11 minute read
Workplace Health & Safety
Being healthy and safe means being free from physical and psychological harm. No job should be unsafe, and no death or injury is acceptable. A safe and healthy workplace benefits everyone. This is why, during October each year, Safe Work Australia asks businesses, employers and workers across Australia to join National Safe Work Month and commit to building safe and healthy workplaces for all Australians.
Key Work Health and Safety Statistics, Australia 2021 provides an overview of the latest national data on work-related fatalities and workers’ compensation claims. Here are some of the key statistics they released in their publication.
Trends in worker fatalities 2003-2020
Worker fatalities by mechanism of incident
Mechanism of incident Number of fatalities
Vehicle collision*
80 Being hit by moving objects 25 Falls from a height 22 Being hit by falling objects 17 Being trapped by moving machinery 13 Being trapped between stationary and moving objects Other mechanisms 11
26
Total 194 % of fatalities
41% 13% 11% 9% 7% 6%
13% 100%
*vehicle collisions include fatalities that occurred as a direct result of a vehicle crash. Vehicles include not only road vehicles such as cars and trucks, but also machines such as aircraft, boats, loaders, tractors and quad bikes.
Fatalities by gender
Australia’s fatality rate
decreased 50%
Total
Top 3 industries with work fatalaties
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing Transport, postal, & warehousing Construction
13.1 7.8 3.1
fatalities per 100,000 workers fatalities per 100,000 workers fatalities per 100,000 workers
Worker fatalities by age group
Age group (years) Number of fatalities
Under 25 8 25-34 30 35-44 34 45-54 36 55-64 55 65 and over 31
Worker fatalities by state/ territory
29
fatalities (2.1 per 100,000 workers)
6
fatalities (4.6 per 100,000 workers)
11
fatalities (1.3 per 100,000 workers)
34
fatalities (1.4 per 100,000 workers)
53
fatalities (1.3 per 100,000 workers)
Worker fatalities by occupation
51
fatalities (1.5 per 100,000 workers)
2
fatalities (0.8 per 100,000 workers)
8
fatalities (3.2 per 100,000 workers)
Occupation
Machinery operators and drivers Labourers
Number of fatalities Fatality rate (fatalities per 100,000 workers)
67 8.4
41 3.5
Managers Technicians and trades workers
35 26 Community and personal service workers 11 Professionals 11
Sales workers
2 Clerical and administrative workers 1 2.2 1.5 0.8 0.3 0.2 0.2
WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY
It is important to note the potential dangers in your environment to avoid workplace injuries and incidents. In recognition of Safe Work Month, here are 10 top tips you should know about having a safe workplace.
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1. BE MINDFUL OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS
It is important to always be aware of what is going on around you at all times. This is important because distractions can cause injuries. When you’re in an area with hazards or an ongoing job, be extra careful of the path and the things around you. It’s often best to turn off your mobile phone so that you aren’t distracted by texts or calls. Also, make sure tools and machinery are not moving before you go near them and watch out for the work-in-progress signs before you step into an area.
2. REPORT ANY UNSAFE CONDITIONS
Fix any unsafe conditions or workplace hazards as soon as you notice them. If it is dangerous for you to remove the risk, notify a supervisor right away.
3. KEEP YOUR WORKPLACE CLEAR
FROM CLUTTER
Having a clean workspace will positively impact your job satisfaction and keep you and your co-workers free from danger. You could trip and fall over scattered objects and they could hide another hazard you cannot see.
4. TAKE REGULAR BREAKS
Look away from your computer screen regularly to avoid eye strain. Taking regular breaks allows your body an opportunity to rest from the tasks you are doing. When you return, you will be more focused and have a higher level of concentration.
5. NEVER TAKE SHORTCUTS
Procedures exist to keep workers safe. Though skipping a step or not wearing safety gear may save you time, it isn’t worth getting injured over. Use every tool and machine according to the instructions.
6. PRACTICE GOOD POSTURE WHEN
SITTING OR LIFTING
Use ergonomic desks and keyboards to avoid straining your wrists and arms. Sit up straight, keep your shoulders in line with your hips and lift with your legs when you are moving objects. Poor posture can cause strain on your back, neck and shoulders, which can lead to serious injury.
TOP 10TIPS TOP 10TIPS
7. STAY HYDRATED
Drink enough water to remain alert and avoid dehydration. Even in the winter, it is essential to stay hydrated with water and warm liquids to prevent light headedness and lack of focus.
8. WEAR ALL NECESSARY SAFETY GEAR
Always wear the necessary safety equipment. The proper safety gear in your workplace could be reflective gear, fire-retardant clothing, industrial workwear, or something as simple as nonslip shoes. Be sure to always wear a breathing mask if your space has debris or dust, or if you have to deal with toxic or dangerous chemicals or fumes.
9. USE TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, AND
MACHINERY PROPERLY
Proper use of tools and machinery can prevent injuries. Only operate machines you are trained or certified to use and ensure that they are cleaned and maintained regularly. You should always use machines and equipment for their intended purposes. Use equipment such as a wheelbarrow or a forklift to help you lift and move heavy items to prevent straining or injuring yourself.
10. CONDUCT REGULAR SAFETY AUDITS
Regular safety audits and site inspections can unveil much more than safety violations at your workplace. It can pave way for a culture where employee safety is given utmost priority. Including the right questions in your checklists will ensure you don’t miss any violations and also attain compliance.
Article Sources: • https://www.safetymint.com/blog/top-10-workplacesafety-tips/ • https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/workplacesafety-tips • https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/resourcesand-publications/ statistical-reports/key-work-health-and-safety-statisticsaustralia-2021
UPSKILL YOUR WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY KNOWLEDGE WITH THESE ONLINE COURSES
As part of Safe Work Month, it is important to remind your employees about the importance of workplace health and safety.
Did you know that MPAQ offer a range of FREE online core skills courses for you and your employees to complete? These courses are fully subsidised, for businesses that have less than 20 employees. The online training has a range of core skills courses, designed to support situational awareness and enhance an individual’s ability to get a job done. They cover a wide variety of skills across workplace health and safety, business administration, personal development and teamwork.
As part of your company’s safety awareness your employees should complete the workplace health and safety courses during Safe Work Month.
Each course takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete, and you receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course.
The courses cover the following areas:
Workplace Health and Safety courses:
• Fire Safety • Manual handling • Office Ergonomics • Risk Management • Silica Dust Awareness • Working in hot and cold environments • Asbestos Awareness
Business Administration courses:
• Cyber Security Awareness • Social Media Etiquette • Basic Estimating and Calculating at Work • Using Digital Technology in the Workplace • Basic Workplace Mathematics • Writing Basic Workplace Documents
Personal Development courses:
• Self Development • Preparing For Learning at Work • Participate in a Learning Environment • Use Basic Reading and Writing Skills at Work
Working in a Team courses:
• How to Respond to Problems in the Workplace • Interact Effectively in the Workplace • Teamwork • Communicating in a professional environment
For more information and to sign up for these FREE online courses, visit https://mpaq.com.au/training/courses/core -skills-courses
Contact MPAQ Training on 07 3273 0800 or email training@mpaq.com.au for further information.
WORK WELL 365 – SAFER, HEALTHIER WORKPLACES FOR EVERYONE, EVERY DAY!
For many years, workplaces around the state have put extra focus on safety during October, to recognise National Safe Work Month.
However, in 2022, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) is upping the ante. This year WHSQ will continue the tradition and still celebrate Safe Work Month in October, but under the new Work Well 365 banner, who are encouraging ‘safer, healthier workplaces for everyone, every day’.
Why? Because safer, healthier workplaces are for everyone, every day. Working well all year round means ensuring workplaces are healthy and safe, and if a worker is injured, they receive the best possible support to return to work.
From now until the end of the year, businesses can invest in their most valued assets, their workers, by getting involved in events that provide practical advice to immediately start improving health and safety, or injury rehabilitation and return to work outcomes in the workplace.
Julie and Don Sager are safety advocates. At the age of 25, their son Adam died from mesothelioma (an asbestos related disease). Tragically, Adam was unknowingly exposed to asbestos dust when he was 18 months old. Now Julie and Don visit businesses across the state to educate people about the risk of exposure to asbestos.
“Before you disturb any building material, especially in homes built before 1990, check whether it is likely to contain asbestos,” said Julie Sager.
“We couldn’t save Adam’s life, but we hope you can save your child’s life.”
The Sagers can come to your workplace and share their story, encouraging workers to make asbestos and general workplace safety a priority, and to highlight the personal impacts that an incident can have on workers and their families.
Other highlights on the WHSQ calendar for the rest of 2022 include Work Well Conference and Breakfast Forums and the free Work Well 365 Speaker Series events.
Work Well Breakfast Forums
• 22 September – Rockhampton • 2 November – Mackay
Work Well Conference • 24 October – Brisbane
Work Well 365 Speaker Series –
• 15 September – 11am – 12pm – Can you afford not to be using technology to manage work health and safety and injury recovery? – Greg Toner • 18 October – 2-3pm – How effective workplace consultation, representation and participation can improve your health and safety outcomes – Jodie Deakes and guest industry panel • 25 October – 10-11am – Rehabilitation and return to work plans for psychological injuries – Julia Bunn
Visit www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/resources/campaigns/safe-workmonth-2022 to register.
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