10:40 pm, Tuesday 19 April, 2011

SafeWork SA is investigating an incident where a female steel operator  was struck by a large steel bar at steelworks in Whyalla on Friday night.

SafeWork SA spokesman Peter Adams said the incident occurred during a maintenance procedure.

The worker was cleaning slag from the roller of a steel moulding machine when a large steel ‘dummy bar’ (used to pull through the molten steel) struck her hip, trapping her.

She was transferred to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with serious injuries.

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12:23 pm, Tuesday 29 March, 2011

The WorkCover Authority of NSW has released a safety alert as a reminder to employers and principal contractors to ensure the stability of excavations before workers enter them.

An unsupported trench wall, three metres in height, collapsed onto three workers.  One worker died and the other two were seriously injured.

The workers were constructing a bungy pool for exercising horses when the soil gave way and, together with a steel beam, collapsed onto them.

A temporary support was constructed for emergency retrieval purposes.

Trench and excavation collapses pose a significant risk to workers and can occur with little or no warning. Excavated ground that appears stable may not necessarily be stable. Even if the ground is stable, this may change over time.

The following factors may contribute to unstable conditions:

• The depth of the excavation;
• The nature of the ground or soil, including its reaction to the elements (for instance, ground exposed to rain may become unstable);
• Slip planes in the soil and fractures/faults in rocks;
• Water content, including the inrush of water;
• Nearby in-ground services;
• The placement of and vibration from plant;
• The storage of excavated material near the edge of the excavation; and
• The proximity of buildings and other structures.

Construct a ground support system, steel shield or walls battered back at a safe angle where ground conditions have not been assessed as being stable.

Before you start excavating, do the following to prevent collapse:

• Complete a site specific risk assessment that accounts for the above risk factors.

• Where unstable conditions are identified, obtain advice from an appropriately qualified engineer who can complete a geotechnical analysis.

• Consider the use of shoring, earth retention equipment or other appropriate measures for all excavation work, based upon the risk assessment and the specialist advice.

• Complete a documented safe work method statement for trenches and excavations at depths greater than 1.5 metres. Consider the activities around and within the excavation, including the type and weight of any plant used in the vicinity of the excavation.

• Where control measures involve the use of a shoring system, benching or battering, ensure that an appropriately qualified person designs and supervises their construction.

• Ensure that a competent person is engaged to regularly inspect and supervise the progress of the excavation work. • Consult with workers on the controls measures to be used. • Ensure that site security is in place to prevent unauthorised access. • Ensure that fall prevention and access/egress systems are in place.

• Ensure that underground services are located and not affected. • Develop emergency procedures for an excavation collapse.

During excavation work, ensure that safe work procedures are implemented and activities are supervised. When changes to site specific conditions occur, the procedures may have to be amended. Maintain site security and your emergency procedures. If deficiencies are detected in the excavation, shoring, benching or battering, you must stop the work and evacuate the excavation. Only resume work when the deficiencies have been rectified and an appropriately qualified engineer has verified the safety of the excavation.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 requires employers and those in control of workplaces to take all necessary steps to ensure that safe systems of work are implemented and maintained, and that persons undertaking them are provided with adequate information, training and supervision to ensure their safety.

Part 8.5 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 provides more specific obligations for excavation work.

The Code of practice excavation work provides employers, self-employed people and workers with advice on preventing injuries during excavation work on construction sites, including how to establish controls that prevent the collapse or failure of trenches and open excavations.

The code can be obtained by contacting WorkCover at workcover.nsw.gov.au or the WorkCover Assistance Service on 13 10 50.

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05:38 pm, Friday 12 November, 2010

“Telling your workers to ‘be careful’ isn’t going to cut it,” WorkSafe Victoria’s Executive Director for Health and Safety Ian Forsyth said after the prosecution of an employer over the death of a worker.

The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court has fined the owner of a building company $30,000 after a man fell to his death in a construction site under his control.

The defendant was convicted of two charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004.

The business owner was contracted to renovate a house in Lower Templestowe. He employed two casual workers, including the victim, to carry out the domestic construction work.

The court was told the defendant fell short of safety standards after merely warning workers to be careful.

In June 2008, a casual worker died after falling over three metres through a hole to the ground floor.

Investigations revealed that holes in the home’s first floor had been cut out by an electrical contractor, but had left some uncovered.

Instead of taking precautionary measures like barricading the area or covering the hole, the defendant merely told his workers to be careful.

“This incident is a reminder to everyone responsible for a workplace to actively identify and eliminate safety risks,” Mr Forsyth said.

“[The defendant] was the primary contractor and had the key to the workplace.

“If you’re assuming control of a workplace, responsibilities come with it. You’ve got to be vigilant about the risks.

“The take-home message here is clear – if you’re responsible for a workplace, you need to be actively looking for hazards every day and taking steps to eliminate them.”

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07:02 am, Friday 12 November, 2010

Construction work in a college in Bendigo has been halted after a fire broke out at the construction site on Wednesday.

Students had to be evacuated after about 300 polystyrene cubes caught fire around noon.

Greg Stead, CFA station officer, said a spark from an oxy acetylene cutter may have started the fire.

“That sort of material produces a lot of heavy black smoke,” he said.

“It looked impressive, but it wasn’t serious.”

Paramedics responded to the scene to give first aid treatment to a worker who inhaled smoke.

The college principal said students were on their lunch break when the incident took place. They were evacuated to the school’s sports oval.

“The smoke was blowing in the other direction so they were taken to the oval until it was safe. I’ve since been to a site meeting and there will be a short delay while the safety of the buildings are assessed,” she said.

Reports say new buildings were being constructed at the site in Napier Street.

A WorkSafe investigator was at the site to conduct an investigation.

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04:49 pm, Thursday 11 November, 2010

A subcontractor was taken to hospital after suffering a head injury in a construction accident earlier today.

Reports indicate the accident took place at an Old Cooper Road construction site in Sta Lucia about 6am.

The worker was demolishing a brick wall of a university building when a section of the wall collapsed onto him.

He is being treated and monitored at Royal Brisbane Hospital for possible concussion.

The Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is expected to look into the the incident.

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09:19 am, Friday 5 November, 2010

The SA Industrial Relations Court has fined a construction company after concrete panels collapsed at a building site in the northern suburbs.

According to SafeWork SA, the construction company placed its employee and others at risk over its unsafe lifting operation of a concrete panel.

The court was told a crane was being used to lift pre-cast concrete panels in Marc 2007 when the its outrigger came off its blocks. This caused the crane to topple, striking another concrete panel in the process.

SafeWork SA told the court that the company did not undertake an adequate risk assessment and hazard identification was, and that it failed to ensure the lift was within the crane’s working limits.

The company was convicted and fined $15,000 by Industrial Magistrate Michael Ardlie.

SafeWork SA said the construction sector must always take the dangers of working with tilt-up concrete panels into account.

“Because of the size and weight of these panels, there are often no second chances if one comes loose,” says SafeWork acting executive director, Bryan Russell.

“Extra safety procedures and precautions must always be in place when undertaking this type of work because the consequences of mistakes or oversights can be tragic and catastrophic.”

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09:31 am, Monday 1 November, 2010

A Kiama-based builder has been fined by the NSW Industrial Court following a 3.5 metre fall of an apprentice in 2007.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching section 8(2) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000. It was fined $80,000.

The court heard the company, which carries out residential and commercial construction projects, was at the time building a two-story duplex.

The apprentice was working on the construction site’s ground floor on 30 April 2007 when he fell through an open hole, hitting the concrete slab of the basement.

He suffered multiple injuries, including skull fractures and brain contusion. He stayed in the hospital for about four weeks for hi major surgery and rehabilitation before he was able to return to work. It took him nearly two and a half years before he was able to return to full duties.

The WorkCover investigated the incident, and found that the site had inadequate fall protection measures in place. Open holes were neither covered nor fenced off to avoid worker falls.

The court found that the hazard was obvious and that there was a complete lack of attention to ensure safety when the incident occurred. The apprentice worked with no supervision while working near the exposed opening in the floor.

John Watson, WorkCover NSW’s General Manager of Work Health and Safety Division, said workers’ safety should be the main priority for all employers, especially for those working on construction sites.

“Safe work procedures for all tasks must be developed and implemented in partnership with workers,” Mr Watson said.

“Workers, especially young workers, then need to be informed and trained on those procedures.

“There was a serious risk to the safety of the apprentice at the site and steps should have been taken to prevent the injuries.

“The message is an important one. Work Safe, Home Safe,” Mr Watson said.

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03:39 pm, Friday 29 October, 2010

Queensland’s most exemplary employers and individuals have been recognised in the annual Q-COMP Return to work Awards on Tuesday night.

The program rewards acts of excellence, inspiring personal journeys and leadership in the field of worker’s compensation.

Nine winners were personally commended by Minister for Industrial Relations Cameron Dick during the ceremony at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The awards ceremony featured tales of injured workers who bounced back after suffering injuries at work, some of them debilitating. The winners include Mooloolaba’s Michael Castillo, who was crushed by a 500kg horse. Unable to return to his job as a horse-breaker, he completed a Certificate III in carpentry and passed with flying colours.

Another winner – Brisbane’s Jamie Sunderland – worked in construction for twelve years until his legs were crushed by several tonnes of steel at the work site. Unable to meet the physical requirements of being a construction worker, he instead pursued his passion of becoming a tattoo artist.

Q-COMP’s Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Woods says the winners are great examples of the kind of work they want others to emulate.

“Our awards put forward the state’s best in workplace rehabilitation and return to work practices, giving these deserving individuals and businesses the attention of the industry,” Ms Woods said.

“The nine winners, who were selected from close to 500 nominations, have been recognised for taking an approach fitting with the theme of this year’s awards: ‘Above and Beyond’, which celebrates the essential work undertaken to develop and improve a strong return to work culture plus commends the courageous journey an injured worker takes to return to their job.

“It’s fitting to recognise achievements in injury prevention and rehabilitation together, as it highlights the great work employers are doing to keep our workplaces safe plus acknowledges those employers who do the right thing if an injury does occur.

“The high standard and number of award nominations we received this year demonstrates the committed approach Queensland’s employers and individuals take in supporting injured workers’ through the workers’ compensation process and back to a safe workplace.”

List of Winners:

Injured Worker Achievement Award – New career
Winner: Michael Castillo, Mooloolaba

Injured Worker Achievement Award – Return to work
Winner: Michael Labuc, Brisbane

Injured Worker Achievement Award – Serious
Winner: Jamie Sunderland, Brisbane

Case Management Achievement Award
Winner: Stephen Wikman – WorkCover Queensland, Rockhampton

Employer Achievement Award for Rehabilitation and Return to Work – Small/medium employer
Winner: Golden Cockerel Pty Ltd, Mt Cotton

Employer Achievement Award for Rehabilitation and Return to Work – Large employer
Winner: Ramsay Health Care, Moffat Beach

Employer Achievement Award for Rehabilitation and Return to Work – Self-insured employer
Winner: KMART Australia, Brisbane

Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinator Achievement Award – Self-insured employer
Winner: Gianina Saba – Qantas Airways, Brisbane

Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinator Achievement Awards – WorkCover Queensland insured employer
Winner: Mark Kilmore – DPSA Holdings Pty Ltd, North Rockhampton

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07:09 am, Friday 29 October, 2010

A concrete pumping company has been fined $37,500 after a worker sustained injuries while in a 2009 construction accident.

The Townsville-based company pleaded guilty to breaching section 24(1) of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995, having failed to ensure workplace safety.

The Townsville Industrial Magistrates Court was told a worker suffered broken ribs, severe bruising and concussion while working on a scaffold at a construction site in Mudingburra on 20 February 2009.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland investigated the incident, and discovered that company failed to ensure the mobile scaffold used in the site was safe and provide adequate training to its workers.

Apart from the fine, Industrial Magistrate Howard Osborne ordered the company to pay $3882 in court and investigation costs.

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05:46 pm, Thursday 28 October, 2010

SA Water has revealed in a parliamentary inquiry that 37 injuries have been recorded in connection with the construction of the Adelaide desalination plant.

The inquiry heard that in 27 of the cases medical treatment had been required. In seven cases, workers needed time off to recover.

The inquiry was also told that nine workers experienced electric jolts.

John Ringham, SA Water’s chief operating officer, said the death of a worker in July was regrettable. However, he said the company in charge of the construction site has a good safety record.

“I believe that the [construction company's] approach to safety on the site is among the best that I have seen and everybody who wishes to go on the site to work has to be inducted through the construction industry white card system. They have to be trained in safety,” Mr Ringham said.

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