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.

Contact us here for assistance or queries!

Southern Ultimate Sign Installations Pty Ltd (Southern USI) pleaded guilty at the Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court this week to one charge of failing to provide a safe system of work.

The incident happened on 9 November 2010 when the worker and his colleague were dismantling an advertising sign at Northland Shopping Centre in Preston.

The court heard the worker was taking off a metal rod at the top of the sign – which had to be removed so he could install a new banner – when it hit an overhead power line, sending 22,000 volts though his body.

The worker remained in intensive care for five days and has since undergone extensive skin grafts to treat third degree burns, the court was told.

A WorkSafe investigation found the company failed to ensure employees had sufficient training when working near powerlines at this particular site.

The investigation also found the company could have installed “fixed tracking” at the site, which would have prevented the worker from being able to remove the metal rods over his shoulder, striking the power lines.

The court heard that following the incident, Southern USI undertook a range of remedial measures, including fixing the metal tracking at the site, providing training in “no go zones” areas for its employees and mandating the use of a “spotter” in all jobs.

Magistrate Anthony Parsons convicted and fined the company $50,000 and ordered it pay almost $6000 in legal costs.

WorkSafe Construction and Utilities Acting Director, Allan Beacom, hoped this case served as a reminder of the dangers associated with working near powerlines.

“Understanding “no go zones” when working near power lines is essential and strict procedures must be implemented,” he said.

“Not doing so greatly increases the risk of workers receiving an electric shock through either direct contact with the powerlines or due to arcing of the electricity.”

Want to know more or need help? Why not contact us here.

Workers have died or sustained serious injuries after their work vehicles exploded. These explosions occurred when gas from leaking portable gas cylinders ignited inside the vehicles. In many cases, the ignition source was the vehicle’s electrical system.

Flammable gas cylinders include those containing oxygen, acetylene, liquefied petroleum gas and propane or butane throwaway-style cylinders.

These incidents could have also killed or seriously injured members of the public.

Control measures

Gas cylinders should be stored and transported in vehicles with cargo areas open to the air, and not stored inside closed type vehicles. When storing or transporting fuel gas cylinders,

ensure:

• main cylinder valves are tightly closed

• there is no leakage from the main valve area (e.g. using a gas detector or soapy water test)

• cylinders are secured in an upright position to prevent them tipping or falling over

• cylinders cannot be struck by other objects (e.g. loose tools and materials)

• cylinders are always removed from the vehicle before the gas is used

• at least one 10B dry-powder fire extinguisher is fitted in the driver’s cabin.

Open-type vehicles

Open-type vehicles have cargo areas open to the air with unrestricted ventilation. The cargo areas of some open-type vehicles with sides (e.g. utility vehicles) can potentially retain escaped gas. This is due to escaped gas flowing to and accumulating in low, enclosed and poorly ventilated areas. If you are not sure if your cargo area may allow gas to accumulate, assume it can until a competent person determines otherwise.

The cargo area should be assessed by a competent person for its potential to retain gas, and to identify the likely areas where gas could accumulate. Consider installing vents in these areas.

Closed-type vehicles

Closed-type vehicles are vans, utilities and other vehicles that have cargo areas with restricted natural air movement and ventilation. This includes vehicles where gas cylinders are stored under canopies, inside service bodies or toolboxes, and vehicles where cylinders are covered by tarps or tonneau covers.

If you cannot avoid using a closed-type vehicle, it should be fitted with a separate gas storage cabinet that is vapour-tight from the rest of the vehicle.

The gas cabinet must be secured to the vehicle and be big enough to store all cylinders carried in the vehicle, including empty cylinders. It must be designed to ensure gas from leaking cylinders cannot accumulate inside the cabinet but is vented to the atmosphere outside the vehicle (see Figure 2). The cabinet door must be securely sealed whenever cylinders are stored in the cabinet.

The cabinet must have:

• one or more permanent vents or drains positioned at the bottom of the cabinet (either floor or side), with an internal diameter of at least 25mm

• vents located so they cannot be blocked when the cylinders are in the cabinet

• a way of securing cylinders in an upright and stable position (e.g. straps)

• a visible flammable gas label on the outside

• regular inspections and maintenance of door seals and vents.

Gas cabinets must also be installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions. Gas cabinets are available from plumbing wholesalers, gas suppliers and safety equipment suppliers.

Information and training

Ensure workers are informed and trained in procedures for:

• checking and testing for leaking cylinders

• securing cylinders and sealing gas cabinets

• regularly checking cabinet seals and vents

• dealing with damage to the gas cabinet, gas leaks or explosion.

Want to know more or need help? 

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

The purpose of this safety alert is to highlight the importance of correctly locking out the free fall controls on mobile cranes fitted with this feature.

Background

A worker was fatally injured by a falling load while erecting a transmission tower west of Dalby inQueensland in March 2012. A 20 tonne rough terrain mobile crane was being used to lift part of the tower when it appears the auxiliary winch inadvertently went into free fall and the load fell, striking the worker.

Hoist winches on some mobile cranes are fitted with a free fall feature that allows the hook and load to fall under gravity in an uncontrolled manner. This feature has been traditionally provided on cranes for activities such as clam-shell dredging and dynamic compaction. However, the risk associated with an inadvertent activation of the free fall feature can be high and the provision is rarely needed. Most mobile crane manufacturers do not provide this feature on new cranes. The risk to workers from falling loads and potential damage to the crane and crane operator is too great to continue to allow free fall on cranes as standard industry practice.

To prevent inadvertent activation of the free fall feature, it is a common practice for crane owners to install a physical lock. Unfortunately, some of the physical lock arrangements have not been effectively installed. Errors have been made when interpreting the operation of the free fall switching mechanism.

Remedial action required

This incident has highlighted the need for the cranes to be operated so that inadvertent free fall of the load cannot occur. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) considers that the following action should be taken by all owners of mobile cranes inQueensland:

1. Immediate action:

• Owners of cranes with free fall features, that do not have a physical lockout arrangement to prevent inadvertent activation, are to engage a competent person to install a lockout and test the arrangement.
• Owners of cranes with a free fall lockout on the crane are to engage a competent person to inspect and test to ensure that the lock out has been correctly installed and free fall cannot be inadvertently activated.

The test of the free fall function (while the lock is installed) is to verify that free fall cannot be inadvertently activated. The test is to be carried out in a controlled environment where people cannot be injured and the crane cannot be damaged. A signed, written record of the test is to be provided on the crane.

2. Action within six months:

• Owners of any crane with free fall capabilities should consider de-activating the free fall facility permanently unless there are no alternatives for this type of operation. A documented risk assessment should be prepared for this situation. This de-activation of the free fall should include removal of free fall switches on the crane and a certificate from the crane manufacturer or a competent person (preferably a professional engineer) to state that the free fall function has been permanently removed.

The following additional information should also be noted:

• Workers should avoid being located under the suspended loads.
• The use of the free fall function on a mobile crane should be extremely rare and only be permitted where a documented safe work method statement has shown there is no other reasonable alternative.
• Free fall operation on a mobile crane should never be carried out with people any where near the lift zone.

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

Background
A worker was killed when he was crushed by the lifting device while replacing one of the scissor lift arms. The incident involved a scheduled manufacturer warranty recall on a vehicle lifting device.

Contributing factors
It should be noted that in this incident, the design of the device was not shown to be deficient – rather the system of work used at the time of incident was unsafe.
One of the scissor lift arms on the unit was being replaced as required by the manufacturer. The supplier of the vehicle lifting device was engaged to carry out the remedial work on the unit.
The lifting device itself had been designed to accommodate purpose built post stands for supporting and securing the unit’s platform deck into position, so that the under chassis scissor arm and hydraulic ram components could be disconnected. However, the two workers carrying out that task did not use the post stands while performing work under the platform.
Instead of using the recommended safe system of work, the workers used two makeshift props under one end of the platform deck, along with a hydraulic jack under the opposite end of that deck to support the platform. While attempting to align and fit one of the connection pins into the newly fitted scissor arm, the platform deck became unstable and one of the support props dislodged. This caused the platform deck to crash to the ground, tragically crushing one of the workers between the scissor arm action and the frame.

An investigation of the incident revealed the following:
• The manufacturer provided the supplier with information explaining the procedure to follow when replacing the scissor arm. The procedure specified the use of three purpose built post stands made by the manufacturer, to support the platform deck, through brackets that are securely attached to that deck.
• The two makeshift props and hydraulic jack used to support the platform were not restrained or clamped to prevent lateral movement.
• The employer of the workers did not ensure, either by way of instruction, training or supervision, that the workers were aware of, or followed, the procedure as recommended by the manufacturer.

Action required
Plant that supports vehicles must:
• be used/designed to ensure structural integrity and stability
• be fitted with an additional back up safety system which must be engaged prior to commencing work underneath the plant. For example use of vehicle axle stands (once vehicle raised from ground).
Prior to commencing work consider the following:
• Have the hazards/risks been identified?
• Have the risks been assessed?
• Have all appropriate controls been considered and implemented?
• Have the manufacturer’s instructions on the use or maintenance of the plant been considered and implemented?
• Have those involved in the work received all the instruction and training required to perform the work safely?

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.

Often we focus on the workers who perform ‘high risk’ tasks such as operating guillotines, presses, angle grinders and bandsaws. The workers who do the housekeeping (including sweeping, vacuuming and removing rubbish and waste product) or clean the machinery and equipment are equally at risk of workplace injuries.

Injuries can be caused by hazardous manual handling tasks, and machinery and equipment which has not been shut down, de-energised or isolated.

Examples of how these workers have been injured include

• maintaining an awkward posture such as bending whilst cleaning floors (sweeping, mopping or vacuuming)
• exerting high force to remove stains or spills on benches, floors, machinery and equipment or moving waste from the collection bin to the disposal bin
• becoming entangled or crushed by moving machine parts.

Most of these injuries could have been prevented by:

• providing equipment or mechanical aids to enable the worker to maintain a neutral body position
• isolating or de-energising machinery and equipment
• providing training and supervision on safe manual handling techniques and how to use or isolate machinery or equipment.

WorkSafe has guidance  to assist you  protect the safety of your workers who perform cleaning tasks including -

• Code of Practice for Manual Handling
• Isolating plant
• Working on energised plant
• Contractor management

So, as you sit and consider how safe your workplace really is, make sure you also take account of the cleaning tasks and take action to make them safer.

Need help?  Why not inquire about getting some safety consulting by Safety Concepts.

The Model Act, Regulations and Draft Codes of Practice are available on the www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au website. Links are provided below.

The Act, Regulations and Codes

Model Work Health and Safety Act (revised draft 23 June 2011)

Model Work Health and Safety Regulations 

Model Codes of Practice

Interpretative Guidelines

• the meaning of ‘person conducting a business or undertaking’
• the health and safety duty of an officer under section 27
• the meaning of ‘reasonably practicable’

Guidance material on the Safe Work Australia website

Resources

Free Education Sessions on new WHS laws

Workshop and seminar presentation notes

Fact sheets and publications

Information by topic

• Duty of care
• Consultation changes
• Health and safety representatives
• Discriminatory conduct
• Offences and penalties
• Entry permit holders
• Regulator and inspectors
• Incident notification

Workplace Standards Tasmania

Helpline

(03) 6233 7657 (Outside Tasmania)
1300 366 322 (Inside Tasmania)

As with the Work Safety Act 2008, the new legislative regime comprises 3 formal elements with a fourth, non-legislative element sitting below that. These are:

• the principal Act, the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, which takes effect from 1 January 2012
• the Regulations that sit below the principal Act, namely the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011
• Codes of Practice
• National and Australian Standards
• Guidance Material.

The Act sets out the overall framework for work safety and a range of duties designed to ensure work health and safety.

The Regulation spells out minimum standards for the duty holders to ensure work safety in relation to specific hazards and risks (such as the performance of manual tasks). Regulations have the force of law and MUST be adhered to. Failure to comply may result in a criminal penalty or an infringement notice.

Codes of Practice provide practical guidance on how to comply with legal duties. Codes have formal status, allowing courts to consider whether a Code has been complied with in deciding whether legal duties have been met. The steps set out in a Code are not compulsory, but you should follow the Code or an equivalent [or better] alternative.

National Standards and National Codes of Practice are developed by Safe Work Australia and its predecessors (NOHSC, ASCC). Once adopted in each jurisdiction, they are then legally enforceable. Australian Standards are separate technical guides which may also assist a person to comply with a particular work safety duty.

The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 has brought health and safety laws in the ACT into harmony with similar legislation adopted by most of the other Australian states and territories.  This harmonisation process has significantly narrowed the differences in work health and safety legislation across borders within Australia.

Key features of the new legislation include:

• continuation of the definition of ‘worker’ under the previous Work Safety Act 2008 as including more than just employees, e.g. contractors, volunteers, etc.
• continuation of the emphasis in the previous Work Safety Act 2008 on those who engage workers in the conduct of a business or undertaking [a 'person in control of a business or undertaking, or PCBU, noting that 'person' in this context can include a whole business or government agency] as the primary safety duty holder
• continuation of the inclusion in the Work Safety Act 2008 of upstream and other similar duty holders amongst PCBUs
• a duty for a PCBU to, as far as is reasonably practicable, provide a safe workplace and a safe systems of work
• where a PCBU has a safety duty, an ‘officer’ [e.g. a director or senior manager] within the business has a ‘due diligence’ requirement to take steps to assist the PCBU in meeting its obligations
• the primary means of providing a safe working environment is through eliminating or, if elimnination is not possible, minimising risk
• employers must consult with workers to allow them to contribute directly to the management of risk and creation of a safe working environment. 

The new legislation also introduces some new terminology, including:

• ‘work safety’ becomes ‘work health and safety’ or WHS
• ‘worker consultation units’ become ‘work groups’
• ‘work safety representatives’ and ‘work safety committees’ become ‘health and safety representatives’ and ‘health and safety committees’
• ‘authorised representatives’ become ‘WHS entry permit-holders’.

Transitional Arrangements

Part 20 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 contains a number of transitional provisions which will ease the move from the Work Safety Act 2008 to the new Act.

In particular, the Act provides that:

• existing ‘worker consultation units’ automatically become ‘work groups’
• existing ‘work safety representatives’ become ‘health and safety representatives’
• existing ‘work safety committees’ become ‘health and safety committees’
• existing ‘authorised representatives’ become ‘WHS entry permit-holders’.

This means that there is no need for businesses to hold new elections, for example, for HSRs or to reorganise their consultative arrangements as a result of the new legislation coming into effect.

Section 2 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 also provides for transitional arrangements including:

• Division 4.7.4 [electrical work on energised electrical equipment] commences 1 July 2012
• Sections 168-170 [certificate of fitness for diving work] commence 1 July 2012
• Section 53 [storage of flammable or combustible substances] commences 1 January 2013
• Sections 164 and 165 [residual current devices] commences 1 January 2013
• Sections 171-175 [competence of workers for diving work] commences 1 January 2013
• Divisions 4.8.3 and 4.8.4 [diving work] commences 1 January 2013
• Divisions 5.2.2 and 5.2.3 [design of plant] commences 1 January 2013
• Section 235 [inspection of mobile and tower cranes] commences 1 January 2013
• Part 5.3 [registration of plant designs and items of plant] commences 1 January 2013
• Sections 309-311 [WHS management plan for construction work] commences 1 January 2013
• Section 313 [WHS management plan for construction work] commences 1 January 2013
• Schedule 3 [high risk work], table 3.1, Item 23 commences 1 July 2013
• Schedule 4 [high risk work], Table 4.1, Item 23 commences 1 July 2013.