Recently WorkSafe inspectors attended three serious incidents where heavy machinery at construction sites had overturned, landing on occupied residential houses. 
 
Starting in August, WorkSafe Victoria will be conducting a targeted blitz on hydraulic mobile cranes operating on construction sites. 

Incident background
​WorkSafe inspectors have recently attended two serious incidents in which heavy machinery at construction sites has overturned onto occupied residential houses.

If you work outside, you may be at risk of exposure to extreme cold.
Prolonged exposure to cold can result in hypothermia, a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Your workplace must have measures in place manage the risks to your health and safety cause by exposure to cold weather, including:

• providing heating, for example cab heaters
• providing protection, such as a hut or the cabin of a vehicle
• providing warm and waterproof clothing, and
• enabling workers who are not used to working in cold conditions to acclimatise.

Eliminating exposure to cold is the best protection.
Find out more https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/topic/weather

Safe Work Australia has published an online fact sheet as part of the National Action Plan on endometriosis.

The fact sheet helps to inform and educate employers and workers about dealing with endometriosis at work.

The fact sheet includes general information about endometriosis as well as information for employers with some suggestions on how to support workers who have endometriosis. It also includes information for workers on managing endometriosis at work.

​For further information about endometriosis, you can refer to the National Action plan on endometriosis.

The week provides an opportunity for Farmsafe Australia to address farm safety issues that have a national focus. It has been running successfully for the past 19 years.
Farm Safety Week 2019 will commence 21 July to 26 July 2019. More will be announced soon. 
For more information contact Farmsafe on 02 6269 5622 or via email info@farmsafe.org.au 

Did you know?
Work-related stress is recognised globally as a major challenge for workplaces because it can lead to mental injuries. 
 
Work related mental injuries are the second most common cause of workers compensation claims in Australia.
 
They account for more than 10% of claims in Victoria which is approximately 1,300 claims per year. 

What is work-related stress?
Signs of work-related stress could be if a worker is feeling stressed, anxious, or staying awake at night thinking about work. 

These feelings can be caused by things such as, high job demand or disrespect in the workplace. 

Ways to prevent work-related stress include:
Seeking expert support - Employers and managers should seek support from independent contractors and health and safety representatives (HSRs) to identify and manage risks.

They have first-hand experience identifying tasks, systems and processes that could cause or contribute to work-related stress.
 
Genuine communication and checking-in on employees and co-workers.
This helps to:

• ensure employees feel valued and supported
• create a positive and less stressful work environment/culture
• encourage employees to support implemented safety solutions.

 
Watch the video below and visit our website to find out more on preventing workplace stress. 

https://comms.worksafe.vic.gov.au/pub/pubType/EO/pubID/zzzz5c8b1226530f2143/?vid=UkccLEzaPTI
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An electricity provider has determined that its failure to detect a deficiency in its equipment led directly to the death of one of its workers who had otherwise been correctly following procedures.
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The internal investigation by Energy Australia found that in November 2018, Mr Graeme Edwards was correctly reinstalling a high voltage circuit breaker at the Yallourn Power Station when an arc flash occurred causing fatal injuries.

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