This week in SafetyNet: Amazon France hit with massive surveillance fine, Australian universities failing staff on mental health, the language of tech surveillance, Victoria’s first industrial manslaughter conviction, the differing impacts of workplace verbal abuse, enhanced HSR powers for offshore workers, and much more.
A deputy HSR seeks advice from Ask Renata on psychological hazards and expressing political opinion. As always, we welcome your questions for Ask Renata.
A 50-year-old farmer has died after being struck by a shed roof that detached in strong winds at Mirboo North. WorkSafe is investigating. We send our condolences to the man’s loved ones and colleagues. As we mourn the dead we will fight like hell for the living.
For OHS news and helpful information, please visit the We Are Union: OHS Reps Facebook page.
To access previous issues, you can visit our SafetyNet Archive.
Union News
HEFTIER SAFETY FINES FLAGGED FOR BIG FIRMS
The Victoria Sentencing Advisory Council (SAC) is considering changes to workplace health and safety fines to ensure they have a ‘real economic impact’, especially for larger companies.
‘To achieve the purposes of sentencing, a fine needs to have a real sting to it. If fines for unsafe work practices are just the cost of doing business, then the system is not working,’ SAC said in a new 138-page consultation paper.
The Advisory Council is hosting community conversation sessions in February and March. SafetyNet strongly encourages all HSRs to get involved.
ASK RENATA
Members of my DWG feel unsafe expressing political opinions at work due to mixed messages from management about whether it’s allowed or not.
Inconsistent application of policies and procedures or uncertainty about work standards can are known psychological hazards, so tackling this through an OHS lens is important.
COVID NUMBERS DROPPING
Victorian data taken from Department of Health Weekly Report 16 February 2024.
The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 has continued to decline this week.
The 7-day average is 156, compared to 180 last week. The 7-day average of ICU patients has also decreased this week (9 to 4).
Asbstos News
CONTAMINATED MULCH DISCOVERY: SYDNEY PARKS CLOSED
Friable asbestos has been discovered in mulch at Harmony Park in Sydney, leading to its closure. Local authorities confirmed that the mulch was used in garden beds and under trees.
The NSW EPA is investigating the contaminated mulch supply chain and considering a mass recall.
Research
MALICIOUS: THE LANGUAGE OF TECH SURVEILLANCE
Following last week’s report on Coles installing ‘bossware’ in their supermarkets, researchers are warning human resources (HR) managers about the language used by tech companies to promote surveillance and monitoring tools, likening it to the language of ‘espionage.’
Researchers analysing technology websites found they emphasise managerial control while portraying workers as unproductive or even malicious.
WAKE-UP CALL: UNI STAFF MENTAL HEALTH
Results of the Australian University Staff: Work, Digital Stress, and Wellbeing Survey report, compiled over four years of surveys from 2020 to 2023, indicate staff face harmful conditions in organisations performing below national benchmarks for workplace wellbeing.
ABUSE IMPACTS DIFFER: SUPERVISORS OFTEN CULPRITS
Researchers at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health in Japan categorised aggressive words and phrases into different types, including criticizing job performance, attacking personality and looks, and threatening life.
Victims exposed to threats on life were more likely to experience depressive symptoms, while those facing job performance abuse were more likely to have sleep issues.
Regulator News
HSR POWERS STRENGTHENED FOR OFFSHORE WORKERS
The powers of HSRs in the offshore sector have been strengthened, aligning them with WHS laws.
A parliamentary inquiry confirmed deficiencies in safety provisions in the offshore sector, leading to fears of reprisals for HSRs who engaged with regulators.
Prosecutions
LANDMARK MANSLAUGHTER CONVICTION : $1.3M FINE
Stonemasonry business, Universal Stone and Marble has become the first company convicted under Victoria's workplace manslaughter laws following the death of a worker fatally crushed at a Somerton factory.
PROSAM FINED $80K FOR FALL PROTECTION FAILURE
Wattle Glen builder Prosam Building Services has been found guilty of four charges of failing to maintain a safe working environment and fined a total of $80,000 for not providing fall protection at a building site where workers were accessing high areas without guardrails or safety harnesses.
The builder was also unable to provide evidence of a SWMS for the high-risk work.
WORKSAFE CHARGES MONASH HEALTH AFTER PATIENT'S DEATH
Monash Health, which operates Dandenong Hospital, is facing charges from WorkSafe following the death of a patient who had been receiving mental health treatment at the hospital. The charges relate to Monash’s failure to ensure that patients are not exposed to health and safety risks due to the actions of the employer.
The patient died by suicide while receiving treatment in the hospital's mental health unit in February 2022. The case is scheduled to go to court on March 13, 2024.
International News
FRANCE: AMAZON’S MASSIVE FINE FOR INTRUSIVE SURVEILLANCE
The French Data Protection Authority (CNIL) has fined Amazon France Logistique €32 million (AU 53 million) for implementing a surveillance system deemed excessively intrusive.
TURKEY: CYANIDE LANDSLIDE - 9 MINERS MISSING
On 13 February a landslide swept into a valley, trapping nine miners who are still missing.
Rescue operations have been challenged by the high levels of cyanide in the area. The mine has come under criticism from civil society for some time over its use of cyanide and its potential impact on the environment and human life.
Turkey has a poor record on mine safety, with past incidents resulting in numerous fatalities.
Events
WOMEN HSRS - LEADERS AT WORK NETWORKING NIGHT
WRAW Fest is celebrating all women leaders of our movement, including women HSRs and those interested in becoming one! Join us for an online panel discussion with women HSRs from various industries, followed by a networking session and a WRAW Chat for women HSRs to share experiences, challenges, opportunities, and support for our union sisters in workplace leadership roles. This event is open to all women and gender diverse individuals only.
When: Monday, March 25, 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm
Where: Zoom (Register to receive the link on the day)
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY RALLY - END THE SILENCE!
For too long, the patriarchy has tried to silence us. This International Women’s Day, we refuse to stay silent. Instead, we're raising our voices for justice, safety, respect, and equality for all women. Join us as we rally through Melbourne together on Thursday, March 7th at 5:30 pm and demand real action. What won't you be silent about? What action do you want to see? We welcome and encourage all women, cis and trans, non-binary and gender-diverse folks of all ages, sizes, colors, races, sexualities, identities, religions, and cultures, as well as our allies and comrades, to attend the rally.
Where: State Library of Victoria, Corner Swanston and LaTrobe Sts, Naarm, Melbourne
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 training webpage for more information.
OHS Team
http://www.weareunion.org.au