BHP Billiton has suspended rail services at its Nelson Point operation in
Western Australia, after a worker was injured by a train.
In the past eight months five workers have died on BHP Billiton iron ore
sites in the Pilbara and company spokeswoman Samantha Evans said today
the latest incident was being taken seriously. “We have got a full
investigation team mobilised and travelling to Nelson Point today to start
a thorough investigation,” Ms Evans said. “All the yard activity at Nelson
Point has been suspended at this stage.” It is understood a worker was
treated at the site and taken to hospital for observation after the incident
this morning and was later discharged.
Last week, WA Mines Minister Norman Moore ordered BHP to stop work
on sites issued with breach of practice notices, after 12 such notices were
issued in two weeks.
On April 1, BHP iron ore president Ian Ashby apologised for the fatalities
and said the company was doing everything possible to identify the causes.
A state government report into BHP’s safety procedures at its Pilbara
operations is expected to be completed by the end of this month.
Showing posts with label Workplace Fatalities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Workplace Fatalities. Show all posts
Monday, 13 April 2009
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
"John Holland" faces court over workplace fatality - Comcare
The CFMEU is calling for a greater focus on safety on construction sites
following the prosecution of a John Holland in a Federal Court hearing
in Queensland.
The construction giant is appearing in the Federal Court in Queensland
over the death of a worker at Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal last year.
Mark McCallum, aged 34, died in May 2008 after being run over by
machinery. His foot had become trapped under wooden scaffolding planks
while moving pre-cast concrete decks.
“We want to see a full examination of this tragic case and justice delivered
to Mark McCallum’s family,” CFMEU National Safety Officer Martin Kingham
said. “We will be interested to see what comes out of this prosecution and
the approach taken by Comcare to the first fatality in the industry to be
dealt with under the Comcare scheme.
In some other recent cases, Comcare has reached an agreement with the
employer who was being prosecuted on the question of the appropriate
penalty which should apply. We question whether that is the right approach
or whether it is of much assistance to the Court. The question of penalty is
ultimately one for the Court to decide,” Kingham said.
John Holland is one of three companies to gain self-insurance licences under
the Commonwealth's Comcare workers' compensation scheme. “Until recently
a John Holland company was a finalist in the National Safe Work Australia
awards.
We thought that was insensitive to Mark McCallum’s family given that
John Holland was facing prosecution over his tragic death. We don’t think
Comcare’s support of the nomination was right either given the
circumstances. We have serious and ongoing concerns about the Comcare
system applying in our industry and the capacity of Comcare to regulate
OH&S in the construction industry,” Kingham added.
Ref: www.constructioncontractor.com.au
following the prosecution of a John Holland in a Federal Court hearing
in Queensland.
The construction giant is appearing in the Federal Court in Queensland
over the death of a worker at Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal last year.
Mark McCallum, aged 34, died in May 2008 after being run over by
machinery. His foot had become trapped under wooden scaffolding planks
while moving pre-cast concrete decks.
“We want to see a full examination of this tragic case and justice delivered
to Mark McCallum’s family,” CFMEU National Safety Officer Martin Kingham
said. “We will be interested to see what comes out of this prosecution and
the approach taken by Comcare to the first fatality in the industry to be
dealt with under the Comcare scheme.
In some other recent cases, Comcare has reached an agreement with the
employer who was being prosecuted on the question of the appropriate
penalty which should apply. We question whether that is the right approach
or whether it is of much assistance to the Court. The question of penalty is
ultimately one for the Court to decide,” Kingham said.
John Holland is one of three companies to gain self-insurance licences under
the Commonwealth's Comcare workers' compensation scheme. “Until recently
a John Holland company was a finalist in the National Safe Work Australia
awards.
We thought that was insensitive to Mark McCallum’s family given that
John Holland was facing prosecution over his tragic death. We don’t think
Comcare’s support of the nomination was right either given the
circumstances. We have serious and ongoing concerns about the Comcare
system applying in our industry and the capacity of Comcare to regulate
OH&S in the construction industry,” Kingham added.
Ref: www.constructioncontractor.com.au
Monday, 9 March 2009
The REAL workplace fatality statistics up to June 2008.
Sourced from Political Alert – your one stop Parliament alert shop.
24 November 2008
This is a media release issued by the ASCC.
The Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) Chairman,
Mr Bill Scales AO, today announced the release of two reports on
workplace fatalities.
The Notified Fatalities Statistical Report July 2007 to June 2008
provides the most recent information on work-related fatalities
which are notified to occupational health and safety (OHS) authorities
across Australia during the financial year.
Mr Scales said that this report provides analysis of notified fatalities
across Australia for the full financial year.
"There were 16 fewer notified worker fatalities in 2007-08
(131 worker fatalities) than in 2006-07 (147 worker
fatalities), a decrease of 11 per cent," Mr Scales said.
"While this suggests that we are taking steps in the right direction
to reduce work-related fatalities, every death in the workplace is still
one death too many."
Some other key findings of the report include:
In 2007-08 there were 150 notified work-related fatalities
(131 worker notified fatalities and 19 bystander notified
fatalities). 137 of these fatalities were males.
Four industries accounted for eight out of every ten notified
work-related fatalities: construction (24 per cent), transport
and storage (23 per cent), agriculture, forestry and fishing
(18 per cent) and manufacturing (13 per cent).
The most common causes of fatalities were vehicle accidents
(44 fatalities), being hit by falling objects (23 fatalities),
being hit by moving objects (21 fatalities), falls from a height
(16 fatalities) and being trapped by moving machinery
(12 fatalities).
Construction workplaces recorded a consistently high number
of notified worker fatalities over the period 2003-04 to 2006-07
(ranging from 18 in 2004-05 to 36 in 2007-08).
There was a notable decrease in the number of notified worker
fatalities in agriculture, forestry and fishery workplaces
(42 fatalities in 2003-04 to 25 in 2007-08).
There was a notable decrease in the number of notified
worker fatalities in mining workplaces (4 fatalities in
2007-08 compared with 13 fatalities in 2006-07).
While the above report provides the most recent information on work-
related injury fatalities, its coverage is not complete. In most states and
territories, work-related fatalities which occur on public roads are notified
to the police and are not included.
To provide a comprehensive picture of the number of people who died from
injury due to work-related activity, the ASCC combines the information
from the notified fatalities with workers’ compensation data and coronial
information. The ASCC is also releasing the results of this analysis in the
Work-related Traumatic Injury Fatalities, Australia, 2005-06 report.
Some key findings of this report for 2005-06 include:
270 people died from injuries sustained while working for income.
123 persons died from injuries incurred while travelling to or from work.
41 persons were killed as a bystander to work activity.
The agriculture, forestry and fishing industry and transport and storage
industry recorded the highest number of deaths while working for income
(55 deaths each) followed by the construction industry (43 deaths).
Vehicle accident was the cause of 40 per cent of the working for income
deaths. The next most common cause was being hit by moving objects
(14 per cent) followed by falls from a height (13 per cent).
Vehicle accident accounted for 18 bystander deaths, of those, 13 involved
trucks, semi trailers or lorries.
"While the number of deaths that occurred while working for income
increased by 5 per cent over the three year period, 2003-04 to 2005-06,
the growth in employment resulted in a slight decrease in incidence rates,
from 2.7 deaths per 100 000 employed persons in 2003-04 to 2.6 in
2005-06," said Mr. Scales.
"Every injury or death in the workplace is one too many. We each have a
responsibility for being safe at work, not just for ourselves but for the sake
of our workmates and our families."
Both reports are available for free download from the ASCC
website at ascc.gov.au.
24 November 2008
This is a media release issued by the ASCC.
The Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) Chairman,
Mr Bill Scales AO, today announced the release of two reports on
workplace fatalities.
The Notified Fatalities Statistical Report July 2007 to June 2008
provides the most recent information on work-related fatalities
which are notified to occupational health and safety (OHS) authorities
across Australia during the financial year.
Mr Scales said that this report provides analysis of notified fatalities
across Australia for the full financial year.
"There were 16 fewer notified worker fatalities in 2007-08
(131 worker fatalities) than in 2006-07 (147 worker
fatalities), a decrease of 11 per cent," Mr Scales said.
"While this suggests that we are taking steps in the right direction
to reduce work-related fatalities, every death in the workplace is still
one death too many."
Some other key findings of the report include:
In 2007-08 there were 150 notified work-related fatalities
(131 worker notified fatalities and 19 bystander notified
fatalities). 137 of these fatalities were males.
Four industries accounted for eight out of every ten notified
work-related fatalities: construction (24 per cent), transport
and storage (23 per cent), agriculture, forestry and fishing
(18 per cent) and manufacturing (13 per cent).
The most common causes of fatalities were vehicle accidents
(44 fatalities), being hit by falling objects (23 fatalities),
being hit by moving objects (21 fatalities), falls from a height
(16 fatalities) and being trapped by moving machinery
(12 fatalities).
Construction workplaces recorded a consistently high number
of notified worker fatalities over the period 2003-04 to 2006-07
(ranging from 18 in 2004-05 to 36 in 2007-08).
There was a notable decrease in the number of notified worker
fatalities in agriculture, forestry and fishery workplaces
(42 fatalities in 2003-04 to 25 in 2007-08).
There was a notable decrease in the number of notified
worker fatalities in mining workplaces (4 fatalities in
2007-08 compared with 13 fatalities in 2006-07).
While the above report provides the most recent information on work-
related injury fatalities, its coverage is not complete. In most states and
territories, work-related fatalities which occur on public roads are notified
to the police and are not included.
To provide a comprehensive picture of the number of people who died from
injury due to work-related activity, the ASCC combines the information
from the notified fatalities with workers’ compensation data and coronial
information. The ASCC is also releasing the results of this analysis in the
Work-related Traumatic Injury Fatalities, Australia, 2005-06 report.
Some key findings of this report for 2005-06 include:
270 people died from injuries sustained while working for income.
123 persons died from injuries incurred while travelling to or from work.
41 persons were killed as a bystander to work activity.
The agriculture, forestry and fishing industry and transport and storage
industry recorded the highest number of deaths while working for income
(55 deaths each) followed by the construction industry (43 deaths).
Vehicle accident was the cause of 40 per cent of the working for income
deaths. The next most common cause was being hit by moving objects
(14 per cent) followed by falls from a height (13 per cent).
Vehicle accident accounted for 18 bystander deaths, of those, 13 involved
trucks, semi trailers or lorries.
"While the number of deaths that occurred while working for income
increased by 5 per cent over the three year period, 2003-04 to 2005-06,
the growth in employment resulted in a slight decrease in incidence rates,
from 2.7 deaths per 100 000 employed persons in 2003-04 to 2.6 in
2005-06," said Mr. Scales.
"Every injury or death in the workplace is one too many. We each have a
responsibility for being safe at work, not just for ourselves but for the sake
of our workmates and our families."
Both reports are available for free download from the ASCC
website at ascc.gov.au.
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Teenager dragged head first in printing press dies
Article from: Herald Sun
February 18, 2009 07:00pm
AN 18 year-old man who was caught in a printing machine at a carton
manufacturing plant in Thomastown has died.The man suffered severe
injuries after he was dragged head first into a box-printing machine at a
factory in the northern suburb of Thomastown shortly after 2pm
yesterday, a WorkSafe Victoria spokesman said.
It took firefighters about 45 minutes to extract the man from the machine.
He was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where he later died.
His death brought to four the number of people killed in a Victorian workplace
this year.
WorkSafe Victoria is investigating the death and said it is a warning to all
employers and workers. Worksafe executive director John Merritt said
on Wednesday that every employer should be meeting with their staff
about known or predictable safety issues, and then develop and act on a
safety improvement plan. "If you already have one - review it,
" Mr Merritt said. "If machines are unguarded, if people don't have
appropriate training, licensing or supervision and workers do not have
the equipment needed to do their job safely - or if they're not using it -
those issues must be dealt with today."
A WorkSafe spokesman has confirmed the man's clothing caught in
rotating parts of the machine, dragging him into it.
WorkSafe has issued notices ordering the company to install better guards
on the machine. It is not yet clear if charges will be laid over the incident.
WCV's: Well, it had better become clearer Worksafe!
If this machine didn't have guards that were up to standard then you
had better lay charges against this employer!!!! They were obviously not
compliant?
Victorian workers already know going by the fatality rate this year, 4 so far
that you are not doing your job competently!!
So whats you re excuse this time Mr Merritt, here's another worker
who didn't make it home safely. What are you going to do about it?
February 18, 2009 07:00pm
AN 18 year-old man who was caught in a printing machine at a carton
manufacturing plant in Thomastown has died.The man suffered severe
injuries after he was dragged head first into a box-printing machine at a
factory in the northern suburb of Thomastown shortly after 2pm
yesterday, a WorkSafe Victoria spokesman said.
It took firefighters about 45 minutes to extract the man from the machine.
He was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where he later died.
His death brought to four the number of people killed in a Victorian workplace
this year.
WorkSafe Victoria is investigating the death and said it is a warning to all
employers and workers. Worksafe executive director John Merritt said
on Wednesday that every employer should be meeting with their staff
about known or predictable safety issues, and then develop and act on a
safety improvement plan. "If you already have one - review it,
" Mr Merritt said. "If machines are unguarded, if people don't have
appropriate training, licensing or supervision and workers do not have
the equipment needed to do their job safely - or if they're not using it -
those issues must be dealt with today."
A WorkSafe spokesman has confirmed the man's clothing caught in
rotating parts of the machine, dragging him into it.
WorkSafe has issued notices ordering the company to install better guards
on the machine. It is not yet clear if charges will be laid over the incident.
WCV's: Well, it had better become clearer Worksafe!
If this machine didn't have guards that were up to standard then you
had better lay charges against this employer!!!! They were obviously not
compliant?
Victorian workers already know going by the fatality rate this year, 4 so far
that you are not doing your job competently!!
So whats you re excuse this time Mr Merritt, here's another worker
who didn't make it home safely. What are you going to do about it?
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Victoria: more workplace fatalities than in metropolitan areas
Statistics 2008 found regional Victoria had more work-related deaths than
metropolitan areas, despite having only a quarter of the population.
The regional workplaces had eleven fatalities, one more than the ten from
metropolitan areas. 2008’s regional deaths occurred in construction, fire-
fighting, timber, road works, agriculture, manufacturing, the meat industry
and non-building construction.
WorkSafe Victoria www.workcover.vic.gov.au has urged the regional workers
and businesses to prioritise safety for 2009.
It has called for zero tolerance to unsafe systems of work, and says every
member of the workplace has a responsibility to prevent injuries.
Ref: www.constructioncontractor.com.au
21 January 2009
WCV's: And so do you worksafe!
It's ok to preach to workers about the reporting of unsafe workplaces,
but its another thing getting you to act on it!!!!!.
I have personally experianced this and know 1st hand of the bullshit
I was fed by the uncaring and unrealistic staff employed by worksafe
victoria and instead of investigating my complaints you worksafe
rewarded the employer with a grant to improve their workplace safety
and did nothing about my proven claims, so dont preach to us about reporting
them you should actually prosecute them as the legislation requires you to.
Thats what worksafe needs to do!!!! Stop the bullshit!
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