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 Absolute shocker
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Since our last edition, there have been 60 incidents from the construction, utilities and quarrying industries reported to WorkSafe.
Read the list of incidents
Correction
The reported incidents on 8 May incorrectly reported a fatality for the construction and utilities industries. The fatality occurred under the manufacturing industry and has been reported in the list of incidents for the 15 May edition of the The Safety Express. |
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Tony Marino, OHS and Environmental Manager for Contexx, shares information on the Victorian Construction Safety Alliance.
The Victorian Construction Safety Alliance (VCSA) formed in 2001 when senior safety management personnel representing some of Victoria’s major construction companies recognised the need for a specific focus group in the building and construction industry (BCI).
The initial meetings were also attended by WorkSafe Victoria (which continues to be involved) where issues and experiences affecting the common interest in the area of occupational health and safety (OHS) were discussed. More recently the Environmental Protection Authority has joined, reflecting the concurrence of environmental processes with OHS. The VCSA has progressively grown and is currently represented by 16 member companies and six standing invitees.
Formal endorsement for the Alliance to be represented on Foundations for Safety Victoria (FSV) was received in 2001 and the VCSA is now a steering committee member on FSV.
The charter/constitution states the VCSA‘s purpose is to:
• monitor Victorian and other jurisdictional BCI OHS issues, analyse and recommend improvement actions where deemed necessary
• promptly assist industry to implement OHS initiatives
• share a common approach to OHS issues without giving rise to any commercial or competitive gain
• share information and assist resolve issues common to the industry
• participate in discussion with relevant bodies on matters of OHS
• improve OHS training for all direct and associated personnel
• provide guidance to subcontractors by standardising OHS documentation (within individual company management system criteria)
• work collectively to achieve the aims of the Alliance
• make recommendations to industry regarding OHS to improve general industry performance wherever possible.
The VCSA actively participates in various tripartite BCI initiatives, codes and standards by providing expertise from within its membership. The Alliance has also assisted the NSW Construction Safety Alliance and the establishment of WA and SA counterparts.
The aim is to continue to work collaboratively with all appropriate and interested parties in the pursuit of better OHS performance. Information is freely distributed in the form of VCSA alerts, position papers and dissemination of meeting outcomes.
The VCSA aims to filter learning to all levels to encourage, assist and enable the BCI to benefit as a whole.
You can comment on Pushin’ the barrow each week on Barrow blog. All comments must be in line with the terms and conditions.
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Are you Victoria’s Top Tradie?
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It’s time to gather your workmates and head to toptradie.com.au now that WorkSafe’s Top Tradie competition has kicked off.
Developed for workers and supervisors in the housing construction industry, Top Tradie is calling on tradies to gather their workmates and test their safety and sports knowledge through an online quiz, especially developed for smartphones (also available on computers).
Running for six weeks, the quiz offers a range of weekly prizes including adrenalin sports packages, footy tickets and vouchers with the overall winning team getting four tickets to one of Victoria’s premier motorcycle events.
Acting Director of WorkSafe’s Construction and Utilities Program, Allan Beacom, said the number of serious injuries on housing construction sites prompted the Top Tradie competition.
'Last year there were more than 1000 serious injuries on housing construction sites, costing the industry $17m in medical costs, wages and other expenses,' he said.
'This means every week, 20 Victorian construction workers are seriously injured and have to stop work, often because basic site safety isn’t up to scratch.'
'The competition encourages supervisors and workers to discuss safety, particularly around some of the most commonly occurring issues, such as using the right tool for the job, site supervision, job planning and housekeeping.'
Head to toptradie.com.au to play now.
Read the media release
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| Victoria
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Lucky escape for teenage tradie
A worker escaped with minor injuries after being trapped underneath part of a house that was being relocated.
Read more
Lifting clutch warning
VicRoads have issued a Safety Alert to warn of incorrectly assembed lifting clutches, after one was discovered being used to lift precast panels for a retaining wall.
More information and correct assembly instructions
VicRoads April update
For the latest edition of VicRoad’s worksite safety update click here.
Taking a balanced UV approach
The sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays are the major cause of skin cancer, but also our best source of vitamin D.
Over the cold months of May to August the UV is low and many people struggle to get enough sun exposure to absorb the vitamin D their bodies need.
Find out more more about maintaining vitamin D levels safely at sunsmart.com.au
10th Annual OHS construction forum
The Safety Institute of Australia’s free seminar on construction safety issues is on 25 June at 11am.
Find out fore information and how to register
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| Australia and New Zealand
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WA: Fine for scaffolding fall
A scaffolding company has been fined $22,000 after a worker fell more than 2.7m onto a concrete slab, and fractured his skull.
Read more
WA: Asbestos importation results in fine
An engineering company has been fined $64,000 after being found guilty of importing Chinese machinery parts that were found to contain asbestos.
Read more
WA: Fine over tilt up concrete panel
A building company has been fined $15,000 over the collapse of four concrete tilt-up panels at a Perth construction site in 2008.
Read more
NZ: Fall from grandstand
A worker was seriously injured after falling more than 10m through scaffolding while dismantling a grandstand.
Read more
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