WorkSafe Victoria recently issued a safety alert following two separate incidents that involved the decanting and blending of flammable liquids, resulting in two fatalities and other serious injuries. The incidents are believed to have occurred when static electricity discharged within a hazardous area resulted in an explosion and fire.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland recently issued a safety alert highlighting the risks associated with delivering concrete to mobile and static concrete pumps in the construction industry. The alert was issued following several recent incidents involving concrete delivery to pumps, which have caused actual and the potential for serious injuries.
What are the WHS implications of the “right to disconnect” Workers will be able to refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact from their employer as part of a new law which grants them the “right to disconnect” from work outside of normal working hours, unless the refusal is unreasonable.
Five workplace fatalities and several workplace incidents which resulted in serious injuries over one week serve as a tragic but timely reminder to employers and businesses about safety, according to SafeWork NSW. In 2022, there was approximately one workplace fatality a week in NSW, but in a period of four days, five people died at workplaces across the state.
When it comes to psychosocial safety, many organisations are still looking at it primarily from a mental health/resilience perspective, but there are other elements they need to consider, according to an expert. “What we see when we’re talking to organisations is that they’ll have some form of strategy that targets physical safety, and then they’ll have some sort of wellbeing strategy or mental health framework,” said Ben Carnell, head of client solutions for Sentis.
Corporate boards must include at least one director with “some real health and safety knowledge” because they frequently make decisions with significant WHS implications, according to University of NSW Emeritus Professor of Management, Michael Quinlan.
Ensure your safety gear is ready for action with our spring cleaning tips. Inspect, clean, and maintain helmets, goggles, gloves, and more. Stay safe!
The Queensland Government has commissioned an independent review of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland to support proposed amendments to the state’s WHS laws introduced to Parliament late last year.
The Victorian Government is looking to review the sentencing of OHS offences committed by both individuals and organisations after it provided the Sentencing Advisory Council with terms of reference to make relevant recommendations for reform. This will be the first examination of sentencing practices for OHS offences since Victoria’s Occupational Health and Safety Act came into effect almost 20 years ago.
Storytelling is an easy way to help boost engagement and the WHS profession is primed for storytelling and the benefits it can provide in terms of improved communication, according to an expert in the area.
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