This week in SafetyNet: a new tool for HSRs, International Workers' Memorial Day highlights, six key climate risks for workers, research on technology-facilitated harassment, a concerning case study on welding fumes, dropped charges related to hotel quarantine, and warnings for employers to be proactive.
One HSR writes to Ask Renata about her power to seek assistance from any person.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
UNTIL THERE ARE NO DEAD TO GRIEVE, FIGHT LIKE HELL
On Monday, as we do every International Workers Memorial Day, we came together to reflect on our duty to Victorian workers and renewed our pledge to 'remember the dead and fight like hell for the living.'
GUARANTEE YOUR HSR POWERS WITH OUR NEW TOOL
Did you know that one of the first questions an inspector will ask when called to investigate a disputed Provisional Improvement Notice is not ‘what is the risk’ but rather ‘when were you elected as an HSR?’
You see, if you are not currently 'in-term,' then you are not recognised as an elected Health and Safety Representative under our OHS Act and therefore have no power to issue the PIN.
Make sure you're never caught off guard with our handy new HSR election tool. It's the perfect way to ensure that all your onsite HSRs can easily establish their bona fides.
ASK RENATA
I have a meeting scheduled with my employer and have requested that my dHSR also attend, relying on my power to ‘seek assistance of any person’ My employer is refusing to allow the dHSR to attend. Any advice?
Congratulations on correctly identifying that under section 58(1)(f), an HSR has the power to seek assistance from any person whenever necessary. This assistance can come from within the workplace, such as another HSR, a deputy HSR (dHSR), or an employee, or externally from someone with sufficient knowledge of occupational health and safety.
The HSR is empowered to choose the person who will provide assistance. In certain situations, more than one person's assistance may be necessary.
Read our response in more detail
International News
ILO REPORT: SIX SEVERE CLIMATE CHANGE RISKS
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has released a report warning that over 70% of the world's workers face health, safety, and mental health risks due to climate change, and highlights six main risks.
DEATH IN THE US: THE TOLL OF NEGLECT
In 2022, 5,486 workers were killed on the job in the United States and an estimated 120,000 workers died from occupational diseases. That means that 344 workers died each day from hazardous working conditions. And things are not getting better.
Research
TECH-FACILITATED HARASSMENT STUDY
Workers who subscribe to common sexual harassment myths, such as 'Women who claim they have been sexually harassed are usually exaggerating' are 16 times more likely to engage in workplace technology-facilitated sexual harassment (WTFSH) a new study has found.
YOUNG WELDER’S DECLINE SENDS WARNING
A study has highlighted the importance of monitoring workers' health, providing appropriate protective equipment (including respiratory protection), and complying with safety regulations to minimise risks associated with welding fumes.
A young welder in his mid-20s, with a history of forgetfulness and declining mental function, was diagnosed with manganism (a condition caused by prolonged exposure to manganese-containing fumes and dust from welding).
Regulator News
HOTEL QUARANTINE CHARGES DROPPED ON TECHNICALITY
Charges against the Victorian government over breaches of our OHS Act that occurred during the COVID-19 hotel quarantine program, have been dropped.
WorkSafe have expressed disappointment over the discontinuation of the criminal proceedings.
The COVID-19 outbreak linked to hotel quarantine failures in Victoria's first wave led to hundreds of deaths during the state's second wave in 2020.
Prosecutions
SOLAR INSTALLER FINED FOR HEIGHT VIOLATIONS
New Switch Electrical, a solar panel installer, was found guilty of safety violations on two occasions where employees worked at heights without fall protection. The first incident occurred on June 15, 2021, when workers installed panels without fall protection, leading to WorkSafe intervention. The company later complied by purchasing fall protection and preparing a safe work method statement (SWMS).
NO NEAR MISSES, NO EXCUSE: $450K FINE FOR FATALITY
On the day of the incident, a worker was clearing a jam when the production line was restarted, causing a mechanised panel to strike the worker, resulting in major open skull fractures on both the left and right sides of his head. Tragically, he died at the scene.
Events
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