Member Alerts

INTERVENE EARLY IF POSSIBLE

Physical • Constant colds • Being tired at work • A change in appearance or dress • Rapid weight loss or gain              • Complaining about physical health issues (headaches or migraines)

Emotional • Irritability • Sensitive to criticism • Uncharacteristic loss of confidence • Loss of sense of humour

Cognitive • Increase in mistakes • Problems with decision making • Inability to concentrate • Performance decline

Indicators of potential distress: Early recognition and intervention A key characteristic of a mentally healthy workplace is that when a worker begins to show signs of distress, there are established workplace systems and processes to intervene early before someone suffers a psychological injury. Recognising the signs: The following list of indicators could help management and workers recognise when someone might need support. These signs do not necessarily mean there is an issue but it is important to check in with the person regarding their wellbeing.

Behavioural • Arriving late • Not taking lunch breaks • Taking unofficial time off • Not joining in workplace banter • Not meeting deadlines • Becoming more introverted or extroverted • Generally acting out of character

In the business • Increased absence • Increased staff turnover • Staff working longer hours • Decrease in motivation

How to ask if someone is OK: When someone suffers from a physical condition, such as a broken leg, most managers know the right course of action to take and what to say. However, with distress or psychological injury, managers and workers may have less certainty around what to say or do. There are some simple steps you can take to start a conversation with someone in the workplace.

The conversation guide – Have a conversation

If a worker confides that they may need additional support, it is important to respond.

Some examples of the support your workplace can offer include: •  providing details of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or a list of support resources such as those provided in the additional resources section of this toolkit •  redesigning aspects of the job that can cause work-related stress or psychological harm (example control measures can be found here) • examining suitable alternative duties or reasonable modifications or supports if the worker is experiencing personal difficulties.

Selecting and strengthening EAP programs:

Getting ready to ask

1. Be ready – to listen and give time if needed.
2. Be prepared – to be open minded and understanding.
3. Pick a moment – where and when will you approach them.

Starting a conversation

1. Ask R U OK?
2. Listen without judgement.
3. Encourage action. 4. Check in

MAY 2019 KEY POINTS

TOTAL DWELLING UNITS

The trend estimate for total dwellings approved fell 0.5% in May.

The seasonally adjusted estimate for total dwellings approved rose 0.7% in May.

PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSES

The trend estimate for private sector houses approved fell 1.3% in May.

The seasonally adjusted estimate for private sector houses fell 0.3% in May.

PRIVATE SECTOR DWELLINGS EXCLUDING HOUSES

The trend estimate for private sector dwellings excluding houses rose 0.6% in May.

The seasonally adjusted estimate for private sector dwellings excluding houses rose 1.2% in May.

VALUE OF BUILDING APPROVED

The trend estimate of the value of total building approved fell 0.2% in May and has fallen for three months.

The value of residential building fell 0.6% and has fallen for 16 months.

The value of non-residential building rose 0.3% and has risen for nine months.

The seasonally adjusted estimate of the value of total building approved fell 0.2% in May.

The value of residential building rose 4.7%, while the value of non-residential building fell 6.7%.

ABS Building Activity, Australia, Mar 2019 (10/7/19)

BUILDING WORK DONE

The trend estimate of the value of total building work done fell 0.9% in the March quarter.

The seasonally adjusted estimate of the value of total building work done fell 0.3% to $29,930.2m following a fall of 1.0% in the December quarter.

NEW RESIDENTIAL BUILDING WORK DONE

The trend estimate of the value of new residential building work done fell 2.3% in the March quarter. The value of work done on new houses fell 2.3%, while new other residential building fell 2.2%.

The seasonally adjusted estimate of the value of new residential building work done fell 2.0% to $16,652.3m. Work done on new houses fell 0.4% to $8,892.3m, while new other residential building fell 3.7% to $7,760.0m.

NON-RESIDENTIAL WORK DONE

The trend estimate of the value of non-residential building work done rose 1.4% in the March quarter.

The seasonally adjusted estimate of the value of non-residential building work done in the quarter rose 3.2% following a rise of 1.4% in the December quarter.

TOTAL DWELLINGS

The trend estimate for the total number of dwelling units commenced fell 7.9% in the March quarter following a fall of 8.7% in the December quarter.

The seasonally adjusted estimate for the total number of dwelling units commenced fell 5.6% to 46,267 dwellings in the March quarter following a fall of 12.3% in the December quarter.

NEW PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSES

The trend estimate for new private sector house commencements fell 1.7% in the March quarter following a fall of 3.0% in the December quarter.

The seasonally adjusted estimate for new private sector house commencements rose 3.5% to 28,485 dwellings in the March quarter following a fall of 5.9% in the December quarter.

NEW PRIVATE SECTOR OTHER RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

The trend estimate for new private sector other residential building commencements fell 16.4% in the March quarter following a fall of 15.7% in the December quarter.

The seasonally adjusted estimate for new private sector other residential building fell 15.2% to 17,200 dwellings in the March quarter following a fall of 21.1% in the December quarter.

In March 2019, a worker was fatally injured after becoming trapped in a conveyor belt system at a recycling facility. It is not clear at this stage what caused the incident. Investigations are continuing.

Preventing a similar incident

Plant is a major cause of workplace death and injury in Australian workplaces. There are significant risks associated with using plant and severe injuries can result from:

• its unsafe use
• exposure to unguarded moving parts of machines
• falls while accessing, operating or maintaining plant.

Conveyors (including belt and auger/screw type conveyors) pose significant risk to workers when moving parts are exposed. Hazards likely to cause injury include:

• rotating shafts, pulleys, gearing, cables, sprockets, chains, clutches, or fan blades
• the run-on points of belts, chains or cables
• crushing or shearing points e.g. augers and slide blocks, roller feeds, conveyor feeds
• machine components that move, cut, grind, pulp, crush, break or pulverise materials.

Before accessing conveyors for maintenance, or cleaning a rigorous isolation, lockout and tag-out process needs to be carried out. An isolation and lock-out process includes:

• isolating the conveyor from all energy sources that can cause harm
• locking all the isolating units in the isolated position
• dissipating or restraining any stored energy that may give rise to a hazard.

If any type of guarding is removed for maintenance or cleaning:

• the guarding must be replaced before the machine is put back into operation and,
• the plant should not be able to restart unless the guarding is in place.

A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) has the primary duty under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that workers and other persons are not exposed to health and safety risks arising from the business or undertaking. This duty includes ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the:

• provision and maintenance of safe plant
• safe use, handling, storage and transport of plant.

Higher order risk controls include designing the plant or structure to be without risks to the health and safety of any person. The elimination of potential hazards at the design or planning stage of a product enables a greater scope to design out hazards or incorporate risk control measures that are compatible with the original design and function requirements.

A PCBU must also provide information, training, instruction and supervision to a worker that is suitable and adequate to the:

• nature of the work to be carried out by the worker
• nature of the risks associated with the work
• control measures implemented to deal with these risks
• competency of workers carrying out the tasks.

Statistics

Since 2013, on average each year 386 workers’ compensation claims are accepted that relate to workers being trapped by moving machinery or equipment. Over forty per cent of these claims involve serious injuries requiring five or more days off work.

During the same period, we have been notified of 231 incidents where people were injured or were at risk of serious injury by a conveyor-type device. Sixty five per cent of these incidents resulted in a hospital stay. We have also issued 234 statutory notices relating to the risk management of such incidents.

Prosecutions and compliance

In 2015, a company was fined $35,000 after a worker sustained multiple fractures and soft tissue damage after his arm was drawn into a conveyor. The worker had observed a problem with the conveyor while it was being shut down. He was using his index finger to feel where the belt was grabbing at the tail drum of the conveyor when he was distracted by another worker. The guarding on the machine had also been removed for a repair and not replaced.

In 2014, a company was fined $35,000 following an incident where a worker’s hand was amputated after it was drawn into a nut harvesting auger. The worker was attempting to free a blockage with a stick, while the augers remained in operation. The stick became caught, and the worker’s hand was pulled into the machine.

New Safety Advocates

Deb and Dan Kennedy and Lee Garrels are now Safety Advocates.

 Deb and Dan Kennedy

The new film, I love you, Dad – The Dale Kennedy story, shares a family’s heartbreak after their son’s preventable death while working in the ceiling space of a Cairns school. Dale was only 20 and close to finishing his electrical apprenticeship. He was also a young father himself.

• https://youtu.be/49CkBVIkWbY
• https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/safety-advocates/debbie-and-dan-kennedy

Lee Garrels

Lee’s son Jason was just 20 years old when he died at a construction site in Clermont in 2012. He had only been working there for nine days. Jason’s story takes a confronting and honest look into the heartache of losing a son and a mate to a preventable workplace incident.

• https://youtu.be/Zm73EBd5CYk

• https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/safety-advocates/lee-garrels

In March 2019, a worker’s legs were severely crushed when he was struck by a reversing forklift in the loading bay of a timber factory. He had entered the loading bay on foot while the forklift was transporting materials. Investigations are continuing.

Preventing a similar incident

Forklifts are one of the most hazardous workplace vehicles and are frequently found in warehouses. Incidents involving forklifts are usually serious and often fatal. Whenever a forklift is used in a workplace, a traffic management plan must be implemented to ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians.

A traffic management plan is a set of rules for managing the movement of traffic in your workplace. It should be developed by the PCBU in consultation with workers and others in the workplace. Everyone affected by the plan must understand it and follow it.

A traffic management plan should be specific to the current layout of the workplace and be designed around separating pedestrians and mobile plant such as forklifts. A traffic management plan should consider:

• reorganising the layout of the workplace to minimise areas shared by pedestrians and forklifts
• using physical barriers such as safety barriers, containment fences, bollards, or railed walkways where possible
• developing ‘no go’ zones for forklifts (pedestrian-only areas including clearly marked pedestrian crossings)
• developing ‘no go’ zones for pedestrians (forklift only areas)
• the physical environment: lighting, housekeeping and road surfaces
• movement in the workplace, traffic direction, destination, and volume
• high-visibility or reflective clothing for pedestrians and employees operating forklifts, and high-visibility markings for forklifts (although this is no substitute for physically separating pedestrians and forklifts)
• speed limits, signage and speed-limiting devices
• proximity devices that trigger signals, boom gates and warning signs and where signs will give advanced warning to pedestrians and operators
• blind spots caused by stationary equipment and vehicles
• a combination of audio (e.g. reversing alarms and horns) and visual (e.g. flashing lights) warning devices (make sure these are working when the forklift is operating)
• signs to indicate who must give way
• implementing and enforcing procedures that describe how pedestrians and forklifts must interact in different situations.

PCBUs must not allow a worker to operate a forklift unless they hold a current high-risk work licence for forklift trucks or are an authorised trainee.

The forklift operator should:

• not be distracted while operating a forklift, (for example if stopping to have a discussion with a pedestrian, do so only in a designated area)
• use the forklift truck only for the purpose for which it was designed
• hold a high-risk work licence to operate a forklift truck or be an authorised trainee
• wear a seatbelt where one is provided, the only exception is if a risk assessment advises otherwise (for example when operating a forklift truck on a wharf)
• maintain a clear view in the direction of travel at all times
• maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, only park or leave the forklift in a suitable area
• observe speed limits and ensure that a safe stop can be made at any time. Avoid rapid acceleration, deceleration and quick turns
• reduce speed when making a turn
• be conscious of people working nearby (for example, tail end swing). Do not allow people to walk beside an operating forklift.
• operate the forklift as per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Statistics

Since July 2013, on average each year 281 workers’ compensation claims are accepted that specifically relate to crush injuries involving forklifts. Forty per cent of these claims involve serious injuries with five or more days off work.

In the same period, we have been notified of 178 incidents involving people sustaining a crush injury or at risk of a serious crush injury by a forklift, and we have issued 114 statutory notices, across all industries, relating to the risk management of such incidents.

Prosecutions and compliance

In December 2016, a company was fined $35,000 after a worker was crushed by a pallet being moved by a forklift. The worker was kneeling to remove a product from another pallet when he was struck, resulting in broken ribs. The company was prosecuted for failing to monitor adequate traffic management procedures for mobile plant and pedestrians.

In August 2013, a large truck manufacturing business was fined $35,000 after a forklift reversed into a worker resulting in multiple fractures to his lower left leg. The magistrate also imposed a recognisance of $50,000 for one year.

In March 2019, a worker was killed on a rural property when he was crushed by the wheels of a planting machine that was being towed by a tractor.

The worker was operating the tractor and, for reasons not yet established, got off while it was moving forward. He then walked around the planting machine to its front wheel, where he was out of sight of the other six workers seated on the planting machine. As the tractor crept forward without its operator, the worker became trapped under the wheel of the planting machine and was fatally crushed. Investigations are continuing.

Preventing a similar incident

Tractors are essential for agricultural, green keeping, gardening, landscaping and other activities. They are usually quite safe when operated properly, but become dangerous if incorrectly used. They have been involved in more deaths than any other piece of rural machinery. Tractor run-overs are mainly linked to:

• starting a tractor from the ground
• carrying passengers (usually children) on tractors
• attempting to get on or off a moving tractor.

The designer and/or manufacturer should provide, and the supplier should distribute, information about what the tractor has been designed to do. This information should include any precautions necessary to ensure the safe operation of the tractor. PCBUs and operators can find this information in operators’ manuals, information guides and training programs. It should cover:

• tractor specifications: power, output, load carrying capacity and ability to pull loads
• tractor operational data: power take-off procedures, implement specifications, and manufacturers’ instructions for use
• tractor servicing and maintenance.

Operators of tractors should:

• only climb on or off a tractor that is stopped. Do not dismount from a tractor while the engine is running unless the transmission is in the neutral, or park position and the parking brake is effectively engaged
• read and follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions and be trained in the tractors’ safe operating procedures
• drive tractors at speeds slow enough to keep control over unexpected hazards
• be cautious in wet conditions
• reduce speed before turning or applying turning brakes
• descend slopes cautiously with the tractor in low gear. Extra care needs to be taken if towing trailers or implements down slopes, as often the trailers will not have brakes
• when an attachment becomes blocked, the tractor should be stopped, the drive to the attachment disconnected and the moving parts of the implement stopped before the obstruction is cleared
• exercise extreme caution when operating a tractor or any attached equipment around children or animals
• if a job requires frequent mounting/dismounting, consider using another piece of equipment such as a motorbike or small utility vehicle.

When ending tractor operations, the following precautions should be taken:

• park on even ground
• shift the gear selector to neutral or park position
• disconnect power sources and secure implements
• lower blades, buckets or any other attachments to the ground and/or securely block these attachments
• lock the parking brake
• stop the engine and remove the keys.

Also, workers riding on machinery such as a planting machine behind a tractor is a practice that should only occur in specific situations where it is required. PCBUs, through a thorough risk assessment process, should consider higher order controls including automated processes where possible.

Controls for a planter should include that workers:

• are placed behind any travelling wheels
• are secure in their seating position
• have direct line of sight for communication between the planter and the tractor
• do not alight from the tractor or the planter until the tractor has been brought to a complete stop, the transmission is disengaged and the brake is applied.

Statistics

Since 2012, on average each year eight workers’ compensation claims are accepted from workers trapped or hit by agricultural mobile plant. Sixty-three per cent of these involve serious injuries with five or more days off work.

In the same period, we have been notified of 129 incidents involving tractors. Seven of these incidents resulted in deaths.

Prosecutions and compliance

In 2018, a company faced two charges and was fined a total of $450,000 after a young worker was killed when he was loading irrigation pipes onto a trailer while another worker operated the tractor towing the trailer. While completing the task, the worker was riding on the moving trailer. He fell and was run over, sustaining multiple injuries. He died the next day. The worker was on the trailer as there was nowhere else for him to locate himself and no other arrangements had been made as part of the work task.

In 2014, a company was fined $35,000 after a worker sustained fractured ribs and internal injuries when the tractor he was operating failed to navigate a bend on a farm road and drove over an embankment. He was not wearing the fitted seatbelt and was thrown out and run over by the tractor.

More Information

• Safe design and operation of tractors Code of Practice 2005
• Rural plant Code of Practice 2004
• How to manage work health and safety risks Code of Practice 2011
• Farm safety information

ABS FEBRUARY 2019 KEY POINTS

TOTAL DWELLING UNITS

• The trend estimate for total dwellings approved rose4% in February.
• The seasonally adjusted estimate for total dwellings approved rose1% in February.

PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSES

• The trend estimate for private sector houses approved fell8% in February.
• The seasonally adjusted estimate for private sector houses fell6% in February.

PRIVATE SECTOR DWELLINGS EXCLUDING HOUSES

• The trend estimate for private sector dwellings excluding houses rose6% in February.
• The seasonally adjusted estimate for private sector dwellings excluding houses rose 64.6% in February.

VALUE OF BUILDING APPROVED

• The trend estimate of the value of total building approved rose3% in February and has risen for two months.
• The value of residential building rose8% and has risen for two months.
• The value of non-residential building rose 9% and has risen for six months.
• The seasonally adjusted estimate of the value of total building approved rose 15.4% in February.
• The value of residential building rose 24.7%, while the value of non-residential building rose 1%.

Check out this great article I read on The Urban Developer: “Federal Budget 2019: What’s in Store for the Property Industry”

https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/federal-budget-2019-whats-in-store-for-the-property-industry

In February 2019, a worker was killed while repairing a skid steer loader. Early investigations indicate the safety prop was not engaged to ensure the bucket arms could not be lowered. The worker inadvertently activated the controls and was crushed by the arms. It appears the mechanisms which enable the hand controls to be isolated were inoperative due to general wear and tear on the machine. Investigations are continuing.

Preventing a similar accident

Equipment that uses hydraulics to assist in its movement has the potential to cause serious injury or death. It is used in many industries for trucks and transport, construction plant and equipment, farming machinery, manufacturing equipment and amusement rides. The potential energy in hydraulic equipment can be extremely high as it is used to shift and support large loads.

Serious crush injuries can result from normal movement of the hydraulic equipment, and when the hydraulic systems fail, falling loads or unexpected moving parts are extremely dangerous. Plant arms or equipment can cause injury through rapid or slow movement without the worker being aware of the danger.

PCBUs must ensure all plant is safe and inspected and maintained by a competent person in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations.

A safe system of work should be implemented to manage the risks associated with inspection and maintenance of plant. The manufacturer’s instructions should be included in a safe work procedure on how inspection and maintenance should be carried out. PCBUs must also provide information, training and instruction to a worker that is suitable and adequate to:

• the nature of the work to be carried out by the worker
• the nature of the risks associated with the work (at the time the information, training or instruction is provided)
• the control measures implemented to deal with these risks.

When operating any machinery that uses hydraulic power:

• always read the instructions provided by the manufacturer and follow all safety directions
• never place yourself or others in a position where you could be crushed in the event of hydraulics failure or inadvertent operation of the hydraulics
• if a back-up safety system is provided on the plant, ensure it has been correctly installed and always in use before entering a high-risk zone
• if a safety system is not provided on the machine, make sure you use another system that is specified by the manufacturer and is load rated and has adequate strength to safely withstand any loads that could be applied to it
• ensure workers working on, near or under hydraulics are adequately trained and supervised.

Statistics

Since 2012 there has been an average of 75 accepted workers’ compensation claims each year for injuries involving workers struck or hit by a self-propelled plant. Forty-eight per cent of these involve serious injuries requiring five or more days off work. The most common industries where these types of claims occur are the construction, manufacturing and rural industries.

In the same period we have been notified of 1,659 incidents involving workers or bystanders being struck by graders, dozers or other mobile plant, 77 of which were skid steer loaders.

Prosecutions and compliance

In 2017, a sole trader was fined $80,000 after a worker died of traumatic asphyxiation when he was dismantling an amusement ride. The worker was dismantling the ride which required a hydraulic system to keep the centre pole raised while the worker had to place themselves directly under the pole to remove the bolts. Once the bolts were removed from the centre pole, the only protection workers had from the telescoped centre pole was the hydraulic system. As he removed the last of the bolts, the centre pole dropped suddenly, causing him to be trapped by the pole and chains causing fatal injuries.

In 2016, a company was fined $180,000 after a worker was fatally crushed when he was operating a vehicle loading crane. He had the remote control for the crane around his waist while he was securing an attachment to the crane to unload materials. He had difficulty connecting the hydraulic lines and while attempting to connect the final line he inadvertently struck the remote lever causing the crane to quickly rotate towards him, fatally crushing him against the stabiliser leg.

In 2016 a company was fined $160,000 after a worker was killed while operating a poly-welder machine. A team of workers were in the process of welding pipe sections using the poly-welder. While the workers were waiting for a pipe weld to cool they commenced preparations to lift the pipe from the poly-welder machine. The worker was attempting to reach through the poly-welder machine to retrieve a sling which was being used to lift the pipe from the poly-welder and inadvertently activated a lever causing the pipe support roller to rise and fatally crush his head.