Monday 15th February 2021

Ballarat hospital fined $20,000 after staff assault. 

Ballarat Health Services pleaded guilty in the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court for failing to provide information to employees to allow them to perform work safely and without risk to their health.

On 2 August 2018, a female nurse at Ballarat Base Hospital was exposed to inappropriate, sexualised behaviour while attending to a patient with an impaired mental condition.

An inspection later found that the health service had failed to update the patient’s Behavioural Observation, which exposed workers to potential future incidents of inappropriate, sexualised behaviour from the patient.

WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Julie Nielsen stated, to put up with occupational violence and aggression should never be just another part of the job.

When someone’s clinical condition means their cognitive functions are affected, employers must take every reasonable step to reduce their workers’ risks.

More information can be found on the WorkSafe Vic website.

Man airlifted after a workplace incident at Southern Highlands work site. 

A 40 yr old man was airlifted to hospital after falling into a deep hole at Southern Highlands work site last Tuesday 9 February 2021.

The man fell seven metres into a deep hole dug for concrete foundations, suffering spinal and internal injuries.

NSW Ambulance paramedics stabilised the injuries before he was airlifted to Liverpool Hospital.

NSW Ambulance Inspector Kevin Milne said, work colleagues should be commended for extricating him out of the hole before the paramedic crews arrived. The patient was lucky not to have sustained more severe injuries.

SafeWork is currently investigating the incident. It has been confirmed by staff at the Liverpool Hospital that the man is now in a stable condition.

The full story can be found on the news.com.au website.

Manufacturing sector leaders to promote safety. 

Industry leaders from the manufacturing sector have been engaged by SafeWork NSW to use experience and new workplace tools to establish a culture where safety starts at the top.

SafeWork NSW Director of WHS Metro, Sarina Wise, said with more than seven per cent of the workforce employed in manufacturing, the workplace regulator was focusing its efforts on improving industry safety.

The program aims to change the way perceptions are gathered relating to major risks of injuries, including forklift safety and the importance of machine guards and the proper uses involved.

The goal is to educate manufacturing workers and focus on consultation and optimisation in manufacturing, designing safer workplaces and promoting the value of safer manufacturing workplaces.

In 2021, SafeWork inspectors across Sydney and New South Wales will be undertaking compliance activities, including manufacturing businesses’ inspections.

More information can be found on the Manufacturers Monthly website.