31,825 for workplace breaches after a worker fell to the bottom of a maintenance shaft when a ladder collapsed on 1 April 2005.
The worker was climbing into a shaft to inspect newly built sewer mains. During his descent, the portable extension ladder gave way, and the worker fell nearly five metres to the floor of the shaft.

Work safety authorities were not notified until five days after the incident
The worker was forced to make his own way up out of the shaft despite having sustained serious injuries.

According to SafeWork SA, the ladder had a twisted leg and was missing a rubber boot and bottom rung.

The court found various workplace safety breaches had occurred, including:

• no risk assessment of the task had been performed;
• no entry permit system was in place;
• no training had been given;
• no rescue plan was in place;
• no first aid equipment was on site.

The magistrate noted even though the company had committed itself to workplace safety, a commitment did not count for much if it was not backed up by a structured and proactive attitude to all work.

OHS News Tip: Ladder Safe Work Method Statements
OHS News Tip: Workplace Safe Work Method Statements

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

VIC: Mechanic Crushed By Bus

Wednesday August 27th 2008 07:26 a.m.

Worksafe and Police are investigating an incident where a mechanic died of head and chest injuries after being crushed under a bus.

The man and another mechanic had been called out to work on the vehicle, which had broken down on a busy Melbourne road after its brakes had seized. 

The victim was working under the bus when he disengaged the brakes, causing it to roll over him.
The bus company's manager said roadside repairs were relatively common and the company's maintenance teams had performed hundreds of them over the years without problems.

OHS News Tip: Vehicle Accident Safe Work Method Statements

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

WA: Mine Site To Be Closed After Employees Death

Wednesday August 27th 2008 07:19 a.m Source: The West

Investigations are underway into the death of a man at a Pilbara mine site last night.

The resources safety division of the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection has begun investigations into the death of the fly-in,fly-out employee who died from injuries sustained in an incident at the Yandi mine, 140km north of Newman.

Newman Police remain at the scene and officer in charge Geoff Stewart said the man died from injuries he received while operating equipment.

“I can’t go into details about it at this stage,” he said.

“First aid was attempted but his injuries were quite significant and he died at the scene.”

A BHP Billiton Iron Ore spokesman said the 29-year-old man was from Mandurah and his family had been notified.

The spokesman said the incident occurred during the night in an industrial workshop and an investigation, which would take days, was underway.

The Yandi mine is operated by HWE Mining. Operations have been suspended.

“The onsite emergency team has been activated and external emergency services are at the scene,” the spokesman said.

Counselling services will be provided to workers.

OHS News Tip: Workplace Safe Work Method Statements

Cth: Workplace Safety Improves

Monday August 25th 2008 07:49 a.m.

An OHS report reveals that Australian workplace fatalities which resulted in compensation dropped by 16 per cent over the last four years, exceeding an interim target of a 10 per cent reduction set by the National OHS Strategy.

Australia recorded the world's sixth lowest fatality rate in 2006-07 and is on target to achieve a 20 per cent reduction by 2011-12.

In 2006-07, there were 246 workplace fatalities resulting in compensation, down from 302 in 2002-03.

Of those fatalities, 177 were the result of injury and musculoskeletal disorders while 59 were caused by disease.

There has been a 10 per cent decrease in the rate of serious injury and disease claims over the past five years, from 16.9 claims per 1,000 employees in 2002-03 to 15.2 claims per 1000 employees in 2005-06.

Body stressing continues to be the greatest cause of injury or disease, accounting for 42 per cent of claims.

WorkSafety inspectors logged 114,000 visits to workplaces around the country (excluding New South Wales) in 2006-07, resulting in 62,100 notices issued, 574 businesses prosecuted and $18 million in fines imposed by the courts.

OHS News Tip: Workplace Safe Work Method Statements

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

AU: Arm severed in heavy machinery

Monday August 25th 2008 07:45 a.m.

WorkSafe inspectors are investigating the cause of an accident last week when a man's arm was severed.

The man was working at a timber yard and using a peeling machine, which removes bark from logs, when his right arm became caught in the machine. It was possible the man's clothing had become caught.

A WorkSafe spokesman said: ``This sort of incident with machines is not uncommon and we really implore people that use that kind of machinery to make sure it is well-guarded. 

One of the major points for us is to check the adequacy of guarding parts with people working outdoors or in large factories which may be cold.  It's essential that clothing, jumpers and scarfs are kept away from moving parts.''

WorkSafe said injuries and deaths also occurred when people took the guard off machines to clean or make repairs to them.

``Every year we have dozens of people suffer amputation as a result of unguarded machinery," the spokesman said.

OHS News Tip: Working Around Heavy Machinery Safe Work Method Statement

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

Cth: New Fatigue Management software

Monday August 25th 2008 07:39 a.m.

A solution to ensure that long-haul drivers are complying with fatigue management laws has been developed in conjunction with Work Cover and WorkSafe advisors.

The system, called Sentinel, corresponds to driving, working and rest requirements in all Australian states and territories.

Before the driver leaves the depot, Sentinel helps to ensure that a driving plan is tailored to each driver.

Sentinel monitors the driving patterns of the driver in real-time and issues an alert to head-office just before or when the driver breaches state and company driving rules. Corrective action can be taken immediately.

Automated alerts are also sent to the drivers to ensure that they always adhere to the prescribed driving hours. For example, a message can be sent to the driver that a break is due.

The system records data on driver activity electronically. This provides an objective measure of driver activity, as opposed to relying on the memory of an operations manager.

The system shows every violation for the day and the rule that was broken. The manager can then make note of the corrective action applied. This saves keeping mounds of paperwork to establish compliance.

Electronic logbooks of driving history also remove dependence on faulty manual logbook entries.

OHS News Tip: Fatigue Management Safe Work Method Statement

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

QLD: More Safety Inspectors Required To Prevent Workplace Accidents

Monday August 25th 2008 07:32 a.m.

The rising toll of workplace fatalities in the Mackay region has prompted the families of workplace accident victims, unions and peak industry bodies to advocate for an increase in the number of workplace health and safety inspectors.

In the 2007-2008 period in the Mackay region, there were nine deaths, 29 injuries causing grievous bodily harm and 276 incidents. 

There are just seven workplace health and safety inspectors to service a 90,339sq m area, which includes the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac regional council areas, all areas which are experiencing a construction boom.

In the same period, the seven inspectors conducted 698 assessments. Twenty-six infringement notices, 400 improvement notices, 65 prohibition notices and 134 verbal directions were issued.
In the Central Queensland region 149 complaints about workplace health and safety were received.

Townsville has 10 workplace health and safety inspectors while Rockhampton has eight.
Inspectors from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland assess coal terminals and ports, but not mines or quarries.

OHS News Tip: Workplace Safe Work Method Statements

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

NSW: Workplace Bullying is on the Rise

Monday August 25th 2008 07:24 a.m Source: News.com.au

More than a quarter of Australian workers have been bullied at work, a national workplace study reveals.

Thirty per cent of respondents to the survey, released by information management provider WorkPro, admitted having been the victim of workplace bullying, while 24 per cent claimed to have been discriminated against by co-workers.

WorkPro business manager Tania Evans says these results show the problem is more prevalent than many employers realise.

"It's quite shocking to hear from employees that this sort of behaviour continues to happen,'' she says.

"Organisations need to realise that bullying and unfair treatment of staff is occurring and could be impacting on their own workplace culture - or, worse still, exposing them to the risk of liability, possible fines and even brand damage.''

Workplace bullying is estimated to cost Australian businesses billions of dollars a year through increases in staff turnover, absenteeism and legal costs, so the issue not only concerns victims but companies' productivity and profits.

Tania Evans adds that many employers fail to realise they don't have to be directly involved in, or even aware of, an incident to be liable.

"They can be prosecuted for an incident that happens between other staff members, as well as for not providing employees with adequate equal employment opportunity and occupational health and safety information and training,'' she says.

The research found Australian employees were aware of workplace sensitivities, with almost three-quarters of the respondents saying they worried about offending colleagues in a discriminatory way on the basis of gender, disability or other distinctive attributes.

Despite most workers being aware of the issue, 27 per cent admitted they were unsure whether they would be able to tell if their own rights were being violated.

The research also revealed that when asked about their peers, almost half the 2146 respondents said they had seen colleagues bullied or discriminated against within the past two years.

Thirty-one per cent of this group said they had witnessed such incidents on numerous occasions.

"Managing the risks is about empowering your people to fully understand their rights and responsibilities at work, and to feel like they can speak up on inappropriate behaviour without experiencing recrimination as a result,'' Evans says.

Helen Kyriakou, operations manager at recruitment firm Hallis, says all staff employed at the company are thoroughly trained when hired to ensure they know how to handle issues relating to bullying or discrimination in the workplace.

"We've put processes and education in place so people understand the boundaries,'' Kyriakou says.

"Internal employees would talk to their manager. If they aren't able to get clarity, the matter will be escalated - in our case, to our corporate services general manager.''

Kyriakou says it's important for workers to know they can discuss in confidence any issues that arise.

"It's imperative that the support network is in place - because when situations happen where people feel they're being bullied and they don't feel they can confide in someone, they won't say anything at all.''

OHS News Tip: Bullying in The Workplace Work Method Statement

QLD: Needle Stick Injury In Workplace

Friday August 22nd 2008 07:30 a.m

An investigation will be launched by workplace health and safety officers into an accidental needle stick injury at a veterinary clinic.

A female veterinarian who worked at the clinic euthanised a racehorse infected with the potentially deadly Australian Hendra horse virus.  She is now being monitored in hospital and awaiting the results of blood tests.

The vet is the third person to be hospitalised since the outbreak of the virus at the clinic. A male vet and a female vet nurse who also worked at the clinic remain in hospital after contracting the virus; both were involved in autopsies of infected horses.

The clinic remains under strict quarantine control.

Hendra is carried by native fruit bats and humans can contract it from infected horses.

OHS News Tip: Workplace Safe Work Method Statement

VIC: Man loses arm in log stripping machine

Friday August 22nd 2008 07:30 a.m

WorkSafe Victoria is investigating an incident at a sawmill where a man lost his arm on 19 August.

The worker was caught in a log stripping machine and suffered critical chest and shoulder injuries during the accident.

According to the workplace safety authority, unguarded machinery is the main cause of many deaths and serious injuries in workplaces. It has appealed to the industry to ensure guarding and machine protections are sufficient to avoid such accidents.

OHS News Tip: Carpentry Safe Work Method Statements
OHS News Tip: Working Around Heavy Machinery Safe Work Method Statement

QLD: Teenager trapped by Heavy Machinery

Friday August 22nd 2008 07:23 a.m

Workplace Health and Safety is investigating a near-fatal accident on 20 August where a teenager was trapped by a conveyor machine at an engineering firm.

The conveyor belt pinned the 17-year-old's abdomen for around 15 minutes.

He had been working on the conveyor belt when a section slipped off and trapped him against another section of the conveyor machine.

He was rescued after fellow-workers removed the conveyor section that was trapping him.  They inserted protection beforehand, so as to avoid further injury upon lifting the machinery off him.

OHS New Tip: Working Around Heavy Machinery Safe Work Method Statement

NSW: Firm Fined After Unsafe Demolition Site Practices

Thursday August 21st 2008 07:35 a.m Source: The Courier

A company that was contracted to demolish a wing at St John of God hospital was yesterday fined more than $40,000 in the Ballarat Magistrates Court.

Delta Pty Ltd yesterday pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a prohibition notice after a WorkSafe inspector noticed a person standing at an exposed edge two stories up on November 9, 2006.

The court heard there were no railings or safety measures in place and a notice was issued to the company.

However, a second incident followed on November 24 when two people, including a health and safety officer for the company, were observed on on the roof of a building at the Mair St site hosing the area with water to suppress dust.

WorkSafe prosecutor Karen Argiopoulos said the only barrier on the roof was a low parapet.

Ms Argiopoulos said the parapet was only 420mm high and was too low to offer any protection for the workers, who were 20m from the ground.

The court heard Delta Pty Ltd was an Australian-owned company with two prior findings of guilty before the courts.

Delta counsel Robert Taylor said the man involved in the first instance had been at the unprotected edge for a "sticky beak" rather than work purposes.

Mr Taylor said the company had health and safety induction processes in place and there was a "measure of startled frustration" at the situation from senior levels.

Magistrate Kay Robertson said demolition work was dangerous by its very nature but the risk must be minimised.

"The penalty has to send out a message that it does not work to not comply with notices," she said.

Ms Robertson fined Delta Pty Ltd $48,000 and ordered the company to pay costs.

OHS News Tip: Demolition Safe Work Method Statements

Vic: Stress Free Workplace

Thursday August 21st 2008 07:25 a.m.

Work-related stress is the second most compensated illness/injury in Australia.

Under OH&S laws, employers must maintain a safe working environment and implement systems of work to control risks to the mental health of its workers.

Work Safe Victoria has published guidelines aimed at preventing work-related stress, which set out a series of four steps for employers and employees:

• work together to identify work-related stress risks;
• determine the risks;
• control the risks; and
• implement continuous improvement, trialling and evaluation.

Stress arises when people are presented with demands and pressures which are not matched to their knowledge and abilities, or challenges their ability to cope.  However, lack of support from co-workers or lack of control over the work can make the stress worse. Work-related stress is classified by the guides as a health and safety hazard, with negative impacts on mental health, physical wellbeing, work performance and social relationships.

OHS News Tip: Workplace Safe Work Method Statements

SA: Overtime For Nurses A Health Risk

Wednesday August 20th 2008 07:35 a.m.

The Health Department has imposed an overtime work ban on staff at Glenside Hospital.

Central Northern Adelaide Health Service said overtime was an occupational health and workplace safety issue across all of mental health.

The Service said that some nurses are doing several overtime shifts a week in addition to their normal hours, potentially putting both their health and patient care at risk.

The Australian Nursing Federation said Glenside was among several facilities reliant on overtime to meet workforce shortfalls. It said the department had adopted a policy to limit the amount of overtime without consultation or understanding the effect.

OHS News Tip: Workplace Safe Work Method Statements.

Cth: First aid in the workplace

Wednesday August 20th 2008 07:27 a.m.

Employers have a responsibility to ensure their workplace complies with occupational health and safety requirements, such as first aid.

According to the Red Cross, immediate access to first aid facilities can potentially save the life of a co-worker and can significantly reduce the harm caused by workplace injury or illness.

Every workplace is different and legislation varies between States and Territories across Australia. Red Cross recommends that employers carry out a first aid assessment of their workplace so as to identify potential hazards.

When assessing the first aid requirements of a workplace, factors to be considered include the size, layout and location of the workplace, the number and distribution of employees, work arrangements, industry-specific hazards, known occurrences of accidents or illnesses, and the distance from the nearest medical service.

Red Cross provide first aid assessments which are compliant with State and Territory legislation. It can also train personnel for industry-specific first aid.

OHS News Tip:  First Aid Policy
OHS News Tip:  Workplace Safe Work Method Statements 

QLD: Victim Named After Quarry Death

Wednesday August 20th 2008 07:23 a.m Source: Brisbane Times

The man killed in a work accident at a Central Queensland quarry yesterday has been named as 22-year-old Adam Douglas Schultz of Theodore, south-west of Gladstone.

Mr Schultz, a maintenance worker, was working on machinery at the Castle Creek Quarry, 200 kilometres south-west of Gladstone, when a mystery object fell on his head and knocked him unconscious.

Workmates desperately tried to revive him but he died as a result of severe head injuries.

The incident is the latest in a spate of recent workplace deaths and one of two that happened yesterday.

A 48-year-old Surfers Paradise man was also killed in a fork lift accident at a Gold Coast truck repairs workshop.

Transport Workers Union (TWU) Queensland branch secretary Hughie William described the deaths as a tragedy. While he could not comment on the nature of the incidents until the conclusion of separate investigations, he said corporate competition for lucrative contracts and a rush to get things done was putting workers in danger.

"With the situation where companies are tendering proposals for contracts it is all a big competition and when they get a big contract they have to get it done in a hurry," Mr William told brisbanetimes.com.au.

"Workers are being put at risk because of the competition in the industry."

"It is very important from a worker's point of view - and from everyone's point of view - that workplace health and safety is reinforced."

Officers from Mines Safety are continuing a formal investigation into Mr Schultz's death today, and Workplace Health and Safety officers are investigating the death of the man at the Carrara truck repairs workshop.

Authorities said he suffered massive head injuries when he became partially stuck underneath the forklift.and was already dead when ambulance officers arrived at the East Lake Street site.

Two weeks ago, a 47-year-old painter fell to his death from the 16th floor of Edgewater Gardens Apartments in Peninsular Drive at Surfers Paradise.

He had been alone on the top floor of the building planning work he was contracted to carry out the next week.

And on June 21, construction workers Steve Sayer, 52, and Chris Gear, 36, died after a swinging platform they were using on the side of the Meriton Pegasus high rise complex at Broadbeach failed, plunging 25 storeys to the ground.

Their deaths prompted urgent calls for improved workplace safety by building unions, and saw the scrapping of swinging platforms on Queensland construction sites.

OHS News Tip: Workplace Safe Work Method Statements 

QLD: Two More Workplace Deaths

Wednesday August 20th 2008 07:14 a.m Source: Brisbane Times

A 48-year-old Surfers Paradise man has been killed in a forklift accident on the Gold Coast in the second serious industrial accident in Queensland in as many days.

The incident is the latest in a spate of workplace deaths in recent months.

The man became stuck under a forklift and suffered massive head injuries in yesterday's incident.

He was already dead when ambulance officers arrived at the truck repairs workshop on East Lake Street, Carrara, about 4.30pm a Department of Emergency Services spokeswoman said.

Workplace Health and Safety officers are now investigating.

A man in his mid-20s was also killed at work yesterday when a mystery object fell on his head at Castle Creek Quarry, 200 kilometres south-west of Gladstone.

The maintenance worker had been working on machinery when he was knocked unconcious by a falling object, which has not yet been identified.

Police said the man's workmates desperately tried to revive him, but he suffered serious head injuries and died as a result.

Officers from Mines Safety are continuing a formal investigation into the incident today.

Two weeks, ago a 47-year-old painter fell to his death from the 16th floor of Edgewater Gardens Apartments in Peninsular Drive at Surfers Paradise.

He had been alone on the top floor of the building planning work he was contracted to carry out the next day.

And on June 21, construction workers Steve Sayer, 52, and Chris Gear, 36, died after a swinging platform they were using on the side of the Meriton Pegasus high rise complex at Broadbeach failed, plunging 25 storeys to the ground.

Their deaths prompted urgent calls for improved workplace safety by building unions, and saw the scrapping of swinging platforms on Queensland construction sites.

OHS News Tip: Fork Lift Safe Work Method Statements 

SA: WorkCover Laws Opposed By Unions

Tuesday August 19th 2008 08:24 a.m

The trade union movement has censured the South Australian Government over its controversial WorkCover legislation at the annual Labor Party Convention on 16 August.

Under the reforms, injured workers entitlements have been cut in a bid to rein in WorkCover's $1 billion unfunded liability.

OHS News Tip: Work Place Health and Safety Work Method Statements 

VIC: WorkSafe Investigates Safety Of Food Manufacturers

Tuesday August 19th 2008 08:18 a.m

WorkSafe Victoria has added food and beverage manufacturing to a list of ‘Injury Hotspots’ to help employers make workplaces safer.

Injury Hotspots have been identified through five years of Victorian workplace injury insurance claims data, to show how workers are hurt and how to prevent injuries.

The interactive website allows users to click on individual hotspots and identify the areas of the body most at risk.

Spinal injuries were the most common injury for food and beverage manufacturers making up 21 per cent of claims, followed by open wounds and lacerations to the hands and fingers at 16 per cent.  

Worksafe Victoria said that knowing the hazards in your industry and workplace is the first step toward preventing injuries.

The website has safety solutions which represent the typical expectations of a WorkSafe inspector and provides benchmarks for achieving safety.

OHS News Tip: Food and Kitchen Safety Safe Work Method Statement
OHS News Tip: Work Place Health and Safety Work Method Statements

VIC: New Invention To Protect Workers' Hearing

Tuesday August 19th 2008 08:12 a.m

A new device, which allows human voices to be heard while filtering out industrial din, has been launched.

Companies, such as Boeing and Alcoa, spend millions of dollars trying to engineer noise out of the workplace, but the incidence of noise-induced hearing loss continues to rise.

In noisy industrial environments, hearing loss is a health risk, but being able to hear fellow workers is an essential safety issue.

Allowing human voices through, while eliminating background noise, is the holy grail of hearing protection devices.

The device, developed by Sensear, is the size of a small mobile phone, with the user connected by earplugs.

The product was voted “the most likely to succeed” at a technology event hosted by Microsoft in June in California.

One of the advantages of the system is that it can record the exposure of workers to noise. After a day’s use, a company can download the data for each individual wearer which shows his exposure.

OHS News Tip: Work Place Health and Safety Safe Work Method Statements

NSW: Pub Workers Exposed To Excessive Smoke Pollution

Tuesday August 19th 2008 08:05 a.m

Despite smoking bans being introduced in pubs and clubs in July last year, workers are still exposed to smoke pollution more than five times over the World Health Organisation's recommended limit.

The survey, conducted by the State Government on 40 venues in Sydney and the Southern Tablelands, found air quality in designated outdoor smoking areas was poor.

The survey found pollution was wafting through to non-smoking rooms, 15 per cent of which had more than the acceptable level of exposure.

OHS News Tip: Work Place Health and Safety Safe Work Method Statements

NSW: WorkCover Investigates Fatal Concrete and Formwork Collapse

Tuesday August 19th 2008 07:55 a.m

Workcover is investigating an incident in which a man was crushed under 11 tonnes of concrete at a Bundeena construction site after formwork collapsed on top of him.

The 65-year-old owner-builder was killed on 13 August after wet concrete and metal supports fell on him.

Workers had been pouring concrete on to a suspended slab on the second storey of the construction building when the slab collapsed.

Officials from the Construction Forestry Mining and Engineering Union said the building did not meet safety standards.

WorkCover said all employers, including owner-builders, should identify workplace hazards and ensure safe systems of work are in place. When using sub-contractors or other workers, owner-builders should work with them to ensure hazards are controlled and there are safe work procedures in place.

One person dies every week on construction sites in Australia.

OHS News Tip:  Concrete Preparation and Laying Safe Work Method Statement

QLD: Golden Circle Workers Fear For Safety

Tuesday August 19th 2008 07:50 a.m. Source: Brisbane Times

Workers at a Brisbane fruit cannery say they have been forced to walk up to 1.6 kilometres along a dangerous road after the company blocked direct access to an adjacent railway line.

Northgate's Golden Circle cannery workers who catch trains to Bindha Station, say they have used the now closed access for 60 years, accident-free.

They say the previous route to work was just 50 metres from factory's main entry.

Now they have been forced to walk, sometimes at night, in an area they claim is unsafe due to industrial traffic using the same strip of road.

Golden Circle employee and union delegate Geoff Singh, who has worked at the factory for 12 years, said that despite the clean accident record the site's management closed the access point on July 30 following an internal safety audit.

"They did this without consulting staff and the only way we found out was from notices on our clock cards," Mr Singh said.

"I am very concerned for the safety of employees on their way to work as they now have to walk up to a mile, often at night.

"On a number of occasions police have already had to drive female employees to the train station out of concern for their safety.

Australia's National Union of Workers is threatening to do "whatever is necessary" to ensure employees are granted safe travel to and from work.

Branch secretary John Cosgrove said the union agreed with factory management that there were some safety concerns with employees using the access gate, but these could be resolved.

"We want to work with Golden Circle management to sort out this issue and have submitted a number of suggestions on how this can be done but I have not had a response from them," Mr Cosgrove said.

"The employer is responsible for employees on their journey to and from work.

"Adequate access to public transport is not a luxury, it is employees' right, and it is a right we will fight for," he said.

Local members of parliament - including Federal Treasurer and Member for Lilley Wayne Swan and State Member for Nudgee Neil Roberts have called for an amicable solution to the issue.

Mr Cosgrove said the next step would be to hold a candle-light vigil outside the site at night to demonstrate how dangerous it was to walk to and from the station.

Golden Circle was unavailable to comment.

OHS News Tip: Workplace Safe Work Method Statements

SA: Symbolic WorkCover Win Over SA Government

Tuesday August 19th 2008 07:42 a.m. Source: ABC News

The union movement has scored a symbolic win over the South Australian Government over the WorkCover issue at the annual Labor Party Convention.

A motion to censure the parliamentary wing of the Labor Party over WorkCover was backed unanimously.

The WorkCover legislation was opposed by unions and has resulted in the benefits of injured workers being cut.

OHS News Tip: Workplace Safe Work Method Statements

VIC: Chairlift Company Pleads Guilty to Safety Breaches

Tuesday August 19th 2008 07:31 a.m.

A chairlift company has pleaded guilty to not taking adequate care of the safety of passengers over a mechanical malfunction in 2006.

It was the first Australian business to receive a court-imposed Safety Improvement Order.
Eleven people were stuck on the lift after some of the chairs collided.

The Company said the derailment was caused by WorkSafe-recommended changes to the heights of pylons in 2004.  But WorkSafe said the cause was never established.

The Company has undertaken to conduct three-monthly independent safety audits. It could re-open within a few months.

In October last year the company was convicted and fined $110,000 after an accident left a woman's legs crushed when the chair she was in slid down the cable.

OHS News Tip: Workplace Safe Work Method Statements

QLD: Another Gold Coast Scaffolding Fall

Tuesday August 19th 2008 07:24 a.m. Source: Gold Coast

A 25-YEAR-OLD woman received head injuries when scaffolding collapsed at a high rise construction site at Hollywell, on the northern Gold Coast, about 10.15am today.

Details are sketchy but it is understood the woman is conscious and being treated by ambulance crews.

Workplace Health and Safety officers will inspect the site later this morning.

There has been a series of workplace accidents on the Gold Coast in the past couple of months.

In June two men died when a sling used to lower them from the top of a building failed and they plunged to their deaths and on August 6 another man died after falling 16 storeys while carrying out maintenance work on another high rise.

OHS News Tip: Scaffolding Safe Work Method Statements

SA: Further Crane Failure    

Friday August 15th 2008 08:35 a.m.

SafeWork SA is investigating an incident in Adelaide on 12 August where a work box fell 10 storeys while being hoisted by a crane.

This incident comes days after the Victorian safety authority alerted that state’s crane owners and operators of the possibility of work boxes entering freefall from equipment failure. 

The cupboards in the work box were destroyed on impact, while the box damaged the exterior of a neighbouring building. There were no casualties.

Inspectors from the safety authority have seized the crane, hook, cable, work box and documents, which will be scrutinised as part of the investigation.

OHS News Tip: Crane Safe Work Method Statements

NSW: Man Dead After Construction Short Cuts

Friday August 15th 2008 08:24 a.m. Source: The Daily Telegraph

The death of a man crushed under tonnes of concrete while building his dream retirement home should be a warning to other owner-builders not to cut corners.

Michele Da Silva, 65, died when the supports under the second storey slab of his Bundeena home collapsed under the weight of 11-tonnes of wet concrete on Tuesday afternoon.

Rescue workers took three hours to recover Mr Da Silva's body and two other workers were injured in the accident, one seriously.

Mr Da Silva, the former proprietor of Da Silva Construction Pty Ltd, was licensed to carry out the work under an owner-builder permit.

But union officials conducting investigations yesterday said it did not meet safety standards.

Mr Da Silva's son, Mark, 40, who was grieving with family yesterday, described his father as a "self-made man" who had found happiness in the close-knit Bundeena community.

He spoke of his father's dream to finish the tree-side escape for his wife, Leily, and son, Stephen, on the spectacular block overlooking the Royal National Park.

"Dad was an immigrant, a self-made man - he had no education, but he was energetic, driven and humorous," Mr Da Silva said.

"He got along in life with his building work.

"This house was their dream. It's a beautiful block and they had put an extraordinary amount of time and effort into the place."

A fire unit volunteer and keen gardener, Mr Da Silva's landscaped garden was the envy of neighbours.

Mark said: "I asked him not long ago why he had spent so long on the garden but only just started the house. He said, 'Son, you can build a house in a year, but it takes 10 to grow a garden'."

He said it was too early to say if his father had taken all precautions.

"He was certainly very experienced," Mark said. "All I have to say to other owner-builders is that I would never wish anything like this horrible tragedy to happen to anyone else."

As CFMEU and forensic teams investigated yesterday, neighbours reported they had flagged safety concerns about the site months ago.

CFMEU State Safety Co-ordinator Steve Keenan said the site was riddled with problems.

"This is a situation where poor practices have culminated in one fatality and two hospitalisations," Mr Keenan said.

"The likelihood of someone being killed here was high."

He said financial pressures meant more people were inclined to cut-corners and resort to DIY building.

One person dies every week on construction sites in Australia.

OHS News Tip: Construction Industry Safe Work Method Statements

QLD: Students Burnt In Kitchen Incident

Friday August 15th 2008 08:15 a.m. Source: The Chronicle

Six Millmerran high school students were burnt yesterday when super-heated oil exploded during a home economics class.

A 14-year-old girl sustained severe facial burns and was taken to Toowoomba Hospital.

Five other teenage girls suffered minor burns to their right arms and hands and were taken to Millmerran Hospital.

Queensland Ambulance Service supervisor Kirk Binnington said the incident occurred at 10.38am at the Millmerran Primary to year 10 State School during a year 9 home economics class.

"The students were all very lucky," Mr Binnington said.

He said the students had been cooking dumplings in hot cooking oil when the explosion occurred.

A 14-year-old sustained superficial (first-degree) and partial-thickness (second-degree) burns meaning several layers of the skin were affected.

Ambulance officers were met by an intensive care paramedic while taking the badly burnt student to Toowoomba.

Education Queensland regional executive director (Darling Downs and South West) Mike Ludwig said he believed the students would be released from hospital yesterday.

"Obviously, their health is our primary concern and we are instigating a workplace health and safety investigation into the matter," Mr Ludwig said.

"We are very pleased that the school health nurse was on hand and that there was a great deal of help from the teacher and the teacher's aide.

"There was also a very satisfactory response from ambulance and the fire service."

Mr Binnington said first aid was administered straight away and ambulances were on the scene within minutes.

"The correct first aid was done by flushing the burns with cool water," he said.

"The best thing to do in a cooking incident is to keep a burn under cool water and call 000.

"Do not use Glad Wrap on the burn until you call emergency services because if it hasn't cooled properly it will burn more."

OHS News Tip: Food & Kitchen Safe Work Method Statements

QLD: Worker Killed In Industrial Accident

Friday August 15th 2008 08:01 a.m. Source: Brisbane Times

The workmates of a man who was killed in an industrial accident at a sandstone quarry yesterday tried desperately to free his body from beneath a piece of machinery, police say.

A group of workers at the Donnybrook cement and sand business were standing next to a water-filled pit about 3pm when the incident occurred.

The men were lifting a large pump onto a floating pontoon, while another group of men worked to attach the machine to the platform, when the pontoon tipped.

Police say the pump slipped off and dragged a 27-year-old man into the water, trapped him beneath the surface.

His workmates tried to rescue the man but could not find him in the murky water.  Police divers later retrieved the body.

Another male employee at the site, 46, suffered minor injuries in the incident.

Police are assisting Workplace Health and Safety officers with their investigation.  It is believed they will examine whether a crane at the site contributed to the accident.

OHS News Tip: Industrial Safe Work Method Statements

TAS: Company Admits To Safety Failures

Thursday August 14th 2008 10:48 a.m. Source: ABC News

A worker cut his finger on a rotating knife in a machine used to cut leather.

Blundstone has pleaded guilty to failing to ensure a person at a workplace is safe from injury.

The Hobart Magistrates Court heard a worker from a labour hire firm lost part of his finger while he was trying to fix a machine which had jammed.

The incident happened at Blundstone's North Hobart tannery in March last year.

An investigation by Workplace Standards found the company failed to provide adequate training in safe operation of the machine.

The machine also lacked adequate warning signage.

The court heard Blundstone had no prior convictions for workplace offences and had acted on all safety recommendations made after the accident.

OHS News Tip: Workplace Safe Work Method Statements

AU: How To Prevent Workplace Bullying

Wednesday August 13th 2008 08:03 a.m.

Workplace bullying is estimated to cost Australian business between $6 billion and $13 billion a year.

Workplace bullying can reduce profits due to a decrease in productivity or performance, absenteeism, increased staff turnover and legal costs.

Bullying can lead to employer liability in reinstatement claims, claims for compensation for sexual discrimination or harassment, claims for damages for personal and psychiatric injury, prosecution for breach of OH&S laws and criminal charges if the bullying constitutes assault.

To limit the potential for bullying in its workforce, an employer should adhere to the following:

• Consult with employees and identify any risk of inappropriate behaviour;
• Develop effective policies and procedures to deal with inappropriate workplace conduct;
• Communicate such policies to all employees and conduct regular and training;
• Take all complaints seriously and ensure appropriate investigation;
• Ensure compliance with policies through regular reviews; and
• Keep accurate records of steps taken in case of legal action.

OHS News Tip: Workplace Bullying Work Method Statements

TAS: Risk Taking Culture Provides High Safety Threat

Wednesday August 13th 2008 07:45 a.m. Source: ABC News

A risk-taking culture and ageing workforce have been identified as the main safety challenges in Tasmania's mining industry.

A Select Committee investigating mining industry regulation has held its first day of hearings at Queenstown.

Scott Clyde has been the General Manager of Copper Mines of Tasmania in Queenstown for six years and has experience in South America and South Africa.

He told the Legislative Council Committee he supports a move towards mining-specific safety rules in Tasmania and uniform national standards.

He says changing the industry's traditional culture is the biggest safety challenge.

Mr Clyde says the workforce is rapidly ageing as younger people in the cities avoid the so-called dirty trades and the uncertainty of a boom and bust industry.

He says the industry traditionally attracted people who were not afraid to take risks and the older workforce has fairly entrenched views on safety.

Mr Clyde told the committee Australia's industry is generally better educated on occupational health and safety than some countries like South Africa.

In that country the death toll from rockfalls in gold mines has been as high as 400 a year.

OHS News Tip: Earth Moving Safe Work Method Statement

NSW: Ban lifted on use of pressure cleaner hose

Tuesday August 12th 2008 07:35 a.m.

A state ban on the use of ultra-high-pressure industrial hoses has been lifted.

The ban was implemented by the  Australian Workers' Union after the death of a worker in May.
However, the use of the lance, which operates some hoses, is still banned.

The victim died after he was hit in the chest by an ultra-high-pressure stream of water from a hose while cleaning a catchment sump at BlueScope's Port Kembla site.

The hose the worker was using was fed by a high-pressure truck and connected to a lance that he was holding to control the water direction. The water pressure was strong enough to cut through wood and concrete.

Safety experts said at the time the hose should have been cannon-mounted and the foot pedal controlling the water flow should have been operated by the victim, not his colleague.

According to the victim's employer, Veolia Environmental Services, it has since reviewed the use of such hoses on all its work sites.

OHS News Tip: Water Pressure Cleaner Safe Work Method Statement

WA: No Safe Work Method Statements Cost $100,000

Tuesday August 12th 2008 07:30 a.m.

A lack of Safe Work Method Statements has led to a Western Austrlian Metal Foundry to be be fined $100,000 for the 2005 death of a labour hire worker at it’s Henderson factory.

Workers had been heating materials in a furnace to form a metal alloy. The victim, who had been observing the operation as part of his induction training, was killed by molten metal as the furnace exploded. The explosion was caused by the overheating of molten metal underneath the furnace lining.

According to Worksafe WA, the alloy-making procedure did not have specific safe work methods nor did the workers have adequate training for the task.

Although procedures did exist to safely cool the molten metal, the workers had not noticed what had happened and did not take the measures recommended to avoid the explosion.

OHS News Tip: Steel Work Safe Work Method Statements

WA: Workplace health programs on show at Safety Exhibition

Monday August 11th 2008 07:46 a.m.

A range of workplace health and safety services will be demonstrated at the WA Safety Show from August 12 to 14 in Perth.

Corporate fitness programs, flu shots, skin checks and stress-relief programs are on the agenda of employers looking to improve productivity by investing in a healthy workplace.

The show will host over 150 exhibitors spanning asbestos removal and automation safety through to waste management.

Among them will be Molescan Australia, which visits workplaces across the country to conduct preventative scans for skin cancer.

Workplace vaccination programs are also becoming increasingly popular as employers attempt to cut the more than 1 million working days lost in Australia each year from influenza.

Another exhibitor, Health For Industry, vaccinates around 80 000 to 90 000 Australian workers every year, according to national marketing manager, Michael Raynor.

OHS News Tip: Occupational Health and Safety Work Method Statement

VIC: Safe Access Platform For Truck Loading a Winner

Monday August 11th 2008 07:39 a.m.

A safe loading access platform for trucks has been recognised at the Worksafe Victoria Awards.

Freight companies across the country had reported a history of injuries associated with the loading of trucks. The National OHS Manager of a big freight centre in Australia said falls were a constant problem, with drivers falling off a truck every two months.

The platform, named the Safe Loading Access Platform (SLAP) was devised by No Bolt Operations.

It incorporates a fixed elevating loading dock with a handrail that drivers can connect themselves to. It is quick and easy to use, light enough for one or two people to move and strong enough to cope with the rigours of busy transport yards.

The drivers wear a harness that is connected via a lanyard and static line to the platform’s guardrail. The lanyard allows drivers across two-thirds of the tray’s width – short enough to prevent falls over the unguarded edge but long enough for drivers to secure loads efficiently.
“The SLAP doesn’t interfere with the drivers’ work too much,” the Manager said. “Actually, some drivers have commented they tend to forget they’ve got it on.”

“What’s even more important is that not one driver who’s used the SLAP over the last 12 months has fallen. That’s a huge improvement over one every two months."

OHS News Tip: Loading and Unloading Trucks  - Safe Work Method Statement

VIC: Forklift death prompts safety warning

Monday August 11th 2008 07:34 a.m.

A farmer was crushed to death last week when a 300 kilogram hay bale fell onto his tractor.

A WorkSafe investigation has found the man was trying to lift the bale with his tractor, which had improvised forklift arms.

WorkSafe Victoria is warning farmers against do-it-yourself tractor attachments.

WorkSafe spokesman Michael Birt says farmers should leave tractor alterations to a qualified engineer.

"Unfortunately in Victoria there are many farmers and other business operators who improvise gear, they make it themselves and then often something goes wrong," he said.

"We've had several deaths in recent years and recent months in fact where people have died in these circumstances and it really is a warning to everybody, get it checked out first."

OHS News Tip: Forklift Safe Work Method Statement

NSW: Singleton Mine Recieves a $7m Safety Boost

Monday August 11th 2008 07:29 a.m. Source: ABC News

An Upper Hunter mine safety centre has received a $7 million upgrade, as part of a state-wide push to make the coal mining industry safer.

The Minister for the Hunter, Joel Fitzgibbon, says the Coal Services Health Injury Management Centre in Singleton plays an important role in improving safety and rehabilitation in the coal mining industry.

He says improving mine safety is a key priority for Government's and stakeholders.

"It remains a dangerous industry, despite technological advances and our better understanding of workplace safety," he said.

"Coal Services will continue to play an important role in ensuring we are proactive in safety, but also we play a key role in the rehabilitation of those who do find themselves injured at work, to ensure that they get themselves back into the work force."

OHS News Tip: Mining Work Method Statement

QLD: QR Battles With Unsafe Workplace Environment

Monday August 11th 2008 07:20 a.m. Source: Courier Mail

Railway workers in Queensland are being spat at, urinated on and threatened by young thug passengers who have no fear of the law.

Queensland Rail has instructed staff not to challenge rule-breakers in an effort to reduce the likelihood of staff being injured, a rail union official said.

One QR worker, who was struck by a passenger he caught smoking, was urged to stay silent in the future.

President of the Rail Tram and Bus Union, Bruce Mackie, said Brisbane passengers may see even more violent crime at railway stations unless QR stops closing stations unannounced.

"There is no one on hand to monitor security," Mr Mackie said.

"If employees call in sick, QR hasn't allocated the resources to cover for them."

The union, which represents 1000 CityRail workers and 6000 other QR employees, also complained about a lack of police presence at stations and on trains, risking the safety of riders and staff.

"Response times are a long way from being sufficient. There is potential for trouble any time day or night, but it's obviously worse late at night," Mr Mackie said.

A veteran rail worker said violent and anti-social teens were defacing public transport. Malcolm Beigel, a porter at Brunswick Street station, has seen teens kicking doors and windows, slashing seats, vomiting, urinating and defecating.

"Railway people must be given more authority." he said.

"Right now if you put your hands on somebody, you're gone. We've got no rights. We've got nothing."

Passengers have accused QR managers of turning a blind eye to robberies, assaults and other illegal activities on trains, and not providing enough security.

However, QR executive general manager (passenger) Paul Scurrah said QR does not have a staff shortage and rosters according to its contract with TransLink.

"Decisions on what stations are temporarily closed are based on a customer needs analysis, staff feedback and patronage data," he said.

QR staff say they feel threatened and other south east Queensland residents have given up riding trains.

The Queensland Government has announced plans to give 110 transit officers greater powers, but the rules are not yet in effect.

Mr Beigel said he was suspended with pay for protesting QR's security problems after refusing to wear his orange QR vest when he was threatened by a passenger he caught not paying for tickets.

The statement was the last straw for a worker frustrated by inaction and concerned about his wellbeing at work.

"I'm not allowed to touch them but they can do anything they want to me," he said. "We have the most unsafe trains in Australia. They might say they are safe, but they are not."

A spokesman said QR "takes the issue of criminal activity and antisocial behaviour very seriously".

He said crimes on the system hadn't increased despite patronage growth.

"QR is dedicated to improving passenger safety and security," he said.

But the union said the severity of crimes was worsening and Mr Mackie said "more and more youths" were carrying knives.

Police Minister Judy Spence has reactivated the youth violence taskforce she chairs - which hasn't met in nine months - after a recent spate of youth attacks.

Now an advisory committee, it will reconvene on August 28, but has cut its meetings from monthly to twice yearly.

OHS News Tip: Harassment Work Method Statement

VIC: Workcover pays $17 million to stressed teachers

Friday August 8th 2008 07:34 a.m.

WorkCover has paid out more than $17 million to teachers in the past three years for workplace stress, harassment and violence.

More than 600 Victorian teachers were forced to take stress leave from 2004 to 2007.

Victorian Premier John Brumby this week announced new measures to lift standards in public education: offering top principals lucrative packages to take jobs in underperforming schools, and a new $10 million "leadership institute" to open in 2010, to help train principals and teachers.
But Australian Education Union branch president Mary Bluett said workplace stress discouraged some teachers from applying for principals' positions.

The union had heard of cases of parents threatening teachers in their classrooms, or of parents punching or kicking principals.

"Teachers need support officers and teaching assistants to cope," Ms Bluett said. "It's a very significant issue, and there's certainly a need for system support for schools to deal with it."

OHS News Tip: Workplace Safe Work Method Statement

WA: Heavy Engineering Company Fined $100,000

Friday August 8th 2008 07:25 a.m. Source: Business News

Heavy engineering company Bradken Pty Ltd has been fined $100,000 over the 2005 death of a 21-year-old worker at its Henderson foundry.

Bradken Resources Pty Ltd pleaded guilty and was fined in the Fremantle Magistrates Court on Tuesday for failing to ensure the safety or health of a person not being an employee.

A labour hire worker who had been at the foundry for less than three hours was killed when struck by molten metal as a furnace exploded.

The worker who died had been undertaking a general workplace induction in the area where he was to be working. He had been taken to the furnace deck to observe the operation of the furnace and associated tasks.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said the tragic incident should serve as a reminder that safe systems of work needed to be in place, and they needed to be followed.

"There were no specific safe work procedures in place for the task the workers were engaged in that day," Ms Lyhne said.

"Some of the employees at the foundry had attended training a couple of years before, but the men who were undertaking the task of furnace operation had not received adequate training in the correct procedures for adding the ingredients to be melted and the early recognition of operating problems.

"Bradken Resources had assumed control of this workplace only a matter of days before this tragic incident, but the duty of care to provide and maintain a safe workplace exists from day one and there is no excuse to delay ensuring that the workplace is safe."

OHS News Tip: Engineering Safe Work Method Statements

NSW: Contractor deemed employer and fined over hurt worker

Friday August 7th 2008 07:34 a.m.

A criminal conviction has been imposed on a contract labour supplier for failing to ensure a safe workplace.

Two years ago, the owner of the Humula Timber mill was fined $18,000 over an injured worker, but the Chief Industrial Magistrate's Court has also fined Graham Blight $2,100.

The judge found Mr Blight's now defunct hire company, Riverina Agency Contracting Services, was an employer and had breached occupational health and safety laws by not ensuring a thorough risk assessment of the mill to ensure it was a safe workplace.

Mr Blight had argued he was not the injured man's employer.

The judge acknowledged Mr Blight's good reputation and the fact he had no prior criminal convictions, but said the penalty was needed to act as a deterrent.

OHS News Tip: Workplace Safe Work Method Statement

QLD: Worker Falls To Death

Thursday August 7th 2008 07:22 a.m. Source: Courier Mail

A man is dead after falling from an apartment building in a workplace accident on the Gold Coast this afternoon, the second such accident in two months.

Police said the 47-year-old man had been working on the roof and 16th floor of the Edgewater Gardens Apartments in Peninsular Drive at Surfers Paradise when the incident happened between 1pm and 1.30pm.

The death is not being treated as suspicious.

Police and Workplace Health and Safety inspectors are investigating. 

Two construction workers fell 26 storeys to their death while working a a Broadbeach high-rise
in June.

OHS News Tip: Workplace Safe Work Method Statements

QLD: Safety Pulls The Plug On An Ekka Institution

Wednesday August 6th 2008 07:30 a.m. Source: Courier Mail

The dead hand of bureaucracy has killed off an Ekka institution.

The Grand Carousel, an antique merry-go-round that has thrilled thousands of youngsters for more than half a century, has been barred from this year's Ekka over fears children might be crushed under the hooves of its timber horses.

Even though it is considered safe in other states, the objections of a Workplace Health and Safety Queensland inspector have led to the Grand Carousel's 57-year link with the show being severed.

With the 133rd Ekka under way tomorrow, other safety inspectors were yesterday absorbed in the potentially hair-raising task of testing thrill rides such as the Sky Walker and Insanity.

But controversy surrounded a far more pedestrian ride.

John Short, whose father Lesley first brought the Grand Carousel to the Ekka in 1951, has been forced to leave his "flagship" operating on the banks of Melbourne's Yarra, where it enjoys the approval of Victorian WorkSafe inspectors. It is understood the Queensland inspector's concerns were triggered last year when he observed a primary school-aged child who appeared "unsteady" in the saddle. He concluded a child who fell off could be crushed under the rising and falling horse or roll off the carousel platform and hit their heads.

Brian Bradley, an engineer who carries out inspections for amusement ride operators, said the inspector had "concocted a potential hazard".

"Bear in mind there's an operator in the centre of the ride who watches it going around, there's an attendant on the side of the ride, who is able to jump on as it's moving without any problem," he said.

"You've also got the parents to hold their two or three-year-olds on a horse, riding for nothing, just for safety precautions. (Nothing) has ever happened in the 100 years the ride's been operating but because this particular inspector had a bright idea that it could happen and made an issue of it, the ride won't work in Queensland again."

The inspector warned the RNA in February that Mr Short would be issued with a prohibition notice on the ride unless he carried out substantial alterations, including a new barrier.

Mr Short described the request as "ridiculous".

"He wanted me to redesign the whole thing and I'm not willing to do that to a 120-year-old machine," he said.

Mr Short turned instead to a modern alternative, the Space Carousel.

"It hasn't got the charm or nostalgia of the Grand Carousel, but nothing does," he said.

OHS News Tip: Workplace Safe Work Method Statements

VIC: Safety Checks for Cranes Lifting Workers

Wednesday August 6th 2008 07:30 a.m.

WorkSafe Victoria has been investigating several instances of crane failure in circumstances where cranes have been used to hoist workers.

The safety watchdog has been informing crane owners and manufacturers of the necessity for a dual braking system where a crane is used to suspend a workbox for hoisting personnel.   

The crane must comply with clause 6.18 of Australian Standard AS 2550.1 – 2002.

All cranes used to lift personnel should have full service records.  A crane greater than 10 years old that has not undergone a 10 year inspection cannot be used to lift personnel in a workbox.

Damaged cranes or cranes that have been overloaded also cannot be used to lift workers.

Before lifting any workers, the crane should be subjected to a test load.

OHS News Tip: Crane Safe Work Method Statements

VIC: Foster's incurs million dollar fine over worker's death

Wednesday August 6th 2008 07:23 a.m.

Foster's has been fined $1.125 million over the death of a worker in 2006 at its Abbotsford brewery.

The Company pleaded guilty to failing to provide a safe workplace and failing to provide adequate training and supervision.

On 12 April 2006, Cuu Huynh was crushed in a depalletiser machine which prepared bottles for filling.  He died in hospital 7 days later.

According to WorkSafe Victoria, the fine was particularly onerous because Foster's had been aware that the machine was a safety hazzard, but had failed to rectify it.

OHS News Tip: Working Around Heavy Machinery Safe Work Method Statement

TAS: 24 Rockfalls in 28 Months Lead To The Fatal Collapse Of A Mine

Tuesday August 5th 2008 07:20 a.m. Source: The Age

About 24 rockfalls were reported in 28 months before the fatal collapse at the Beaconsfield mine, according to a national workplace safety expert.

There was a fall of more than 50 tonnes of rock on average every 10 weeks, as part of a trend that was not tailing off, said Professor Michael Quinlan, of the University of NSW.

Despite this, Professor Quinlan said consultants engaged to reassess mining before the fatal Anzac Day 2006 collapse at Beaconsfield were given no list of the past rockfalls.

He was giving evidence at the inquest on miner Larry Knight, who died in the 2006 tragedy. The rockfall trapped his workmates Todd Russell and Brant Webb for a fortnight.

Professor Quinlan said mine management had failed to carry out a comprehensive risk assessment when they were called in after a series of major falls six months before Anzac Day.

"There is no evidence the number of rockfalls experienced by the mine since January 2004 … were considered as part of this assessment process," he said.

Professor Quinlan said there was a disturbing disconnection between management and miners over the issue of occupational health and safety.

There was poor communication between the two and the mine's short-lived safety committee had collapsed, he said.

"Concerns about safety were raised, not as management suggested by a few militant unionists, they were raised by union and non-union, experienced and inexperienced, and by contractors," Professor Quinlan said.

Counsel for the mine, David Neal, SC, earlier said that between the October 2005 rockfalls and Anzac Day 2006, the mine received 11 reports from six consultants about how to manage risks. Before withdrawing from the inquest, Dr Neal said the mine complied with an Australian Standard for risk management, but Professor Quinlan said he did not accept that.

Professor Quinlan said there was serious potential for critical omission in the mine's risk management.

The professor, author of an Australian standard text on occupational health and safety, took part in a Tasmanian Government special investigation that reported to coroner Rod Chandler.

The inquest is continuing.

OHS News Tip:  Workplace Safe Work Method Statement     

WA: Grain Handling Company Fined $8000

Monday August 4th 2008 08:00 a.m.

Premium Grain Handlers Pty Ltd has been fined $8000 for failing to provide and maintain a safe workplace after a worker’s hand was badly cut in a workplace accident. 

The accident happened in November, 2005, when a machine was accidently turned on while a worker was trying to unclog it with his hand.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said that the case highlighted the importance of proper isolation systems in workplaces with hazardous machinery.

“Many workers have been seriously injured and even killed when equipment or machinery they were working on has been accidentally activated," she said.

“Hence, the basis of any lock-out and tagging system should be that nobody is able to activate machinery while someone else is working on it.

“After this incident, the company did update the isolation and lock-out and tagging instructions in its General Safety Rules Handbook, but too late for the worker whose hand was seriously injured by the moving parts of the auger.

”The company involved has taken action to prevent any repeat of this incident, and it should serve as a reminder to other employers to ensure that safe work procedures are in place to lower the risk of injury.”

OHS News Tip:  Grinder Safe Work Method Statement     

VIC: Chemical Spill Causes Freeway Closure

Monday August 4th 2008 07:50 a.m.

The West Gate Freeway in Melbourne was closed for five hours yesterday after posphoric acid spilled onto the road.

A truck carrying the drums of acid swerved to avoid an accident. The drums tipped over and began to leak.

The acid is used in industrial strength cleaning products.

Paramedics treated seven people for skin irritations and breathing problems. Ambulance Victoria spokesman, Paul Holman, says the patients were affected by fumes.

"These chemicals are extremely dangerous, that's why it's taken so seriously," he said.
The Metropolitan Fire Brigade said the road closure was necessary to ensure no other drivers were affected by the fumes.

OHS News Tip: Chemical Loading on Vehicle Safe Work Method Statement
OHS News Tip:  Vehicle Accident Safe Work Method Statement     

QLD: Safety Authority investigates tour company over rafting death

Monday August 4th 2008 07:35 a.m.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is investigating the death of a 50-year-old woman in a white water rafting accident in far north Queensland on July 30.

The tourist died when her raft overturned, throwing her into the dangerous rapids in the Josephine Creek area near Babinda, south of Cairns.

According to Police, the death could have been avoided. It appears the woman and another man paddled their raft into a dangerous section of the river, against the advice of their tour guide.

Police Inspector David Tucker said: "People are actually going into high risk situations, a lot of work is done by the tour companies in actually ensuring these people's safety, but accidents do happen."

It is the third fatality in the region in about 12 months.

A British schoolteacher died in a white water rafting adventure in the Tully River in July last year and a 22-year-old woman died in similar circumstances in the same river a few months later.

OHS News Tip: Workpalce Safe Work Method Statements

QLD: Steel Fabricator Fined For Inadequate Gantry Crane Procedures

Monday August 4th 2008 07:20 a.m.

A metal fabricator has been fined $35,000 after a worker was injured at its steel manufacturing business in June 2007.

N B Hayward pleaded guilty on 24 July 2008 to breaching section 28(1) of the Workplace Health and Safety Act (Qld) for having failed to ensure the safety of its workers.

It was found that the company failed to provide written information, instruction or training to its workers relating to the use of overhead gantry cranes and  movement and placement of steel beams using the cranes.

Two workers had been using an overhead gantry crane to move steel around the workplace. When a chain around a two tonne beam was released, it caught the edge of the beam, causing it to fall over. One of the workers had his legs pinned against another beam.

The victim suffered compound fractures to his legs, a punctured right calf and nerve damage to his right leg.

The company has been issued a prohibition notice, stopping workers from standing in the fall zone of structural steel when it is being moved using overhead gantry cranes.

OHS NewsTip:  Gantry Crane Safe Work Method Statement
OHS News Tip: Steel Work Safe Work Method Statements

QLD: Safety Watchdog To Charge Dive Company

Saturday August 2nd 2008 09:05 a.m.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is expected to charge diving company, OzSail, with breaches of the WHS Act in relation to a diving mishap on the Great Barrier Reef two months ago.

British scuba instructor, Richard Neely, 38, and his American girlfriend Allyson Dalton, 40, survived being swept 15km out to sea as a strong current dragged tham away from their dive boat.

They said they were unable to attract the attention of crew and other passengers.

Rescuers found Mr Neely and Ms Dalton clinging together for warmth after spending the night in the shark-infested waters on May 26.

A soon-to-be-released report by WHS is set to find the mishap was due to "operator error" and is expected to recommend charges against both OzSail, which operated the dive boat, and former dive trip director Kylie Irwin, 31.

OzSail has accused the couple of not following safety instructions. 

OzSail operations manager Ross Peters said his company had not yet seen a final copy of the report. He declined to comment on the likelihood of them facing charges.

Penalties under the WHS act include up to six months' imprisonment and individual fines of $37,500 and a company fine of $187,500.

OHS News Tip: Workplace Safe Work Method Statement

NZ: Non-Slip Flooring product on show at NZ Food & Packaging Fair

Friday August 1st 2008 10:22 a.m.

New Zealand annual trade event, Foodtech Packtech, showcases the latest developments in the food technology and packaging industries.

This year, construction materials company, BASF Construction Chemicals New Zealand, will be demonstrating a non-slip version of its unique flooring product, UCRETE.

Marketed as UCRETE DP, the flooring system, with its outstanding strength, chemical resistance and non-slip performance characteristics, is touted as one of the most significant advances in occupational health and safety in the food and beverage industries for many years.
 
BASF says workplace slip hazards are a major concern for many companies - especially throughout the food and beverage processing industries. In the past, when it came to selecting a floor for these difficult environments, it has often been a matter of 'trading off' between long-term durability, ease of cleaning or non-slip finish. Now, says BASF, it is able to offer a floor that meets all criteria.

The trade fair runs from October 21-23 at Auckland's ASB Showground.
 
Over 170 businesses will be exhibiting, including ten per cent from overseas. 

Foodtech Packtech is a trade-only event with free entry.
Visitors can register online at http://www.foodtechpacktech.co.nz/

OHS News Tip: Workplace Safe Work Method Statement
OHS News Tip: Food Handling and Kitchen Safety Safe Work Method Statements

VIC: Workplace Health & Safety VS. Human Lift

Friday August 1st 2008 09:58 a.m. Source: Canberra Times

What price a dead worker? A study by Access Economics has put the statistical value of a human life at $6 million. Yet new research shows that in NSW the average penalty imposed on a construction employer convicted over a workplace death is just $88,000.

The research by occupational health and safety consultant Peggy Trompf found the NSW Industrial Court imposed fines that averaged just 18 per cent of the maximum penalty available in cases involving fatal accidents on building sites.

Her research - included in a Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union submission to a review of occupational health and safety legislation - examined 22 randomly selected Industrial Court judgments from 1997 to 2005.

The cases involved 31 deaths. The workers were electrocuted, killed in falls or from being hit with heavy equipment, burned, crushed and hit by a train. In each case the relevant employer was found to have breached state occupational health and safety legislation including its most important provisions, imposing a legal duty on employers to maintain safe workplaces.

But Ms Trompf's analysis found that although maximum penalties of as much as $825,000 were available for breaches of the legislation's most serious offences, the court did not go close to applying the maximum penalty in any of the cases she examined.

Fines imposed ranged from $600 to $275,000, with an average of just under $88,000.

In percentage terms the fines ranged from as little as 4 per cent of the maximum penalty for the relevant offence to 34 per cent of the maximum available.

The national secretary of the union, John Sutton, said yesterday the legal system was blatantly trivialising workplace deaths.

"Deaths and serious injuries in the workplace attract much lower levels of punishment than money crimes like fraud or embezzlement," he said. "When you consider that there were 31 deaths in these cases, the penalties imposed are just pathetic given that human beings have died and the employer has been convicted for being culpable."

The union believed that in many cases where fines had been imposed for breaches of occupational health and safety legislation, employers did not pay the fine, and there was inadequate action by authorities to ensure the fines imposed were collected. "The current legal framework is not within cooee of providing an adequate penalty and deterrence for employers who operate unsafe workplaces," Mr Sutton said.

The union has given the research to a Federal Government review which is devising a national system of workplace health and safety regulation to replace state, territory and federal laws. The union wants tougher penalties for employers on workplace deaths, serious injuries and disease, including jail terms of up to 12 years for the most serious cases.

The union says fines for breaches of health and safety rules should be set at between 5 and 15 per cent of a company's annual profit.

OHS News Tip: Safe Work Method Statements

NSW: Construction Industry Focus of Safety Show

Thursday July 31th 2008 12:08 p.m.

This year's Safety Show Sydney will focus on safety solutions for the building and construction industry, with a special feature area that incorporates height safety equipment, scaffolding nets, appliance tagging and testing, safety and isolation switches and power distribution cords.

Regarded as one of Australia's most dangerous industries, building and construction has a workplace death toll twice the Australian average.

The convention, which showcases the latest in safety technology, will be held from October 28 to 30 at the Sydney Showground. It will be held alongside Sydney Materials Handling, a show dedicated to load, move and shift solutions.

The two events are expected to host more than 350 occupational health and safety specialists offering everything from asbestos removal to warehouse management systems.

WorkCover NSW will also run a series of free workshops on workplace safety issues.

OHS News Tip: Residential Construction Industry Work Method Statements
OHS News Tip: Commercial Construction Industry Work Method Statements

WA: WorkSafe Prosecutes 8 Companies For Failing to Provide a Safe Workplace

Thursday July 31th 2008 07:50 a.m.

After a 16 month investigation, WorkSafe WA will prosecute 8 companies, including Fortescue Metals Group,  the company of Australia's richest man, Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest,  in connection with two deaths and serious injuries to seven others at a Pilbara construction camp during Cyclone George in March 2007. 

The companies to be prosecuted are Spotless P & F, Pilbara Infrastructure, BGC Contracting, Laing O'Rourke, Spunbrood, WorleyParsons, Spotless Services and FMG.

The companies face a total of 49 charges under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984, including failure to provide and maintain a safe working environment, failure to maintain accommodation and failing to ensure temporary structures could withstand potential cyclones.

Severe winds destroyed temporary accommodation at the construction camp, 100km south of Port Hedland, which was part of FMG's $3 billion Pilbara mine and infrastructure development.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said that the large number of charges demonstrated the breadth of occupational safety and health responsibilities.

The cyclone deaths prompted the issuing of two Safety Bulletins and reminders to local government authorities about WorkSafe's reporting requirements for building and construction projects.

The charges carry fines ranging from $200,000 to $400,000.

OHS News Tip: Commercial Construction Industry Work Method Statement

SA: $50,000 p/y WorkCover Post

Thursday July 31th 2008 07:35 a.m. Source: Adelaide Now

The state's most powerful union boss, from a Labor faction that offered crucial support for WorkCover laws, has been given a $50,000-a-year post on the WorkCover board.

The Advertiser understands Peter Malinauskas, who replaced Right factional heavyweight Senator Don Farrell as secretary of the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association, will be appointed within weeks.

The deal to get Mr Malinauskas on the board was secured this month by former industrial relations minister Michael Wright, a member of the Right, before he lost responsibility for WorkCover to Paul Caica, of the Left, in last week's Cabinet reshuffle.

The new WorkCover laws caused a deep factional split in the Labor Party but Premier Mike Rann won the day with the help of key Right figures in convincing ALP members the laws were necessary.

Deep divisions over WorkCover still exist.

The Government faces a censure motion, moved by the Australian Workers' Union, at the ALP state convention on August 16.

Mr Malinauskas would replace SA Unions secretary Janet Giles. She quit the board in February in protest at the new laws.

By law, the board must consist of nine members. Among requirements are that "two members must be appointed in consultation with worker interests".

Mr Caica is understood to have met the board yesterday but he would make no comment.

Mr Malinauskas yesterday said: "I have not had any discussions with the Government about this for the past fortnight. I'm still waiting and I haven't heard anything official, so I'm just not in a position to be able to provide any comment."

Opposition Upper House MP Rob Lucas said the appointment was "typical of the Rann Government's arrogance when WorkCover is facing a $1 billion unfunded liability crisis".

OHS News Tip: Workplace Safety Work Method Statement