Simple Safety Update - Issue 7 July 2010

OHS News

Changes to Accident Compensation Act (Vic)

Recent changes to the Accident Compensation Act mean that the benefits to employees and responsibilities of employers to injured employees will changes.

Read a summary of the changes

26 People Die at Work in 2009/10

WorkSafe has commented that complacency about workplace safety has contributed to the deaths of 26 workers this financial year. A number of these deaths arose from people being struck by objects including, sheets of glass, a bag of salt, equipment falling from a forklift and a falling tree branch.

THE SOLUTION IS SIMPLE - When working with objects which are being moved, are heavy or have the potential to fall make sure people are excluded from the area. It just takes a minute to set up warnings like witches hats or temporary barriers to prevent people coming into the area. Or better yet design the workplace to make sure people are permanently kept out of areas where items are being shifted and loaded.

Your Simple Safety Schedule

Let SOS guide you through the steps you need to manage workplace health and safety and meet legislative obligations in the Simple Safety Schedule.

So far in your schedule you have:

1. Developed and OHS Policy
2. Developed a plan for managing safety including allocating responsibilities and budget
3. Developed specific OHS roles and responsibilities which allocate tasks to all levels across your workplace for safety
4. Identified what skills you need in your organisation to manage safety and thought about what training people nee
5. Established ways of consulting and communicating with workers about safety to get their ideas and input
6. Established ways to identify hazards such as developing hazard inspection checklists

Step 7 - This month you need to think about controlling risks which have been identified. The OHS Act requires that employers control risks at their source and wherever practicable use risk control solutions that don't rely on employee behaviour for them to work, this is called the hierarchy of control. The hierarchy goes from best control to least control. You can use a combination of controls.

1. ELIMINATION - Eliminate the task or hazard entirely e.g. stop using hazardous chemicals
2. SUBSITITUTION - substitute a safer process or product e.g. use safer chemicals
3. ENGINEERING - isolate the hazard or the person e.g. install spray booths for using chemicals
4. ADMINISTRATION - training, developing safe work procedures e.g. train people in safe use of a chemical
5. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - provide equipment for people to wear e.g. gloves, goggles, face masks

 When developing risk controls talk to your workers, get their ideas, they know the hazards and often have the solutions. GET THE RIGHT ADVICE - SIMPLE OHS SOLUTIONS CAN HELP CONTACT US ANYTIME

Simple Safety Stuff Ups

Click here to view images of safety stuff ups

OHS Events

Safety Institute of Australia Education Awards 2010

To celebrate excellence and education in safety the Safety Institute of Australia Education Awards are being held on August 26 2010. Awards will be given for academic achievement including TAFE, OHS Diploma, Masters and PHd student levels. This year a highlight will be the awarding of OHS Professional of Excellence award to promote and award excellence in the OHS profession. Details of the awards can be found at www.sia.org.au

 

Join our mailing list

Subscribe to our email mailing list to receive the monthly issue of Simple Safety Update