This week in SafetyNet: support your fellow HSRs and help drive reform, employers urged to act on safety for young workers, fascinating research on how digital role-playing helps apprentices speak up, a new PIN video resource for HSRs, safety neglect in cold rooms and much more.
An higher education HSR writes to Ask Renata about OHS being used for other agendas, and as always, we encourage you to send your questions to Ask Renata.
Please note: There will be no SafetyNet next week. We look forward to returning soon.
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
ACTU PUSHES FLEXIBILITY FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
The ACTU is advocating for reproductive health rights to be included in the Fair Work Act, enabling workers to request flexible work arrangements for health issues such as menopause and perimenopause. This topic will be discussed at this week’s ACTU Congress in Adelaide.
SUPPORT YOUR FELLOW HSRs: HELP DRIVE REFORM
Last year the Government announced they would be reviewing the powers and protections for HSRs under the OHS Act.
VTHC are gathering information from HSRs and Deputy HSRs about your experiences so we can advocate for changes that will better support your vitally important role.
As an HSR, you won't find a more crucial survey to fill out than this one!
Please encourage all HSRs at your workplace to fill out the survey. It should take about seven minutes to complete.
ACTU TRAINEESHIPS: HSRs ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
If you're an active union HSR, the ACTU Organising Works traineeship is an excellent opportunity to enhance your skills and contribute to building stronger workplaces.
It's a program designed to develop the next generation of union organisers, empowering pasionate workplace activists who want to make a difference.
The ACTU is the largest peak body representing workers in Australia and is actively encouraging HSRs to apply.
ASK RENATA
Students began a protest encampment at the University where I’m a HSR. Management claims the encampment poses OHS risks and must be removed. No risk assessment has been performed, nor has there been any consultation with HSRs, which makes me worried that management is using OHS as a pretext for suppressing protest. What can I do?
We share your concern. When OHS is used as a pretext for other agendas, workers become justifiably cynical and disengaged, viewing workplace safety as merely a tool to control behaviour.
The best way to combat this is to hold employers accountable when they cite OHS concerns. This involves ensuring genuine consultation with HSRs and conducting proper risk assessments.
HIGH LEVELS OF COVID ACTIVITY
Victorian data taken from Victorian COVID-19 Surveillance Report 31 May.
The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 has decreased this week. The 7-day average is 319, compared to 347 last week.
The latest quantitative wastewater measures indicate there are increasing SARS-CoV-2 viral loads in Victorian wastewater in regional catchments.
Increasing levels of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater suggest increasing prevalence of COVID-19 infections in the community.
Asbestos News
HSR INSIGHTS SOUGHT ON REGISTERS
The Victorian Asbestos Eradication Agency (VAEA) acknowlege the crucial role of HSRs in safely managing asbestos.
VAEA is seeking your insights in developing a tool to better maintain, manage and review asbestos registers. VAEA need to understand how HSRs use - or don’t use - these registers.
International News
BANGLADESH: COMMUTING INJURIES NOW COMPENSABLE
In a groundbreaking effort, an employment injury scheme piloted in the readymade garment sector in Bangladesh will now include commuting accidents as part of industrial accidents eligible for compensation payout.
The pilot scheme provides compensation for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and income loss due to workplace injuries and diseases.
Prosecutions
LOCAL POOL & DEPARTMENT FINED 180K AFTER STUDENT DEATH
A local pool operator and the Department of Education have been fined a total of $180,000 after the drowning of an eight-year-old student during a school camp in Port Fairy.
The school had booked an inflatable obstacle course in the deep end of the pool without properly assessing the children's swimming abilities. Additionally, there was a failure to provide lifeguards with appropriate instructions.
SAFEROADS FINED $650K: CRUSHED TRUCK DRIVER
In November 2021, a forklift was unloading heavy road safety barriers from a truck when an unrestrained barrier fell on the driver, causing fatal injuries. A WorkSafe investigation revealed Saferoads had safety procedures in place but did not enforce them or inform delivery drivers. CCTV footage showed repeated safety breaches in the days leading up to the incident.
Research
DIGITAL ROLE-PLAYING ASSISTS APPRENTICES WITH OHS
Researchers have developed a digital game based on apprentices' real-life experiences, allowing players to navigate difficult conversations with supervisors and make choices that improve workers' ability to speak up about safety issues and intervene if they see unsafe behaviour.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT PREFERENCES IN CONSTRUCTION
A study examining the help-seeking intentions and mental well-being of construction workers in the UK has suggvested tailored, informal workplace support networks may be beneficial as participants report a preference for support from informal sources, like partners, rather than formal sources like Mental Health First Aiders.
Regulator News
NEW RESOURCE FOR HSRs: PIN VIDEO
Introducing WorkSafe’s Provisional Improvement Notices (PINs) video. Created for Victorian HSRs, the video explains the process of when and how to issue a PIN and provides helpful step-by-step instructions.
The video can be viewed on the WorkSafe website alongside other supportive resources for HSRs.
WORKSAFE AWARDS: NOMINATIONS OPEN
Nominations for the 35th edition of the WorkSafe Victoria Awards have opened. The seven categories are:
- Commitment to prevention of mental injury in the workplace;
- Farm safety solution;
- Health and safety representative of the year;
- Leading return-to-work practice;
- OHS leadership/achievement;
- Worker return-to-work achievement; and
- Workplace health and safety solution of the year.
Entries for the 2024 competition close on 21 June, and the winners will be announced in February next 2025.
SAFETY NEGLECT IN COLD ROOMS: YOUNG WORKER INJURED
WorkSafe has issued a Safety Alert following a recent incident in which a young worker at a fast-food restaurant was struck on the head by falling boxes while restocking a cold room.
The boxes of frozen fries and patties weighed up to 16 kg each and were stacked about 2 meters high.
YOUNG WORKER SAFETY: EMPLOYERS URGED TO ACT
Every day, approximately 200 young workers join the workforce. They have the highest likelihood of sustaining an injury within their first six months of employment.
Research shows employers can lack empathy and understanding about young workers' vulnerability, often failing to adequately induct, train, or communicate OHS issues appropriately.
WorkSafe's 'Would you work for you?' campaign aims to educate employers about their OHS obligations to young workers.
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