SafetyNet JOURNAL
SafetyNet Journal 134
Issue 134 - SafetyNet Journal 134
Welcome to SafetyNet Journal 134 - Your source for all the latest news from the local and global OHS world.Union News
Research
WorkSafe News
Worksafe Prosecutions
International News
Events
Union News
Activities for Reps
Comedy@Trades
Comedy@Trades is coming up with lots of shows, including free events. Check next edition of SafetyNet for giveaways... in the meantime, check out the program.
Help us make SafetyNet even better
Here at SafetyNet we aim to produce a comprehensive wrap of all the latest OHS news from Australia and around the world. In order for us to continue to improve our journal we’re asking your help.
Please go to our website and fill in the SafetyNet Survey 2008. The survey should only take a few minutes and will greatly assist us in ensuring SafetyNet is a useful and interesting tool.
Do you work an 8 hour day?
Australia, once recognised as the 'working man's paradise' for its Eight Hour Day achievement, now has amongst the highest working hours in the developed world.
Labour Day celebrates Victorian unions achieving the 8 Hour Day in 1934
We’d like to know whether, in 2008, you are working eight hours or more.
Go to the homepage of OHS Reps and take the poll.
Fatality on Bass Highway
The CFMEU reports a man was killed on the Bass Highway after being trapped in an asphalt sweeping mechanism attached to his truck on a road project. The owner operator became trapped in the mechanism apparently while attempting to adjust or repair it.
The union has offered counselling to his colleagues. WorkSafe and the police are investigating.
International Women’s Day - March 8
As International Women’s Day approaches there are still serious inequalities in Australian workplaces. A report from the ACTU highlights the disadvantages women face in the workplace and calls on the Rudd Government to do more for working women.
Top priorities include stronger rights to work - life balance, paid maternity leave and addressing the pay equity gap which sees Australian women earning up to 16% less than men.
Women and OHS
ACTU Report
IWD website
ILO news release
International RSI Day
On International RSI Day, Friday 29 February, the Victorian Trades Hall Council called on WorkSafe to get serious about the prevention of RSI.
Repetitive Strain Injuries, as part of the larger musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) category of injury, are the most common type of workplace injury in Victoria. Over half of all WorkCover claims are for an MSD.
In order to stop these injuries, monotonous, repetitive and stressful work needs to be eliminated as well as work at fast speeds and poor work organization (unnecessary overtime, cutbacks and layoffs, substandard equipment, lack of worker control).
International RSI Day
CFMEU OHS Rep called before ABCC
Over 100 construction workers rallied outside the offices of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) in protest at the treatment of OHS Rep, Joe Mannucci, who was forced to attend an interrogation or go to jail.
The CFMEU Construction Division national secretary, Dave Noonan, said Joe, who is the OHS representative at a construction site in St Kilda, was forced to attend the interrogation after he complained about safety on the site.
Noonan said Mannucci organised for inspectors from WorkSafe Victoria and Energy Safe Victoria and a CFMEU organiser to attend the site after significant safety breaches were discovered. The ABCC has significant powers to compel workers to appear before it and also forbids discussion of what happens within a hearing.
The Age online
First skin cancer triage centre opens at St Vincent’s
Melbourne’s St Vincent’s Hospital has opened Australia’s first publicly-funded skin cancer triage centre. The centre aims to cut down on waiting times which can lead to cancer being undiagnosed for months.
Almost 400,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer in Australia every year. More than 1600 people die from the disease. The new centre is an important addition to the fight against skin cancers and an important resource for anyone seeking diagnosis and treatment.
See the OHS Reps Hazards page on UV Radiation
VTHC appoints new WorkCover Coordinator
The Victorian Trades Hall Council has appointed Michael Sutherland as its new WorkCover Coordinator. Michael has been working as the VTHC Campaign Officer to coordinate unions during the recent Federal election.
NSW desalination divers strike over safety sacking
Divers on the Sydney seawater desalination plant have gone on strike after a MUA delegate was sacked for raising safety concerns on the project.
MUA NSW Branch Secretary Warren Smith says there are basic safety issues such as no recovery mechanisms for divers, divers working underneath suspended loads, unsafe dropping of anchors while divers are down below, no barricades, or no safety rails around barges and no evacuation plan.
The union is calling on the NSW Government to intervene.
MUA news release, ABC Online
Deputy Premier Rob Hulls has announced a review of the exceptions and exemptions in the Equal Opportunity Act. There are a range of exceptions in the Act that permit discrimination under certain circumstances.
However, the minister says there remains a need to address systemic barriers to equal opportunity. ‘With the introduction of the Human Rights Charter, it is timely to review these exceptions and exemptions to ensure they are compatible with the Charter,’ He said.
A consultation paper on the Department of Justice review has been released and submissions are due by 18 April. A final report is expected to be completed by June 2008.
Every safety rep needs Hazards!
The UK union publication Hazards is the only magazine written with trade union reps in mind. The latest issue, out now, highlights new issues and it is also packed with news and resources to make a safety rep's job easier and our workplaces safer and healthier. Subscribe to Hazards.
Asbestos News
GARDS newsletter out now
Read about the activities of GARDS, a wonderful support and action group for sufferers of asbestos-related diseases in Gippsland.
[pdf]
ASCC report finds 400% rise in mesotheliomas
The ASCC has released a report showing that mesothelioma cases increased by almost 400% between 1982 and 2004. The report also says that the number of fatalities caused by mesothelioma has increased 416 deaths in 1997 to 522 deaths in 2005.
The Asbestos Diseases Society of Victoria (ADSVIC) has called for urgent action from both Commonwealth and State government’s following the report. ADSVIC Executive Officer, Leigh Hubbard, called on the Rudd Government to increase spending on asbestos disease saying that $20-$30 million is needed to confront the ongoing problem asbestos use has created.
Canadian Labour Congress fails on asbestos
A decision by Canadian Labour Congress on whether to call for a ban on asbestos mining has been put on hold after pressure from its
The Quebec Federation of Labour convinced the CLC not to call for a ban until a government health inquiry into the effects of asbestos is finalised. This comes despite overwhelming evidence from around the world that asbestos is deadly.
A survey conducted by the British Lung Foundation has found many trades workers are unaware of the dangers of exposure to asbestos and have little knowledge of how to safely deal with the deadly substance.
It confirms recent research conducted by HSE showing that young tradesmen, such as plumbers and electricians, know that asbestos is dangerous but just don’t believe that they are personally at risk.
Many tradespeople in
The Asbestos regulations are clear on the duties of employers and people with management and control of workplaces.
A range of new resources on Asbestos from the
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"Asbestos the hidden killer", a web video, featuring a carpenter diagnosed with the terminal lung cancer.
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Asbestos kills: A quick guide to protecting yourself - Pocket card for workers in trades, having contact with asbestos. [pdf]
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Asbestos kills: Protect yourself! - Your future health is still at serious risk, guidance for those who work with asbestos. [pdf]
Overseas Union News
Unions call on Aust Government to seek release of Afghan journalist
The ACTU and the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance have called on the Australian Government to make a high-level representation to Afghanistan’s Government and President to repeal the death sentence imposed on journalist Sayed Parvez Kambakhsh. He was sentenced to death on January 22 after a closed-door trial at which he was denied legal representation.
The journalist was arrested last year and charged with blasphemy for downloading and distributing material from the internet on women’s rights.
IFJ News release
Australian Government protests Iranian unionist arrest
Australia’s Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith has protested the arrest of Mahmoud Salehi the head of a bus driver’s union in Iran.
In a statement delivered through the embassy in Tehran he called on the Iranian Government to respect the rights of workers enshrined in the ILO’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, which includes the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.
Fed Govt Media release
Panama: Union rep murdered for safety calls
A Panamanian trade unionist has been murdered after demanding safety improvements at construction sites.
The construction union SUNTRACS says police shot Hiromi Smith in the province of Colon during a confrontation with workers on 12 February 2008. Other workers clashed with police after the shooting. Police responded with tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowd.
At least 26 were injured and around 500 were arrested. In recent months, SUNTRACS members have taken to the streets to protest at lax safety standards on building sites; and their campaign is supported by the global construction union federation BWI. An online letter can be sent via the BWI website.
Risks 344
UK: Work-related suicides kills more than accidents
A new report from the UK suggest that work-related suicides could be as high as 250 per year, more than are killed in workplace accidents. The report published in Hazards magazine suggests there are around 5,000 suicides every year of people of working age, basing this number on Japanese estimates, that 5% of all suicides are work related.
Work-related suicide or 'karojisatsu' is an officially recognised and compensated condition in Japan linked to stress and overwork . In the UK the problem could be getting worse as stress, depression and anxiety rates have all increased markedly in recent years
Risk 345
Research
Cancer link to mobile use found
A new study draws a link between heavy mobile phone use and an increased risk of cancer of the salivary gland.
The study of five hundred Israelis who had developed the cancer of the salivary gland compared their mobile phone usage with 1300 healthy control subjects. The researchers found those who used the phone against one side of their head for several hours a day were 50% more likely to have developed a salivary gland tumour.
One of the key findings of the study was that heavy users in rural areas had an even higher risk than those in cities, due the researchers suggested to the fact that mobile phones in areas without strong signals need to emit more radiation to work properly.
Cellular Phone Use and Risk of Benign and Malignant Parotid Gland Tumors—A Nationwide Case-Control Study, Siegal Sadetzki1, Angela Chetrit, Avital Jarus-Hakak, Elisabeth Cardis, Yonit Deutch, Shay Duvdevani, Ahuva Zultan, Ilya Novikov, Laurence Freedman and Michael Wolf.
American Journal of Epidemiology.
Information on the site on
Mobile phones
Workers prepared to 'sacrifice' health for money
Over one third of Australian workers believe their employers do not care about their health according to an online survey by LinkMe.com.au.
The survey asked 1,500 employees about their workplace conditions. Over 25% said that equipment they used at work was detrimental to their health. Many said they continued using it because they believed they had no choice and 16% of those who felt the equipment was unsafe said complaining would threaten their jobs.
Disturbingly, a quarter of those surveyed said they would be happy to sacrifice "comfort or some wellbeing" for more money.
OHN
Wood dust exposure increases cancer risk: new study
Exposure to wood dust at work greatly increases the risk of a range of cancers, a new study has found. Wood dust is already considered a cancer risk by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and is also linked to a tripling of the risk of lung cancers in exposed workers.
The new research from the US links exposure to a range of other upper aero digestive tract and respiratory (UADR) cancers. The report studied 1522 males with these cancers and found that there was a 32% increased risk for UADR cancers and a 69% risk increase for lung cancer. The greater the exposure the higher the risk.
Vijay Jayaprakash and others. Wood dust exposure and the risk of Upper Aero-Digestive and Respiratory Cancers in males, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Published Online First: 8 January 2008. doi:10.1136/oem.2007.036210 [Abstract]
WorkSafe News
Award Guidelines released
WorkSafe Victoria has released a document outlining the WorkSafe Victoria Awards Guidelines for entrants in each of the award categories. The award celebrate excellence in health and safety and includes the Health and Safety Rep of the Year. Entries close 9 May [pdf]
ACT funds 'groundbreaking' workplace mental health program
ACT health minister Katy Gallagher has given $390,000 to beyondblue and Melbourne Uni to develop, implement and evaluate a new approach to the promoting workplace mental health.
The three-year Job Stress and Workplace Mental Health project will combine early intervention and workplace stress prevention approaches. beyondblue will conduct the training and work on organisational improvements to reduce job stress. The project will also examine the relationship between working conditions and health.
Gallagher said a project aim was to equip employees with the skills they needed to recognise early signs of depression and seek help.
ACT Chief Minister news release
- National Code of Practice for Precast Tilt-Up and Concrete Elements in Building Construction
In a move towards national consistency the ASCC has released a national code of practice for pre-cast, tilt-up and concrete elements in building and construction - Action plans launched to combat Qld work deaths - Seven action plans for construction, health and community services, hospitality, manufacturing, retail, rural, and transport and storage industry - focus on educating and informing employers and employees on managing risks in the workplace. The plans profile the industry, the most common injuries, compensation statistics and actions to reduce specific injuries to be implemented over the next two years.
Useful Resources:
- 12 ways to make small business safer
- Alert: High visibility shirt catches fire
This alert informs employers and workers of the danger of synthetic high visibility clothing catching fire when flames or ignition sources are present.
Worksafe Prosecutions
Company stumped by court for near miss
A Melbourne restumping business has been convicted and fined $15,000 in the County Court after the collapse of a Mitcham house in 2005. The case was significant because a conviction was found even though no injuries had been sustained.
The house was raised and supported with hydraulic jacks only while work on, stump holes stumps and levelling was carried out. While in the final stage of being levelled, the house collapsed to the ground.
Three persons, including the two home owners, were inside at this time. Although not physically injured, the home owners were traumatised by the collapsing of their house. The house was significantly and structurally damaged necessitating demolishing.
Source:
WorkSafe news release
Dandenong business guilty of workers comp breach
In a first time prosecution, a playground equipment manufacturer, Playspace Playground Pty Ltd, pleaded guilty in the Dandenong Magistrates Court to failing to provide an injured employee with his pre-injury position as required under Victoria’s workers compensation legislation.
The welder suffered a compensable hernia in 2005 and underwent surgery. He was cleared by his surgeon to return to work on modified duties one month after surgery and then fit for normal duties a week later.
However, the injured worker continued to be given light duties while another employee permanently undertook the work that he had done prior to his injury. In June 2006, the injured worker’s job was terminated.
Under workers compensation laws, an employer is required to provide an injured worker with employment in his or her pre-injury position or equivalent once the worker has a capacity for work.
WorkSafe Media Release
International News
China: Life sentences for mine officials
Three people were sentenced to life in prison by a Chinese court for their roles in a mine explosion that killed 105 people last year. Those sentenced to life included the mine's production manager and an investor. Fourteen others were sentenced to shorter jail terms for their role in the blast. The company was also fined 185.2m yuan ($28m AUD) for illegal trade in explosives, illegal work on an unapproved coal bed and tax evasion.
The underground explosion on 5 December was caused by a build-up of gas. The court found that there were twice as many people working on the site as was permitted and the company operating the mine had also expanded the production area illegally.
An average of 10 miners died each day last year in China's coal mines.
Risks 345
From the UK’s HSE
- Risk Assessments
New examples for a poultry farm, plastering company, call centre, private hire and dry cleaners. - Needlestick injuries
What is the risk? Who is at risk? Safety procedures and injury avoidance.
Events
Asbestos related cancer deaths – The past, present and future
Venue: Sunderland Lecture Theatre, corner of Grattan Street and Royal Parade, Parkville Date: Tuesday 22nd April, 2008 Time: 6.00 – 7.00pm
Further information: mdhs-rsvp@unimelb.edu.au, (03) 8344 9800.
Safety in action, April 29-May 1 Safety Institute of Australia, Melbourne, Ph (03) 9654 7773 or email safety@aec.net.au. Details: www.safetyinaction.net.au.
Training at VTHC
The OHS Training Unit has a range of courses coming up in 2008. Check out the training page of the website for all the latest news and sign up for courses.
Contact Judith Rodda on 03 9663 5460 for more information on scheduled courses or what we can do for your workplace, and to enrol.
Go to the 2008 Training program page to download an application form.