SafeWork Wrap | July 2024
Welcome to the July 2024 edition of SafeWork Wrap.
In this issue:
A message from the Deputy Secretary
Hello,
Last week was NAIDOC Week, a time for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living culture on earth.
You can continue to foster inclusion in your workplace beyond NAIDOC Week by building a culturally safe workplace.
A well-developed cultural safety program increases workplace respect and helps improve mentally healthy work practices for all workers.
E-bike dangers
Recently, I met with Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell and representatives from food delivery platforms and e-bike suppliers to discuss the dangers of lithium-ion batteries.
We have seen several devastating fires in our community caused by these batteries and resulting in fatalities, serious injury and destruction of property.
The incidence of lithium-ion battery fires is rising, with 131 fires occurring so far this year. I urge all of you to visit Fire and Rescue NSW’s website to read up on the dangers of lithium-ion batteries and learn how to avoid them - at work and at home.?
Trent Curtin
Acting Deputy Secretary, SafeWork NSW
Steggles fined $160K after worker’s hand severed
Steggles Pty Ltd has been convicted and fined $160,000 after a worker’s hand was severed by a hock cutting blade on a conveyor line which lacked adequate guarding.
While performing cleaning duties near the conveyor line, a Steggles worker saw a product item that had come partially unattached from the conveyor line. While attempting to reattach the loose product, one of the worker’s fingers on his right hand got caught in a shackle on the conveyor run. The worker was unable to extract his finger and his hand was dragged by the conveyor line for approximately one metre, through a hock cutter, which severed his right hand.
Steggles failed to adequately guard the conveyor line and the hock cutter, despite prior knowledge of the safety risk. The Court acknowledged Steggles had imposed administrative controls many years before to minimise, but not eliminate, the risk.
Scaffolding company fined $150K following collapse
Topdeck Scaffolding Pty Ltd has been convicted and fined $150,000 after scaffolding collapsed at a residential apartment block and struck a neighbouring building.
Topdeck was engaged to provide and erect scaffolding at the site to enable workers to undertake window and eave replacement works. Topdeck had removed scaffolding from the southern face of the building but failed to place extra ties on the eastern elevation scaffolding.
Two days after the southern scaffolding was removed, the eastern elevation scaffold collapsed during strong winds. The tenants of the neighbouring apartment were home at the time of the collapse, but no one was injured.
Topdeck failed to use an adequate number of ties on the scaffold and erect the scaffold per the guidance material. A risk assessment was not completed and Topdeck did not take into account relevant factors such as wind and load on the scaffold.
Food delivery platforms support e-bike safety message
Following a number of devastating fires, SafeWork NSW and Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) have engaged food delivery companies and their top e-bike provider to warn riders about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries.
On 3 December last year, three food delivery riders were rushed to hospital after an e-bike exploded in their Annandale apartment building. One of the riders suffered burns to 40 per cent of his body.
On 5 January this year, firefighters battled a large blaze at a Croydon e-bike repair factory and, late last month 50 people were evacuated when a fire broke out in a Chippendale e-bike repair shop.
Firefighters have outlined the risks to food delivery platforms, explaining how damaged, compromised or over-heated e-bike lithium-ion batteries can catch fire and endanger lives.
Similarly, SafeWork NSW Inspectors have been targeting safety compliance with food delivery platforms to raise awareness and improve rider safety.
Companies, including Uber Eats and DoorDash, along with Sydney-based e-bike fleet management business, Zoomo, have readily agreed to educate delivery riders about how to safely store and charge their e-bikes.
FRNSW advises food delivery riders and the general public:
NSW leads the way on preventing sexual harassment at work
NSW?is one of the first States in Australia to adopt the Safe Work Australia Model?Code of Practice?for sexual and gender-based harassment.?The Code offers practical guidance for businesses on how to eliminate or reduce the risk of sexual and gender-based harassment in the workplace.
One in three Australian workers has?experienced workplace sexual harassment in the last five years. It happens across every industry and at all levels. It harms workers and businesses, but it is preventable.
Under NSW work health and safety (WHS) laws, businesses are required to adopt a preventive approach towards sexual and gender-based harassment, whether from colleagues or customers, and whether occurring online or offline.
The Code sets out a four-step process for identifying, assessing, controlling and reviewing risks. It also provides examples of control measures that can be implemented such as:
To help businesses prevent workplace sexual harassment, SafeWork NSW set up the Respect at Work Taskforce in 2023. They have since produced a suite of resources to guide businesses in becoming compliant with their WHS obligations. These include:
New webinar: Managing WHS risks in homes
When work is done in a home, the home is considered a workplace. Everyone involved – service providers, workers and people receiving care – have work health and safety (WHS) obligations. SafeWork NSW’s new ‘Working in people’s homes’ webinar aims to help explain these obligations and how to meet them. The webinar covers:
National Farm Safety Week: 14-20 July 2024
Farmsafe Australia’s National Farm Week runs from 14 to 20 July 2024. As it coincides with the NSW school holidays, we are urging farmers, rural and agritourism businesses to keep visitors safe.
All visitors –?especially children – must be warned of dangerous ‘no go’ areas, including high-risk hazards like silos, chemicals, workshops, animals, quad bikes/side-by side vehicles (SSVs), electrical and water hazards.
To make sure visitors are aware of specific dangers, SafeWork NSW recommends compiling a list of farm safety rules to keep them safe.
Keep visitors safe on the farm, by:
SafeWork NSW is holding free symposiums on workplace health and safety for the building and construction industry across NSW. Join us for workshops, presentations and panels on identified key harms in building and construction. These symposiums are targeted to Class 1, Class 2 and infrastructure CEOs, Managing Directors, WHS and Safety Managers, Construction Site Supervisors and Project Managers in the building and construction industry in NSW. You will hear about the latest work health and safety legislative changes and requirements, gain understanding of SafeWork’s regulatory approach, workshop best practice and connect with the NSW safety regulator and safety experts. Register for a symposium near you:
Sydney - 9am, Wednesday 21?August - CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
Newcastle - 3pm, Monday 23 September - Wallsend Diggers
Port Macquarie - 3pm, Tuesday 24?September - Panthers, Port Macquarie
Ballina - 3pm, Thursday 26?September - Ballina RSL
Merimbula - 3pm, Tuesday 15?October - Club Sapphire, Merimbula
Wollongong - 3pm, Thursday 17?October - Wollongong Golf Club
Albury - 3pm, Tuesday 22?October - Commercial Club, Albury
Dubbo - 3pm, Thursday 24?October - Club Dubbo
Be prepared for natural disasters
Everyday actions make a difference.
Together, we can prepare our community for natural disasters such as storms, fires and floods.
Download these four apps for weather warnings, hazard notifications, road impacts advice and help from emergency services.
Ask an inspector
This is our Ask an inspector section, where our inspectors respond to questions sent in by our readers.
Industrial manslaughter laws
When does the Industrial Manslaughter Bill for NSW come into effect?
The Workplace Health and Safety (Industrial Manslaughter) Bill 2024 passed Parliament on 20 June 2024. The provisions relating to industrial manslaughter will commence by proclamation. This means the provisions will commence as soon as practicable after the necessary processes are established to ensure effective implementation of the offence.
We will have more information in the SafeWork Wrap as it becomes available.
Excavator load limit
If the safe working load (SWL) of an excavator is 1200kg, is that the limit the excavator can lift? The load chart references a much higher weight when the boom is at a close distance to the machine.
With lifting freely suspended loads, most excavator suppliers in Australia identify a single rated capacity on the plant at each dedicated lifting point. This is the maximum mass that can be lifted at the maximum reach/radius in the most adverse configuration.
Platform ladders
Does the use of platform ladders comply with WHS Regulation 78 Management of risk of falls?For example, platform ladders with a platform height ranging from two to three metres used on a construction site. The platform has a rail at its front face, however, there is no complete barrier around its perimeter or opening to prevent a person from falls.?While a platform ladder could be safer than a similar height step ladder, the risk of fall remains the same.
Clause 78 requires risk of falls be managed in accordance with both Clause 79 and Part 3.1 of the Regulation. To summarise these very simply, the Regulation does not prevent use of ladders however they sit near the bottom of the hierarchy of controls and can only be used where higher order controls (e.g.?scaffolding) are not reasonably practicable.
Working at heights training
Is working at heights (WAH) training required for workers using a ladder above two metres high? Does this also apply to platform ladders and scaffolds?Do non-scaffold workers need WAH training?
There is no requirement to undertake a specific training course when working at heights. There is, however, a primary duty of care under section 19 of the WHS Act, for a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, the provision of any information, training, instruction or supervision that is necessary to protect workers from health and safety risks when at work.
Ask your question
Thank you to everyone who has submitted a question for our inspectors in?SafeWork Wrap.
Events, webinars and more
You can find huge library of training resources, as well as details of upcoming courses, on the SafeWork NSW website.
See our:
Recent incidents
Read our updates on serious workplace incidents in various industries, including:
You can use this information to review your risk management and safe work systems and help prevent similar occurrences.?? ?
Know your notification obligations
You must notify us immediately in the event of a serious injury, illness, dangerous incident or death. Call SafeWork on 13 10 50. You must also notify us of any adverse health monitoring or of your intention to undertake hazardous work. Learn more about your notification obligations.
Other NSW Government news
Find out about the latest NSW Government initiatives and share with your family, friends and colleagues.
Performance and Wellbeing Framework
Help us set priorities for government reform. Tell us what matters most to you and your family by 5pm Wednesday 31 July 2024.
Women and children’s safety at regional train stations
Share your thoughts on safety at regional train stations.?Have your say by 11:59pm Wednesday 31 July 2024.
Visit the NSW Government’s Have Your Say website to share your opinions on new projects, services and government policy.
Expert Witness, Incident Investigation, Skills Auditing, Safety Management
7 个月Thanks for the "wrap". Reading through the incident that resulted in an eleven meter fall (EWP) I remain unclear at this time of the work processes being undertaken from the EWP i.e. trees, rock pull down, top edge batter and or mesh instillation. Learning’s should include "Ensure" you identify all over head hazards during the initial site specific assessment and encourage hazard reviews during work. Eliminating such hazards prior to exposure appears essential in this case. The factors that contributed to the tree falling may also become learning’s for future site specific hazard assessments.