Safework NSW crackdown on falls on construction sites
Website Team Technicians • December 18, 2017
Falling from a height has tripled on construction sites over the last five years
Falls from heights
are the leading killer on NSW construction sites, so Safework NSW are conducting a
blitz over the next 12 months to crack down on employers who fail to
protect workers.
They will be visiting construction sites across NSW to ensure compliance
and raise awareness about the risks when working at heights.
This blitz is geared towards saving lives and has been prompted by a
tripling of falls incidents reported to us over the last five years,
with the majority occurring in the construction industry. So far this
year, eight workers have been killed – and many more suffered
catastrophic injuries.
Myles Lowry knows all too well the terrible consequences when workplace
safety goes awry. He was severely injured when he fell four metres onto a
concrete slab on a mid-north coast construction site.
An additional and alarming statistic reported by SafeWork Australia is
that nearly half of all fatalities in construction last year occurred
between October and the end-of-year. SafeWork NSW aim to make sure all tradies are
safe and sound this Christmas.
The blitz coincides with the introduction of tough new laws, where
employers can be fined up to $3600 for failing to control the risk of
falls adequately.
Fall prevention deserves your attention.
The Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2014 introduced new requirements for waste transporters to record the movement of more than 100 kilograms of asbestos waste or more than 10 square metres of asbestos sheeting. What problem led to the change? Exposure to airborne asbestos fibres, even in small quantities, can lead to significant health risks. Whilst environmental risks caused by asbestos are minimal, potential life-threatening illnesses caused by asbestos fibre exposure include asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Illegal dumping of asbestos may lead to increased exposure of individuals to asbestos fibres and thus increase the risk of asbestos-related illnesses. The risk of exposure increases when asbestos is dumped close to communities or sites that people frequently visit. The changes will increase the EPA’s oversight of the removal, transport and disposal of asbestos waste. They will also strengthen the EPA’s enforcement capabilities and protect human health, which is consistent with the objectives of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997. How will this effect asbestos waste transporters and asbestos disposal facilities? The waste regulation requires transporters of asbestos to record information about the movement of asbestos waste loads from the site of generation to the final disposal point. To make this easy, the EPA has developed an online system called WasteLocate to ensure asbestos waste is disposed of lawfully in NSW and to assist transporters of these materials to fulfil their legal obligations. WasteLocate uses QR codes, accessible through mobile devices, to monitor the movement of asbestos and tyres from place of generation to a lawful disposal facility. The WasteLocate page has more information on this new tool and the asbestos flyer explains how it affects the asbestos industry.
Each year there are dozens of serious incidents where workers have fallen from ladders. While workers in construction, retail and building maintenance are most commonly injured, any worker using a ladder – at any height – is at risk. So what can you do to avoid becoming a statistic? The first thing to consider is whether you really need to use a ladder for the job. Ladders should only be used for simple access jobs or for a short duration. If you can work from ground level or using an alternative like scaffolding; do so. But if a ladder is your only option, here are the 10 golden rules that can help you avoid injury. Choose the right ladder for the job. It should meet Australian standards and the load requirements of the job. Inspect the ladder for damage before each use. Only use a ladder if you are physically capable of doing so. Always set up the ladder on a flat, stable surface. Consider safety devices like leg levellers, anti-slip gutter guards and stabilisers. Always maintain three point of contact with the ladder. This means two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand on the ladder. Never lean or reach away from the ladder while using it. Only take small items up or down a ladder and items that allow you to maintain three points of contact. Never exceed the working load limit on the ladder. Remember to include the weight of your tools. If you’re using an extension ladder, secure it at the top, bottom or both. If this isn’t possible then have someone hold the ladder. If you’re using an A-frame ladder, make sure it’s fully open and locked. Extension ladders should be angled at a ratio of 1:4. That is, position the base of the ladder 1 metre away from the structure for every 4 metres of height. Do not climb past the second-top rung of a ladder, and never straddle the top of an A-frame ladder. When climbing down, face the ladder and climb to the bottom rung before stepping off.
Did you know that asbestos is a naturally occurring substance? It might surprise you to learn that it can actually be found in rock, sediment and soil throughout regional NSW. While the chances of coming into contact naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) are slim, workers and residents in affected areas should still know what to look for and how to manage it. So what do you need to do? NOA is found in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes, and can be difficult to spot. The SafeWork website includes a handy map to let you know whether you’re in a low, medium or high risk region. If you’re conducting work in an affected area, take the following precautions: Limit dust-generating work and avoid handling rocks and soil that could contain NOA. Consider the weather. Try not to do work that disturbs the ground on windy days, or if conditions are dry and dusty. Wet down areas if necessary, particularly when planting, seeding and digging. If you think you've found NOA, cover with clean soil, rock or other material where practical. If you control a workplace that is affected, you should have an asbestos management plan in place. This should include providing PPE to any workers who might be disturbing the ground and training your workers. Consider calling in a licensed asbestos assessor or an occupational hygienist to test the site for NOA.
