May 7th 2021 |
Friday 7th May 2021
Powerline Safety Warning Follows Spate of Incidents
Safety warning follows a spate of powerline incidents. WorkSafe is urging all employers and contractors operating trucks and other mobile plant near overhead power lines to ensure safety remains a priority for every crew working today.
Electrocution from contact with powerlines by mobile machinery can cause serious life-changing injuries and death, occurring on large construction sites, sole farming operations and across the transport industry.
Recent Incidents Highlight Ongoing Risk
On Monday, a 54-year old construction worker was taken to hospital in critical condition after suffering an electric shock when his truck's excavator arm struck powerlines.
In November 2020, a farmhand moving hay bales using a telehandler died when the raised attachment hit powerlines. Incidents like these remind us that hazards near live electrical infrastructure demand constant vigilance, regardless of industry or site type.
No matter the situation, care must be taken when using machinery near electrical wires, said WorkSafe Executive Director of Health, Julie Nielsen.
"Make sure you assess the environment you are operating machinery in and keep clear of live electrical cables, because WorkSafe will not hesitate to prosecute duty holders that fail to protect workers."
Six incidents remain under active investigation as of this date. Employers should treat every jobsite briefing as an opportunity to reinforce clearance distances and spotter protocols before machinery moves near overhead lines.
Read the original article on WorkSafe Victoria's website.
Reminder to Choose the Correct Equipment for Dangerous Chemicals
SafeWork SA has urged businesses handling dangerous chemicals to use appropriate equipment, following a spate of workplace incidents involving injuries from corrosive and flammable liquids throughout 2020.
In January 2021, a worker suffered chemical burns to arms and legs while attempting to tighten a plastic tap on a leaking drum containing acidic liquid. Seal material on the tap proved incompatible with the chemical being decanted, causing the assembly to fail and acid to spill onto the worker.
Building a Safe System of Work
Businesses must maintain a safe system of work for handling chemicals and ensure workers receive adequate induction and training for both chemical handling and the specific task at hand. Selecting compatible equipment and reviewing recent workplace safety updates can help reduce recurrence of similar failures.
Read the full article on the SafeWork SA website.
More Weekly Safety News
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