Workplace Safety Centre Pty Ltd (ABN: 96 115 000 201)
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Workplace Safety Centre Pty Ltd (ABN: 96 115 000 201)
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Ph: 1300 4 SAFETY
Workplace Safety Centre Level 2 Star Arcade 178 Queen St St Marys NSW 2760 Ph: 1300 472 338 02 9833 7500 www.worksafecentre.com.au |
These are the press releases we've issued or reviewed over the years.
01/09/01 New OH&S Laws (NSW) From 1 September 2001 important new
workplace safety laws came into effect in New South Wales. The NSW Government has introduced the Occupational
Health and Safety Act 2000 and the Occupational
Health and Safety Regulation 2001 to update and simplify laws relating to
health and safety in all NSW workplaces. These laws require business to have
implemented the requirements of the new legislation by Sept 2002. About
the new OH&S laws The OHS
Regulation 2001 supports the new OHS Act 2000. It sets out
the requirements for workplaces to be able to put into place systems to
identify, assess, control and/or eliminate health or safety risks. It also
details how employers
can meet the duty to consult with employees on
health and safety matters. Areas covered by the new OHS
Regulation The Regulation provides a broad coverage for all workplaces, along with specified
control measures for particular hazards and industry activities. These include:
01/09/03 Full Force of OHS Law in NSW From 1 September 2003, the requirement to comply with all aspects of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 (NSW) — including the risk management provisions and the consultation provisions — fell also on all small businesses employing 20 or fewer employees. When the Act commenced on 1 September 2001, the legislators recognised that employers would need some time to set up risk management procedures and consultation arrangements that would meet the new requirements. Medium to large businesses were given one year's grace and small businesses two. The extra time was granted:
13/01/04 Workplace more dangerous than roads Source: Media release Department of Consumer and Employment Protection While reports suggest that employers are better managing occupational health and safety (OHS), the issue of workplace safety is still an important issue highlighted by several fatal accidents in workplaces last year. Last year (2003) there were 2200 work-related deaths, compared to 1750 on the road. The issue of workplace safety is significant because of economic and emotional costs workplace accidents can have. Worksafe indicated that it is important to raise awareness of work-related risks, as people returning to work from holidays in the post-Christmas period are more likely to have a serious injury or fatality. Statistics indicate that the bulk of serious OHS incidents occur in the first half of the year. WorkSafe Acting Executive Director Nina Lyhne said, "65 per cent of work-related fatalities occur between January and June, so I would like to appeal to everyone in the workforce to remain vigilant and aware of any potential risks in the workplace". Ms Lyhne said that workers were at greater risk when they returned to work because they were still in "holiday mode" and less likely to take care around hazardous substances. Worksafe said that education and enforcement programs should focus on reducing workplace accidents in seven high-risk categories including:
15/01/04 380 People per day have accident Source: National Occupational Health and Safety Commission media release, 15 January 2004 According to a report released by the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC), on average 380 workers per day have an accident at work for which they are compensated. The annual report, titled Compendium of Workers' Compensation Statistics Australia, provides an overview of trends in workplace compensation in 2001-2002. The report notes that there has been a decline in compensation claims in 2001-2002 by 16%, to 140,000. However, despite this improvement, the result does not include the large majority of workplace deaths because they are not covered by workers compensation. The report suggests that manufacturing, construction, transport and storage, and health and community services are particularly high risk. Nearly half of workers compensation claims for injury and death for the last six years have come from these industries. The claims for workers compensation fall into two broad categories:
The compendium is available free from the NOHSC website (links above)
Training in pesticide use - compulsory from 1 September 2005Pesticides can be dangerous if incorrectly applied or managed, especially to people who work with pesticides or are regularly exposed to them. Training in their correct use will minimise mistakes being made when using pesticides and is one of the most effective ways of protecting workers who use pesticides regularly, their families, the community, trade and the environment. From 1 September 2005 new rules make training in the use of pesticides compulsory. All people who use pesticides in their job or business must now achieve a specific level of competency in pesticide use. This includes farmers, market gardeners, flower growers, ground rig operators, parkland and green keepers, landscape gardeners, nursery operators, marina operators, wood preservation operators, landlords, local councils and government agencies. Pesticide users who have not completed compulsory training in pesticides use by 1 September 2005 risk a $400 fine. Penalties also apply for engaging a person to apply pesticides if the person does not have the training required by the Regulation. The Department of Environment and Conservation strongly encourages people who must be trained to seek training that is appropriate for their level of work and experience. This means people who are working as unsupervised operators/farmers should seek training at Australian Qualifications Framework Level 3 (AQF3). Note that in NSW, herbicides are also considered pesticides. (Source: WorkCover NSW Code of Practice for use of chemicals in non-agricultural workplaces) Mutual Recognition of OHS Construction Induction Cards On the 1st Jan 2007, recognition of Construction Induction Cards between Vic, NSW & Qld became effective. In NSW, employers and contractors can accept the QLD Blue Card or the Vic Red Card as evidence of General Induction Training. Acceptance of these interstate cards in conditional that proof of residency is also shown in the state the card was issued. ie To use a QLD Blue Card in NSW, the worker must show evidence of residency in QLD. (A NSW resident cannot use a QLD Blue Card or a Vic Red Card). This recognition is to allow workers from interstate to perform construction work in NSW without having to complete the NSW OHS General Induction. NSW Residents are required to obtain the WorkCover Green/White Card. Further information is available from Workcover NSW - 131050
16/07/08 Renewal of NSW Licences & Tickets issued between 1996 and 2004
Renewal of National Certificate of Competency non-photo licence
Non-photo licences issued after 29 March 2004 will expire five years from the date of issue. If people have moved residences since they first received their license they need to update their address. A change of address form can be found on the WorkCover website.
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This Website designed and maintained by Norwest Consulting Services.Last modified: September 22, 2008Copyright 2003 - 2008 Norwest Consulting Services, All rights reserved |
Over
the next 18 months WorkCover will be sending a renewal notice
to people holding National Certificates of Competency issued in NSW
from 1996 to 29 March 2004 and inviting them to apply for a new NCOC
photo licence. 