Are commission sales people at risk?

Occupation health and safety is about preventing employees, visitors and the public from being harmed or becoming ill primarily due to work activities.  It is concerned with taking the right precautions by providing a safe working environment, safe systems of work, safe premises and well trained people, as well as being responsible for environmental and business damage.

Identifying all workplace hazards is one of the responsibilities placed on the employer, and yet how often have you seen your health and safety committee discussing the hazard of commission sales and its by-products.

According to Sales Institute (www.salesinstitute.com.au), commission sales is a drug in itself which creates all sorts of workplace issues. The expectations placed on our commission sales people by both clients and employers can have devastating effects on their work lives and private lives far more than we recognise.   

Stress, alcoholism, substance abuse, extra-martial affairs, fatigue and deception are just a few of the risks associated with commission sales work as these workmates employ all their talents, skills and time to win a sale or keep a client and therefore keep the money rolling in to the business.

Is it time we did a risk assessment on our sales motivators, and would we expect the same of ourselves?

Read the full article and have your say about this contentious topic on Australia’s only dedicated website safety forum www.talksafety.com.au  

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www.talksafety.com.au

Talk Safety is Australia’s only website dedicated to discussing health, safety and related issues in all their forms. This new and easy to navigate round-table provides opportunities for people at all levels of OHS&E interest and education to indulge themselves in profitable and constructive casual chatting and debate.  It will unlock the many answers that people have locked away in their heads and safety manuals, and also provide an opening to challenge some of the sacred cows of OH&S.

Talk Safety also provides a platform for Q&A's and education, so sign up!

You are invited to freely sign in and put forward your view or read someone else’s on any number of the topical issues currently being discussed. Just go to www.talksafety.com.au and register now

VIC: Investigation into Ballarat gold mine collapse
The 27 Ballarat goldmine workers stranded underground on Monday, 19 November. The men were trapped underground after the collapse of a shaft. WorkSafe Victoria will investigate the collapse with technical support from the Department of Primary Industries. To read more click here :

http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/
798c8b072d117a01ca256c8c0019bb01/16044e64c122df9aca
257398008251e0!OpenDocument

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VIC: ESV Safety Alert - Metering antenna mounting bracket found to be live
Energy Safe Victoria has issued a safety alert after an electrician received an electric shock while working near metering communications equipment. He had contacted a metallic duct and the mounting bracket of an antenna. Read more here:

http://www.esv.vic.gov.au/Portals/0/Alerts%20&%20Recalls/Files/
Safety%20Alert%20-%20antenna%20bracket.pdf

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VIC: SunSmart launches online training package for working safely in the sun.
The course is designed specifically for outdoor workers. It’s also ideal for staff induction, refresher training and professional development for H&S representatives. To find out more, click here:

http://www.sunsmartelearning.com.au/

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VIC: Firm fined $120,000 over a worker who died after fall into sewer pit
A company has been convicted and fined $120,000 over the 2003 death of a maintenance worker who died after falling into a sewer pit in Pakenham. Civil construction engineering company FRH Victoria pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment. To read more, click here :

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22808423-2862,00.html

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VIC: New alliance to help small and medium companies
An alliance between WorkSafe Victoria and Australia’s leading universities and health and safety organisations aims to make small and medium Victorian companies safer. The alliance will work closely in the coming months to develop ways to assist the more than 240,000 small and medium employers in Victoria meet the challenges of providing safe workplaces. Read more here :

http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/WorkSafe/SiteTools/News/
A+new+Alliance%3A+WorkSafe%2C+Educators%2C+Health+%26+Safety
+Associations

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One man sentenced to jail and another fined for WorkCover fraud
A man has been sentenced to five months imprisonment, to be served in the community, and another convicted and fined in two separate court cases this week for fraudulently obtaining workplace injury compensation payments and for making false declarations about his workplace injury claim. In the first case a man had been working as a spray-painter at a panel works business in 2003 when he injured his knee. A WorkCover investigation revealed that while in receipt of compensation payments he was employed as a driver and yard attendant at another business. Read on :

http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/WorkSafe/SiteTools/News/
Man+to+serve+jail+sentence+in+community+for+WorkCover+fraud

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VIC: What's hot on the WorkSafe website?
The revamped homepage of the WorkSafe website has a section on most popular publications. To read more go to and and click on hot publications:

http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au

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ACT: Statistics about ACT WorkCover activities
ACT WorkCover's latest bulletin highlights activities performed throughout the ACT during the 1 July 2007 to 30 September 2007 quarter. Click to read more:

http://www.workcover.act.gov.au/pdfs/statsbulletins/SB23_2007-SeptQtr.pdf

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ACT: WorkCover to hold OHS safety summit
ACT WorkCover's inaugural safety summit mid next year is aimed at improving work place safety through the coordination and partnering of industry groups, unions and government in addressing the serious workplace safety risks within industries across the ACT. To read more:

http://www.workcover.act.gov.au/docs/programs.htm

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ACT: Webpage on workplace safety programs
ACT WorkCover now has a webpage detailing its various workplace safety progams. The page features the new 'Partners in Safety' Mentor program and related initiatives including its Small Business Advisory Program and the planned OHS safety summit. The partners in Safety Mentor Program aims to encourage larger organisations to take on a mentoring role to assist smaller businesses improve their workplace health and safety strategies. This will start in the construction industry. To read on, click here :

http://www.workcover.act.gov.au/docs/programs.htm

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NSW: Lighting hits gas pipe
Lightning caused an explosion when it hit a gas pipe during thunderstorms west of Sydney on Wednesday, 21 November. To read more:

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22799948-1242,00.html

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NSW: Small business forums start next week
WorkCover NSW aims to improve its products and services for small and medium businesses that will assist productivity and lessen the impact of workplace injuries. This will be the subject of a series of public forums. The first forum starts in Bega next week. It is planned that these forums will meet four times a year. To book your seat, click here :

http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/safebusiness/sbf.htm

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NSW: Sun Safety@Work in construction
WorkCover NSW has developed a webpage with information on sun safety in construction work. Click here:

http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/OHS/SunSafety/default.htm

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WorkCover to continue management of workers compensation scheme
WorkCover NSW CEO, Jon Blackwell, has confirmed that WorkCover will continue to manage the NSW Workers Compensation Scheme by contracting with third party agents to provide claim and policy services. He said that the scheme's management structure is delivering lower and more stable premiums, protection of vulnerable employers and industries, as well as better regulation of issues concerning the health and social wellbeing of workers. Performance-based contracts between WorkCover and agents have been in place since January 2006. :

http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/MediaResources/MediaReleases/2007/
WorkCover+to+contuine+management+of+NSW+WCD.htm

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WA: Safety and health alert updated following cyclone investigation
The State Government has issued a Safety and Health Alert on emergency preparation for cyclones following completion of the WorkSafe WA report on the deaths of two workers during Cyclone George in March. The report has been passed on to the State Solicitor's Office for advice on potential prosecution. Click here to read media relelase:

http://www.docep.wa.gov.au/Corporate/Media/statements/2007/November/
Updated_Safety_and_H.html

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WA: Nominations called for Employees Inspector of Mines in the Pilbara
The Department of Consumer and Employment Protection's Resources Safety team needs a Employees Inspector of Mines to work as a safety professional in the booming Pilbara region. Nominations are now being called for the position which is based at Karratha. Candidates must hold a Western Australian Underground Supervisors Certificate of Competency issued under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act. To read more, click here:

http://www.docep.wa.gov.au/Corporate/Media/statements/2007/November/
Nomination_called_fo.html

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QLD: Crushed worker crawls to miracle escape
A Cairns construction worker made a miraculous escape from the crushed cabin of an excavator that hung precariously over the edge of a 4m retaining wall. He collapsed after he dragged himself away. Read on:

http://www.cairnspost.com.au/article/2007/11/16/4575_news.html

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QLD: Man jammed in concrete pump
A construction worker is recovering in hospital after he fell and jammed his legs inside an industrial concrete pump at a worksite in Brisbane's northside on 10 November. To read more :

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22737509-5003402,00.html

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QLD: Recognised Standard - Underground electrical equipment & installation
A new standard has been released in Queensland to help establish the minimum standards for the selection, installation, maintenance and operation of electrical equipment and electrical installations in an underground coal mine. Click here:

http://www.dme.qld.gov.au/zone_files/Mines_Teri/recognised_standard01.pdf

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QLD: Safety Bulletin: Isocyanates from two-pack paints and use of polyurethane resins in mining
The Queensland Mines Inspectorate has released a safety bulletin on the use of two-pack paints, or isocyanate-based polyurethane resins. The materials are used in a variety of tasks including painting, flat proofing of heavy duty plant and strata binding. Click to read more :

http://www.dme.qld.gov.au/zone_files/Mines_Teri/safety_bulletin74.pdfhttp:/
/www.dme.qld.gov.au/zone_files/Mines_Teri/safety_bulletin74.pdf

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SA: Trebling of penalties for workplace safety breaches
Corporations will soon face tougher penalties for workplace safety breaches after the State Government's Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare (Penalties) Amendment Bill passed through Parliament. To read more:

http://www.safework.sa.gov.au/uploaded_files/211107_penalties.pdf

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SA: Expert to meet MPs on work life balance
An academic who is driving work life balance initiatives in her home state, is coming to South Australia to discuss her work. Dr. Cheryl Davenport is the chair of Western Australia’s State Health Advisory Committee on Work Life Balance. To read more:

http://www.safework.sa.gov.au/uploaded_files/201107_davenport.pdf

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SA: Look after your workmates ahead of Christmas
SafeWork SA is urging South Australians to look after each other's safety and take greater care at work, as the busy pre-Christmas schedule heightens the risk of harm. Click here to read on:

http://www.safework.sa.gov.au/uploaded_files/191107_xmas.pdf

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SA: Summary of court cases
A summary is now available of a number of court cases resulting from prosecutions brought by SafeWork SA. To read summary, click here:

http://www.safework.sa.gov.au/uploaded_files/161107_4_case_summary.pdf

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TAS: Amendments to the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act
Amendments to the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 took effect on 31 October 2007. The changes will make the system fairer for workers and employers and provide greater certainty for all parties. Click here:

http://www.wst.tas.gov.au/safety_comply/legislation/resources/
amendworkrehabcompact

Canada: Notified Incident Summaries
WorkSafe BC has updated the summaries of selected Notice of Incident reports received from industry since July 2007. It is intended to alert employers and workers to the types of incidents occurring in industry. For construction incidents see:

http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/Incidents-AllSectors.asp?ReportID=33779#2007158880405

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NZ: Law changes following requests for more flexible work
The Employment Relations (Flexible Working Arrangements) Amendment Act 2007 was recently passed in Parliament, and will comes into force on 1 July next year. The Act will change the way some employees and employers make and respond to requests for flexible working arrangements. While the changes are not OHS-related, the Department of Labour is supporting them with a campaign on work-life balance. Click to read more:

http://www.dol.govt.nz/News/Media/2007/flexible-work-changes.asp

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UK: HSE warns employers after prosecution over fall through skylight
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned employers to ensure they have safe systems of work in place when working at height. The warning follows HSE’s prosecution of a Merseyside company after an employee broke his arm when he fell eight metres through a skylight. Click to read more:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2007/gnnnw13307.htm

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UK: What works at work? Report released on health and wellbeing initiatives
The Minister with responsibility for Health and Work, Lord McKenzie of Luton, has launched the ‘What Works at Work’ report by the Institute of Employment Studies on workplace health and wellbeing initiatives. The report shows the importance of the workplace in preventing and managing common health problems. To read more:

http://www.workingforhealth.gov.uk/News-and-updates/News-Summary.aspx?
NewsID=19

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USA: New York construction deaths dropped in 2007
Construction deaths dropped dramatically this year in New York following last year's record high, even as high-rise accidents skyrocketed, the city's Buildings Department reported. Click here to read more:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/11/21/2007-11-21_construction_deaths_dropped_in_07_buildi-2.html?ref=rss

Safety Superintendent

Location:
WA – all other

Salary:
$160,000 pa

Work Type:
Full Time

Job Posted by:
Occupational Health Professionals Pty Ltd

Our client, a specialist Civil Engineering & Construction company, is seeking a dynamic OHS Manager with particular focus on Safety to work on a major Facilities & Infrastructure Construction Site for a large JV in Nth WA.

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OH&S ADVISOR - Manufacturing

Location:
Sydney - Inner, NSW

Salary:
na

Work Type:
Contract / Temp

Job Posted by:
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY SPECIALIST

SBS is a dynamic broadcaster with multicultural and multilingual programming that informs, educates and entertains all Australians and, in doing so, reflects Australia’s cultural diversity. With radio, television and online services in up to 70 languages, SBS is unlike any other public broadcaster in the world.

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Safety Co-ordinator

Location:
Melb – East, VIC

Salary:
$75,000 pa

Work Type:
Full Time

Job Posted by:
Arnold & Associates

An opportunity exists to join a prominent construction company that has been in operation for over 30 years. This exciting role would see you assist the organisation with the implementation of safety principles on your site.

DECEMBER

Holiday Break

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JANUARY

Holiday Break

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FEBRUARY

National Forklift Seminar's & Industry Best Practice Expo
11th February 2008
NSW

Keep up-to-date with all the latest legislation changes in the forklift industy..

http://www.forkliftsafety.com.au