Safety Campaign Launched to Teach Tradies About Working Around Electrical Networks

Western Power has launched a safety campaign to educate tradespeople and businesses about working safely around the electrical grid.

The safety campaign – GamePlan is a suite of tailored safety videos, designed to educate and support tradespeople preparing and working safely around the network, in order to avoid incidents.

The campaign features free videos which encourage people to adopt an athlete mantality towards to safety. Featuring an elite athlete the campaign encourages people to be methodical and prepare for success.

Authorities say a good game plan will ensure the safety of everyone involved.

Find out more http://content.safetyculture.com.au/news/index.php/03/new-campaign-aims-educate-wa-tradies-safely-work-around-electricity-networks/#.XI6tIbglE1l

Airborne Fungi Pose Health Risk to Construction Workers at WestConnex

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Construction workers working in the M4 East tunnels in Sydney’s inner west were exposed to extremely high concentrations of airborne fungi. It posed a potentially “high risk to all persons”.

Recently 500 construction workers walked off the site after the findings were revealed. They had failed to receive adequate assurances from the contractor building the tunnels.

A confidential report by a Mycolab laboratory found the average of 4 samples taken from inside the tunnels had an “extremely high” rating of airborne fungal concentrations.The concentration found was significantly higher than outdoor airbourne fungal concentrations, which may pose a health risk to everyone present and particularly to sensitised individuals.

Construction staff and electricians refused to enter the tunnels until steps were taken to safeguard their health, walking off the site.

Read more at: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/extremely-high-fungai-levels-in-westconnex-tunnels-poses-health-risk-20190311-p5137z.html

Construction Companies May Be Hit with Penalties Related to Workers Roof Fall

Two construction firms may face penalties of up to $1.5 million each if found guilty of charges relating to a workplace incident which involved a worker falling 3 metres from a roof.

The 2017 incident occurred when a 31 year old worker, alongside his 2 co-workers on a roof of a breezeway were trying to remove asbestos sheets from a school building roof in Darwin’s Northern suburbs.

At the time of the incident the worker was crouching on the edge of a void in the roof, attempting to remove an asbestos sheet when he slipped.

He fell 3 metres through the void onto concrete, fracturing his left shoulder blade and spine. He was not able to work for 14 months.

Read more at: https://www.mybusiness.com.au/management/5542-companies-could-face-1-5m-fines-after-worker-fall

The Benefits of Micro-breaks to Ease The Body and Reboot The Brain

Taking breaks on the job is not just good for your body and mind but can also make you more productive.

A recent study has proven that micro-breaks are a huge benefit to the body and also reboot the brain.

According to researchers at The University of Illinois, micro-breaks can have a ‘disproportionately powerful impact’ on workers, improving their ability to concentrate and even helping avoid injuries because workers are more alert.

Researchers say there is no consensus as to the length of the micro-break but workers should experiment with what works best for them.

Sooyeol Kim, a doctoral student from the University of Illinois said the only 2 rules are that micro-breaks should be short and voluntary.

See more at http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20190312-the-tiny-breaks-that-ease-your-body-and-reboot-your-brain

WorkSafe Clamps Down on Falling Objects on Construction Sites

In the past 5 years, 5 people have been killed by falling objects at Victorian building sites and 721 people have been injured.

To respond to this high rate of incidents, WorkSafe inspectors have been visiting construction sites across the state.

Falling items are of particular concern because they pose a risk to workers as well as others in streets near work sites.

A piece of timber fell 22 floors in January at a Southbank site, snapping in half while being lifted to a loading bay.

In a separate incident, MDF sheeting fell through an open window 63 floors to the ground.

A 48 year old man was killed and another worker was seriously injured after being struck by a load of concrete which fell from a crane at Box Hill.

WorkSafe health and safety executive director, Julie Nielsen reminded us that said even a small object can cause serious injuries when falling from a great height.

See more at https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/disaster-and-emergency/vic-builders-on-notice-over-falling-items-ng-s-1925733

Sydney Worker Dies after Scaffolding Collapse

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A fatal incident has taken place at a construction site in Sydney where a scaffolding collapsed claiming the life of an 18 year old apprentice.

Another worker was critically injured in the collapse.

The teenage formworker Christopher Cassaniti was pronounced dead a few hours after the temporary structure fell at the Macquarie Park building site.

His co-worker suffered lower body injuries and was freed by Fire and Rescue NSW workers. He was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital for treatment.

NSW Police are investigating the death and the CFMEU has expressed it’s anger at the incident.

Read more at: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/apr/01/rescue-operation-underway-after-sydney-scaffolding-collapse-traps-worker

Fatal Bordertown Quarry Accident

Another fatal workplace accident has occured. A man recently lost his life after falling into machinery at a quarry in the South East.

The 43 year old man from Murray Mallee fell into machinery and although emergency services were called to the scene, the man died at the scene.

The incident happened at a quarry near Cannawigara, 10km north east of Bordertown.

The incident is being investigated by SafeWork SA.

Police are preparing a report for the coroner.

Source: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/man-dies-after-falling-into-machinery-at-quarry-in-the-south-east/news-story/8a3679326ab229a2e8f382f447d14b61

Government to provide Mental Health Skills Training for Workers in Regional NSW

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The NSW Government is providing mental health skills training for workers in regional NSW.

The state government in partnership with the Black Dog Institute are providing the training to regionally based workers.

According to Better Regulation Minister Matt Kean, training to employees and owner-operators from small to medium-sized businesses will help develop plans and facilitate the management of workers’ mental health.

He went on to explain that the aim of the program is to raise awareness in the community of the prevalence of mental illness and how it can manifest in the work environment.

See more at: http://content.safetyculture.com.au/news/index.php/02/mental-health-boost-nsw-workers/#.XH0LhbglE1k

Review Recommends Industrial Manslaughter Introduction

Former Safe Work Australia executive director Marie Boland, recently made 34 recommendations including a call for an industrial manslaughter offence to be implemented nationwide.

Industrial manslaughter laws are currenly in effect in the ACT and Queensland. Labour has pledged to introduce the laws in NSW and Victoria.

The federal government said it would not support a national industrial manslaughter law, saying that the law did not bring down the rate of workplace deaths since being introduced in The ACT.

The mother of Ben Catanzariti, the young worker killed on a construction site, has been adamantly calling for consistent workplace laws across Australia. Ms Catanzariti said it would be easier to make companies do the right thing if uniform laws were introduced throughout the country.

An industrial manslaughter charge would make employers more liable for gross negligence or workplace fatalities.

Source: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/act/current-laws-have-failed-review-calls-for-workplace-safety-overhaul-20190227-p510o2.html