JUNE 2018 - KEY STORIES INSIDE MANUAL HAZARDOUS TASKS FEATURE FIND OUT WHAT WORKSAFE IS DOING - WORKSAFE TASMANIA
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June 2018
Key stories inside
Manual hazardous tasks feature
Find out what WorkSafe is doing
Don’t freeze out safety
Contents Publisher
Published quarterly by
WorkSafe Tasmania.
COVER STORY Online
Find out about WorkSafe’s activities, including what our To see current and past
Advisors are doing, on page .....................................................8 editions, our warnings about
telefraud and graphic images,
and to subscribe, go to
NEWS + EVENTS
www.worksafe.tas.gov.au then
WorkSafe: What we’re doing.......................................................8 choose the ‘Resources’ button
then the ‘Workplace Issues
WorkCover Board visits north west..........................................10 magazine’ link.
Phone:
What will be the future of work?............................................... 11
1300 366 322
Update: WorkSafe Month 2018.................................................12 Email:
wstinfo@justice.tas.gov.au
WorkSafe awarded for asbestos awareness campaign ..........12
Disclaimer
WHS laws review in progress ...................................................18
WorkSafe Tasmania and the
Update: Revised Australian WHS Strategy ..............................19 Crown in the right of the State
of Tasmania, its employees
and agents disclaim
MANUAL HAZARDOUS TASKS FEATURE liability for the accuracy or
Practical guidance and resources ............................................4 comprehensiveness of the
information, data and advice
Infograph...................................................................................24 provided in Workplace Issues;
and will not be responsible
for any loss, however arising
SAFETY and whether or not due to
Be safe with carbon monoxide .............................................. 13 negligence, arising from
reliance on, or action taken on
Don’t freeze out safety ............................................................ 14 the basis of any information,
data or advice provided in
New resource: Working in heat ................................................15 Workplace Issues.
Any information, data and
Ageing workers + WHS ...........................................................16
advice is provided solely on
Volunteer organisations: What are your WHS duties?.............17 the basis that readers will
be responsible for making
What about Australian Standards? ..........................................18 their own assessment and
verification of such information,
Got a problem?.........................................................................19 data and advice before any
reliance is placed upon it.
WORKERS COMPENSATION Views expressed in Workplace
Issues are those of the
Employers: Notify your insurer of an injured worker claim......22 individual contributors or
the editorial committee and
What’s the workers comp premium rate suggested are intended to stimulate
for your industry?......................................................................22 discussion. They do not
necessarily reflect the policy of
REGULARS the Government or WorkSafe
Tasmania.
From the Minister ....................................................................... 3
ISSN 1444-6316 (Print)
Want to know what’s on?............................................................3
ISSN 2204-5597 (Online)
Build a wellbeing program........................................................20
Throughout, the acronyms
Build a safety system................................................................21 ‘WHS’ stands for work health
and safety and ‘PCBU’ stands
Everybody’s talking...................................................................23 for person conducting a
business or undertaking.
2 Workplace Issues No. 90 June 2018
THE HON. GUY BARNETT
MINISTER FOR BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION
Welcome to the June edition
of Workplace Issues magazine
lunchtime walks with a group of your
co-workers, or making sure healthy
food is an option in your tearoom or
vending machine. This edition’s ‘Build a
wellbeing’ column has practical ways to
organise these initiatives; you can also
find resources on the WorkSafe website
at www.worksafe.tas.gov.au (search for
‘wellbeing resources’).
In this edition, you’ll also find a
feature on hazardous manual tasks,
with practical advice on preventing
Want
body strain injuries. Manual tasks
continue to be our biggest contributor
to work-related injuries, across many
industries. Whether these hazardous
manual tasks are a daily part of our to know
what’s on?
jobs or a one-off, the consequences
to our health and wellbeing can be
serious. The risk of body strain is
While the end of the financial year
something that none of us can ignore,
is a busy time for Tasmania’s many
so I encourage you to look to the
businesses, it is also a great time to Want to know dates for
practical guidance in this feature.
review and refocus on work health and WorkSafe Tasmania and Better
safety objectives. Finally, I hope you found time to enter
a submission to the 2018 WorkSafe Work Tasmania events? The
Alongside reducing workplace injuries, best way to keep your calendar
Tasmania Awards.
many businesses now also focus on current is by going online.
health and wellbeing. With Australians The Awards reinforce the message
spending about one third of their lives at that safe business is good business, • WorkSafe’s website, especially
work, it makes good sense to consider with less injury and illness helping its events page, will link you to
workplaces as prime opportunities to improve overall performance and events such as WorkSafe Month,
improve health and wellbeing. This in productivity. This year’s Award winners as well as any calls for public
turn can also improve safety and lift will be announced during the WorkSafe submissions/comments on
business performance, as a healthy Conference and Awards cocktail legislative changes.
workplace is often a productive one. presentation, to be held at Hobart’s Go to www.worksafe.tas.gov.au.
Hotel Grand Chancellor this October. • Better Work’s website allows
As a keen cyclist, squash and tennis
player and long-time advocate for Since the Awards began in 1996, the members to be notified of
healthy lifestyles through my role as number of Tasmanians suffering work- upcoming networking events,
Ambassador for Diabetes Australia, I’m related injuries or illnesses has more which are held regularly
passionate about building a healthier, than halved. As encouraging as signs throughout the year. Joining
safer Tasmania. I’m also pleased that like this are, as long as Tasmanian Better Work and getting
the Hodgman Liberal Government has workers continue to be injured in the access to this and other online
delivered $6.4 million of new funding workplace, there is still work to be done. resources is free. Go to www.
through the Healthy Tasmania Five Year worksafe.tas.gov.au/betterwork.
Safety is everyone’s responsibility and
Strategic Plan to help make Tasmanians with your help and commitment, I intend • WorkSafe’s facebook page will
the healthiest population in Australia by to continue building on the work already keep you informed of important
2025, boosted further by an additional done and make Tasmanian workplaces dates, too. Go to www.facebook.
$1.1 million per annum of ongoing the safest in the country. com/worksafetasmania.
funding from 2020-21.
So as always, stay healthy and safe, and
Workplace wellbeing initiatives can enjoy this edition of Workplace Issues.
be as simple as organising regular
Workplace Issues No. 90 June 2018 3
Hazardous Manual Tasks feature:
Manual tasks: Still a hazard
Manual tasks remains our biggest • the financial cost of these injuries is • repetitive or sustained force
contributor to injuries, across $82.5 million to date. • high or sudden force
many industries in the state. Body The three most common industries for • repetitive movement
stressing is the highest of all injury body stressing injuries are:
• sustained or awkward posture
types, and this is true Australia- • aged care
wide, too. • exposure to vibration.
• hospitals
It’s definitely an issue we should all be If so, you’re performing a hazardous
• local government administration. manual task.
re-focussing our attention on.
Three most common occupations: Over time, these can cause wear and
What’s the count • miscellaneous labourers tear to your joints, muscles, ligaments
• personal carers and assistants and spinal discs. You don’t even have
Over the last 10 years (2008–17) in to do these activities every day for them
Tasmania: • cleaners and laundry workers. to pose a risk to you: a single strenuous
• body stressing has made up an In summary, one of the biggest or unexpected action can cause a body
average of 36% of all claims and situations we’re seeing is body strain strain injury.
39% of lost time claims injury to people working in the health So think about what you or your workers
• the number of body stressing claims care industry, caused by handling do at work, either daily or irregularly.
has reduced by 27% — lagging people/patients. Most jobs involve carrying out some
behind the 33% reduction in the type of manual handling task. Chances
number of injuries across the whole What are hazardous manual are, you do too.
scheme. tasks?
Over the last three years (2015–17):
You don’t have to work in one of these
• there have been 7,881 injuries industries to be at risk. Do you lift, lower,
caused by body stressing push, pull, carry, move, hold or restrain
• these injuries have resulted in over a person, animal or object? Involving
150,000 days lost one or more of these?:
4 Workplace Issues No. 90 June 2018
Consultation’s role in
preventing body strain
The best way to prevent body strain Encourage your workers to report any • what you each will do to control any
injuries in your workplace is to problems with manual tasks so risks can risk of injury.
involve your workers through every be managed before they lead to an injury.
stage of identifying the hazards, Get the code
assessing the risks, and developing Consult with others If you need practical help understanding
control measures. You might share responsibility for a and undertaking consultation and
WHS matter with others: for example, co-operation in your workplace, read the
Consult with your workers if you’re involved with other businesses Work Health and Safety Consultation,
on a worksite, or working on the same Co-operation and Co-ordination code of
Talk to the people who do the work for activity. If so, you must: practice. It has examples of consultation
you, as well as their health and safety arrangements and checklists that
representatives (HSRs). Your workers • share information to find out ‘who
is doing what’ about controlling the go beyond managing manual tasks
know what equipment, tools and tasks — it will improve safety across your
they use or perform on a daily basis, hazard
organisation. Go to www.worksafe.tas.
and they may have practical solutions • work together in a co-operative gov.au and search for ‘codes 2016’.
and suggestions about how to make and co-ordinated way to remove or
sure these don’t cause harm. reduce the risks to all your workers. We also covered the topic in the
December 2017 edition of Workplace
You should consult with your workers as The Hazardous Manual Tasks code of Issues, in our regular ‘Build a safety
early as possible when you’re planning practice gives this good example: If a system’ column. Find this at
to: supplier comes to your workplace to www.worksafe.tas.gov.au under the
• introduce new work tasks or change deliver goods, discuss with them: Resources tab.
existing ones • how the goods will be handled at
• choose new equipment your workplace
• carry out work in new environments • whether there are any environmental
or other factors that may increase
• refurbish, renovate or redesign your the risk: for example, using a flight of
existing workplace. stairs while handling large boxes
Workplace Issues No. 90 June 2018 5
Hazardous Manual Tasks feature:
Employers: Prevent body strain injuries
in your workplace
The Hazardous Manual Tasks code The code’s practical advice in these Share the message
of practice is your best guide to areas is valuable for any workplace or
industry. SafeWork NSW has a straightforward
removing or reducing the risks of video that explains hazardous manual
hazardous manual tasks. Because it’s such a thorough guide, we tasks and the approaches you can take
recommend you download a copy. Go to reduce body strain injuries.
to www.worksafe.tas.gov.au and search
About the code It doesn’t replace reading the code,
for ‘codes 2016’.
The Hazardous Manual Tasks code of and it does refer to NSW programs
practice includes: that aren’t available in Tasmania. But
Case study it’s a good introduction to hazardous
• plenty of detailed examples of these manual tasks that you could play at staff
Safe Work Australia has a great video
tasks, covering many different work meetings when discussing the problem.
showcasing how a Queensland council
tasks, to help you identify them in
reduced its body strain injuries through Go to www.safework.nsw.gov.au and
your workplace
a successful program that used the search for ‘sprains and strains video’.
• a detailed chapter devoted to input from workers to create solutions.
controlling the risks, with illustrated
examples covering these control
By simply starting with good Take a break
communication — ‘What are your
measures. This includes mechanical Taking regular breaks to stretch is good
issues? Where is it hurting when you
aids and equipment that workers for everyone. It can help keep your
do this activity? Why do we need
can use to remove or reduce the muscles warm and flexible, boost your
to change it? What do you think we
need for workers to lift, carry or circulation, and increase your range of
should be doing?’ — and management
support items, animals or people. It movement. We’ve included a poster in
support and commitment, the council
also addresses work environments, this edition of Workplace Issues that
made simple design changes, and saw
work practices, and training you can display around your workplace
reduced injuries.
• tools and templates you can to encourage workers to take regular
Be inspired and watch this video. Go to stretch breaks.
use in your workplace, like a risk
www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/media
assessment worksheet.
and search for ‘hazardous manual tasks’.
6 Workplace Issues No. 90 June 2018
Workers: What you can do to protect
yourself from body strain
If you’re a worker, there are things equipment. You may be able to help important to recover and prevent the
you can do to reduce the risk of a develop strategies to address body situation worsening, and prevent the
body strain injury happening to you. stressing injury risks. unwanted psychological issues that can
sometimes accompany physical injury.
• Take regular breaks to stretch. This
can help keep your muscles warm Warning signs
and flexible, boost your circulation, It’s important to recognise early warning
What can your employer do
and increase your range of signs of body stressing injuries. They to help?
movement. We’ve included a poster can include: • Have your work area assessed to
in this edition of Workplace Issues
• regular feelings of discomfort, identify risks or possible contributing
that you can follow for regular stretch
aching or pain in your back, neck, factors.
breaks.
shoulders, arms or wrists • Introduce control measures such as
• Ask for assistance to set up your
• tingling, pain or numbness in your changing your work set-up, buying
work area to avoid strain and
hands or feet mechanical aids or equipment,
awkward postures.
changing how you do work.
• weakness or clumsiness
• Follow instructions, and take (or ask
• Provide support and any specialised
for) training to know how to reduce • stiffness or limited movement
equipment you may need to promote
your risks. Training might include • swelling recovery.
safe lifting techniques, or how to
properly use any aids or equipment • fatigue, disturbed sleep • Provide a tailored injury
provided. • twitching or burning muscles. management program if you need
help returning to work.
• Use any safety equipment provided Talk to someone early if you are
as instructed. experiencing any of these (or other) Includes guidance from Comcare’s
symptoms. You might speak with your ‘Preventing body stressing injuries:
• Contribute to safe working practices
manager/supervisor, HSR or WHS Information for employees’ at
by discussing with your manager/
officer. www.comcare.gov.au
supervisor or health and safety
representative (HSR) any possible And see your doctor: early medical
work hazards, including faulty treatment for physical symptoms is
Workplace Issues No. 90 June 2018 7
NEWS + EVENTS
WorkSafe: What we’re doing
This edition, we profile two of the targeted programs that WorkSafe’s inspectors, advisors and
in Tasmanian workplaces. We’ll showcase two more in our September edition.
Priority intervention programs
What
Inspectors play a major role in meeting
WorkSafe’s strategic priorities, through
their enforcement and education
activities:
• focusing inspection and advisory
resources on high risk industries
• targeting WHS education,
compliance and enforcement on
high-consequence activities.
‘The primary focus for WorkSafe’s
Industry Safety Inspectorate is to work
to achieve positive health and safety
outcomes in response to notifiable
incidents and intervention requests,’
explained WorkSafe’s north west Team
Leader, Anthony Warwick.
‘When we’re not engaged in this
‘reactive’ work, the Inspectorate is here
Some of our inspectors: Roman Seliga, Andrew Robertson and Michael Clark
to undertake proactive and preventative
inspections focussing within targeted
industry sectors.’ The Inspectorate maintains a major
How projects register that includes significant
Goals WorkSafe has around 20 field-ready construction projects (usually around
operatives based in Burnie, Launceston $5 million in value). There is also an
WorkSafe’s strategic priorities include and Rosny and five Advisors ready to ongoing review of all asbestos removal
focusing on the industries and promote, support and educate industry. notifications and monitoring of any
occupations that suffer the most deaths Innovative use of data results in a evident discrepancies.
and injuries, or those with the most high proactive and focussed approach to
consequences if things do go wrong. industry interventions and investigations. Success
The ultimate goal is to reduce the
‘Inspectors assess a wide range of WHS In the last five years, manufacturing
number of workplace deaths, injuries,
risks during an inspection, but also and mining (two of WorkSafe’s priority
and illnesses.
focus on major causal mechanisms that industries) have reported notable
Current subjects of priority intervention lead to workers compensation claims decreases in the number of injuries.
programs are the manufacturing, in each of the targeted industries,’ said
construction, healthcare and social Anthony. ‘For example, if we’re working Our inspectors and advisors have spent
assistance, and agriculture, forestry and with a business in the agricultural, over 10,000 hours in the field, engaging
fishing sectors. forestry and fishing industry, the causes with workplaces in these and other
of incidents we look for include body priority industries — or around 65%
‘The industries we focus on vary in each of their field activity. Over 60% of the
region,’ said Anthony. ‘The north west stressing, being hit by moving objects,
and falls, trips and slips.’ time that inspectors and advisors has
has less construction activity compared spent in these workplaces has been for
to the south, but we have more food After an inspection, inspectors typically proactive and educational visits, rather
manufacturing, agriculture and forestry communicate their findings to those than reactive work.
than the other regions.’ involved in a workplace inspection
report. If necessary, they’ll issue a
How are these industries decided? prohibition or improvement notice, to More information
It’s not random, but determined by fix anything they’ve seen that poses a Go to www.worksafe.tas.gov.au/safety/
analysing our extensive workers serious WHS risk. inspectors
compensation claims data.
8 Workplace Issues No. 90 June 2018
officers are delivering to improve work health and safety performance
Student education program
Advisor Paul Kilby, third from the left, with students from Elizabeth College
What ‘We started going to employment Success
services initially, then schools and TAFE
‘Welcome to the Workplace’ is run heard about it and asked us to talk ‘I went to a small business network
by WorkSafe’s Health, Safety and with their students,’ said the Advisory forum recently, and discovered that we
Wellbeing Advisory Service. Service’s Paul Kilby. are the only kind of program like this
running in Australia,’ said Paul. ‘Michelle
‘We emphasis the safety roles, rights
Goal Baxter, the CEO of Safe Work Australia
and responsibilities that everyone has in
wants to take the program to the G20
To engage with students before they the workplace, from the officer and the
OSH International Congress in Istanbul
start work experience (and ultimately PCBU right through to them, the new
— to share it on the world stage.’
employment) with information about worker,’ explained Paul. ‘We give them
their safety rights and responsibilities. some guidance and confidence so that
if something isn’t safe, they can stop, More information
go to their supervisor and say, hey, this Find the guide the Advisors use at
How isn’t safe.’ www.worksafe.tas.gov.au by searching
Advisors have been running interactive The Advisors also run through personal for ‘welcome’. To book an Advisor for
seminars for school and TAFE students, protective equipment (PPE) and their your school or workplace, go to
using WorkSafe’s successful Welcome requirements to wear them, drugs and www.worksafe.tas.gov.au/safety/advisors
to the Workplace guide as a starting alcohol, and other workplace safety
point for discussions (the guide has issues.
been used by schools and the TAFE
system since 2005).
Workplace Issues No. 90 June 2018 9
NEWS + EVENTS
WorkCover Board visits north west
WorkCover Tasmania Board members and WorkSafe Tasmania staff meet Top Centre Laundry owner Rhys Johnson (far right)
Members of the new WorkCover With amendments to the Workers • Julieann Buchanan, Wesfarmers’
Tasmania Board took to the road Rehabilitation and Compensation Tasmanian worker’s compensation
for a recent meeting and visited the Act 1988, the Board was re-structured manager. Julieann has 30 years of
with new appointments commencing experience in workers compensation
north west of the state.
1 January this year. The membership is: insurance, rehabilitation, and work
First stop was Top Centre Laundry in health and safety at strategic and
• Graham Wood, a partner in legal
East Devonport, where Board members operational levels
firm Wallace Wilkinson and Webster.
toured the impressive facility. The
Graham has been the principal • Dr Robert Walters, who has been the
business invested heavily in reducing
solicitor for the Police Association Board’s medical advisor since 1997.
risk and improving efficiency using
of Tasmania for more than 20 Dr Robert has extensive experience
automation and mechanisation, and
years, providing advice on workers on boards, including with Primary
employs over 100 staff statewide.
compensation matters Health Tasmania and the Cancer
The Board met with management Council of Tasmania.
• Sofia Mavratzas, an insurance
and staff, and heard how Top Centre
industry professional. Sofia has held The Board works with employers,
Laundry worked with WorkSafe
leadership roles with insurers, the workers, doctors and others to reduce
inspectors to overhaul its safety
South Australian statutory regulator work-related injury and illness and
management systems. The Board also
and South Australia’s largest private aid the early return to work of injured
lunched with inspectors and officers at
self-insured employer workers; and manages Tasmania’s
WorkSafe’s Burnie office, meeting them
• Jessica Munday, the Unions worker’s compensation scheme.
for the first time.
Tasmania secretary. Jessica has
The new Board will be holding more
worked with the Community and
of its 2018 meetings outside its
Public Sector Union (Federal) for
usual Rosny base: in Launceston, in
12 years and is the Secretary and
conjunction with WorkSafe Month in
Treasurer of the Worker Assist
October, and at Parliament House to
Committee of Management
meet with WorkSafe’s Minister, the Hon
Guy Barnett.
10 Workplace Issues No. 90 June 2018NEWS + EVENTS
What will be the future of work?
Think about how much our lives, • the extending reach of automated play out. These range from ‘business as
including our working lives, have systems and robotics usual’ to totally ‘transformed’.
changed over the last five, ten, twenty • rising issue of workplace stress and Safe Work Australia is already looking
years. Do you remember your first mental health issues at how the findings from the CSIRO’s
mobile phone — and how it definitely report will inform future policy
wasn’t mobile? Do you remember • rising screen time, sedentary
behaviour and chronic illness development and highlight any areas
banking before the internet? And can where new guidance, research and data
you imagine what our working lives will • blurring the boundaries between might be needed.
be like five, ten, twenty years from now? work and home
As the report says, ‘the coming 20
Safe Work Australia in partnership with • the gig and entrepreneurial economy years will bring significant changes
the CSIRO is looking into the future: • an ageing workforce. that are likely to have disruptive
the future of work, and how emerging impacts on the Australian working
Megatrends are issues that develop
technologies and trends will impact environment. Anticipating these impacts
gradually but eventually reshape the
WHS and workers compensation over and preparing for a range of plausible
environment.
the next 20 years. futures is an important step in ensuring
Given these emerging factors, a the long-term effectiveness of Australian
key question for WHS and workers WHS and workers compensation
What’s happening compensation policy makers is: how systems’.
Digital technologies (including much can current regulatory and
automation and artificial intelligence) compensation systems meet these
are becoming more common in the future challenges?
Get the report
workplace. Employment patterns and Get the full Workplace Safety Futures
structures are also shifting, with more Planning for the future report to learn about the megatrends
and more freelance task-based work. and the four response scenarios in
These changes are happening within ‘Scenario planning’ addresses this greater detail — and stimulate some
the broader context of Australia’s ageing question and the influential megatrends thought-provoking conversation in
workforce and rising levels of stress and by sketching out the plausible your workplace.
chronic disease. conditions that may or may not require Go to www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au
change. and search for ‘future of work’.
New technologies and ways of working
introduce new risks and challenges for This enables decision makers to start
thinking about and ‘stress testing’ The future of work, and building
WHS and workers compensation, but
probable futures before they eventuate, the capacity of industry to respond
they also have the potential to make
and make wiser planning, policy and to emerging issues such as these
work safer and reduce workplace injury.
strategic decisions. covered in the Safe Work Australia
report, will be the theme of WorkSafe
Emerging trends The Workplace Safety Futures report Month 2018. For more information
presents four plausible future scenarios about the month, see the article in
The Workplace Safety Futures report for the future of WHS and workers
by CSIRO’s Data61 group identifies six this magazine or go to
compensation in Australia, based on www.worksafe.tas.gov.au.
emerging ‘megatrends’: alternative ways the megatrends could
Workplace Issues No. 90 June 2018 11NEWS + EVENTS
Update: WorkSafe Month 2018
The WorkSafe Month 2018 theme is Month to provide practical workplace The Conference will include valuable
‘The future of Workplace Health and safety, health and wellbeing advice and networking opportunities and hands-
Safety: Building capacity of industry to education to regional small business on tools that attendees will be able
respond to emerging issues’. and the community at various organised to implement in their workplaces
WorkSafe events. These will include: immediately following the Conference.
Walk for Wellbeing
• hosting statewide facilitated risk Sessions will provide attendees with
WorkSafe Month 2018 will again kick off management workshops; dates and the opportunity to share problems
with a launch and Walk for Wellbeing, locations to be advised and challenges, and exchange ideas
this year at Montrose Foreshore through theme aligned stream and
• attending the Flinders Island
Community Park on Sunday 7 October. topic speakers, panel discussions and
Show on Friday 19 October and at
As well as officially marking the start of organised Flinders Island community workshops.
WorkSafe Month, the day coincides with engagement and awareness events The key conference social engagement
the beginning of Mental Health Week. and event is a cocktail networking event
• attending the 2018 Strahan Village
This free event for everyone aims to Beach to Bay Fun Run on Saturday on Monday 22 October. The event will
raise awareness and understanding of November 3. recognise innovation and excellence
the impact and risks that blurring the in work health, safety, wellbeing,
boundaries between work and life can WorkSafe Conference 2018 rehabilitation and return to work.
have on an individual. Centered on the WorkSafe Month For more details as they develop, watch
theme, the Conference — on 22–23 our website at www.worksafe.tas.gov.au.
Advisory Service facilitated activity
October at the Hotel Grand Chancellor
WorkSafe Tasmania’s Advisory Service Hobart — will form the pinnacle of
will available throughout WorkSafe WorkSafe Month 2018.
NEWS + EVENTS
WorkSafe Tas awarded for asbestos awareness campaign
WorkSafe’s Principal Executive Officer
Jenna Mays won ‘Outstanding 2017
Asbestos Awareness Campaign
Manager’ for her valuable contribution
to Betty the Bus’s tour of the state in
October and November last year.
The Betty Awards recognise individuals,
governments, organisations and
businesses that conduct awareness and
education activities in the community.
WorkSafe was in good company:
TasTafe also won an award, as did many
local councils around the country.
Jenna’s individual award recognised her
detailed work helping promote Betty’s
29-day, 4,000 km tour of the state,
which was acknowledged as ‘the most
successful tour since we launched Betty
in Sydney in 2012’.
Betty the Bus on display during her Tassie tour last year
Jenna and WorkSafe were integral to
the success of Betty tour by providing
WorkSafe Tasmania recently won Asbestos Awareness Campaign, in media awareness, communication and
two Betty Awards for its outstanding November 2017. ground support with inspectors, advisors
contributions to increasing WorkSafe won ‘Best Asbestos and officers who attended events and
awareness of the dangers of Awareness Campaigner: Government promoted the campaign messages.
asbestos during the National Department or Organisation’ and
12 Workplace Issues No. 90 June 2018SAFETY
Be safe with carbon monoxide
Following a recent coroner’s findings If gas appliances are maintained • barbecues
into two deaths caused by carbon and used according to operating • fridge/freezers
monoxide poisoning, Consumer instructions, the risk of carbon
• butane cartridge ‘lunch box cookers’
Building and Occupational Services monoxide being produced is greatly
(CBOS) provides this practical guide reduced. • gas lanterns.
to being safe with equipment that CBOS recommends you have your gas Appliances designed for outdoor
produces carbon monoxide gas as a installations in boats, caravans and use generally have far higher carbon
deadly by-product. RVs checked annually by a licensed monoxide emissions and do not contain
gasfitting practitioner. To find one, go to the same safety devices of appliances
Carbon monoxide gas cbos.tas.gov.au and search under the approved for indoor use.
‘licensing and registration’ square. Do not set up outdoor appliances in
Carbon monoxide is a colourless,
odourless and tasteless gas produced enclosed spaces such as annexes.
when some fuels (such as LP gas, Keep vents clear Position outdoor gas appliances
diesel, petrol or natural gas) don’t burn Never cover or close your boat, caravan well away from windows or doors of
properly. These fuels need a lot of air or RV’s permanent vents to the outside. enclosed areas.
and the right gas supply pressure to Vents ensure a free flow of fresh supply Never use gas appliances, including
burn safely. air to your gas appliances and also portable gas heaters, in unventilated
Carbon monoxide is generally not to you. Covering these vents with any spaces. If the appliance is not ventilated
produced in harmful concentrations type of material could result in carbon properly, it might not operate correctly
when fuels burn properly. But in faulty or monoxide poisoning. and can result in carbon monoxide
poorly maintained appliances, carbon Make sure the vents are free of dust and being produced.
monoxide may be produced. Poor lint, too.
ventilation, an appliance flue or exhaust Follow manufacturer’s
not located correctly, the wrong supply
pressure or dust blocking gas ports can Always vent to the outside instructions
all affect the burning process. and away from open Always use a gas appliance in
windows accordance with the manufacturer’s
Health dangers instructions — do not use it for anything
The location of your appliance is also other than its intended purpose.
You can’t see, taste, feel or smell critically important.
carbon monoxide. Inhaling low levels of For example, a gas cooker is for
Never use free standing generators, cooking. It is not designed to be a
the gas can cause dizziness, weakness, other fuel-burning devices or engines
nausea, sleepiness and many other space heater.
inside.
symptoms. Inhaling high levels can
cause seizures, angina or heart attacks, Make sure exhaust gases always About LP gas installations
vertigo, lack of consciousness. Very discharge outdoors and not into an
enclosed space such as an annex. Check the installation date of the LP gas
high levels can cause death, within
installation in your boat, caravan or RV:
minutes. Do not position fuel-burning devices
near any vents or opening windows. • if it has been installed by a licensed
This may lead to the gases drifting back gas fitting practitioner within the
Service your equipment last six years, then it’s likely that the
into your sleeping area.
Gas appliances and other fuel-powered ventilation requirements meet the
portable equipment need regular relevant Australian Standard
servicing to ensure:
For outdoor use only
• if it’s older than six years, you
• they are operating correctly It may seem obvious, but we need should contact a licensed gas
to say it: ‘approved for outdoor use fitting practitioner to ensure that
• exhaust gases are conveyed outside
only’ means you must only use the the installation, appliances, flue or
• they are not damaged, dirty or out of equipment outdoors. Sadly, there are exhaust and permanent
calibration people who do not follow this. ventilation requirements are in
• they are burning at their optimum Examples of ‘approved for outdoor use safe working order.
level. only’ gas appliances include:
Workplace Issues No. 90 June 2018 13SAFETY
Don’t freeze out safety
Cold weather creates some Moderate hypothermia is where worksite. Lack of mental and physical
safety challenges for people who the body’s core temperature drops co-ordination could put fellow workers
work outside. Although we have to 35-33.8º C. Signs and symptoms at risk.
include: While many outdoor worksites in
reasonably mild winters compared
• dazed or ‘fuzzy’ thinking Tasmania recognise the need to protect
to some northern hemisphere
countries, a cold winter’s day in • loss of fine motor coordination, their workers in hot weather — providing
particularly in hands sun protection and adequate rest and
Tasmania can still put workers at
rehydration breaks — it’s worthwhile
risk of injury or illness. • slurred speech
performing the same risk assessment
• violent shivering on outdoor workers in cold weather.
Hypothermia • irrational behaviour; an ‘I don’t care’
Outdoor workers in Tasmania can be at attitude. What you can do
risk of mild hypothermia under certain Look for the ‘umbles’ — stumbles, Outdoor workers should remember
conditions, and should be alerted to mumbles, fumbles, and grumbles. the advice that follows with the simple
the symptoms, risks and prevention
acronym COLD:
strategies as part of their safety induction.
How it happens C for Cover: Wear a hat or other
The symptoms are not likely to be
Hypothermia can result from extended protective covering to prevent body heat
extreme, but can lead to an increase in
exposure to cold temperatures or a cool, from escaping from your head, face and
minor incidents and injuries and loss
damp environment. It doesn’t have to be neck. If your job entails wearing a hard
of productivity. Cold muscles are also
snowing – even at temperatures of about hat, then a thermal cap or balaclava that
more prone to sprains and strains from
15º C, mild hypothermia can set in. is thin enough to allow you to maintain
manual handling tasks.
a correct fit of the hard hat can be worn
Hypothermia doesn’t just happen in (no thick wool or pom-poms!).
Signs and symptoms cold winter weather when there are low
temperatures or low wind chill factors, Cover your hands with gloves or
These symptoms are not always likely to but under more mild conditions as well. A mittens (depending on the work to be
be recognised, but rather put down to rain shower that soaks you to the skin on performed). Mittens are more effective
fatigue or just feeling off colour. a cool day can lead to hypothermia if you than gloves because mittens keep
don’t move inside to warm up and dry off. your fingers in closer contact with one
Mild hypothermia is where the body’s
another, but may be impractical for
core temperature, which is normally Other contributing causes include some tasks.
37º C, drops to 37–35.5º C. Signs and inadequate clothing and neglecting to
symptoms include: cover your head, hands and feet. O for Overexertion: Avoid activities
• shivering that’s not under voluntary that would cause you to sweat a lot. The
See the box at right for more causes. combination of wet clothing and cold
control
weather can lead to rapid heat loss.
• not able to perform complex motor Safety risks Sweating increases dehydration, so
functions but can still walk and talk make sure you keep your fluid intake up.
Obviously even the mild symptoms
• numb hands and feet. L for Layers: Wear loose-fitting,
can create a hazard on an outdoor
14 Workplace Issues No. 90 June 2018SAFETY
New resource: Working in heat
layered, lightweight clothing. Outer It may be the middle of a cold Tassie winter, but workers subject to
clothing made of tightly woven, water- hot conditions are still at risk in an indoor environment.
repellent material is best for wind
Hospitality workers in kitchens, factory workers who use hot machinery, and
protection. Wool, silk or polypropylene
construction workers who go into roof cavities with no air flow are just some
inner layers hold more body heat than
examples of workers at risk.
cotton does. Look for fabrics that wick
moisture away from the body. If these examples sound like situations in your workplace, then Safe Work
D for Dry: Stay as dry as possible. Australia’s new guide, Managing the Risks of Working in Heat, can help you make
In the winter, pay special attention to sure you and your workers stay safe.
your feet. Working in wet boots and
socks in low temperatures can lead The dangers
to a condition known as ‘trench foot’
Working in heat can be hazardous and can cause harm to people.
or ‘immersion foot’, which is similar to
frostbite but without freezing. The human body needs to maintain a body temperature of approximately 37
degrees Celsius. If the body has to work too hard to keep cool or starts to
Your mother wasn’t being fussy when
overheat, a person begins to suffer from heat-related illness. This is a general
she told you to ‘rug up, wear a hat and
term that describes a range of progressive heat-related conditions including
scarf’ before sending you outdoors
fainting, heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
as a child: she was just applying a
commonsense strategy to reduce the
possible effects of cold exposure. It How to manage it
makes sense to remember her advice if The new guide steps you through a risk assessment with questions and
you are an outdoor worker! pointers specific to working in heat (and a handy checklist you can use). It has
relevant control measures that may help you protect workers from the effects
Conditions that can of working in heat; and a first aid fact sheet that summarises the symptoms of
lead to hypothermia different heat-related illnesses and the first aid measures you should take.
• Cold temperatures/wind chill
Find the guide
• Improper clothing and equipment
Go to the Safe Work Australia website at www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au and
• Wetness from rain or perspiration
search for ‘working in heat’.
• Fatigue, exhaustion
• Dehydration
• Poor food intake
• Alcohol intake: causes increased
blood flow to the extremities,
leading to increased heat loss
and increased dehydration.
Workplace Issues No. 90 June 2018 15SAFETY
Ageing workers + WHS
Australians are increasingly working skills (‘you can’t teach an old dog new Facts
to older ages. The rate is likely tricks’). But age does not determine
one’s curiosity, nor productivity or In a recent WorkSafe community survey,
to continue to increase as the respondents in the 50+ age group were
physical fitness.
retirement intentions of Australians the most aware of their responsibilities
change. and what they need to do to work safely,
Consequences and the least likely to take shortcuts with
• In March
Caption 2016, Australians aged
goes here
These beliefs can negatively affect safety. They were also the most likely to:
65+ had a workforce participation
rate of 13% (17% for men and 9% for older workers by excluding them from • keep up to date with current WHS
women), compared with 8% in 2006 learning and training, denying them issues
(12% for men and 4% for women). promotions, and even prematurely • be thinking of safety every day
forcing them out of the workplace. • report a safety issue or accident
• By 2050, around one quarter of all
Australians will be aged 65 years According to the Australian Human • use safety gear where provided.
and over, with the proportion of Rights Commission:
These counteract the myths that we
younger Australians declining. • around 35% of Australians aged outlined above and that circulate in the
• There are twice as many women between 55 and 64 years say community!
as men aged 85 years and over, they’ve experienced discrimination
reflecting their longer life expectancy. because of their age Moving forward
• It is estimated that the number of • the most common types of
A long working life is possible and
Australians aged 85 and over will discrimination include being turned
desirable for many of us. It can be
increase from 400,000 in 2010 to 1.8 down for a job, being ignored
promoted by creating positive cultural
million by 2050. or treated rudely, and having
and environmental factors that support
disparaging jokes made about their health, safety and wellbeing in the
Sources: Australian Government’s
age workplace.
Institute of Health and Welfare
www.aihw.gov.au; Australian Human • one in five Australians aged 55 years Don’t just focus on or target your older
Rights Commission www.humanrights. or over claim that age is a major workers, though: improving the health,
gov.au/face-facts-older-australians barrier to finding a job or getting safety and wellbeing of all your workers
more hours of paid work. They say will reap benefits for everyone. You’ll
that employers consider them ‘too
Myths retain them for as long as possible, in
old’. the best health as possible.
Older workers can be victims of
These attitudes can also negatively So take a holistic view to building the
outdated attitudes, stereotypes, unfair
affect businesses. Older workers can be capacity and capability of your workers:
policies and prejudices.
a valuable resource, a source of skills • recognise the value of experience
For example, a common misconception and knowledge, especially for younger
is that older workers are ‘over the hill’ or newer workers just starting out. • encourage lifelong learning
and can’t work safely or effectively. • promote wellbeing at work and a
sustainable longer work life
Others may think that older people
are unable or unwilling to learn new • facilitate skills being passed on
between ‘generations’.
16 Workplace Issues No. 90 June 2018SAFETY
Volunteer organisations:
What are your WHS duties?
Other practical advice Sometimes there is confusion about General and common law duties of
WHS obligations towards volunteers organisations that engage volunteers
We think it’s obvious that creating a safe and in volunteer organisations. The are well established. Australian courts
and healthy workplace will benefit all simplest way to determine if you have have long recognised that volunteers
your workers. That might mean reducing duties is to ask: are owed a general duty of care by
manual handling risks, controlling the people and the organisations they
noise hazards, getting shiftwork rosters Does my organisation employ and pay
anyone to carry out work? support.
right, or taking measures to address
sedentary work practices. Following So even if your organisation is a
Yes?
safe work procedures, using the volunteer association and does not
Then both your organisation (which is fall under the Act, it is a good idea to
appropriate PPE and looking after your
a PCBU) and the volunteers it engages comply with general WHS duties.
own health and safety is something
(these volunteers are workers under the
workers can do, too.
law) are covered under WHS laws.
WorkSafe’s ‘A guide to managing an Develop a system
You should read the information for
ageing workforce’ provides practical Establishing an appropriate safety
volunteer organisations on the Safe
know-how for employers and workers management system to ensure the
Work Australia website. Go to
on these issues and more. Go to safety of your volunteers (workers) is a
www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au and
www.worksafe.tas.gov.au and search for simple process.
search for ‘volunteer guide’; this
‘ageing workforce’.
essential guide contains practical Read our Safety Management Toolkit,
guidance on what you need to do. which can help you meet your duties
Snapshot: Tas facts under the law if you are a PCBU, or
No?
give you general guidance if you are a
For the financial years 2011–12 to Then your organisation is a volunteer volunteer organisation. The toolkit steps
2015–16: association, made up only of volunteers you through what you need to do to
• the 55–64 year age group grew working together for a community develop and implement a safety system.
by 20% (from 30,471 to 36,674) purpose. The organisation and its Go to www.worksafe.tas.gov.au and
volunteers are not covered under the search for ‘toolkit’.
• the 65 and over age group grew Work Health and Safety Act 2012, and
by 43% (from 5,011 to 7,166) Our Work Health, Safety and Wellbeing
therefore do not have WHS duties.
Advisors can also help you develop a
• there is a higher proportion of However, even though you have no safety management system. To arrange
workers aged 45 and over in the duties under this Act, you should a free and confidential visit, go to
health care industry seriously consider complying with www.worksafe.tas.gov.au and search for
• there are fewer in Retail, general WHS duties as a matter of ‘request a visit’.
Construction, and Agriculture, course.
Forestry & Fishing. Keeping your volunteers safe is your
Source: WorkSafe Tasmania. Data main priority, and establishing a system
was taken at 20 July 2017. that protects them makes good sense.
Workplace Issues No. 90 June 2018 17SAFETY NEWS + EVENTS
WHS laws
What about review in
Australian Standards? progress
We talk about safety codes, acts and NZS 4005.2:2000 Training and
regulations a lot in Workplace Issues. certification of recreational divers
But what about standards? What’s their and AS/NZS 2815 Training and
role in WHS and how do they connect certification of occupational divers to
with the codes and laws? define these competencies.
A court may also view that conforming
What standards do to a Standard was ‘reasonably
practicable’ for that person to do in
Australian Standards provide guidance
the circumstances. A standard may
to ensure safety, performance and
be considered information that a duty
reliability through specifications for
holder knows (or ought to reasonably
goods, systems and services. For
know) about a hazard or risk and about
example, there are standards regulating
the ways to remove or reduce the risk.
sunglasses, to ensure these are made
This may include acquiring knowledge
so your eyes are sufficiently protected
of, and keeping up-to-date with
from damaging UV rays.
changes to, relevant Standards.
There are Australian and international
standards, and standards developed by
industry and by regulators.
Standards and codes
While following codes of practice is
Standards and laws not mandatory, codes are admissible
in court proceedings, and a court may
Standards are not laws, so there’s no rely on a code to determine what is
general requirement to conform to them. ‘reasonably practicable’ when deciding
However, where the WHS laws say you a matter.
must conform to specific standards, If an approved code recommends
failing to do so may result in a breach of following a specific standard, then it
the WHS laws. would be reasonable to consider the Marie Boland from Safe Work Australia
For example: specified standard forms part of that
approved code. Safe Work Australia is currently
• Regulation 223 of the Work Health reviewing the WHS laws that came into
and Safety Regulations 2012 covers effect six years ago. Safe Work Australia
the use of laser equipment on plant. Get detailed information
has engaged Marie Boland, former
It refers to AS 2397:1993 – Safe use of Safe Work Australia has a detailed Executive Director of SafeWork SA, to
lasers in the building and construction information sheet that explains the lead the review, and in late March she
industry to define types of laser relationship between the WHS laws visited WorkSafe Tasmania offices to
equipment that mustn’t be used and Australian standards. It also discuss the review.
• Regulation 171 covers the required covers international standards.
competencies for those doing Go to www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au While public comment is now closed,
diving work. It refers to AS/ and search for ‘Australian and you can find out more about the review
other standards’. at engage.swa.gov.au.
18 Workplace Issues No. 90 June 2018SAFETY NEWS + EVENTS
k Health and
Australian Wor
y 2012 2022
Safety Strateg
ng lives
productive worki
Healthy, safe and
Update:
Revised
Australian
WHS Strategy
Safe Work Australia has published a
revised version of the Australian Work
Health and Safety Strategy 2012–2022,
to ensure it continues to make a positive
difference in Australian workplaces.
Got a problem? The changes include some terminology
changes, and a more explicit reference
to workplace bullying, harassment and
occupational violence.
Are you having WHS issues in your What WorkSafe needs
workplace? Thinking about picking How they came about
However, if you feel that these steps
up the phone to WorkSafe Tasmania have not been effective at fixing the The changes are a result of the
for an intervention? Before you problem, or are not appropriate, Strategy’s scheduled mid-term review.
place that call, there are some steps then you can contact WorkSafe for While this review showed that overall
you should try in order to resolve assistance. You can call 1300 366 322 support for the Strategy remained
the matter in-house. or email wstinfo@justice.tas.gov.au. positive, it did highlight some areas for
greater attention, to keep the Strategy
In order to help you, we will need as
relevant for the next five years.
In-house first much information as possible. This
includes information that will allow us to: As a result, Safe Work Australia will:
They include:
• find the address of the workplace • undertake detailed analysis of the
• reporting the issue verbally to your and the location within that cause and controls of work-related
supervisor or manager workplace where the WHS issues fatalities, injuries and illnesses, with
• reporting the issue through your are occurring an initial focus on the agriculture
workplace’s hazard reporting sector and musculo-skeletal
• identify the exact nature of the
procedures disorders
issues/concerns (for example,
• raising the issue with your health working at heights or plant safety • explore the feasibility of national
and safety representative (HSR) or risks) lead indicators to support
health and safety committee improved workplace performance
• identify the name and address of the
measurement and reporting
• raising the issue with management organisation or individual in control
through your union representative. of the workplace. • develop effective information sharing
and improved co-ordination of
Communicating with one another may WorkSafe inspectors won’t reveal your
activities implemented under the
resolve the matter quickly and positively, name as the source of the request to
Strategy.
without the need to involve WorkSafe. the workplace parties involved unless
you consent. Find the Strategy
If you choose to remain anonymous Get your copy of the Strategy, share it
when speaking to us, it’s not possible with your co-workers, and see how it
for an inspector to seek further applies to your workplace. Go to
information from you or provide you with www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au and look
feedback on the issue. under the ‘news and events’ tab.
Workplace Issues No. 90 June 2018 19REGULARS
Build a wellbeing program:
Organise your program
You’ve got management support behind Whatever your option, the members • setting the goals for the program
you and you’ve got a co-ordinator — should have an interest and enthusiasm • conducting a needs assessment
let’s move forward assuming that’s you! for wellbeing: people who’ll show their in your workplace, then prioritising
support by participating in activities and these needs
communicating the program’s progress
Consider a working group to other workers. • developing an action plan that
covers strategies and activities
No matter what size your workplace You may want to consider drawing up
is, consider creating a committee or some terms of reference for your group. • implementing the program, and
working group. This can keep you on track with your monitoring its progress and
role and your goals. To make this easy, effectiveness
This is not meant to introduce an
extra layer of bureaucracy; rather, it we’ve developed a template for you to • evaluating the program and
can ensure success by sharing the customise; go to www.worksafe.tas.gov. reporting on the outcomes to your
workload, and getting input and ideas au and search for ‘terms of reference’. senior managers.
from throughout your workplace. As work gets under way, you and your
So bring together a small group of Roles and tasks working group should keep a record of:
workers representing each team in Your working group should meet • notes from your meetings
your workplace or with an interest; for regularly to start program planning
example, your safety, human resources • feedback from participants (and
and preparation. Its role is to guide those not participating)
or operations teams. In a small the implementation of your wellbeing
organisation, you might gather a few program. Delegate responsibilities and • costs; materials and resources
motivated workers — some wellbeing tasks, which will likely include: required.
‘champions’ (smaller workplaces may This will help with future evaluation.
also consider inviting a community • identifying resources, facilities and
health centre to contribute). expertise and networks to draw on
Or it may be a new task for an existing • identifying potential barriers to
group, such as your health and safety implementing your program
committee; the advantage of this is • identifying processes already in
that wellbeing and safety become place in your workplace that may
integrated. help you plan and implement your
program
20 Workplace Issues No. 90 June 2018You can also read
