WorkSafe Victoria news
Wanted: HSRs for workshops
WorkSafe Victoria is currently looking at how it can better support HSRs.
The regulator would like to talk to HSRs from the manufacturing and health care and social assistance industries to understand the barriers, frustrations and ideas for solutions.
WorkSafe is wanting to know:
- What stops you from being effective in your HSR role?
- What supports/training/guidance would enable you in your role?
This is a chance to help shape future HSR support programs at WorkSafe - and it wants HSRs to get involved.
WorkSafe is running virtual workshops on:
- Wednesday 9th Dec: 12.30pm-2.30pm or 6.30pm-8.30pm (for Manufacturing HSRs)
- Thursday 10th Dec: 12.30pm-2.30pm or 6.30pm-8.30pm (for Health Care and Social Assistance HSRs)
Those participating will be reimbursed for their time. If you are interested and willing to be consulted as part of this work, please contact Monica Butler at WorkSafe on [email protected]
Other news
WA: Mandatory COVID testing of workers introduced
All security and cleaning staff at quarantine hotels run by the Western Australian Government for the COVID-19 pandemic will be required to undergo a coronavirus test every seven days, under new directions. "This extra layer of testing will ensure that any transmission of [COVID-19] is identified and managed swiftly to limit any further transmission," a State Government statement said. "Lessons learnt from outbreaks in Victoria and South Australia have shown that hotel quarantine is a key source of infection because [these hotels] are used for international arrivals."
Western Australian Health Minister Roger Cook said international arrivals "continue to pose the greatest risk of COVID-19 infections and it's vital that we have every possible protection in place to manage the risk of transmission". Source: OHSAlert
National Fatality Statistics
Safe Work updated its fatality statistics on November 19, at which time there had been 147 worker fatalities notified to the national body - this is seven more than the previous update on November 5. Some of the fatalities were re-classified, so it is not possible to ascertain in which sectors the latest fatalities occurred The deaths this year have been in the following sectors:
- 49 in Transport, postal & warehousing
- 30 in Agriculture, forestry & fishing
- 27 in Construction
- 14 in Public administration & safety
- 12 in Manufacturing
- 5 in Mining
- 3 in 'other services'
- 2 in Accommodation & food services
- 1 in Arts & recreation services
- 1 in Retail trade
- 1 in Administrative & support services
- 1 in Wholesale trade
- 1 in Education and training
Note that the figures are based on preliminary reports, and so at times will change. To check for updates, and for more details on fatalities since 2003, go to the Safe Work Australia Work-related fatalities webpage.