SAFETY AND HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE
VOL. 2 NO. 3 SEPTEMBER 2020
ISSN 2651-9577
PAGE 02
PAGE 10
PAGE 15
PAGE 16
COMMISSIONER'S CORNER
SAFE MOBILE AND FIXED PLANT ON MINES
NEW CODE OF PRACTICE AIMS TO PREVENT FALLS FROM HEIGHT
SAFE WORK MONTH: STAYING FOCUSED ON WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY
Government of Western Australia
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
© State of Western Australia (Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety) 2020
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS (FROM DMIRS UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED)
ThinkSafe is published by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS). It is distributed free of charge to industry and interested members of the public.
Judith Abbott
David Harvey
Andrew Ballam
Peter Nissen
Priscilla Bignoux
Reproduction of material from ThinkSafe for wider distribution is encouraged and may be carried out subject to appropriate acknowledgement. Contact the editor for further information.
Tse Yin Chang
Darren Kavanagh, WorkSafe WA Commissioner
Mention of proprietary products does not imply endorsement.
Erin James
Comments and contributions from readers are welcome, but the editor reserves the right to publish only those items that are considered to be constructive towards workplace safety and health. Reader contributions and correspondence should be addressed to: ThinkSafe Editor Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety Locked Bag 100 EAST PERTH WA 6892 Enquiries: 08 9358 8153 Email: SafetyComms@dmirs.wa.gov.au This publication is available on request in other formats for people with special needs.
Government of Western Australia
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
Gillian Carter Andrew Cotgreave Lizzie Crane Caroline Devaney Graham James Amy Douglas-Martens Janette Gerreyn Tony Gray Andrew Harris
Bill Mitchell Samira Mohamed Sally North Peter O’Loughlin Laura Rodriguez Jose Sanchez Lin Stain Luke Van Baaren Tracy Wynands
PHOTO ATTRIBUTION TYC = Tse Yin Chang COVER PHOTO Western Australia’s 2020 Safe Work Month ‘Staying focused on workplace health and safety’ is a virtual program of events
The State of Western Australia supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of its information. The copyright in this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY) licence.
Safety Regulation Group Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety Locked Bag 100 EAST PERTH WA 6892 Telephone: + 61 8 9358 8001 Email: SafetyComms@dmirs.wa.gov.au Website: www.dmirs.wa.gov.au
@DMIRS_WA
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
www.dmirs.wa.gov.au/subscribe
| II | ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 3 September 2020
Under this licence, with the exception of the Government of Western Australia Coat of Arms, the Department's logo, any material protected by a trademark or licence and where otherwise noted, you are free, without having to seek our permission, to use this publication in accordance with the licence terms. We request that you observe and retain any copyright or related notices that may accompany this material as part of the attribution. This is a requirement of the Creative Commons Licences. For more information on this licence, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ legalcode
_____
IN THIS ISSUE
WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE OF?
03
04
12
18
We want to hear from you! Working with industry to deliver relevant and useful information and guidance is important to the Department. Is there a particular type of publication or method of communication you prefer? How would you like to receive information from us?
COMMISSIONER'S CORNER 2 Staying focused on workplace health and safety
Send your feedback and comments to SafetyComms@dmirs.wa.gov.au
LEGISLATION AND LEGAL NEWS 3 Work health and safety laws
SAFETY AND HEALTH ALERTS AND GUIDANCE 4 Safe storage and transport of ammonium nitrate 5 Home work could be here to stay 6 Eight guiding principles for safe confined spaces on mine sites 8 Managing error in maintenance
12 Working on open pit walls using rope access systems 14 Latest safety alerts 15 New code of practice aims to prevent falls from height
EVENT NEWS 16 Safe Work Month: Staying focused on workplace health and safety
DEPARTMENT NEWS 18 Educate for safer workplaces 20 Proactive dangerous goods waste inspections 21 WorkSafe proactive inspection programs 2020-21
10 Safe mobile and fixed plant on mines
ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 3 September 2020 |
1 |
_____
COMMISSIONER'S CORNER
STAYING FOCUSED ON WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY As COVID-19 continues to affect our lives and the way businesses operate, Western Australia remains in a comparatively favourable position. It is important that safe work practices with regard to COVID-19 be maintained in WA workplaces, and we cannot lose sight of the other work injuries and illnesses that continue. WorkSafe has published extensive COVID-19 guidance information on the DMIRS WorkSafe website. Staff in the Department’s Contact Centre and WorkSafe and Mines inspectors are trained to assist with COVID-19 enquiries. The Department has been responding to concerns raised over workplace safety and health and COVID-19 and is conducting activities directly with employers about improving their systems of work. This includes providing information and resources relating to workplace mental health, roster changes, fatigue management plans, communication strategies, reinforcing of legislative duties and attending presentations either in person or via telecommunications.
SAFE WORK MONTH 2020 October is Safe Work Month across the country, and WA will hold a series of events throughout the month. Due to COVID-19 concerns, all events in Safe Work Month 2020 will be virtual. The theme of WA’s Safe Work Month is ‘Staying focused on workplace health and safety’. Elected safety and health representatives, managers, supervisors, safety professionals, workers, students and anyone with a genuine interest in making workplaces safer are encouraged to register for the virtual events. On-demand videos from WorkSafe, Dangerous Goods, and Mines Safety will be featured, as well as live interactions throughout the month. I trust the Safe Work Month events will assist stakeholders’ knowledge of workplace safety.
SILICA Another area of priority and workplace safety concern is silica, specifically in the stone benchtop industry, and particularly since a large number of cases of silicosis were diagnosed in Queensland. Recently the majority of Work Health and Safety
| 2 | ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 3 September 2020
Ministers from around Australia – including Western Australia – agreed to reduce the workplace exposure standard for respirable crystalline silica to 0.05 milligrams per cubic metre, and for respirable coal dust to 1.5 milligrams per cubic metre. Although there has been only a few cases of silicosis diagnosed in WA, there are many workplaces where respirable crystalline silica may be present. Since July 2018, WorkSafe has been conducting proactive inspections in workplaces that include engineered stone fabrication or installation. Since July 2019, this program has widened to include exposure to silica in wall chasing and assay laboratories. WA’s workplace safety laws require employers in industries where workers have a risk of silicosis to provide health surveillance for those employees. WorkSafe has provided a seminar to appointed medical practitioners to inform them about the use of low-dose CT scans in screening at-risk workers.
NATIONAL SENATE REPORT ‘THEY NEVER CAME HOME’ During my role as Commissioner, I have met the families of workers who have lost their lives or been seriously injured in workplace incidents. The National Senate Report ‘They Never Came Home’ made a number of recommendations towards establishing family support groups and providing a range of other supports, including financial, legal and counselling. I am encouraged with the progress with the formation of a family support group for WA. The group aims to assist families by providing advice to the agencies with responsibilities for workplace serious injuries and fatalities. Equally pleasing is the appointment of a Family Liaison Officer commencing early October. Staying focused on workplace health and safety is the priority.
Darren Kavanagh WorkSafe WA Commissioner
_____
LEGISLATION AND LEGAL NEWS
WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY LAWS The Government announced on 12 July 2017 that work would commence to develop new health and safety laws for Western Australia. ...
UPDATE The Government’s intention is for the Work Health and Safety Bill (WHS Bill) to provide a comprehensive and modernised structure for the administration of WHS laws in Western Australia. The WHS laws will cover all industries in Western Australia including mining, petroleum, geothermal energy operations as well as general workplaces. The new laws will: • be substantially based on the model WHS Bill, to improve consistency with the rest of Australia • provide the primary legislation for workplace safety and health across all Western Australian industries • be supported by a number of industry specific regulations to suit the State's unique conditions, enabling the resources sector to continue to use a risk-based approach • continue to support the safety-case approach for petroleum and major hazard facilities. The underlying duty of care principles in the new laws will be consistent with existing occupational safety and health laws.
BACKGROUND After an extensive consultation period which involved the Ministerial Advisory Panel for Workplace Safety Reform and its stakeholder representation and public consultation, the Government developed the WHS Bill. As a result of significant public concern, the WHS Bill includes industrial manslaughter provision, makes it illegal for insurance companies to indemnify entities against monetary penalties imposed under the WHS laws and defines health as both ‘physical and psychological health’.
The WHS laws are expected to be passed before the end of the year, allowing the development of new specific regulations for each sector to follow. Stay updated with the WHS Bill as it progresses through Parliament.
ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 3 September 2020 |
3 |
_____
SAFETY AND HEALTH ALERTS AND GUIDANCE
TYC
SAFE STORAGE AND TRANSPORT OF AMMONIUM NITRATE Western Australia manufactures and imports large amounts of ammonium nitrate. It is predominantly used as a precursor for WA’s bulk mining explosives, but is also used as a nitrogen fertiliser.
NATIONAL GUIDANCE NOTES
Ammonium nitrate is classified as a dangerous good, Division 5.1 (oxidising substance). All safety and security aspects of its manufacture, import, transport, storage and use are strictly regulated under the Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004 (DGSA).
Safe storage and transport of ammonium nitrate – pamphlet
The Department has an approved code of practice on the safe storage of solid ammonium nitrate to assist licence holders to meet their obligations under the Act. This code provides detailed guidance on managing the safety and security risks associated with ammonium nitrate. Additionally, the Department has recently published an easy-to-read information pamphlet summarising the safe storage and transport of ammonium nitrate.
| 4 | ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 3 September 2020
Safe storage of solid ammonium nitrate – code of practice
Ammonium nitrate guidance note no. 1 – transport (2005) Ammonium nitrate guidance note no. 2 – storage (2004) Ammonium nitrate guidance note no. 3 – agricultural use (2005)
_____
SAFETY AND HEALTH ALERTS AND GUIDANCE
HOME WORK COULD BE HERE TO STAY Many workers have experienced changes in their work practices as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether temporary or ongoing, a large proportion of workers are now based from home on a full time, roster, casual or part time basis. Under occupational safety and health legislation, employers and workers still have the duty to ensure working at home is safe. There are many benefits of enabling workers to carry out work from home, although it is important to stay mindful of the associated risks.
IDENTIFY ASSOCIATED HAZARDS Working at home may not be suitable for every worker. It may introduce specific hazards that do not already exist in the office or workplace environment. Examples of aspects that may introduce risks to safety while working from home include: • • • • •
work hours and breaks lack of regular communication with workers time workers spend being sedentary work space set up and environment disruptive family dynamics (e.g. caring responsibilities, potential for domestic violence).
For some people, the home environment may also not be a productive place to be. It may have increased noise, space issues, lack of necessary equipment, and disruptive familial responsibilities.
KEEP THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION OPEN Consulting with workers about the potential hazards they might face when working from home is necessary to identify specific risks, put in place control measures and determine if working from home is a safe option. In consultation with workers, employers should: • provide guidance on safe home office environments (e.g. good ergonomic practices or the risks associated with being sedentary all day) • consider whether workers may borrow any necessary equipment from the office and what rules apply
• maintain regular communication with workers to reduce feelings of isolation • appoint a contact person in the business who workers can talk to about any concerns related to working from home • provide access to information and support for mental health and wellbeing services (e.g. an employee assistance program (EAP) or Beyond Blue).
SAFE SET UP OF WORKSTATION Unsafe ergonomics are a foreseeable risk when working at home. Poor posture can result in reduced performance, occupational overuse injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders. Employers should check that workers are familiar with the workplace’s ergonomic policies and procedures and that all home work stations are set up accordingly. Workers should be asked to complete a workstation self-assessment checklist to ensure the best ergonomic solution. To alleviate sedentary work, exercise breaks can be agreed between workers and employers. Regular, short breaks should be encouraged.
WORKING FROM HOME SAFELY While COVID-19 has resulted in many workers delivering their service from home, this is a trend that is likely to continue into the future. It is important to ensure that safety remains a priority for all employers and workers, no matter where the work takes place.
REFERENCES Working from home DMIRS COVID-19 coronavirus information Guidance about working alone Safe Work Australia, Working from home Australian Public Service Commission, Working from home during COVID-19 – advice to agencies
ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 3 September 2020 |
5 |
_____
SAFETY AND HEALTH ALERTS AND GUIDANCE
EIGHT GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR SAFE CONFINED SPACES ON MINE SITES
The hazards of working in or on confined spaces are not always obvious. Unsafe confined space work practises can result in falls, toxic air contamination, engulfment, temperature extremes, fire or explosion. Conditions in confined spaces change according to environmental or other circumstances and may alter from one entry to the next. Incidents have sometimes involved multiple fatalities as rescuers have succumbed unaware of the risks. The Department has reviewed and updated confined space audit guide and template, which covers in detail eight guiding principles to promote safe work in confined spaces in the Western Australian mining industry. The eight principles are broadly outlined below.
1 Identify confined spaces All confined spaces on the mine site, including those that may have been introduced during changes to the site, must be identified in accordance with Australian Standard AS 2865 Confined spaces.
2 Assess confined space hazards For any confined space, hazards associated with performing tasks in or on it, must be identified. These can include: • a decrease or increase in the oxygen concentration • the use of chemicals • airborne contaminants • noise • temperature. Before entering a confined space, the person responsible for direct control of the tasks in the confined space must provide written authority. A safe system of work that includes risk control methods must be in place. Risk controls include preparation for a stand by person or sentry, written plans for safe entry and egress, details of tasks to be carried out, emergency response, adequate personal protective equipment, communication and an exit procedure.
3 Manage risks There must be prior consultation and a risk assessment review established by a competent person before work is carried out. Risks are to be eliminated or minimised by control methods and documented in each case.
| 6 | ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 3 September 2020
_____
SAFETY AND HEALTH ALERTS AND GUIDANCE
4 Consider design, manufacture, supply and modification Through the design and manufacture of confined spaces, the risks should be lessened so the need to work inside the confined space is eliminated or reduced. For example when it is not practicable to eliminate work inside the confined space, the design must allow for safe entry, exit and the ability to safely use necessary equipment.
5 Ensure workers are trained and competent All workers associated with work in a confined space must be competent and assessed regularly as per Australian Standard AS 2865.
6 Isolate and control atmospheric conditions
Prior to workers entering, confined spaces must be clear of existing contaminants, isolated to prevent the introduction of harmful energies and ventilated with air testing or monitoring to reduce the risks of working in a confined space.
8 Investigate accidents/incidents All incidents associated with confined spaces are to be thoroughly investigated by the mine operator and actions implemented. Reports, findings and controls must be communicated to relevant workers and contractors.
FURTHER INFORMATION Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety Confined space audit guide and template Guidance about working safely in confined spaces Confined spaces for workplaces other than mining Working in confined spaces – mines Safety matters pamphlet
7 Prepare for emergency response
Safe Work Australia
The mine operator must have a rehearsed emergency response plan and the necessary equipment to carry out a rescue and administer first aid. All involved must be aware of the plan.
Model code of practice – Confined spaces
ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 3 September 2020 |
7 |
_____
SAFETY AND HEALTH ALERTS AND GUIDANCE
MANAGING ERROR IN MAINTENANCE
When managed well, human and organisational factors set workers up for success. When human and organisational factors are poorly managed, or have not been considered, safety and productivity are compromised. Ten interrelated factors are fundamental to keeping people safe at work. Maintenance, inspection and testing error is one of the human and organisational factors. ...
When performing maintenance tasks, even experienced, highly‐trained, competent people can make errors, potentially returning equipment or systems to service in an unsafe state without knowing they have done so. Maintenance failures due to human error include: • • • • • • •
incorrect reassembly wrong selection of replacement parts omission of a task step recommissioning errors safety features left disconnected instrument set-points incorrectly set leaving tools inside plant.
Many of these maintenance failures on mining equipment are reported each year.
HUMAN ERROR IN MAINTENANCE A human error in maintenance processes can lead to an injury or introduce a fault into the plant which can then malfunction at a later date, potentially leading to a catastrophic incident such as a loss of containment of dangerous substances. The incident on the Piper Alpha oil platform in 1988 is a well-known example of a catastrophic incident following a maintenance error.
| 8 | ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 3 September 2020
_____
SAFETY AND HEALTH ALERTS AND GUIDANCE Fortunately these errors are often predictable and can be identified and managed. To do this effectively, there are three key areas to consider. Planning – provide enough resources (e.g. people and equipment) and schedule work so tasks can be performed safely. Be specific about responsibilities and supervision, and aware of environmental conditions. Processes – have clear processes for isolating equipment, and identifying and assessing error potential. Establish methods for how equipment will be maintained to specified requirements, integrate quality assurance and provide clear criteria regarding plant condition in service. Good communication – provide all necessary information, including written instructions, diagrams, permits and other paperwork to the relevant people. Ensure labels are clear and up-to-date. Invest in thorough consultation in accordance with legislative requirements by involving all relevant maintenance personnel in job design and writing procedures, and in plant and equipment design where possible. Doing this means that the people with the right knowledge, skills and experience are providing input into how the work is to be done safely.
Maintenance is when preventative work is undertaken on plant to maintain it in sound operating condition. It includes inspection and testing of plant to ascertain the current condition of, or quality of repairs to, plant, and informs what maintenance is required. In addition to preventative work, there is reactive or breakdown repairs of plant that has failed. The scale of this work covers a multitude of items from simple fuse changes to major process plant shutdowns, and can involve removing or disabling safety systems. In major hazard industries, maintenance work may also involve isolating process streams of dangerous substances, then dismantling and rebuilding a system.
To access the wide range of resources on human and organisational factors, visit the Department’s HOF hub.
For more information on maintenance, inspection and testing error visit the Human and organisational factors maintenance, inspection and testing error webpage.
Organisational change
Safety-critical communication
Designing for people
Staffing and workload
Training and competence
Usable procedures
Managing human reliability
Human and organisational factors
Fitness for work
Health and safety culture
Maintenance, inspection, and testing error
ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 3 September 2020 |
9 |
_____
SAFETY AND HEALTH ALERTS AND GUIDANCE
SAFE MOBILE AND FIXED PLANT ON MINES Injuries related to mobile and fixed plant on mines are often serious, and can include fractures, amputations, and other musculoskeletal injuries to hands, backs, shoulders, knees and ankles. These may lead to secondary psychological injuries. The size, weight and power of plant may expose workers to lethal hazardous energies if the risks of exposure are not adequately controlled or eliminated. To control these risks, a precautionary approach is required during the design and selection stage through to the operation and maintenance of all plant, by all involved, at all stages of the operating life. Risks must not be tolerated or accepted if there are reasonably practicable means of controlling or eliminating them. What is reasonable and practicable evolves over time as knowledge, technology and community expectations change. Therefore, risks should be periodically reviewed to ensure the control measures remain consistent with current knowledge and best practice.
CONTROL MEASURES There are three key control measures to manage significant risks working with plant. • Safe plant – design and select safe, fit-forpurpose plant and maintain it. • Competent people – personnel must be sufficiently competent for the tasks they are required to perform.
| 10 | ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 3 September 2020
TYC
• Safe systems of work – implement safe work procedures, change management procedures, effective risk assessment processes, planning and supervision.
SAFE PLANT Plant should be fit-for-purpose and be just as safe to use on the last day of its operating life as its first. Workers should not be exposed to additional risk because plant is aged or allowed to fall into disrepair. To ensure safety and integrity throughout the operating life of plant, mining operations must design, select, fabricate, install, commission, operate, inspect, test and maintain all plant in accordance with appropriate standards and sound engineering practices.
COMPETENT PEOPLE Competence is the combination of skills, experience and knowledge required to undertake the responsibilities of a role and consistently perform activities to a recognised standard on a regular basis. General trade or professional qualifications or general industry experience are not always sufficient. Specialist qualifications, knowledge and experience may be required to reduce the risks of plant related incidents. All plant has performance limitations and vulnerabilities. A competent operator understands these limitations and vulnerabilities so that the plant is operated safely.
_____
SAFETY AND HEALTH ALERTS AND GUIDANCE
TYC
A large proportion of incidents and injuries associated with plant can be attributed to human error. It is essential to ensure that plant and systems of work are designed to be error tolerant with other limitations of human performance, both physical and mental, considered.
FURTHER INFORMATION Safety and health snapshot – maintenance What are safe work procedures (SWPs)?
SAFE SYSTEMS OF WORK
How is a safe work procedure (SWP) developed?
Routine tasks associated with mobile and fixed plant should be documented in safe work procedures (SWPs). Personnel should be trained and assessed against such SWPs.
Human and organisational factors – usable procedures
Personal risk assessments and task or team based risk assessments should be used in conjunction with SWPs. However, personal or team assessments are not a substitute for adequate SWPs. Maintenance strategies play an important part in preserving the safety and integrity of plant. These strategies generally fall into one of three categories. Predictive – based on condition monitoring. This is a safe strategy if performed correctly using appropriate discard criteria. Preventative – based on prescribed periodic inspection and replacement. This is a safe strategy if the periodic intervals are chosen based on sound predictive analysis. Run-to-breakdown – based on repair after failure. This is a safe strategy only if the equipment is designed to fail in a safe manner.
Human and organisational factors – maintenance, inspection and testing error Human and organisational factors – training and competence Mines safety alerts • SIR No. 267 Haul truck operator loses control descending ramp on haul road – fatal accident • SIR No. 270 Operator trapped between elevated work platform (EWP) and overhead structure • SIR No. 281 Underground mine workers tipped out of integrated tool carrier • SIR No. 274 Structural failure of fixed conveyor stacker • SIR No. 248 Worker caught in moving conveyor • MSB No. 173 Inspection and maintenance of handrails • MSB No. 164 Wheels detaching from graders
ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 3 September 2020 |
11 |
_____
SAFETY AND HEALTH ALERTS AND GUIDANCE
WORKING ON OPEN PIT WALLS USING ROPE ACCESS SYSTEMS
The practice of personnel working off ropes in open pits is becoming more prevalent in Western Australian mines. The Department is concerned that the practice is becoming entrenched in the mining cycle and is being used when safer alternatives are available. This type of work is inherently hazardous with incidents having potentially catastrophic consequences. Work involves personnel and specialist equipment using rope access systems on or near pit walls. Activities include manual scaling using scaling bars or airbags, removal of geotechnical hazards by blasting techniques, installation of ground support and rockfall protection systems, and installation of geotechnical instrumentation. The practices – and hazards – are equally applicable to ERT training exercises on open pit walls. Workers are directly exposed to hazards with egress to safe locations severely constrained and limited when working off ropes. Hazards associated with working on walls include: • wall failure above and below workers • falling rocks • falling from heights
| 12 | ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 3 September 2020
• • • • • •
failure of rope or lifting equipment dropped objects rotating parts (drilling rigs) manual handling exposure to heat, dust, and noise delays in emergency response/recovery.
In Western Australia, there have been several significant incidents involving persons doing scaling work using rope access systems. • I n 2016, six rope technicians were hand scaling a section of an open pit in readiness for meshing. A rock fell from above, striking one of the employees, resulting in injuries to his forehead, thigh and knee. • In 2018, two rope technicians were hydroscaling a section of a pit wall. The technicians stopped their task and began ascending the wall for a break when around 75 tonnes of rock fell from the wall. Two large rocks (2m x 2m x 1m) landed approximately 10 metres from where the technicians had been working. • In 2019, a section of the pit wall was being scaled using air bags in preparation for ground support. During the wall scaling, around 5000 tonnes of material was mobilised from the wall. Some material fell close to a crane operating on the pit floor near the designated exclusion zone.
_____
SAFETY AND HEALTH ALERTS AND GUIDANCE
• In 2020, a rope technician was struck on the foot by a rock while scaling a pit wall with a scaling bar. In all incidents, the consequences could have been much worse. In 2017 in Tasmania, four rope technicians were working off ropes, manually scaling loose rocks from a pit wall when a rockfall occurred directly above, fatally injuring one of the workers. The other three workers abseiled to the bench below. In the Department’s view, this type of work should only be undertaken as a last resort when all other options have been considered and deemed impracticable, and only after a rigorous and robust risk assessment process has been conducted to determine appropriate systems of work and risk controls.
To this end, the Department has produced a safety bulletin outlining recent incidents involving persons working on walls, associated hazards and the required actions mining operations need to take. The Department has produced a safety bulletin and is working on developing further guidance materials with industry stakeholders.
FURTHER INFORMATION Mines Safety Bulletin No. 178 Working on open pit walls using rope access systems
Mine operators need to develop a sound pit design based on rigorous geotechnical analysis and implement sufficient quality control processes to ensure the excavation achieves the design. Mines should install ground support as part of the mining cycle and use remote scaling methods (e.g. mechanical and hydro-scaling) rather than hand scaling. The aim of these measures is to negate the need for persons working on walls.
ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 3 September 2020 |
13 |
_____
SAFETY AND HEALTH ALERTS AND GUIDANCE
TS S E L ATE RT S AL
Y T E AF
erts y al 1 t e f , sa o3 orts May t p e 1 tr iden ed from c n i s t elea can nifi letins r g i s ul of List safety b . 0 and st 202 u g u A
MINES SAFETY Significant incident reports SIR No. 282 Fall of ground in a development heading resulting in serious injury SIR No. 281 Underground mine workers tipped out of work basket used with integrated tool carrier
Safety bulletins MSB No. 180 Welding quality and qualifications of welders MSB No. 179 Adequacy of windrows (bunds) for vehicle impact MSB No. 178 Working on open pit walls using rope access systems MSB No. 177 Installation and maintenance of temporary generators MSB No. 176 Inspection and maintenance of accessway and platform gratings
| 14 | ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 3 September 2020
MSB No. 175 Integrity of equaliser cables on vehicle hoists MSB No. 174 High pressure water cleaning creates mists and aerosols causing Legionnaires' disease
WORKSAFE Safety alert 4/2020 Near miss involving ruptured pressure vessel at demolition site Safety alert 3/2020 Exposure to asbestos during demolition works Safety alert 2/2020 Pressure vessel failure injures worker
_____
SAFETY AND HEALTH ALERTS AND GUIDANCE
NEW CODE OF PRACTICE AIMS TO PREVENT FALLS FROM HEIGHT Falls from height remain a significant risk requiring workplaces to have effective safety controls. The new code of practice titled Prevention of falls from height at workplaces is issued by the Commission for Occupational Safety and Health. The code affects workplaces under provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984.
Prevention of falls from height at workplaces – code of practice
ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 3 September 2020 | 15 |
_____
EVENT NEWS
SAFE WORK MONTH: STAYING FOCUSED ON WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY The health and safety of Western Australian workers remains a priority. During the unique COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to remain focused on health and safety overall. That’s why the theme of Western Australia’s Safe Work Month 2020 is ‘Staying focused on workplace health and safety’. ...
The coronavirus pandemic has forced many of us to adapt to new practices and change the way we do things. It’s important that we don’t lose sight of the fact that incidents and accidents are still occurring. The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety knows that while traditional events are on hold, we can still keep you up-to-date with the latest occupational health and safety topics and inspire you to stay focused on workplace health and safety. Safety and health representatives, managers, supervisors, safety professionals, workers, students and anyone with a genuine interest on how to make workplaces safer are encouraged to register. Watch the on-demand video presentations covering a variety of information from dangerous goods safety, mines safety and WorkSafe.
Safety leaders and inspectors from DMIRS are looking forward to sharing their experiences and knowledge with you via the videos. Throughout the month there will be live question and answer sessions. This is your chance to talk directly to those safety leaders. Videos can be watched alone in your own time or with a group. We encourage you to share the experience and learnings at your tool box presentations, workshops and meetings to inspire others at your workplace to stay focused on reducing safety incidents and accidents at your workplace. We all have a role to play in staying healthy and safe.
More information or register online at www.wa.gov.au/ government/safe-work-month
| 16 | ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 3 September 2020
_____
EVENT NEWS
Hear from safety leaders and inspectors from Dangerous Goods Safety • Fatigue management Fatigue management for commercial vehicle drivers • Hand sanitisers Hand sanitisers from the dangerous goods safety aspect • Risk and reward Applying learnings from research and real-life incidents to dangerous goods transport • Sleep science and fatigue management Sleep restriction and its effect on health, safety and productivity
Hear from safety leaders and inspectors from Mines Safety • Health and hygiene management: Exposure standards review • H ealth and hygiene management: Overview of health and hygiene management for WA mines • Incident reporting Mines safety incident and injury reporting • Maintenance safety performance Maintenance hazards • M ental health and wellbeing Mental health and wellbeing in the Resources sector • Mines Safety: Video 1: Towards 2020 DMIRS vision for a safe and healthy resources sector • Mines Safety: Video 2: Beyond 2020 Continuous focus of a safe and healthy resources sector • SHReps Importance of safety and health representatives
Hear from safety leaders and inspectors from WorkSafe • Aged care Planning ahead – infection control • Asbestos removal What can go wrong? • Factors that influence workplace behaviours Are you creating conditions for a hazard or helping your workplace thrive? • Human factors and ergonomics principles Applying human factors and ergonomics principles for incident prevention • Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) Prevention and management of work-related MSDs legislation and interventions • Occupational violence and aggression Preventing client and service related occupational violence and aggression • Working safely away from the office Negotiating the new normal of office work • WorkSafe WA investigations 2020 statistics
Other health and safety videos • Message to the Western Australian workforce from the Minister for Mines and Petroleum; Industrial Relations • Work health and safety legislation update
ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 3 September 2020 | 17 |
_____
DEPARTMENT NEWS
EDUCATE FOR SAFER WORKPLACES
Educating Western Australian businesses and workers about safety and health is an important part of eliminating or reducing the risks of injury and disease at work.
Three key programs provide occupational safety and health learning for safety professionals, commercial drivers, new workers and young workers entering the workplace for the first time.
ONLINE FATIGUE MANAGEMENT TRAINING FOR COMMERCIAL DRIVERS The recently updated fatigue management provides commercial drivers and administrators with the knowledge to safely manage driver fatigue. Learn about the Western Australian regulations relating to driving commercial vehicles and how to manage and control fatigue related risks. The training gives advice about the regulations for driving commercial vehicles. Both drivers and management have a role to play in making sure any risks associated with fatigue are minimised. Access the Fatigue management training website free of charge
| 18 | ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 3 September 2020
_____
DEPARTMENT NEWS
WELCOME TO THE SAFETYLINE INSTITUTE The SafetyLine Institute provides essential units of learning to gain national work health and safety qualifications. With the knowledge and the skills obtained, you can participate in improving work health and safety at your workplace. Informal learning or formal qualification – Licensed registered training organisations (RTOs) will guide you through the materials for a formal qualification or unit of competence. Courses include Certificate IV in WHS or Diploma of WHS. Participating RTOs can be found on the website and should be contacted in relation to enrolments and fees. Alternatively, if you wish to study informally, register free of charge to complete the online tests for each unit and have the results recorded. The tests are marked and feedback is immediate. Results are confidential and are retained for you to view. Access the SafetyLine Institute website
WORKSAFE SMARTMOVE – DIGITAL FORMAT FOR 2021 Development work to modernise the SmartMove modules is underway. SmartMove will deliver experiential learning in a digital format in early 2021. It has long been recognised that fundamental workplace health and safety training for young workers is essential to keep them safe at work. Young workers are vulnerable as they are often inexperienced and may lack the knowledge to identify hazards or assess risks. WorkSafe SmartMove was developed for year 10 to 12 students and for new and young workers to help them understand their rights and responsibilities of work health and safety laws, enable them to recognise potential dangers, and stay safe at work. The SmartMove Certificate gives employers the confidence to know that young workers have covered the basic guiding principles of workplace safety and health.
Access the WorkSafe SmartMove website free of charge
ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 3 September 2020 |
19 |
_____
DEPARTMENT NEWS
PROACTIVE DANGEROUS GOODS WASTE INSPECTIONS The chemical waste disposal industry presents a range of safety challenges for businesses. The industry came into the spotlight after the discovery of illegally stored chemical waste causing an industrial fire at a Melbourne warehouse in 2018.
CASE STUDY: HAND SANITISERS AND FLAMMABLE GOODS
Since the fire, dangerous goods safety inspectors in collaboration with other State Government agencies, have led a proactive inspection and education campaign to improve safety compliance with dangerous goods waste safety requirements.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, hand sanitisers were initially in short supply and businesses, such as breweries, distilleries and cleaning product manufacturers assisted by manufacturing sanitiser products.
Compliance actions included multiple directions, remediation actions and the issuance of infringement notices covering matters like the poor condition of dangerous goods receptacles, unsafe decanting and unsafe practices relating to the transfer of dangerous goods and flammable liquids.
DMIRS Dangerous Goods inspectors reviewed the safe operations of companies manufacturing these highly flammable goods. As a result:
Joint agency inspections, enforcement actions and the development and review of guidance material has raised awareness of dangerous waste safety issues within the waste industry. In addition to this, key waste industry stakeholders increased their operational knowledge about safe dangerous goods management by attending the Department's information session delivered by Dangerous Goods, WorkSafe and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. Dangerous goods waste – safe storage and handling of dangerous goods in the waste industry – information sheet
• business received guidance about safe flammable liquids handling which led to an increased understanding of hazardous atmospheres/flammability, building design and electrics necessary for the production of flammable liquids, and compliant packaging and labelling • consumers were alerted via the media about the safety hazards of alcohol-based hand sanitisers.
Further information Safety considerations for alcohol-based hand sanitisers (Safety Bulletin 0120) Safety considerations when manufacturing alcohol-based hand sanitisers (Safety Bulletin 0220) COVID-19: Safer packaging and labelling guidance for hand sanitiser suppliers
| 20 | ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 3 September 2020
_____
DEPARTMENT NEWS
WORKSAFE PROACTIVE INSPECTION PROGRAMS 2020-21
WorkSafe conducts an extensive number of proactive inspection programs across a wide variety of industries and activities. These inspection programs aim to provide employers and employees with information on making workplaces safer. The primary focus is to help employers comply with workplace safety and health laws, but inspectors can take enforcement action if breaches of the law are found. WorkSafe believes raising safety awareness is important to lessen the risk of work-related injury and illness, so the inspection programs aim to keep awareness of the laws at a high level. The inspections may cover safety hazards connected to the common types of injury recorded in the specific industry or as a result of a particular activity. The preferred outcome of proactive inspections is to prevent injury and illness in the workplace. During proactive inspections, the safety of new and young workers, fire precautions, first aid, personal protective equipment training and instruction, and violence and aggression in the workplace are often looked at. In most cases, the locations to be inspected are chosen at random.
2020-21 PROACTIVE INSPECTION PROGRAMS • Managing safety risks at Department of Justice locations • Courier pickup and delivery • Asbestos removal work practices • Unrestricted asbestos removalists • Q fever and COVID-19 in abattoirs and transport providers • Health surveillance across industries • Hostels and quarantine hotels • Hazardous substances in agriculture • Silica in stone product workplaces
• Silicosis screening • Heavy and civil engineering construction • Musculoskeletal disorders in the construction industry • Tower cranes • Hazardous pressure vessels • Breweries and distilleries • Plant design audits and high risk plant audits • Waste and recycling • Asbestos in State and local government buildings • Primary schools • Secondary schools • Violence and aggression in hospital emergency departments • Service providers in community services group homes • Correctional and detention services • State Government administration • WA Police • High voltage spaces • Retail garden supplies • Pest control • Passenger car rental • Funeral, crematorium and cemetery services • Licensed demolition • Vehicle hoists • Fatigue and isolated drivers • Agriculture • Orchards • Construction sites. Operational priority areas relevant to each individual program are also inspected, including: • • • • • • •
manual tasks falls from height slips, trips and falls guarding on plant mobile plant and vehicle movement hazardous substances electricity.
ThinkSafe vol. 2 no. 3 September 2020 |
21 |
SAFETY REGULATION GROUP Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety Postal address: Locked Bag 100 EAST PERTH WA 6892
MINES SAFETY
WORKSAFE
including exploration, mining and mineral processing
for general industries
Telephone: 1800 SAFEMINE (1800 723 364) (general enquiries, mines safety reporting and safety and health representatives) Email: MinesSafety@dmirs.wa.gov.au (general enquiries) mineshreps@dmirs.wa.gov.au (safety and health representatives)
Telephone: 1300 307 877 (general enquiries) 1300 424 091 (licensing) 1800 678 198 (24 hours serious incident and fatality reporting) Email: WorkSafeCallCentre@dmirs.wa.gov.au (general enquiries)
DANGEROUS GOODS SAFETY
Mason Bird Building, Level 1, 303 Sevenoaks Street, Cannington WA 6107
including explosives and fireworks
WORKSAFE LIBRARY
Telephone: +61 8 6251 2300 MINE PLANS Email: dgsb@dmirs.wa.gov.au Telephone: 1800 SAFEMINE (1800 723 364) (dangerous goods safety enquiries) Email: rsdmineplans@dmirs.wa.gov.au cso@dmirs.wa.gov.au (dangerous goods licensing enquiries)
PETROLEUM SAFETY including pipelines and operations, major hazard facilities and geothermal energy Telephone: +61 8 9358 8001
SAFETY REGULATION SYSTEM (SRS)
Telephone: +61 8 9358 8001 (select option 3) Email: SRSManager@dmirs.wa.gov.au
SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS including publications and events Telephone: +61 8 9358 8154 Email: SafetyComms@dmirs.wa.gov.au
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
RSDSep20_1063
@DMIRS_WA