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

OHS News - June 2008

NSW: LPG Safety Fears

Monday June 30th 2008 08:21 a.m. Source: Dandenong Leader

A Noble Park man has delivered a glove slap to Melbourne's petrol stations for not providing hand protection at the pump.

Wojciech Smiglewski wants service stations to supply gloves to shield hands from harmful chemicals contained in fuel and its vapour.

Mr Smiglewski said service stations that did not supply gloves to motorists in his native Poland were subject to hefty fines.

He said he always took his own gloves when filling up his Ford Falcon with unleaded fuel.

"We must have the bloody gloves," he said.

"It's because of the fumes and the chemical component. You are getting the fumes straight into your hands and even touching the pistol from the pump is unsafe."

But Service Station Association CEO Ron Bowden scoffed at the suggestion and said gloves were "not required" at Australian petrol outlets. "It's not necessary.

"There's nothing toxic about it. "All I know is it's not an OH and S (occupational health and safety) requirement under Australian law."

Deakin University occupational hygienist Steve Atkinson said petrol was now safer than ever. "There is a small quantity of benzene in unleaded petrol, but there's a lot less now than there ever has been," Mr Atkinson said.

"I don't really see the need for people to wear gloves at the petrol station," he said.

"The total exposure from filling your tank once a week is minimal.

"If you're splashing petrol on your hands at the petrol station, you're doing something very wrong," Mr Atkinson said.

He said recently-introduced legislation meant the benzene content in petrol was now restricted to less than 1 per cent.

OHS News Tip: LPG Work Method Statement

QLD: Low Safety Standards Need To Be Improved

Sunday June 29th 2008 10:45 a.m. Source: Brisbane Times

A Queensland construction union has blamed the Rudd Government for "draconian" health and safety practices at building sites on the Gold Coast.

Eight days after two construction workers fell to their deaths while working on a Gold Coast high-rise, the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) has warned that more deaths will follow as a result of low safety standards set by the Government's industry watchdog, the Australian Business and Construction Commission (ABCC).

CFMEU Queensland secretary Michael Ravbar accused the ABCC of favouring developers' profits over worker safety.

"Developers know that if complaints are made against them, nothing will happen so safety is compromised," he said.

ABCC commissioner John Lloyd rejected the CFMEU's allegations. "As is evidenced in our history of prosecutions, we apply the law equally to clients, head contractors, subcontractors, unions, union officials, shop stewards and workers," he said.

Labor had promised to scrap the ABCC but since taking office has said it will stay at least until 2010, when it will be replaced with a specialist building and construction division under Fair Work Australia.

The delay has angered unions around the country.

Mr Ravbar said that the latest deaths "go all the way to Mr Rudd".

About 5000 Gold Coast workers downed tools last Monday to protest against deteriorating safety standards.

The Queensland branch of the Builders and Labourers Federation is threatening to name and shame construction companies on the Gold Coast from tomorrow if they have not improved safety conditions.

A spokesman for Workplace Health and Safety Queensland said the industry's injury and fatality rates on the Gold Coast are below the state average.

OHS News Tip: Scaffolding Work Method Statement

QLD: Workers Speak of Safety Fears

Sunday June 29th 2008 10:23 a.m. Source: Courier Mail

Construction worker Chris Gear spoke about his fears of working at a high-rise site in the months before he and a workmate fell 26 floors to their deaths at the Gold Coast last weekend.

Close friend and fellow worker Aaron Ahipene said he and Mr Gear had talked about possible safety problems at the Meriton Pegasus site at Broadbeach, where Mr Gear, 36, and Steve Sayer, 52, died.

Mr Gear and Mr Sayer worked for a formwork company, Pryme, which was sub-contracting its services to Meriton.

Department of Workplace Health and Safety investigators have yet to complete their inquiries into last Saturday's tragedy.

Workers and union officials have told The Sunday Mail they believe early investigations focused on whether counterweights on the top of the building became unsecured and failed to hold steel cables attached to the swinging stage, or "cradle", on which the men who died were working.

Mr Ahipene said he and Mr Gear had discussed their fears for the past six months.

"We talked about the fact that there shouldn't be anyone working up there (on top of the building) at all," he said, referring to other sub-contractors, not the company for which the dead men worked.

 There was speculation on the site last week that other workers on the roof may have mistakenly dislodged the counterweights.

Union official Michael Ravbar said Workplace Health and Safety officers, after inspecting the Broadbeach site following the deaths, had issued three probation notices, four improvement notices and written up "three foolscap pages" of alleged breaches.

Mr Ravbar, state secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, said the union would meet workers on Tuesday and hold talks with Meriton officials later in the week.

Meriton yesterday defended its safety record, and said breaches found by government inspectors were minor.

"I understand there are some minor issues. I dare say if Workplace Health and Safety go through any site there will be minor issues," said Meriton general manager Peter Spira.

Those breaches were not related to the major investigation of the swinging stage, Mr Spira said.

"We pride ourselves on our workplace safety. Clearly something went wrong. We want to find out what went wrong."

Mr Spira said the swinging stage had been used without problem in the building of the apartment tower.

The two sub-contractors had been completing concrete patchwork on the outside of the building as part of regular finishing touches, he said.

"The structure is well and truly finished. That's why it is so perplexing. It's a standard procedure (using a swinging stage) we've used on so many buildings in Australia."

Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel said Workplace Health and Safety officers would conduct blitzes on Gold Coast construction sites and would show zero tolerance if they identified safety risks.

CFMEU officials will also conduct spot checks, and have warned they will order members to walk off the job if any safety concerns are identified.

Mr Mickel said that in a comprehensive investigation of the Broadbeach incident, "two investigators are working full-time on the investigation, statements have been taken, documentation has been collected".

OHS News Tip: Scaffolding Work Method Statement

ACT: New CEO Appointed For Comcare

Friday June 27th 2008 09:52 a.m. Source: Bus News

Governor-General Michael Jeffrey AC, CVO and MC has appointed Martin Dolan as Chief Executive Officer of Comcare for one year starting from 1 July 2008.

Comcare is the Commonwealth’s occupational health and safety and workers’ compensation authority.

Acting Minister for Workplace Relations Brendan O’Connor says Dolan is highly experienced in workers’ compensation and Occupational Health and Safety issues, having acted in the position of CEO Comcare since July last year.

Dolan was also Deputy CEO of Comcare in 2006, interim CEO of the Australian Energy Market Commission and Executive Director of Aviation and Airports within the Department of Transport Regional Services.

O’Connor says Mr Dolan brings extensive knowledge and experience in safety matters to the position and will provide strong leadership to Comcare.

Comcare administers the Australian Government workers' compensation scheme under the Safety Rehabilitation Compensation Act 1988 and the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991.

OHS News Tip: Workplace Work Method Statement

ACT: Worker Falls 3m From a Roof

Friday June 27th 2008 09:52 a.m. Source: The ABC News

A safety audit will be conducted at a Canberra construction site this morning after a worker fell from a roof.

The 21-year-old plumbing apprentice fell more than 3 metres to a concrete floor at the Tuggeranong Sports Complex construction site yesterday.

He was taken to the Canberra Hospital.

Dean Hall from the CFMEU ACT branch says all work has stopped at the site.

"Today there's trauma response workers attending the site mid-morning," he said.

"The union will also be on site to give advice and help conduct a safety audit for the site.

"We're very encouraged by the contractor's response in dealing with the union."

OHS News Tip: Working Around Heights Work Method Statement

NSW: Unsafe Work Practices Generate $60,000 Fine

Friday June 27th 2008 09:48 a.m. Source: The Wimmera Mail-Times

A Horsham engineering business was fined $60,000 at Horsham Magistrate's Court on Wednesday for unsafe workplace and practices in 2006.

T.J. and F.L. Pohlner were convicted of having failed to provide a safe system in the workplace and $15,000 for having failed to provide adequate instructions, training and supervision for employees.

Magistrate Andrew Capell also ordered T.J. and F.L. Pohlner to pay $3334 in costs.

T.J. and F.L. Pohlner, based in Old Hamilton Road, is a heavy structure engineer business that provides road maintenance rollers for local government.

The court heard that on August 11, 2006, a T.J. and F.L. Pohlner employee, 23, seriously injured his knee when working on a vibrating drum roller.

Worksafe Victoria prosecutor Virginia Whalan said the employee, a qualified boiler maker, was not used to working on that particular roller.

Ms Whalan said the roller was not functioning properly, and the company had used lifting chains and jacks in an attempt for it to work.

She said the employee was standing on a platform when a hook hit him in the knee, severing an artery and chipping a bone, which required surgery.

A Worksafe Victoria inspector visited the site, issuing improvement notices, which the company complied with.

Mr Whalan said the likelihood of an accident occurring was fairly high.

"In sentencing this matter I ask the court to consider not necessarily the outcome but what was potentially the worst outcome," she said.

Defence solicitor Bryan McCormack said his client, Trevor Pohlner, 78, had managed the family company since 1963 and it was the first time there had been a health and safety issue at the workplace.

Mr McCormack said at its peak T.J. and F.L. Pohlner employed more than 30 staff but at the time of the incident, 2006, there were 22 employees.

He said there were now eight employees and the business was for sale.

Mr McCormack argued that the roller had been used in the same manner since the 1960s without incident.

But he said Pohlner had taken responsibility and was remorseful, and changes to the roller had now been made.

Magistrate Capell said companies must take preventive measures.

"The legislation requires workplaces to take nothing for granted," he said.

Magistrate Capell said the employee could have fallen off the platform or bled to death if the hook hit a major artery.

"It is sheer luck that no-one was injured or killed," he said.

"Whether or not there hadn't been an accident for years, it only takes one accident to shatter a family."

OHS News Tip: Workplace Health & Safety Work Method Statement

SA: Man Injured By Drilling Rig

Thursday June 26th 2008 11:57 a.m. Source: ABC News

A full incident inquiry will be completed by Tom Brown Drilling Services after one of its staff was injured near Port Wakefield yesterday.

The driller's offsider was airlifted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital after falling onto his back while undertaking routine drilling tasks.

The managing director of GulfX Limited, Merryl Gray, which contract the drilling service, says she is happy to report the worker has since been released from hospital.

"We are very pleased to say that he has been discharged from hospital, he sustained bruising through his pelvic area from his fall and some damage to his teeth, but we're really pleased he's been discharged and he's on the mend," she said.

SafeWork SA is also investigating the incident and has issued a prohibition notice on the rig until a safer work system can be developed.

OHS News Tip: Safe Drilling Work Method Statement

QLD: Safety Harness Saves Life

Thursday June 26th 2008 10:13 a.m. Source: Gold Coast

A Robina man who plunged seven storeys from a Surfers Paradise high rise remained in a serious condition in hospital yesterday as his workmates returned to work.

Walter Torres, 20, was injured when he fell from the Solaire Apartments on the corner of Ferny and Cypress avenues while abseiling to clean windows on Tuesday.

The accident came after two construction workers fell 26 floors to their deaths from a Broadbeach high-rise development on Saturday.

Andrew Horchner, operations and safety manager for All-Industrial Abseilers -- the company Mr Torres works for -- said the company had been given the all-clear to return to work.

"One thing Workplace Health and Safety talked to us about yesterday was that all our process and work measures and risk assessments were all in good order. They said we could continue on with work on that site and on other sites," said Mr Horchner.

"There's no problem. It was potentially an operator's error but there's still an ongoing investigation. Until they are able to speak with the gentleman, we can't formalise anything.

"We have gone through all the other staff and informed them of what happened and reiterated all our procedures."

Mr Horchner said some of the men who were working on the site where the incident happened on Tuesday took yesterday off but would 'hopefully' return to work soon.

"We have got a few ... who were onsite having a bit of a break to chill out a bit and to relax. We are offering them counselling as an employer," he said.

Other employees of the company returned to work as normal yesterday, including a crew working on the Blue C Apartments on McLean Street, in Coolangatta.

Mr Horchner said it was one of the safest jobs in the world, as long as the proper safety precautions were taken and appropriate training provided.

"It's a very safe industry, a very safe work method, and a lot of that is because you've got highly competent operators working with ropes and they are looking after their own own safety," he said.

"The industry worldwide has had over six million man hours with no recorded deaths and only a small percentage of injuries."

OHS News Tip: Safety Harness Work Method Statement

QLD: Uni Fails To Provide Safety Harness Gear

Thursday June 26th 2008 09:30 a.m. Source: Cairns.com.au

An investigation into the workplace death of crane operator Dick Cooper has ended with a James Cook University-owned company being fined $20,000 for failing to meet safety obligations.

Mr Cooper, 64, plunged 48m to his death while performing maintenance on the Australian Canopy Crane’s jib at Cape Tribulation in January 2006.

The experienced JCU crane driver, who lived at the rainforest research station, was not wearing a safety harness.

Yesterday, Australian Canopy Crane Pty Ltd pleaded guilty in Mossman Magistrates’ Court to failing to ensure his health and safety.

The company knew it was required to install "static line" safety equipment on the crane, but failed to do so.

"Regrettably, the static line, while purchased, was not attached," Magistrate Thomas Braes said.

"Apparently the delay was because of doubt about how it should be installed."

No conviction was recorded.

Laurie Cooper, who found her husband after the fall, said: "It’s not going to bring Richard back, but hopefully it’ll make it easier for someone else."

National Tertiary Education Union state secretary Margaret Lee welcomed the decision, but described it as "a pittance, considering the terrible harm and hurt."

If the static line was attached, Ms Lee said he "would just have dangled there."

Crane operations are now managed by the university.

OHS News Tip: Safety Harness Work Method Statement

QLD: Worker Falls 10m While Tree Felling

Wednesday June 25th 2008 03:13 p.m. Source: Gold Coast

A Nerang tree lopper who survived a 10m fall on to a concrete driveway yesterday had not owned the business for long.

David Andrew Buckler was trimming palms at a home on leafy Yarraowee Drive, Nerang, when it is believed his shoe spike failed to grip properly while climbing his way around a treetop.

Within seconds the father of two plunged down the thick trunk and landed on concrete below, suffering multiple fractures and leaving a spike imprint and blood on the driveway.

It was the third work accident in recent days on the Gold Coast involving a fall.

On Saturday two construction workers were killed when they fell 26 floors from a Broadbeach apartment complex and on Tuesday a window cleaner survived falling seven stories from a Surfers Paradise high rise.

Police said one of two spotters working with Mr Buckler, watched the frightening fall and was so shocked he was unable to properly recount the event.

Scientific officers, accident and investigation police and Queensland Workplace Health and Safety officers were trying to piece the puzzle together yesterday afternoon as Mr Buckler lay in hospital, unable to talk.

He was last night in a stable condition.

The team inspected Mr Buckler's harness, ropes and chains, which lay strewn on the driveway, and taped off an area around his truck.

Tree loppers use spiked shoes and a harness around the waist and the tree to inch their way to the top. Police said in this case the equipment did not appear to be at fault.

The owner of the home, Peter McAulay, said his wife was home and phoned him in distress when the accident occurred about 11am.

The pair had hired Mr Buckler's Quote and Cut Tree and Palm Services to trim the dozens of palms on their large suburban property. Mr Buckler was a quarter of the way through the job when he fell.

Although hurt and suffering suspected head injuries, Mr McAulay said the tree trimmer was coherent and able to move his fingers.

"My wife was in shock," he said.

"The workers were very distraught and very upset. As far as we can see he worked very safely.

"It seems to have been a bad week for this sort of thing."

Lumberjack friends of Mr Buckler arrived at the accident scene during the afternoon after hearing about the fall and were able to explain to police and workplace investigators how to use the safety equipment.

They described their friend as a hardworking bloke in his thirties who had two young girls.

He had just started out in the business but had been in the industry for a long time.

A Workplace Health and Safety spokeswoman said the accident was under investigation.

Mr Buckler remained in a stable condition yesterday but was unable to yet talk to investigators

OHS News Tip: Tree Felling Work Method Statement

QLD: Worker Fleas Vehicle Accident Scene

Wednesday June 25th 2008 12:47 p.m. Source: The Gympie Times

A young male driver embroiled in a hit-and-run scenario took a month to confess his part in the Glastonbury crash to escape punishment for unlawfully driving a work car.

A maxi taxi driver was picking up passengers on the corner of Stockden and Glastonbury roads in the early hours of April 27 when the driver of a late model white Commodore tried to overtake on double lines.

The front of the taxi was crushed in the impact, but no one was injured.

Glastonbury Creek Road resident Joshua Brian Heck then continued driving for 200 metres before he stopped and decamped from the scene on foot.

The young driver appeared in Gympie Magistrates Court this week charged with driving without due care and attention. Police Prosecutor Senior Constable Lisa Manns said the taxi driver had claimed the car travelling behind had tried to overtake at high speed.

Snr Const Manns said passengers waiting for the taxi witnessed Heck return to the car then flee, 10 minutes after running on foot from the crash.

The court heard Heck visited Gympie police station on May 27 and made admissions to his part in the crash.

The 18-year-old agricultural business worker told police he had been driving a work car without permission on the April morning, and to avoid detection had told his employer he crashed the car during work hours.

Heck also admitted to having a few drinks prior to driving about 4am that morning, and did not know if he was over the legal limit.

Defence lawyer Chris Anderson said Heck had lost his job shortly after the crash took place.

Mr Anderson said the defendant advised him that speed was not an issue in the lead-up to the crash.

"In addition, my client has since written a letter of apology to the taxi owner," Mr Anderson said.

Magistrate Tom Killeen said the defendant had displayed a serious breach of road rules.

"You deliberately decamped knowing damage had been caused, and made up stories to avoid responsibility of driving," Mr Killeen said.

Heck was fined $750 and lost his licence for three months.

OHS News Tip: Vehicle Accident Work Method Statement

VIC: Two Men Dead from Seperate Workplace Falls

Wednesday June 25th 2008 12:14 p.m. Source: White Horse Leader

A warehouseman fell to his death while carrying out a stock-check in Nunawading.

Colleagues of the 60-year-old Blackburn South resident tried desperately to revive him before he was rushed to hospital.

He died last Wednesday, more than two weeks after the June 3 fall.

A WorkSafe investigation has started at the manufacturing business on Norcal Rd where he worked. No further details have been released at this stage.

In a separate incident a second tradesman, a 62-year-old Preston painter, died the following day after falling through a ceiling in Templestowe.

The incidents came in the same week that a Whitehorse company was prosecuted for failing to provide appropriate scaffolding at a home renovation project where a 65-year-old plasterer died.

Forest Hill firm McCutcheon Builders Pty Ltd was fined $15,000 after Alberto Capretta fell backwards to the ground from a plank 2.4m above the floor.

An autopsy showed Mr Capretta suffered a stroke, which caused him to fall and fracture his skull.

Melbourne Magistrates' Court was told McCutcheon Builders, as the principal contractor on the site, should not have allowed the plasterer, a sub-contractor, to work on an incomplete scaffold.

Fall protection should be provided when someone is working at a height above 2m, the court heard, and the trestle scaffold provided was marked "planks must not be used above two metres".

The director of the company, Maurice McCutcheon, also pleaded guilty to one charge under health and safety laws and was fined $2000.

The company declined to comment or offer mitigation when approached by the Leader this week.

The director of WorkSafe's construction and utilities program, Chris Webb, said the construction industry still had much to learn.

OHS News Tip: Safety Harness Work Method Statement

QLD: 41yro Man In Hospital After an Industrial Explosion

Wednesday June 25th 2008 11:28 a.m. Source: The Australian

A man has suffered facial burns in an explosion at an engineering business in Brisbane.

A gas cylinder blew up at the business in Gosport Street at Hemmant about 1.20pm (AEST) today, an emergency services spokeswoman said.

Oxygen and acetylene cylinders are used in combination for metal cutting torches or welding metals at high temperatures.

A 23-year-old man suffered facial burns in the explosion but had no apparent breathing problems as he was taken by ambulance to the Royal Brisbane Hospital.

The incident is the second industrial explosion in Brisbane in less than 24 hours.

A 41-year-old man suffered burns to his arms and body when a bitumen profiler he was refuelling exploded about 9.30pm (AEST) yesterday at a workplace on Beaudesert Road in Coopers Plains.

He remains in intensive care in the Royal Brisbane Hospital but his burns are not considered life threatening.

Workplace health and safety officers are investigating both incidents.

OHS News Tip: Industrial Work Method Statement

NZ: Workplace Accident Takes Its Toll

Wednesday June 25th 2008 10:23 a.m. Source: TVNZ.co.nz

Two men have died in separate workplace incidents at the Port of Lyttelton in Christchurch and in Rotorua.

Police say the Lyttelton Port Authority employee was fatally injured in the workplace accident on Cashin Quay, and died at the scene about 8pm on Tuesday.
 
Details of the accident have not yet been revealed.

Occupational Health and safety is investigating the accident.

Rotorua man Richard Skeoch, was crushed to death by a bus on Tuesday afternoon. Workmates are saddened and shocked by the tragic accident.

The 37-year-old worked at Beaurepaires on Te Ngae Road.

A spokesperson for Beaurepaires says he was a popular member of the staff, even though he hadn't been there too long.

Staff at the tyre company are being offered counseling.

Two investigations are underway into the Rotorua accident and the death has been referred to the coroner.

OHS News Tip: Workplace Health and Safety Work Method Statement

NSW: Charges Fall Through

Tuesday June 24rd 2008 11:54 a.m. Source: The Advertiser

Charges against two men that arose from the workplace death of a Mandurang man nearly 20 months ago have been dropped.

However, the case against the companies involved in the incident will continue to the Bendigo County Court, after a hearing in the Bendigo Magistrates Court yesterday.

Ian Grose, 56, died when he was crushed between two trucks at Crystal Ice and Cool Stores in Garsed Street on November 14, 2006.

The father of two was working in the cool store when the accident happened.

He was pinned between one truck that had been reversing into the loading dock and another truck waiting to enter the loading bay.

The volunteer firefighter died at the scene.

He had joined Crystal Ice and Cool Stores two months before his death.

Grose was survived by his wife Lorraine, son Ben and daughter Kate.

Yesterday, the case against former Crystal Industries chief executive Richard Guy was formally struck out.

Charges against his brother, Andrew Guy, were also withdrawn.

ARG Pty Ltd has been charged with one count of breaching a duty of care under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Crystal Transport Pty Ltd has been charged with two counts of the same act - that an employer must provide and maintain a safe work environment.

The matters against both companies will proceed by way of plea in the County Court circuit commencing in late August.

OHS News Tip: Truck - Loading & Unloading Work Method Statement

QLD: A Scaffolding Safety Alert Has Been Issued

Tuesday June 24rd 2008 11:26 a.m. Source: ABC News

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) has issued a safety alert on the use of swingstage scaffolding in the construction industry.

It is asking the industry to adhere to national standards when using the equipment after two workers fell to their deaths on the Gold Coast at the weekend.

The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) says the men were wearing harnesses attached to the scaffold, but they were not anchored to the high rise building.

The CFMEU wants regulations changed to make it mandatory for workers across Australia to be connected to the building while using swingstage scaffolding.

OHS News Tip: Scaffolding Work Method Statement

QLD: 20yro Miraculously Survives a 20m Fall

Tuesday June 24rd 2008 09:08 a.m. Source: Nine MSN

A window cleaner has survived a 25-metre fall from a residential apartment block at Queensland’s Surfers Paradise.

The 20-year-old man was cleaning windows while suspended by abseil on the Solaire Apartments building, on the corner of Cypress and Ferny Avenues, when he fell at 11am.

He suffered spinal and neck injuries and has been transported by paramedics to Gold Coast Hospital, a Queensland Ambulance Services spokesman said.

Queensland’s Workplace Health and Safety inspectors have begun an investigation, a spokeswoman said.

A casual worker at Solaire Apartments, who gave her name as Sheyna, said: "He's a nice young boy. We're concerned about the family... He's a very pleasant boy.

"My head is still spinning. I am still trying to acknowledge what has happened."

An employee from a nearby business described hearing the body fall to the ground.

"We heard the noise from inside our office," Danny Jarvis, manager of the local AVIS car rental, said. "It sounded like a barrel falling from the back of a truck."

The fall follows another incident on Queensland's Gold Coast over the weekend in which two men were killed when swing scaffolding collapsed at a building site.

OHS News Tip: Working at Heights Work Method Statement

QLD: 1.5 Tonnes Of Asbestos-Laced Sheeting Dumped

Tuesday June 24rd 2008 09:03 a.m. Source: The Daily Mercury

Grubs in Mackay have a new poster child.

But if Mackay Regional Council has its way, the poster will soon be torn from the wall.

Council yesterday contacted the Daily Mercury to help with the search for the low-life who dumped 1.5tonnes of asbestos-laced sheeting at Bakers Creek.

The incident, which potentially posed a major health risk to the community, was reported on June 10.

Council immediately hired an asbestos-licensed contractor and the material was removed the same day at a cost of more than $2000 to ratepayers.

The sheeting, which council believes was probably a shed but may have been a roof or fence, was dumped in a nature reserve off Dewars Road, near the old Bakers Creek waste transfer facility.

The reserve is frequented by children and fishermen. Acting manager for waste services Jason Grandcourt said council was working with Workplace Health and Safety and the Environmental Protection Agency to track down the offender.

He called on anyone with information about the offence to come forward. "It's disgusting," Mr Grandcourt said, adding he had never seen so much asbestos dumped before.

"It's totally irresponsible the area is used by recreational fishermen, and children play there.

"They were all put at risk to asbestos exposure."

Mr Grandcourt said the sheeting was green and brown in colour. He said someone could have hired a person to transport the material and might not know it was dumped so irresponsibly.

"We're hoping someone will be able to identify it as their shed," he said.

"They obviously wouldn't be happy if they've paid someone and that person hasn't done the right thing."

A resident reported hearing a truck in the area the night before the material was found.

The Mercury has published several articles highlighting the unsafe removal of asbestos in the wake of the February 15 flood.

But Mr Grandcourt does not believe the material discarded at Bakers Creek came from a flood-damaged home.

"We've had a spike over the last two months in asbestos being buried at landfills and we believe that is a result of the floods," he said.

Council said the disposal occurred prior to June 10 but not before May 29.

OHS News Tip: Asbestos Removal Work Method Statement

QLD: Sugar Mill Explosion Injures Three

Monday June 23rd 2008 06:00 p.m. Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

Three people have been taken to hospital after an explosion at a north Queensland sugar mill.

A Queensland Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said two 1000 litre vats containing sugar heated to 110 degrees Celsius exploded at a laboratory at the Pioneer Sugar Mill, south of Townsville.

A spokeswoman for the mill said in a statement three people had been taken to hospital but no one was seriously injured.

One employee received minor injuries.

That worker and two colleagues, who were treated for shock after being freed from the laboratory by fire officers, were taken to Ayr Hospital.

The spokeswoman said all employees and contractors had been accounted for.

"A full-site evacuation has been completed," she said.

"Emergency crews are in attendance.

OHS News Tip: Explosive Material Work Method Statement

QLD: Traumatised Workers Are Offered Support

Monday June 23rd 2008 05:58 p.m. Source: ABC News

The Queensland branch of the Construction Union is providing counselling for workmates of two men who fell to their death in a high rise accident on the Gold Coast this morning.

Police have confirmed the two men killed were both from the Gold Coast.

It is believed the men aged 36 and 52 had been putting finishing touches to the outside of the 26th floor of a building at Broadbeach when scaffolding collapsed.

State secretary of the Construction Union Michael Ravbar says other workers were left traumatised after witnessing the accident unfold.

"For some reason the swinging stage tilted to the left. The guys as they slid out of the stage still hung on as they had their safety harnesses," he said.

"For some unknown reason the swinging stage came away from the building and the counter-weights didn't work and the whole scaffolding and swing stage fell, and the two guys fells to their deaths."

The accident happened a few blocks from the Gold Coast Convention Centre, where Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was the keynote speaker at the Queensland ALP Conference.

"As Labor people, our thoughts are with the families of those men," he said.

"This terrible accident reminds us all as the Labor Party and the Labour movement of the dangers which continue to affect so many of the work sites of Australia."

The building site has been shut down pending the outcome of an official investigation and a safety audit of the site will be carried out on Monday

OHS News Tip: Construction Industry Work Method Statement

QLD: Construction Workers Strike Over Poor Safety Standards

Monday June 23rd 2008 05:56 p.m. Source: The Age

Thousands of construction workers in south-east Queensland have walked off their jobs in protest at what they say are slipping safety standards following the deaths of two men.

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) Queensland secretary Michael Ravbar said he'd been notified workers at 26 large construction sites had downed tools on Monday.

He said the strikes were not organised by the union and workers were acting independently.

"They were just sending a message that they are just tired of safety standards dropping and too many accidents," he told AAP.

"They are saying there are too many people getting injured and too many people getting killed and they are just sick and tired of it."

The strikes were prompted by the deaths of workers Chris Gear, 36, and Steve Sayer, 52, who fell 26 storeys at a Gold Coast high-rise complex on Saturday.

Union officials believe the swing scaffolding they were using collapsed.

Mr Ravbar said safety standards had dropped at many sites since workplace safety protections were removed by th