what’s news in occupational, health & safety?

Fatigue as dangerous as booze

23 April 2008 Miners working more than 8 consecutive 12 hour day-shifts, were fatigued beyond the impairment expected from a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05% according to researchers at James Cook University. Similarly dangerous levels of fatigue were also observed at the end of the first 3 night shifts in the most comprehensive study on occupational fatigue ever conducted in the minerals industry.   more...

Report slams slow reaction to NT formaldehyde complaints 

23 April 2008 An internal report shows there should have been a quicker response to NT complaints over a toxic substance in accommodation containers. A review is now being conducted into how government departments respond to occupational health and safety issues. more...

Toxic air fumes in cabins

4 April 2008 The ITF is supporting calls from Global Cabin Air Quality Executive (GCAQE) for an inquiry into toxic air fumes leaking into aircraft cabins which may be putting airline staff and passengers at risk. The UK government says 1in 2000 flights is affected; the International Transport Workers Federation says it happens daily. The GCAQE is comprised of around 20 organisations worldwide and includes a number of ITF affiliates. They say authorities have failed to act on the issue despite mounting evidence of the adverse impacts of recirculated air.   more...

WorkSafe warning over home lifts

17 April 2008 WorkSafe has issued a warning on homemade lifts, after an accident in February this year left 3 people with serious injuries.   more...

Formaldehyde is the next asbestos: CFMEU 

24 April 2008 The CFMEU is calling for an urgent investigation into the use of formaldehyde in household products. The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) says the recent incident involving Northern Territory converted shipping containers for accommodation, exposed a major health concern that could affect millions of Australians. It says high levels of the dangerous carcinogen could be found in thousands of Australian homes as it is used in particle board and furniture.   more...

Queensland farmers to carry the can for tired drivers

22 April 2008 Queensland farmers will unfairly be left to carry the can for truck drivers who breach new driving hours laws, the State Opposition has warned. Shadow Transport and Traffic Management Minister, Tim Nicholls, says “under Labor’s proposed changes the onus will be on farmers to ensure drivers trucking their livestock, grain and other produce are complying with state fatigue management laws”. Shadow Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister, Mike Horan, warns the Transport Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 will put the onus of checking on farmers to ensure drivers are not working longer than 12 hours, including loading and driving. Horan says “farmers are unfairly being turned into transport compliance officers and could also be liable for breaches of driver fatigue laws”.   more...

16 April 2008 A detective at Melbourne's police headquarters has contracted legionnaires' disease from cooling towers at the inner city building. more...

18 April 2008 Britain’s TUC has cautiously welcomed the introduction of new laws covering corporate killing which came into effect on 6 April. The UK Ministry of Justice says that under the laws companies, organisations and, for the first time, government bodies face a criminal offence and larger fines if they are found to have caused death due to their gross corporate health and safety failures. The laws cover corporate liability and do not apply to individual directors, managers or other individuals.

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County Court Judge lifts the bar on workplace safety enforcement 

18 April 2008 A County Court Judge has imposed Victoria’s biggest ever fine on a single workplace safety charge, but the fine is unlikely to be paid because the business has ceased trading. County Court Judge, Joe Gullaci, today convicted and fined DMP Poultech Pty Ltd $400,000 after it pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to take care of the safety of people other than employees. Judge Gullaci said “Parliament should review laws so that company directors are made more accountable”.  

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Sparks fly after another basic safety failing

10 April 2008 Failing to properly train and supervise employees has cost a major civil contracting company a conviction, $25,000 fine and court costs of $4716.17. Fulton Hogan Pty Ltd formerly FRH Group Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to 2 workplace health and safety charges laid after a sub-contractor s excavator struck an underground power line.

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Queensland Government put profits before people in lead case

14 April 2008 The Queensland Government has been accused of putting "profits before people" in the Mount Isa lead pollution case. Lawyers are preparing legal action against mining giant Xstrata and the State Government over high levels of lead in the blood of a Mount Isa child. Lawyer Damian Scattini, who is handling the case, says “it will have major ramifications for the Government and the mining industry”.   more...

Dealer fined over injuries

16 April 2008 A Wodonga car dealership was yesterday convicted and fined $50,000 in a prosecution by WorkSafe Victoria over injuries to an employee. McRae Motors Wodonga Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to a charge under the Occupational Health and Safety Act regarding failure to provide a safe working environment. more...

Welshoop company fined $16k over unsafe workplace

18 April 2008 A Welshpool food company has been fined $16,500 for failing to provide a safe workplace after an employee was struck in the temple by an occy strap. Despite the man requiring surgery for a fractured eye socket, the employer neglected to report the injury to WorkSafe. The WorkSafe WA Commissioner, Nina Lyhne, said “WorkSafe were concerned about the apparent low level of reporting of workplace injuries”.   more...

Industry grants for workplace safety in small businesses

18 April 2008 Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is calling for industry groups to apply for grants to help make small businesses safer. Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, John Mickel, says “the grants help industry groups develop programs and products to assist employers to better manage and improve workplace health and safety”. more...

14 April 2008 The State Opposition has criticised a scheme under which the Transport Workers Union is the beneficiary of a fee that all truck drivers must pay to receive a "Bluecard", proving safety training credentials. A TWU spokesman argued the great benefit of Bluecard is that it ensures commonality of basic OH&S [Occupational Health and Safety] training, and portability of accreditation, across the industry. more...

How active at work? Differing physical activity demands by occupation Author: Bauman, A; Mark, A; Merom, D Source:  Journal of occupational health and safety, Vol.24(1): February 2008; pp63-72 Subjects:  Blue collar workers; Physical fitness; White collar workers; Comparisons; Medical research; Statistics

The role of industry associations in improving OHS performance Author:  Gunningham, Neil; Rees, Joe Source:  Journal of occupational health and safety, Vol.24(1): February 2008; pp23-31 Subjects:  Occupational health and safety; Peak bodies; Chemical industry; Mining industry; Nuclear industry

The Construction Chart Book available online

Published by the union-supported CPWR - the Center for Construction Research and Training in the US - this book provides information on all facets of the US construction industry, including health and safety issues, such as expanded reporting of blood lead levels in construction workers, chronic illnesses and health risks and respiratory diseases.   The Construction Chart Book: The US construction industry and its workers, 4th edition, 2008. Health and safety chapter. more...

Workplace exposure to carcinogens in New Zealand Author:  Mannetje, Andrea t; et al, Massey University Centre for Public Health Research Subjects:  2 New Zealand studies have confirmed the numbers of workplace cancers has been massively under-estimated. more... more...

Implementing the national priorities for injury surveillance. Author:  McClure, Rod J; Mitchell, Rebecca J; Williamson, Ann M Source:  Medical Journal of Australia, 7 April 2008: vol.188(7); pp405-408 Subjects:  Health policy; Injuries

Mobile Phone-Brain Tumour Public Health Advisory Author: Khurana, Dr Vini Subject:  Australian neurosurgeon has warned mobile phones could pose a major public threat in the future, linking their use to malignant brain tumours.   more...

Queensland Government Industrial Gazette is now available online containing links in various formats.

The harmonisation of Australia’s OHS laws has commenced with the first meeting of the National Review Panel tasked with recommending the way forward on this important initiative. A discussion paper will be developed after the initial consultation and issued at the end of May. The formal public consultation process inviting written submissions will run from June to July 2008.

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