Code of Practice eliminates workplace bullying "ambiguity"; and Essential safety news from around Australia.
Code of Practice eliminates workplace bullying "ambiguity"
The ACT's Code of Practice on the prevention of workplace bullying is an essential tool for helping employers determine whether to deal with bullying complaints in-house or refer them to an external investigator, the Territory's Work Safety Commissioner says.
"I think the Code of Practice is absolutely essential; it clarifies for businesses exactly what they need to do to meet their safety duty in respect of bullying," Mark McCabe told OHS Alert.
"In particular, it spells out how to respond to bullying claims when they arise. Without a Code there's a fair bit of ambiguity about how you might do that.
"The Code spells out in what circumstances you might investigate a case rather than just go to mediation, and it talks about how you might do that independently."
According to McCabe, WorkSafe investigators referred to the bullying Code during their recent investigation into widespread complaints of bullying at the Canberra Institute of Technology.
The Institute had wrongly determined, following an "in-house preliminary information-gathering exercise", that a number of serious allegations made against senior managers did not warrant further examination, the investigation found.
The Code clarified circumstances that were so serious that "someone should be held accountable", and mediation was inadequate, McCabe said.
He said the Territory would consider replacing its Code of Practice on the prevention of bullying (which was based on NSW and Victorian guidance material) with the model Code of Practice when it was finalised by Safe Work Australia.
Essential safety news from around Australia
WorkSafe ACT has, in a new guidance note, advised that workers who hold a National OHS Certificate of Competency (issued between 1 January 2005 and 30 June 2009) for operating such equipment as cranes, forklifts and hoists, or performing high-risk tasks such as scaffolding and dogging, must upgrade to a High Risk Work Licence by 30 June 2012.
South Australian Industrial Relations Minister Russell Wortley has reminded the State's workers who hold an OHS Certification Australia Card or a Notice of Satisfactory Assessment (issued between 4 April 1995 and 31 December 1998) for forklift operation and other high-risk work to obtain a nationally recognised licence by 1 September 2012. Click here for the four-year conversion table.
WorkSafe WA has advised the holders of an OHS Certification Australia Card or a Western Australian Certificate of Competency (issued between 1 January 2005 and 30 September 2007) to convert their certificates to a High Risk Work Licence by 30 June 2012. It has also advised that some High Risk Work Licences will be due for renewal from October 2012, and that affected workers will be contacted via letter. Click here for more information.
WorkSafe WA has also co-produced five short safety videos on workplace falls, manual tasks, hazardous substances, asbestos and new workers.
It is hosting a free information session on manual tasks in the manufacturing industry (based on the results of an HWSA campaign) in West Perth on 28 June.
Western Australian Mining Engineer, Simon Ridge, has received the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy's Jim Torlach Health and Safety Award for his contribution to safety with the Western Australian Department of Mines and Petroleum, including the appointment of 25 additional mine safety inspectors in 2010/11.
The Queensland Mines Inspectorate has released its serious accidents and high potential incidents reports for March and April 2012. According to the March report, there were 182 incidents reported in the State's mining and quarrying sector, including 25 vehicle collisions and 22 fires. One worker fell 1.6 metres from a conveyor on a mobile cone crusher and fractured his femur.
According to the April report, there were 185 incidents, including 33 fires and 29 incidents where vehicles lost control. In one incident, a dump truck operator on his third night shift in a row had a micro-sleep and crashed his vehicle into a safety berm, causing minor damage to the vehicle, after he reported feeling fatigued.
The NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council is offering grants of up to $10,000 each for community groups and schools to develop ideas for addressing health and/or safety issues in mining communities. Applications close on 31 July 2012.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has developed a drug and alcohol management plan for small aviation organisations. Under the initiative, businesses with seven or fewer employees will no longer be required to develop their own plans.
Transport Safety Victoria has advised the State's 1500 commercial maritime operators and 300,000 recreational boaters that new marine safety legislation takes effect on 1 July 2012. The changes include a requirement for commercial vessels to operate under a safety management system and have safe operation and safe construction certificates.
Comcare has issued a safety alert advising of the ACCC's electrical safety recall of seven models of Cesco Greenpower LPG/NG generators, which pose a risk of electric shock.
And Standards Australia is calling for comments (by 1 August 2012) on draft Codes and a Standard on the ventilation of workplaces and other buildings.
