Posts tagged #workplace safety

Ballarat Construction Company Fined $25,000 For Unsafe Scaffolding

A Ballarat construction company has been convicted and fined $25,000 for ignoring WorkSafe directions to fix unsafe scaffolding at a Mount Clear worksite.

The company was found guilty in the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court of two offences relating to a failure to provide a safe workplace and a failure to comply with a WorkSafe prohibition notice.

It was also ordered to pay $2897 in costs.

The court heard that WorkSafe issued the company with a prohibition notice in May 2016 after an inspector observed incomplete scaffolding, with missing planks and gaps in the handrails, at a site in the Ballarat suburb of Mount Clear. 

The notice required that the scaffolding not be used until the safety issues were addressed.

When a WorkSafe inspector returned to check that the notice has been complied with, he observed a person working from the same incomplete scaffolding.

The court heard that two subcontractors said they were directed by a company representative to work on the roof of the construction, and were not aware there was a prohibition notice in respect to the scaffolding.

WorkSafe Head of Operations and Emergency Management Adam Watson said the idea that a construction company would ignore a directive to fix a safety issue as critical as scaffolding was abhorrent.

“Falls are one of the most common causes of death and serious injury among construction workers. You don’t have to fall from a great height to be killed or suffer permanent injuries at a worksite,” Mr Watson said.

“Given the risks it’s quite disturbing to think that anyone would ignore a specific WorkSafe directive to make scaffolding safer.”

Employers should control the risk of injury through falls from height by ensuring:

  • The installation of passive fall prevention measures such as railings and scaffolding.

  • Workers perform their tasks within a safe area.

  • Safety equipment is used to minimise the risk of injury if there is a fall.

  • That workplace layout, access requirements, training and experience levels and on-site conditions are taken into account when the risk of falls is assessed.

For peace of mind, contact ISOsafe. Our specialists provide training, support and Safety Policies tailored for businesses Australia-wide. 

Posted on February 10, 2018 by ISOsafe Team and tagged OHS Policy WHS Policy WHS Training ISOsafe WHS Regulation OH&S Regulation workplace relations workplace safety scaffolding checklist job site safety checklist builders prestart form daily safety checksheet workers compensation icare.

Is your work phone making you sick? Smartphone Health and Safety tips from the experts

A press release published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) about the potential dangers of cell phone use has been making headlines around the world. The report found a strong link between mobile phone use and cancer.

In follow up to the IARC press release; the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a fact sheet on the health effects of cell phones. This fact sheet states: "A large number of studies have been performed over the last two decades to assess whether mobile phones pose a potential health risk. To date, no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use". The IARC classified cell phones in Category 2B, which is "possibly carcinogenic to humans". 

All employers and business owners providing staff with work mobile phones are responsible for educating staff in the safe use of provided work tools, whether it be a jackhammer or a mobile phone. 

We’ve put together some practical safety tips to help you train your staff to stay safe and healthy when using their work smartphones:

Never text while driving because it is illegal and very dangerous

When possible use handsfree, especially while driving

If youre worried about radiation, use a handsfree or text messaging to reduce electromagnetic energy (EME) exposure to the head

Always purchase approved mobile handsets and accessories - knock-offs may be cheaper but they use inferior materials and are not tested for safety

Use your mobile in good coverage areas

Pedestrians using mobiles should remain alert to traffic and other obstacles

Turn off chargers at the powerpoint when not in use

Ignore cyberbullies and do not respond to bullying messages, where possible block them

In an emergency call Triple Zero (000) and provide your location information to the operator. As long as you are within coverage of a mobile network you will be able to call Triple Zero (000), even without credit or a SIM card. 

If you have a smartphone with GPS capability, you can download the Emergency + App (developed by NSW Fire and Rescue) for free from iTunes or the Google Play store - this app uses your smartphone's GPS capabilities to provide you with your location information which you can give to the Triple Zero operator if needed. It also provides advice about when to call Triple Zero or alternative numbers such as the SES or Police Assistance Line.

The WHO fact sheet can be accessed here 

If your business employs professional drivers, such as truck drivers or bus drivers, weve attached the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association Fact Sheet developed here

Still feeling confused? Contact ISOsafe on 1300 789 132 for help with training and managing health safety in your business

Posted on July 21, 2017 by ISOsafe Team and tagged iarc cell phone safety mobile phone safety eme emr radiation phone isosafe safety work phone handsfree safety workplace safety mobile work safety rules road work mobile phone use work business mobile phone business phone work phone employ phone safe employ phone training safety phone phone training safety ohs phone whs phone mobile site safety construction safety WHO SES mobile phone cancer council phone mobile cancer phone work phone cancer radiation work phone AMTA safety AMTA work phone NSW Fire NSW rescue triple zero phone gps phone safety cyber bully phone work bullying work phone social media policy work social media employer social media staff social media staff phone radiation staff safety phone cancercouncil.