07:45 am, Friday 7 September, 2007

Source: Fairfax Digital

The mother of a Melbourne man who was electrocuted while at work says a $30 pair of gloves could have saved her son’s life.

Lighting company Camden Neon Pty Ltd has been convicted and fined $300,000 over the death of Sion Rees, who was electrocuted while changing light bulbs in a display at a car yard in Coburg on April 18, 2006.

The Victorian County Court was told Mr Rees, 26, of Sunbury, had been using a screw driver to remove broken glass from a light fitting.

He was not given insulated gloves and was not instructed to turn the power off before changing the globes.

Camden Neon, based at Tullamarine in Melbourne’s north, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a safe work environment for its employee.

Mr Rees’ mother Myfanwy Rees said she never expected to lose her son in a workplace accident.

“I always tell my kids to watch the road,” Mrs Rees said.

“But I never thought I would have to tell them to be safe at work, because you always thought they would be safe at work.”

In an unusual move Judge Sue Pullen allowed a poem written by Mr Rees’ sister Elen to be read before handing down her sentence.

The court has in past cases allowed photographs of the deceased to be displayed during sentencing, Judge Pullen said.

“Every day I exist is another without Sion,” the poem said.

“Your life is now in the hands of a stranger who’ll decide what it meant.”

Judge Pullen said that safety procedures at the company were grossly insufficient and workers were lacking in the most basic instructions.

“The very tragic fact of this is that Sion Rees was electrocuted,” Judge Pullen told the court.

“Culpability of the company in my opinion is very high.

“No doubt the death of Sion has caused a lot of grief to the family.

“Nothing can be done or said to compensate the family.”

Judge Pullen said she had taken into account when sentencing that the company had pleaded guilty and had cooperated with the Victorian WorkCover Authority in its investigation of the incident.

She convicted Camden Neon and fined the company $300,000.

The maximum penalty is a fine of $943,200.

A heartbroken and distressed Mrs Rees, who was supported by her husband Handel Rees and daughter Angela during the sentencing, said the fine imposed on the company would not compare to the life sentence she had.

“All he needed was a pair of gloves and they cost thirty dollars,” Mrs Rees said.

“Because he didn’t supply the gloves, we were given a life sentence.

“It is a life sentence when you lose a child.”

Housemate and childhood friend Ben Laurie said he was expecting the penalty to be higher.

“I was expecting more,” Mr Laurie said.

“Whatever it is, it is not going to change the fact that what’s happened has happened.

“We can only hope it doesn’t happen again.”

OHS NEWS TIP - PPE Safe Work Procedure

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

05:49 pm, Thursday 6 September, 2007

Source: Daily Liberal

A man’s leg was crushed yesterday afternoon in an industrial accident in Dubbo in central western NSW.

Ambulance officers were called to a Dubbo metal products distribution company about 12.45pm, following reports of a man trapped under metal beams.

The 27-year-old man became trapped under the steel after the beams fell from a forklift, Orana command Inspector Matt Goodwin said at the scene.

Assisted by co-workers, ambulance staff tended to the man before an attempt was made to lift the steel beams. Supported by the NSW Fire Brigade and police officers, the emergency service workers were able to remove the beams.

The man was taken to Dubbo Base Hospital with crush injuries, Inspector Goodwin said.

“While moving formed steel, he has become trapped under steel falling from a forklift,” he said. “He was trapped with leg injuries – it was a fair weight of steel. Ambulance officers and firefighters were able to release his leg.”

A WorkCover NSW inspector visited the site yesterday afternoon and made preliminary inquiries.

The man underwent surgery and was in a stable condition.

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

05:00 am, Wednesday 5 September, 2007

Source: The Sunshine Coast Daily

A 58-year-old Gympie man managed to pull himself free from a cherry picker after it pinned him to the tree.

The avocado picker was about three metres above the ground when the cherry picker he was using to reach the fruit suddenly toppled, just after 8.30am.

The machine pinned him against the tree, but he told emergency service workers he pulled himself free, but doesn’t remember how.

He was found by a fellow worker at the Scotchy Pocket Road farm who called an ambulance.

It was originally feared the man was suffering back injuries.

But Energex Community Rescue Helicopter intensive care paramedic Dan Staham, who treated the man during his flight to Nambour General Hospital, said the hapless fruit picker was resting comfortably.

“He has had X-Rays and he has a couple of broken ribs on his left side and some bleeding in his lungs,” he said.

“He is in a stable condition and is resting quite comfortably.”

It’s not known why the cherry picker toppled, but the ground it was resting on is believed to be quite uneven.

OHS NEWS TIP- Cherry Picker Safe Work Procedure

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

05:58 am, Tuesday 4 September, 2007

Source: WorkSafe Victoria

The death of an elderly farmer after his all-terrain vehicle (ATV) rolled down a hill in north-east Victoria has prompted a renewed call for helmets to be worn by all ATV users.

The man, 76, was found on Saturday during a search by SES volunteers on a property on the Beechworth-Wangaratta Road near Everton.

Although the joint Victoria Police–WorkSafe investigation is at an early stage, it appears the man lost control of the bike while travelling along a narrow farm track near the edge of an embankment.

WorkSafe’s Executive Director, John Merritt, said wearing a helmet could greatly reduce, injuries caused by impact with the ground or other objects, or crushing,” Mr Martin said.

“We know helmets work, on-road or off. Farming is tough enough without putting yourself, or someone else, at risk of a permanent head injury, or worse.

“ATVs are a common and useful piece of farm equipment but great care is needed when using them.

“Understanding the limitations of the machine and yourself, wearing a helmet and following the manufacturer’s instructions can be a life-saving decision.

“For farmers, who frequently work on their own, the dangers are magnified.”

A study carried out last year by the Victorian FarmSafe Alliance found nearly 75% of farmers who took part in an ATV helmet trial felt safer wearing a helmet, and would recommend it to others.

The Alliance, which includes WorkSafe, the Departments of Primary Industry and Human Services, the Australian Workers Union and Victorian Farmers Federation gave helmets to 100 farmers and sought their views.

More than half thought the model trialled was cool or very cool to wear while less than a quarter thought it was too hot.

Three-in-five thought the helmet was comfortable while nearly 70% said it was easy to fit.

“This study, although small, shows that there are suitable models on the market, and that people should be encouraged to find one that suits them.”

Mr Merritt said employers should ensure anyone using a motorbike or ATV understands they must wear a helmet. That information should be recorded, and acknowledged, as part of a person’s training.

OHS NEWS TIP - Quad Bike Safe Work Procedure

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

12:00 am, Tuesday 4 September, 2007

Source: News.com.au

A MAINTENANCE worker caused an amusement park ride in Queensland to malfunction just weeks before five people died on an identical ride in Asia.

The maintenance worker put “The Eye” ferris wheel on manual override, causing carriages to crash into each other while doors were open.

Fortunately, the ferris wheel was tested before the Gold Coast Sea World theme park opened its doors for the day.

Photographic evidence

Photos of the incident, believed to have been taken by a maintenance worker at the scene, were sent toNEWS.com.au.

Warner Village Theme Parks CEO John Menzies said management was not aware of the incident until they were shown the photos.

“We were all staggered, it’s the first time we’ve seen it,” Mr Menzies told NEWS.com.au.

“(An apprentice) had it in manual override and inadvertently left the doors open… maintenance didn’t report it.”

The ride was usually tested by maintenance workers in “fail safe mode”, which was disabled at the time.

He also said that “it could never happen if someone was on the ride”.

“Full-blown review”

“Immediately after the Korean incident we shut the ride and contacted the Swiss manufacturer,” Mr Menzies said.

“After making recommended manufacturer’s changes to the operation of the ride, it was re-opened briefly but we voluntarily closed the ride two weeks ago to conduct a full-blown review of its operation to be absolutely satisfied that it meets our stringent safety standards.

“At the moment we are working closely with Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Group to ensure the ride is safe to re-open.”

Five people were killed at a South Korean amusement park on August 13 after two ferris wheel carriages crashed into each other, forcing the doors to open and passengers to fall to their deaths.

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

12:00 am, Monday 3 September, 2007

Source: The Advertiser

A GEELONG West man who suffered head injuries when a wall collapsed on him on Friday is making a steady recovery.

Karingal Community Living client Danny Gammell was on his way to Karingal’s Geelong West office in Pakington St when a wall of The Laboratory clothing store rained bricks on him.

The 48-year-old suffered serious head injuries and was taken to Geelong hospital before being transferred to The Alfred hospital’s trauma centre.

A hospital spokeswoman described his condition as stable yesterday.

Karingal Community Living CEO Daryl Starkey said yesterday it was believed that Mr Gammell’s condition had improved “considerably”.

“He was extremely lucky and we believe he has no long-term injuries,” Mr Starkey said.

Mr Gammell lives in Geelong West and attends Karingal’s day services programs.

It is believed he suffered several fractures to his skull and that a backpack he had on his back may have saved him from further injury.

An off-duty nurse was the first person to rush to Mr Gammell’s aid on Friday morning and bystanders said the woman, whose identity remains a mystery, put herself at risk to help him.

The bricks fell from a height of about nine metres.

Worksafe Victoria spokesman Michael Birt said on Friday that tradesmen had been carrying out work on the building’s roof recently and WorkSafe was investigating whether there was a link between the incident and the works.

Gale force winds caused havoc in Geelong on Friday.

In a separate incident, two plumbers suffered serious injuries, including a fractured leg, when they were trapped under bricks when a wall collapsed in Highton.

The tradesmen, aged 20 and 47, were taken to Geelong hospital where they remained in a stable condition yesterday.

The SES received more than 250 calls for assistance on Friday.

OHS NEWS TIP - Construction Safe Work Procedures

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

04:22 pm, Sunday 2 September, 2007

Source: Fairfax Digital

THE Defence Department wants to keep using spare parts and equipment containing deadly asbestos because it says it has been unable to find alternative products.

In 2004 Defence was granted a three-year exemption from laws banning the use of products containing asbestos to give it time to replace existing parts.

But with that deadline due to expire, Defence has applied for another three years to keep using asbestos components, including everyday items such as brake pads, gaskets, seals, fire barriers, insulation and packaging.

The navy has listed more than 130,000 items of equipment parts that contain asbestos. The air force and army have listed hundreds of products containing asbestos that are still in use.

These include the P3 Orion aircraft, the Iroquois, Kiowa and Black Hawk helicopters, and a range of vehicles including Land Rovers, trailers and artillery pieces. Alternatives exist for several of the asbestos productsused by Defence.

Exposure to asbestos over the past 80 years has resulted in thousands of cases of asbestos-related disease among Defence personnel, some resulting in premature death.

Executive director of the Asbestos Diseases Society of Victoria, Leigh Hubbard, said he was horrified Defence was seeking a further exemption.

“If this exemption goes ahead … we are likely to see several dozen more victims added to the list. They should be like every other workplace in the country that’s been forced to find non-asbestos substitutes and have a zero tolerance attitude.”

In 2001 the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission declared a nationwide prohibition on the workplace use of asbestos products. It came into effect in January 2004.

Labor’s defence spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon said: “This is just a typical example of a government which talks up its national security credentials and has been spending big on major acquisitions, but has underinvested in the things that go to the safety and welfare of our troops.”

Defence Force Welfare Association national president David Jamison called on Defence to rapidly speed up the phasing out of asbestos components.

“You have to ask the question of where they their priorities are because the health of our personnel is at stake,” he said.

Despite being given more than 24 hours to answer basic questions on the use of asbestos products, the Director-General of Defence Public Affairs, Brigadier Andrew Nikolic, said he did not have time to deal with the issue.

“We don’t give comments to the media after 3.30pm on Friday … thank you for your interest,” he said.

OHS NEWS TIP - Asbestos Removal Safe Work Procedure

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

08:05 am, Saturday 1 September, 2007

Source: The Advertiser

A 48-YEAR-OLD man suffered serious head injuries when a wall collapsed on him in Geelong West yesterday morning.

The Geelong West man was hit by bricks when a section of The Laboratory clothing store building collapsed as he was walking along Albert St about 9am.

An off-duty nurse and other passers-by gave the man first-aid and moved him out of the rubble before paramedics arrived.

He was taken by ambulance to Geelong hospital.

Rural Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman Tania Whelan said initial reports indicated the man had only suffered minor injuries, however, his condition deteriorated upon arrival at the hospital and he was flown to The Alfred hospital trauma centre where he was last night in a serious but stable condition.

Worksafe Victoria spokesman Michael Birt said WorkSafe was investigating the incident.

Mr Birt said tradesmen had been carrying out work on the building’s roofing recently.

“We are trying to work out whether there’s a connection or if it’s just a coincidence,” Mr Birt said.

The man is a client at Karingal Community Living’s Geelong West office which is located next door to The Laboratory.

Karingal Community Living voluntary worker Tracey Hearn said the man was on his way to a weekly cookery class when the accident happened.

Shaken employee of The Laboratory, Caroline, said she had walked along the path minutes before the wall collapsed.

She said she was inside the store when she heard an “almighty gust of wind and a huge bang”.

Caroline said she raced outside and initially did not realise there was a man buried under the bricks.

Karingal Community Living Edlinks co-ordinator Ron McGlynn said an off-duty nurse raced to the man’s aid.

“There was a crowd of us standing back and the lady went straight in under the brick work to help him,” he said describing her actions as heroic.

He said another man came in with a wheelbarrow to shield the nurse and the victim from the bricks before a group of passers-by lifted the man out.

Sergeant Tony Francis of Geelong police said witnesses had reported the man was initially unconscious but had regained consciousness by the time paramedics arrived.

Mr McGlynn and Ms Hearn said the victim was a “lovely” man who had been attending Karingal’s programs for a number of years.

Mr Birt said strong winds could hit Victoria anytime of the year so it was important to make sure building works were always properly secured.

“To have three incidents in Geelong in one day suggests more could have been done to protect passers-by.”

Part of the intersection at Albert and Pakington streets will remain closed over the weekend as the City of Greater Geelong’s building services staff conduct detailed inspections of the damaged building to ensure its safety.

OHS NEWS TIP - Construction Safety Procedures

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

05:22 am, Saturday 1 September, 2007

HUNDREDS of people denied workers’ compensation payments in the past because of legal differences between states will now be able to apply for special payments.

New regulations enabling the move have been gazetted by the State Government. They put in place nationally consistent legislation which ensures every worker is covered by one scheme only. WorkCover chief executive Julia Davison said there had been some tragic cases where seriously injured workers and families had been unable to access compensation payments because of the inconsistent cross-border laws.

“In SA, people who were denied compensation under past laws now have the opportunity to make a claim,” she said.

“WorkCover has, over the past few months, developed a fair and balanced application system for those wishing to make a claim.”

WorkCover has given as an example a truckdriver employed by an SA-based company who lived in NSW and was killed at work in Pinnaroo in SA. The Supreme Court ruled he was not covered by SA law.

NSW refused to pay compensation to his de facto because their compensation scheme only covered workers whose employer was based in NSW.

Another truck driver was not covered by SA laws for an injury suffered in the course of his employment even though he drove his truck within SA about half of the time he was working.

Ms Davison said those who had “slipped through the system” would now have the opportunity to apply for two forms of payment.

One was a limited retrospective payment for those who made a claim for compensation and were rejected on cross-border grounds at the time. The other involved ex-gratia payments to those who made unsuccessful claims and those who had not made claims because of the cross-border laws.

“These payments are available to workers who have experienced substantial hardship due to the non-availability of compensation,” Ms Davison said.

She said applicants would have six months to apply for each form of payment starting from September 13.

OHS NEWS TIP - Management Of Legislative Change Policy

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

12:00 am, Saturday 1 September, 2007

The State Government has launched a new work safety campaign after the release of figures showing the number of Western Australians killed in workplace accidents had more than doubled during the past year.

During the 2005-06 financial year, 12 people were killed in workplace incidents, while in 2006-07, the figure was 25.

Employment Protection Minister Michelle Roberts said the ‘Come Home Safe’ campaign was aimed at raising awareness of workplace safety and health and ensuring workers returned home to their families safely.

“The key message of this campaign is that workplace safety and health is an important community issue, relevant to us all,” Mrs Roberts said.

“These advertisements, unlike previous campaigns, focus on what is happening at home, with family members waiting for loved ones to return from work.

“The campaign theme is ‘The most important reason to make your workplace safe is not at work at all’.”

On average a WA worker is killed every 19 days, while a worker is seriously injured every 30 minutes.

“WorkSafe is providing a wide range of information to help workplaces improve their safety and health because with some forethought and planning, risks can be eliminated or controlled,” the Minister said.

Mrs Roberts said the State Government was committed to providing a safe work environment and had supported WorkSafe with 100 inspectors.

The Come Home Safe campaign consisted of television and radio advertisements. People were encouraged to call the WorkSafe hotline for information on how to make their workplace safer.

“This campaign is about walking in the door after each shift and literally taking time to smell the roses,” the Minister said.

“I’m really proud of this campaign – it contains a strong message that should resonate in every home across the State.”

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