Crane Fails And Sends 32-tonne Concrete Structure Crashing

WorkSafe is making inquiries into a serious incident in which a precast concrete structure weighing 32 tonnes fell while being lifted by two cranes at a factory in Dandenong on Tuesday. 

The structure fell to the ground when a gantry crane being used in the lift failed. There were no injuries.  

The serious nature of the incident has prompted WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety, Marnie Williams, to issue a warning to employers about the importance of crane safety.

“We are thankful there were no injuries, but it is a stark reminder to every employer that uses a crane to manage all the risks and ensure safety is a priority,” Ms Williams said. “Because inquiries into this incident are ongoing, we cannot release further details at this stage.”

Ms Williams said that with so much construction work going on across Melbourne, many worksites were lifting heavy loads daily.

“Cranes are an essential part of many industries but work involving cranes is high risk and must be treated with the utmost care and caution,” Ms Williams said. “Failure to do otherwise could have tragic consequences.”

When using cranes, measures to manage the risks include:

Selecting the proper crane and lifting equipment for the task, size and weight of the load.

For construction work, ensuring a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is created and adhered to.

Ensuring cranes are maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and requirements.

Checking that crane operators have the skills, training and licences to operate safely.

Creating and adhering to safe systems of work and ensuring all workers are properly trained and competent before commencing the task.

Avoid costly WorkSafe penalties. For peace of mind, contact ISOsafe. Our specialists provide training, customised induction programmes for businesses Australia-wide. 

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. 

Introducing The Queensland Mandatory Labour Hire Licensing Scheme

Queensland will establish a mandatory labour hire licensing scheme from 16 April 2018 to protect labour hire workers and safeguard labour hire providers that are ethical and responsible.

Under the scheme, all labour hire providers operating in Queensland will need to be licensed, involving:

passing a fit-and-proper person test

complying with workplace laws, including workers’ compensation, wages and superannuation

paying a licence fee

reporting regularly on their operations.

The scheme will be backed by stiff penalties and some offenders will be liable for criminal prosecution.

A new labour hire licensing website will be published early in 2018, to provide information about the scheme and rights and obligations for labour hire providers, users of labour hire and workers. Labour hire providers will be able to apply for or renew their licence, complete reports and pay fees via the website; users of labour hire and workers will be able check that a provider is licensed, lodge complaints and view compliance reports.

Will your Labour Hire Business Meet The Requirements Of The Scheme?

ISOsafe offer Workplace Relations and Safety 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.

Queensland automotive mechanic run over by vehicle

Earlier this year, a Queensland worker was run over by a vehicle while servicing it on sloping ground. Preliminary findings indicate the worker was underneath the vehicle while the driver was sitting in the cab with the engine running. It appears the vehicle has then moved forward unexpectedly and run over the mechanic. The injured man was then transported to Rockhampton Base Hospital for treatment.

The vehicle involved has been seized and investigations into this incident are continuing.

Preventing a similar incident
A number of Queensland workers have been seriously injured or killed due to a vehicle not being effectively immobilised while work is being done underneath it.

The risk of the vehicle moving in an uncontrolled or unexpected manner must be managed by ensuring appropriate controls are put in place. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

Ensure the hand brake is on.
Wheels are chocked on both sides of the vehicle using serviceable purpose-built chocks.
The keys are removed from the vehicle’s ignition and secured.
Vehicle is raised on a pillar hoist with all wheels off the ground.
Work takes place on a flat even surface that is able to bear the general load of the vehicle and is able to bear the point load of jacks/lifting equipment.
A lockout system or warning sign is in place to prevent the vehicle from being started, or the vehicle or any part of it being inadvertently moved.
The driver is fully aware of the mechanic’s presence and requirements.
Install a handbrake warning system to alert drivers when the handbrake has not been applied (these can be easily retro-fitted).
Information on preventing similar incidents involving heavy vehicles and trailers hitting or crushing workers is available from the safety alert listed below.

Prosecutions and compliance
In May 2017, a company was fined $60,000 following the death of a worker who was run over by a truck/trailer. The worker was observed lying under the back of the trailer to check on bouncing that had occurred while driving. Moments later, the truck/trailer began moving backwards. The trailer wheels rolled over the worker, followed by the wheels of the truck. He received head and torso injuries which ultimately resulted in his death.

In December 2016, a company was fined $60,000 following the death of a worker who was run over by a vehicle. The vehicle, a prime mover and trailer, appeared to have trouble with releasing its trailer brakes. The deceased went to the rear of the trailer and attempted to release a trailer brake. When the vehicle began rolling backwards on a slight incline, he tried to re-engage the maxi-brake. In doing so, he was struck by the trailer wheels.

Six months earlier, a company was fined $120,000 after a worker who was operating a six tonne mobile ‘yard’ crane to perform load-shifting of steel product was killed. The worker was seen running alongside the crane which was travelling down a slope, uncontrolled, with no person in the operator’s seat. He was subsequently struck or tripped, run over and killed by the crane. The worker was not licensed to operate this type of crane.

Are You A Workshop Owner or Manager In Need Of Expert Help?
ISOsafe offer Safety compliance help 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.

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.