OHS Alerts

02/02/2012
SWA Worker Representation & Participation Guide

Safe Work Australia  has published a Worker Representation and Participation Guide with information on the representation and participation of workers in health and safety matters in the workplace. It also provides guidance on resolving health and safety issues.

The Guide supports one of the objects of the Work Health and Safety Act (the WHS Act), which is to provide for fair and effective workplace representation, consultation, cooperation and issue resolution in relation to work health and safety.

02/02/2012
Safe Work Australia sets the record straight on volunteers

Safe Work Australia Chair, Mr Tom Phillips AM, has expressed concern over recent media reports regarding volunteers and the new Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws.

Mr Phillips is concerned inaccurate and alarmist claims made about the new WHS laws could seriously discourage volunteers and potential volunteers from undertaking volunteer work.

The new WHS laws will not apply to every volunteering activity or organisation. They apply if a volunteer organisation employs staff as well as volunteers to carry out work for the organisation.

15/12/2011
Check those braces

OHS requirements are very clear on bracing of pre-cast concrete panels. Download this  OHS Alert from CFMEU VIC Branch and stay safe.

24/11/2011
WA crane major mechanical failure

A 40-tonne crane suffered major mechanical failure while positioning an 850kg roof truss on a construction site in Perth’s northern suburbs on November 11, 2011. The connection between the hydraulic ram and outrigger failed, causing the crane to fall across the partially erected steel structure and narrowly missing the riggers on site.

16/11/2011
Blades fly off demolition saw

This WorkSafe Victoria Safety Alert highlights the need for users to follow manufacturer’s instructions when operating demolition saws.

Download the alert from WorkSafe Victoria.

24/10/2011
WA Scaffold Overload Alert

A scaffold on a WA construction site has been over loaded to such an extent that it was close to collapse.

Download the CFMEU WA Branch alert here.

21/10/2011
Alert: WA stairwell failure

Download the attached Alert from CFMEU WA Branch,  regarding the failure of a stairwell: investigations showed steel reinforcement framework of the stairs had not been tied into the slab at the foot of the stairwell and pre-pour checklist had not been completed.

21/10/2011
Safe clean up of mercury spills

Concerned about safe clean-up of energy saving light bulbs?

An alert circulating about the hazards of mercury related injuries from broken energy saving light bulbs has prompted the CFMEU to add the following alert on Cleaning up Mercury Spills to our Safety Zone.

Note some Energy Saving light bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury (about the amount that covers the tip of a ball point pen), but any breakages need to be cleaned up carefully as this alert advises.

20/10/2011
Product Recall: 3M™ Retractable Lanyards

3M™  have recently completed an analysis of GW-7 and GW-11 Series Self- Retracting Lanyards that were returned and have identified a limited number of these units which do not properly achieve lock up during the user pre-inspection pull test on the webbing lifeline (as required by the User Instructions and OSHA regulations).

As a result, 3M requests that owners/users immediately remove from service and quarantine all models of G-Series Self-Retracting Lanyards within your inventory.

28/09/2011
New Precast Panel Safety VIC

From 1 October 2011, a new Manufacturer’s Certificate of Compliance and Checklist is required for the delivery to site of precast concrete panels in Victoria.

The measures are the result of meetings between the CFMEU and suppliers after a number of panel safety incidents.

Download the VIC Branch alert and checklist