This week in SafetyNet: ‘metho’ used to 'extinguish flames', research on dermatitis in healthcare workers, High Court to decide on dismissal-related psychological safety, calls for menopause workplace rights, and the Ballarat mine collapse reignites debate on industrial manslaughter laws.
A HSR writes to Ask Renata about injury compensation for casual workers, and as always, we encourage you to send your questions to Ask Renata.
For OHS news and helpful information, please visit the We Are Union: OHS Reps Facebook page.
To access previous issues, you can visit our SafetyNet Archive.
Union News
MINE COLLAPSE: 1 DEAD, 1 CRITICAL
Our thoughts are with the families and coworkers of a miner who died and another who is fighting for his life following a collapse at the Ballarat Gold Mine in Mount Clear.
FSU PUSH FOR MENOPAUSE RIGHTS
The FSU and Maurice Blackburn are both advocating for workplace rights for menopausal women, including flexible work and paid leave, in separate submissions to a Senate inquiry into the economic and social impacts of menopause on the workforce.
SACKED WORKERS & PSYCH INJURY
The High Court is set to determine whether employers are obligated to ensure safe disciplinary and dismissal procedures to prevent sacked workers from experiencing psychiatric harm, challenging a legal precedent dating back to a 1909 House of Lords' ruling, which has prevented Australian courts from awarding damages for psychiatric injury in cases of wrongful dismissal.
ASK RENATA
A casual employee was injured at my workplace and taken to the hospital. They were unable to work for three days and needed time off to recover. Although they missed their scheduled days, they don't have sick leave entitlements. What can you advise?
Encourage your colleague to report and record the incident with your employer as well as speak to their treating practitioner about the possibilty of lodging a WorkCover claim.
Having an approved WorkCover claim means most medical expenses can be reimbursed, as well as most lost earnings.
For the purposes of WorkCover, casual, part-time, and full-time workers are all elligible for compensation.
WEEKLY COVID NUMBERS
Australia: As of 18 March, there have been 11,835,479 cases and 24,324 COVID deaths.
World: As of 18 March, there had been 704,240,889 worldwide infections with COVID-related deaths numbering 7,006,175
(Source: Worldometer)
Research
COMBATTING HEALTH CARE DERMATITIS
With healthcare workers consistently using gloves throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it's unsurprising the rate of work-related dermatitis has nearly doubled.
Regulator News
FARMERS WARNED OF FATIGUE RISKS
WorkSafe data highlights March and November as peak months for workplace fatalities in agriculture. Fatigue is common among farmers at these times due to long, exhausting hours of manual work.
Prosecutions
‘METHO’ USED TO 'EXTINGUISH FLAMES'
In November 2020, A&J Australia's sole director, and a mechanical engineer, suffered severe burns after the engineer attempted to extinguish a machine fire with an unlabelled container of clear liquid, later identified as methylated spirits.
Events
WOMEN HSRs NETWORKING NIGHT
WRAW Fest is celebrating all women leaders of our movement, including women HSRs and those interested in becoming one! Join us for an online panel discussion with women HSRs from various industries, followed by a networking session and a WRAW Chat for women HSRs to share experiences, challenges, opportunities, and support for our union sisters in workplace leadership roles. This event is open to all women and gender diverse individuals only.
When: Monday, March 25, 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm
Where: Zoom (Register to receive the link on the day)
OHS TRAINING UNIT
The Victorian Trades Hall Council’s OHS Training Unit is one of the most experienced training providers in Victoria.
We have delivered OHS training to tens of thousands of Health & Safety Reps across Victoria since 1983.
We deliver high quality WorkSafe Approved training that is practical and solution-focused in multiple locations around Melbourne’s suburbs and regional Victoria.
- 5 Day HSR Initial OHS Training Course Fee - $950 (inc GST)
- 1 Day HSR Refresher Training Course Fee - $350 (inc GST)
Click on the links below for dates and locations.
HSR Initial OHS Training Course
HSR Refresher OHS Training Course
VTHC also offers tailored training, including for managers and supervisors, on Comcare, and on gendered violence.
Check out our training webpage for more information.
OHS Team
http://www.weareunion.org.au