VIC: Colac In WorkSafe Spotlight

COLAC Otway Shire has had more than 900 work-related injuries in the past five years, costing more than $18 million in rehabilitation and compensation payouts.

The WorkSafe authority revealed the figures yesterday when it announced it would  send a team of inspectors to the area next month.

The authority has warned businesses to get their houses in order before the crackdown.

The team of WorkSafe inspectors will visit more than 100 businesses during the week-long operation from November 26.

Businesses will not be told whether they are to receive a visit.

WorkSafe's  John Merritt said his organisation wanted to educate employers and employees, but  there was a serious message behind the operation.

Businesses could be issued with improvement notices; failure to act on those could lead to prosecution.

 ``By giving Colac employers and workers notice that we are coming and what we'll be looking for, we expect them to use the next month to ensure workplaces are as safe as practicable,'' Mr Merritt said.

More than 900 work-related Colac Otway Shire injuries  have been reported to Worksafe Victoria during the past five years.

The cost of treatment and rehabilitation of those injuries exceeded $18.4 million, Mr Merritt  said.

``This has an enormous impact on individuals, families and businesses, but it also adds a burden to the health system and undermines community organisations which might lose a member to a preventable injury,'' he said.

``Deaths are high-profile, but injuries also rob individuals and communities of capacity and potential.''

The sources of most injuries  _ manual handling, unguarded machines, falls from height  _ all needed to be controlled.

``We know that most people want to do the right thing, but are often not sure about where to start,'' Mr Merritt said.

``Our role is primarily  to educate and inform by raising community awareness of workplace safety before we arrive.

``Safety needs to be looked at, not as being WorkSafe's issue or responsibility, but for the broader community.

``Families have a role because they're affected the instant something goes wrong.''

OHS News TIP - Occupational Health & Safety System

VIC: Chairlift Operator Fined $90,000

Friday October 26 5:40 p.m. Source: News.com.au

A VICTORIAN tourist chairlift operator has been fined $110,000 over a crash that crushed a woman's legs.

Tri Thi Le was on the ride on the Mornington Peninsula, south of Melbourne, with several family members on March 18, 2004, when her chair slid down the rope into the one in front.

Her legs were crushed so badly they needed pins inserted.

The company's lawyer had told the Victorian County Court there was evidence the chair which came loose was sabotaged.

But Judge David Parsons today ruled it was more likely the grips holding the chair had become loose because of inadequate maintenance.

Mrs Le's son Dung Van Ma had told the court they were on the ride for only 10 to 15 minutes when the chair began to give way, dropping quickly as they passed a pole.

"I started screaming. I didn't have enough time to look after my mum," according to his statement, which was read to the court.

WorkSafe alleged Arthurs Seat Scenic Chairlift Pty Ltd failed to adequately maintain the chairlift by checking the tightness of the bolts in the grip holding the chair to the rope.

The company, which pleaded guilty to breaking safety laws, admitted it did not undertake its maintenance schedule in March, but denied this resulted in the crash.

The defence argued the chair could have been sabotaged as witnesses had told police they saw a person climbing on one of the chair canopies the day before the crash.

Judge Parsons fined the company $110,000 over failing to ensure its patrons were not exposed to risk, a charge that carries a maximum $250,000 penalty.

He said it was significant there had been a similar slippage incident four years earlier.

Judge Parsons said the public had a right to expect the chairlift operator adhered to rigorous safety guidelines.

 

SA: Drugs At Work Being Identified

Friday October 26 2007 7:26 a.m. Source: Adelaide Now

RANDOM workplace drug tests in the past year have caught hundreds of South Australian workers with crystal methamphetamine in their system.

Adelaide-based company, Integrity Sampling, has tested up to 5000 workers in various industries in the past 12 months.

The company said about 10 per cent had displayed traces of the stimulant drug.

Worksafe SA, another company which conducts workplace drug tests, has reported a "five fold" increase in one year in the detection of crystal methamphetamine, which also is used to make ice and speed.

A report by workplace regulator, SafeWork SA, shows at least 5 per cent of deaths and up to 13 per cent of work injuries are related to drug and alcohol use.

A recommendation from a parliamentary committee this month says SafeWork SA should be given the power to require alcohol and drug tests from any employee deemed to be involved in a workplace death or serious injury.

The growing use of methamphetamine – highlighting the nationwide "ice epidemic" – has been linked mainly to workers in the manufacturing and transport industries, which employ nearly 100,000 people in SA.

The average number of workers detected with cannabis in their system is between 10 and 15 per cent. Heroin and cocaine is being detected in about one in every 100 workers.

Integrity Sampling managing director Bill Hayes said the 10 per cent figure for positive crystal methamphetamine tests was similar to results in other states.

"It is a massive problem and has grown tremendously over the past 12 to 18 months," he said.

One manufacturing business recently tested by Worksafe SA had 54 per cent of its workers test positive to illegal substances, mainly cannabis and/or methamphetamine.

Australian Manufacturing Workers Union SA secretary John Camillo said: "It is alarming . . . people coming to work should not have drugs or alcohol in their system."

Business SA chief executive Peter Vaughan said "persons affected by drugs or alcohol in the workplace present physical risks to themselves and others".

OHS News TIP - Drug & Alcohol Policy

NSW: Cobar Council Encourages Workplace Safety

Friday October 26 2007 7:00 a.m. Source: Cobar Age

Cobar Shire Council is taking the lead in workplace safety, with most of its employees participating in a Safe Work Australia Week activity to focus on workplace safety issues.

With more than 180 employees, the council has made it a priority this week to raise awareness of safety in the workplace to reduce death, injury and disease.

HR officer Karen Irvine said that with about 330 Australians losing their lives as a result of a work-related injuries each year, there was no better time to strengthen workplace safety messages.

“Our employees have organised a trivia competition and will encourage spring cleanups in all our workplaces throughout the week to encourage everyone to get involved in making our workplace safe,” Mrs Irvine said on Monday.

“The winner of the competition will receive a special 10-visit pass to the gymnasium at the Cobar Youth and Fitness Centre.

“The competition winner will be announced next Tuesday.

“Incorporating safety into our everyday work practices and making it a daily consideration not only improves occupational health and safety performance, but it has a very significant effect on our productivity.”

Cobar Shire Council encourages all employers to demonstrate their commitment to workplace safety by getting involved in Safe Work Australia Week, Mrs Irvine said.

Suggestions, information and promotional products to help you run events are available from ascc.gov.au.

WA: 54 Miners Trapped After Truck Fire

Wednesday October 24 2007 Source: The West

Fifty four workers at a gold mine near Kalgoorlie were trapped underground after a fire broke out in a truck engine early this morning.

The workers, at Barrick Gold Corp’s Kanowna Belle Gold Mine north-east of Kalgoorlie, were taken to refuge stations underground “as a precautionary measure” after the incident, which started about 9.15am.

A spokeswoman for Barrick confirmed the fire broke out in the engine of a 755 caterpillar truck but was quickly extinguished.

Selena Watt said there were no injuries and the workers were being rescued from the mine this afternoon.

She said the mine’s rescue team expected to have all the workers back up to the surface by this evening.

QLD: Worker On Elevated Work Platform Electrocuted

Wednesday October 24 2007 Source: Gold Coast

A 45-year-old Country Energy worker was electrocuted yesterday while carrying out line work at Burringbar, southeast of Murwillumbah.

The Murwillumbah man, who had worked for the company for 17 years, is believed to have been working on an elevated work platform when the accident occurred about 10am.

A second Country Energy employee at the site was unharmed in the accident and was reported to have applied emergency response procedures at the scene.

Police, ambulance crews and the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter were all called but attempts to revive the qualified line worker were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Country Energy spokesman said 'sincere condolences' had been offered to the dead man's relatives.

"Employees are being provided support and counselling services and the employee's family will be provided with every possible assistance," he said.

The spokesman said an internal investigation had been launched and the company would co-operate with investigations into the incident.

The matter had also been passed to WorkCover and an inspector was conducting preliminary inquiries.

OHS News TIP - Elevated Work Platform Work Method Statement

WA: Worker Ran Into Factory Fire

Tuesday October 23 2007 Source: ABC

A worker injured when he ran back into a burning factory in East Victoria Park yesterday has described his actions as stupid.

Warehouse Manager Darren Clark escaped with only minor burns as he was trying to get gas cylinders out of the building when the fire took hold.

His co-worker sustained burns to his arm and the back of his head and remains in hospital in a stable condition.

The fire caused about $10 million damage. The cause of the blaze is still being investigated.

Mr Clark says his actions were not heroic.

"Probably more stupid than anything else, cause at one stage I was picking the cage up with the LPG bottles up and I thought what the bloody hell am I doing standing here with the flames coming towards us," he said.

"I looked over saw Johnno running bloody round patting the back of his head [which] was starting to burn."

OHS News TIP - Fire Evacuation Emergency Policy

VIC: Worker Looses Fingers In Grinder Accident

Tuesday October 23 2007 4:52 p.m. Source: The Standard

A DERRINALLUM man faces the prospect of losing the use of his hand after a shocking workplace incident in Lismore.

The mill operator is believed to have lost four fingers and severely damaged his thumb after he got caught in machinery at a stockfeed company on Friday.

Opening inspection doors, the man's hand was crushed between two rollers that are used to grind  products into stockfeed.

``It is just disastrous for the man and his family,'' Worksafe Victoria spokesman Michael Birt said.

``These types of incidents are totally life-changing... in terms of what people can do in the future.''

WorkSafe, which is investigating the incident, inspected the site on Saturday.

During the inspection the firm put locks on all the access points to the rollers  to prevent a similar tragedy in the future.

Mr Birt said proactive work to safeguard  against these incidents were not time-consuming or costly.

``These sort of injuries date back to the start of the industrial revolution 200 years ago,'' he said.

``They just should not happen. But they continue to happen far too regularly for something that is so preventable.''

With Work Safe Week starting yesterday, the authority is imploring employers to address its known and potential hazards.

``They shouldn't rely on the expertise of employers  as the primary way of making a safe workplace,'' Mr Birt said.

In the Corangamite Shire, a total of 369 workplace injuries have been reported to the authority in the five years to 2006-07.

They have come at a  cost, of treating and rehabilitating the injured, of $8.4 million.

OHS NEW TIP - Grinder Safety Procedures

QLD: WorkSafe Awards Announced

Tuesday October 23 2007

The winners of the 2007 Work Safe Awards have been announced. Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, John Mickel, says the awards celebrate the great work being done by workers and businesses to improve health and safety at the grass roots level throughout the state.

"The winners and finalists should be proud of their achievements. They deserve public recognition for their strong commitment to continuous improvement in health and safety in their workplaces," says Mickel.

"A panel of judges representing industry, employer associations, unions, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland and the Electrical Safety Office chose seven finalists from 52 entries.

"It's great to see entries came from across a range of sectors including local government, construction, retail, rural and heavy industry."

The winners and finalists are:

Best workplace health and safety management system
Winner: Townsville City Council for its strong commitment to improving health and safety for its 1300 employees who undertake a diverse range of work activities to deliver infrastructure and services to the Townsville community.

Finalist: Myer Queensland, Mitchelton, Brisbane for implementing an excellent safety management system that demonstrates commitment to achieving continuous improvement in safety performance and a strong safety culture.

Best solution to an identified workplace health and safety issue

Winner: Watpac Australia Pty Ltd, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, for developing a safe means of installing the 20,000m2 of fabric membrane roof panels in the construction of Skilled Park stadium at Robina, which is to be the home of the Gold Coast Titans rugby league club.

Finalists: Boyne Smelters Limited, Boyne Island near Gladstone, Australia's largest aluminium smelter, for its innovative approach to worker participation in finding solutions to ergonomic issues through an annual staff competition that encourages, recognises and rewards improvements made in various work areas.

Myer Queensland, Mitchelton, Brisbane, for putting in place a safety management system that achieved a cultural shift in its 3,000 strong workforce and led to a marked reduction in the higher than industry average of lost time injuries at its 10 department stores across Queensland.

Best individual contribution to workplace health and safety

Winner: Dick Turpin, Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd, Milton, Brisbane, for his many years of dedication to workplace health and safety, in particular the positive influence he had on the safety culture in the high-risk construction industry through his strong mentoring and training skills.

Best solution to an identified electrical safety issue

Winner: Upper Haughton Harvesting Pty Ltd, Giru, north of Ayr, for simple and cost-effective solutions to minimising the risk of contact with overhead power lines when sugar cane unloading and bin handling are undertaken at rail sidings.

VIC: Workplace Drug Tests On The Rise

Sunday November 21 2007 Source: The Age

THE number of Victorian workers forced to take regular drug tests has doubled in the past year, as employers crack down to improve workplace safety.

Thousands of workers — from miners and truck drivers to council staff — already face mandatory testing, with about one in 30 returning a positive result.

Now, smaller companies are demanding that their employees agree to screening for drug use.

At least 2500 Victorian workers had saliva swabs last year, a figure set to soar, industry experts say.

Michael Wheeldon, the manager of a Victorian drug testing company, Integrity Sampling, said his company had performed about 10,000 tests across Australia last year, mainly in mining, transport and construction, but there was increasing interest from local governments, especially in NSW and South Australia, where some council workers already participate in drug testing.

But a Melbourne City Council spokeswoman, Rachel Hickey, said the council was not considering staff tests at the moment.

Staff at the Victorian offices of several Federal Government agencies are likely to be among the next to have regular oral swabs, according to Mr Wheeldon, who is tendering for the contracts.

While he would not divulge the identities of his smaller clients, Mr Wheeldon said hundreds of companies across Australia used the services of his 50 technicians.

Another Melbourne drug testing company, Pathtech, has reported similar growth in demand.

Calls for random testing of police, and of doctors, nurses and other health-care professionals who have access to drugs, have been made for years. And the drug overdose death in May of Melbourne barrister Peter Hayes, QC, sparked renewed calls for lawyers to face random testing.

But is widespread workplace drug testing really necessary? How many people are under-performing or putting colleagues at risk through drug use? Mr Wheeldon said of a staff of 100, three would have detectable levels of drugs in their system.

Victoria Police have found about one in 50 drivers are under the influence of illicit drugs.

Mr Wheeldon said the tests were not about bosses keeping tabs on social lives, but were to see if employees were fit for work.

"Cannabis is a four-to-six-hour window of detection," he said. "The other drugs could be up to 24 hours, so the companies are just ensuring that people operating in their business and those around them are safe."

Jane Wilson, of building giant Grocon, said the company had a pre-employment drug testing policy, but was considering continued screening of staff.

Linfox spokesman Gary Max said the trucking firm had been using a "robust" testing regime for five years, including random testing of staff from "senior management to front line".

BHP Billiton's Samantha Evans said the mining giant tested employees across the company, even in head office.

Drug tests at work

■ What is tested for?Cannabis, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, methamphetamines.

■ How long after consumption are tests positive?For saliva testing, cannabis about four hours, other drugs about 24 hours.

■ Who is testing?

Industries include: mining, construction, transport and local government.

QLD: Mining Industry "Injuries Not Reported"

Sunday November 21 2007 Source: The Courier Mail

HUNDREDS of injuries are not reported in Queensland's booming mining industry, a top-level State Government review confirms.

The review of the Government's Queensland Mines and Quarries Annual Safety Performance and Health Report will be released by Mines Minister Geoff Wilson today.

It warns that the system of collecting safety data needs an overhaul to give an accurate picture of safety standards in the $16-billion industry.

Golden-handshake redundancies to injured workers, a reluctance to accurately report accidents for fear of reprisals, and fears of the manipulation of figures were reported in submissions to the review.

Mr Wilson told The Sunday Mail he wanted to use the "warts-and-all" report as a catalyst for change.

The review is by Dr David Cliff, of the Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre, and Professor Tony Parker, of the Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation at Queensland University of Technology.

It followed a series of articles by The Sunday Mail and the death of mine worker Jason Blee, 33, after an accident at the Moranbah North coal mine, southwest of Mackay, in April.

The father-of-four's death was the industry's fourth fatality this year.

On Thursday, two miners suffered severe burns after an explosion at the Anglo Coal Callide mine near Biloela, west of Gladstone.

The incident followed a near-fatal incident on September 28, and a similar one on October 12, at the BMA Blackwater mine 825km northwest of Brisbane.

The government review stops short of naming mining companies but highlights widespread problems in gathering statistics.

The review's authors found that up to half of injuries that resulted in a worker being off normal duty were not being recorded. They noted reports of injured workers receiving "golden handshake" redundancies from their employers to stop them registering for Workers Compensation and recording the injury.

At one mine, seven people are reported to have left the industry this way over 16 months. At another, 17 workers left with "golden handshakes" in nine years.

And the review's analysis of statistics from other jurisdictions suggests the practice is shockingly widespread.

Last year's Queensland Mines and Quarries Annual Safety Performance and Health Report said only three employees had retired from sites because of work injuries.

Data from the Australian Safety and Compensation Council suggests there should have been about 120 cases reported in this period.

The report also criticises the use of the industry's standard statistic for safety levels – the LTI or lost-time injuries – as "misplaced" and recommends that all injuries be recorded instead.

Another recommendation is regular unannounced safety audits of mines. The State Government has completed nine such audits this year but their failure to systematically check figures provided by mining companies is criticised in the review.

The recommendations will be examined by representatives from the Department of Mines and Energy, the CFMEU, Australian Workers Union, Queensland Resources Council and the mines inspectorate.

The State Government will respond to the report after considering feedback from industry stakeholders who have a deadline of November 30.

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche welcomed the recommendations but attacked the allegations of "golden handshakes".

"Claims that people are somehow being paid out through redundancies to make the data look better is rubbish."

OHS News TIP - Workplace Incident Report Form

VIC:WorkSafe Week Kicks Off

Saturday October 20 2007 2:17 p.m. Source: SMH

Victoria's workplace safety watchdog will launch a new advertising campaign on Sunday to try to cut industrial accidents it says are claiming too many lives.

WorkSafe executive director John Merritt said that with 20 deaths reported so far this year and dozens of other serious incidents, "a reality check was urgently needed."

He said too many workers are dying as a result of accidents.

"Safety must be part of workplace culture," Mr Merritt said.

"The campaign reinforces the idea that workers' attitudes to safety are heavily influenced by their immediate manager or supervisor," he said.

"They need to think ahead when deciding how work is to be done.

"Where a good example and expectations are set, a strong safety culture can be established and maintained."

He said the 'Homecomings' advertising campaign last year showed workers why it was important to value safety.

It used scenarios in construction, manufacturing, warehousing and farming to demonstrate how an accident affected families and communities.

WorkSafe said this year's 'Supervisors' campaign used Australian humour to explain to Victorians what they should not do at work.

Since January this year 20 workers had been killed in work place accidents, compared to 18 at the same time last year.

Nearly 30,000 serious injuries were reported to WorkSafe during the 2006-2007 financial year, Mr Merritt said.

OHS News TIP - OHS Manual and Policy System

QLD: Coal Mine Explosion Injuries Two

Saturday November 20 2007 12:50 a.m. Source: AAP

AN investigation begins tomorrow into an explosion at a Queensland coalmine which burnt two men.

Police said the explosion occurred in an above ground rail bin at about 4pm (AEST) today at Boundary Hill Mine, Biloela, southwest of Gladstone.

Two men, aged 55 and 50, were airlifted to Rockhampton Hospital by the Capricorn Rescue Helicopter with serious burns to their faces, arms and legs.

There were no other injuries or entrapments.

Queensland Fire and Rescue were called to extinguish the blaze and Workplace Health and Safety officers will begin their investigation tomorrow into what caused the fire.

Truck Driver Killed By His Own Truck

Friday October 19 2007 5:40 p.m. Source: The Age

A Deer Park man has died after his truck rolled back on him when he left the vehicle on a farm west of Melbourne this morning.

The 36-year-old is believed to have been carting landfill on a chook farm on Bulban Road, Little River just before the accident occurred about 10.30am.

Victoria Police said it appeared the man had been crushed when, after emptying a load of soil, he got out of the truck and stood behind the rear wheel of the trailer.

A workmate immediately came to the man's aid, driving the truck off his body before paramedics arrived.

A Metropolitan Ambulance spokeswoman said it was an horrific accident and paramedics worked to save the man, whose legs had been crushed by the truck, for more than an hour before he was pronounced dead.

"He had severe injuries to his lower body, (and) unfortunately due to his injuries he died at the scene," the spokeswoman said.

Worksafe Victoria spokesman Michael Birt said such accidents were quite common on farms and urged employers and workers to familiarise themselves with safety tips during WorkSafe week next week.

He said 21 people had died on work sites in Victoria this year.

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner following today's death at Little River.

OHS News TIP - Truck Unloading & Loading Safety Procedures

$90,000 Fine For Shopping Centre Gate Death

Thursday November 18 2007 8:29 p.m. Source: The Daily

Savilles Pty Ltd, the company contracted to provide centre management services to Nambour Plaza has been fined $90,000 its part in the negligence which led to the death of a Sunshine Coast mother two years ago.

Kathryn Jones was killed instantly on the 10th of December 2005 when a 900kg industrial gate fell on her, moments after she had opened the gate as part of her normal morning duties as a contract cleaner.

A Coronial Inquest into her death last year found three companies contributed to the negligence which led to Ms Jones death.

Workplace Health and Safety laid charges against all three companies – Macquarie Services Limited, which owns the Nambour Plaza building, Savilles, and the security firm contracted to the shopping centre.

Savilles Pty Ltd entered an early guilty plea and was the first to be sentenced.

In making his judgment, the Magistrate found that the gate had a long history of problems and its potential to cause harm should have been recognised.

He considered other similar cases and settled on $90,000 as a fine, with no conviction recorded.

He also ordered Savilles to pay $42.20 in costs, $4529.20 in investigation costs and $750 in professional costs.

The maximum fine he could have issued was $375,000 under the Workplace Health and Safety Act.

Ms Jones leaves behind three children and a fiancée.

OHS News TIP - Cleaning Safe Work Method Statements

Scaffolding Collapses On Building Site

Thursday November 18 2007 4:55 p.m. Source:The Herald Sun

A GROUP of schoolgirls narrowly escaped the partial collapse of a three-storey high scaffold in Melbourne today.

Police said high winds caused the building scaffolding to collapse on the corner of Collins and Exhibition streets in the city about 2.15pm this afternoon.

The scaffolding from the three-storey townhouse under construction was left as stack of twisted metal, as part of the structure was torn away.

Part of the scaffold collapsed on to a 4WD Toyota Jeep and brought down part of a tree.

A group of schoolgirls from Strathmore Secondary College who were walking below at the time said they were lucky to escape any injuries.

"We were just walking down the street, when a ladder fell out and nearly hit one of my friends," Emma Brennan said.

"We had a good laugh about that. Then we saw the scaffolding coming down and heard creaking and people yelling, 'run! run!'

"So that's when we got out of the way, it was pretty scary."

Another man was lucky to escape with torn trousers after the drama.

A large crowd of office workers from the Reserve Bank gathered at the site.

Police have cordoned of part of Exhibition St and closed traffic at the corners of Spring and Collins streets, Flinders and Exhibition streets, Little Lonsdale and Exhibition streets and the corner of Russell and Collins streets.

Worksafe investigators have begun an investigation into the accident.

Worksafe spokesman Michael Birt said the building was being painted and the scaffolding was apparently disconnected to "enable the painters to finish".

"It appears that high winds caught the scaffolding and brought it down."

"High winds can be anticipated in Victoria at any time of year, but should be especially anticipated in Spring," he said.

"It's amazing good luck that none of the four girls or any other pedestrians or passing motorists were injured or worse," Mr Birt said.

The scaffolding facing Collins St is yet to be secured, leaving the corner of Exhibition and Collins St likely to be blocked until at least this evening.

Trams were also disrupted by the incident.

OHS News TIP - How To Erect Scaffolding Safely

Worker Crushed By Steel Beams

Tuesday October 16 2007 11:00 a.m. Source: Sydney Morning Herald

A leading steel manufacturer has defended its safety record after a worker died instantly when more than a tonne of beams fell on him at a warehouse in Brisbane.

The 42-year-old was one of two workers unloading the steel beams from a semitrailer when the load fell from the side of the truck, crushing him at about 8am (AEST), police said.

The accident was at a OneSteel warehouse in Lavarack Avenue at Eagle Farm.

OneSteel - Australia's largest manufacturer and distributor of structural, rail, tube and pipeline steel products - said the tragedy was the first of its type since the company started in 2000.

Spokesman Mark Gell said the accident had sent "shockwaves" through the company.

"We haven't had an incident like this since the company's inception," he told AAP.

"It's the first incident of its type in seven years.

"Obviously our condolences go out to the family. It's an extremely unfortunate event and obviously one that we will endeavour to ensure never happens again.

"The company has a very stringent safety policy, we have very stringent safety practices, we have a very good safety record, so you can imagine to have an event like this has sent a shockwave through the organisation."

Acting police Inspector Peter Brown said the load of beams weighed about 1.7 tonnes and the man died before help arrived.

"From what I understand the entire load has fallen on him and half his body has been crushed," Insp Brown told ABC radio.

"I can't comment on how the beams fell, or why they fell - that's still subject to the investigations by the Division of Workplace Health and Safety."

Police have not yet released the man's name, but he is believed to be married with two young children.

Mr Gell said the company would conduct its own internal investigation and the warehouse would close temporarily while it was carried out.

He said the incident would not immediately affect how other OneSteel warehouses across the country operated.

"Obviously the point of our investigations is to look at what procedures and practices we have in place and reviewing this and making sure that an incident like this doesn't happen again," Mr Gell said.

OHS News TIP - Unloading and Loading Trucks Safe Work Method Statement

Timber Companies Fined For Unsafe Workplaces

Tuesday October 16 2007 Source: The Geelong Advertiser

TWO Colac timber companies must pay a total $90,000 after they yesterday pleaded guilty to failing to provide safe workplaces.

Timber processor Associated Kiln Driers pleaded guilty to charges relating to two incidents.

In the first incident, a salesman was run over by a forklift, smashing his toe and leg.

In the second incident, a worker's hand was caught in a conveyor as he tried to remove a branch that had become stuck.

His thumb was crushed in the incident, exposing the bone.

Shelton Timber Treatment also pleaded guilty to three charges relating to an incident in which a worker was dragged into a log peeling machine by his clothes.

The court heard the man, Keith Kent, was pulled from the machine by a workmate only centimetres from the teeth of the peeler.

Mr Kent's shirt was torn off in the incident and he lost skin on his arms and shoulders.

His shoulder injuries required skin grafts.

The court heard Mr Kent's son had also been involved in a similar type of accident some years earlier.

Despite this, Mr Kent, in his victim impact statement, said Shelton's was a good employer.

Barrister Shivani Pillai,  prosecuting for the Victorian WorkCover Authority in both cases, said the employers had not done enough to make their workplaces safe.

She said AKD had systems in place about access to work areas and removal of hazards from conveyors but they were not adequately enforced.

She said Shelton Timber Treatment had many prior offences and had a lot of dangerous machinery.

WorkCover had issued 18 improvement notices on the company as a result of inspections following Mr Kent's accident, she told the court.

Magistrate Michael Coghlan said Mr Kent was fortunate  not to have been seriously hurt.

Jim Rutherford, who defended the companies, said both firms had taken measures to improve safety following the incidents.

On the first charge, AKD was released on an undertaking to be of good behaviour for one year and ordered to pay $10,000 to the court fund.

On the second charge, relating to the conveyor belt, the company was convicted and fined $40,000.

Costs of $3766 were awarded against the company.

Shelton Timber Treatment was convicted and fined $30,000 on two counts of failing to provide a safe workplace.

On the charge of failing to provide adequate supervision the company was placed on 12-month good behaviour bond and ordered to pay $5000 to the court fund. Costs of $2464 were awarded against the company.

 

$19,000 Fine For Industrial Blender Accident

Sunday October 14 2007 3:58 p.m. Source: Adelaide Now

AN ADELAIDE food manufacturing company has been fined almost $19,000 after a woman lost her hand while cleaning a blender.

In July 2004, the woman was cleaning an industrial blender at Inpak Foods when another worker inadvertently started the blade operation.

The injured woman's hand became trapped in the blender and, in an attempt to free it, the other employee started the machine.

The company was fined $18,750 plus costs after pleading guilty in the Industrial Magistrate's Court to one count of failing to ensure an employee was safe from injury and risks to health.

SafeWork SA executive director Michele Patterson said the case highlighted the importance of employers considering all possible risks.

"A proper hazard identification and risk assessment might have prevented such tragic consequences," she said.

OHS NEWS TIP - Food Handling Safety Procedures

Building Relocation Goes Wrong

Saturday November 13 2007 2:19 p.m. Source: The Daily

A man is in a critical condition after a school building landed on him while it was being relocated, in south-east Queensland.

Police said the 22-year-old was assisting in the relocation of the building at the Welcome Street School on Moore Park Road, Bundaberg when it fell on him about 12.15pm (AEST).

Police said he had "life-threatening injuries".

Workplace Health and Safety have been advised and police are investigating.

VIC: Asbestos Dust Hits Students

Saturday October 13 2007 1:24 p.m. Source: The Herald Sun

STAFF and students at RMIT University are having health checks after being showered with asbestos and dust from a ventilation system.

Fifteen staff members and three students were exposed to dust containing asbestos fibres, with at least one coated in the black substance on Thursday afternoon.

The original entry of the Old Melbourne Gaol, on the west wing of the university building, was branded an "immediate risk to health a safety" and remained off limits yesterday.

Several builders working in the area during the incident and also exposed to the dust have been told to bag the clothes they were wearing and present them for testing.

RMIT chief operating officer Steve Somogyi said builders working on an above floor inadvertently switched on the ventilator's fan, releasing the dust.

"Our first concern is for the health and safety of our staff and students," he said.

"The area will remain closed until WorkSafe has confirmed that it is clear of any potential risk factors."

The historic bluestone jail now includes the disability liaison unit and university chaplaincy near La Trobe St, but both were empty yesterday.

Registered asbestos removalists worked behind the old prison's locked gate, while a WorkSafe prohibition order prevented access to anyone without protective gear.

"I believe the activity involves an immediate risk to the health and safety of persons because of the collapse of an air defuser of the airconditioning containing asbestos at building 11 level B of the university," the notice plastered on university buildings by a WorkSafe inspector reads.

"Area at building 11 level B has been exposed to asbestos dust," it says.

National Tertiary Education Union branch organiser Gia Underwood told the Herald Sun the staff were upset at

the asbestos scare and said the university had offered to clean their homes of asbestos.

The staff, who take notes and interpret for disabled students, are earmarked for voluntary redundancy.

Yesterday they declined to speak about the incident, fearing it would jeopardise their redundancy payouts.

Ms Underwood said: "I was told by RMIT a contractor was in, he turned on an air-conditioner and a whole lot of gunk came out."

She praised the university for quickly blocking off the area.

"We want them (the university) to make sure they keep staff in the loop every step of the way," she said.

The top two floors of another RMIT building were closed for more than two months last year over fears of a cancer cluster.

An investigation into seven brain tumours revealed an additional 20 unreported tumours in staff and students, but found that there was no cluster and the building and a nearby phone tower were not responsible for any tumours.

QLD: CASA Investigator Disciplined Over Leak

Thursday October 11 2007 7:00 p.m. Source: The Age

The aviation safety watchdog has disciplined one of its inspectors after complaints from staff at a regional airline were leaked to the airline's management.

MacAir, a regional Queensland airline based in Townsville, was at the centre of the complaints.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) safety inspector received a string of complaints about safety from staff at the airline.

Details of those complaints then found their way back to airline management, via a third person.

A CASA spokesman has confirmed the safety inspector had been "disciplined" but had not been sacked.

He said all complaints received by CASA were treated seriously.

"If someone comes to us with complaints we do look at them very carefully."

The spokesman also confirmed the airline was licensed to fly.

"They (MacAir) hold their certificate so therefore they are meeting the required standards to fly."

MacAir general manager Kevin Gill said the airline had just received its high capacity air operator's certificate, allowing it to carry an unlimited number of passengers, and enjoyed a good relationship with the regulator.

"MacAir maintains a strong professional relationship with CASA," Mr Gill said.

Transport Minister Mark Vaile confirmed he also had received complaints about the airline.

"The minister has been advised that CASA has investigated a number of allegations made about a regional Queensland airline over recent months," a spokeswoman for Mr Vaile told AAP.

"The allegations have been treated very seriously and investigated by CASA.

"CASA will continue to subject the airline to operational surveillance."

The outcome of those investigations have not been made public.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland confirmed a minor complaint had been made about unsafe work practices at MacAir earlier this year.

The complaint related to unsafe practices when loading and unloading luggage from planes.

MacAir took action and fixed the problem.

Opposition transport spokesman Martin Ferguson said he too was aware of safety concerns at the airline.

"I am aware of the concerns that have been raised about MacAir," he said.

"I have written to the minister drawing his attention to the compliance issues and, in light of the Lockhart River experience, urging him to ensure they are properly investigated as a matter of urgency."

Lockhart River was the site of one of Australia's worst plane crashes.

Fifteen people perished aboard the Transair flight on May 7, 2005.

Nationals senator Barnaby Joyce, a regular MacAir passenger, said regional air safety was important.

"The safe operation of regional airlines is vital," Senator Joyce said.

VIC: Dive Industry Under Scrutiny From WorkSafe

Wednesday October 10 2007 6:00 a.m. Source: WorkSafe Vic

A statewide campaign targeting Victoria’s recreational scuba diving industry is about to begin with WorkSafe inspectors visiting companies and activity providers running scuba diving and snorkelling trips.

Most of the WorkSafe inspectors taking part in the DiveSafe campaign are experienced divers.

They will be asking recreational divers and dive tourism operators to ‘insist on safety’, particularly in relation to people who are inexperienced in Victorian waters. 

WorkSafe’s Executive Director, John Merritt, said long-established safety procedures produced by accreditation organisations and the relevant Australian Standard (AS2299)* must be adhered to.

“As an ‘adventure sport’ there are risks associated with diving. Taking shortcuts with safety adds to those risks.

“Just because this is a recreational activity does not mean high professional standards don’t apply.

“Members of the public, particularly those who lack experience, are entitled to expect their interests will be protected by professional operators. Clubs also have a duty of care to their members.”

Dive and accreditation organisations also have a role to play in ensuring the standards they require of members are applied. 

The DiveSafe campaign follows the prosecution of Melbourne Diving Services Pty Ltd in May.

The company was convicted and fined $200,000 by the County Court in April after the death of a client, Rob Grant, at Portsea in 2004.

The court was told staff were not appropriately instructed, trained and supervised, particularly in dealing with, and assessing, clients whose experience was mainly in tropical waters, where diving conditions were vastly different to southern Australia.

Mr Grant learned to dive in North Queensland while on holidays in 2002, but he did not dive again until January 2004 when he went to ‘Portsea Hole’ with Melbourne Diving Services.

The court was told Mr Grant got into difficulties soon after entering the water.

His body was recovered by his dive buddy from about 12 metres of water shortly after.

Judge Lance Pilgrim said there had been “gross breaches” of the company’s own safety procedures, and it had not followed the requirements of Australian Standard 2299.

This created a ‘recipe for disaster’, he said, which should warn the recreational diving industry that high safety standards must be maintained.

Melbourne Diving Services went into voluntary administration in March this year and was placed into liquidation in late April. Its assets were agreed to be sold to a related entity, therefore the $200,000 fine will not be paid.

What WorkSafe expects

• Established procedures set up to ensure safety must be understood and practiced by employees.
• Employees need appropriate experience, training and supervision.
• The experience of clients must be considered when deciding whether someone is suitable for a particular dive. Where have they dived in the past? Has there been a lengthy break between dives? Do they need re-familiarisation?
• The Dive Master must be given information on the level of experience of each client.
• Gear must be checked before clients enter the water.

OHS News TIP - Diving Safety Procedures

WA: Construction Site Worker Killed

Wednesday October 10 2007 6:00 a.m. Source: Perth Now

A MAN has died in a workplace accident at Malaga yesterday.

The 22-year-old Leeming man received fatal injuries after becoming trapped under heavy construction equipment at the Mulgul Rd worksite at 10am.

It is understood the equipment fell onto the man while he was in the yard of D&G Hoist & Crane Hire, but the exact circumstances of how the accident happened remain unclear.

WorkSafe inspectors have launched an investigation into the death.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said any work-related death was a tragedy, and relayed her sincere condolences to the man’s family.

OHS News TIP - Rigging Safety Procedure

TAS: Workplace Injuries High For New Workers

Tuesday October 9 2007 4:00 p.m. Source: The Mercury

NEARLY $19 million was spent on work injury compensation claims for new Tasmanian workers in 2006, according to a report released yesterday.

The WorkCover Tasmania report says there were 2503 injuries to new employees in 2006 -- representing more than a quarter of all Tasmanian workplace injuries.

The average cost of a workers compensation claim was $7583 for new workers -- who have been employed for less than a year at one workplace.

WorkCover Tasmania board member Simon Cocker said new workers and their employers needed further education and training to improve the injury numbers.

"The workers compensation bill is very high," he said.

"New workers are less likely to question procedures and, as a result, they don't exercise due caution in all cases.

"Over 2500 injuries a year is way too many and this is something that we need to improve significantly on.

"New workers need more training and more supervision -- as they don't come into the workplace with a safety culture."

Topping the list of injuries were muscle, tendon and joint injuries which occurred 1106 times.

Next were wounds, lacerations, amputations and internal organ damage injuries, which numbered 730.

The manufacturing industry had the highest number of workplace injuries with 590, while the property and business services industry was second with 293 injuries.

Mr Cocker said the responsibility for safety needed to be shared between employees, employers and workplace safety organisations.

"The employer has a duty of care to provide a safe workplace, but employees also have to be responsible for their own safety," he said.

"Everybody involved in the workplace needs to accept a safety culture."

OHS News TIP - OHS INDUCTION

VIC: Acid Spill Leads To Evacuation

Monday October 8 2007 9:48 p.m. Source: The Geelong Advertiser

WORKERS were evacuated from a North Shore steel cord factory following a chemical spill this morning.

An unknown quantity of hydrochloric acid leaked from a 8,000 litre tank at Bekaert Australia on Sea Beach Pde about 9am, the Geelong Fire Brigade said.

Two fire crews wearing protective gas suits took about 20 minutes to contain the leak outside the factory.

No-one was injured, but workers were told to wash down their cars parked in an adjacent lot as CFA crews, police, Worksafe and the Environment Protection Agency assessed the damage.

Fire officer Mark Sinkinson said inhalation and the effect on humans was the greatest concern.

``The acid is not explosive but is an irritant to the skin. If ingested it could cause vomiting and death,'' he said.

The response teams decided Bekaert would use its onsite recovery process to clean up the spill.

Mr Sinkinson said the area would be drained and the chemical pumped into another tank to be reused.

The cause of the spill will be investigated but it is believed the acid corroded a valve in the tank causing the leak.

VIC: Chair Lift Operator Pleads Guilty

Monday October 8 2007 12:00 p.m. Source:

The owner of Arthurs Seat chairlift on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula has pleaded guilty to breaking safety laws after an elderly woman's legs were crushed on the ride.

On March 18, 2004, Tri Thi Le's chair came loose and slid into the chair in front, crushing both legs so badly they needed pins inserted.

WorkSafe alleged the company did not adequately ensure the safety of lift patrons.

It is alleged the bolts holding the chair to the cable were not properly tightened.

Arthurs Seat Scenic Chairlift Pty Ltd, through its lawyers, pleaded guilty in the Victorian County Court to one count of breaching the Occupational Health and Safety Act by failing to ensure as far as practical that persons other than employees were not exposed to risk.

The chairlift is 950 metres long and rises 225 metres from the entrance of Arthurs Seat State Park.

The chairlift was closed for 12 months after part of it collapsed in January 2003, trapping 65 people and injuring 18.

The charge relates only to the March 2004 incident, and Judge David Parsons adjourned the matter to Wednesday for a further plea.

If convicted, the company faces a maximum penalty of a $250,000 fine.

NSW: Film Industry Workers Compensation Case

Saturday 6 October 2007 6:02 p.m. Source: The Daily Telegraph

A TOP Australian director has described a former stuntman seriously injured by an airborne motorcycle on the set of Mission Impossible II as a dedicated and accomplished worker.

Guy Norris, who is currently the second unit director on the epic Australia, said he had worked with stuntman Mark Joseph Connolly four times prior to the stunning accident in 1999.

Mr Connollly was injured when a stunt went awry and a motorcycle involved in a risky jump landed on him instead of Bare Island bridge, near La Perouse.

He is now suing Hollywood director Billy Burton for negligence, seeking $2 million damages.

Mr Norris has given evidence in the Supreme Court about the stunt industry, in which he has been involved since the early 1980s.

He said Mr Connolly always displayed an "extremely high level of dedication".

"That was one of the first things that I remember about Mark, his physical ability that he was able to display at all times," he said.

Mr Norris said he would have expected Mr Connolly to get a lot of work in films shot in Australia like the Matrix films and Superman had he not been so badly injured.

Mr Connolly was to play the part of "gate guard 1" and had been directed to stand on a particular spot on Bare Island bridge, near La Perouse, for a scene that was to appear in the film's dramatic climax, the Supreme Court heard yesterday.

In the scene, a motorcycle was to jump from the main part of the island over the gates at the end of the bridge and clear two guards, who were standing with their guns drawn.

But with multiple cameras operating, the stunt malfunctioned and Mr Connolly - whose lawyers described him as a "person at risk" during the scene - took the full impact of the flying motorbike.

Second unit director Billy Burton - the defendant in the case - had been responsible for positioning actors on the set during the stunt, a statement of claim tendered to the court said.

Footage of the spectacular crash was shown to the court yesterday, with the motorcycle seen striking the upper part of Mr Connolly before both hit the ground.

When the hearing began yesterday, Justice Peter McClellan heard Mr Burton was the person in overall charge of the filming and his negligence allegedly led to the accident.

"(He) failed to exercise reasonable care in his direction and supervision and take reasonable care of (Mr Connolly's) safety and as a result (he) sustained injury," the statement of claim said.

Mr Connolly sustained a broken collar bone, fractured forearm, bruising and shock, requiring hospitalisation and permanent pain and restriction in the right arm. His barrister Phillip Greenwood SC told the court his client was not given the cue upon which he would have been able to move to avoid being struck by the vehicle.

Mr Connolly claims the accident stopped him from doing any stunt work and led to a a reduced capacity to do simple tasks such as household duties.

He had been hired to earn $2788.91 per week for his role in the film and claims as a result of the accident he suffered economic loss, requires domestic and personal care and has incurred thousands of dollars in medical and surgical expenses.

But counsel for Mr Burton - who is on location in the US - John Maconachie QC argued it was not his client's direct responsibility to issue the cue and said he would ultimately submit that the victim was looking at the incident through "rose-coloured glasses".

The case continues.

QLD: Worker Killed By Sandblasting> Unit

Friday October 5 2007 2:11 p.m. Source: ABC

Police and workplace health and safety officials are investigating the death of a man killed during an industrial accident in Cairns, in far north Queensland, Thursday night.

Police say the 35-year-old man was killed at the Tropical Reef Shipyards at Portsmith about 10:40pm AEST.

It is believed the man was using a high-pressure sandblasting hose in the hull of a vessel when he lost control of the hose and it struck him a number of times.

He was taken to Cairns Base Hospital where he died a short time later.

The company has been operating for 25 years and services mostly international carriers.

Investigations are continuing.

OHS News TIP - Sandblasting Safe Work Procedure

QLD: Asbestos Found On Ship

Friday October 5 2007 1:55 p.m. Source: Townsville Bulletin

ASBESTOS was found on a foreign ship in Townsville Port yesterday after a worker loading the vessel raised the alarm.

Material found in crane cabins on the Sea Sparkle, a China Ocean Shipping Company vessel sailing under a Panama flag, was tested and found to have traces of asbestos.

The ship arrived at 3.15pm on Tuesday.

Northern Shipping and Stevedoring (NSS) workers had been loading timber on to the vessel for export to China.

A shipping company spokesman said work stopped once the alarm was raised.

"One of the stevedores (on Tuesday afternoon) saw some stuff in one of the ship's cranes that he thought might have been suspicious material," the spokesman said.

"We did take samples ashore and testing was done (yesterday) morning and it was found to contain small traces of asbestos."

It is believed the asbestos was found in material used to insulate wiring during maintenance in Shanghai.

NSS Townsville manager David Stringini said at least one shift had worked on the vessel before the alarm was raised.

"Our workers' health is paramount. That's why we stopped work not knowing what it was until we found out," he said.

The Markwell Group, which specialises in asbestos removal, was called on to take samples for testing.

It also was contracted to clean the crane cabins and re-test the area yesterday afternoon.

Loading was expected to resume last night.

A Workplace Health and Safety spokesman said NSS and its workers had managed the situation extremely well.

"We're not investigating because it's been handled according to the law and satisfactorily," he said.

"It just proves that the hazard identification system is working pretty well."

The spokesman said he expected the amount of asbestos found was not large enough to cause workers health concerns.

But International Transport Workers Federation national coordinator Dean Summers said he had concerns for Chinese crew still on board the vessel.

"We have information that the asbestos material may be present in the engine room, crew
 cabins, galley and messroom so we are very concerned for their health and safety," he said.

Mr Summers said the case was an example of the dangers posed by deregulated shipping through vessels flying under a `flag of convenience'.

He said it made it difficult to police safety standards and working conditions of foreign ships outside our jurisdictions.

"We know that these unregulated ships don't comply to the same high safety standards of Australian ships.

"The Government needs to seriously consider how deregulated shipping exposes Australian workers to lethal substances now outlawed in Australian workplaces and industries."

OHS News TIP - Asbestos Removal Safety Procedure

WA: Truck Fatigue Campaign In WA

Thursday October 4 2007 6:28 p.m. Source: ABC

Safety watchdog WorkSafe has reported mixed results from a regional roadblock aimed at monitoring driver fatigue.

More than 170 trucks were stopped, with 10 notices issued to drivers who had not taken the seven-hour rest break which is obligatory under WA's fatigue regulations.

The roadblocks have been carried out over the past three years to try to educate drivers and transport companies.

WorkSafe commissioner Nina Lyhne says an increasing number are complying with the law, although there is still room for improvement.

"Unfortunately we are still seeing a lot of people who are not complying with the required rest breaks and I think the big issue with fatigue is ... it's not so much the hours that you work, it's about getting adequate rest, so that's a concern to us," she said

OHS News TIP - Heavy Vehicle Drivers Manual

QLD: Builders Sparks Ignite House Fire

Thursday October 4 2007 4:50 p.m. Source: Fairfax

Sparks from a welder or grinder are believed to have sparked a blaze in the roof of a Bardon home that left a builder with burns to his hands.

Builders had been carrying out renovations at the back of the Greer Street property when one noticed smoke coming from the roof.

He went to investigate, and when he climbed a ladder at the front of the house he put his hand on the tin roof.

Inspector Paul Simmons from the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service said the builder had tried to do the right thing, but had unfortunately hurt himself in the process.

"As he's got the ladder out and gone onto the roof, his hand has come in contact with very hot metal with fire underneath the galvanised (steel)," Inspector Simmons said.

"His hand has been blistered due to the burn."

The worker was taken to the Royal Brisbane Hospital. His employer said ambulance officers "didn't seem too concerned" about the injury.

One firefighter who had arrived at the scene to help contain the blaze also injured himself, pulling a hamstring muscle.

He was treated by Queensland Ambulance Service officers.

Inspector Simmons said another five firefighters had been placed in a "process of rehabilitation" because of extreme heat.

"...They're not really hurt but they've gone into a process of rehabilitation where they're given fluid, and we let them cool down," he said.

"They'll all be fine. As you can understand this stuff gets very hot and the conditions (today) are very hot."

Shane Allen from SMA Building said renovations had been underway at the home for four weeks, and suspected a spark from either a welder or griner had ignited paper insultation in the roof.

"We were doing some work out the back, so I don't know if (it was) the welding or grinding... maybe the insulation caught (fire)," Mr Allen said.

One of the homeowners - a pregnant woman - arrived home to a street full of fire trucks and police vehicles. Mr Allen said she had declined to speak to the media, but was "calm" about the situation.

"We're both covered with insurance. It's just an unfortunate event."

He praised his workers, who had frantically tried to remove as many personal possessions from the house as they could.

"We tried to get everything out the best we could, and then just gave the firies room."

Mr Allen said he would not know if work on the house would continue until after the damage had been assessed.

OHS News TIP - Grinder and Welder Safe Work Procedure

State Flu Initiative Launched

Tuesday October 3 2007 4:57 p.m. Source: AAP

A state government relief package for workers affected by the outbreak of equine influenza (EI) in NSW has been announced on the eve of an inquiry into how the disease infiltrated Australia's shores.

The virus has brought metropolitan racing to a standstill in NSW and Queensland with the industry incurring multi-million dollar losses since the crisis began in late August.

A ban on horse movement has left hundreds of people and horses stranded for weeks in various areas of the two states with borders closed.

The $7.5 million package announced by Racing Minister Graham West includes individual grants of $2,000 to struggling workers in the racing industry and comes more than three weeks after the federal government provided $110 million assistance.

"At the end of the day it doesn't matter how long it takes as long as you get what you are looking for," Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'Landys said.

"We are