OHS Alerts

19/07/2010
Webbing Slings Warning

The tragic death of a worker on the Adelaide desalination plant is a sad reminder of the inherent dangers of synthetic slings.

The accident occurred when a synthetic sling failed.

Any use of synthetic slings must be part of a 'Safe Work Method Statement' that takes into account possible hazards and potential damage to the sling.

The NSW ‘Guide For Rigging’ includes this chapter on synthetic slings:

16/07/2010
National Asbestos Declaration

National Declaration: Towards an Australian Safe Asbestos Free Environment (SaFE).

Our aim is to eliminate asbestos related disease and exposures to all forms of asbestos in Australia.

Australia has an unenviable record of one of the world's highest rate of asbestos related diseases and a legacy of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) in many workplaces and buildings - public and private, commercial, domestic and industrial.

29/06/2010
Manitowoc Cranes, Potain Tower Cranes Safety Alert

Worksafe Victoria, The Health and Safety Executive, and Manitowoc have issued a Safety Alert about faulty tower spigots on K600 and K800 tower sections following two known mast section failures.

The warning follows two catastrophic spigot failures, one in Chicago in February 2009 and one in London this April. The failure, which starts as a small crack, is thought to be due to inadequate heat treatment.

If a tower crane mast fails and collapses there is potential for multiple fatalities.

Read the warning here.

18/06/2010
Safe Use of Portable Ladders Safety Alert

An Alert from WorkCover Authority NSW following two recent incidents where painters fell from ladders. Both suffered serious injuries, one fatally. In both cases the painters used portable ladders and were working at a height of approximately five metres.

Download the alert or read the article here.

03/06/2010
Tower Crane Access Alert

With crane operators being forced to climb up to 40, 50, 60 metres, some cases much higher to access their cranes, a safety alert has been issued.

This follows concerns due to modern tower cranes being erected in free standing mode to unacceptable heights for safe access and egress.

Download the Alert.

10/05/2010
Workers Exposed to Asbestos

Workers were exposed to asbestos-containing material when an employee used a battery-operated drill to attach a loose post to a wall containing asbestos material. The employee drilled a series of holes in the asbestos-containing wall, exposing himself and cleaners to asbestos. The building, built in the 1930s was likely to contain asbestos material.

Read the safety incident here.

10/05/2010
Asbestos Gaskets Found in Imported Plant

Items of a plant were recently imported into Western Australia and found to contain bonded asbestos gaskets. The plant was imported from New Zealand and Thailand for installation at a major industrial site. Workers at the site were unaware that any gaskets contained asbestos.

Read the article here.

10/05/2010
Unmarked Scaffold Components Found On Construction Site

This Alert highlights the need for scaffold components to be marked in accordance with Australian Standards. Unmarked scaffold couplers (swivel and right angle reduction couplers) - that are used to brace formwork frames and props - were recently found on a construction site. Since 1991, AS 1576.2 - Scaffolding - Couplers and accessories has required scaffold couplers and accessories be marked with the manufacturer’s name or trademark.

Read the safety alert here.

10/05/2010
Tremolite Decorative Stack-Stone Wall Tiles Alert

An Alert from WorkSafe Victoria and WorkCover NSW, after becoming aware of the recent importation from China of decorative stack-stone wall tiles that contain asbestos in the form of fibrous tremolite, which is a prohibited hazardous substance.

Read the safety alert here.

09/04/2010
Asbestos breakthrough

UK scientists have safely tested a potential vaccine that they hope would increase survival in patients with mesothelioma and eventually lead to vaccinations for those who have been in contact with asbestos.

Ten patients with advanced mesothelioma were given the new treatment and all showed signs of recovery.

Read the UK media story. [April 7]