This alert reminds nail gun users to prevent their guns from inadvertently discharging when they’re using them. It also reminds them to prevent nails from inadvertently ricocheting and hitting persons or penetrating other surfaces.

Background
Nail guns are a high risk tool widely used in the residential construction industry. Numerous incidents involving their use are reported each year. These incidents usually involve serious injuries to those using or to those in the vicinity of their use.

Contributing factors for incidents
Investigations into incidents involving nail guns have identified two main contributing factors:
• When in bump fire mode, the nail gun can be inadvertently discharged due to contact with an object such as the human body. A nail is fired when the operator maintains pressure on the trigger each time the contact tip is depressed.
• Inadvertent ricochets or penetrations can occur when a nail is fired into a hard surface such as a wood knot, another nail, or other hard surfaces and results in the nail being bounced or projected off in an unpredictable direction.

Action required
Those in control of work should ensure that the following is in place:
• Young or inexperienced workers should only use nail guns under strict supervision as statistics indicate they are the most at risk.
• Where possible, use the single shot type/mode.
• The nail gun is maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications.
• Users are trained and instructed in their safe use.
• Users should be competent to use the nail gun they use, whether it is a single shot or bump fire type. Competence should be verified through assessment and regular reinforcement.
• Appropriate personal protective equipment such as eye and hearing protection is worn.
• The timber surface should be inspected for cracks or knots prior to their use.
• Never place your finger(s) on the trigger when moving between work areas (e.g. up/down ladders).
• Avoid use in awkward positions. They should not be held above the line of your shoulder
• Nail guns must never be pointed or fired in another person’s direction.

• Take regular breaks from their use to address the ergonomic risks associated with their long term and repetitive use.
• Areas where nail guns are used are to be isolated from other workers and clearly defined with physical barriers and signage.

Further information
• The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act) requires a person conducting a business or undertaking to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that safe systems of work are provided and maintained and that all workers are provided with the necessary information, training, instruction or supervision.
• Nail guns can be powered by gas canister or pneumatic. There are two main types/modes of nail guns used:Single shot – requires finger depression of the trigger for each nail fired.
• Bump fire – the trigger can be held down with a nail fired each time the nozzle comes into contact with an object.

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The first of seven action areas targeted by the draft strategy is Health and Safety by Design. In this section is an outline of how structures, plant, equipment and substances can be designed so risks are eliminated or minimised before they enter the workplace.

It also wants work processes and systems to be designed and managed to eliminate or minimise risks.

Supply chains are the number two action area. The draft strategy outlines a range of issues, including how all those in the supply chain must “understand their cumulative impact and actively improve the health and safety of the supply chain”.

The other action areas include Work Health and Safety Capabilities, Culture and Leadership, Research and Evaluation, Government, and a Responsive Regulatory Framework.

By 2022 the draft strategy is aiming for a 20 per cent reduction in the number of injury fatalities, a 30 per cent reduction in incidence rates of claims resulting in one or more weeks off work, and a 30 per cent reduction in the incidence rate of claims due to body stressing.

The draft strategy is open for public comment until May 2012.

We understand  Safe Work Australia will release more draft model work health and safety codes of practice for public comment in April, while other draft codes are being tweaked before they are submitted to the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council for final approval.

Want to know more or need help?

Why not contact Safety Concepts and speak with one of our Safety Consultants.

The presence and location of asbestos should be indicated if reasonably practicable by a label.

Registers are required for workplace buildings built up to 31 December 2003 – compared to current cutoff date of 1 January 1990.

Asbestos management plans and training are required for naturally occurring asbestos.

PCBUs must provide health monitoring for certain workers involved in removal work or other asbestos-related work.

There is a requirement to notify the regulator of:

• licensed asbestos removal work
• demolition of a pre-31 December 2003 structure or plant in an emergency
• asbestos fibre levels exceeding 0.02 fibres/ml during Class A asbestos removal work.

A new licence category for individual ‘asbestos assessors’ required for Class A asbestos removal work – air monitoring, clearance inspections and clearance certificates.

An independent competent person is required for clearance inspections and clearance certificates for Class B removal work.

Both Class A and Class B licence holders must be a PCBU.

There are new obligations when the demolition or refurbishment of a structure or plant built or installed before 31 December 2003 is undertaken:

• a PCBU with management/control must, so far as reasonably practicable, ensure ACM is removed before demolition
• a PCBU must before refurbishment of structure or plant where asbestos is likely to be disturbed, identify and, so far as reasonably practicable, remove the asbestos before refurbishment
• there are requirements for when an ‘emergency’ requires something to be demolished (e.g. structure is structurally unsound). There is a procedure to reduce risk of exposure to asbestos and notify the regulator prior to demolition.

Want to know more or need help?

Why not contact Safety Concepts and speak with one of our Safety Consultants.

Determining the competency of operators should already be a part of employment screening and daily pre-start procedures. A PCBU should consider the following when assessing plant operators:

• Has the worker completed competency based training and assessment on the item of plant in question?
• Can the worker provide evidence of having previously operated the item of plant in question to perform similar tasks in a similar environment?
• Can the worker demonstrate knowledge of pre-start inspection requirements to ensure an item of plant can be operated safely?
• Does the worker have knowledge of the specific risks and control measures associated with the item of plant in question?
• Are there specific hazards or circumstances, associated with either the plant or the activity to be performed, which require specialist knowledge or experience? Does the worker meet this requirement?

Additional supervision or training may be required after an initial assessment, either as a result of the operator’s competence or the specific hazards associated with the task.
PCBUs should maintain records of competency assessments to ensure that evidence can be provided to an inspector or other duty holders if required.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is working with the construction industry through the Queensland Major Contractors Association and the Civil Contractors Federation to ensure appropriate guidance and advice is available.

Want to know more or need help? Why not contact Safety Concepts and speak with one of our Safety Consultants.

The changes, detailed in the Scaffolding Code of Practice 2009 require:

• engineer certification for critical components

• any person who is erecting or installing suspended scaffold to have completed the Safe Erection/Installation of Swing Stage Scaffolds (30825QLD) course

• any person who is a user of swing stage scaffold to have successfully completed the Safe Use of Swing Stage Scaffold (30826QLD) course.

The changes to the code of practice also include advice for all relevant obligation holders, checklists to assess compliance and verification forms to assist obligations in ensuring safety.

Model legislation has been developed and all states and territories are committed to enacting the new legislation by the end of 2011.

The model legislation has been called the Model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act and was endorsed by the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council on Friday 11 December 2009.

The Model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations were endorsed in principle by the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council on Tuesday 10 August 2011 and all Ministers have been advised to implement the Model Work Health and Safety Regulations by 1 January 2012.

Implementation in the Northern Territory

The Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Bill 2011 (NT) was introduced into the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly on Thursday 27 October 2011 and was passed on Thursday 1 December 2011. The new laws will commence on 1 January 2012.

NT WorkSafe will continue to regulate work health and safety in the Northern Territory, as the model legislation will not create a national Work Health and Safety Regulator.

Bulletins have been developed to provide information on some key points under the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Bill 2011 (NT).

 Background

In the first half of 2011, NT WorkSafe received in excess of 20 notifications of fires in vehicles and other mobile plant. The incidents have occurred throughout the Territory, with the bulk of incidences occurring in the mining industry. The majority of the fires have been attributed to component failure and/or inadequate maintenance.

 Contributing factors

-  Inadequate scope and/or scheduling of maintenance and inspection of vehicles and plant.

-  Hydraulic oil contact with hot engine areas.

-  Poor maintenance leading to a buildup of combustible material (lubricant and fuels) near

heat or ignition sources.

-  Ineffective isolation of ignition sources such as battery terminals.

 Action required

Recommended control measures to prevent similar incidents occurring include:

-  Systematic inspection of all components within a hydraulic or fuel supply circuit during outine part replacements.

-  Proactively monitoring of hydraulic hoses including checks on hose connections, clamps and pressure relief valves.

-  Adopt a risk based hydraulic hose management system.

-  Verify internal maintenance systems with additional quality checks by manufacturers or

authorised service providers.

-  Evaluate isolation techniques such as shielding for potential engine heat sources or insulation of hoses near hot components.

-  Routine inspection of electrical systems for corrosion or insulation fatigue.

-  Consider the location and rating of protective devices such as fuses and wiring control.

-  Install, maintain and systematically inspect fire detection and automatic fire suppression

systems on vehicles or plant operating at a higher risk of fire.

-  Install portable fire extinguishers on all mobile plant.

-  Provide appropriate training to all mobile plant staff on hydraulic hazards, fire detection  and response procedures.

 Further information

Australian Standard

-  AS 5062 – 2006 Fire Protection for Mobile and Transportable Equipment.

Issues raised in these submissions were considered by jurisdictions and employer and union representatives. Plans for the final package of model Work Health and Safety regulations were considered by the Workplace Relations Ministers Council in June 2011. WHSQ will distribute an eSafe special in September, dedicated to the national harmonisation of WHS laws and including articles on the regulations.

Second stage model codes of practice that support the implementation of the construction, electricity, plant and hazardous chemicals model regulations are being developed by Safe Work Australia and will be released for public comment in September 2011. It is intended that these codes be completed by 1 January 2012. They include:

• managing risks in construction work
• excavation work
• demolition work
• tilt-up and precast concrete in building construction
• falls in housing construction
• safe design of building and structures
• safe design of plant
• how to manage risks of plant in the workplace
• traffic management – construction
• traffic management – non-construction
• managing electrical risks at the workplace
• working in the vicinity of overhead electric lines and underground electrical services
• first aid
• health monitoring
• abrasive blasting
• managing risks of hazardous chemicals
• welding
• spray painting and powder coating
• heritage plant
• forest safety
• arborists.

Additional codes of practice are proposed for release post January 2012. A number of current Queensland construction codes will remain in place until this time. They include:

• concrete pumping
• scaffolding
• steel construction
• tunneling.

Transitional arrangements

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has made arrangements to help ensure a smooth transition to the new laws commencing on 1 January 2012.

A fact sheet summarises the transitional arrangements, including information on the process for continuing prosecutions, investigations, principal contractors, enforceable undertakings, asbestos class B certificate holders and codes of practice.

As of 1 July 2011 all fees for earthmoving or particular crane (EPC) certificates have been waived as it is anticipated that these certificates will not be required from 1 January 2012 under harmonised work health and safety laws.

These certificates cover the operation of backhoes, front end and skid steer loaders, excavators, dozers, graders, scrapers and road rollers as well as remote operation bridge and gantry cranes.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is preparing a range of resources to help businesses and employees prepare for the introduction of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (QLD) on 1 January 2012, including:

• statewide information sessions during Safe Work Week in October 2011 (keep your eye on the website for registration details)
• videos of the information session content which will be available for download from the website
• a short video on responsibilities for executive officers under the new Act
• a kit with information tailored for the construction industry
• an online comparison tool highlighting the differences between the current laws and the new Queensland Act.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has also published an online comparison tool which highlights the differences between the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and Queensland’s current Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995.

Safety Concepts will continue to keep you updated as news comes in!

 The question of whom to hire and when should be on the minds of CEOs, operations managers, human resources, project managers, and others regarding safety and training issues. This question is not always easily answered, even if your company has the resources and personnel in the guise of a safety and health director and/or department. In this ever-changing world of downsizing, everyone needs to justify how many man-hours are spent and at what cost to the company. Everyone is responsible for watching the bottom line.

 In order for most companies to remain competitive and stay in business, they must provide–per legislation—a safe work environment for all of their employees . . . not just the full-time employees. You may have the best safety and training program, however, human error is impossible to predict and control 100 percent.

Your safety and training manager (if you have one in house) usually has more on his/her plate than the original job description depicts. He or she does not have the time, and your budget constraints do not allow him or her the resources, to keep up with the ever-changing environment in which we live and work. Therefore, in most cases, it is very cost effective to hire a safety consultant to take a fresh look at your company policies, training, accident prevention programs, and a multitude of other issues that may be particular to your type of industry and company.

 Why Go Outside for This Service?

First, a professional consultant is not bogged down by your company’s internal affairs, nor is he/she influenced by your past safety record. Nor will he or she alter reports just to make your company look good. You also have the opportunity to find someone, although this person may not have a lot of initials and titles after her name, who has a proven record of actual, hands-on skills and has the ability to save your company a serious amount of money through recommendations or implementation of new ideas.

 These professional consultants attend seminars, meet with industry regulatory agencies, and in general are ahead of the curve for safety and training in their field of expertise. The cost of their services ranges from reasonable to ridiculous, as some want to sell you software, videos, and other potentially useless expenses that leave you with a bad feeling for consultants.

 In order to find the right company for your needs, get a referral list and check them out, the same as you would for other services that either your company requires or you require personally. For instance, if you needed heart surgery, would you run your finger through the Yellow Pages? Would you require a doctor with a multitude of titles or degrees? I surely hope not. If it were me, I would speak to past and present patients, other doctors, hospitals where they worked, and the Department of Health, and would make sure this is the person to whom I want to entrust my life. In the same manner, you are entrusting the lives and well-being of your employees to an outside safety consultant. Take the time to make a healthy decision.

 Benefits to Hiring a Safety Consultant

• • Reduce overhead costs
• • 100 percent business expense (deductible)
• • Service available either as needed or specified by contract
• • Training available for employees when required
• • Up to date on safety regulations
• • Available to check current safety manual and upgrade as required or write a new safety manual specific to your company and industry

 Safety Concepts offers a cost effective, quality consulting service for Brisbane based businesses.  With the new harmonisation laws becoming effective on January 1, 2012 now is the time to talk to Safety Concepts and have your safety system reviewed!