Victorian news
Reminder: New simplified PIN form now available for HSRs
WorkSafe has redesigned the Provisional Improvement Notice it has available on its website.
The document provides HSRs with a blank PIN form to capture information about OHS laws being contravened by an individual employer. What needs to be completed on the PIN form include:
- the name of the HSR completing the PIN form
- who will receive the PIN
- check box that the HSR has consulted the person receiving the PIN before it is issued
- how the PIN will be issued
- details of how OHS laws that have been contravened
- how the HSR believes the contravention can be fixed
Now all we need is for inspectors to support HSRs who take the step of issuing a PIN, and affirming (with or without modification) more than they currently do!
Important: The PDF needs to be downloaded to a computer. It can then be filled in using Adobe Reader. Check it out here.
Business Victoria: Disaster resilience for small business
Preparation for dealing with crises is the same regardless of what the disaster or incident is. Coronavirus (COVID-19) has shown that the more is known about potential disruptions to business, the more can be done to prepare and minimise the impact.
Business Victoria has produced a new, easy-to-use disaster resilience for business toolkit, available in a fillable PDF version. Completing this will assist to:
- identify what will make the business resilient to disasters
- understand how businesses can prepare for a disaster
- keep businesses trading safely during a disaster
- get the business back up and running after a disaster.
Read more and access the toolkit here.
Other news
Productivity Commission releases mental health report
As HSRs and workers will be well aware, psychological (or psychosocial) hazards in the workplace receive far less attention than physical hazards. Nevertheless, such hazards, including workplace bullying, are increasingly identified as significant contributors to psychological injuries, according to a recent Productivity Commission report.
Read more: AIHS report summary and the comprehensive Mental Health Report. More information on Psychosocial hazards and materials from the VTHC's 2020 Conference: Risks to psychological health.
National Fatality Statistics
Safe Work Australia has not updated its fatality statistics since December 3, at which time there had been 150 worker fatalities notified to the national body, three more since the previous update on November 19. The deaths this year have been in the following sectors:
- 51 in Transport, postal & warehousing
- 30 in Agriculture, forestry & fishing
- 26 in Construction
- 15 in Public administration & safety
- 12 in Manufacturing
- 5 in Mining
- 3 in 'other services'
- 2 in Arts & recreation services
- 2 in Administrative & support services
- 1 in Accommodation & food services
- 1 in Retail trade
- 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.
