OHS Alerts

01/05/2013
Modular Scaffold Plank failure_WA

Download the CFMEU WA alert on modular scaffold plank failure, uncovered in the resource sector:  here.

30/04/2013
Kibble load tips WA

A concrete kibble tipped its load on to a scissor lift carrying workers during a lift on April 20 in Perth.

Download the CFMEU WA Alert from the incident.

13/03/2013
Carbon monoxide: be aware!

WorkSafe Victoria reminds the building industry to be aware of the health and  safety risks associated with the use of internal combustion-engine powered equipment, particularly the potential for the emission of carbon monoxide gas.

11/03/2013
Electrical practices: construction and demolition sites

WorkCover NSW fact sheet, providing an overview of the requirements shown in AS/NZS 3012:2010 Electrical installations – construction and demolition sites (AS/NZS 3012), which is called up as a mandatory standard by clause 163 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011.

Download a copy from WorkCover NSW website.

20/02/2013
GJJ SC200CZS Hoist crash

A GJJ SC200CZS hoist went past its limit on the eighth floor of a Hutchinson Pty Ltd project in Chatswood, south of Brisbane on Tuesday, Feb 19. The hoist  crashed through overhead formwork on the ninth floor, where it is believed final limit was triggered. 

Two workers inside the hoist were trapped for an hour but uninjured.

A GJJ SC200CZS hoist was involved in a similar incident last year in Brisbane.

More information: Royce Kupsch, OHS Officer, CFMEU QLD BLF Branch 07. 3236 2633

Pictures below:

18/01/2013
Heat Stress worker protection

Workplace Health and Safety QLD is urging employers to protect workers from heat stress, following the suspected heat related death of a Queensland construction worker near Roma on the weekend of January 12, and a number of other incidents of heat related illness.

Download the QLD Workplace Health & Safety e-SAFE alert

16/01/2013
Crane securing pin falls

 A securing pin (weighing about 25-30 kg) fell from a tower crane tie at level 29 on the Contexx 150 William Street project in Melbourne on Monday night, January 14. Luckily no-one was on site at the time. 

The missing pin was noticed by the crane operator as he went about his daily pre-start checks on Tuesday morning and the alarm was raised. The pin is an important part of the tie structure that secures the tower crane.

27/11/2012
FlexOvite Cutting disc failure

The CFMEU warns construction workers of the dangers of FlexOvit ~ 125mm x 2.5mm and 230 x 2.5 Cut Off Discs, following an alert issued by Downer, after an incident of product failure on 9 November 2012.

"The discs are flying apart or self shredding when used under normal operating conditions," Downer's alert reports, warning all employees to watch out for and NOT use suspect discs.

07/11/2012
Blitz on White Card training

The Australian Skills Quality Authority will undertake a strategic review of the entry-level occupational health and safety training required to work on construction sites in Australia, commonly known as the White Card.

Chief Commissioner Chris Robinson said a number of concerns had been raised with ASQA regarding the quality of the training and assessment provided by some registered training organisations (RTOs) offering the White Card training program.

23/10/2012
Evacuation Lighting & Exit signs

WorkSafe Victoria has issued the following Information Sheet clarifying the requirements for emergency lighting and exit signage on
designated emergency evacuation routes on construction sites.