Following a number of recent incidents involving SafeWork inspectors, businesses and workers are being reminded that it is a criminal offence to hinder, obstruct, assault, threaten, or intimidate an inspector.
SafeWork SA has commenced a six-month audit campaign of Elevating Work Platforms (EWPs) (i.e. scissor lifts) in order to educate businesses and operators about their safety duties and enforce compliance with the law.
SafeWork SA Work Health and Safety Inspectors will visit workplaces using EWPs higher than 3 metres across a range of industries, including construction, to ensure appropriate safe systems of work are in place to protect workers, and that workers and employers are educated on their responsibilities.
In November 2018, a concrete pump operator sustained serious injuries when his arm was caught in moving parts within the receiving hopper of a concrete pump.
Cleaning out concrete pumping equipment including the hopper can be a highly hazardous operation. Entanglement, crushing and amputation hazards exist in a concrete hopper and pumping device of the concrete pump. Read on to find out more about preventing a similar incident.
This safety alert reminds electrical workers of the hazards associated with working on or near energised (live) electrical equipment. These hazards include electric shock, arc flash explosion and fire.
The lead up to the end of the year is traditionally a high-risk period for all sectors of the construction industry in South Australia. With just a few weeks left until the festive season, principal contractors, Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU’s) and workers may feel under pressure to get jobs completed prior to the holiday period.
Avoid tragedy in the lead up to this holiday season by staying focused on the most important aspect of construction work – ensuring you and your mates get home safely to your families every day
A Safety Alert has been issued by NT Worksafe to highlight the risk of horizontally mounted fire extinguishers detaching during transportation and causing a hazard to other road users.
Worksafe VIC are urging employers and workers to slow down and put safety first as we enter a traditionally dangerous time of year for workplaces. Between 2008 and 2017 in Victoria, 53 people died in the months of November and December as a result of workplace incidents. This two-month period accounts for 22.3 per cent of all workplace deaths.
Riding for the Disabled, the University of Sydney and a number of innovative construction businesses are just some of the workplaces recognised as the safest in NSW for 2018. For the full list of winners and more information on the 2018 SafeWork NSW Award winners, visit www.safeworkawards.com.au
Construction companies operating in built-up areas are being warned not to put workers or members of the public at risk following two serious incidents where heavy machinery has struck suburban houses. Worksafe VIC have outlined precautions employers must take when operating heavy machinery.
Thousands of workers around the State will have better support at work while overcoming mental health challenges thanks to the NSW Government’s Mentally Healthy Workplaces strategy.
