June Updates
Axento Safety: Providing you with expert health and safety management solutions to enhance your business success.
Please check out www.axentosafety.com.au
I look forward to hearing from you. Jon
Breaking News – the whisper is:
1. Safe Work Australia, a Statutory Agency under the Safe Work Australia Act since 2009 but beginning in 1984, is likely to be brought to its knees and absorbed within DEEWR. It has been responsible for providing national health and safety direction, research and guidance to all states. It would be nice to think that this change is based on improving its national value and enhancing the ‘harmonisation’ of national health and safety legislation.
2. WorkSafe Victoria is likely to disappear and be absorbed by WorkCover. Again, it would be nice to think that this change is in the best interest of all Victorians.
Legislation update:
Confined Spaces – Code of Practice update
The recently updated (Safe Work Australia) Code of Practice for Confined Spaces sets outs the steps required to safely enter these spaces. If there are confined spaces in your workplace or if your workers are required to work in a confined space, then you should obtain a copy of the updated Confined Spaces Code of Practice.
If unsure about Confined Spaces, please contact Jon Temby for advice.
Jons Comments: We do not want to see additional deaths from poorly prepared workers entering confined spaces.
Hazardous Substances Information System Update
Safe Work Australia has completed an update of the Hazardous Substances Information System (HSIS) database to incorporate hazard information published after assessments conducted by the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS).
This update adds 112 new chemicals to the HSIS database and amends the existing entries of four chemicals. As part of this update the consolidated lists available on the HSIS website have also been updated to reflect the data currently in HSIS. For more information please visit the HSIS webpage http://hsis.safeworkaustralia.gov.au.
HSIS also lists any mandatory exposure standard applicable to a chemical under the model WHS Regulations. Mandatory exposure standards are also listed in the legal document Workplace Exposure Standards for Airborne Contaminants. Please note that no exposure standard should be applied without reference to the Guidance on the Interpretation of Workplace Exposure Standards for Airborne Contaminants and to the related documentation.
$400,000 Fine for Not Removing Known Health and Safety Risk
A recent decision has highlighted the dire consequences of employers failing to be proactive in detecting and removing known risks to health and safety, according to a national law firm. Read more..
Jons Comments: This case highlights the critical importance of employers being proactive in detecting and removing risks to health and safety and the dire consequences if it knows about a hazard and does not control it.
Asbestos Related Disease Report
The third edition of the Asbestos-related Disease Indicators report (May 2014) has been released.
To view the report visit www.swa.gov.au.
Verify the credentials of all who you rely on.
Counterfeit crane stickers CICA has been advised of three cases of counterfeit CraneSafe ‘Green
Stickers’ that have spotted in Western Australia and Queensland.
Jons Comments: Do you know that your workers have the licenses and training they claim and your equipment meets required specifications?
Three Safety Lessons from Mining Dozer Incident
Mine operators should pay attention to the three important safety considerations, according to NSW Trade & Investment’s Mine Safety Investigation Unit, which recently issued an information release about a high potential incident in which a 113 tonne D11 dozer slid into an unmarked test hole full of water. Read more..
Jons Comments: Water depth can be deceptive especially when it looks like milk coffee. Always verify that the water you need to work in or travel through is shallow and safe, what looks like 2-3 cm deep may be 2-3 m deep, in an earthmoving context, this hidden change could occur over a few hours through slumping.
Leadership, Culture and Priorities: Keys to Safety
Organisational complexity and constant change dilute responsibility and accountability for safety within organisations, according to a global expert in aviation and maritime transport safety. Read more..
“Furthermore, managing safety by committee and consensus leads to poor outcomes, while cultures of conformity discourage awkward but necessary questions”, said a High Court judge of England and Wales, Charles Haddon-Cave. He also said “there were four kinds of cultures that combined to make a strong safety culture: a reporting culture, a just culture, a flexible culture and a learning culture”.
Jons Comments: Does your safety committee make recommendations for your benefit or do you let it make decisions that you are responsible for? My suggestion is that your safety committee should make recommendations for management decision making.
Shortfalls of “No-Blame” Approach to Safety Culture
The most important characteristic to focus upon when aspiring towards a positive, supportive safety culture is to focus on the “just” aspects, of which the “no-blame” approach plays an important part, according to Martin Ralph, managing director of the Industrial Foundation for Accident Prevention (IFAP). Read more..
Jons Comments: The “No Blame” approach to health and safety was common some years ago but its shortfalls were many. A “just” culture is based on quality working relationships, accountability and natural justice. It is far more sustainable and allows effective management to occur. Please contact Jon Temby if you would like to discuss this in the context of your organisation
Workplaces Urged to Encourage Flu Vaccinations
Queensland workplaces have been urged to encourage workers to get this year’s influenza shot amid reports that flu notifications are already double the five year average. Read more..
Jons Question: Are you providing or encouraging your workers to get flu shots? The benefits are usually far greater than improved attendance from the absence of illness.
Are you new to Axento Safety?
If you are looking for a highly motivated health and safety advisor that is: well qualified, experienced, pro-active and commercially pragmatic – I invite you to connect with me.
I look forward to making your acquaintance and receiving your instructions over the phone, in person or by email. Jon Temby, 0439 441 264