National Standards Update
20-07-2009
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NRAA memberupdate July 2009.pdf Return to top
Failing to act on three safety improvement notices has cost a Rochester metal fabrication company three convictions and $11,000 in fines and court costs.
Phil Fehring Engineering Pty Ltd failed to comply with three Improvement Notices requiring the retrofitting of operator restraints in its forklifts.
Magistrate David Cottrill said if the company took appropriate advice and acted quickly, a lengthy legal process could have been avoided and that the firm had put its head in the sand. The notices were issued in 2006.
A County Court judge has convicted and fined a Laverton North cold storage company $175,000 after a worker died after being struck and killed by a forklift.
A.B. Oxford Pty Cold Storage Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to workplace health and safety charges before Judge Michael Bourke.
WorkSafe’s investigation of the incident found the company did not have any adequate traffic management system in place when 38-year-old, Steven Peluso of Elwood was hit by a forklift and died on 13 April 2005.
He said the forklift driver bore no responsibility for the fatality and that the company’s managers should have known and identified risks which had existed, on and off, for some time.
...more>>>
(See attached file: 051208 pre-xmas forklift warning .doc)
A worker was injured when he was crushed by a backhoe loader against a handrail and steel structure.
Read more
Man trapped under crane
A crane operator suffered a broken leg after being pinned in the operator's cabin when his 150 tonne crane tipped while attempting to shift a series of 42-tonne wind farm turbines. WorkCover is investigating.
Read the media report
View the photos of the rescue
Safety Alerts
e-Newsletter
New high risk work regulations come into effect
The Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Amendment Regulations 2008 (No. 1), which commences on 9 October 2008, updates Part 2 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Regulations 1994 to implement the National Standard for Licensing Persons Performing High Risk Work by:
updating terminology to refer to licensing instead of certification
updating the occupations referred to as ‘high risk work’
recognising State and Territory licences issued to perform high risk work
imposing a specific duty on employers not to permit a person to undertake high risk work in the absence of appropriate licences
imposing a duty on employers to provide an employee or contractor with training, instruction and information on the equipment operation, hazards, risks and control measures
imposing specific duties on employers with regard to the employees undertaking high risk work while undergoing training
enabling Comcare to make a recommendation to a State or Territory authority for the cancellation of a licence to perform high risk work
The regulations also clarify that certain State and Territory occupational health and safety laws relating to licensing high risk work are preserved to ensure that State and Territory licences and certificates to perform high risk work are recognised under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 and Regulations.
For further information contact Astrid Jeffress on 1300 366 979 or by email: OHS.policy@comcare.gov.au
Or
Occupational Health and Safety pages.
The Regulations may be accessed via the Comlaw website.
Page last updated:October 13, 2008Contact Comcare
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WorkSafe regret to report the death of a crane truck operator at a Melbourne construction site.
The man, aged in his 50's, was unloading rolled steel from another truck, when the crane truck tipped over and crushed him between the two trucks.
WorkSafe is investigating.
View the media report (1)
Return to topSA Forklift accident
10-10-2008
Courtesy Forklift Action
Fine for forklift injury
REGENCY PARK, South Australia, Australia
A company was fined AUD32,000 last week over an incident in which a worker’s foot was crushed by a forklift.
Pure Logistics Cold Chain Pty Ltd (PLCC), formerly known as Scotts Refrigerated Freightways Pty Ltd, was found guilty and convicted in an ex parte hearing.
The incident occurred in January 2006 at PLCC’s coldroom warehouse at Regency Park, South Australia
The victim, a 35-year-old male driver, was waiting to collect paperwork for his delivery at a bench inside the warehouse, when he was struck from behind by a reversing forklift and knocked to the ground.
His left foot was severely crushed, requiring extensive surgery including the insertion of plates and screws. He now has a painful permanent disability in his foot and had to leave his job due to his injuries. The victim told the court he was unemployed and felt “very much disabled and discarded”.
Upon investigating, SafeWork SA found numerous safety failures by the employer:
• Not all forklifts had working audible warning devices and flashing lights (including the one involved).
• No speed limit applied to forklift drivers.
• There were no physical barriers to protect people from contact with forklifts.
• The system of traffic control to separate people from forklifts was inadequate.
• There were no designated walkways, and floor markings were faded.
• There was no evidence of hazard identification, risk assessment or risk control measures for the tasks performed.
SafeWork SA says contact with moving objects is a common source of harm in the workplace, and forklifts rank alongside tractors as some of the most dangerous pieces of machinery in Australian workplaces.
WorkSafe has warned about the dangers of crushing injuries after two deaths and a serious injury in less than a week.
• A man died at a Powelltown sawmill on 2 October when a 4 metre high stack of timber fell as the man prepared to position another stack with a forklift.
• On 8 October a man died at Northcote when a truck tipped sideways trapping him as he used a truck-mounted crane to move a 4.3 tonne load from another truck. He was standing between the two vehicles which were parked side by side.
• A man suffered serious internal injuries when slabs of stone being unloaded from a shipping container fell at Epping also on 8 October.
WorkSafe’s Executive Director John Merritt said while the three incidents were in different circumstances the warning to all workplaces and workers was that safe systems of work must be in place at all times.
“Six people have died at work as a result of crushing injuries this year. The potential for racking, vehicles or stacked goods to move must be considered in any workplace and steps taken to ensure the risk is minimised as far at practicable.
“Loads that have shifted in transit; storage racks not suited to the materials they’re holding or which aren’t attached to walls, vehicles not properly supported or chocked and poor stacking practices can produce consequences that can be instant and permanent.
“It may be a fatality or lead to someone being crippled, losing an arm or leg or with a permanent head injury.
“In the cases of so-called ‘near misses’ people should use it as a serious warning not just say ‘That was close.’”
“It is not good enough to say ‘we’ve always done it this way and never had any problems’, what you must do is understand the potential and do something about it,” Mr Merritt said.
Media inquiries: Michael Birt 9641 1216
Return to topVIC- Cranes & Workboxes
04-10-2008
Revised Safety Alert - Using workboxes to lift personnel - Braking and operational requirements for cranes
After representation from Favelle Favco WorkSafe Victoria has modified its Alert "Using Workboxes to lift personnel - Braking and operational requirements for cranes". The previous Alert did not reflect the manner in which some tower cranes meet the requirements of AS 2550.1 in regard to the braking requirements for cranes supporting personnel.
Employers and tower crane owners should seek confirmation from the crane manufacturer or their agent, that their particular crane meets these requirements prior to suspending personnel from the crane.
The Work Safety Act 2008 was passed into law on 28 August 2008. The new Act will replace the existing Occupational Health and Safety Act 1989 when it comes into effect on 1 July 2009. The existing Act, Regulations and Codes of Practice continue to apply until that date.
A 26-year-old was killed when the forklift he was driving rolled down a slope and crushed him to death.
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A 26-year-old Eilat resident was killed Thursday morning when the forklift he was driving rolled down a slope and crushed him to death.
A forklift driver unloads a truck (illustrative).
Photo: Courtesy
Slideshow: Pictures of the week Police, along with investigators from the Ministry of Industry, Trade Labor were called to the scene to investigate the incident, as well as to determine whether it constituted a work accident or a road accident.
An initial investigation found that the man, a forklift driver working for a construction company, was sent to unload cargo from a truck located in Eilat's industrial zone, near a storage facility. The driver stopped the forklift on a slope and approached the truck in order to unload it.
Whilst he was untying packages from the back of the truck, the forklift, for reasons as yet unclear, began to roll down the slope, crashing into the truck and crushing the man to death.
A police spokesman in Eilat, chief superintendent Eitan Gadsi, said that the investigation was looking into the question of "whether the driver put on the brakes after stopping the forklift, or if a mechanical fault caused [the accident]."
According the the spokesman, "Only after the Ministry of Labor rules as to whether this was a work accident or a road accident will we be able to continue with the investigation."
An industrial magistrate has fined a company $32,000 over an incident in which a worker had his foot crushed by a forklift.
For further information contact Peter Adams, Chief Media Adviser,
SafeWork SA Ph: (08) 8204 9430 or 0434 603 861 www.safework.sa.gov.au
Page 1 of 2
Media Release - SafeWork SA
Friday 26 September 2008
$32k FINE AFTER WORKER STRUCK BY FORKLIFT
An industrial magistrate has fined a company $32,000 today over an incident in which a worker had his foot crushed by a forklift.
Pure Logistics Cold Chain Pty Ltd (PLCC) went to trial to contest one charge of breaching section 19(1) of the Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Act 1986 in failing to provide a safe system of work, and keep plant in a safe manner. However, the defendant failed to appear at the trial in August, but was found guilty and convicted in an ex parte hearing.
The incident occurred in January 2006 at PLCC’s coldroom warehouse at Regency Park, a workplace described by a witness as being “high velocity”.
The victim, a 35 year old male driver was waiting to collect paperwork for his delivery at a bench inside the warehouse, when he was struck from behind by a reversing forklift and knocked to the ground.
His left foot was severely crushed, requiring extensive surgery including the insertion of plates and screws. He now has a painful permanent disability in his foot and had to leave his job due to his injuries. The victim told the court he was unemployed and felt “very much disabled and discarded”.
Upon investigating, SafeWork SA found numerous safety failures by the employer:
•
Not all forklifts had working audible warning devices and flashing lights (including the one involved).
•
No speed limit applied to forklift drivers.
•
There were no physical barriers to protect people from contact with forklifts.
•
The system of traffic control to separate people from forklifts was inadequate.
•
There were no designated walkways, and floor markings were faded.
•
There was no evidence of hazard identification, risk assessment or risk control measures for the tasks performed.
Industrial Magistrate Stephen Lieschke described the offence as “very serious… comprising multiple failures…”
“The circumstances… could well have resulted in a more serious injury if for
example his torso or head was involved in being struck or crushed.”
SafeWork SA says contact with moving objects is a common source of harm in the workplace, and forklifts rank alongside tractors as some of the most dangerous pieces of machinery in Australian workplaces.
[more]
For further information contact Peter Adams, Chief Media Adviser,
SafeWork SA Ph: (08) 8204 9430 or 0434 603 861 www.safework.sa.gov.au
Page 2 of 2
“It is frustrating to us as workplace safety regulators to have to deal with such haphazard and potentially deadly work practices,” says Acting Executive Director, Peter Hampton.
“The law places a clear onus of duty on the employer to ensure safe systems of work and to keep plant and equipment in a safe condition.
“A relatively young man is now paying a heavy personal price for the many failures in this workplace,” Mr. Hampton said.
(NOTE: The company was formerly known as Scotts Refrigerated Freightways Pty Ltd, changing its name about a year after the incident occurred. Receivers were appointed in June this year. Solicitors for the receivers indicated that the company was sold in July to a separate legal entity, coincidentally also named Scotts Refrigerated Freightways Pty Ltd.)
For answers and advice on workplace health and safety and the relevant laws, call SafeWork SA’s telephone Help Centre on 1 300 365 255. To report serious accidents or incidents, in the workplace call 1 800 777 209 Return to topQ'land Licence Expiry
30-09-2008
The following is an extract from the Queensland Government circular for further information visit www.deir.qld.gov.au or call 1300369915.
Holders of "old style" paper based licenses (1950/March'92) are to notify Workplace Health & Safety Queensland (WHSQ) if they wish to continue holding a licence. They are given till 30/06/08 to do so, if they don't they are no longer permitted to carry out licensed occupation.
WHSQ will have 2 categories National High Risk Work classes and Non-national licence classes
Non -nationals will be issued non renewable, non photo plastic licences. Conversion from paper to plastic will be free. Allow 6 weeks for process to be completed after application.
High Risk Licence holders will be sent a notice 6 weeks before their birthday warning of renewal coming up (So keep your WHSQ up to date with your home address)renewal will be for 5 year periods there after.
Old Paper Licenses issued since 1992 will be converted in a fashion similar to above IF they fall into the High Risk Work category. Conversion date will be from the date of the last class added to that licence.
All licenses issued prior to 31/12/95.....Within 08 to 09 period aligned to birthday
Issued 1/1/96 to 31/12/98......Within 09/10 period aligned birthday
issued 1/1/99 to 31/12/01....Within 10/11 period aligned birthday
Issued 1/1/02 to 31/12/04....Within 11/12 period aligned birthday
Issued 1/1/05 to 08/09 approx...Within 12/13 aligned birthday
Advertising through Newspapers and Industry Journals will show the process. NRAA stress that whilst generalities for Queensland have been here reproduced WHSQ should be contacted to clarify particular circumstances, alternatively our members may be of assistance. Return to topVictorian expiry dates Licenses
25-08-2008
Licence to Perform High Risk Work (direct from Vic Worksafe on 6th March 2008), if you can't follow the dates go direct to Vic Worksafe web site below :-
http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/resources/file/
ebc05a08aaad42d/Certificate_expiry_date_schedule.pdf
‘Old Style’ Certificates (issued pre-1995)
Date of Issue Date Certificate Expires
Pre 31 July 1978 31 January 2008
1 August 1978 - 30 April 1981 28 February 2008
1 May 1981 - 31 October 1982 31 March 2008
1 November 1982 - 31 May 1984 30 April 2008
1 June 1984 - 31 October 1985 31 May 2008
1 November 1985 - 30 November 1986 30 June 2008
1 December 1986 - 31 December 1987 31 July 2008
1 January 1988 - 31 May 1989 31 August 2008
1 June 1989 - 30 November 1989 30 September 2008
1 December 1989 - 30 June 1990 31 October 2008
1 July 1990 - 30 November 1990 30 November 2008
1 December 1990 - 30 June 1991 31 December 2008
1 July 1991 - 31 January 1992 31 January 2009
1 February 1992 - 31 August 1992 28 February 2009
1 September 1992 - 28 February 1993 31 March 2009
1 March 1993 - 31 July 1993 30 April 2009
1 August 1993 - 31 December 1993 31 May 2009
1 January 1994 - 30 June 1994 30 June 2009
1 July 1994 - 31 October 1994 31 July 2009
1 November 1994 - 31 March 1995 31 August 2009
1 April 1995 - 30 November 1999 30 September 2009
Pre 1 August 1995 31 January 2008
1 August 1995 - 31 August 1995 28 February 2008
1 September 1995 - 30 September 1995 31 March 2008
1 October 1995 - 31 October 1995 30 April 2008
1 November 1995 - 30 November 1995 31 May 2008
1 December 1995 - 31 December 1995 30 June 2008
1 January 1996 - 30 April 1996 31 July 2008
1 May 1996 - 31 July 1996 31 August 2008
1 August 1996 - 30 September 1996 30 September 2008
1 October 1996 - 31 December 1996 31 October 2008
1 January 1997 - 30 April 1997 30 November 2008
1 May 1997 - 31 July 1997 31 December 2008
Certificate of Competency Date of Issue Date Certificate Expires
1 August 1997 - 31 October 1997 31 January 2009
1 November 1997 - 31 January 1998 28 February 2009
1 February 1998 - 30 April 1998 31 March 2009
1 May 1998 - 31 July 1998 30 April 2009
1 August 1998 - 31 October 1998 31 May 2009
1 November 1998 - 31 December 1998 30 June 2009
1 January 1999 - 30 April 1999 31 July 2009
1 May 1999 - 31 July 1999 31 August 2009
1 August 1999 - 30 September 1999 30 September 2009
1 October 1999 - 31 December 1999 31 October 2009
1 January 2000 - 30 April 2000 30 November 2009
1 May 2000 - 31 July 2000 31 December 2009
1 August 2000 - 31 October 2000 31 January 2010
1 November 2000 - 31 January 2001 28 February 2010
1 February 2001 - 30 April 2001 31 March 2010
1 May 2001 - 31 July 2001 30 April 2010
1 August 2001 - 30 September 2001 31 May 2010
1 October 2001 - 31 December 2001 30 June 2010
1 January 2002 - 30 April 2002 31 July 2010
1 May 2002 - 31 July 2002 31 August 2010
1 August 2002 - 31 October 2002 30 September 2010
1 November 2002 - 28 February 2003 31 October 2010
1 March 2003 - 31 May 2003 30 November 2010
1 June 2003 - 31 August 2003 31 December 2010
1 September 2003 - 30 November 2003 31 January 2011
1 December 2003 - 29 February 2004 28 February 2011
1 March 2004 - 31 May 2004 31 March 2011
1 June 2004 - 31 July 2004 30 April 2011
1 August 2004 - 31 October 2004 31 May 2011
1 November 2004 - 31 December 2004 30 June 2011
1 January 2005 - 31 March 2005 31 July 2011
1 April 2005 - 30 June 2005 31 August 2011
1 July 2005 - 30 September 2005 30 September 2011
1 October 2005 - 31 December 2005 31 October 2011
1 January 2006 - 31 March 2006 30 November 2011
1 April 2006 - 30 June 2006 31 December 2011
1 July 2006 - 31 August 2006 31 January 2012
1 September 2006 - 31 October 2006 28 February 2012
1 November 2006 - 31 December 2006 31 March 2012
1 January 2007 - 28 February 2007 30 April 2012
1 March 2007 - 30 April 2007 31 May 2012
1 May 2007 - 30 June 2007 30 June 2012 Return to topTASMANIAN LICENCE EXPIRY DATES
25-08-2008
Transitional or phased in arrangements for cetificates of competency pre 31st october 2007:-
Tasmanian issue old style expire midnight 30th June 2008
National Certs issued before 31/12/1995 expire midnight 30/07/08
National certs issued between 1/01/1996 and 31/12/1998 expire 30/6/09
National certs issued between 1/01/1999 & 31/12/01 expire midnoght 30/06/10
National certs issued between 1/1/02 and 31/12/04 expire 30/06/11
National certs issued between 1/1/05 and 31/10/07 expire 30/06/12
To find how to apply to transfer your cert of competency to a National
high risk work licence go to www.wst.tas.gov.gov/licensing
Two workers were injured in an industrial accident yesterday when their forklift truck overturned on a hillside.
The 43-year-old driver suffered serious injuries and was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital by ambulance, where he underwent surgery. His condition was last night described as "stable".
The other worker, a 32-year-old from Southampton, was also treated at the hospital but later discharged.
Police say initial reports suggest the forklift collided with a fence in Industrial Park Road, Southampton, at around 9 a.m.
A Bermuda Police Service spokesman said: "It appears that two men were on a forklift which was travelling down a steep hill when it collided with fencing along the side of the hill and overturned. Inquiries into this incident are underway." Return to topUK Forklift accident
25-08-2008
Tyre company fined over forklift truck accident - 13-08-2008
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning employers to ensure adequate protection measures are in place for forklift operations, after a worker in Wolverhampton suffered a fractured rib from a falling pallet.
Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK Ltd, of Wingford Way, Birmingham, pleaded guilty on Tuesday 5th August 2008, to failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of employees under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court imposed a fine of £13,500 with costs of £2,888.04. The court also ordered the company to pay compensation of £4,000 to the injured worker. HSE prosecuted the company following an investigation.
On 15 June 2007 a casing operator was inspecting tyre casings when a forklift truck loaded with a four-high stack of heavy steel stillages (pallets) passed by. The stillages were not secured to each other or to the truck, and toppled onto the worker, causing two fractures to one of his ribs.
HSE inspector Amarjit Kalay said:
"It is important that individuals and employers remember their duties under the law to take reasonable care of the health and safety of others, who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.
"The injuries inflicted could have been significantly worse, or even fatal. Operators of lift trucks must ensure that they operate them in accordance with training and employers must ensure that they are used safely."
Illawarra Mercury News Skip directly to: Search Box, Section
Man dies in Port Kembla industrial accident
Man dies in Port Kembla industrial accident
BY ANGELA THOMPSON
9/07/2008 9:49:00 PM
A Figtree father has died after being pinned for 20 minutes beneath a three-tonne concrete slab at Port Kembla yesterday.
Robert McTackett, 53, was crushed under an L-shaped concrete container at the Brick & Block manufacturing plant on Foreshore Rd.
The concrete block fell from a fork-lift as it was reversing across an area near the plant entrance about 11am yesterday.
Mr McTackett had been using a shovel to clear material from the base of the concrete block and was standing directly in its path when it fell.
"(The driver) was in the process of lifting it and moving it and when reversing it appears it's toppled off and crushed him," said ambulance district officer Norman Rees.
"It trapped him from the shoulders down."
Mr McTackett was pinned against a retaining wall under the slab for 20 minutes before he was freed by police and ambulance rescue workers.
Ambulance rescue helicopter Rescue 26 was flying overhead en route to Sydney when the accident occurred and was able to land on a wharf near the site not long after Mr McTackett became trapped.
"(Helicopter) paramedics and a doctor were there within minutes and then assisted the road crew paramedics with treatment," Mr Rees. "He had the best possible care, even though the outcome wasn't what we wanted."
Police and ambulance rescue workers stabilised the cement block using air bags and blocks before taking the weight off Mr McTackett, who was unconscious.
He was taken by ambulance to Wollongong Hospital in a critical condition and later died from his injuries. Mr Rees said the fork-lift driver had refused medical treatment.
Brick & Block manufactures building blocks from steel industry waste for use in commercial and residential buildings and has been operating from Port Kembla since 2005.
WorkCover NSW sent investigators to the site yesterday afternoon and promised a full and thorough investigation into the fatality. Brick & Block declined to comment.
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Comments
A sad day for every worker in our region again, just weeks after we lost another hard working bloke just trying to earn an honest living. Always remember every accident is preventable. A sad sad day for the workers and their families of our region again.
Posted by gilbo on 9/07/2008 10:31:22 PM
What a very sad day for the family and it must be hard too for the person driving the machine when the accident happened. Our sympathy and prayers for both families.
Posted by nurse on 10/07/2008 4:21:31 PM
I was just finishing nightshift when as usual I knocked on Rob's door and said see ya later mate as is my normal routine when I leave. It was about 6.05 am. Little did I know that it would be the last time I would see Rob alive. A sad day for everyone at work. An even sadder day for his family. Phone calls were coming and going all day between all the workers and most were in tears including myself. You will be missed Rob and you will be remembered. Rest In Peace mate.
Posted by dxc001 on 10/07/2008 6:07:02 PM
Although I've not seen Rob for a few years, I've known him for many years. He was, simply, a wonderful husband, Father, and friend. His wife and sons must obviously be devastated, and his friends are too, from Wollongong to Rocky, he was well known and loved. A truly sad day, because he always thought of others first. John 11:25
Posted by dsi on 10/07/2008 11:00:20 PM
Robert Mctackett is my uncle. How can "ACCIDENTS" like this occur with work health and safety standards being so strict, too many workers have been killed/injured over the past few months. Something NEEDS to be done to stop these horrific accidents from occurring.
Posted by chris on 11/07/2008 9:33:39 PM
1
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Police investigate the scene of the Port Kembla accident. Pictures: ORLANDO CHIODO
Police investigate the scene of the Port Kembla accident. Pictures: ORLANDO CHIODO
The worker was crushed under a three-tonne concrete slab.
The worker was crushed under a three-tonne concrete slab.
Most Popular
News
Crane company fined for fatal 50m fall
the crane’s jib had not been fitted with a static line, the man was not wearing a harness, and there was no adequate emergency system for retrieving someone if they fell.AUSTRALIAN Canopy Crane has been fined $20,000 for a fatal 2006 fall at its Cape Tribulation Research Facility in north Queensland.
The company is run by James Cook University, Griffith University and the University of Queensland. It pleaded guilty to breaching section 28(1) of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995, for failing to ensure the health and safety of others was not affected by the way it conducted its business or undertaking.
The January 2006 incident involved a worker performing maintenance work alone. He was on the jib of a tower crane when he fell 50m to the ground.
The Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) investigated. It found the crane’s jib had not been fitted with a static line, the man was not wearing a harness, and there was no adequate emergency system for retrieving someone if they fell.
After the incident, the company took action to comply with the Australian standards for tower cranes, and reviewed their health and safety management procedures for ongoing crane maintenance.
According to the industrial magistrate who handed down the sentence, this was the company’s first offence, but the hazard had been identified prior to the incident, but action had not been taken.
Crane Industry Council of Australia is holding the 2008 National Conference & Exhibition at the Sofitel 25 Collins Street, Melbourne on the 3 -5 September 2008.
Enquiries can be made to the Conference Event Manager, Kristina Radford of Veritas on (02) 8908 5600 or email cica@veritas.com.au
WorkSafe has warned that obstructing inspectors, verbal or physical assaults will not be tolerated and that preventing them from doing their job will be followed by investigation or possible prosecution.
Four inspectors were allegedly obstructed in three separate incidents on Thursday and Friday. Police were called to one matter at a Pascoe Vale South building site.
WorkSafe inspectors have the right to enter workplaces at any time to ensure safety standards are maintained, WorkSafe’s Executive Director John Merritt said.
“We will not tolerate any effort to prevent our inspectors from doing their job.
“For obstruction, the courts can fine individuals up to $6,450 for obstructing inspectors while companies can be fined $33,000.
“For assault, intimidation or threatening an inspector, a two year prison term is possible along with fines of nearly $129,000 for companies or nearly $26,000 for individuals.
“We know most Victorians support the role of WorkSafe and our objective to ensure all Victorians get home safely at the end of the day. That right includes members of our team.
“They understand that inspectors have a job to do; they are enforcing the law and we view seriously any attempt to interfere with it in any way.
Lobster firm fined $60,000 over death
Article from: PerthNow
Nicole Cox
May 23, 2008 10:00am
A GERALDTON lobster processing company has been fined $60,000 for failing to provide a hazard-free workplace after an employee died in a fall in 2005.
Geraldton Fisherman’s Co-operative Ltd was fined in the Geraldton Magistrates Court today after pleading guilty to failing to provide a safe working environment and causing the death of an employee.
In December 2005, an employee truck driver was helping load a truck with pallets of live lobsters at Geraldton Fisherman’s Wharf.
The driver asked another employee to lift him to the back of the truck on the forklift tines - a common practice at the workplace at the time - so he could place the pallet trolley on the truck and it be used again when the load reached its destination.
The driver stood on the forklift tines with the pallet trolley, and the other employee drove the forklift to the truck, lifted the tines until they were about 5cm over the edge of the truck and lowered the tines onto the back of the truck.
But in moving the pallet trolley, the truck driver fell from the tines of the forklift, striking his head on the bitumen. He died in hospital 10 days later.
Today, WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said the case demonstrated why riding on the tines of forklifts was prohibited.
``The forklifts used by Geraldton Fisherman’s Co-operative each had a sticker at eye level indicating that people were not to be lifted on the tines,'' Ms Lyhne said.
``Despite this, it was common practice at this workplace for people to be lifted to the backs of trucks on pallets on forklift tines,'' she said.
``It was up to the employer to provide appropriate training and supervision and have safe work practices in place to ensure that the instructions provided by the forklift manufacturer were followed and that warning stickers were heeded.
``Since this incident, the employer has made several changes to make the workplace safer – including prohibiting the lifting of people on forklift tines - but all too late for the unfortunate worker who lost his life.'' Subscribe to our Email Newsletter
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Latest Comments:
If the forklift opperator HAD a ticket to drive the forklift then he/she should have known this practice was IS not allowed. If the forklift opperator DID NOT have a ticket to drive a forklift he/she should not have been driving the forklift in the first place. Either way the blame would have been proportioned between the driver for allowing the man to ride on the tyne, the man for actually doing the unsafe act and the company for allowing this practice to go on. If the company was entirely to blame then the fine would have been a whole lot more than $60,000.00. The news report has not said anything about the other parties envolved because these would be separate issues. The driver envolved could also be fined hundreds of thousands of dollars for his part also. Yes it was a tragety but ignorance is no defence. Next time any of you go to do any task, before you start, have good think about what you are going to do and what consequences their could be if something goes wrong....... If you see an "unsafe act" happening you have the "duty of care" to tell that person so. If you don't "you" can be held partialy to blame and prosicuted if something happens. If you get told to mind your own business then you have done your "duty of care" and you cant be prosicuted. That's the way of the world now people so get used to it....
Posted by: Fairs fair of Midwest WA 10:40am May 25, 2008
Mostly the worker is at fault in work accidents, invariably because they have chosen(as is the case here) to break a safety regulation.
Posted by: Robert Smissen of Rural SA 1:43pm May 24, 2008
The forklift operator is at fault for allowing someone to ride on the tines. All of this is explained when you do the test for a forklift operators ticket.....thats if he had one.
Posted by: peter of the vines 7:49pm May 23, 2008
I think the issue here Tony is that Nina Lyhne does not have enough workplace inspectors to cover this vast state and its many workplaces. This practice of riding on forklift tynes as well as other unsafe practices still happens at some companies and will continue until they're caught out like this one was. Its also unfortunate that Worksafe's only visit to some workplace's is because of incidents such as this.
Posted by: Eddy The Eagle of Perth 1:49pm May 23, 2008
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Edition 55, April 2008 Print Page
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Reminder on licences for high risk work in Western Australia
WorkSafe in Western Australia are reminding workers that a licence is required to perform high risk work.
The National Standard for Licensing Persons Performing High Risk Work replaced National Certificates of Competency last year. The new licensing applies to anyone involved in high risk work, including dogging, rigging and scaffolding work, and operators of forklifts, cranes and pressure vessels.
Everyone performing high risk work will require a licence by 30 June 2012. The date by which individuals need to have the licence however depends upon when their Certificates of Competency were issued.
Workers holding a WA Certificate of Competency or OHS Certification Australia Card issued before 31 December 1995 will need to convert to the new licences before 30 September 2008.
People involved in high risk work are being urged to check the issue date of their Certificates of Competency and replace them with the new licences as soon as possible.
Further information on licences for high risk work can be found at www.worksafe.wa.gov.au (Select 'Services' > 'Obtain a licence or register plant' > 'High risk work licence'.)
National Standard for Licensing Persons Performing High Risk Work can be obtained from the Australian Safety and Compensation Council at www.ascc.gov.au (Select 'Health and safety topics' > 'OHS standards, codes of practice and related guidance' > 'Index of National Standards, Codes of Practice and related guidance material'.)
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Return to topSAFETY IN ACTION & MATERIALS HANDLING
13-04-2008
Don't forget the Safety in Action and Materials Handling Show in Melbourne from 29th April(10 to 5pm) to 1st May (9 to 4pm) inclusive at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre Southbank.
Come and say Hi to the NRAA sharing a stand with Easy Guides Return to topVic High Risk Licenses
21-03-2008
New Victorian licensing system to improve safety. Sign up now!
People who operate forklifts, cranes and a wide range of other high-risk equipment as well as those working in a number of occupations under ‘Certificates of competency’ or ‘tickets’ need to switch to the new 'Licence to Perform High Risk Work’.
All certificates of competency expire between 31 January 2008 and 30 June 2012, depending on when they were first issued. Certificates issued before July 1978 and 30 June 1990 expire during 2008.
The new licence is being introduced to align Victoria with national safety standards. It includes a photograph to reduce fraudulent activity and improve interstate recognition of current skills. They need to be renewed every five years.
“Registering online to make the change is quick and easy,” said WorkSafe’s Executive Director John Merritt.
...more>>>
(See attached file: 180308 licencing changes affect many.doc)
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Michael Birt
Media Advisor
Communications and Marketing Michael_Birt@workcover.vic.gov.au
Tel/ 9641 1216
Fax/ 9641 1711
Mob/ 0411 256 605 Head Office, 222 Exhibition Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
www.worksafe.vic.gov.au
New penalty options for workplace safety breaches have been applied with a Victorian company agreeing to place a newspaper advertisement about what it did wrong. Enforceable undertakings were made possible under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 as an alternative to prosecution in some cases. They are legally enforceable and require a person or organisation to carry out specific activities to improve health and safety for employees and deliver benefits to industry and the broader community. This undertaking is the fourth in Victoria.
A forklift operated by the company was seen by a WorkSafe Inspector working in a public car park with inadequate control measures (signs and witches hats) in place to ensure pedestrians were not hit by the forklift. The inspector issued an improvement notice which was lifted several weeks later when an improved traffic management system was established. However, when two inspectors were at the car park several months later, they saw a forklift operating in and around pedestrians with no controls to prevent a collision with members of the public.
For more information about safe forklift operation or enforceable undertakings visit www.worksafe.vic.gov.au or call WorkSafe’s advisory service on 1800 136 089.
Forklift fatality costs company $200,000 fine and conviction
A Victorian company has been convicted and fined $200,000 for Workplace safety failings which resulted in the death of a forklift driver. The man died when his machine tipped onto its side over after striking a roof support pole. He was not wearing a seatbelt and was crushed by the machine.
[Note: Earthmoving has not been included in the new National system although this may be reviewed in the future.] Return to topNT more Inspectors for licensing
18-03-2008
Extra licensing inspectors for the Northern Territory
The Northern Territory Government has announced the appointment of twelve new licensing inspectors within Racing, Gaming and Licensing, with two of the inspectors to be located in Katherine and another in Tennant Creek ...read more online
Extract from Licensing Line News Return to topFORKLIFT DEATH
14-03-2008
Forklift fatality costs company $200,000 fine and conviction
Workplace safety failings which resulted in the death of a forklift driver have resulted in a northern-Victorian company being convicted and fined $200,000.
County Court Judge Lance Pilgrim sentenced SDS Beverages Food and Wine Pty Ltd of Irymple this morning.
The company pleaded guilty to one charge laid under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
A 44-year–old forklift driver died on 8 November 2005 when his machine tipped onto its side over after striking a roof support pole. He was not wearing a seatbelt and was crushed by the machine.
WorkSafe’s investigation found the roof support poles had been struck a number of times by forklifts and that workers had backed into poles because of inadequate space.
(See attached file: 140308 forklift fine $200,000.doc) Graph showing Victorian forklift fatalities 1985 to date >>> (See attached file: Forklifts fatality graph .ppt)
also.....
Novel penalty imposed for safety breaches
New penalty options for workplace safety breaches have been applied with a Geelong company agreeing for the first time in Victoria to place a newspaper advertisement about what it did wrong.
Enforceable undertakings were made possible under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 as an alternative to prosecution in some cases.
They are legally enforceable and require a person or organisation to carry out specific activities to improve health and safety for employees and deliver benefits to industry and the broader community.
The undertaking agreed to by Casareccia (Homestyle) Pty Ltd trading as Geelong Fresh Foods is the fourth in Victoria.
The company has agreed to:
place a half page advertisement in the Geelong Advertiser within one month;
have a principal of the company attend a 5-day OHS course;
make a $5000 donation to the Salvation Army.
(See attached file: 140308 novel OHS penalty geelong.doc)
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Return to topGAINING A HIGH RISK LICENCE
09-03-2008
All States and Territories have begun the process of moving to the new national licence system for "high risk" work. Although final Units of Competency and Assessment Instruments have not been finalised, (so no change to current learning content and materials) you will notice various changes to the system in your State and Territory. Not all States and Territories are at the same stage of implementation and it is up to you to check and keep up to date. For example, New South Wales and Victoria now issue a national photo licence. Perhaps one of the most important things to check, is when or if your current licence expires Failure to check could mean that your old paper based licence becomes invalid and cannot be updated!
The NRAA has listed various system changes that may already have occurred in your State or Territory:
1. Replacement for a fee on specific renewal dates, failure to do so cancels your existing Licence.
2. Full training within a Registered Training Organisation, followed by a full assessment for a particular licence.
3. Recognition of prior learning, training or with your States authorisation, licenses gained in some countries overseas, reduced training and or assessment.
4. With negotiation between your Company in regard to “on the job” trained employees and the Registered Training Organisation reduced training and or assessment.
5. Straight to assessment when you believe you have the necessary theory and practical knowledge
IT IS IN YOUR AND YOUR EMPLOYERS INTERESTS TO ESTABLISH WHICH OF THE ABOVE IS CURRENTLY ACCEPTABLE BY YOUR STATE AUTHORITY BEFORE ACTION IS UNDERTAKEN.
A man remains in hospital after an estimated three tonnes of glass fell on him from a forklift at Clayton on Friday night.
The man was helping to unload the glass inside a shipping container when the load fell.
A WorkSafe investigation is underway.
WorkSafe’s Executive Director, John Merritt, said the incident could easily have led to a fatality.
“Incidents like this keep happening because too many employers and workers don’t acknowledge the dangers in their workplace and ensure steps are taken to eliminate them.
“Incidents like Friday night’s should set alarm bells ringing because of the potential to kill.
“This incident should prompt all employers using forklifts to closely review how and where these machines are used. Other businesses should review their own practices.”
“There is extensive information available to help employers meet their obligations.
“The ‘business end’ of our work means there can be serious legal and personal consequences when safety failings occur.”
There have been 56 deaths involving forklifts in Victoria since 1985; 29 of them involved people near the machine being crushed by a falling load (15) or hit by the machine (14).
There have been no deaths involving forklifts since July 2006 when a man died after being in a coma for 10 months, Mr Merritt said.
Mr Merritt said simple measures like separating pedestrians and forklift traffic, the provision and use of seatbelts saved lives while ensuring employees were properly trained and supervised was essential.
WorkSafe has produced guidance material aimed at improving forklift safety. It can be found at WorkSafe’s website www.worksafe.vic.gov.au or by calling WorkSafe’s advisory service on 1800 136 089.
Background: Twenty-two work-related deaths were reported to WorkSafe in 2007. In the 2006-07 financial year, nearly 29,000 claims were made on WorkSafe’s workplace injury insurance system.
Media inquiries only: Michael Birt - 9641 1216 or 0411 256 605.
Employers – are you ready for a health and safety inspector to check on plant operator competency at your workplace?
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) invites you to attend a licensing seminar to gain tips on how to ensure your workplace passes WHSQ inspection in 2008.
The seminars will be held from February to April 2008 and form part of a statewide education program following recent changes to training and assessment requirements for people wishing to obtain licences to operate and use particular plant and equipment.
Targeted inspections will take place in 2008 to check workplace compliance and ensure licence holders continue to hold the necessary competency to carry out work safely. The inspections will also ensure that employers are not encouraging workers to carry out work unsafely.
To register your interest in a 2008 seminar or for more information on changes to occupational licensing requirements, visit www.deir.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 915.
Details of the seminar locations and dates are over page. A reminder of registration and advice on the venue will be sent in the weeks prior to the seminar.
Safety laws which provide for the operation of forklifts, cranes, boom lifts and other high risk equipment have changed. As a result, current ‘ticket’ holders need to transfer to the new ‘Licence to Perform High Risk Work’.
The new licence is being introduced to align with national safety standards, improve interstate recognition of current skills and better protect against fraud by incorporating a photograph into the licence.
First-time applicants should contact an authorised license assessor to book a test. Details on how to contact an assessor can be found on WorkSafe’s website.
All existing tickets will expire between 31 January 2008 and 30 June 2012, depending on when they were first issued. Re-qualification or re-assessment is not necessary for those transferring to the new licence before their current ticket expires.
Transferring to the new licence is simple
1. Register online NOW
You must register in order for WorkSafe to send you a Licence to Perform High Risk Work Transfer Application Form. Register at www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/highriskwork. You will need to provide your Certificate number and date of issue. If you have more than one Certificate, use the earliest issue date.
If you can’t provide your certificate number or issue date, contact WorkSafe Victoria's Licensing Branch at licensing@worksafe.vic.gov.au or call 1300 852 562.
2. Complete the application form
Three months before your existing Certificate expires, WorkSafe will send you a Licence to Perform High Risk Work Transfer Application pack. You will then have three months to lodge the completed form before your Certificate expires. Complete the form, but do not sign it. Your signature must be witnessed by an Australia Post officer at lodgement.
3. Lodge the application form
The application form must be lodged by you, in person, at an Australia Post outlet. You can find your nearest outlet on the Australia Post website, at www.auspost.com.au. You must take your completed, original form, at least 100 points of ID, all your current Victorian issued Certificates, a recent passport size photo of yourself, and the application fee of $45.
Australia Post will process your application on behalf of WorkSafe. You should receive your licence within four weeks - more complex applications may take longer.
Details of the application process is provided in your Transfer Application Form.
How to find out more
For more information, contact WorkSafe’s Advisory Service on 1800 136 089, or go to www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/highriskwork. For application enquiries, contact WorkSafe’s Licensing Branch on 1300 852 562 or at licensing@worksafe.vic.gov.au.
Media inquiries only: Michael Birt 0411 256 605.
Return to topForklift W.A.
20-09-2007
WA: Company fined $8,000 over forklift drivers
A company has been fined for failing to ensure it had evidence that its forklift drivers were competent to operate the vehicles. Read the media release: http://www.docep.wa.gov.au/Corporate/Media/statements/2007/September/Company_fined.html Return to top
