SafetyNet Journal

WEEKLY COVID NUMBERS

Posted on 29 March 2023

From 17 March – 23 March, Victoria recorded: 4,467 (+13%) total cases for the past week 4 COVID deaths on average each day over the...

ASK RENATA What are the psychological risks associated with understaffing? Early signs of negative psychological impacts include difficulty making decisions, forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, emotionality,...

SafetyNet 663

Posted on 28 March 2023

Does your boss struggle with hazardous manual handling? Help may be at hand. PLUS: European research on the mounting crisis of psychological workplace harm, ASU members trial a 30...

WEEKLY COVID NUMBERS

Posted on 22 March 2023

From 10 March - 16 March, Victoria recorded 3,960 (+20%) total cases for the past week4 COVID deaths on average each day over the past...

ASK RENATA

Posted on 22 March 2023

Since the pandemic we have a leave crisis at work. Management say they're unable to approve any before February next year, and if more than...

SafetyNet 662

Posted on 21 March 2023

Want to stamp out bullying at work? Learn how. PLUS: Asbestos awareness in the lead up to Easter, employer duties when the road is your workplace...

SafetyNet 661

Posted on 15 March 2023

On International Women's Day there's good news on sexual harassment laws but much to be done on pay equity and workforce participation. This edition also...

Weekly COVID numbers

Posted on 8 March 2023

From 24 February - 2 March, Victoria recorded 3,016 total cases for the past week (-0.9%) 3 COVID deaths on average each day over the past...

Ask Renata

Posted on 8 March 2023

I have a question about appropriate PPE when cleaning dried pigeon poo. What is the appropriate MASK or particulate respirator for such a task?

SafetyNet 660

Posted on 7 March 2023

Australia moved one step closer to a world-first ban on engineered stone with planning brought forward after strong Union campaigning. This week’s SafetyNet sees global tugboat...

SafetyNet 659

Posted on 7 March 2023

PHEW! With Victorian temperatures reaching the high 30s, remember to check out our working in heat guidance, or play our extreme heat survival game. It’s a fun way to...

SafetyNet 658

Posted on 22 February 2023

Welcome to the 15 February edition of SafetyNet. Sadly, a 68-year-old truck driver died last Wednesday when his prime mover and trailer rolled over, near Taggerty....

WEEKLY COVID NUMBERS

Posted on 15 February 2023

From 20 January - 26 January, Victoria recorded: 3,446 total cases for the past week (-29.4%)21 COVID deaths on average each day over the past...

ASK RENATA

Posted on 15 February 2023

I drive buses, several of which have inadequate air con systems. My bus got to 40c in the driver’s seat, and 35c in the saloon....

SafetyNet 657

Posted on 9 February 2023

Welcome to the 9 February edition of SafetyNet. We hope you find this week's journal useful and interesting. Feel free to share it, and please,...

DOCTORS SHOULD ASK ‘WHAT WORK DO YOU DO?’

Posted on 9 February 2023

Asking what job a person does is ‘critical’ to addressing social inequalities in health, a new academic paper has concluded. ‘With work now being a...

UK: WORKERS’ HEALTH INFORMATION MUST BE PROTECTED

Posted on 9 February 2023

Workers’ health information must be protected, medical confidentiality rules respected and workplace practices agreed between employers and unions, the TUC has said. Responding to an...

ASSISTING HSRs REMAINS BURDENSOME IN SA

Posted on 9 February 2023

A range of amendments are likely to follow a recent review of SafeWork SA but will not include allowing union officers to bypass the right-of-entry...

ASK RENATA

Posted on 9 February 2023

Is it allowable to use a ladder within a meter of a live-edge with a harness and a rope and no other edge protection?

Weekly COVID Numbers

Posted on 9 February 2023

From 27 January - 2 February, Victoria recorded: 3,056 total cases for the past week (-11.2%)10 COVID deaths on average each day over the past week 144 (-36.3%) cases...

SafetyNet 656

Posted on 2 February 2023

Welcome to the 2 February edition of SafetyNet. We hope you find this week's journal useful and interesting. Feel free to share it, and please,...

POSITIVE RESULTS OF SUICIDE PREVENTION

Posted on 2 February 2023

Research examining suicide trends among Australian construction workers between 2001 to 2019 suggest population-wide, male-specific, and sector-specific suicide prevention efforts are having an effect.

UK: AMAZON TREATS ROBOTS BETTER THAN WORKERS

Posted on 2 February 2023

Amazon workers have accused the firm of imposing ‘severe’ conditions and low pay. Staging their the first-ever strike against the online giant on 25 January,...

ASK RENATA: As a courier franchisee, am I protected from heavy lifts?

Posted on 2 February 2023

'As a courier contractor am I required to lift over 20kg (or items that are marked ‘team lift’)? We’re not employees, and we are paid...

NEW OHS BODY FOR THE ARTS SECTOR

Posted on 2 February 2023

On Monday the Albanese Labour Government announced its intention to establish a new federal body - the Centre for Arts Workplaces. Formed as part of...

SafetyNet 655

Posted on 25 January 2023

Welcome to the 25 January edition of SafetyNet. We hope you find this week's journal useful and interesting. Feel free to share it, and please,...

WORK SAFELY NEAR UNDERGROUND SERVICES

Posted on 25 January 2023

December 6 last year WorkSafe released new guidance on how to safely manage hazards and risks associated with working near electricity and telecommunications cables, gas...

FIRED IMMIGRANT WORKER SHOT DEAD

Posted on 25 January 2023

US: January 9, police shot dead a 26-year-old Sudanese worker at an Oklahoma food processing plant. Police state they were responding to a call about...

WORK-FROM-HOME OHS SYSTEMS MODEL

Posted on 25 January 2023

The Centre for Work Health and Safety have released research proposing a design model for OHS systems that include working-from-home (WFH) arrangements.

ASK RENATA

Posted on 25 January 2023

‘Please advise if there is a rule/law stating maximum number of hours permissible to drive per day, and where I may find this information?’

SafetyNet 654

Posted on 24 January 2023

Welcome to the 19 January edition of SafetyNet, our first for 2023. A belated Happy New Year to you. Sadly, our first workplace fatality of...

SafetyNet 653

Posted on 22 December 2022

Welcome to the 22 December edition of SafetyNet.  Sadly, there have been two workplace deaths since our last correspondence. John Burley, 55, died while operating...

SafetyNet 652

Posted on 20 December 2022

Welcome to the 14 December edition of SafetyNet.  We hope you find this week's journal useful and interesting. Feel free to share it, and please,...

COUNCIL MANDATES SAFE TRAVEL HOME FOR NIGHT WORKERS

Posted on 14 December 2022

Glasgow: The Get Me Home Safely campaign led by Unite hospitality workers has seen a new victory, as Glasgow City Council has passed a motion...

‘WORKING HOURS CREEP’ DRIVES GENDER WAGE GAP

Posted on 14 December 2022

University researchers have told the Senate's work and care inquiry that long working hours are now the main driver of the gender pay gap and...

130K FINE: APPRENTICE SHOT IN HEAD WITH NAIL GUN

Posted on 14 December 2022

Topline Carpentry South East Pty Ltd (the Offender) employees were constructing townhouses in Glen Waverley when a 16 years’ old apprentice was involved in two...

OZ AND NZ TRENDS IN COMPO AND WHS

Posted on 14 December 2022

Safe Work Australia has published the 24th edition of its Comparative Performance Monitoring Report, analysing trends in WHS and workers’ compensation scheme performance across Australia...

SLOW DOWN AND STAY SAFE

Posted on 14 December 2022

With 3 weeks left in the year, WorkSafe are reminding employers of their duty of care amongst the rush to meet deadlines before Christmas.

CHEMICAL CLASSIFICATION CHANGES KICK IN NYD

Posted on 14 December 2022

Safe Work Australia have issued a reminder the transition to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals Revision 7 (GHS 7) ends...

SAFETY MONTH WEBINARS NOW AVAILABLE

Posted on 14 December 2022

Did you miss out on the opportunity to attend any of WorkSafe’s Health & Safety Month webinars this year? Don’t stress, all of the Safety...

YOU DIRTY RAT

Posted on 14 December 2022

As we've moved from PCR to Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) you may be wondering about the effectiveness of RATs in detecting different strains of COVID-19....

DEVELOPING A NATIONAL ASBESTOS HEATMAP

Posted on 14 December 2022

The first ever National Residential Asbestos Heatmap is in development using predictive modelling to map the probability of asbestos presence, by geographic area. This world-first,...

SafetyNet 651

Posted on 12 December 2022

Welcome to the 7 December edition of SafetyNet.  We hope you find this week's journal useful and interesting. Feel free to share it, and please,...

1 IN 50 IN MODERN SLAVERY

Posted on 7 December 2022

Alliance 8.7, the global partnership for eradicating forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking and child labour around the world, report 50 million people globally are...

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM

Posted on 7 December 2022

On November 25 - International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - IndustriALL's Women Committee co-chairs and assistant general secretary urged Unions to...

GARBAGE TRUCK CRUSHES DRIVER: 300K FINE

Posted on 7 December 2022

Waste disposal company, Country Cart Pty Ltd, has been convicted and fined a total of $300,000 after a worker was fatally crushed by a garbage...

ASK RENATA

Posted on 7 December 2022

‘We have recently had a new HSR voted in who’s received HSR Initial training previously. Does the HSR require a refresh course of some sort?...

COVID NUMBERS

Posted on 7 December 2022

As of Tuesday 6 December 2022, Victoria recorded: 4,843 new daily infections 20 COVID deaths 720 hospitalisations, with 35 currently in ICU

6 STEPS TO STAY AHEAD OF COVID

Posted on 7 December 2022

Last Friday our Chief Health Officer shared the following information: The seven-day rolling average of people with COVID-19 in Victorian hospitals increased 27.9% on the...

SafetyNet 650

Posted on 6 December 2022

Welcome to the 30 November edition of SafetyNet.  We hope you find this week's journal useful and interesting. Feel free to share it, and please,...

P&O CHIEF NAMED ‘WORST BOSS IN THE WORLD’

Posted on 30 November 2022

P&O chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite has been named the world’s worst boss in a global poll after illegally firing almost 800 UK workers in a...

HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT? ADDRESS MANAGER STRESS

Posted on 30 November 2022

A large study from Denmark has shown that managers can ‘transmit’ the stress they experience to their workers, the effects of which were detected a...

$2 MILLION FOR COLLAPSE THAT KILLED CHRISTOPHER CASSANITI

Posted on 30 November 2022

Scaffolding company, Synergy Scaffolding Services, has been fined $2 million over a ‘catastrophic’ collapse at a Sydney construction site, when overloaded scaffolding gave way. The...

SILICA NEWS: ENGINEERED STONE COMPLIANCE CODE NOW IN EFFECT

Posted on 30 November 2022

Minister for Workplace Safety, Ingrid Stitt, has approved the making of the Managing Exposure to Crystalline Silica: Engineered Stone Compliance Code, and it subsequently came...

CFMMEU: WE'LL BAN IT IF GOVERNMENTS DON’T ACT

Posted on 30 November 2022

The construction and general division of the CFMMEU will impose a ban on importing manufactured stone products linked to silicosis, if federal and state governments...

ASK RENATA

Posted on 30 November 2022

I’d like access to information on workplace injuries that have occurred within my DWG. Do I have the right to such information? If so, do...

COVID NUMBERS

Posted on 30 November 2022

As of Tuesday 29th November 2022, Victoria recorded: 4,149 new daily infections 19 COVID deaths 551 hospitalisations, with 22 currently in ICU

MAKE YOUR WORKPLACE CLIMATE SAFE: THIS MONDAY

Posted on 30 November 2022

We've seen how devastating natural disasters can be for Australian workers. Unfortunately, these events are predicted to occur more frequently, and with greater intensity.

SafetyNet 649

Posted on 23 November 2022

Welcome to the 23 November edition of SafetyNet.  We hope you find this week's journal useful and interesting. Feel free to share it, and...

HEALTHCARE AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PSYCHE INJURY STUDY

Posted on 23 November 2022

The Healthy Working Lives Research Group at Monash University have analysed data on NSW workers compensation claims to examine the ‘frequency, incidence, patterns and outcomes...

WORKSAFE HIGHLIGHT ASBESTOS PROSECUTION

Posted on 23 November 2022

For national Asbestos Awareness Week this week, WorkSafe Victoria have thrown a spotlight on the recent prosecution of Victorian printing and manufacturing company, Carton Finishing...

HAZARDOUS MANUAL HANDLING RENDERS WORKER UNCONCIOUS: A CASE STUDY

Posted on 23 November 2022

Recently, a worker from a high-rise apartment construction site suffered a head injury, sustained from hazardous manual handling, leaving them unconscious and hospitalised after being...

DON'T LET THE HOLIDAY RUSH LEAD TO TRAGEDY

Posted on 23 November 2022

WorkSafe are reminding those in Victorian workplaces to slow down as the year’s end fast approaches.

INDIA: 2 KILLED, 18 INJURED IN TWO FACTORY FIRES

Posted on 23 November 2022

Two massive fires broke out in footwear manufacturing factories in Delhi within the space of a week. On the first of November, two workers were...

MAKING WORKPLACES CLIMATE SAFE

Posted on 23 November 2022

5 December, Trades Hall will be hosting a liveshow and workshop event with Dr. Todd Denham and Professor Lauren Rickards, authors of the Climate Impacts at...

ASK RENATA

Posted on 23 November 2022

What are the safety considerations regarding bar staff having a drink in their break at our upcoming Christmas party?

NATIONAL COVID PREVENTION FRAMEWORK RELEASED

Posted on 23 November 2022

The COVIDSafe team attended an ACTU affiliates briefing on Tuesday afternoon with Professor Michael Kidd to discuss the recently released National COVID-19 Community Protection Framework, and...

COVID UPDATE

Posted on 23 November 2022

As of Tuesday 22nd November 2022, Victoria recorded: 3807 new daily infections 27 COVID deaths 419 hospitalisations, with 9 currently in ICU.

SafetyNet 648

Posted on 22 November 2022

Welcome to the 16 November edition of SafetyNet.  Sadly, WorkSafe are investigating the death of an auto electrician who was killed while working on a...

SafetyNet 647

Posted on 22 November 2022

Welcome to the 10 November edition of SafetyNet.  We hope you find this week's journal useful and interesting. Feel free to share it, and please,...

SafetyNet 646

Posted on 22 November 2022

This week has seen the director of a Somerton business charged under our Workplace manslaughter laws. We'd of course prefer these laws didn't have to...

SafetyNet 645

Posted on 22 November 2022

Welcome to the 19 October edition of SafetyNet.  We hope you find this week's journal useful and interesting. Feel free to share it, and please,...

$7000 FINE FOR SILICA DUST EXPOSURE

Posted on 16 November 2022

Miter Square manufactures engineered stone benchtops in a Knoxfield factory. A WorkSafe Inspector, attending as part of a project on crystalline silica exposure in the...

‘HOW TO LIFT TRAINING’ DOES NOT REDUCE RISK

Posted on 16 November 2022

The Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities Musculoskeletal Disorders national working group has released a position paper reminding employers they must, so far as is reasonably...

AMWU FINISHING UP COLLABORATION PILOT PROGRAM

Posted on 16 November 2022

SafetyNet were kindly invited to attend the Managing Psychological Risks in Manufacturing Conference on Monday at Southbank, during which insights gained at participating sites were...

Ask Renata

Posted on 16 November 2022

Our HSR has left the workplace, so we have a vacancy. We’ve put out a call for nominations but received nothing. Can we tap someone...

PROFESSOR BEN COWIE'S MESSAGE TO HSRs

Posted on 16 November 2022

During this year’s HSR Conference, Deputy Chief Health Officer, Professor Ben Cowie spoke on the impact COVID has had on our workplaces and community and...

COVID UPDATE

Posted on 16 November 2022

As of Tuesday 15th November 2022, Victoria recorded:   3,192 new daily infections    11 COVID deaths   351 hospitalisations, and 9 are in ICU. Cumulatively this equals:    ...

CONFINED SPACE ROBOT WINS WORKSAFE AWARD

Posted on 10 November 2022

CONFINED-SPACE ROBOT WINS WORKSAFE AWARD IN WA A company that developed an autonomous robotic crawler, known as Magneto-EX, to perform inspection and maintenance tasks in...

WORKPLACE EXPOSURE AND LUNG FUNCTION DECLINE: REGULAR TESTING IS KEY

Posted on 10 November 2022

Working together, researchers from local and international universities have looked examined the relationship between cumulative workplace exposure to a wide range of substances and lung...

PROSECUTIONS

Posted on 10 November 2022

HEIGHT RISKS OBSERVED BY INSPECTOR ATTRACT 15K FINE In April 2021 Express Sheet Metal Pty Ltd had been engaged to install ‘whirly bird’ ventilators on...

NATIONAL ASBESTOS AWARENESS WEEK

Posted on 10 November 2022

An estimated 4,000 Australians die annually from asbestos-related diseases, which is nearly four times the annual road toll.

GRIEFWORKS CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

Posted on 10 November 2022

Uniting’s WorkSafe-funded support program, GriefWork, celebrated its 25th anniversary, Friday 21 October at Uniting’s program hub in Prahran. Click here to view the GriefWorks 25th...

COVID UPDATE

Posted on 10 November 2022

COVID-19 LATEST NUMBERS  On Tuesday 11th of October Victoria recorded:   1,292 new daily infections    14 COVID deaths   156 hospitalisations, and 7 are in ICU.

Ask Renata 10 November

Posted on 10 November 2022

What powers do I have, as a HSR who hasn't received training yet?

WORKSAFE FUNDED UNION PROJECTS FOR PSYCHE HEALTH

Posted on 10 November 2022

At last week’s HSR Conference we heard from several Unions on their WorkSafe-funded projects to produce better outcomes for injured workers. Each project uses different...

COVID-19 LATEST NUMBERS 

Posted on 26 October 2022

On Wednesday 26th of October Victoria recorded:   1,549 new daily infections    6 COVID deaths   182 hospitalisations, and 6 are in ICU.

Ask Renata 26 Oct

Posted on 26 October 2022

Some months ago staff from the afternoon shift, for which I’m HSR, were all put temporarily on day shift. At the first subsequent OHS committee...

POLICE FACE SIGNIFICANT PHYSIOLOGICAL CHALLENGES

Posted on 26 October 2022

A study of Australian police officers tracked the physiological demands they face while carrying out their day-to-day duties.

Pandemic orders expire

Posted on 26 October 2022

PANDEMIC ORDERS EXPIRE Pandemic orders affecting most workpalces expired on 12 October.

REMOTE WORK SIGNIFICANTLY EXACERBATED A RANGE OF RISKS FOR TEACHERS

Posted on 26 October 2022

Comprehensive analysis of WHS data by researchers at the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work confirms the COVID-19 pandemic significantly exacerbated a range...

LACK OF SUPERVISION COSTS WORKER HIS LIFE – PCBU FINED 300K

Posted on 26 October 2022

A labourer, employed by Empire Contracting Pty Ltd, fell to his death from a height of nearly three metres after his employer failed to...

USA: AMAZON SAFETY HEAD THROWS IN THE TOWEL

Posted on 26 October 2022

Amazon hired Heather McDougall in 2019 as the top executive overseeing workplace health and safety.

KOREA: MAKE ROAD TRANSPORT ‘SAFE RATES’ LAWS PERMANENT

Posted on 26 October 2022

There is overwhelming evidence for the link between road safety and driver pay, international experts and global union leaders have told South Korean lawmakers.

Events

Posted on 26 October 2022

HSR INITIAL & REFRESHER TRAINING Trained HSRs are more effective HSRs - have you just been elected and haven't organised your training yet? Do it...

VICTORIA’S FIRST WORKPLACE MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

Posted on 26 October 2022

VICTORIA’S FIRST WORKPLACE MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE WorkSafe has charged the director of a stonemasonry business accused of forklift-related negligence, with workplace manslaughter, after a sub-contractor was fatally...

NEW SILICA IN ENGINEERED STONE COMPLIANCE CODE

Posted on 26 October 2022

Minister for Workplace Safety, Ingrid Stitt, has made the Managing Exposure to Crystalline Silica: Engineered Stone Compliance Code which will come into effect on...

MISSED OUT ON REGISTERING FOR HSR CONFERENCE 2022 - HSR LIFESAVERS?

Posted on 26 October 2022

You can still livestream sessions 1 and 2 through this link: https://kastio.com/hsr-2022

41 DEAD IN TURKISH MINE EXPLOSION

Posted on 26 October 2022

An explosion in a coal mine in Amasra, Turkey, on 14 October, has killed 41 miners. 110 miners were underground in the mine, which...

NEGLIGENT EMPLOYER LIABLE FOR $1.25M INJURY SUSTAINED IN ASSAULT OUTSIDE OF WORK

Posted on 19 October 2022

NEGLIGENT EMPLOYER LIABLE FOR $1.25M INJURY SUSTAINED IN ASSAULT OUTSIDE OF WORK An employer has been deemed liable for the psychological injury sustained by a...

SafetyNet Journal

Ask Renata

OHS Training at Victorian Trades Hall Council

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