WorkSafe

On 18 June 2019, amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 (OSH Regulations) were Gazetted.  The Occupational Safety and Health Amendment Regulations (No.2) 2019 makes changes to the definition of ‘commercial vehicle’ in regulation 3.130 of the OSH regulations. This brings drivers of all commercial and hire vehicles, including taxis within the scope of the fatigue management and medical fitness to drive provisions of ‘Part 3, Division 10 — Driving Commercial Vehicles’ of the OSH Regulations.

A proactive inspection program undertaken by WorkSafe to look at safety in workplaces where machinery and equipment is repaired has uncovered concerns with hazardous substances, mobile plant and emergency procedures.

The program involved WorkSafe inspectors visiting workplaces where repairs are carried out on items such as agricultural and farm machinery, lawnmowers, outboard motors, pumps and compressors, mining equipment and material handlers in Perth and regional areas of the State.

A proactive inspection program undertaken by WorkSafe to look at safety in workplaces where scientific testing takes place has returned encouraging results for the sector.

The program involved WorkSafe inspectors visiting workplaces in Perth and regional areas of the State where non-destructive scientific testing including radiographic, ultrasonic, magnetic particle, liquid penetrant, electromagnetic and visual testing is carried out.

WorkSafe is conducting a proactive inspection program to look at safety issues for commercial vehicle drivers.

The program will continue until the end of the 2019/20 financial year, and will be conducted at road train assembly areas in metropolitan and regional areas of the State.

WorkSafe Director Chris Kirwin said today the inspection program was being undertaken as an alternative to larger-scale operations such as Austrans.

“The two areas the inspectors will focus on are fatigue management and working in isolated areas,” Mr Kirwin said.

A proactive inspection program looking at safety issues in fuel retailing outlets across WA has found high levels of awareness in some areas, but also some areas of concern.

The program, which included service stations selling all brands of fuel in metropolitan and regional areas of the State, was undertaken because workers were seen to be at risk on a number of fronts.

WorkSafe Acting Director Eve Speyers said today service station attendants faced the possibility of violence and aggression on their shifts.

A construction company has been fined $38,000 (and ordered to pay $8054 in costs) over the incident in 2017 in which 17-year-old Wesley Ballantine died after he fell through a void in the roof of an internal atrium at the old GPO building in Forrest Place, Perth.

Valmont (WA) Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that persons who were not their employees were not exposed to hazards, and was fined in the Perth Magistrates Court today.

A proactive inspection program looking at safety issues in WA primary schools has raised concerns over failure to comply with workplace safety laws on hazardous substances.

During the inspection program, inspectors looked at safety issues for workers such as cleaners, handypersons and gardeners, and also focused on the management of violence and aggression.

WorkSafe Director Sally North said the program was undertaken because of the high rate of injuries in the sector, particularly soft tissue injuries to lower backs, but the program raised additional concerns.

WorkSafe will conduct a proactive inspection program to look at safety standards and issues in commercial kitchens in various WA workplaces.

The program will continue throughout the 2019/20 financial year, and will focus on kitchens located in a range of workplaces including cafés, food courts and accommodation premises in metropolitan and regional areas of the State.

The company that managed Morley Galleria Shopping Centre when two men were killed and two severely injured in an explosion in 2015 has been fined $45,000.

Vicinity Custodian Pty Ltd, as the entity in control of the workplace, was found guilty of failing to ensure safe access and egress for persons who were not its employees, and was fined in the Perth Magistrates Court yesterday.

In February 2015, high voltage switchgear filled with oil exploded in a substation at Morley Galleria Shopping Centre, killing two workers and severely burning two others.

WorkSafe is conducting a proactive inspection program to look at safety and health issues for workers in WA primary and secondary schools.

The program will continue until the end of the 2019/20 financial year, and will include both private and public schools in metropolitan and regional areas of the State.

It will expand on a previous inspection program looking at hazards facing cleaners and gardeners, and will add potential hazards in science labs, home economics rooms, swimming pools and so on.