Work Safe Victoria Release New Workplace Death Stats

WorkSafe is urging Victorian workplaces to re-think their approach to safety following a rise in the number of fatalities at work in 2017.

A total of 27 Victorians lost their lives as a result of an incident at a workplace last year - the highest toll since 2009.

This includes 14 deaths from incidents on farms, which is the highest number of farm fatalities since 2004.

Tragically, the first Victorian workplace death of 2018 also occurred on a farm. Last Thursday, a stock agent in his 50s was trampled to death while drafting cattle on a farm at Georges Creek near Albury Wodonga.

WorkSafe's Head of Operations and Emergency Management, Adam Watson said the horrific 2017 toll showed that employers and workers needed to think more constructively about what they could do to improve safety at work.

"This toll is more than a statistic. It represents families and friendship circles missing loved ones, workplaces devastated by the death of a colleague, and local communities left with a gap that can never be filled," Mr Watson said.

"Employers and workers need to focus on how they can contribute to making their workplace safer. Who would hesitate to take steps to improve safety at work if it meant saving the life of someone they cared about?"

Mr Watson said that while the circumstances of each fatality varied, the failure to identify and adequately manage hazards was a common theme, especially on farms and where vehicles were involved.

He said older workers continued to be over-represented in the statistics.

"Employers, particularly those using farm vehicles such as quad bikes, need to remind their workers to recognise risks and prioritise safety before attempting a task," Mr Watson said.

"Age and experience can never be an excuse to forget about safety. Nine of the people who died last year were over the age of 65, and 23 were aged 45 or older.

"Many of those who died were doing tasks they have done many times before, so it is important that everyone takes the time to plan their day with safety in mind.

"Together we must do more to reduce this terrible toll."

Of the 2017 fatalities:
• 20 occurred in regional Victoria and seven were in greater metropolitan Melbourne
• 16 involved vehicles or mobile machinery
• The eldest was a 98-year-old resident of a nursing home who fell while being transferred from a bed.
• The youngest was a six-year-old boy, who died after falling from a ride at the Rye Carnival in April.
• All but two were males.
• Nine were aged 65 or older.
• No deaths were recorded among workers aged from 15-26.

Workplace Fatalities by Year
2008 22
2009 30
2010 23
2011 25
2012 18
2013 21
2014 23
2015 19
2016 26
2017 27

Workplace Fatalities in 2017 by Age Group
0-15    1
15-24  0
25-34  1
35-44  2
45-54  7
55-64  7
65+    9 

Are You A Business Owner In Need Of Expert Help?
ISOsafe offer Safety and Wellbeing support to businesses Australia-wide. One of our Specialists will visit your workplace to review your processes and documents. Based on this, we will provide you with advice, compliance documents, training and a detailed report containing areas for improvement. Protect your people today; call ISOsafe on 1300 789 132.
 

Posted on January 26, 2018 by ISOsafe Team and tagged work death stats victoria worksafe vic vic worksafe safework vic vic worksafety robust Health & Safety Management System.

We Help Disability Service Providers Meet The ADHC Quality Requirements for Third Party Verification (TPV) - NSW Disability and Community Services Third Party Verification

ISOsafe help businesses that provide disability services, in NSW, to establish and maintain a quality management framework and achieve third party verification against the NSW Disability Services Standards, as required by Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC). ISOsafe will ensure your organisation excels under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Why Do All Disability Services Providers Need Third Party Verification (TPV)?
By meeting the quality requirements organisations will demonstrate a commitment to person centred practice and organisational continuous improvement.

If your organization is transitioning to the NDIS you also need to go through this TPV process.
Organizations operating under the NDIS are required to meet requirements detailed in the ADHC quality policy, until the National Disability Insurance Agency releases the National Quality and Safeguards Framework.

What is involved in Third Part Verification?
We make TPV simple. 
We Fast Track your ADHC compliance in 3 steps:
Step 1: We will visit your workplace to carry out a Gap Analysis and prepare a detailed Report outlining Areas For Improvement.
Step 2: We’ll then set up the necessary Policies, Procedures and Forms. All the while, conducting a SWOT Analysis.
Step 3: We’ll support you on the big day and be there for your Third Party Verification Audit.  

How Can ISOsafe Assist You?
Peace of mind and assurance. 
Nobody wants to see you fail Third Party Verification Audit. The TPV Audit is a costly and time consuming process. 
Don’t get left behind. Save money and avoid the headache. Get expert help today.

Looking For More Information?
Call ISOsafe today on 1300 789 132 to arrange a free consultation with one of our Specialists

Already Achieved TPV, Looking to Renew your Third Party Verification?
Organisations with TPV are required to undergo a new TPV assessment during the term of each funding agreement (2015-18).


We ensure compliance with:
National Disability Services
Family and Community Services
Third Party Verification
TPV
NDSS
NDIS
FACS

Posted on January 23, 2018 by ISOsafe Team and tagged tpv facs ndss ndis Third Party Verification adhc National Disability Services Ageing Disability and Home Care.

Adelaide transport company made to back-pay workers a total of $374,000

Yesterday the Fair Work Ombudsman released news of successful legal action against an Adelaide Transport Company.

The drivers’ minimum wages and a range of other entitlements were underpaid between 2007 and 2009 by the company, which linehauls bulk petroleum products into the Northern Territory, NSW and Western Australia.

After an investigation and legal action by the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Industrial Relations Court of South Australia penalised the company a total of $93,000 and, in addition, ordered it to back-pay the 10 truck drivers their outstanding wages, plus superannuation and interest totaling $374,487.

However, after The company lodged an appeal, the company ordered to pay approximately $468,000 to the Court, which held the funds in trust pending the outcome of the appeal.

After dismissing the appeal, the Federal Court made orders late last year allowing for the money to be released from trust and paid to the truck drivers.

The truck drivers have now received back-payments ranging from $8,012 to $91,566.

In dismissing the appeal, the Federal Court rejected The company’ argument that the compensation payable to two of the drivers should be reduced because it had entered into Deeds of Release with drivers prior to the Fair Work Ombudsman commencing legal action.

Justice Richard White found that the Fair Work Ombudsman was not bound by the Deeds of Release between the company and the drivers. He found that because there was no genuine legal dispute between the company and the drivers at the time the Deeds were signed, the Deeds were an attempt to contract out of the company’s obligation to pay the drivers their minimum Award entitlements.

Justice White also rejected The company’s arguments relating to a third driver the company claimed was covered by a Collective Agreement during the underpayment period.

Are You A Business Owner In Need Of Expert Help?
ISOsafe offer Fairwork support to businesses Australia-wide. One of our Specialists will visit your workplace to review your processes and documents. Based on this, we will provide you with advice, compliance documents, training and a detailed report containing areas for improvement. Call ISOsafe today on 1300 789 132.
 

Posted on January 18, 2018 by ISOsafe Team and tagged truckies underpaid truck drivers pay rate of pay truckie rate of pay truck driver truck driver underpaid transport company penalties transport company truck drivers FWO truck driver FWO transport company contractor truck driver subbie truck driver MR truck driver HV truck driver HC truck driver line haul driver pay linehual driver pay rate.