workplace safety, safety products, materials handling, safety news

Job: Safety Advisor - Willetton

online@safetyinaustralia.com.au (Administrator) — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:34:26 +0000

Veolia Environmental Services - Apply Online

Safety Advisor – Willetton Veolia Environmental Services (VES) is one of Australia's largest providers of sustainable and innovative environmental solutions. Serving the needs of more than 60,000 industrial, commercial and municipal clients, we offer a complete range of resource recovery, recycling, waste management and industrial services. Our Willetton Waste Division looks after the Waste Transport across the Metropolitan area in Perth. We have a large client base comprising commercial, industrial and domestic customers. We take pride in quality customer service and deliver high standards of work, meaning excellent communications skills are a must. As a result of continued growth and exciting future opportunities we are seeking a Safety Advisor to support the Willetton team with Safety related matters, setting up procedures and policies and guidelines to ensure safe work practices.

Qualifications

It is favorable that applicants have a minimum of two year experience conducting regular site audits, review of site procedures and documents to minimise risks, conduct incident investigations and tool box meetings, recommend options to reduce hazards and risks, engage team in safety issues and culture, contribute to improving operational practices, collect and collate information and liaise with the entire team on site. This role requires someone with and a hands on approach and exposure to the field, a high level ability to communicate complex ideas to a range of people, the ability to prioritise tasks, make critical decisions and be able to negotiate and influence others to adopt an improved safety culture, strong computer skills and report preparation.
A good attitude is critical to fit in with the Veolia culture and environment. You will ensure that safety takes priority over everything we do and exceed customer expectations in delivery of services. This presents an unparalleled opportunity to join a world class organisation and an employer of choice. If you are interested in joining our team and taking your career to the next level, step forward and apply online today. We recognise that our success depends on our people, our most important asset. No agencies please.

Job

Quality/ Health / Safety / Environment Staff

Primary Location

Australia-Western Australia-Perth

Organization

Veolia Environmental Services

Job Posting

May 15, 2013, 6:10:01 PM

Job Type

Standard -

Contract length

Non specified

Schedule

Full-time

Job Level

Non-Management

Education Level

Professional Qualifications/Certifications

Job: Safety Advisor - Brisbane

online@safetyinaustralia.com.au (Administrator) — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:30:49 +0000

A friendly and busy environment, this Queensland iconic organisation is known for safety first standards and offering its employees challenging and varied job responsibilities. Market leaders in their field, reaching a world class standard are searching for personable and passionate safety professional.

About the Role:

Based in Brisbane, you'll work closely with staff across the organisation to encourage a cultural shift in safety best practise.

Key Responsibilities:

* Engaging staff to drive safety best practise;
* Assisting in developing Safety Management Systems;
* Building relationships with staff of all levels;
* Assisting in compiling reports for incidents;
* Facilitate OH&S inductions to all staff;
* Conducting significant risk assessments and incident investigations;
* Improving standard operating procedures and safe work method statements;
* Providing advice to managers and staff in line with company safety polices and legislative standards.

Key Requirements:

To be considered for this position you will:
* Be suitably qualified, with a certificate, degree or diploma in OH&S;
* Able to work autonomously and thrive in a diverse and at times, fast paced working environment;
* Posses the ability to engage with all levels of staff, and have a friendly and approachable manner;
* Relevant experience within the food, leisure or hospitality industries would be regarded highly.

For a confidential discussion about this role please contact Rebecca Garnett on (07) 3032 2253 in our Brisbane office.

Robert Walters, Level 27, Waterfront Place, 1 Eagle Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000.
Web: www.robertwalters.com.au

Job: Safety Advisor, Processing - Zinc Lead Concentrator

online@safetyinaustralia.com.au (Administrator) — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:27:55 +0000

GlencoreXstrata

An excitingopportunity exists in the Zinc Lead Concentrator for an experienced Safety Advisor who is passionate about safety and is results driven. Reporting to the Safety & Health Superintendent, you will provide expertise and support in all aspects of Safety and Health Management, ensuring health and safety is the primary focus communicated daily to all personnel across an exciting and diverse range of disciplines and activities. This position will appeal to someone looking for challenges and rewards for effort.

Requirements for the role:

Reporting to the Safety Superintendent
Possess a sound understanding of safety and health managements systems and its components, its relationship to legislative requirements.
Be able to identify shortcomings in the Xstrata safety and health managements systems and offer sound solutions
Be ‘first port of call’ for all personnel on assistance with Xstrata safety systems and effective mine safety solutions.
As such, working with all departments and contractors within Xstrata Zinc to Implement and maintain OH&S requirements and achieve common and effective safety and health management systems
Conduct or assist with incident investigations and report on findings and investigations. Assist with the implementation of solutions and track progress

The Successful Candidate Will Possess:

Tertiary or Degree Qualified and possess Occupational Health & Safety qualifications
Experience in mineral processing would be well regarded, but not essential
Statutory competencies in Queensland Mining S1 Risk Assessment, S2 Conduct Safety and Health Investigations and S3 Communicate Information
Ability to perform information analysis and strong report writing skills
Strong communication and leadership skills to work with departments in a collaborative and cooperative manner
High level of problem solving ability and attention to detail
Knowledge and understanding of Xstrata’s Training Management System
Strong knowledge of Microsoft Programs
Experience with BSafe , CURA or similar safety database programs
Be internet savvy and able to research particular safety issues and solutions

Benefits of this Position:

Excellent Salary and Compensation Package
13% Superannuation
Work Life Balance
International Growing Company

This is an amazing opportunity to join one of the worldwide leaders. Don’t miss out on this - Apply Online Now - and get your career in gear.

Any further queries please do not hesitate to contact Glen McMahon (07) 4744 5922.

The Workshop is NOW FULL. Only 10 days to go! TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO REGISTER for the Building Safety: Bridging the Gap conference

online@safetyinaustralia.com.au (Administrator) — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:02:25 +0000

Building Safety - Bridging the Gap

1 - 2 June with pre-conference workshop 31 May 2013
(5% discount for SIA members)

The Pre-Conference Workshop is now FULL !!

DON'T MISS OUT ON THE CONFERENCE ITSELF.

REGISTER NOW
ONLY 10 DAYS TO GO

With a little over a week before the conference starts, you don't want to miss out on registering for what is set to be Asia-Pacific’s first and the biggest construction safety conference.

Building Safety – Bridging the Gap will focus on the challenges for construction companies in complying with work health and safety laws and building safety cultures in a highly competitive and primarily masculine environment - making construction sites safer.

This conference is essential for anyone with responsibilities for workers’ safety on construction sites and has an unprecedented line-up of Australian and international speakers.
One of two international speakers, Baroness Rita Donaghy was responsible for the landmark report for the British Government One Death is too Many and will be the conference keynote speaker.

Baroness Donaghy had 28 far-reaching recommendations for improving safety in the construction industry, many very similar to the ACT Inquiry findings. Baroness Donaghy will report on the British experience in the aftermath of her report.

Dr Dean Laplonge, the second of the conference’s international speakers, will discuss the link between gender and safety. He will explain what is meant by referring to “gender” as practices, moving away from “gender” as a simple and out-dated debate about men versus women. Drawing on work he has completed in the mining industry, he will offer a vision for why gender must be included in the debate about safety in construction.

To Register: www.buildingsafety.org.au/register.html

The Building Safety - Bridging the Gap Conference will be held at the National Convention Centre, 31 Constitution Avenue, Canberra on 1-2 June 2013 with a pre-conference workshop at Crowne Plaza on 31 May.

Visit the conference website: www.buildingsafety.org.au

Key Dates

Conference: Saturday 1 to Sunday 2 June 2013
Pre-Conference Workshop: Friday 31 May 2013

Building Safety – Bridging the Gap provides an excellent opportunity to consider how your construction related organisation might develop and implement, review and improve, sound and efficient risk management practices.

Working with or around mobile plant

online@safetyinaustralia.com.au (Administrator) — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:35:57 +0000

The purpose of this alert is to remind officers and workers of persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) of risks associated with mobile plant in the workplace.

Working with or around mobile plant: Safety alert

A WorkCover NSW alert

Potential exposure to formaldehyde whilst using Keratin treatments: Safety alert

online@safetyinaustralia.com.au (Administrator) — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:31:48 +0000

The purpose of this safety alert is to remind persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) importing and/or supplying NSW workplaces of their responsibilities to provide accurate information about the ingredients in their products when used as cosmetics and the safe use of these products for workers during product dispensing and application.

It also highlights the risks associated with the use of these products in the workplace and the control of those risks.

Potential exposure to formaldehyde whilst using Keratin treatments: Safety alert File size: 87 KB

A WorkCover NSW alert

Companies fined $160,000 after man caught in conveyor

online@safetyinaustralia.com.au (Administrator) — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:29:33 +0000

Two companies have received fines totalling $160,000 after a worker suffered serious injuries when his arm became trapped in a conveyor at a fertiliser factory.

Incitec Pivot Limited and labour hire company Skilled Group Limited both pleaded guilty at the Geelong Magistrates’ Court this week to failing to provide a safe workplace. Incitec Pivot was convicted and fined $90,000 and Skilled Group was convicted and fined $70,000.

The court heard that Skilled had sent its employee to Incitec’s factory at North Shore, near Geelong, in June 2011. His job was to ensure that the conveyor belts carrying the fertiliser operated efficiently.

But after less than one month on the job, the worker was injured when attempting to clear a build-up of fertiliser from a moving overhead conveyor belt using a shovel. When the man’s shovel got caught, his arm and shoulder were dragged into the conveyor, leaving him trapped and suspended for several minutes.

The court was told the worker suffered a serious and permanent injury to his left shoulder and was still recovering nine months after the incident.

A WorkSafe investigation found it was common for workers at the factory to chip fertiliser off moving conveyors with shovels, hammers and crowbars. The court heard that Incitec had relied on a “buddy system” to train the injured worker.

But one of the man's “buddies” also thought it was ok to chip fertiliser off a moving conveyor, and another had only worked there for two weeks.

In her sentencing, Magistrate Ann McGarvie said: "A buddy system only works if your buddy is telling you the right thing to do. Here, that didn't happen."

The court heard it was unnecessary for the workers to chip off the fertiliser since that was supposed to be done during production breaks with the conveyors turned off. But nobody told the workers that or supervised them properly.

The court heard that the labour hire company Skilled had failed to determine the nature of the work its employee would be doing at the factory and it had not checked that Incitec had properly trained him for the job.

WorkSafe’s Regional Director, Adam Rogers, said employers had a legal obligation to provide a safe workplace.

“We hope this case serves as a wake-up call for employers, managers and supervisors to recognise their added responsibilities and make sure their risk assessment, training, and supervision practices reflect this,” he said.

A WorkSafe Vic release

Head of WorkSafe unsure of origin for fake permits

online@safetyinaustralia.com.au (Administrator) — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:23:55 +0000

WA's WorkSafe Commissioner says he doesn't know who is behind a recent spate of fake High Risk Work Licences.

Two workers in Karratha recently became aware they were carrying fake documents when they tried to upgrade their licences.

Seven similar licences have been detected in New South Wales.

Worksafe Commissioner Lex McCulloch says without the appropriate permit, workers are not legally allowed to operate dangerous machinery.

Federal police are investigating, but Mr McCulloch says the fake documents are hard to detect.

"With modern technology and printing, I guess it is possible for people to create the licences, and that is why checking is a vital thing," he said.

"That they make contact with New South Wales and make sure those people have been issued the licences that are on their card."

An ABC article

A review of the effectiveness of emergency locator transmitters in aviation accidents

online@safetyinaustralia.com.au (Administrator) — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:21:03 +0000

A new ATSB report examines the effectiveness of emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) and reveals how pilots can increase their chances of being rescued after an aviation accident.

Pilots and operators of general aviation and low capacity aircraft need to be aware that a fixed fuselage mounted ELT cannot be relied upon to function in the types of accidents in which they were intended to be useful. The effectiveness of ELTs in increasing occupant safety and assisting search and rescue efforts may be enhanced by using a GPS-enabled ELT, using an ELT with a newer 3-axis g-switch, ensuring it is installed correctly, ensuring your beacon is registered with AMSA and pre-emptively activating the beacon if a forced landing or ditching is imminent. Additionally, carrying a personal locator beacon in place of or as well as a fixed ELT will most likely only be beneficial to safety if it is carried on the person, rather than being fixed or stowed elsewhere in the aircraft.

Research Report: A review of the effectiveness of emergency locator transmitters in aviation accidents

an ATSB report

Workplace Bullying: A Message for all Employers

online@safetyinaustralia.com.au (Administrator) — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:07:45 +0000

15 May 2013

Article by Kathy M. Dalton , Michaela Moloney and Sam Jackson K&L Gates Lawyers

The Australian Federal Workplace Relations Minister, Bill Shorten, recently announced changes that will allow employees to seek assistance in respect of workplace bullying from the Fair Work Commission (FWC).

The proposed new laws seek to cut through the current complex processes available to employees under state health and safety laws and seek early intervention in bullying claims. The new changes will require the FWC to deal with any application urgently.

The Potential Changes

The Commonwealth Government has announced it will hurry through amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act) creating a new cause of action in relation to workplace bullying.

The amendments are proposed to take effect from 1 July 2013.

Definition of Bullying

The changes will adopt the definition of "bullying" set out in the Draft Code of Practice Preventing and Responding to Workplace Bullying. "Bullying" will be defined as "repeated, unreasonable behaviour directed towards a worker or a group of workers that creates a risk to health and safety". Importantly, the changes will clarify that the definition of bullying does not include reasonable management action, including performance management conducted in an appropriate and reasonable manner.

Process to Resolve Complaints

Mr Shorten announced that the new process will permit workers who believe they have been bullied to make a complaint to the FWC, which will be required to list any application within 14 days of the complaint. The changes will also enable the FWC to make orders in relation to the complaint, and/or to refer the complaint to the relevant state health and safety regulator.

Early reports suggest that any new FWC processes would be similar to those currently in place for unfair dismissal and adverse action complaints. This would include a compulsory conciliation conference, which is intended to quickly resolve the dispute to the parties' mutual satisfaction and avoid the need for arbitration or court action.

Where conciliation is unsuccessful, the amendments to the Fair Work Act will enable FWC to make civil orders in respect of claims. Current penalties under the Fair Work Act are up to AUD33,000 per breach, however, the Minister has advised that he will consult with business before confirming such penalties will apply.

What does this mean for employers?

Currently, victims of workplace bullying may seek to have their complaints addressed under many different legislative regimes. If an act of bullying is serious enough to pose a risk to health and safety, employers and employees may be liable under the relevant state health and safety legislation. In addition, in Victoria, legislation created as a result of the Brodie Panlock case enables criminal prosecutions in cases of serious workplace bullying. Both of these actions are initiated by state prosecution authorities rather than the individual employee.

The changes foreshadowed by the government suggest that for the first time individual employees (rather than regulators) will be able to bring claims against their employers for workplace bullying. This is a significant change in workplace law and if it proceeds is likely to result in an influx of claims from employees.

As yet, no draft legislation has been tabled regarding these significant changes. This is expected in the autumn session of parliament and we will provide a further update once the legislation is tabled.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

K&L Gates has been awarded a 2012 EOWA Employer of Choice for Women citation acknowledging our commitment to workplace diversity.

Specific Questions relating to this article should be addressed directly to the author.

A K&L Gates media release