VIC: Work is no place for initiations and pranks
Employers and workers need to take a zero-tolerance approach to workplace initiations and pranks which can lead to serious injury and potentially death WorkSafe Victoria says
"Everyone has a responsibility to ensure their workplace is as safe as practicable."
To read more click here
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VIC: Nail gun injuries are avoidable
This Alert warns employers, operators and other workers about the dangers of using nail guns and provides basic advice on the control of risks. Read more here:
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VIC: Reporting an Injury
You must notify your employer of any injury or disease which has been contributed to by work within 30 days of you becoming aware of it. If you do not, you may not be entitled to compensation. To find out more, click here:
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VIC: Workplace health - coping with a critical incident
A critical incident is any event or series of events that is sudden, overwhelming, threatening or protracted. This may be an assault, threats, severe injury, death, fire or a bomb threat. Critical Incident Stress Management aims to help workers deal with the normal emotional reactions that may result from involvement in or exposure to critical incidents in the workplace. To read more, click here:
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ACT: Partners in Safety Mentor Program
This program encourages larger organisations to take on a mentoring role to a selected group of smaller businesses within the same industry, to assist them with improving their level of workplace safety, whilst complying with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), workers compensation and injury management legislation. On completion of the program successful mentees' will receive recognition and a certificate during the 2008 "Opt for Safety" Month. For more:
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ACT: Manual Tasks Training
This program focuses on small businesses (up to 10 employees) within the retail industry whose employees are required to undertake manual tasks as part of their daily work activities. Australian worker's compensation statistics show that one third of all occupational injuries at work happen during manual tasks. The program is being conducted in conjunction with the Coles Group, and will be conducted at a number of the larger shopping centres throughout the ACT, commencing during late February and early March 2008. See:
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ACT: Small Business Advisory Program
This is a pilot program that will initially focus on 10 - 15 small - medium businesses across a range of industries within the ACT, and is a practical approach to assist businesses to achieve OHS compliance and best practice, and s planned to commence in early 2008. For more info:
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NSW: Industry Let Down by NSW Government on OH&S
Australian industry feels very let down by the NSW Government delaying implementation of its own proposals for sensible and fair Occupational Health and Safety Laws," Australian Industry Group NSW Director Mark Goodsell said today…"The existing OH&S legislative framework in NSW is discredited and the unfairness of the current laws is a major impediment to business confidence in the state.
To read more
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NSW: Insurance Premiums Order (January-June) 2008
In October 2007, as a result of the ongoing financial improvements in the WorkCover Scheme, the Government announced that NSW employers would be provided with a fifth consecutive reduction in workers compensation premium rates.
The Insurance Premiums Order (January-June) 2008 has now been released incorporating the changes noted in the October announcement.
For more info
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NSW: WorkCover inspectors join forces in nation wide campaign
A campaign is about to commence across Australia and New Zealand, focusing on falls prevention in construction. During visits, inspectors will be checking to verify that falls prevention measures on work sites are appropriate.
The campaign will run during February and March, involving visits to at least 900 sites.
For more info:
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NSW: Falls from Heights in the Heavy Vehicle Sector Report
Falls from heights in all states and territories represent major contributions to workplace injury and workers compensation claims, with ‘falls from heights' from trucks representing a sizeable proportion of these claims.
Based on this information, the Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) identified the need for national OHS strategies to be developed to address these issues. The result is the development of this OHS compliance program for the transport industry. To read more
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NSW: Workplace Safety Workshops
Are you an employer of a small or medium size business? Are you confused about your workplace safety obligations? Not sure if you comply?
WorkCover's Business Advisory Officers will be holding Workplace Safety Essentials workshops for small and medium businesses across NSW throughout February. Call 1800 624 097 to arrange a time to meet with your local Business Advisory Officer who can provide you with one-on-one workplace safety advice tailored to your needs, or click this link
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WA: Review of Dangerous Goods Legislation
The review of WA's Dangerous Goods legislation which incorporates a change from a prescriptive to a performance-based risk management approach is progressing.
Following the public consultation period and response to public comments received, the draft Regulations supporting the Dangerous Good Safety Act 2004 (WA) were amended. The final date for gazettal of the Regulations hasn't been set although it is expected to be around March 2008. The Minister's media statement can be viewed
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WA: Sun protection resources for outdoor workers
The Cancer Foundation, in consultation with WorkSafe, produced a publication, Skin cancer and outdoor work: A guide for employers which provides a comprehensive summary of sun protection issues, including information on risk assessment, appropriate control measures and policy development. This publication targets outdoor workers themselves and outlines how to best protect their skin and eyes from sun damage. See:
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WA: Planet ThinkSafe - An online educational resource for primary school students
Planet ThinkSafe provides safety information in an interactive way, using colourful graphics and animation specially designed for kids from 7 to 11 years old.
Students can explore Planet ThinkSafe with ThinkSafe SAM then try the Beat the clock quiz to review the information they have learnt. The names of the top ten scorers are displayed on site, until someone else beats one of them
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QLD: Remake of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008
The Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997 will expire on 1 September 2008. As a result, the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 is proposed to take its place. A Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) has been prepared AND outlines the impact of these proposals and seeks public feedback. This RIS is divided into two distinct parts, Section A outlines the Parts of the Regulation that are being reviewed and are open for comment. These are.
- Part 4: Workplace Health and Safety Officers
- Part 7: Injuries, Illnesses and Dangerous Events
- Part 12A: Conducting Recreational Snorkelling
Section B of the RIS outlines the Parts of the Regulation that are not being reviewed and the rationale for this. The closing date for comments is Friday 29 February 2008. To read the RIS, see:
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QLD: Proposed removal of the rural industry exemption from the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997
The Queensland Government is seeking public comment on a proposal to remove section 229 of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997, which exempts the rural industry from a number of workplace health and safety requirements regarding:
- mobile elevating work platforms
- prescribed occupations
- prescribed activity (demolition work)
- workplace health and safety officers
- hazardous substances
- lead
- confined spaces
- excavation work
- atmospheric contaminants.
A Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) outlines the impact of these changes and seeks public feedback. The closing date for comments is Friday 29 February 2008.
To view and print the RIS, see:
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QLD: Free small business workshops - Managing for safety
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) and the Department of State Development are continuing to offer free safety workshops for small business in different locations around Queensland. These workshops introduce the Serious about Safe Business pack which provides small and medium businesses with a simplified safety management framework. The systems learned in the workshops are a great way to ensure a safe workplace and increase staff productivity. A round of workshops will be run April to May 2008. Call Infoline on 1300 369 915 to register for a 'Managing for safety' workshop in your area. For more info:
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SA: Clothing Outworker Code
The Fair Work (Clothing Outworker Code of Practice) Regulations 2007 was published in the Government Gazette on 18 October 2007. The Code of Practice is contained in Schedule 1 of the Regulations. The Regulations will commence on 1 March 2008. This will allow a 6 month grace period prior to the Code of Practice coming into operation.
For more info
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SA: OHSW (Penalties) Amendment Act
The Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare (Penalties) Amendment Act 2007 was assented to on 29 November 2007 and has been proclaimed to come into operation on 1 January 2008. For explanatory material, see link:
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SA: Component maker fined over burns injuries
An Adelaide suburban auto parts business has been convicted and fined more than $25,000 (including costs) over three counts of breaching workplace safety laws.
These arose after two employees were injured in separate incidents in 2005.
To read Media Release, click link
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SA: Warning on harvest injuries
As the state's annual grape harvest begins early, SafeWork SA is calling on farmers and labour hire companies to ensure that workers' safety is given high priority.
To read Media Release, click on link
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NT: New Legislation
In December 2007 the Legislative Assembly passed legislation creating, on commencement in early 2008, the Workplace Health and Safety Act and the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act. Occupational health and safety and Workers' compensation and rehabilitation functions, which previously existed together under the former Work Health Act, are separated into the two new Acts.
More info:
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NT: Reporting noise pollution incidents
Report pollution incidents relating to spray drift, odour, noise, contaminated land, stormwater, harbour, etc. to the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and The Arts freecall (24 hour) 1800 06 4567 or visit NRETA for more information. :
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TAS: Chemical Safety Alert
A cleaning contractor was pressurising a pump-action spray pack which had a cleaning agent in it, when a chemical reaction occurred, causing the spray pack to explode resulting in serious injuries including amputation of several fingers from their left
hand, and deep and serious chemical burns to the lower half of their body.
For more info
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TAS: Workplace Injuries Statistical Report - 2006
Workplace Injuries Statistical Report - 2006 is now available for download and usage.
To download this important free publication, click on link
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FED: Manual Handling - Consultation period ends COB 15 February 2008
Comcare is seeking comments from stakeholders on proposed amendments to Part 5 - ‘Manual Handling' of the Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Regulations 1994 for the implementation of the new National Standard for Manual Tasks in the Commonwealth jurisdiction.
There are two documents to download;
Click here for more:
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NAT: Occupational Therapy Australia
11-13 September 2008, Sofitel Melbourne for details see: http://www.ausotconference.com.au/
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NAT: Australian Physiotherapy Association
National Congress, Perth 23 to 24 May 2008. For more information please visit:
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NAT: 26th Annual Conference of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists
"Occupational Health Forensics: Analysing the evidence to make a difference"
Burswood Entertainment Complex - Perth, Western Australia
29th November - 3rd December 2008. For more info:
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NAT AUST: NOPSA Safety Alert 18: Crane Operations - Dropped Tongs
Staying clear from underneath crane loads is a very basic precaution that all people working offshore need to be aware of. This alert illustrates how quickly people can be put at serious risk, with almost fatal consequences, in the course of very routine operations. To download the free video:
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