This week in SafetyNet: harassment of women in retail continues to be a problem, Prisbel fined $50k for concrete pump fatality, injuries and illnesses equate to 41,000 Aussie jobs every year, our workplace surveillance inquiry begins, and much more.
An HSR writes to Ask Renata about stress leave, 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
WORKPLACE SURVEILLANCE INQUIRY BEGINS
Victoria's Parliament has started an inquiry into workplace surveillance to examine how employers handle surveillance data and the role of artificial intelligence (AI).
VICTORIA'S ENGINEERED STONE REGULATIONS GAZETTED
As reported last week, from next Monday it is prohibited to work with engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs, even if a contract was entered into before that date.
The Victorian Government Gazette has provided official notification that from 1 July 2024, work involving manufacture, supply, processing or installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs will be banned.
Repairs, minor modifications, removal and disposal of engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs (legacy stone) installed prior to the ban is permitted. This work will be subject to existing control requirements for engineered stone.
Frequently asked questions - Engineered stone ban
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.
ASK RENATA
Is stress leave currently claimable through WorkCover?
Part of the recent WorkCover amendments contemplates that mental injury caused by burnout or workplace stress will not be covered in many situations.
Under the new legislation, work must be the predominant cause of the mental injury, and the injury must cause significant behavioural, cognitive, or psychological dysfunction.
HIGH, BUT DECREASING COVID ACTIVITY
The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 has decreased this week. The 7-day average is 311, compared to 368 last week.
Deaths in the most recent 28-day period (08 May 2024 -04 Jun 2024) have increased compared to the prior 28-day period, with a current 28-day total of 178.
Prosecutions
PRISBEL FINED $50K FOR CONCRETE PUMP FATALITY
Prisbel Concrete Pumping has been fined $50,000 and ordered to pay $8,179 in costs after a fatal accident involving a concrete pump occurred in May 2021 in which a 40-year-old worker was struck and killed by a collapsing boom pump.
Research
EMPOWERING WORKERS ALLEVIATES ‘POLITICAL ANXIETY’
Following last week's story about two Black Star Pastry baristas being sacked for wearing keffiyehs to work, occupational medicine experts from the UK, the US, and Australia say it is time for employers to recognise the impact of political changes and domestic and international conflicts on wellbeing in the workplace.
They suggest that employers can take several steps to help workers gain a sense of control and alleviate political anxiety, including empowering workers to take action on issues they care about, such as volunteering and participating in advocacy campaigns.
INJURIES AND ILLNESSES COST 41,000 JOBS YEARLY
Workplace injuries and illnesses are costing Australia the equivalent of 41,000 lost jobs each year, according to a new metric called ‘working years lost.’ Developed by Monash University's Professor Alex Collie and Luke Sheehan, this metric measures the burden of work-related injuries by representing the number of people off work for a full year.
HARASSMENT CONTINUES FOR WOMEN IN RETAIL
Industry norms such as ‘the customer is always right’, working alone, selling sexualised products, and mandatory makeup or revealing uniforms exacerbate the problem of sexual harassment in the retail industry, according to a major report just published by ANROWS.
Key findings include the widespread nature of the problem, with nearly half of women, and one in four men working in retail, experiencing sexual harassment, including suggestive comments, intrusive questions, and leering.
Regulator News
WORKSAFE'S NEW TELEHANDLER GUIDANCE
WorkSafe now has a website detailing the competency, licensing, and training requirements for operating different types of telehandlers.
Telehandlers are used across multiple industries, including agriculture, construction, and warehousing, and are also variously known as 'variable-reach rough terrain trucks,' 'multipurpose tool carriers,' and 'telescopic material handlers.'
Operators of:
- A non-slewing telehandler with a rated capacity over three tonnes
- A slewing telehandler
- A telehandler with a boom-type elevating work platform of 11 meters or more
are required to hold a high-risk work license.
International News
UK: 1 IN 8 WORKERS IN PRECARIOUS EMPLOYMENT
The number of people in insecure work has reached a record high of 4.1 million, according to new TUC analysis published 14 June.
The TUC is a federation of trade unions that collectively represent most unionised workers in England and Wales. Its analysis of official statistics shows the number of people in precarious employment – such as zero-hours-contracts, low-paid self-employment and casual/seasonal work – increased by nearly one million between 2011 and 2023.
Over that period insecure work rose nearly three times faster than secure forms of employment. While numbers in insecure work increased by 31%, those in secure employment increased by just 11%.
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