Home > Safety Dave’s Blog > Mixed Bag- 4 prosecutions, 1 common law action and working hours controversy
24/02/2010 - Mixed Bag- 4 prosecutions, 1 common law action and working hours controversy
Vic Prosecution- Fireproof clothing manufacturer fined $130,000 after two chemical burns at the factory. Company has subsequently gone in liquidation.
WA Prosecution following EWP tipping over- $60,000 fine. Problems with maintenance, use and training on EWP.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/09/2814349.htm?site=news
Brick company fined following injury to Labour Hire employee- “When he was in the process of cleaning the machine, it restarted and his right hand and arm were drawn into the pinch point of the conveyor, tearing his arm and shoulder from his body,”
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26764422-5003402,00.html
Yyyyyyyyyuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuchchchchchchchchchchchchchchch. Garbage collector cops a mouth full of medical waste while emptying a bin.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26736553-5003402,00.html
There has been a couple of stories circulating about changes to shift arrangements at BHP Billiton mines. The stories have been driven by the unions, and while most of the content of from the CFMEU, the is some space given to the response from BHP Billiton, which has been to say that nothing has changed. The truth lies somewhere in between.
If the numbers are correct, and in my humble opinion, a can see the reason for concern.
The new company standards dictate that no one should work more than 14 hours in any 24-hour period – up from 12 hours – and that the number of consecutive day shifts should not exceed 14 or seven for night shifts….. In extenuating circumstance shifts could be up to 16 hours following a risk assessment.
Imagine the pressure on the manager or supervisor doing the assessment to get an acceptable risk result given that the extension of 2 hours is only meant to be in extenuating circumstance.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26753571-3102,00.html
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/23/2827394.htm?site=news
$145,000 fine after maintenance worker loses his thumb in Victoria. This link also proves someone at Workcover Vic has a sense of humour. The company involved is McCaine Foods who you may remember had a popular ad campaign about “ Ah McCain, you’ve done it again”. Well, this media release is titled- “McCain does it again with another health and safety breach”. Love it.
