Thursday 11th February 2021

Safety News Round-Up: Thursday 11th February 2021

Welcome to our latest safety news update, covering critical health and workplace safety issues affecting transport, mining and manufacturing sectors across Australia and New Zealand. Below we summarise the key stories making headlines this week, from truck driver health research to serious workplace incidents.

Truck Driving Linked to Serious Health Risks

Truck driving increases the risk of physical and mental health problems. One in five truck drivers aged under 35 years reported severe psychological distress, and 54.3% of drivers are obese according to reports from Monash University's Driving Health Study.

Between September 2019 and May 2020, almost 1,400 drivers from all over Australia filled out an online survey. Included were long-haul drivers (who drove more than 500km in a single day) and short-haul drivers (who drove less than 500km per day), alongside owner-operators and employee drivers.

High blood pressure, back problems and mental health featured among the most common medical issues identified. This survey aimed to help researchers understand drivers' health and what could be done to help them stay healthy at work. Full reports are available on the Driving Health website, a valuable resource for fleet operators reviewing their workplace health and safety obligations.

NSW Resources Regulator Issues Safety Alert After Runaway Haul Truck

A safety alert has been issued for the mining industry after an unattended CAT793D haul truck rolled 65 metres from its designated parking line at the workshop, colliding with a pump and infrastructure at the wash bay.

The incident occurred on 10th January 2021, when a haul truck operator parked the vehicle at the mine workshop for repairs. Although the truck was parked across a parking hump and its engine was switched off, the vehicle rolled backward soon after the operator exited the cab.

The runaway vehicle could not be stopped once it began moving. Investigations into the incident identified several contributing factors:

• The park-up hump at the workshop deadline was not constructed to site standard.
• Post-incident inspection of the truck cab found the park brake had not been selected.
• The fail-safe park brake mechanism did not activate when ignition was switched off.

The NSW Resources Regulator has reminded mine workers that they must ensure park brakes are applied before exiting mobile plant, rather than relying on safety interlocks or other automatic means of engagement. Operators are also advised to ensure brake testing regimes on mobile plant include checks of fail-safe mechanisms and interlocks, an approach that mirrors best practice recommendations found in official NSW Resources Regulator guidance material published on its website.

Charges Laid After Chemical Poisoning at Christchurch Factory

In May 2019, a Pest Control Research worker came into contact with a poisonous substance while processing chemicals. The worker was hospitalised and placed into an induced coma for more than two weeks following exposure.

The Pest Control Research (PCR) factory, located in Bromley, Christchurch, housed chemicals used to make the pesticide 1080. The company stated it was not manufacturing 1080 at the Bromley warehouse but merely storing the chemicals on site.

WorkSafe New Zealand has filed charges against PCR under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Charges include:

• Exposing an individual to risk of harm or illness
• Failing to have an emergency response plan
• Failing to ensure a location site plan was in place

This case highlights why robust chemical handling procedures and documented emergency plans remain essential for manufacturing sites managing hazardous substances. The original article can be found on the Stuff Limited website.

That wraps up today's safety news summary for Thursday 11th February 2021. Check back next week for further updates, or browse our previous news round-ups, including Thursday 25th February 2021 and Thursday 11th March 2021, for more industry safety news and regulatory updates relevant to your workplace.