The week's SafetyNet features a tool for identifying and addressing psychosocial risks, a link to Australian Union's annual OHS survey, news on charges laid following a mobile crane collapse, guilty pleas following the White Island disaster and European and local developments in chemical safety.
An rail worker writes to Ask Renata about their power to seek assistance, 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
HOW SAFE AND HEALTHY IS YOUR WORK?
Australian Unions are conducting their third national survey about workers’ experience of health and safety in the workplace, and they really want your input.
More here
Work Shouldn’t Hurt 2023 survey link: https://ausunions.io/WSH2023.
IDENTIFY PSYCHOSOCIAL HAZARDS AT WORK : A TOOL FOR HSRs
Ever wondered which psychosocial hazards are affecting you and your workplace?
Check out our new psychosocial hazard library to pinpoint the hazard, get up-to-date on the OHS terminology, and look at some example controls for the associated risks..
Access our psychosocial hazard library here
ENSURING COMPLIANCE AND COLLABORATION: VTHC’s CONSULTANT LIST
Have you or your employer ever needed the assistance of an OHS Expert?
VTHC has recently updated our list of consultants. Companies in this list have committed to making sure that HSRs and involved in the risk assessment process.
ASK RENATA
If there is a HSR meeting called by a manager can the HSR ‘insist’ on a Union Delegate being present?
Firstly let’s assume that the purpose of the meeting is to engage with you in your capacity as an HSR.
While we do not know the subject matter of the meeting, it generally reflects positively when a manager seeks to meet with an HSR, as it demonstrates a commitment to their section 35 consultation duties and this type of conversation is not something we should discourage.
If you feel like having a second person present would be useful, HSRs possess the power to ‘seek the assistance of any person’ under section 58(1)(f) of our OHS Act.
Read our full response here
WEEKLY COVID NUMBERS
From 29 June – 5 July, Victoria recorded:
823 (-68%)* total cases for the past week
7 COVID deaths on average each day over the past week
158 cases in hospital (7 day rolling average) with 7 in ICU (7 day rolling average)
*The recommendation to report positive rapid antigen test result was removed on 30 June, so new cases include PCR test results only from 1 July.
More COVID weekly stats here.
EMPLOYERS HAVE 30 DAYS TO DESTROY VACCINATION RECORDS
WorkSafe have reminded employers that regulations regarding the collection, recording, holding, and use of COVID-19 vaccination information have expired.
FREE TOOLKIT FOR MENTALLY HEALTHY WORKPLACES
Our comrades at the ASU have launched a new toolkit which provides resources and information to assist workers lead the change to mentally healthy workplaces.
More here
International News
EUROPEAN UNIONS COLLABORATE ON CHEMICAL RISKS
The 19th annual seminar on workers' protection from chemical exposure took place in Brussels recently, bringing together trade unionists from 15 European countries.
Regulator News
INADEQUATE STAFFING A FACTOR IN PARAMEDIC'S DEATH
An inquest has found that inadequate manager-to-staff ratio at Ambulance Tasmania contributed to the failure to address a paramedic's erratic behavior and support his welfare, leading to his death.
SIXTH JURISDICTION ADOPTS INDUSTRIAL MANSLAUGHTER LAWS
South Australia is introducing a new law called the Work Health and Safety (Industrial Manslaughter) Amendment Bill 2023. This law aims to hold people accountable for serious health and safety breaches that result in someone's death.
AUSTRALIA HAS COMPLETED THE TRANSITION TO GHS 7
GHS 7 is now the only system to classify newly manufactured and imported hazardous chemicals and prepare their labels and safety data sheets (SDS) across Australia.
WORKERS POISONED: ALERT ISSUED
A safety alert has been issued after two workers in a cool room experienced carbon monoxide poisoning.
NORTHERN TERRITIORY UPDATES THEIR PSYCH REGS
The Northern Territory has made amendments to its Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011 that require businesses and organizations to apply a range of controls when managing psychosocial risks in the workplace.
Research
STUDY LINKS LOW WORK HOURS WITH DEPRESSION
A recent study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health has concluded there’s a higher risk of depression associated with working few hours in a week, also known as marginal part-time work.
Prosecutions
COMPANY CHARGED AFTER CRANE COLLAPSE ENDANGERS LIVES
WorkSafe has filed charges against a crane company following an incident where workers were exposed to the risk of serious injury or death at a construction site in Parkville in July 2021.
Read more here
WHAKAARI TRAGEDY: GUILTY PLEAS
Three helicopter tour companies have pleaded guilty to workplace health and safety offences related to the Whakaari/White Island disaster in New Zealand.
Events
PREVENT BULLYING: RSVP TODAY FOR JULY'S WEBINAR
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.
Learn more
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.
OHS Team
http://www.weareunion.org.au