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Safety climate, culture and leadership at first glance all sound like the same thing but in order to gain a better understanding of each of these, we break this down with the help of some great resources from Workplace Health & Safety QLD’s Safety Leadership at Work Program. Continue reading
With the inquest into the deaths of four people at Dreamworld in 2016 complete, the Queensland Government has referred the matter to the independent Work Health and Safety Prosecutor to decide whether action will be taken against Dreamworld’s owner, Ardent Leisure, under the Work Health and Safety Act. Continue reading
Australia is closely monitoring and responding to the outbreak of the respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus, first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Provence, China.
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). Continue reading
WHS authorities across Australia undertook 230,054 workplace interventions, issued 46,472 notices for WHS breaches and finalised 289 legal proceedings between 2013-14 and 2016-17, resulting in $18.9 million in fines ordered by the courts, according to a recent Safe Work Australia report.
It also found that the total expenditure for workers’ compensation schemes across Australia was $8.457 billion in 2017-18. Continue reading
Safe Work Australia (SWA) Members have agreed to adopt the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) Revision 7 under the model WHS laws for workplace hazardous chemicals.
This will ensure Australia’s requirements for the classification and labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals remain best practice and are aligned with our key international trading partners in chemicals. Continue reading
In a first for Queensland, the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor has commenced a prosecution against Brisbane Auto Recycling Pty Ltd for industrial manslaughter under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
Separate charges have also been made against the company directors, Asadullah Hussaini and Mohammad Ali Jan Karimi, for engaging in reckless conduct that resulted in the death of a worker. Continue reading
A construction company has been convicted and fined $650,000 after a labourer fell to his death during the building of a Melbourne high rise.
Concorp Group Pty Ltd (in liquidation) was found guilty by a jury in the County Court of two offences under the Occupational Health and Safety Act of failing to maintain a safe working environment and failing to provide instruction. Continue reading
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]What is ISO 45001?
ISO 45001 is a product of collaboration between more than 70 countries, and is the first global standard of its kind. Designed to work with any organisation, large or small, the universal framework is designed to improve employee health and safety, reduce workplace risks, and create healthier, safer working conditions.
Australian experts contributed heavily to ISO 45001 to deliver a standard outlining international best practice. Organisations of every size and in every industry now have guidance available to achieve a minimum level of workplace health and safety thanks to the publication of this standard.
ISO 45001 aligns with ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environment Management) and builds on OHSAS 18001 (Controlling Risk).
Whilst there are changes, the standards within ISO 45001 are not entirely new and many companies may already have processes in place to satisfy 45001, making the new standard accessible for even the smallest business.
You just need a systematic approach to ensure all aspects are considered when directing operations in the workplace. It stresses the responsibilities of those in authority and acknowledges the necessity of everyone in the workplace to participate.
Moving from OHSAS 18001 or AS/NZ 4801 to ISO 45001
In October 2018, Standards Australia adopted the new ISO Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use, standard as AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018. Australian businesses have already been warned that existing safety standards would be phased out and that they would be given a three-year transition period to move from AS/NZS 4801 to AS/NZS 45001.
A growing number of Australian businesses have already adopted the new standard AS/NZS ISO 45001, and Standards Australia has now officially classified AS/NZS 4801:2001, Occupational health and safety management systems as “available superseded”, but is still being maintained as a reference for regulatory purposes.
SA head of stakeholder engagement, Daniel Chidgey, said “the objective of this standard is to reduce workplace injuries and fatalities which is exactly why Standards Australia has been working with industry, government and the general public to ensure the current standard available to Australian organisations contains the most relevant and up to date information available.”
If you would like more information about ISO 450001 visit the Standards Australia website or contact us to arrange for one of our experienced consultants to help you transition across to ISO 450001 today.
Source: Standards Australia, 16 October 2019.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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Workers are at the heart of Safe Work Australia’s new 10 year vision to minimise the impact of work-related injury and illness and enable workers to have a timely, safe and durable return to work.
More than half a million Australians sustain a work-related injury or illness each year. The impact of this is felt in their daily lives, their families and their communities.
R U OK? Ambassador and MATES in Construction Field Officer Justin Geange highlights the importance of looking out for your mates on your worksite.
What is ‘MATES in Construction’?
MATES in Construction is a charity that focuses on mental health and suicide prevention in the construction industry. Research has shown that people working in the construction industry are at a higher risk of suicide than the general population of Australia. In fact, we lose a construction worker to suicide every second day in Australia.
Our focus is on giving resources and tools to the people in the construction industry. By doing this we can educate and encourage people to identify the signs that their mates may be struggling, how to approach them about their struggles, listen without judgment and connect them to help. It is all about help offering, simplified as Mates helping Mates!
What is Fly the Flag?
Fly the Flag is an initiative for the construction industry to show support and raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. The message is about taking the time out of a day to remind each other to notice when our mates may be struggling and that it’s not only OK to have these conversations but essential and important! Fly the Flag is about letting the greater community know that MATES in Construction, Energy and Mining are committed to looking out for our mates!
Why is the targeted campaign for construction industry workers so important?
This campaign is so important as it acknowledges we have a problem in our industry, but it also empowers our industry to do something about it, by starting to have transparent, “fair dinkum” conversations that matter. By having mates helping mates we are seeing people get help and support before it gets to tipping point.
What difference can the MATES in Construction message make to an organisation’s culture?
The term “big wheels turn slowly” is one that can be said of our industry. As a plumber for over 25 years, I can attest to the ‘harden-up’ mentality of our industry. But I do see that slowly changing, both in my personal conversations within the industry and via the ever-increasing use of our 1300 national helpline number (1300 642 111), people are reaching out and people are getting help and services to people they care about. Fly the Flag is a statement to the industry saying that we will not be held captive to the old school of thought that we don’t talk about the things that send us sideways. We will stand up for our mates and have life changing conversations.
What needs to be done to promote the MATES in Construction message in the industry?
The conversation needs to continue to grow and we need to engage with and empower our industry to put the mental health and wellbeing of the people in our industry first. I believe that is the first step in building a better future in this industry that I am so passionate about!
How can people get involved?
A Connector or ASIST trained person (someone who has received training in how to identify if someone is struggling, how to ask about what they notice, how to listen and how to keep that person struggling safe) can register their site through the MATES in Construction website.
For more information on MATES in Construction and Fly the Flag, please visit matesinconstruction.org.au/
If you need support, lifeline can be contacted anytime on 13 11 14.
Source: R U OK website, 31 August 2019
