New codes of practice commenced.

In 2018, Safe Work Australia a full review of the national model codes of practice were undertaken, the changes were limited to usability, readability and technical accuracy of the codes - no substantial content/policy changes were included.

These codes were commenced on 1 March 2021, the codes that were included in the amended code rollout are as follows:

• How to manage Work Health and Safety risks Code of Practice 2021

• Excavation work Code of Practice 2021

• Safe design of structures Code of Practice 2021

• First Aid in the workplace Code of Practice 2021

• Abrasive blasting Code of Practice 2021

• Confined spaces Code of Practice 2021

• Hazardous manual tasks Code of Practice 2021

• Managing the work environment and facilities Code of Practice 2021

• Demolition work Code of Practice 2021

• How to safely remove asbestos Code of Practice 2021

• Welding processes Code of Practice 2021

• Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work Code of Practice 2021

• Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace Code of Practice 2021

• Work Health and Safety consultation, cooperation and coordination Code of Practice 2021

• Spray painting and powder coating Code of Practice 2021

• Managing electrical risks in the workplace Code of Practice 2021

• Managing the risks of plant in the workplace Code of Practice 2021

• Labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals Code of Practice 2021

• How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace Code of Practice 2021

• Managing the risks of falls at workplaces Code of Practice 2021

• Preparation of safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals Code of Practice 2021

All businesses must do a review of their current documents, processes and procedures to ensure they comply with the updated codes of practice. This upholds a WHS culture within your organisation and will benefit you in the long run.

Forklift operator seriously injured by falling pallet

In February 2021, a warehouse facility worker was seriously injured when several pallets fell onto the forklift he was operating.

Initial enquiries indicate he was using the forklift to place a stack of pallets onto storage racking when for reasons yet to be established the pallets fell and landed on the forklift’s overhead protection cage but also struck the back of his head. Investigations are continuing. These are not confirmed and investigations are ongoing to find the root cause.

WHS Issues

In warehouses, factories and other workplaces, forklifts are used to lift, stack and transfer loads. While forklifts are a practical materials-handling solution for many businesses, each year they are involved in many workplace deaths and injuries.

Hazards associated with forklifts include those arising from:

• power sources - electrical, hydraulic and mechanical

• its load-carrying capacity

• the type of loads being lifted and moved

• the size of the operating area and the slope or evenness of the ground

• blind spots created by the mast and other parts of the forklift.

• instability – for example, carrying an unevenly balanced load; braking too quickly with a load; braking or accelerating while cornering; or striking low doors or overhead structures.

To learn more about the WHS risks of forklifts and falling objects, visit the Worksafe QLD website here.

Operator killed by reversing telehandler.

In January 2021, a worker on a private property was fatally injured when a telehandler ran over him. Early investigations show the telehandler was loading a crop-dusting plane with fertiliser at a private airstrip on the property when the operator reversed it over a worker.

Telehandlers pose a number of risks to operators and pedestrians. These include:

• colliding or contacting people or objects such as other vehicles or plant and energised powerlines

• overturning

• objects falling on the operator

• operator being ejected.

Read more here to learn more about the WHS risks and how to prevent them in the future.

Tractor rollover incidents

In January 2021, a farmer died when the tractor he was operating struck a log and rolled. The farmer had been using the tractor to pull out a bogged car and do some spraying. He was thrown from the tractor when it rolled and was trapped underneath the rear mounted chemical tank.

Just a day earlier, two workers suffered significant injuries when the tractor they were using rolled down the side of a hill. The contractors were spraying weeds on a farm.

Safety issues

Tractors and other agricultural mobile plant are essential for a range of rural operations and activities. They are versatile and can have numerous functions, not only on farms, but many other workplaces. Tractors can be safe when operated properly, however, like any equipment, they can be dangerous if used incorrectly.

Operating tractors and other items of agricultural mobile plant on uneven ground, slight and steep slopes, edges of depressions, contour banks or water courses presents rollover dangers, as does towing or pulling loads. Slopes that can be negotiated safely in dry conditions may be unsafe in the wet, as the tractor can slide.

Persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) must ensure the provision and maintenance of safe plant. Higher order risk controls include designing plant to be without risks to health and safety. Safety features which should be addressed at the tractor design, manufacture and operational stages that can also be applied to other mobile plant include:

1. roll-over protective structures (ROPS)

2. falling object protective structures (FOPS)

3. guards

4. protection from noise and ultraviolet radiation exposure

5. other measures for operator health and safety (e.g. seat belts).

Ways to manage health and safety

Taking steps to manage risks is a condition of doing business in Queensland. Effective risk management starts with a commitment to health and safety from those who manage the business. If an incident occurs, you'll need to show the regulator you’ve used an effective risk management process. This responsibility is covered by your primary duty of care in the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

Use the hierarchy of controls to help decide how to eliminate and reduce risks in your place of work. The hierarchy of controls ranks types of control methods from the highest level of protection and reliability to the lowest. It’s a step-by-step approach to eliminating or reducing risks. You must work through the hierarchy of controls when managing risks, with the aim of eliminating the hazard, which is the most effective control.

Possible control measures to prevent similar incidents

• Replacing an old tractor or other mobile plant without rollover protection with a model that has a factory fitted ROPS or retrofitting existing plant with an approved ROPS where possible. The WHS Regulation 2011 contains regulatory provisions regarding ROPS on tractors that must be complied with.

• Consultation with the manufacturer or engineer when retrofitting a ROPS.

• A ROPS is a structure designed and constructed to prevent or minimise the risk of death or injury to the operator as a result of the tractor or other agricultural mobile plant rolling over in any direction.

• A seat belt also prevents the operator from being ejected during use or a roll-over. Where the tractor or other agricultural mobile plant is fitted with a seatbelt and a ROPS is present, the seatbelt should be worn by the operator. If a seat belt is not being worn, and the tractor rolls, there’s a strong likelihood the operator will be crushed by the tractor.

• Logbooks should be maintained to record scheduled maintenance and repairs and any modifications which might affect the safe operation of the tractor.

• Conducting inspections as well as servicing and maintenance in line with the manufacturer's recommendations. For older items of mobile plant where operating instructions are not available, operational procedures and instructions for use should be developed by a competent person. The PCBU must also provide adequate training to all tractor operators, including the development of safe work procedures in line with the manufacturer's instructions for the operation of a tractor or other agricultural mobile plant.

• Assess the environment the plant will be operating in for potential hazards such as gradient and terrain and determine if the plant is appropriate for the task.

For hazards similar to these particular incidents, PCBUs must first consider controls that most effectively eliminate the risk or, where not reasonably practicable, that minimise the risks. Hazards such as the uncontrolled movement of mobile plant and risks brought about by poor systems of work may also be minimised by implementing administrative controls, so far as is reasonably practicable. A safe system of work can include:

• Driving tractors and other agricultural mobile plant at speeds slow enough to keep control over unexpected hazards. Operators should watch out for ditches, embankments, and depressions – unstable banks can cause overturns.

• Never allowing people to ride on tractor carryalls.

• Being aware that loads with high centres of gravity and tanks carrying liquids make a tractor less stable – a tank partially full of liquid will cause the load to shift quickly as the liquid sloshes around the tank.

• Not driving on gradients in wet conditions where there is high risk of overturning caused by the tractor sliding or its wheels sinking into the ground.

• Only towing a load, or attempting to pull a tree stump, using the designated tow point that is lower than the rear axle height. Using a tow point higher than the rear axle height can cause the tractor to backflip.

• Reducing speed before turning or applying turning brakes. Where a differential lock and turning brakes are fitted, ensure the differential lock is disengaged, and the turning brakes are locked together before travelling from one work site to another.

• Descending slopes cautiously with the tractor or other agricultural mobile plant in low gear.

• When a tractor is bogged in mud or in a ditch, drive out in reverse gear. Logs and planks should only be used behind the rear wheels to increase traction, as using logs and planks in front of the rear wheels increases the chance of the wheels locking which can cause the tractor to backflip.

• Only climb on or off a tractor or other agricultural mobile plant that is stopped. Do not dismount while the engine is running unless the transmission is in the neutral or park position and the parking brake is effectively engaged.

• If towing a trailer, ensure the load is evenly balanced and well secured. Always operate the vehicle at low speed.

If you are working in a remote area or working alone, always let someone know where you are going and when you are expected back. Also, make sure good communications are in place – for example, assessing mobile phone coverage and using personal two-way radios.

Watertruck operator killed after being thrown from cab

In January 2021, a water truck operator was working on a civil construction job when the vehicle rolled over. He suffered fatal injuries after being thrown from the cab and trapped underneath the truck.

Safety issues

Mobile plant, including water trucks, pose a number of risks to drivers and passengers. These include:

• plant operators and service personnel falling from earthmoving equipment during onsite inspection, maintenance or repairs. (Source – Worksafe Victoria)

• the plant colliding or contacting people or objects such as other vehicles or plant and energised powerlines

• the plant overturning

• objects falling on the operator

• the operator being ejected from the plant.

Ways to manage health and safety

Taking steps to manage risks is a condition of doing business in Queensland. Effective risk management starts with a commitment to health and safety from those who manage the business. If an incident occurs, you'll need to show the regulator you’ve used an effective risk management process. This responsibility is covered by your primary duty of care in the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

Use the hierarchy of controls to help decide how to eliminate and reduce risks in your place of work. The hierarchy of controls ranks types of control methods from the highest level of protection and reliability to the lowest. It’s a step-by-step approach to eliminating or reducing risks. You must work through the hierarchy of controls when managing risks with the aim of eliminating the hazard, which is the most effective control.

Possible control measures to prevent similar incidents

Employers and self-employed persons are required to control the risk associated with mobile plant, including the risk of drivers or passengers being ejected. Before operating powered mobile plant, the person with management or control of it must ensure:

• the vehicle selected is the right vehicle for the task

• weather, ground conditions and the intended travel pathway have been inspected and assessed to identify any problem areas e.g. sloping ground

• a seat belt, where fitted, is worn

  • ensure all occupants wear a seatbelt to keep them secured in the seat and protect them from serious or fatal injuries

  • ensure all seat belts are in good working condition

• a suitable combination of operator protective devices for the plant is provided

• ensure it is driven to suit the environmental conditions and slow enough to retain control in unexpected circumstances

• reduce speed before turning or applying brakes

• use as wide a wheel track as possible when working on hillsides and sloping ground

• descend slopes cautiously, keeping the powered mobile plant in low gear to allow motor compression to act as a brake. Watch out for ditches, embankments, and depressions - unstable banks can cause rollovers

• the manufacturer's operating instructions have been read and are followed. For older items of mobile plant where operating instructions are not available, operational procedures and instructions for use should be developed by a competent person

• not allow untrained or inexperienced people to operate the vehicle, particularly in unfamiliar or high-risk terrain or for unfamiliar tasks.

PCBUs must also provide a system of work that includes effective communication with workers in remote or isolated locations. If you are working in a remote area or working alone, always let someone know where you are going and when you are expected to return.

For hazards similar to this particular incident, PCBUs must first consider controls that most effectively eliminate the risk or, where not reasonably practicable, that minimise the risks. Hazards such as the operator being thrown from the cab of the mobile plant may also be minimised by implementing administrative controls, so far as is reasonably practicable. Administrative controls can include:

• information, training, instruction, or supervision necessary to control the risks associated with plant

• all operating manuals and instructional material provided by the manufacturer should be kept showing how to correctly operate and maintain the plant

• training programs should be practical and ‘hands on’ and take into account the particular needs of workers like literacy levels, work experience and specific skills required for safe use of the plant.

• ensuring worker training, experience and competency aligns with the requirements and complexity of the task.

Any remaining risk must be minimised with suitable personal protective equipment. For example:

• the use of hard hats, steel cap boots and high visibility vests

• safety footwear should be:

  • suitable for the type of work and environment

  • comfortable with an adequate non-slip sole and appropriate tread

  • checked regularly to ensure treads are not worn away or clogged with contaminants.

Administrative control measures and PPE rely on human behaviour and supervision, and used on their own, tend to be least effective in minimising risks. The control measures you put in place should be reviewed regularly to make sure they work as planned.

Arc flash incidents

In January 2021, two electrical workers suffered burns following an arc flash. They were working in a switch room with an LV main switchboard.

Initial enquiries indicate electrical work was being done on the switchboard metering when the incident occurred.

The following month, an electrical worker was injured working near energised electrical parts in a switchboard. Early investigations indicate he may have been trying to move cables in the switchboard that stopped the escutcheon panel closing. The tool being used by the worker to move the cables appears to have contacted energised parts causing a short circuit and arc flash.

Safety issues

Working in switchboards carries a greater risk of injury because of high fault currents and often the work is done in confined areas.

If you have to work live, for example when testing or fault finding, you must conduct a risk assessment. The risks associated with performing work near exposed live parts can be equivalent to those associated with live work. Typical risks include:

• electric shock if exposed energised parts are touched

• explosion, for example if a metal tool is dropped onto bus bars causing a short circuit

• exposure to high-temperature parts causing burns to bare skin

• electrical fires induced by allowing moisture or dust to enter electrical equipment.

Ways to manage health and safety

Taking steps to manage risks is a condition of doing business in Queensland. Effective risk management starts with a commitment to health and safety from those who manage the business. If an incident occurs, you'll need to show the regulator you’ve used an effective risk management process. This responsibility is covered by your primary duty of care in the Electrical Safety Act 2002.

If there is a safety risk associated with working near energised electrical parts, a written risk assessment should be conducted to determine the risk level and appropriate control measures. For the risk of arc flash, the risk assessment must consider the level of possible fault current present at the board considering:

• the physical size of the switchboard

• the size of the incoming consumer mains

• high fault current ratings of circuit protection devices

• the presence of fault current limiters on the switchboard

• transformers located near the switchboard.

Use the hierarchy of control to decide how to eliminate and reduce risks in your place of work. The hierarchy of controls ranks types of control methods from the highest level of protection and reliability to the lowest. It’s a step-by-step approach to eliminating or reducing risks. You must work through the hierarchy of controls when managing risks, with the aim of eliminating the hazard, which is the most effective control.

Possible control measures to prevent similar incidents

Effective control measures for arc flash related incidents are often made up of a combination of controls. Always test before you touch and never assume parts of electrical equipment are deenergised. Turn off the power to the entire switchboard, even if this means rescheduling the work to another time.

A safe system of work or safe work method statement for managing the risk of arc flash should include:

• electrically isolating nearby electrical equipment or installation before starting work, and ensuring it can't be reconnected while the work is being carried out

• using insulated or non-conductive physical barriers to prevent inadvertent contact with energised parts

• ensuring people not required for the work are excluded from the area (using screens, barriers and signage).

Risks can be further minimised by implementing administrative and personal protective equipment (PPE) controls. Examples include:

• ensuring workers have appropriate knowledge and skills to perform the work safely

• provision of suitable and adequate training, establishing exclusion zones, and use of permits and warning signs

• ensuring testing procedures are in place to prove parts are de-energised before work commences

• ensuring workers have tools, test equipment and PPE suitable for the rated level of fault current

• consider the use of a safety observer.

Adopting and implementing higher order controls before considering administrative or PPE controls will significantly reduce the likelihood of a similar incident occurring. The control measures you put in place should be reviewed regularly to make sure they work as planned.

COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout

The national rollout of COVID-19 vaccines is a timely reminder for employers to review their workplace health and safety obligations.

In late February 2021, the Australian Government updated its guidance for employers and workers regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. This can be found on both of the following websites:

• Safe Work Australia

• Fair Work Ombudsman

According to the published material, there are currently no laws or public health orders in Australia that specifically enable employers to require their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The Australian Government's policy is that receiving a vaccination is voluntary. Employers should stay up-to-date with both federal and state public health orders in case the guidance changes.

The Federal Government has noted in its guidance material that there are, however, limited circumstances where an employer may require workers to be vaccinated. Employers who believe they may fit within these circumstances should read the published guidance material and consider obtaining their own legal advice before deciding whether to mandate the vaccine.

It is important to note that the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine does not remove employers’ workplace health and safety obligations to, as far as reasonably practicable, minimise the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace. Employers should continue to use measures such as physical distancing, good hygiene and regular cleaning.

In the event that a Queensland worker lodges a claim for an adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccination, WorkCover will determine the claim like any other claim, paying particular attention to whether the worker’s employment was a significant contributing factor to the injury (as per section 32 of the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003).

NQ company fined $150,000 after worker crushed.

At a recent hearing in the Cairns Magistrates Court, a North Queensland diesel mechanical repair and sugar cane harvesting business was fined $150,000 following an incident in 2017 when a worker was crushed to death trying to fix a cane haul-out vehicle.

On 7 October 2017, three workers, including a company director, were harvesting cane at a Mowbray farm. One of the cane haul-out vehicles developed an hydraulic line leak and the director, believing it was simply a hose that needed tightening, instructed the driver to fix the fitting in the assembly area around 500m away. The man did the repair alone, but around 20 minutes later, a colleague discovered he’d been crushed between the ‘haul-out’ vehicle and a stationary bulk fuel trailer.

The defendant company had in place a system for field repairs such as this one. Normally, one of its mechanics would be called in to do the job. However, on this occasion this process wasn’t followed as the director believed the easy fix could’ve been done by the driver.

To protect staff, the defendant company should have had in place a prohibition on workers doing field repairs single-handedly (in compliance with the operator manual for the vehicle and also the Rural Plant COP), as well as developing and instructing workers on the appropriate system for field maintenance.

In this instance, the duty holder failed to comply with primary safety duty and exposed a worker to a risk of serious injury or death. It appears the driver had attempted to fix the problem without turning off the machine and was crushed to death.

In sentencing, Magistrate Joseph Pinder accepted the company directors, one of whom had diesel mechanic qualifications, had previously told the driver not to work on a machine when it was operating, though noted this instruction hadn’t been given on the day of the incident.

Magistrate Pinder took into consideration the company’s significant co-operation in the investigation by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, an early guilty plea and remorse expressed by the directors. His Honour noted the company had no prior WHS convictions, but deemed this breach was toward the mid-level range of objective seriousness and that general deterrence loomed large in his penalty consideration.

The defendant company was fined $150,000 plus court costs of just under $1,100. No conviction was recorded.

Court imposes $30,000 fine for dodgy electrical work.

At a recent hearing in the Brisbane Magistrates Court, Daniel William Dawes was convicted and fined for multiple offences under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 and the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013.

Mr Dawes conducted a business, trading as DD Electrical, which contracted for and performed electrical work such as the installation of air-conditioning units around Brisbane. Originally, the defendant held an electrical work licence, authorising him to conduct electrical work in Queensland. That licence, however, was cancelled in November 2019 as a result of disciplinary action. Mr Dawes also previously held an electrical contractor licence, allowing him to contract for electrical work as a sole trader.

That licence expired in May 2016 and, from that day, he wasn’t authorised to perform electrical work as a sole trader or operator.

Between 1 November 2017 and 29 December 2017, while not holding a valid electrical contracting licence, Mr Dawes advertised his services as an electrician on HiPages. During that period, he contracted to do electrical work, mainly installing air-conditioning units at Wooloowin, Gordon Park and Ascot after homeowners posted requests for quotes. The defendant obliged, subsequently attending the properties to do the work for which he was paid.

The electrical work done by Mr Dawes to install an air-conditioning unit at a Wooloowin property in November 2017 was found to be particularly deficient. A number of wires attached to the air-conditioning unit had been cut by the defendant and re-connected by twisting the wires together and covering them in tape. That wiring was inside ducting adjacent to the air-conditioning unit. That sub-standard connection had the potential to overheat, causing a fire or exposing the live wiring. Any person who came into contact with such live wiring was also at risk of electrical shock.

Between 9 December 2016 and 28 December 2017, the defendant installed air-conditioning units at eight properties in Ashgrove, Wilston, Newstead, Gordon Park, Ascot, Cashmere, North Lakes and Murarrie. Electrical Safety Office inspectors subsequently examined the work done by Mr Dawes and found it did not comply with the Wiring Rules in force at the time. While the manner in which the installations did not comply with the Wiring Rules differed across the properties, there were some similar failures such as not fitting an isolation switch at four of the jobs.

In sentencing, Magistrate Noel Nunan acknowledged there was a need for specific and general deterrence, having regard to the potential risks associated with improper electrical work. His Honour observed the defendant had incompetently installed a number of air-conditioning units. It was noted the defendant was a qualified electrician who held an electrical work licence at the relevant times and had previously held an electrical contractor’s licence.

Magistrate Nunan took into consideration the defendant’s lack of previous convictions and maximum penalties for the offences. It was acknowledged that, due to the defendant’s absence from court, there were no submissions as to his capacity to pay a fine.

His Honour determined to record a conviction in relation to each of the 10 charges. Mr Dawes was convicted on one charge of conducting a business involving the performance of electrical work without holding an electrical contractor licence, a charge of failing to comply with electrical safety duty and that failure exposed an individual to a risk of death or serious injury and eight charges of failing to ensure that electrical work performed on an electrical installation complied with the wiring rules.

He was convicted and fined $30,000, plus professional and court costs of almost $1,100.

People at Work tool launched.

Australia's only validated psychosocial risk assessment tool, People at Work, is up and running on a new free, digital platform thanks to work health and safety regulators and leading researchers.

Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities (HWSA) Chair, Martyn Campbell, today launched the free digital platform dedicated to mentally healthy workplaces.

"Workplaces have a duty to protect the psychological health of workers in the same way they protect their physical safety," Mr Campbell said. "People at Work helps organisations identify, assess and control risks to psychological health and safety. Previously a paper-based survey, with onerous and time-consuming manual data entry sheets,
People at Work is now accessible through a much more user-friendly digital platform.

Put simply, People at Work is free for Aussie businesses and workplaces to help them identify and manage work-related psychosocial hazards and factors AND which doesn’t need an expert to interpret the psychosocial risk assessment results".

A jointly funded initiative led and managed by Queensland, People at Work supports Australian organisations to meet their legislative work health and safety responsibility to identify and manage psychosocial risks in the workplace.

"The People at Work digital platform lays out an easy to follow five-step process with resources, interactive learning modules, a self-administered survey, and automated custom reports that businesses can access, all for free," Mr Campbell said.

"Industry has been crying out for an easy to use psychosocial risk assessment tool and People at Work is just that.

I'd like to thank the Psychological Health Unit from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, and representatives from work health and safety regulators around the country, who have led the way on this pioneering and exciting project," he said.

The newly released digital platform enables organisations to:

• self-administer the People at Work survey to their workers.

• add custom demographics like workgroups and roles.

• receive automated reporting with key breakdowns to identify high risk areas with recommended control measures, benchmarking, and guidance.

The People at Work digital platform provides organisations with their results in two reporting formats, a high level summary, and a more detailed report that also provides suggestions for improvements in the workplace. HWSA Members also have access to automated live reporting of deidentified data, and can monitor trends across industry, location, sector, and other demographics.

Worker killed attempting to jump start a tractor.

In December 2020, a worker suffered fatal injuries attempting to jump start a tractor. Early investigations indicate two men were working together and one of them drove a car into the machinery shed where the tractor was parked. The automatic vehicle was left in drive with the handbrake on. After applying jumper leads to the tractor, one of the workers opened the car door, and whilst standing next to the vehicle on the driver’s side, pushed the accelerator. At this time, it appears the car lurched forward and trapped the man.

Prevention:

Control measures will vary depending on the type of vehicle. Controls may include, but are not limited to:

• Never use a vehicle to jump start another vehicle unless both vehicles are in park (automatic gearbox) or neutral (manual gearbox) with park brakes applied.

• Consider using a mobile battery pack (i.e. secured to a hand trolley) to jump start vehicles.

• Only operate a vehicle from the designated operator’s position (i.e. in the case of a car or truck, sitting in the driver’s seat).

• If possible, operate the vehicle on flat level ground.

• Do not drive or operate the vehicle on excessive slopes, or on ground that is too slippery or too soft to safely support it.

• Follow the manufacturer's recommendations to safely operate the vehicle, particularly in relation to;

  • maximum allowable ground slope

  • allowable ground conditions and restrictions for soft or slippery surfaces

  • specific setup requirements including vehicle restraints (i.e. wheel chocks) as specified for use with the vehicle.

• Before starting the work, conduct a risk assessment of the site conditions where the vehicle is to travel or operate.

• If the vehicle cannot safely access or operate in the proposed location, an alternate work method should be used.

• Ensure the hand/park brake is on before exiting the vehicle.

• Ensure the brakes, including the hand/park brake, are well maintained.

• Install a warning system to alert drivers when the hand/park brake hasn’t been applied (these can be easily retro fitted).

• Do not stand in the potential path of a vehicle when the engine is running.

Person falls from tank.

In November 2020, a man sustained serious head injuries after falling from a water tank that had just been put in place by a vehicle loading crane. It appears he was standing on the tank close to the crane.

Prevention:

Falls are a major cause of death and serious injury. The risk of falling is common in construction, but may also occur during many other work activities.

The risk of serious injury from a fall is largely dependent on the height, but also the surface below (e.g. working on a roof near an unprotected edge or performing installation work from a ladder). A risk management approach must be used to manage the risks of falls from heights.

Managing work health and safety risks is an ongoing process.

Risk management involves four steps:

1. Identify the hazard – find out what could cause harm

2. Assess the risk – understand the nature of the harm that could be caused by the hazard, how serious the harm could be and the likelihood of it happening

3. Control the risk – implement the most effective control measure reasonably practicable in the circumstances

4. Review risk controls – asses control measures to ensure they are working as planned.

Other controls that can be looked at and analysed:

• Substitution Controls: Replacing with something of lesser risk.

• Engineering Controls: Changing physical characteristics of the plant/system of work.

• Administrative Controls: Information, training, instruction or supervision necessary to control the risks associated with plant.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Use of PPE to reduce injuries.