February Updates
Axento Safety provides you with health and safety expert witness and risk management solutions to enhance your business success.
In addition to incident investigations and 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 improve risk management, grow your business and make your life easier.
Vehicle operators cautioned over fatigue and distractions
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) recently issued a call for improved road safety, following an increase in the number of fatalities and incidents involving trucks. Read more on driving fatigue and distractions
Jons comments: This information applies to all employers and employees who are regularly driving on our roads. For many people, driving to and from the job is the highest risk to worker safety. I suggest reading this article in that context and applying its suggestions to your circumstances.
Multiple reckless conduct charges for deaths
Nine complaints and summonses have been issued to four people and one business for their alleged involvement in the deaths of two workers in Queensland in 2016. It is alleged that the company was reckless in its risk assessments and management of the site by not enforcing compliance with safe work method statements, following codes of practice, and establishing clear exclusion zones
Jons comments: This is a clear demonstration of the outcomes that can result from not adequately assessing the task ahead and ensuring that safe work practices are identified and implemented. Two people died as a result. When was the last time you verified that your workers were adequately following all health and safety expectations? Are those expectations still correct? How do you recognise good performance? How do you manage complacency and shortcuts? If an independent review or assistance is needed, please call me.
Bullying can significantly impact a workplace
WorkSafe Victoria would like to invite you to attend a workshop to gain practical information and resources on preventing workplace bullying. Don’t miss this opportunity to find out how you can improve your business by providing a safe and healthy environment for your workers.
Date: Tuesday 13 March 2018
Time: 8.30am: Registration
9.00am to 12.30pm: Presentation and light lunch
Location: Mantra Bell City, 215 Bell Street, Preston VIC 3072
RSVP: Register your attendance here, (ASAP as seating is limited)
Jons comments: Bullying is very destructive to the organisation on many levels, quite apart from adversely affecting the alleged bully and the person who believes that they are being bullied. This program should clarify the issues and expectations for you and comes with the expectation that it will be very worthwhile attending.
Automotive mechanic run over by vehicle
A worker in Queensland was recently run over by a vehicle while underneath it during servicing it on sloping ground. Read more…
Jons Comments: The article has some good tips to prevent this sort of incident. Many of the tips also apply to us if we are changing a tyre or checking under our own car etc.
Farmers and older workers dominate 2017 workplace death toll
A total of 27 Victorians lost their lives as a result of an incident at a workplace last year – the highest toll since 2009. This includes 14 deaths from incidents on farms, which is the highest number of farm fatalities since 2004. WorkSafe’s Head of Operations and Emergency Management, Adam Watson said the horrific 2017 toll showed that employers and workers needed to think more constructively about what they could do to improve safety at work. “This toll is more than a statistic. It represents families and friendship circles missing loved ones, workplaces devastated by the death of a colleague, and local communities left with a gap that can never be filled,” Mr Watson said. Read more….
Jons comments: It seems logical to assume that our older and more experienced workers are at reduced risk of workplace injuries and illnesses however these and the national incident statistics clearly demonstrate that this belief is misplaced. If you need assistance to review you key risks and would like some practical advice on better ways to manage them, please get in touch.
Significant risk: Working with animals
A Victorian stock agent has died after being trampled by an animal on a cattle farm at Georges Creek near Tallangatta, southeast of Albury Wodonga. Read more…
Jons comments: This incident occurred when working with cattle however sheep, pigs, horses and other agricultural animals can also present significant physical risks to those who work with them. Are your animal handling facilities and associated safety measures adequate to manage the risks? Do you work alone and/or in isolation? Can the alarm be raised if something goes wrong? How is this managed if working alone?
Agriculture: mobile plant roll-over fatalities
A worker was killed when a single seat ride on mower being driven by another worker rolled over on a steep slope and crushed her, related incidents have sparked the refinement of some good safety precautions that should be implemented. Read more…
Jons Comments: These incidents occurred in Qld however similar incidents are not uncommon in all other states. The safety tips are very logical and should be used as refresher training for all agricultural workers and others who use this sort of machinery.
Safety Alert: Handling of glass sheets
SafeWork NSW recently issued a safety alert reminding workers who handle packs of glass sheets not to rely on the packaging to support the contents when the package is being lifted or opened, read more…, and for a related incident: read more…
Jons comments: This alert provides good information for those in the glass industry and should be used as refresher training for all workers in the field.