New national guidance on work-related psychological health and safety
Work-related psychological health and safety – A systematic approach to meeting your duties will help employers and workers understand and meet their duties concerning psychological health and safety in the workplace.
Dr Peta Miller, Special Adviser for Safe Work Australia, said we know what causes psychological harm in the workplace and that taking preventative action works. “Our new national guidance material is essential reading for anyone who wants to build a healthy and safe workplace.z
“It provides guidance on the causes of work-related psychological harm, advice on how to intervene early, and ideas and strategies for taking preventative action.”
Contact your local WHS regulator for detailed information on how to use the guide in your workplace.
New Demolition and Excavation compliance codes now available
The new codes include:
- Demolition (previously the Code of Practice - Demolition, 1991)
- Excavation (previously the Code of Practice - Safety precautions in trenching operations, 1988)
Copies of the codes are available for download Worsafe Victoria. They are also available for viewing from all WorkSafe offices.
Contact the WorkSafe Advisory Service on 1800 136 089, Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm, with any questions about the new codes.
What has changed?
The new compliance codes have been updated to reflect the OHS Regulations 2017 and to reflect modern work practices.
For further information or to download the codes please visit Worsafe Victoria.
Changes to model WHS Regulations to protect workers exposed to lead processes
Safe Work Australia consulted with regulators, unions and industry groups in developing a Decision Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) Managing the risks associated with lead in the workplace: blood lead removal levels and workplace exposure standard in August 2016.
Ministers responsible for work health and safety considered the RIS, and the majority agreed to reducing the current permissible blood lead levels and workplace exposure standard to better protect workers who may be exposed to lead at work. The model WHS Regulations have been amended to reflect this decision.
For further information please click here.
National Safety Awards nominations closing soon
Now in their 26th year, the National Safety Awards of Excellence are Australia’s premier safety awards and now the only national independent awards program. The program continues to celebrate organisations and people who contribute to the health, safety and well-being of their employees and show continuous improvement in their business performance.
There are eight categories that you are able to submit your nominations into.
- Best Continuous Improvement of a WHS Management System
- Best Solution of a WHS Risk
- Best WHS Training Program
- Best Communication of a Safety Message
- Ian Chisholm Award for Best Individual WHS Achievement
- Best Safety Leadership Program/Initiative
- Best Health and Wellbeing Program
- NSCA Foundation Member of Year
Entries close on the 29th June 2018 with winners announced 11 October 2018 at Awards Gala Lunch in Sydney at Doltone House, Hyde Park.
For further information or to nominate please visit the National Safety Awards website.
In the News
Update on the demolition of the Anglesea Power Station - 18 June 2018
WorkSafe is working with Alcoa, contractors and technical advisors on plans to complete the demolition of the Anglesea Power Station.
`Work live’ and risk your life - 14 June 2018
Electrical businesses, contractors and workers are being warned about the dangers of working on live switchboards or circuits, as WorkSafe inspectors crack down on electrical risks.
New campaign redefines workplace safety - 1 June 2018
A major WorkSafe Victoria advertising campaign launching this Sunday will share the views of working Victorians to highlight the changing nature of what it means to be safe and healthy at work.
Worker dies in timber mill incident - 31 May 2018
A man in his 20s has died in a workplace incident at a timber mill at Benalla.
Stone suppliers guilty after worker loses toes - 29 May 2018
A Brooklyn company has been fined $50,000 without conviction, and ordered to pay costs of $29,000, after a 182kg stone benchtop fell on a worker’s foot, resulting in the loss of three toes.
Second company convicted after apprentice seriously burnt - 22 May 2018
A plumbing company has become the second business to be convicted and fined over an incident in which an apprentice was seriously burned when he made contact with powerlines.
Australian WHS Statistics
There have been 45 workplace fatalities reported in Australia, compared to 64 at the same time last year. This is a nearly 30% reduction.
The industries with the highest number of fatalities are:
Transport, postal & warehousing – 22 Agriculture, forestry & fishing – 13 Construction – 10
More at Safe Work Australia
SafetyFirst - Ahead of the Action
Your own branded learning management system not only benefits your apprentices and trainees, it also benefits you as a business. With SafetyFirst's online safety induction training, you'll enjoy benefits such as:
- Assist in meeting compliance - designed as tools to assist managers and supervisors to meet their Work Health and Safety obligations
- Do it anytime - The training course is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Interactive and engaging - easy to use by various learners, entertaining content for a more enjoyable learning experience
- Cost-effectiveness
- Consistency - ability to maintain a particular standard with staff WHS training
- Results – immediate results and feedback that identify further training needs
SafetyFirst can assist you in creating a safe work environment for all your new employees, apprentices and trainees.
A free trial of the material can be found here - demo.safetyfirst.org.au
Learn more about SafetyFirst
SafetyFirst is an initiative of the Group Training Association of Victoria. Visit our site to keep up to date with the latest Health and Safety news Australia wide. SafetyFirst.org.au
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