WorkSafe Victoria
Updated guidance on Lead
WorkSafe Victoria has released its updated guidance on Lead:
- Lead: Safety basics (here) – this page sets out the health effects of lead, lead processes and guidance on managing lead risk in the workplace.
- Lead at work: Legal duties (here) – this page sets out information on employer duties associated with lead processes and employee duties when working with lead.
- Are you performing lead-risk work? (here) – this page defines lead-risk work, sets out information about the amended regulations and transition period, and sets out health monitoring requirements.
The Lead Handbook is currently being finalised.
Latest edition of Safety Soapbox
The latest edition of Safety Soapbox was posted on Wednesday August 21. In this edition, the editorial is on perimeter guardrail systems. The installation and maintenance of these is crucial to eliminate/reduce the risk of falls. Falls are responsible for approximately one third of all fatalities in construction. The editorial provides tips on what to do ‘always’ and what ‘never’ to do.
This edition has news of WorkSafe’s activities in the sector and links to new and updated guidance. The roundup of information from other jurisdictions includes WorSafe QLD’s investigation of a fatal electrocution and a link to WA manual handling guidance for electricians.
The list of incidents reported to WorkSafe during the month of July can be downloaded from this edition. During July there 214 incidents, 66 per cent of which resulted in an injury. Access the August edition of Safety Soapbox here - the list of reported incidents can be downloaded from the page.
WorkWell Wednesday email
A regular Wednesday email arrives in my inbox from the WorkWell people at WorkSafe. Coincidentally (given the violent incident at one of Melbourne's schools this week), this one was on preventing violence and aggression, making the point: No one should ever feel that violence and aggression is 'part of the job'.
If you're interested in subscribing to any of WorkSafe's regular communications, you can subscribe here.
WorkSafe events
The regulator holds regular events to provide information to the community. Here are those coming up in the next few months:
1 - Elmore Field Days
Anyone with any farm safety issues to discuss, the WorkSafe Victoria Agriculture Team will be attending the Elmore Field Days. WorkSafe will have a stand and the team is keen to chat and hear about approaches to managing on-farm safety and any new and innovative safety solutions. There will be information and guidance materials to take away.
When: October 1 – 3, 8.30am – 5pm.
Where: Agribusiness Pavilion, Elmore Events Centre, 48 Rosaia Rd Elmore, Victoria, 3558
2 - Session for the Afghan Community
Presented by Victorian Afghan Association Network and WorkSafe Victoria, this is a tailored information session for the Afghan community that raises awareness of workplace safety laws and the role of WorkSafe in a setting which encourages questions and interaction to build relationships between the community and WorkSafe.
Where: Saturday October 5, 5 - 7pm
When: Lynbrook Community Hall, 2 Harris Street, Lynbrook
For more information please contact Hamed on [email protected]
WA: New checklist for safety in schools
SafeWork WA has published an extensive industry checklist for Education. The checklist has been developed to highlight safety issues for workers in schools and provides information on how to best manage those risks to minimise workplace injuries and comply with occupational safety and health legislation. Topics covered include manual handling, falls (including falls from height), traffic management, infectious diseases, and much more. The checklist can be downloaded here.
Safe Work Australia
Fatality Statistics
There hasn't been an update since August 1, when there had been 83 fatalities notified to SWA. The workers killed came from the following industries:
- 28 in Transport, postal & warehousing
- 19 in Agriculture, forestry & fishing
- 12 in Construction
- 6 in Public Administration & safety
- 5 in Electricity, gas, water & waste services
- 5 in Mining
- 3 in Manfacturing
- 2 in Professional, scientific & technical services
- 2 in Wholesale trade
- 1 in 'Other services'
To check for updates, and for more details on fatalities since 2003, go to the Safe Work Australia Work-related fatalities webpage and in particular, here.
