OHS Alerts

03/03/2010
Cable pull failure

The pulling 'sock' of a fire-rated 50mm diameter cable slipped off while the cable was being pulled from basement 2 to level 21 on a Perth CBD project recently. This caused the cable to drop from level 16 and to start to spool on the ground floor and basement 1.

No-one was injured but the incident has prompted the attached alert requiring cables to be spliced and shackled to the pull line, with the pulling sock bolted through the cable.

See photos and report from CFMEU WA.

08/02/2010
Latch locks for Alimak doors

Alimak Hek Pty Ltd has issued the attached alert, following WorkSafe Victoria's recommendation that Latch Locking for Alimak Doors # 9042.755.000 should be fitted to all Alimak Scando products with vertical two part doors to ensure the doors are held closely together. 

08/02/2010
Arlec recalls extension leads

Arlec Australian Pty Ltd is conducting a voluntary recall of its Swivel Plug 3m, 5m, 7m & 10m extension leads: model SPL3, sold nationally between Nov 2009 and Jan 2010.

Download the recall alert here.

18/01/2010
Ban on Cantilevered Chariots

For a new alert from the CFMEU Victoria Branch banning the use of CANTILEVERED Chariot work platforms, go the Vic Branch website Downloads.

13/01/2010
Drilling rig incident

A 34-year old CFMEU member was seriously injured on January 8, when a drilling rig fell 18 metres from the spillway at Googong Dam in the ACT.

The drilling rig operator from Victoria worked for a subcontractor on the spillway remediation project, which is being undertaken by a Joint Venture - the Bulk Water Alliance - between Actew Corporation, Abigroup, GHD and John Holland.

The drilling rig involved was an Atlas CopCo ROC D7.

26/10/2009
Insulation installation risks

The death of an insulation installer in Brisbane on October 14 has prompted WorkSafe Qld and the Electrical Safety Office to issue an alert on the danger of installing insulation near electrical equipment in ceilings.

The notice also warns of the need to control and identify the range of hazards found in ceilings.

A second worker received electric shock and burns in the October 14 incident.

01/09/2009
Prefabricated stair failure

Worksafe WA is invetigating a dangerous occurrence involving the failure of a prefabricated aluminium stair unit.

01/09/2009
Nylon Sling failure

A structural steel and bondeck roof section, complete with handrails and weighing approximately 11 tonne, fell to the ground in WA recently, after nylon slings failed. The roof section was being lifted by the tower crane to be positioned on top of a silo.

28/08/2009
Safe use of EWPs

Painters were recently observed by ACT CFMEU Branch officials working from an elevated work platform (EWP) at a block of flats in Braddon. The work method used was both dangerous and in breach of Australian Standards.

31/07/2009
Safe lifting of plasterboard packs

Workers and the public in Melbourne recently had a lucky escape when a 2.5 tonne pack of plasterboard fell more than 25 storeys while it was being lifted by a tower crane.