Safety and Health Newsletter – November 2008
UWA Safety Awards 2008
The UWA Safety Awards 2008 were presented on Friday 31st October by Professor Robyn Owens, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Research Training). The awards recognise initiatives, successful implementation of processes and outstanding service for safety by groups and individuals.
• The Group Safety Award 2008 was made to the School of Mechanical Engineering
• The Individual Safety Award 2008 was awarded jointly to Richard Claudius (School of Medicine and Pharmacology) and Graeme Warburton (School of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts) for their long term commitment, dedication and achievements to improving the OSH standards in their work areas
• Safety Recognition Awards were made to Richard Small (School of Humanities) in appreciation for maintaining his First Aid skills and for his prompt response in attending to others in need of assistance and also to Dr Renu Sharma (School of Plant Biology) in appreciation of her outstanding leadership in influencing occupational safety and health management at a business unit and at a strategic level.
All awardees receive a framed certificate and gift voucher sponsored by the University Co-operative Bookshop. For further information on the awards please see:
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/people/committees/safety/university_safety_awards_2008
An article on the awards will appear in UWA News on 1st December 2008, page 7.
Refer: http://uwanews.publishing.uwa.edu.au/
Social and Christmas Functions
Work related social events can be particularly enjoyable and are a way of developing better working relationships. Don't allow this possibility to be spoiled. By being aware of, and being prepared for the potential unintended consequences, many of the risks associated with these events can be reduced or removed. For further information see:
http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policy/social
Working Safely in Hot Weather
This SafetyLine bulletin provides information about identifying, assessing and controlling hazards associated with working in hot conditions. http://www.docep.wa.gov.au/WorkSafe/Content/Industries/Construction/Further_information/Working_safely_in_hot_weather.html
Sun Safety
Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. It is well established that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the major cause of skin cancer and eye damage. Outdoor workers are at greater risk from skin cancer and damage to the eyes because they are exposed to the sun throughout the year and receive significantly more UV radiation than indoor workers.
http://www.docep.wa.gov.au/WorkSafe/Content/Safety_Topics/Diseases_and_health/More_information/Sun_smart_at_the_workplace.html
Risk-based Health Surveillance and Biological Monitoring
WA Resources Safety has recently released guidelines on ‘Risk-based health surveillance and biological monitoring’ which may be of interest.
http://www.docep.wa.gov.au/ResourcesSafety/PDF/Guidelines/MS_BiologicalMonitor.pdf
Asbestos
Australian Safety and Compensation Council have recently released ‘A Literature Review of Australian and Overseas Studies on the Release of Airborne Asbestos Fibres from Building Materials as a Result of Weathering and/or Corrosion’, which may be of interest.
http://www.ascc.gov.au/ascc/AboutUs/Publications/StatReports/Mesothelioma/AsbestosLiteratureReviewSeries.htm
Pesticides in Schools
The Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) have released an advisory booklet titled: Pest Management in Schools. The aim of this booklet is to provide guidance and information on the safe and effective use of pesticides in this environment. It is intended for managerial and teaching staff, students, parents, school councils, pest control operators, local government officers and the general public. The booklet discusses: Integrated pest management including physical and biological controls as well as the use of chemical pesticides; Pesticide labels including information on toxicity, hazard, exposure and risk; Hazard minimisation; Poisons Scheduling; Material Safety Data Sheets; Exposure minimization. In addition, the booklet talks about poisoning and pests.
http://www.apvma.gov.au/users/downloads/schools.pdf
University Safety Committee
The University Safety Committee last met on 14th October. The next meeting is on Tuesday 9th December 2008. Approved minutes from previous meetings are available from the Safety and Health website. http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/people/committees/safety
Previous Safety & Health Newsletters
For those who have missed out on our earlier editions, copies of previous newsletters can be obtained from the following web site: http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/newsletter. All are encouraged to share relevant safety information in each edition to the rest in your respective workplaces.
The University of Western Australia
Safety and Health
Bus. 08 6488 3938
Fax. 08 6488 1179
Web: www.safety.uwa.edu.au
Email: safety@uwa.edu.au
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