New OHS Regulations 2017

The new Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (OHS Regulations) and Equipment (Public Safety) Regulations 2017 (EPS Regulations) will commence on 18 June 2017. You can access both the current and future Regulations via the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website. 

The new OHS Regulations 2017 are mainly the same. However, if you are in a workplace where asbestos is present; are a manufacturer or an importing supplier of hazardous substances or agricultural and veterinary chemicals; work in construction; or operate a mine or major hazard facility, you need to become aware of the changes. In most cases, compliance is required by 18 June 2017.

Most importantly, the new OHS Regulations 2017 maintain Victoria's already high safety standards. In some high risk areas, like asbestos removal work, they improve standards. The changes also deliver significant savings to Victorian businesses in the areas of high risk work licensing and record keeping for designers and manufacturers of plant.

For some changes, transitional arrangements apply to allow duty and licence holders time to become compliant with the updated regulatory requirements.

If you are affected by the changes, WorkSafe has prepared a range of information and support resources to help you identify what to do to stay compliant when the changes take effect on 18 June 2017, available through the links below.

ISOsafe can prepare the most up to date, tailor-made policies and forms for managing OHS in your workplace. Information and training for your staff about the new OHS and EPS Regulations 2017 is also available through ISOsafe. With staff placed locally across Victoria to help your business better comply with the regulatory changes contact us on 1300 789 132 or email us at enquiries@isosafe.com.au for a fast, free quote.
 

Victoria: Truck driver and farmer die in separate incidents

Earlier this month, it was reported that a delivery driver died after he was struck over by his truck at a storage depot in Tullamarine. The man was believed to have been at the rear of his vehicle at the time of the incident. The man, 65, died at the scene.

In a separate incident; a farmer was seriously injured when he was run over by a tractor he was undertaking maintenance work on at his farm at Meredith, near Geelong. The man, 68, suffered serious head injuries and died later in hospital.

Both incidents are being investigated by WorkSafe Victoria. 

WorkSafe’s Executive Director of Health and Safety, Marnie Williams, said the men were working alone when the incidents happened. “Both incidents will be thoroughly investigated, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of each man,” Ms Williams said.

For expert advice on how to make your workplace safer contact ISOsafe today on 1300 789 132. Protect your staff with ISOsafe’s training and safety programs.
 

Victorian courts order local businesses to pay record $6.2 million in penalties over health and safety breaches in 2015-16

WorkSafe Victoria have revealed that over the 2015-16 financial year, 108 businesses and 21 individuals were fined totalling more than $6.2 million.

Of the 108 businesses, almost 40 were from construction sector. The worst offenders included:
A piling, foundations and ground engineering company which was convicted and fined $750,000 over the death of a worker who fell more than 40 metres when the mast of a piling rig collapsed at Southbank in 2011.
A mining services provider, which was convicted and fined a total of $600,000 following two incidents involving an overloaded barge working on the Patterson River. One of the incidents involved the barge capsizing, throwing three workers into the water and trapping one in the excavator in the water, seriously injuring him.
A residential builder, which was convicted and fined $300,000 over an incident in which a carpenter died after being crushed by a brick wall on a construction site at Brighton East in 2014.
A sign company, which was convicted and fined $250,000 over its involvement in the attachment of a timber hoarding to a wall which increased the risk of the wall collapsing at Carlton. The wall collapsed and killed three people in 2013.

A significant number of businesses in the manufacturing sector were also prosecuted. They included:
A conveyer belt manufacturer, which was fined $90,000 over an incident in 2014 in which an employee suffered serious arm injuries when he became caught in machinery beneath a moving conveyer belt.
A caravan manufacturer, which was convicted and fined $80,000 over an incident in 2014 in which an employee had two fingers severed while using an unguarded router.
A Chicken processer, which was convicted and fined $60,000 over an incident in 2014 where an employee suffered serious hand and arm injuries when she became caught in a giblet processor.

WorkSafe Chief Executive, Clare Amies, said the record amount of fines imposed by the courts in 2015-16 was a reminder to businesses and individuals of the significant penalties they faced if they did not comply with their health and safety obligations.

“WorkSafe is committed to improving workplace health and safety and, if it is found that employers have failed to provide a safe working environment for their workers, they can expect to face large fines and significant damage to their reputation,” Ms Amies said.

Don’t risk noncompliance. ISOsafe’s services will protect your business. We will prepare all safety documentation to demonstrate compliance. Call us now 1300 789 132 or email us at enquiries@isosafe.com.au, to learn more about our services for businesses and their owners.