10:07 am, Saturday 31 October, 2009

Qantas allowed a passenger aircraft to continue its flights for nine months despite having a defect, a recently published book reveals.

The Men Who Killed Qantas says that one of the airline company’s Boeing 747 was leaking oil. The book alleges that oil leaks are believed to be the cause of toxic fumes being pumped into cabin air.

During its continued operation the aircraft’s flight engineer was at one point overcome by toxic fumes.

Between July 2007 and July 2008 there were 31 Incident Reports by various crew members of possible to toxic fume exposure while working on various planes. But when asked about the reports, Qantas says that the staff had made “fewer than five claims” during the period.

Despite repeated inspections, the cause of the problem was never found, the book reveals. It is also alleges that the possible toxic air problem was not relayed to the passengers.

The Men Who Killed Qantas, written by investigative journalist Matthew Benns, reveals gaffes inSafety Procedures committed by Qantas in the last few years. One account in the book details an incident in 2008 where an exploding oxygen tank blew a hole in the side of a Qantas jet. Mr. Benns says the book is a wake up call for Qantas.

“I have spoken to current and former Qantas staff members so it’s the full history of Qantas right from the word go and its the version you won’t read on their website,” Mr. Benns said.

“It’s not a book about the death of the Qantas the airline but the death of an iconic Australian brand and its reputation for safety around the world.”

Qantas denied the allegation that one of its planes continued to operate despite the leaking oil. It says that its commitment to safety remained at the core of everything it did.

On the allegations of possible toxic fumes in cabin air, Qantas spokesman Simon Rushton says it complies with all Civil Aviation Safety Authority directives on air quality on all its fleet. He adds the airline follows the plane manufacturers’ normal operating procedures regarding its air cabin systems, with the proper Occupational Health And Safety System in place.

Asked if a flight engineer was overcome by toxic fumes, the airline said there was “no evidence to suggest that cabin air quality is an issue in any of our aircraft types.”

Mr. Rushton claims that air quality incidents were extremely rare in Qantas aircraft. The small number of employee claims only involved costs associated with doctor visits and days off work.

Mr. Rushton says that the company used only “reputable overseas providers for some heavy maintenance work.”

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10:07 am, Saturday 31 October, 2009

The farming sector has the highest fatality rate among all industries and one of the highest rates of traumatic injury, as new data from workers’ compensation claims reveals.

Farmsafe Queensland, a safety rural lobby group, says that changing farm workers’ outlook onSafety Procedures is a major concern.

But rural workers’ behaviour in the workplace is evolving, due in part to the mining industry’sOccupational Health And Safety Policies.

Farmsafe Queensland executive director Jamie Cupples said the mining industry has had a positive impact on the the rural industry.

“I believe so yes. We’ve definitely seen it with the mining industry in the last couple of years taking a lot of young people away and those young people have actually come back when there was a downturn in the mining industry and they’ve brought those skills back with them, which is [a] plus for the industry,” he said.

“I know that the mining industry’s not always a good thing for agriculture, but they have been a plus in some ways.”

Safety ambassador Shane Webcke said relying solely on social legislation is not enough to prevent work-related deaths and injuries. Labourers have to take responsibility for their own safety.

“You’ve got a safety officer, that’s their drama. Safety’s no-one’s issue except yours. Absolutely yours,” he said.

“Once you get yourself sorted out, then you’re a chance of helping someone else and all of a sudden you get this knock on effect of people looking out for each other and that should be in the workplace, it should be in the farming workplace, it should be in every workplace.”

Webcke knows this by personal experience. According to him, a workplace accident was the cause of his father’s death 15 years ago, which has deeply affected his family.

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10:07 am, Saturday 31 October, 2009

Alarming statistics released by the State Government show an increase in the number of workers in the Transport Industry being injured and killed on the job. This comes at a time when the overall number of workplace injuries are on the decline.

Work-related accidents involving truck, bus, taxi and courier drivers are one of the highest among all industries, trailing only the manufacturing sector.

Aside from workplace related deaths, accidents and illnesses affect more than 80 workers each day. This is equivalent to more than $5 billion a year in costs. This is apart from the suffering and misery brought about by unfortunate work-related incidents.

Safe Work Australia week, currently ongoing, is a reminder that deaths or injuries are still prevalent despite advances in technology over the years. This is an unacceptable scenario when simple solutions like adherence to safety laws, implementation of Safe Work Procedures, Regular Induction and good work practices are available.

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12:11 pm, Wednesday 28 October, 2009

Statistics show that postmen figure in almost 4000 injuries each year. This number reveals that being a postman is one of the countryÂ’s most dangerous occupations in the country.

The most common causes of injuries are Motorcycle And Bike Accidents. These are followed by dog bites, torn muscles, twisted ankles, wasp stings, chafing and Stress.

In one incident a postieÂ’s foot was trapped under a car tyre, while another worker needed knee reconstruction when he tripped after being attacked by a dog. In yet another case, a car reversed into a mailmanÂ’s delivery bike he was riding. Because of the incident the said worker broke his neck, his shoulder and both of his wrists.

Postmen are vulnerable not only to injuries, but also to death. In 2007 a Victorian postman was doing his rounds when the motorcycle he was riding was hit by a semi-trailer truck. He was killed on the spot.

A representative of the Communication Workers Union alleges that the alarming figures show that something is seriously wrong with Australia postÂ’s system. The union alleges its injured members are being sent back to work too early, as more than 80 per cent of injured mailmen were still suffering pain while back on the job.

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12:11 pm, Wednesday 28 October, 2009

The Industrial Court of New South Wales imposed a fine on Sid Fogg and Sons and its director for a 2006 workplace accident involving the companyÂ’s apprentice and an oild drum explosion.

The Newcastle-based Bus Company was fined $80,000 while one of its directors, Graham Stanley, was meted a $15,000 penalty.

The Sid Fogg company and Mr. Stanley pleaded guilty for failing to ensure that non-employees were protected from health and safety risks at the workplace.

The court found that Jared Preece, an apprentice of Sid Fogg, was using an Oxy-Acetylene Torch to open an empty oil drum when it blew up. The explosion caused the lid of the drum to fly off about 12 metres and to tear apart a section of the roof.

The court judgment further reveals that Sid Fogg employees used an oxy-acetylene torch to open empty oil drums from time to time. Preece had seen this practice and was even given an informal training on how to do it.

On the day of the accident, he used the procedure given to him, although he failed to wash out the oil drum or take out the bungs first. He was also unsupervised when he used the torch to open the drum.

Because of the explosion, Preece suffered minor burns to his forearms, chest and face.

After the incident, Sid Fogg prohibited persons from using an oxy-acetylene torch to cut empty oil drums.

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12:11 pm, Wednesday 28 October, 2009

25 October 2009 marks the start of the annual Safe Work Australia Week, which aims to raise awareness of workplace safety throughout the country.

Safe Work Australia Week, now in its fifth year, is a key initiative of Safe Work Australia. It will be celebrated until October 31. This yearÂ’s theme focuses on the harmonisation of Occupational Health And Safety (OHS) legislation.

In a statement, Safe Work Australia encourages everyone – employers and employees alike - to get involved in promoting safety in the workplace to reduce injury, disease and deaths. The simplest way to get involved is to hold an activity or event in the workplace, stressing the importance ofWorkplace Safety.

In Victoria, the Safe Work week will be highlighted by the 21st annual Victoria Awards Dinner on 29 October 2009. The gala event will feature an awards ceremony, giving recognition to the individuals and businesses that have made significant contributions to improving health and safety in their workplace over the last year.

In Queensland, Industrial Relations Minister Cameron Dick has also emphasised the importance of workplace safety, pointing out that on the average, 82 Queenslanders are absent from work each day due to workplace injuries and illness.

“Safe Work Australia Week is for all Queenslanders - whether you’re a small, medium or large business, an office worker or labourer, an apprentice or manager, from the country or the city, or work in an office or outdoors,” Mr. Dick says.

“It’s the perfect opportunity for employers and workers to look carefully at their workplace health and safety practices and systems and how they can be improved.”

In Tasmania, a new online education program is launched yesterday to Tasmanian students about workplace health and safety in preparation for their entry into the workforce.

Lisa Singh, Tasmania’s Minister for Workplace Relations, said, “From 2010, the interactive education package will provide teachers with up-to-date information about workplace health and safety and related legislation, industry specific modules and an assessment tool to provide evidence of student completion.”

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04:57 pm, Sunday 11 October, 2009

A 56-year-old woman was crushed to death last week after being hit by a semi-trailer at aSteel Recycling Plant in MacKay.

The incident occurred in the rear yard of the plant, where Trucks are loaded and unloaded.

The area was closed off while investigations were carried out.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the QAS attended the scene, but the woman was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

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04:57 pm, Sunday 11 October, 2009

WorkSafe is investigating the death of a 59-year old man last week, who was killed at aChicken Farm with a Cherry-Picker.

A Rural Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said the victim was trapped between a wall and the cherry picker.

They said it was unclear how the accident occurred.

Attempts by paramedics to revive the man failed and he died at the scene.

Victoria police said it was uncertain whether there was an accident with the machinery or whether an underlying medical condition played a role in the incident.

The chicken plant is part of Victoria’s largest chicken operation.

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04:57 pm, Sunday 11 October, 2009

A Truck Driver pleaded guilty last week to fraudulently obtaining over $31,000 in workers compensation payments and for providing false information.

He was convicted and faces the possibility of four months in jail.

The Ringwood Magistrates Court heard that the 60-year old was working as a casual truck driver with a transport company in 2007 when he suffered an injury to his back at work and attended Dandenong Hospital.

His claim for workers compensation was accepted and he formally declared that he was not engaging in any form of employment while receiving weekly compensation payments.

Evidence revealed however, that while in receipt of compensation payments during 2007 and 2008, Mr Nolan had worked for other businesses as a truck driver.

He was ordered to repay the $31,344.72 in compensation he obtained fraudulently. He was also sentenced to four months jail, to commence if he commits any further offences in the next year.

WorkSafe Executive Director, Len Boehm said WorkSafe will not support fraudulent behaviour that attempts to take advantage of the system.

“We will identify and prosecute those who deceive the system, in order to protect honest workers and employers,” said Mr Boehm.

Australia’s 120,000 Construction Workers, farmers, forestry and Garden Workers are most at risk.

Mr Ramsay said civil construction crews working on roads and bridges had a better track record for sun safety precautions, like wearing shirts and using sunscreen.

Skin cancer experts say the only way to solve the problem will be compulsory health checks for workers.

Professor Peter Soyer, Chair of Dermatology at the University of Queensland, said Queensland led the way in initiatives like the Sunsafe Workplace Program.

About 1500 people die each year from an “entirely preventable” disease, he said.

“The next step would be a kind of ‘compulsory’ annual skin cancer screening for outdoor workers,” he said.

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04:57 pm, Sunday 11 October, 2009

Builders are continuing to work without Sun Protection despite the risks of dying from skin cancer.

The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union workplace health and safety co-ordinator Andrew Ramsay said a recent survey of construction workers in southeast Queensland had revealed skin cancer was a major health issue.

The CFMEU is planning a sun-safe campaign for workers.

“More than 1000 workers were tested for skin cancer, and 22 per cent of those blokes were advised they needed to get medical attention,” Mr Ramsay said.

Latest research estimates about 200 melanomas and 34,000 non-melanoma skin cancers are caused by “occupational exposures” each year.

Australia’s 120,000 Construction Workers, farmers, forestry and Garden Workers are most at risk.

Mr Ramsay said civil construction crews working on roads and bridges had a better track record for sun safety precautions, like wearing shirts and using sunscreen.

Skin cancer experts say the only way to solve the problem will be compulsory health checks for workers.

Professor Peter Soyer, Chair of Dermatology at the University of Queensland, said Queensland led the way in initiatives like the Sunsafe Workplace Program.

About 1500 people die each year from an “entirely preventable” disease, he said.

“The next step would be a kind of ‘compulsory’ annual skin cancer screening for outdoor workers,” he said.

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