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.

Five new national work health and safety model Codes of Practice are currently open for public comment. They are:

• Safe Design, Manufacture, Import and Supply of Plant
• Working in the Vicinity of Overhead and Underground Electrical Lines
• Traffic Management in Workplaces
• Scaffolding Work
• Formwork and Falsework.

To submit a comment on these draft model work health and safety Codes of Practice, visit the Safe Work Australia website.

The public comment period for these Codes of Practice will close at 5 pm Friday 22 June 2012.

Draft Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-2022

Safe Work Australia invites all Australians to provide comments on the draft Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-2022. The input received will help shape the final Strategy and ultimately the future coordination of work health and safety in Australia over the next decade.

You can view the draft and make a comment until 5.00pm (AEST) Monday 21 May 2012.

Public comment closed for:

Recreational Dive and Snorkelling Industry Reference Group recommendations

Twelve recommendations were made by the Recreational Dive and Snorkelling Industry Reference Group.

Comment on the proposed changes is now closed. (Closed 31 March 2012).

Rural Plant Code of Practice 2004

The public comment period on the proposed changes to the Rural Plant Code of Practice 2004 is now closed (Closed: 31 March 2012).

Consultation Regulation Impact Statement on precursor chemicals to homemade explosives

The community and businesses were invited to provide comment on four options that serve to reduce the national security risks posed by chemicals of security concern (Closed: 30 March 2012).

A list of the submissions received, and further information on the development of the Decision RIS is available at the Chemicals Security website (non-Queensland Government link).

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.

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.

Proposed measures to stop chemicals falling into the wrong hands: chance to have your say.

Industry and members of the community have until 30 March 2012 to comment on measures designed to reduce the risks of common chemicals getting into the wrong hands and being used to make homemade bombs.

There are literally tens of thousands of chemicals used daily in Australia for commercial and household purposes. There are over 400,000 chemical-based products on the market, which are used by some 570,000 workplaces and millions of Australian consumers.

The vast majority of these chemical products have important and legitimate uses. However, in the wrong hands, some chemicals can be used to make lethal weapons.

Terrorism remains a significant threat to Western societies, including Australia. While terrorists use a wide-range of weapons to pursue their objectives, the ease of availability of chemicals in Australia makes homemade explosives an ideal weapon.

In 2011, we saw the devastating effects of precursor chemicals when a homemade explosive device was detonated in Oslo, Norway, killing eight people and injuring 90. That bomb was created using chemical materials that are readily available in Australia, including fertilizer, nitromethane and aluminium.

So far Australia has been fortunate in not having experienced a direct terrorist attack on its own soil. However, it has still been impacted significantly through terrorism incidents worldwide, many of which involved chemical explosives.

Australia’s National Terrorism public alert remains at ‘medium’ which means authorities believe a terrorist attack could occur. This ongoing concern has driven governments and industry to work together to determine practical ways of minimising the risk of chemicals being misused by terrorists to make homemade explosives.

Part of this work is a Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) that weighs up the costs and benefits of a number of different policy options, including a targeted awareness campaign, codes of practice and supply-chain regulation.

Stakeholders have an important opportunity to help shape government policy on this issue by commenting on the RIS. In particular, this is your chance to put forward your views and comment on issues, such as cost, effectiveness and likely uptake of a range of measures. These include: employee and contractor checking, inventory and consignment control, security during transport and storage, and point-of-sale procedures.

AGD is particularly interested in receiving input from businesses that manufacture, handle or use any products that contain the following chemicals:

• Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
• Ammonium perchlorate (NH4ClO4)
• Sodium chlorate (NaClO3)
• Sodium nitrate (NaNO3)
• Nitric acid (HNO3)
• Potassium nitrate (KNO3)
• Potassium chlorate (KClO3)
• Nitromethane (CH3NO2)
• Sodium perchlorate (NaClO4)
• Sodium azide (NaN3)
• Potassium perchlorate (KClO4

To access a copy of the Consultation RIS and to find out how to make a submission, please refer to the AGD Chemical Security program website at www.chemicalsecurity.gov.au/RIS. For further information you can also contact AGD on (02) 6141 2925 or (02) 6141 3012.

 The public consultation period will commence on Friday 3 February and end on Friday 30 March 2012.

Industrial Relations Minister Cameron Dick launched the Sawmilling Industry Health and Safety Guide at a timber industry safety workshop recently.

More than 20,000 Queenslanders and their families depend on the timber industry for their livelihood. But working with chainsaws, rolling logs, chippers, heavy machinery and the like, often at height or in confined spaces, can be dangerous work.

Historically, the timber industry has been one of the state’s most dangerous, with higher-than-average injury rates. That’s why Workplace Health and Safety Queensland and the industry have teamed up to produce the Sawmilling Industry Health and Safety Guide.

The guide highlights safety issues involved in the industry such as the use of chain saws, docking saws, conveyors, cranes, heavy machinery and plant, power tools, ladders, scaffolding and fire pits. It also contains tips for operating safely in dangerous working conditions such as working at height, working in confined spaces and working with hazardous substances. It includes safety surveys and checklists, contacts, information on what to do in an emergency and advice on what your legal obligations are.

For more information visit www.worksafe.qld.gov.au

Please feel free to add any comments or experiences!

General

•Ensure work method statements prepared, signed off and available

•Ensure workers have general safety induction cards

•Display appropriate site signage

•Use appropriate safety gear

Work at heights

•Keep controls in place if risk of fall = 2 m for commercial and 3 m for domestic e.g. edge protection, catch platform

•Provide and use adequate work platforms e.g. 5 planks

•Ensure no gaps in perimeter protection

•Make sure penetrations covered/secured

Tools/equipment

•Ensure tools and equipment maintenance are in good condition

•Use tools and equipment for intended purposes only

•Make sure guards are in place when using tools and equipment

Falling objects

•Do not throw tools and materials down from heights

•Make sure brick guards/mesh are in place in scaffold

•Use exclusion zone and/or catch platform

•Ensure controls implemented for loads being lifted over adjoining areas e.g. adjoining area closed/gantry erected

Electrical

•Keep electrical equipment away from water

•Make sure earth leakage switch installed on mains supply

•Secure and protect extension leads from damage and used from individual power points with leads not exceeding 30 metres Keep testing and tagging current e.g 3 monthly

 Access/housekeeping

•Keep working area clear/tidy

•Manage trip hazards e.g. material neatly stacked

•Dispose excess mortar appropriately e.g. designated areas

Manual tasks

•Use mechanical equipment (e.g. forklifts, trolleys, cranes) to reduce the force needed to lift, carry, move, hold or restrain material and tools.

•Adjust equipment to minimise bending, twisting and over-reaching (e.g. adjust height of work platforms to avoid over-reaching).

•Change work practices or equipment to avoid repetitive actions or prolonged tasks (e.g. use a crane or elevator to lift bricks to work level to avoid throwing bricks).

Noise

•Wear Hearing protection when cutting timber and metal

•Ensure controls implemented to minimise exposure e.g. hearing protection.

Hazardous substances

•Make Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) available for substances classified as hazardous (e.g. cement, lime, hydrochloric acid)

•Store hazardous substances safely and securely when not in use

•Train workers in safe handling of hazardous substances (e.g. wear gloves when handling hydrochloric acid)

•Label hazardous substances (includes safety and risk phrases)

•Do not store hazardous substances in food and/or drink containers (e.g. hydrochloric acid not stored in drink bottles)

Personal Protective Equipment

•Ensure workers wearing steel capped boots, hard hat with shade brim, high vis shirts and sunglasses if necessary

Amenities

•Provide sheltered meal area

•Ensure workers have access to toilets (1 toilet for each 15 workers or part thereof)

•Provide hand and face washing facilities (separate from toilets)

•Ensure workers have access to potable, clean and cool drinking water

•Make sure first aid equipment provided is hygienic and appropriate for the size and complexity of the project

Emergency preparedness and response

•Keep fire extinguishers available and testing current

•Make sure emergency evacuation plan available

•Brief workers on emergency evacuation plan

· Ensure that you have first aid facilities available

Sun protection

•Recognise ultraviolet radiation 3-7 protection required; 8-11 extra protection required

•Ensure protection by seeking shade, wearing sun protection clothing, broad brim hat, sunglasses and using sunscreen

•Wear clothing with a 30+ ultraviolet protection factor

•Wear safety helmets extra brims and neck covers fitted

•Wear sun glasses and 30 + sun protection

Occupational stress

•Monitor work demands and control over work

•Provide support systems for talking about tough situations at work

•Provide clear work structures, particularly through times of change

•Recognise and reward workers

Occupational violence

•Use design or engineering measures to change the physical characteristics of the workplace, to reduce the risk, where possible.

•Change the systems of work or work practices to help reduce risks. For example, train workers in aggressive behaviour management, including the recognition and diffusion of potentially volatile situations; ensure sufficient number of appropriately trained staff, where possible; provide for emergency communication; implement a system of communication and support for home visits.

1) Dealing with Aggression

Healthcare workers may be exposed to patients, family members or members of the public who display aggressive behaviour. In most cases, healthcare facilities will have well established procedures in place to deal with these situations however there are a few steps that you can follow when responding to this behaviour. •Remain calm – be polite and do not raise your voice.

• Call for assistance – contact another staff member to assist.

• Keep out of reach – it is important to keep your distance (two arms length at minimum)

• Do not antagonise – never abuse or ridicule. Also, let the aggressor leave and do not attempt to detain the person.

• And finally, report the incident to both your supervisor in the workplace and Nursing Australia. It is also important that you complete an incident report.

2) Manual Handling

Manual Handling refers to any activity requiring the use of force exerted by a person to lift, push, pull, carry or otherwise move or restrain any animate or inanimate object.

Manual handling continues to be a major cause of injuries in the healthcare industry therefore it is important that members follow correct manual handling procedures at all times. Whilst working in a healthcare facility, you should:

1 Ensure that you have had appropriate training in manual handling and that this is updated on a regular basis. If you require training, contact a Nursing Australia representative

2 Use equipment provided including hoists, slide boards and ensure that you report any faulty equipment to your supervisor immediately.

3 Be aware of the client’s safe work procedures in relation to manual handling. These provide step by step instructions on how to perform a task safely.

4 Always check a patient’s care plan, mobility assessments or any other patient specific manual handling plans prior to the transfer to ensure that you are using the correct transfer method.

5 Do not lift outside your capacity and do not be afraid to ask for help.

3) Infection Control

Due to exposure to biological hazards, healthcare workers face a risk of acquiring or spreading infections in the normal course of their work. It is therefore important that appropriate precautions are taken and these include;

1 Ensure that you follow Standard Precautions.

2 Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) appropriate to the task (e.g. gloves, aprons, masks).

3 Ensure appropriate handling and disposal of sharps and other clinical waste. Also, never re-sheath needles.

4 Wash your hands frequently.

5 Ensure contaminated waste is disposed of in line with the client’s waste disposal procedure.

If you sustain a needle stick injury, it is important that you contact your supervisor and a Nursing Australia representative immediately.

4) Managing Fatigue

Given the nature of healthcare, healthcare workers often work long hours through shift work and overtime. Fatigue caused by a lack of sleep and/or physically and mentally demanding tasks, has the potential to impact significantly on an individual’s health and wellbeing as well as their ability to perform their duties safely. Fatigue can also compromise clinical care.

The following are tips to help prevent fatigue;

1 Ensure that you have had adequate sleep (7-9 hours daily is recommended for adults).

2 Manage your shifts and workload to ensure that you are not overworked that you have adequate breaks to allow for rest.

3 Take at least a 30 minutes break after 6 hours of work.

4 It is recommended that rostered hours not exceed 48 hours per week.

5 Maintain your health and fitness at a good level.

6 Take care when driving home after a night shift. Consider alternate transport methods.

Nursing Australia takes fatigue management seriously and manages this through shift allocation. It is however the member’s responsibility to advise us if they are working additional shifts with another employer and that actions are taken to manage their workload to prevent fatigue.

5) Slips, Trips and Falls

Slips, trips and falls are also a common cause of injuries in the healthcare industry. It is important that hazards leading to slips, trips and falls be identified and removed from the workplace to minimise the risk of injury.

The following are tips to minimise the risk of slips, trips and falls;

1 Wear appropriate non-slip footwear and if provided, wear gum boots when showering patients.

2 Remove any unnecessary materials or equipment in the work area.

3 Always use handrails when walking up and down stairs.

4 Ensure that spills are cleaned up immediately.

5 Don’t rush, particularly when using stairs.

6) Chemical Safety

It is important that care be taken when handling chemicals in the workplace as these may trigger physical reactions such as skin or respiratory tract irritation.

When using chemicals in the workplace, it is important to follow the safety instructions provided. This includes information on the labels as well as the information provided in the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). MSDS’ must be made available in the workplace for all hazardous substances. It is important that all members are aware of the location of these.

MSDS’ are important documents as they provide information on the chemical. Importantly they provide information on what controls need to be implemented when using the chemical such as PPE requirements. They also provide information on what to do in the event of exposure.

For more information please visit http://www.nursingaustralia.com