SafeWork NSW is continuing to investigate what led to the scaffolding collapse in Macquarie Park on Monday 1 April 2019 where one person tragically died and another was critically injured. The site is expected to be closed until SafeWork is satisfied that it is safe and all evidence has been collected.
Executive Director of SafeWork NSW Tony Williams said: “The outcomes of this investigation are expected to take some time to gather meaningful and constructive results. SafeWork will examine a range of factors including the qualifications of relevant workers, environmental conditions, the load carried by the scaffolding, as well as the design, construction and maintenance of scaffolding.”
SafeWork is working with NSW Police, who are running a separate investigation. SafeWork is also preparing a report for the Coroner.
A Prohibition notice has been issued to the construction company, preventing access to work on the ground floor and basement levels of the site.
Notices have also been issued to the construction company to ensure the safe release of an inactive crane’s load on site. Engineers are assessing whether the structural integrity of the crane, as well as the electrical supply to it, have not been affected by the collapse of the scaffolding. This is required before the crane can be reenergised to release its load. The crane is expected to be repositioned on Friday, 5 April.
SafeWork NSW is currently running Operation Scaf Safe which commenced on Monday 1 April 2019.  It is one focus of SafeWork’s Towards Zero Falls From Heights Campaign which will run until 2022. SafeWork Inspectors are visiting sites across NSW to ensure that businesses understand the safety requirements involved in creating a safe environment for workers using scaffolding and working from a height.
The decision to focus efforts on scaffold safety was in part the result of a compliance blitz conducted throughout 2018, where almost 50 per cent of scaffolding inspections were found to be non-compliant. 1,258 notices were issued, including 93 risk-of-falls related, on-the-spot fines, totalling $265,680.
Operation Scaf Safe is expected to run until September 2019. Penalties of up to $3600 may apply for exposing workers to risk of falls, or for carrying out scaffold work without a licence.

 National White Wreath Day – In Remembrance of All Victims of Suicide held on the 29 May, Yearly and Wear White At Work also held on the 29 May yearly. Both these campaigns raise awareness of the social impact mental illness has on our society.
https://www.whitewreath.org.au/​

Ensuring safe scaffolds do their job
 
When installed correctly, scaffolds protect against falls from heights and falling objects, so when safety fails the results can be devastating. 
 
Recently, a 15 metre scaffold collapsed at a Macquarie Park construction site.  Read more

Employers could be doing more to help protect shift workers from heart disease, according to new research.

​A large study recently published in the journal Occupational Medicine has shown that shift workers are 13% more likely to develop ischaemic heart disease compared to daytime workers, and their risk of contracting heart disease increases 1% annually.

Anzac Day is the solemn day of remembrance of those Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers who have fought and died for their country, and is marked annually on the anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign of the First World War.

http://rslnsw.org.au/commemoration/anzac/2019

On 28 April, we recognise International Workers’ Memorial Day. This is a day to reflect on the lives lost through workplace incidents. Although Victoria’s made considerable advancements in workplace occupational health and safety, it’s important to remember there’s no acceptable number of workplace-related deaths.

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Event details
Date: Monday 29 April 2019
Time: 10.30am - 1.30pm
Location: Meeting Room 1, Victorian Trades Hall Council

Register to attend the event below:

REGISTER
Workers’ Memorial Day 2019 focuses on ‘dangerous substances - get them out of the workplace’. The construction industry has seen firsthand the devastating effects that exposure to dangerous carcinogens such as asbestos and crystalline silica can have, including occupational cancers. In recent months, cases relating to crystalline silica dust exposure have increased. For advice on exposure to silica in your workplace, please visit the crystalline silica page on our website.

Source:  www.worksafe.vic.gov.au

​On 28 April, we recognise International Workers’ Memorial Day. This is a day to reflect on the lives lost through workplace incidents. Although Victoria’s made considerable advancements in workplace occupational health and safety, it’s important to remember there’s no acceptable number of workplace-related deaths.

Background
In October 2018, an apprentice died while working in an open-ended tanker.  WorkSafe is still investigating the causes of this incident, including whether the apprentice was in fact and at law working in a confined space but in the meantime we remind you of the dangers of working in confined spaces.

Build a safe and healthy future of workSunday 28 April is World Day for Safety and Health at Work (World Day) and Workers’ Memorial Day. World Day promotes safety and health in the workplace and Worker’s Memorial Day honours those who have died from work-related injury or illness.