Issue 160 - SafetyNet Journal 160
Welcome to SafetyNet Journal 160 - Your source for the latest news in OHS from Australia and around the world. In this edition: Safety Award nominations open now; ASCC stats show increase in construction fatalities; home renovators 'third wave' of asbestos victims; links between shift-work and poor health, and much more.Union News
Research
WorkSafe News
Worksafe Prosecutions
International News
Events
Union News
Activities for reps
Entries for this year's WorkSafe Victoria Awards now open
The awards recognise health and safety committees and health and safety representatives, workers, employers and organisations which are making an outstanding commitment to workplace health and safety in Victoria. The nomination period is open from now until 24 April so if you, or someone you know has made an outstanding contribution to health and safety in the workplace, now’s the time to speak up about it.
There are seven categories for the awards: Health and Safety Representative of the Year; Health and Safety Committee of the Year ; Best Design for Workplace Safety ; Best Health and Safety Initiative in a Small Business ; Best Solution for Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders (formerly Sprains & Strains) ; Best Solution to a Health and Safety Risk ; Best Strategies for Health and Safety Management.
Entries for the WorkSafe Awards close on Friday, 24 April 2009.
To find out more about the 21st WorkSafe Victoria Awards go to the awards website. Read an interview with on of last year’s HSRs of the Year, Derek Jones.
Nominations for Comcare awards now open
The Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (SRCC) has opened nominations for the 2009 SRCC Safety Awards. Nominations are invited and open to employers and individuals operating within the Commonwealth OHS and/or workers’ compensation jurisdiction.
Nominations in the five filed close on 21 May. The five award categories are: Leadership Award for Injury or Disease Prevention & Management; Best Workplace Health and Safety Management System; Best Solution to an Identified Workplace Health and Safety Issue; Best Individual Contribution to Health and Safety - a) An employee who does not have responsibility for OHS as part of their duties (e.g. health and safety representatives) and, b) An outstanding contribution by a person with responsibility for OHS as part of their duties; and, Rehabilitation and Return to Work Award.
SRCC Safety Awards
ASCC stats show comp claims down overall but up in Construction
The latest ASCC statistics have revealed serious compensation claims and compensated work-related fatalities are on the decline, however this trend is being bucked by the construction industry which saw an increase in compensated fatalities of around 7%. It was followed closely by transport and storage with 19% of all compensated fatalities, up from nearly 18% in 2006-07.
The report shows that in 2006–07, there were 132,055 serious workers compensation claims, down from 139,630 claims as indicated in the 2005–06 report. This data means that compensation claims were reduced from 16 to 14 claims per 1000 employees and continues a general trend of declining compensation claims, with compensation claims falling by nearly 9% since the 2000–01 period. However, compensated fatalities remain fairly consistent with the figure indicated in the previous report with 236 compared to 231 in the 2005–06 report. The industry that recorded the most compensated fatalities was construction, which accounted for just over 21% of compensated fatalities, up from around 14% in 2005–06.
ASCC report - Compendium Of Workers’ Compensation Statistics Australia 2006–07 March 2009 [pdf]
Ask Renata - Are there any specific requirements regarding high visibility reflective gear?
Day/night must comply with Australian standards: AS/NZ 4602:1999 High visibility safety garments and AS/NZ 1906.4 Retroreflective materials and devices for road traffic control purposes - High visibility materials for safety garments.
The first standard specifies the visual requirements for high-visibility safety garments and covers garments suitable for daytime and night-time wear, or for wear under both conditions. 'Class D' garments are only effective for the daytime, but are ineffective for use at night/dusk/dawn. At these times 'Class N' garments are the most appropriate and effective.
The standard also has requirements for colours: for 'normal' conditions colours are either red-orange or yellow. Where there is need for a clear distinction in certain industries or situations, then it refers to a distinction between the red and orange. The second standard has requirements with regard to the fluorescent materials and the retroreflective strips. For example, if made in natural fibres, clothing does not necessarily have to be in fluorescent material.
The main thing to check when purchasing any high visibility clothing, is that it complies with the Australian Standards, AND that the clothing is appropriate according to WHEN it is being used.
In the last edition of UK’s Risks, there was an item on fake high visibility gear being sold in Britain. Risks reveals that a report in Health and Safety Bulletin (HSB) found many retailers have been selling fake or poor standard high-visibility clothing that, in the worst case, offered just over 1 per cent of the reflection required under the European Standard This is of great concern… make sure your employer hasn’t inadvertently purchased fake and unsafe gear.
Do you have an OHS-related query? If so, Ask Renata.
CPSU What Women Want survey released
This year there was a record number of responses with close to 9500 women completing the 'What Women Want' survey. The survey asked a comprehensive set of questions aimed at understanding the experiences of women in the modern workplace and what they want from their employer and their job. The results of the survey provide insights into to why women are, now more than ever, attracted to the public sector. Conditions such as flexible working hours and the ability to access leave when needed are important to women of all ages. In addition to conditions, the nature of the work they did was also important to women. Most said that they were satisfied with the sense of achievement they got from their work and many felt that they had influence over how they did their work. However not all the results were as positive. Many women said that they were not satisfied with the workload and the level of pay they received and bullying, harassment and discrimination were still too common in the workplace:
- 2 of every 5 women reported experiencing bullying at their current workplace;
- 6.2% (585 women) reported that they had been subject to sexual harassment;
- One quarter of women said that they had experienced some form of discrimination at work.
The CPSU ‘What Women Want Survey’ results are a valuable look into the wants, needs and experiences of modern working women. These results will help shape CPSU policy as they work towards gender equality across the workforce.
Download the survey results [pdf]
Fresh ideas for work and family grants program launched
The Australian Government has introduced a new grants program to encourage businesses to implement measures that help workers balance their work and family lives. The Fresh Ideas for Work and Family program provides grants of $5,000 to $15,000 (GST inclusive) to small businesses to help meet the set-up costs of family friendly arrangements that suit the individual needs of the business.
In addition, the program supports small businesses through: developing and distributing business and industry specific information to assist in implementing family friendly work arrangements; and, having experts within Fair Work Australia from January 2010, to provide assistance in setting up family friendly work arrangements.
Fresh Ideas for Work and Family
Equal Opportunity Commission offers Seminars on making rights real
The Victorian Equal Opportunity Commission is conducting seminars on how to use human rights and equal opportunity laws in the community, at work, at school and in sport with the aim of “building a human rights culture”. The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities 2006 (Vic) offers a powerful tool to ensure accountability and to protect the rights and interests of workers and the wider community. The Charter is an agreed set of democratic rights and freedoms protected by law, that requires all public authorities, and any organisation providing public services on behalf of government, to act in a way that is consistent with human rights. The Commission administers the Equal Opportunity Act 1995 (Vic) and the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 (Vic), laws that protect people from discrimination, and racial and religious vilification. Since equal opportunity laws were introduced in Victoria more than 30 years ago, they have grown into powerful and flexible tools for community organisations and the community.
EOC Human Rights Charter seminars
Asbestos News
Asbestos ticking time bomb
The increase in asbestos-related disease has been likened to a “ticking time bomb” in Victoria. Asbestos-related diseases are claiming hundreds of Australian lives each year, a number that is set to soar over the next decade. This has prompted questions about the preparedness of the local health and legal systems to cope with the impacts. The number of mesothelioma patients has doubled at some Victorian hospitals in the past two years, while asbestos-related claims make up almost a quarter of all common law cases heard in the Supreme Court.
In 2009 there will be about 800 new asbestos-related disease cases in Australia, up from 600 in 2005 and just 400 in 1995, and these figures are expected to rise for another five to 10 years. Lawyers, such as Peter Gordon, have warned of a wave of new victims who have had limited exposure to asbestos by passing the Hardie factory as children or being exposed during home renovations (see item below).
Herald Sun report
Home renovators third wave of asbestos victims
The Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia has warned of a “third wave” of asbestos victims brought about by home renovators unwittingly exposing themselves and family members to the deadly carcinogen. Due to the long latency period of mesothelioma it is expected that incidences of the disease will increase until about 2030, more than 40 years after asbestos was banned in 1984. The Australian Cancer Institute has predicted a 20% increase in mesothelioma among women up to 2011. Pathologists predict that whilst only 1 or 2 percent of renovators exposed to asbestos are likely to develop mesothelioma, when factored across tens of thousands of people this would see a significant rise in the disease.
Sydney Morning Herald
UK: Carpenters 'face asbestos death'
One in 10 UK carpenters born in the 1940s will die of asbestos-related lung cancer or mesothelioma, researchers have predicted. The researchers calculated that men born in the 1940s who worked as carpenters for more than 10 years before they reached 30 have a lifetime risk for mesothelioma alone of about one in 17. For plumbers, electricians and decorators born in the same decade who worked in their trade for more than 10 years before they were 30, the risk is one in 50 and for other construction workers one in 125. The risk was also increased in other industries and the study showed that two-thirds of all British men and one quarter of women had worked in jobs involving potential asbestos exposure at some time in their lives. There was also a small increased risk in those who had lived with someone who had been exposed to asbestos. The UK mesothelioma death rate is now the highest in the world, with the annual toll now over 2,000 a year. The study, in the British Journal of Cancer, is based on interviews with more than 600 patients with mesothelioma and 1,400 healthy people. Overall, the projected lifetime risk of fatal mesothelioma in all British men born in the 1940s was about one in 170.
Risks 396
Nanotechnology News
UK HSE guidance: Risk management of carbon nanotubes
The UK government’s workplace health and safety watchdog has issued guidance calling for “a precautionary approach” to the use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) information sheet, Risk management of carbon nanotubes [pdf], was “prepared in response to emerging evidence about the toxicology of these materials.” The new guide refers to a Nature Nanotechnology paper showing certain CNTs may mimic asbestos fibres, noting: “While this research does not prove that CNTs will cause the same diseases as asbestos, it does raise the level of concern”.
The official UK workplace safety agency says: “HSE views CNTs as being substances of very high concern. Although the recent findings only apply to some CNTs, we think a precautionary approach should be taken to the risk management of all CNTs, unless sound documented evidence is available on the hazards from breathing in CNTs. If their use cannot be avoided, HSE expects a high-level of control to be used.” The HSE guide also says: “It is good practice to label the material ‘Caution: substance not yet fully tested.”
Risks 396
Other union news:
Scaffolding collapses spark union call for inspection regime
Unions are calling for a tougher inspection regime at building sites following a spate of scaffold collapses around the country. A worker died in the latest incident at a Sydney site when a swing stage platform collapsed sending him falling to the ground 20 metres below. This follows another collapse in the Sydney CBD little more than a week ago and another scaffold collapse in Melbourne a week before that. In both those incidents workers were lucky to escape serious injury or death.
The CFMEU has highlighted an incident in Queensland late last year in which two workers died in a similar incident. The union is calling for the establishment of a tripartite body consisting of the various workplace authorities, police and unions to look at the problem. The union expressed concern that new IR and OHS laws seek to exclude unions from the health and safety process, which would be a disaster for safe workplaces.
CFMEU SMH article on death of worker SMH article on CBD collapse
WorkSafe advice on scaffolds [pdf]
International Union news
UK: New HSE website 'to prevent work stress'
The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has unveiled a new stress website it says will help prevent work-related stress. The new resource focuses on its stress management standards, which the safety watchdog says have already been used successful by 'many organisations and includes case histories, featuring three NHS trusts, a council, a utilities firm and a biscuit manufacturer.
HSE news release stress website Stress pages on our website
Research
More links between shift-work and adverse health impacts
New research has demonstrated further links between shift-work and negative health impacts. US researchers have found that the disruptive effect of working shifts on the body’s natural circadian cycles can cause hormonal and metabolic changes that could lead to obesity, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. The study, from the Harvard Medical School, supports recent Australian research that found shift workers were more likely to smoke and be overweight. The latest research studied ten healthy volunteers who underwent a ten-day stay in a laboratory where they slept, ate and engaged in activities at various hours of the day and night. They were monitored for alterations in blood pressure, blood glucose, sleep quality and changes to hormones like leptin (a hormone linked to appetite control and suppression) insulin and cortisol. The researchers found leptin levels in the subjects dropped. Three of the subject, with no prior history of diabetes, showed post-meal glucose levels typically found in people with pre-diabetic conditions.
Adverse metabolic and cardiovascular consequences of circadian misalignment;
Frank Scheera, Michael Hiltona, Christos Mantzorosb, Steven Sheaa
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, January 16, 2009
World-first Australian study reveals genetic discrimination
An Australian study has uncovered alleged cases where genetic information has been used to discriminate against people in workers compensation and insurance claims. Researchers have called for greater protections for those undergoing genetic testing as a result of their research. The world-first Australian study of more than 1,000 who used genetic testing services revealed 11 were discriminated against because of their family history or their results. The research was conducted by the University of Tasmania director of the Centre for Law and Genetics. The reported incidents of genetic discrimination included nine cases related to life insurance applications and one workers’ compensation claim. People were identified by genetic testing to be carrying a faulty gene which made them susceptible to breast cancer, ovarian cancer, Lynch syndrome, hereditary hemochromatosis, adult-onset polycystic kidney disease and Huntington's disease. In two cases, genetics health professionals intervened and reversed an ‘adverse’ insurance decision.
The researchers have warned that while most Australian employers are not currently using genetic information to monitor current or prospective employees, it could happen in the near future, which could significantly increase the number of people affected by discriminatory practises. The study was part of a five-year genetic discrimination project funded by the Australian Research Council and will be published in the Genetics in Medicine journal soon.
SMH report
Work cancers often misattributed to smoking
A new study suggests many lung cancers are routinely misattributed to smoking, when workplace and other exposures are to blame. Scientists have concluded much of the known much higher lung cancer rates in workers with less education cannot be explained by smoking. The study, published online in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute on 24 February, found smoking history accounts for only half of the excess risk. Previous studies showed that individuals with a lower socioeconomic status have higher rates of lung cancer. In the latest study, Gwenn Menvielle and colleagues examined the association of smoking, diet, education, and lung cancer in 391,251 individuals in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study. They found men with the lowest education had a 3.62-fold increased risk of lung cancer compared with men with the highest education. Women with the lowest education had a 2.39-fold increased risk compared with women with the highest education. When the researchers adjusted the risk models to account for smoking, the excess risk dropped by approximately half. Diet did not appear to contribute to the inequity. The paper notes 'exposure to radon at home and occupational exposures may also contribute to the residual inequalities. Some rough estimates suggest that approximately 50 per cent of socioeconomic inequalities in lung cancer mortality could be attributable to occupational exposures, but there are few studies on this topic.' European studies have suggested manual workers are more than eight times as likely to be exposed to workplace carcinogens as managers.
JNCI media briefing Source: Risks 396
WorkSafe News
WorkSafe inspectors to target bricklaying, cafes and restaurants
WorkSafe inspectors will visit housing and commercial building sites this month to check that bricklayers are safe from slips, trips and falls, structural collapse and physical strain. Over the past five years, 269 bricklayers have been injured seriously enough to make compensation claims, according to WorkSafe. Each claim costs an average of $40,000. WorkSafe has suggested employers should consider a $500 rebate [pdf] offered by the Housing Industry Association to purchase a new brick elevator. See also the Construction & Utilities pages on OHS Reps website.
In April and May, WorkSafe inspectors will visit cafes and restaurants in Fitzroy, Collingwood and St Kilda as part of the national campaign focussing on young workers. Inspectors will check for safety hazards including electrical safety, chemical use and storage, plant and equipment guarding, manual handling issues, slips, trips and falls, and workplace violence. WorkSafe will also check that new and young workers are: adequately supervised; not exposed to hazards; provided with necessary information, instruction and training; and consulted and communicated with about workplace health and safety issues. Nationally consistent guidance material has been developed to provide practical information and advice on a range of workplace health and safety issues for both new and young workers and their employers.
VWA media release
Hospitality pages on OHS Reps website
Contracting out work doesn’t change safety obligations
WorkSafe has warned that when employers outsource work to sub-contractors this does not mean they are absolved of their workplace health and safety obligations to those workers. Ensuring safety standards are in place, and maintained, is an essential part of running any business, particularly in relation to contractors on an employer's premises or working elsewhere on their behalf. WorkSafe says there are some people who believe they are not responsible for the health and safety of people who are not employees. Victoria’s health and safety legislation requires employers to look after the safety of employees and people other than employees where they are affected by the business or its operations. This covers contractors, labour hire workers, people on Section 457 visas and members of the public. Safety responsibilities can not be outsourced.
WorkSafe has produced a number of publications including
Information on engaging a contractor [
pdf
] and
Duties of contractors [
pdf
]. WorkSafe publications are available online. Information is also available from WorkSafe’s Advisory Service on 1800-136-089.
VWA media release
Useful Materials
- Safety tips for new and young workers and their employers
Summary: This easy reference fact sheet provides young and new workers with information to stay safe at work. - Work-related driving - Selecting safe vehicles
Summary: This is a solution for selecting safe vehicles for work-related driving. - Bakery - Using a bread-slicing machine
This is a solution for safely using a bread-slicing machine.
Worksafe Prosecutions
Toyota to face County Court on new safety charges
The Toyota Motor Corporation of Australia Ltd has been committed to stand trial in the County Court after a worker was struck on the head by a 15kg metal crane component, which had fallen about 10 metres. The worker suffered serious head injuries including a fractured skull and as a result metal plates were inserted into his skull after the incident at Toyota’s Altona factory on 3 March 2006.
The company has pleaded not guilty to charges laid under Sections 21(1) & (2)(b) (1 charge) and 21(1) & (2)(e) (3 charges) of the
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. The case was adjourned to a County Court hearing on a date to be fixed. The committal came less than a week after the company was convicted and fined for another safety breach, also in 2006. Toyota was convicted and fined $70,000 after being found guilty of breaching Section 21(1) & (2)(a) of the OHS Act on 26 February.
VWA media release
WA: Company fined $60k for death of stone worker
WorkSafe WA has warned employers about unsafe practices for moving heavy stone after a case in which a worker was killed while trying to move a stone slab. The death of the worker, who was crushed between stone slabs, led to fines totalling $60,000 for the company he worked for and a warning to other stone processing firms. West Australian work safety authorities say the Perth stone importation and processing company D’Amelio Stone Pty Ltd and its director Anthony D’Amelio admitted failing to provide a safe working environment at the Malaga plant.
West Australian
International News
Union movement urges intervention over escalating repression in Iran
The global trade union movement is pressing the International Labour Organization (ILO) for action in response to a growing tide of oppression against trade unionists in Iran. Representatives of the ITF, Education International, the International Union of Food Workers and the International Trade Union Confederation made the appeal in a letter to the ILO’s director-general, Juan Somavia, on 9 March. The group referred to the latest wave of repression against the Haft Tapeh union, which represents some 5000 sugar cane plantation workers. Five of the union’s elected members had been charged with acting against national security following a strike over unpaid wages and were awaiting a verdict. Three others including the union’s president, Ali Nejati, had also been arrested. All except Nejati had been released. The unionists also highlighted how teacher, Farzad Kamangar, currently in Evin Prison had received the death penalty and expressed alarm over reports that two executive board members of the Tehran bus workers’ union, the Vahed Syndicate, had last month been summoned by the secret police.ICTF news release
Events
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid "pass laws". Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination. This day is the beginning of the Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination.
Further information
Conferences and Seminars:
HazMat 2009 29 & 30 April
According to the organisers, HazMat is Australia’s leading conference on chemical management, hazardous substances and dangerous goods. Presentations cover current issues and future topics, such as Risk Assessment & Management; Major Hazards; Dangerous Goods; Security & Training and Chemical Management. Special registration arrangements can be made for unions and elected health and safety reps. More information
Safety In Action 31 March – 2 April
As usual, there is a FREE Trade Show held in conjunction with the conference, which this year is at the Melbourne Exhibition Centres. Find out more and register for the Trade Show
Ergonomic Professional Development Seminars
The Human Factors Ergonomic Society of Victoria is organising a number of professional development sessions on a regular basis. The next session will be held on Wednesday 06 May on Providing expert opinion in court with Mr Mark Dohrmann. All the sessions will be held in 222 Exhibition St. Room 24-BCD.
Call Glen Smith, Ergonomist, WorkSafe Victoria on 9641 1881 for more detail.
At Trades Hall (Cnr Victoria and Lygon St, Carlton Sth)
Return to Work Unit
The Victorian Trades Hall Council Return to Work Unit challenges the barriers that stop injured workers returning to full and meaningful employment. A big part of the VTHC initiative is to provide training to workers and their representatives. Check out the training scheduled for 2009.
VTHC OHS Training Centre
Initial 5-Day Metropolitan (for Elected OHS Reps under the Victorian OHS Act - this course is approved by the VWA under Section 67)
April 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 Initial Carlton
April 20 – 24 Initial Ringwood
Course hours: 9am - 5pm. Course fee $670.00
Initial 5-Day Country
May 4 – 8 Initial Bendigo
Course hours: 9am - 5pm. Course fee $690.00
Comcare 5-Day OHS Reps Course (for Elected OHS Reps under the Comcare Act)
April 27 - May 1 Carlton
Course hours: 9am - 5pm. Course fee $650.00
2-Day Metropolitan
This 2-day course is an overview designed for managers, supervisors and committee members. It is NOT a replacement for the VWA approved 5-day training for elected reps.
March 26 and 27 Carlton
Course hours: 9.30am - 4.30pm. Course fee $350.00
1-Day Refresher
The Refresher course is approved by the VWA under Section 67 of the Victorian OHS Act 2004 for elected reps and deputies.
April 6 Legislative Update Morewell
April 7 Legislative Update Geelong
April 7 Legislative Update Carlton
Course hours: 9am - 4.30pm. Course fee $180.00
Go to the 2009 Training program page of the website for all the dates of upcoming courses, and to download an application form.