New Era Safety News (January 2025)
Jamie Mallinder
I help organisations understand and improve safety culture, leadership, systems and workplaces using psychology, neuroscience and technology | Multiple award-winning chartered safety leader, consultant and speaker
Welcome to New Era Safety News - your monthly source for the latest in workplace safety from Australia and around the world. I'm Jamie Mallinder, your trusted voice in #safety #wellbeing, and #leadership.
In this edition:
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Industry Updates
Mining
400 Miners Still Trapped Underground as Rescue Mission Intensifies
A 16-day rescue operation is underway at South Africa’s abandoned Buffelsfontein gold mine, where miners have resorted to eating cockroaches to survive. Over 60 bodies have been recovered, along with 216 survivors, but estimates suggest up to 550 miners remain underground. Some reports claim the miners may be avoiding arrest rather than being physically trapped. Private company Mines Rescue Services leads the operation, using a cage capable of hoisting six individuals per hour from depths of 3km. Allegations of starvation, cannibalism, and a deteriorating humanitarian crisis have drawn criticism toward local authorities and mining practices.
Healthcare
Providers Facing Charges Over Patient Suicides in VIC
Northern Health has been charged with three breaches of the Victorian OHS Act following the suicide of an involuntarily admitted patient at Northern Hospital in Epping in July 2023. The charges allege the organisation failed to ensure the safety of non-workers. Similarly, Barwon Health is facing two charges after a patient took her own life in the acute psychiatric unit at University Hospital Geelong in December 2022. Both cases point to alleged failures in safeguarding vulnerable mental health patients.
Transport and Logistics
K&S Freighters Pty Ltd is facing a potential penalty of up to $1.5 million for a forklift incident in December 2022 at its Mount Gambier depot, where two workers were injured. Allegations include the failure to implement measures such as separating forklifts from pedestrians and ensuring clear visibility in loading zones. Additionally, Gvip Storage Pty Ltd has been charged in connection with the death of a truck driver in a low-oxygen cool room at its Shepparton warehouse in March 2023. The company is accused of failing to restrict access to hazardous areas and neglecting to provide prominent warning signage.
Legislation Updates
International
Grenfell Firefighters Facing Severe Health Challenges
Seven years after the Grenfell Tower tragedy, over a quarter of firefighters who responded report serious long-term health issues, including digestive diseases, respiratory conditions, and cancers. Research by the 英国中央兰开夏大学 revealed firefighters were exposed to toxic smoke without adequate respiratory protection. Parallels have been drawn with 9/11 first responders, but the UK has yet to implement similar long-term health monitoring. Firefighters’ unions are calling for urgent reforms to protect workers from occupational hazards and ensure early diagnosis of chronic illnesses.
State and Territory
World-First Ban on Engineered Stone Enforced in WA
WorkSafe WA has cracked down on a carpentry business that violated Australia’s ban on engineered stone products. The business was caught processing an engineered stone slab for an entertainment unit, leading to a prohibition notice and disposal costs. Australia's ban on these silica-heavy materials took effect in July 2024, with WA's transitional period ending on 31 December. Employers face fines of up to $35,000 for non-compliance. WorkSafe inspectors continue proactive checks to enforce the ban and ensure workplaces comply with the law.
WorkSafe WA’s New Website is Live!
WorkSafe WA has unveiled its revamped website, offering a seamless and user-friendly platform to meet all your workplace health and safety needs.
Whether you need safety resources, wish to report an incident, or are applying for a licence, the redesigned site ensures finding the right information is faster and easier than ever.
Exciting updates are on the way! Over the next few months, additional resources for the mining and dangerous goods sectors will be added.
New Regulations Address WA Tanker Explosion Risks
The WA Government has introduced stricter safety measures following a 2022 ammonium nitrate tanker explosion near Kalgoorlie. The updated Dangerous Goods Safety Regulations and a new Code of Practice require enhanced fire detection, firefighting equipment, and driver training for transporting ammonium nitrate. Vehicles must be equipped with operational fire-fighting gear and temperature monitoring systems. These changes aim to prevent tyre fires and mitigate risks during transportation. The updated Code provides detailed guidance for duty holders on managing such hazards.
SafeWork SA Targets Heat Stress in Retail Workplaces
SafeWork SA has launched a summer compliance campaign to address heat stress risks for retail workers. Auditing over 100 businesses, the initiative aims to educate employers on safe systems of work to mitigate risks such as dehydration, heat fatigue, and UV exposure. With a focus on outdoor retail environments, the campaign includes statutory notices, educational resources, and support to improve compliance and worker wellbeing.
QLD Updates Safety Codes for Electrical Work
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has revised four safety Codes of Practice to align with recent amendments to the State Electrical Safety Regulation 2013. These changes enhance protections for electrical workers, extending arc flash risk mitigation rules to work near energised equipment. The updated Codes include:
The updates clarify existing requirements, ensuring compliance with the new regulations, without introducing additional duties for PCBUs.
NSW Campaign on Psychological Safety in Construction
The NSW Government has launched a campaign to improve mental health in the construction sector as part of its Psychological Health and Safety Strategy 2024–2026. With $5.6 million in funding, the initiative aims to address rising psychosocial hazards such as bullying, harassment, and work pressure, which have led to nearly 900 major compensation claims since 2019.
SafeWork NSW inspectors are visiting construction sites to provide resources and ensure compliance with legal obligations to manage psychosocial risks. Employers are encouraged to consult workers, identify risks, and implement controls to create psychologically healthy workplaces.
Construction Site Safety and Void Platform Systems in VIC
WorkSafe Victoria has reminded construction industry stakeholders of their duty to ensure void platform systems are secure after an employee fell three metres when a platform collapsed. The incident highlights the risks of improperly designed or installed void platforms, a common fall prevention device.
Employers must ensure platforms are designed and installed by competent professionals, follow manufacturer guidelines, and verify structural integrity. Platforms should remain in place until permanent fall prevention systems, like stairs, are installed. Proper oversight and adherence to safety standards can significantly reduce fall-related injuries.
Other News
News
Patron Ejection Risks in Joy Whizzer Rides Safety Alert in QLD
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland issued a safety alert following a Joy Whizzer amusement ride incident where patrons were ejected due to restraint system failure. Investigations found deteriorated floor connections compromised safety, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and robust restraint systems. Amusement ride owners are urged to inspect and maintain critical components, follow manufacturer safety bulletins, and train operators to ensure all restraint systems function properly.
Mental Health Challenges for Business Leaders Under the Spotlight
The National Mental Health Commission’s latest report highlights critical mental health pressures faced by Australian executives, including loneliness, public scrutiny, and decision fatigue. High workloads and constant visibility often lead to stress and burnout. The report recommends tailored strategies such as peer support networks, measurable wellbeing initiatives, and governance frameworks to promote mentally healthy workplaces. Structural and cultural reforms are essential to support decision-makers and their teams effectively.
Lead Exposure Risks in Data Cable Work
SafeWork SA has issued a safety alert about lead exposure risks for workers handling lead-sheathed data cables, particularly in poorly ventilated environments. Activities like cutting or removing these cables can generate airborne lead dust, posing serious health risks, including kidney damage, neurological effects, and fatigue.
To mitigate risks, SafeWork SA advises automating processes where possible, maintaining proper hygiene, and using personal protective equipment. Employers must assess risks, implement controls, and provide adequate training to ensure worker safety. Regular monitoring of lead levels and decontamination protocols are essential to preventing health complications.
HSE Intensifies Asbestos Risk Inspections at Council Buildings in the UK
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a new initiative to inspect asbestos management in council-owned buildings, including offices, libraries, and leisure centres.
This effort targets compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, focusing on the “duty to manage” requirement. Asbestos remains the leading cause of work-related deaths in the UK, with over 5,000 fatalities annually.
HSE inspectors will assess how local councils identify and control asbestos risks, building on previous campaigns that targeted hospitals and schools. The initiative underscores the critical need for robust asbestos management practices in public buildings to prevent exposure and save lives.
Norad and ILO Renew Partnership to Address Africa’s Skills Gap
Norway’s Norad - Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have renewed their partnership with a ￡24.4 million investment to bolster skills development across Africa.
The program targets vulnerable groups in key sectors such as agro-processing, tourism, textiles, and ICT, aiming to enhance inclusivity and sustainable economic growth. Managed through the ILO’s newly established Skills Hub in Africa, the initiative focuses on peer learning, capacity building, and innovation in skills governance.
This collaboration, ongoing since 2016, reflects a shared commitment to reducing skills mismatches, fostering gainful employment, and empowering Africa’s growing youth population.
Upcoming Events
Stay ahead in workplace health, safety, and mental health by attending these key events:
Research Highlights
Adaptive Automation Transparency: Research Highlights Safer, User-Centric Systems
New research underscores the need for automation systems to transition from static transparency models to adaptive, human-centered designs tailored to individual users and contexts. Published in Safety Science, the study analysed 14 empirical investigations on transparency in safety-critical automated systems between 2018-2023.
The findings emphasize that while transparency enhances trust and understanding, excessive transparency can overwhelm operators, increasing cognitive load and compromising decision-making during critical events.
Key insights from the study include:
As automation evolves, particularly within Industry 5.0, maintaining adaptive and effective transparency will be essential for safety and performance. System designers are encouraged to develop interfaces that integrate predictive visualization, timing-sensitive communication, and user-driven interaction to meet diverse operational demands.
Collaborative Approaches to WHS in Construction Deliver Superior Results
Research from 澳大利亚皇家墨尔本理工大学 reveals that collaborative workplace health and safety (WHS) strategies in construction outperform punitive approaches. Overly prescriptive measures and financial penalties often lead to data manipulation and erode trust between clients and contractors. By focusing on open communication, joint problem-solving, and leading indicators, clients can foster better safety outcomes. Tailored strategies based on contractor size and capability are also essential, ensuring both large and smaller contractors benefit from effective WHS management.
Long Work Hours Linked to Psychological Distress
A recent study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine reveals a strong link between extended working hours and increased psychological distress among US workers. Employees working 61+ hours per week were 9.9% more likely to experience distress compared to those working standard hours. Even employees clocking 36-40 hours per week had a 6.6% increased risk compared to those working 30-35 hours.
Who is Most at Risk?
The findings highlight the need for businesses to monitor workloads and consider tailored interventions to protect mental health:
The study underscores the urgency for organisations to prioritise mental health through proactive policies and wellness programs, ensuring employees remain healthy and productive while mitigating the risks of psychological distress.
Human Performance Variability: A Strength, Not a Weakness
Recent research published in Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science challenges traditional views on human performance variability, positioning it as a critical asset rather than a liability. Professors Erik Hollnagel and Sidney Dekker argue that attempts to eliminate variability through rigid procedures often lead to unintended consequences, such as reduced system reliability and increased errors.
The study underscores the gap between “Work-as-Imagined” by managers and “Work-as-Done” by employees. It suggests embracing adaptability and asking meaningful questions about barriers and inefficiencies in workflows. By leveraging human variability, organisations can improve safety, system resilience, and operational outcomes.
Wrap Up
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Stay informed, stay safe!
Health Psychologist & Safety Thought Leader | Behavioural Science & Leadership Development | Digital Learning & Online Community Engagement | Psychosocial Safety & Workplace Wellbeing | Keynote Speaker & Author
1 个月Love your updates Jamie Mallinder! Please share in our Positive Safety Community for all of our members ??