Friday 12th February 2021

Construction company charged over fall risk at correctional centre. 

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions has alleged John Holland Pty Ltd failed in its duties under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 after a worker almost fell from a roof.

On the 6th February 2019, a labour-hire employee was working on the roof of the maximum-security section of the $700 million Clarence Correctional Centre near Grafton when the incident occurred. The employee stepped on a plywood board covering a five-to-six-metre-deep penetration and partially fell through sustaining minor injuries.

After an investigation by the regulator Comcare, a single charge has been filed against the construction company for breaching federal work health and safety laws over the dangerous incident.

Under the Work Health and Safety Act, it is a Category 2 offence, carrying a maximum penalty of $1.5 million.

The matter will be heard in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on 6th April 2021.

The original media release can be found on the Comcare website.

Hand severed in workplace accident on Wind Farm. 

On Tuesday, 4th February a man believed to be in his 30s was involved in a serious workplace accident at the Bango Wind Farm in NSW Southern Tablelands.

The man was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital after his hand was amputated while working on machinery.

SafeWork NSW has confirmed their inspectors have completed a site visit and an investigation is underway which could take months to complete.

The Bango Wind Farm is located on agricultural land approximately 30km north of Yass, NSW. It has 46 wind turbines and associated infrastructure on site

Original article can be found on About Regional website.

Nearly half of vehicle-related fatalities that occur on farms could be avoided. 

WorkSafe New Zealand has launched a new campaign to remind farmers to buckle up.

The largest single factor contributing to fatal work-related accidents on farms was not wearing seatbelts. The data analysis completed by WorkSafe NZ found that had a seat belt been worn, nearly half of the vehicle-related fatalities could have been avoided.

A new side-by-side vehicle simulator has also been launched which will allow drivers to sit in the seat of a retired side-by-side vehicle and navigate a series of farm safety tasks, with the first task being putting on your seatbelt.

WorkSafe Engagement Lead for Agriculture Al McCone stated that “Putting on your seatbelt is the simplest task and one we practice easily when driving on the open road. If we can get people doing this on farm as well – we will see lives saved.”

WorkSafe NZ has released a new advertisement encouraging seatbelt use in farm vehicles, watch it here.

Full article can be found on the WorkSafe NZ website.