UWA Safety and Health Newsletter – November 2004 University Safety Committee
The USC next meets on Tuesday 14th December. Approved minutes from previous meetings are available from the S&H website. The Safety Personnel group next meets at 1.10 pm on Tuesday 7th December at University House. All welcome. Safety Awards 2004
The Annual UWA Safety Awards were presented on 10th November 2004. Congratulations to UWA Library (Group Award), May Bond from Graduate School of Management (Individual Award) and UniPrint (Group Rehabilitation Award). A report on the awards is now available. Occupational Safety and Health Legislation Amendment and Repeal Bill 2004
This Bill has been passed by both houses of State Parliament and is awaiting Accent. A condensed summary is provided with further information available from the Parliamentary website and from WorkSafe WA. Summaries of the significant areas of change are: - Penalty increases for individuals who breach the laws including a potential for two years imprisonment or fines of up to $312,500 for serious repeat offenders
- Penalty increases for corporations which breach the laws including fines of up to $625,000 for serious repeat offenders
- Introducing enforceable undertakings in lieu of penalties in less serious convictions
- Broadening the scope of duties of care owed by principals to contractors and their employees to situations where there is a 'capacity' to exercise control, rather than an actual exercise of control
- Introducing new duties of care in relation to non-standard work arrangements where there is a 'capacity' to exercise control
- Clarifying concurrent duties of care for the client and the agent in relation to labour hire arrangements
- Creating powers for employees who are safety and health representatives to issue provisional improvement notices (PINs) which specify directions as to how breaches must be rectified
- New duties to notify hazards and provide information to persons reporting hazards
- Establishment of a Safety and Health Tribunal as part of the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission, Establishment of a Mining Industry Advisory Committee to replace the existing Mines Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Board.
Workers' Compensation Reform Bill 2004
This Bill has been passed by both houses of State Parliament and is awaiting Accent. Further information available from the Parliamentary website (Select 'Bills' then search under 'compensation') A summary of the significant areas of change is: - There will be no further insurance cover for working directors.
- There will be changes to Schedule 2, with the addition of the statutory right to compensation from work accidents, rather than from the sole ground of permanent injury
- Valuation of injury is determined by WorkCover guides, approved medical specialists, and an arbitrator (in the event of disputes)
- AIDS/HIV infections are compensable
- There are some changes to the procedure and statutory regulation of claims
- Payment may be suspended for failure to participate in treatment or assessment
- Medical reports must be provided to the insurer and employer
- There is a set procedure to dismiss a claimant as a worker
What’s New ILO Encyclopaedia
The vast International Labour Organization (ILO) encyclopaedia of occupational health and safety, and the CIS database of safety related research are now available free on the web.
Non-Powered Hand Tools Guide
The US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has produced new guidance that aims to reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries. The guide is designed to help employers and employees evaluate different non-powered hand tools to identify those that can be used effectively with less force, less repeated movement, and less awkward positioning of the body for a given task. It aims to reduce the risk of injuries from repetitive movements. The title of the guide is Easy Ergonomics: A Guide to Selecting Non-Powered Hand Tools (Publication No. 2004-164) Mining Industry Safety Enquiry
A Ministerial Inquiry called after three fatal incidents at BHP Billiton Iron Ore sites in WA has found industrial issues are affecting safety across the sites, and recommends that the company hold safety summits to discuss ways to improve them. The final report (534 pages) made 32 recommendations for improving safety systems and practices. UWA Stress Web Site
The UWA Medical Centre has developed a stress management web site that provides helpful coping hints for students and staff. Work Related Social Functions
UWA managers and supervisors are reminded of their duty of care obligation when arranging work related functions such as Christmas and end of year celebrations. Sunsmart
For practical advice to avoid suffering effects from sun exposure see Sunsmart (Victoria). WorkSafe WA also provide an Essentials sheet on skin cancer Copies of previous newsletters can be obtained from the ‘following web site: http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/newsletter The University of Western Australia
UWA Safety and Health
Bus. 08 6488 3938
Fax. 08 6488 1179
Web: www.safety.uwa.edu.au
Email: safety@uwa.edu.au F1139
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