07:09 am, Wednesday 22 September, 2010

Safe Work Australia has announced it is in the process of updating the Hazardous Substances Information System online database.

The update comprises of a total of 456 entries, which will also reflect the changes in Europe’s 31st Adaptation to Technical Progress to Directive 67/548/EEC.

The database for hazardous substances is expected to contain 360 new entries, while 92 entries will be amended and another four deleted.

The updated database containing the final list of all anticipated changes will be released by the end of November 2010.

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08:49 am, Tuesday 14 September, 2010

WorkSafe WA has turned its attention to powder coating operations following a recent survey revealing a lack of awareness of the hazards associated with the procedure.

Joe Attard, WorkSafe’s Director Manufacturing, Transport and Service Industries, said the safety watchdog conducted a targeted inspection of 34 metropolitan and regional businesses. They found many businesses had limited knowledge of the risks involved and were conducting powder coating activities without taking adequate safety measures.

“The problem seems to be mostly with businesses that had previously contracted out their powder-coating needs to specialist operators,” Mr Attard said.

“But with rising costs, they are now doing the work in-house, using staff not adequately trained or equipped to do the work safely.

“Triglycidyl Isocyanurate (TGIC), for example is a very hazardous substance that is used in some powders to enhance finish and durability.”

He said most brands have removed the hazardous substance from their products, although it is still found in some powders available in WA.

“It is vital that businesses using these brands are aware of the extra precautions that need to be taken to ensure their workers are not put at risk.

“Other chemicals that are commonly used in the coating process, such as hydrofluoric acid, are extremely dangerous.

He added that electrical hazard associated with electrostatic spray painting must also be taken into account.

“For example, by earthing the equipment and the objects being coated, you can ensure maximum coating efficiency and reduce the level of free dust. This will prevent the build up of static charges capable of igniting the powder dust clouds.

Mr Attard said for businesses that involve powder coating activities, they need to facilitate safety training for their workers, have relevant measures in place including personal protective equipment, and specific first-aid procedures.

“Without these safeguards workers are at risk of serious health problems.”

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09:27 pm, Thursday 9 September, 2010

Farmers and workers in rural industries in Queensland will have to deal with new safety rules beginning this month after the phase out of legislated occupational health and safety exemptions.

Dr Simon Blackwood, Executive Director for Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ), said the phasing out of exemptions, which began in 1990, mandates rural property workers to comply with Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008.

According to Dr Blackwood, the removal of exemptions will ensure workers will get appropriate safety training, certification and licensing.

“The phasing out of these exemptions is part of a staged removal to bring the rural industry in line with other Queensland industries,” he said.

“Exemptions being removed from this September regard registrable plant design, confined spaces and atmospheric contaminants.

In 2009, exemptions on demolition and construction work and use of hazardous substances were revoked in rural Queensland.

“A new rural chemicals guide is available to rural workplaces containing information on herbicides, pesticides, hazardous substances, dangerous goods, flammable liquids, and agricultural and veterinary medicines.

“Workplace Health and Safety Queensland’s A guide to working safely in confined spaces highlights the new requirements and provides useful tools and information.

He notes the new guide highlights how working in a confined space can potentially increase the risk of injury from noise, fumes, extreme temperatures, oxygen depletion and manual handling, among others.

According to Dr Blackwood, the changes that became effective on 1 September did not apply to rural workers who are exempt from holding licence to perform high risk work such as forklift, tower crane and scaffolding.

“The rural exemption for this part of the regulation has been extended indefinitely until the new national model health and safety laws are enacted in Queensland,” he stated.

“The amendment ensures workers in the rural industry are not legally required to undertake the cost of training to obtain a licence only to find out when the national OHS laws are finalised that they may no longer be required to hold a licence to operate in that class of work.

“However, it should be noted that forklift licensing is an excellent means of meeting the requirements of the current WHS legislation to provide a safe workplace,” Dr Derrick said.

Licensing of classes of high-risk work is expected to be required under the nationally harmonised legislation starting 1 January 2012.

You can call the Workplace Health and Safety Infoline on 1300 369 915 for more information about the changes in safety rules in rural industries.

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06:52 pm, Saturday 17 July, 2010

The Ringwood Magistrates’ Court has convicted an apprentice on July 1 after setting a new worker on fire as a prank.

The workplace prank took place on January 2008 at a Hallam workshop, where three apprentice mechanics sprayed brake-cleaning fluid on a colleague and set the flammable chemical alight.

The injured apprentice had been working at the business for just three days when the prank took place.

He had to stay in the hospital for a week to treat his burn injuries.

The 23-year-old prankster was the third apprentice to be prosecuted by WorkSafe for the incident.

He was convicted on three charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and was fined $5,000.

In December 2008, the two other apprentices were both convicted of health and safety charges. Each was also fined $5,000 for the incident.

WorkSafe is currently looking into a similar occurrence in Dandenong in March, where two apprentice mechanics allegedly ignited brake fluid and injured themselves in the process.

“This sort of behaviour might be called horseplay or excused as a prank – but can lead to serious, permanent injuries. It’s against the law and it’s not acceptable,” WorkSafe’s Strategic Programs Director Trevor Martin said.

Mr Martin noted young workers are are less likely to report incidents of bullying or pranks that go too far.

“We want young workers to know that just because their mate’s the one carrying out the prank, it doesn’t make it ok.”

WorkSafe is currently running a program targeting 15-24 year olds in the workplace. Its purpose is to ensure that workplaces have transparent policies in place for bullying and harassment; that young people aware that it is not acceptable; and that they can seek help.

“In this case, the company had done the right thing – they’d spelt out their expectation that bullying and pranks would not be tolerated, and disciplined all three apprentices on a previous occasion,” Mr Martin said.

“Our message for other companies employing young workers is clear – the company’s rules around this kind of behaviour need to be clearly communicated, and young workers need to be supervised.

“The injured apprentice had been working for the company for only three days. WorkSafe knows that new workers are more vulnerable – they’re more likely than other workers to get severe injuries and be hospitalised. That’s why they need even more supervision at this time.

“You don’t go to work to muck around with dangerous substances – situations like this can escalate and eventually someone will get hurt,” he said.

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07:45 am, Thursday 15 July, 2010

WorkSafe WA has launched an inspection program aimed at improving OHS standards in restaurants.

As part of the program, restaurants across the state will be randomly chosen and inspected. Inspections will continue throughout the financial year and will cover both regional and metropolitan areas.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said the campaign will focus on raising awareness of the safety risks and information dissemination for employers.

“This inspection program is part of an ongoing program of proactive inspections aimed at providing employers with information on how to make workplaces safer,” Ms Lyhne said.

“The relevant industry bodies are being contacted in advance and advised of what the inspectors will be looking for.”

The campaign will address WorkSafe’s priority areas more closely, including hazardous substances, manual handling, electricity, machinery guarding and slips, trips and falls.

Inspectors will also focus on particular issues such as the handling of hot liquids, the use of protective gloves when cleaning food slicers and guarding.

“New and young workers and their induction, training and supervision is a major concern to WorkSafe, and our inspectors will also be ensuring that all is in order in that regard during this inspection program,” Ms Lyhne said.

“These proactive inspection programs primarily aim to raise awareness of hazards and provide employers with information, but inspectors will also take enforcement action where necessary.

“We firmly believe that raising awareness with proactive campaigns is the best way in which to lessen the risk of work-related injury and illness.”

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03:45 pm, Tuesday 13 July, 2010

Sporting facilities are the latest worksites to be targeted by WorkSafe for its inspection campaign.

WorkSafe inspectors have started looking into safety standards of various venues.

The inspections will focus on yacht clubs, bowling greens, bowling alleys and aquatic centres. The program will continue throughout this financial year in both regional and metropolitan areas.

According to WorkSafe Commissioner Nina Lyhne, the aims of the inspections are to raise awareness of the safety risks and make sure employers have the necessary information to comply with the laws.

“This inspection program is part of an ongoing series of proactive inspections aimed at providing employers with information on how to make workplaces safer,” she said.

“Workplaces in the industries covered by this program are being contacted in advance and told that inspectors will be conducting visits, so they should know what will be expected of them.”

Safety issues such as hazardous substances, mobile plant, manual handling, electricity, prevention of falls, machinery guarding and slips, trips and falls will be given extra attention.

Inspectors will also look into safety issues specific to each type of facility.

“Like all WorkSafe’s proactive inspection programs, this one aims to raise awareness and provide information, but inspectors will take enforcement action if necessary,” Ms Lyhne said.

“We firmly believe that raising awareness with proactive campaigns is the best way in which to lessen the risk of work-related injury and illness.”

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