Funding for Investigation into High Construction Suicide Rate in NZ.

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The New Zealand construction industry is facing a similar mental health crisis as Australia, looking to the Mates in Construction programme as inspiration for its own plan to tackle the issue.

With Mates in Construction proving successful here in Australia, with a marked decrease in suicides in the industry, SiteSafe – a New Zealand based organisation is looking to mirror a similar approach.

The organisation has received funding to study why the suicide rate is so high in the industry and why mental health issues are so common among construction  workers.

A recent study found that 6.9 per cent of overall suicides were in the construction industry.

SiteSafe is looking into 300 suicides of construction workers to learn more.

The Mates in Construction programme has reached more than 120,000 workers in Tasmania and suicide rates have fallen as a result.

In a male-dominated industry, it is important to identify alternative ways to get workers to open up about their mental health as they may be less likely to speak out.

Read more at: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/construction-sector-look-into-high-suicide-rate-company-collapses-add-stress?variant=tb_v_1

Hungover Worker Rescued After Becoming Trapped on a Construction Site

A night of excess has landed one construction worker in a very tight spot. The man fell into a crevasse between 2 buildings on a construction site in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley.

The 41 year old intoxicated man was discovered by construction workers when they arrived on the site. They found the man fast asleep.

Emergency services rigged a pulley system so that a firefighter and a paramedic could help the man, who was brought up in a harness. He had no major injuries.

Due to the intoxication he had no memory of falling between the gap.

Find out more at https://www.9news.com.au/2019/02/28/15/31/fortitude-valley-drunk-man-fall-construction-site-asleep-brisbane

WorkSafe Urges Caution Following Falling Object Incidents

WorkSafe Victoria is reminding all employers about the importance of addressing the risks of falling objects on construction sites following an incident in Melbourne’s CBD recently.

A large metal prop fell from the 56th level of the building site and struck a work shed 53 levels below at the Collins Street site.It happened while workers were removing bracing for the 3 metre prop, which was used to support a concrete slab.

Thankfully nobody was injured in the incident however in cases like this workers as well as members of the public are at risk. Read more at http://content.safetyculture.com.au/news/index.php/03/worksafe-warns-dangers-falling-objects/#.XIovVbglE1l

The NT’s High Workplace Fatality Rate Prompts Demands for Harsher Penalties

Following a review of the Northern Territory’s workplace health and safety practices, harsher penalties have been called for, to address the high rate of workplace deaths in the state.

In the report, the NT WorkSafe inspectors say their relationship with the coroner’s office has deteriorated and the skills of the work safety authority’s personnel needs to be improved.

The review also points out the need for NT WorkSafe to be perceived as being politically independent.

Under the current workplace health and safety laws in the NT, there have been no imprisonments. The independent review into workplace health and safety best practice in the Territory has now recommended the introduction of industrial manslaughter laws. Unions and lawyers have been calling for these laws for a long time.

Review author Tim Lyons states that these laws should carry the same maximum custodial sentence as manslaughter under the criminal code which is life imprisonment or a $10 million fine for a body corporate.

See more at https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-13/nt-workplace-health-and-safety-review-industrial-manslaughter/10895670

Tradie Death Sparks Fears of Silicosis Epidemic

A Queensland stonecutter has died from silicosis, sparking concerns of an epidemic of deaths in the industry.

More cases have began to emerge of silicosis diagnosis in Queensland and around Australia, with Gold Coast stonecutter Anthony White being the latest victim.He had become the face of the vicious disease after being diagnosed due to inhalation of crystalline silica dust.

It is believed he was the first tradesman to die of the disease in Australia.

Mr White’s brother who worked alongside him, was also diagnosed with silicosis, just days before his brother died of the disease.

Safe Work Australia is focusing on addressing the risks posed by dust exposure in the workplace, including in the engineered stone industry.

Read more at: https://www.perthnow.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/silicosis-could-become-an-epidemic-ng-s-1931188

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