In this week's SafetyNet Journal we look into research on wearables, burnout rates and psychological screening in the workplace. The federal government establishes a new respiratory diseases registry and the WHO downgrades the COVID pandemic.
A university worker writes to Ask Renata about workloads, and as always we encourage you to send in your own queries to Ask Renata.
For OHS news and helpful information visit We Are Union: OHS Reps Facebook page.
For previous issues visit our SafetyNet Archive.
Union News
REGISTER WELCOMED: BUT MORE MUST BE DONE
ACTU has welcomed a new National Registry for respiratory diseases, but says more has to be done.
More here
MAN DIES AFTER BEING CRUSHED BY HAY BALES
A Greendale man died after being crushed by hay bales on a private property on Long Gully Road.
Details here
ASK RENATA
We recently ran an employee experience survey which found 64% of staff are experiencing symptoms of burnout, 52% say their workload is unmanageable and 48% feel unsafe to challenge the way things are done here. I'm wanting support on how to work with other HSRs and talk to management about making changes.
We think the impending enactment of Psychological Health Regulations in Victoria will be a significant development for you and your work group.
They'll require employers to have written prevention plans in place for any of the following psychological hazards if identified at work:
- Occupational violence and aggression
- Bullying
- Exposure to traumatic content or events
- High job demands
- Sexual harassment
Read our full response.
WEEKLY COVID NUMBERS
From 09 June - 15 June, Victoria recorded:
- 3,956 (-35%) total cases for the past week
- 16 COVID deaths on average each day over the past week
- 313 cases in hospital (7 day rolling average) with 17 in ICU (7 day rolling average)
More COVID weekly stats here.
International News
TRANSITIONING FROM EMERGENCY: WHO DOWNGRADES COVID
Early last month, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced COVID-19 is no longer considered a global health emergency, but remains a global health threat.
More here
AUSTRALIA RATIFIES ILO CONVENTION 190
Last week Australia was among the first group of countries in the world to ratify the ILO (International Labour Organisation) Convention No. 190 (Violence and Harassment).
Details here
U.S. CHILD LABOUR: 16 YEAR OLD KILLED AT LANDFILL
On Thursday 8 June, sixteen-year-old high school student, Will Hampton, lost his life while working at a Missouri resource and recovery centre.
More here
Regulator News
OHS TEST IN NEW CHILD EMPLOYMENT LAWS
Starting from 1 July, new child employment laws in Victoria require employers to demonstrate compliance with workplace safety laws and other regulations in order to hire children under 15 years old.
More here
ENTRIES OPEN FOR WORKSAFE AWARDS 2023
The WorkSafe Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of our health, safety, and return to work champions.
Why enter?
It’s a way to recognise individuals, teams, or organisations that go above and beyond for workplace safety. .
Entries are now open across the following categories:
- Commitment to Prevention of Mental Injury in the Workplace
- Commitment to Workplace Health and Safety on a Farm
- Health and Safety Representative of the Year
- Leading Return to Work Practice
- OHS Leadership/Achievement
- Worker Return to Work Achievement
- Workplace Health and Safety Solution of the Year.
See here for details on how to enter.
Prosecutions
100K FINE FOR SAFETY BREACHES AT ARMY BASE
Construction company Lendlease has been fined $100,000 for a workplace safety incident in Perth that caused serious injuries. A steel truss detached and fell on a worker's foot, resulting in toe amputation. The company had persistent failures in maintaining exclusion zones, as identified by regulator Comcare.
Read about the prosecution here
Research
RISKS AND LIMITATIONS OF STAND-ALONE SCREENING PROGRAMS
Workplace mental health screening programs lack evidence of effectiveness and require post-screening interventions for improvement, according to research by the Black Dog Institute.
Details here
BURNOUT RATES SOAR: HEALTHCARE HARDEST HIT
A survey conducted by the State Centre for Work Health and Safety reveals a surge in burnout rates, partly attributed to isolated work environments.
More here
DIGITAL MONITORING SYSTEMS: BENEFITS AND RISKS
A policy brief from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) highlights the benefits and risks associated with digital monitoring systems in the workplace.
Learn more
Events
2 DAY OHS TRAINING COURSE FOR MANAGERS & SUPERVISORS
Are you a manager or supervisor? Do you sit on an OHS Committee? We have a 2 day course that familiarises you with the OHS Act 2004 and your duties under it. The 2 day course is an overview designed for managers, supervisors and committee members – it is not a replacement for the 5 day HSR Initial OHS Training Course.
Managers, Supervisors and Committee Members are key players in workplace health and safety.
Under the OHS Act 2004, employers are required to ‘provide and maintain so far as is reasonably practicable for employees a working environment that is safe and without risks to health’.
Providing and maintaining that safe and healthy work environment requires effort on three fronts:
- Planning - to identify and control workplace hazards
- Integration - to ensure that health and safety is built into the overall operation of the workplace, alongside production, quality control and customer service.
- Involvement - only the active commitment of senior management, line managers and supervisors, health & safety committee members, employees and their health and safety representatives will change workplace health and safety standards.
Course hours: 9am – 5pm
Course length: 2 Days
Cost: $750 (inc GST)
Course Dates: 29 & 30 June 2023
OHS TRAINING UNIT
The Victorian Trades Hall Council’s OHS Training Unit is one of the most experienced training providers in Victoria.
We have delivered OHS training to tens of thousands of Health & Safety Reps across Victoria since 1983.
We deliver high quality WorkSafe Approved training that is practical and solution-focused in multiple locations around Melbourne’s suburbs and regional Victoria.
- 5 Day HSR Initial OHS Training Course Fee - $950 (inc GST)
- 1 Day HSR Refresher Training Course Fee - $350 (inc GST)
Click on the links below for dates and locations.
HSR Initial OHS Training Course
HSR Refresher OHS Training Course
VTHC also offers tailored training, including for managers and supervisors, on Comcare, and gendered violence.
Check out our website for more information.
PREVENT BULLYING USING OHS FRAMEWORKS: RSVP TODAY!
In March, we facilitated an online seminar featuring Professor Michelle Tuckey, on the impact that changing work systems has on reducing bullying.
Attendees expressed the need for a follow-up event that provides a step-by-step action plan for HSRs.
Due to high demand, our first event on 19 June was fully booked, but we are pleased to offer a second workshop, 27 July for those who missed out.
The workshop, facilitated by Marty from VTHC's OHS Team, will guide participants through an action plan to address bullying-promoting systems.
RSVP here to receive the Zoom meeting link.
Let's make a positive impact on Victorian workplaces together. This event is sponsored by Slater & Gordon.
FREE DOWNLOAD: 35 YEARS OF VICTORIAN OHS HISTORY
For a limited time, SafetyNet subscribers have the opportunity to download Barry Naismith's exceptional three-volume work, 35th anniversary of OHS in Victoria for FREE!
More information here.
OHS Team
http://www.weareunion.org.au/