Safety dot-point Sunday No.4

Not an article, rather some dot-points on info that caught my eye (relevant to my work) from the various Work Health and Safety Regulator media outlets within Australia.

WorkSafe VIC?-

Worker struck by a forklift?- a forklift was being used to load a semi-trailer?when a worker on the ground stepped out from behind a safety barrier to visually check the truck's load. The forklift operator could not see the worker due to the load they were carrying and collided with the worker, who suffered serious injuries requiring hospital treatment. One of the investigation findings included an inadequate system of work to prevent collisions when pedestrians accessed the loading dock or a documented traffic management plan in place for the segregation of forklifts and pedestrians.

This highlights the importance of physical separation as a control.?LINK

SafeWork SA?-

Surge in?safety breaches associated with machine guarding, with a number of them relating to?incidents where interlocking guarding has been overridden.?LINK

• Machine guarding is essential to protect workers from hazards such as moving parts, flying debris, and ejected materials.
• Machine interlocks prevent the machine from operating when the guard is not in place or when safety doors are open.
• Regulation 208 (3) of the Work Health & Safety Regulations (2012) (external site) states the person with management or control of the plant must ensure that the guarding is solidly constructed, securely mounted, well maintained and not easily bypassed.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland -

A five-step process to help organisations comply with their health and safety duties in relation to work-related psychosocial hazards and preventing psychological harm.?LINK

Australia’s only validated, and evidence based psychosocial?risk assessment survey tool with benchmarking that measures psychosocial hazards and factors.

WorkSafe WA -

Are seeking feedback for the draft code of practice - Psychosocial hazards at work for fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers in the resources and construction sector. Submissions close 5.00 pm 24 October 2024?LINK