November Updates
Axento Safety provides you with health and safety expert witness and risk management solutions to enhance your business success.
In addition to expert witness services, Axento Safety’s focus is to help create safe, healthy, innovative AND PRODUCTIVE workplaces. Axento Safety partner with you to take the pain out of health and safety, provide safety management systems, reduce the paperwork, achieve certifications, enable increased compliance, enable productivity improvement and achieve this cost effectively. Contact Jon Temby to grow your business and make your life easier.
Three keys to driving effective OHS outcomes
There are three steps organisations and their leaders can take to drive effective OHS outcomes, according to the CEO of an international drilling company. Read more…
Jons Comments: This brief article provides some very sound advice for all to take on board. It is worth reading.
The three most common OHS shortcomings in mid-sized businesses
Poor commitment from management (including poor safety leadership), lack of knowledge in OHS related areas, and poor communication between and within hierarchical levels are the three most common barriers to improving OHS in medium sized businesses. Read more…
Jons comments: Unfortunately, this is a relatively common situation to find. With awareness and a little effort it can be turned around. If these shortcomings are not recognised then they can result not only in poor morale and low productivity but having just completed an investigation into a case like this, they can cause serious stress for the individuals involved.
Movember: Your support is encouraged
This month I’m doing Movember to help change the face of men’s health. My mo is a somewhat silvery blond these days, it is a little less prickly now and beginning to look intentional. Will you make a donation to help me reach my goal? https://au.movember.com/mospace/3979105
Why am I doing Movember? The Movember Foundation is tackling some of the most significant health issues faced by men: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity. Learn more about their important work and impact here… All donations will be most appreciated and will help the “Soup Strainer Social Club” team efforts as well on https://au.movember.com/mospace/3979105 Thank you, Jon
WorkSafe Week/Month
I hope all Update recipients were able to take advantage of the free OHS/WHS related presentations, webinars and other resources made available in all capital cities and in many regional centres across Australia. Better still you also conducted some safety related activities in your workplace as I know several of my clients have done. You will find that most of the WorkSafe week/Month seminars are now available on the regulators websites. Useful browsing for topics that will assist health and safety improvement in your workplace.
WorkSafe warning on trainer(s)
WorkSafe WA has warned workers undertaking training with A & J Training and Assessing that they may not receive a High Risk Work Licence after their training. Read more…
Jons Comments: This situation is not restricted to WA and is probably occurring in all states. If you are to have any training delivered, it is important to verify that the trainer can do a good job and you achieve the outcomes you need. Be especially careful of the cheapest and/or shortest courses. I am aware of several registered courses that are unlikely to produce competent graduates. There is a review of Registered Training Organisations occurring in Victoria at present with indications that a number of them will be required to lift their game or be disqualified. The sooner this occurs the better for all of us.
Where industry falls down on OHS
While the construction industry is improving in terms of injury prevention, it is far from being at an acceptable level, according to an expert in the field. Read more…
Jons Comments: Whilst based on construction, this article applies to all industry sectors. The important point is to put our traditions and fixed thinking aside and look at relevant, current issues from a scientific, evidence based perspective. Once we do so, improved decisionmaking, efficiencies and enhanced safety outcomes begin.
Safety Alert – Skid steer loaders – use and maintenance
WorkSafe Victoria has issued a Safety Alert providing information about the risks associated with the operation of seated-operator type skid steer loaders, and the importance of using and maintaining the safety systems of these loaders. Read more…
Jons Comments: This article includes some valuable comments and useful recommendations for all organisations that use these or similar types of machines
Public consultation process open: workplace hazardous chemical exposure standards
Interested parties have been urged by Safe Work Australia’s CEO, Michelle Baxter, to express their views about exposure standards for hazardous chemicals used in workplaces in a public consultation process. Read more…
Jons comments: If you are working with chemicals, this is your opportunity to have some input to future chemical management in Australia, or at least to be aware of future intentions. The link provides access to numerous other chemicals related resources.
Order Injury Hotspots posters today
The recently updated Injury Hotspots tool is packed with information on common injuries across 45 industry sectors, and solutions to prevent the injuries occurring. It’s also a quick and easy tool to raise awareness of safety in your workplace. There are “Injury Hotspots” specific to all industry sectors across Australia. You can use them for:
- training and induction
- promoting general safety awareness
- promoting your Occupational Health and Safety program
Order printed posters for your workplace today. Find out more at worksafe.vic.gov.au/hotspots
Jons Comment: Free resources tailored to your industry sector – order yours now.
Warning issued over forklift safety
The NSW Government recently issued a strong warning about working safely around forklifts following a significant number of incidents. Read more…
Jons Comments: There are some good suggestions here for all organisations that use powered mobile plant: Do you have a Traffic management Plan? Is it regularly reviewed? Is it implemented as intended? I hope you can say yes to all questions. The following link is yet another adverse outcome of poor traffic management practices, read more… . You dont want these sorts of incidents to occur on your watch.
Demolition company fined $120,000 after worker’s skull pierced by steel bar
A Sydney demolition company has been fined $120,000 over an incident in 2013 where a worker’s skull was pierced by steel bar that flew into the cabin of the excavator he was operating. Read more…
Jons Comments: The critical point about this article applies to all organisations, it reads “The judge did not accept NMK’s argument that the incident was a ‘freak accident’ but rather a case of negligence on the part of the site supervisor for failing to follow company policy and failing to operate the excavator according to its operating manual which required the window to be closed.”
I regularly have people discuss their “freak accident”. The “freak accident” thinking can be based on 1. The incident not having occurred before in that persons experience,
- Ignorance about how to effectively manage the risk or
- Simply a cop out from addressing the hazard.
Either way, the hazard needs to be understood and if risk control is appropriate then it should be taken, if external expertise and/or an independent opinion is required, then get it. The consequences of not doing so may haunt you for the rest of your life – I have seen this outcome.