August 2014

News

VIC OHS REGS

AMENDED

SAFETY UPDATED RIGGER Vs DOGMAN

PERFORMANCE SURVEY DANGEROUS GOODS WHAT IS THE
CODE DIFFERENCE?
2014
 August 2014
News
WHATS NEW IN AUGUST?
Welcome to the August Edition of Safety Action News.

This month we provide many updates to regulations and

standards, including our lead article which answers your
questions about changes to the Victorian OHS regulations. We
also provide further updates on machinery safety standards and
the dangerous goods code.

Thank you to those who have submitted data for our annual Gary Rowe, CEO
safety performance survey. There is still time to provide
information, and the greater number of participant organisations
the better the quality of the industry averages and trends. A copy
of the survey form is on the last page.

Lastly: do you know the difference between a dogman and a rigger? See page 5 to find out!

Stay Safe!
Phillip Kamay

Machinery Safety &

Andrea Rowe

Asbestos Chemical Management

Katie Weber

Zero Access
Training & Coaching Machinery Safety
Culture & Safety System Development
Stress
Leadership Audits
Stephen Weber

Bullying & Research Strategic Planning

Emily Carter

Investigations Facilitator
At-risk Workers
Gary Rowe

Contractor Management Safety Culture &

Accident Investigation
Reporting Tools & Leadership Training
Surveys Independent
Investigations

www.safetyaction.com.au Page 2
2014 Safety Action Pty Ltd
 August 2014
News
CHANGES TO VIC OHS REGS
In last months newsletter we mentioned the recent amendments to the Victorian OHS
Regulations. Over the last month we have had several enquiries relating to these changes
and share some of the questions and responses with you here.

What items of plant do I need to register with VWA?

You no longer need to register items of plant such as; boilers, pressure vessels, self-erecting tower
cranes, lifts, building maintenance units, amusement structures, concrete placing units (truck
mounted with boom), mobile cranes. You also do not need to renew registrations every five years,
like you did previously.
If you manufacture or import certain types of plant and machinery you need to register the
designs with VWA. Some items of plant for which designs need to be registered include: chairlifts
(new requirement), concrete placing units- truck mounted with boom (new requirement), Pressure
vessels and boilers, tower cranes, lifts, escalators, boom-type elevating work platforms, amusement
structures (except non-powered amusement structures).

If you alter the design of plant or machinery to the point that new control measures are necessary,
the new design must be registered with the VWA.

Employers must still ensure maintenance and inspections are carried out on plant, and keep
records of these inspections and maintenance.

Plant and Equipment Requirements

Register new item of plant when purchased

Renew plant registration every 5 years

Register new plant designs

Register altered plant designs

Maintain plant and equipment

Keep records of plant inspections and servicing

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2014 Safety Action Pty Ltd
 August 2014
News
Does an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) need to be dated within 5 years?

Yes. Suppliers of chemicals (hazardous substances) must review

and update the MSDS at least every five years and provide a
copy of the updated MSDS when requested or supplying for
the first time. To ensure your employees have access to the
most current version of the MSDS, we recommend that you
check with your suppliers if your copy of the MSDS is older
than 5 years old, and request an updated version.
MSDS/SDS Folder
Whats an SDS?

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is the same as an MSDS. It is a document which provides health and
safety information about a hazardous chemical (hazardous substance or dangerous good)
including: the identity of the chemical, health and physical hazards, safe handling and storage
procedures, emergency procedures and disposal considerations. The term SDS is now commonly
used in Australia. SDS is also now the term used internationally instead of MSDS. In Victoria, you
may have either an SDS or MSDS for your chemicals.

Do I need a High Risk Work licence to maintain plant such as forklifts?

You do not need a licence to work with plant to test, install, commission, maintain or prepare
the plant.

You do need a high risk work licence if you work with scaffolding, dogging or rigging for
maintenance.

You do need a licence to drive or operate the plant e.g. to load on or off a transportation
vehicle.

UPDATES TO THE SAFETY OF MACHINERY STANDARD

20 parts of Australian Standard AS4024 Safety of Machinery Series have been
updated. The standards are now also New Zealand standards. Most of the
changes are minor and keep the standard in line with international and
European (ISO and EN) standards.

More information in next months newsletter or call Safety Action

on T: 03 9690 6311

www.safetyaction.com.au Page 4
2014 Safety Action Pty Ltd
 August 2014
News
RIGGER VS DOGMAN
We have been asked a few times lately - what is the difference between a rigger and a dogman?

Both roles require a high risk work licence and are often seen on construction sites or in facilities
with cranes or hoists. So the question is Do we need a qualified rigger or dogman? Depends
upon what you need done. Below is a summary description of what the respective training
qualifications allow for each role.

Dogging
A licensed Dogman can:
Select and inspect lifting gear;
Sling loads per trained techniques;
Direct a crane or hoist operator in the movement of loads.

Basic Rigging
A licensed Basic Rigger can:

Move plant and equipment;

Erect steel & material hoists;
Install static lines and safety nets;
Erect mast climbing personnel platforms;
Install and maintain perimeter safety screens & shutters &
crane loading bay platforms. Rigger working on steel structure

Intermediate Rigging
Intermediate Riggers can:
Rig cranes, conveyors, dredges and excavators;
Erect precast concrete panels and tilt up panels;
Demolition work;
Dual crane lifts;
Erect material and man hoists.

Advanced Rigging
Advanced Riggers can: Dogman connecting slings

Rig: gin poles, shear legs, flying foxes, cable ways, guyed derricks and guyed structures.
Erect suspended scaffolds and fabricated hung scaffolds.

So remember to ask - what tasks do we need carried out here?

If you have any questions you would like answered by our experienced safety team, contact
us on T: 03 9690 6311.

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2014 Safety Action Pty Ltd
 August 2014
News
UPDATED DANGEROUS GOODS CODE
National Transport Commission (NTC) is responsible for monitoring the Transport of
Dangerous Goods (DGs) laws in Australia. The key piece of law for DG transport is the Australian
Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (ADG Code). In June, a new edition
of the ADG code, edition 7.3 was released. The new amendments better align Australias DG rules
with those in place overseas.

An example of a vehicle transporting dangerous goods

Some of the new amendments include:

Better clarification of the description of a dangerous good,

Adding new materials to the list of dangerous goods,
Requiring minimum sized markings on large packages of dangerous goods,
Ensuring the transport of infectious substances comply with the law,
Ensuring appropriate ventilation is on a vehicle that is transporting flammable gasses
so as to prevent the build-up of vapours,
Requiring that an emergency must plan be activated or emergency procedures
followed if a dangerous situation occurs,
Providing clearer requirements on how and where transport documents are kept on a
vehicle transporting dangerous goods.

Download the FREE updated ADG Code, edition 7.3 here

http://www.ntc.gov.au/viewpage.aspx?AreaId=35&DocumentId=1147

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2014 Safety Action Pty Ltd
 August 2014
News
When do the updated laws come into effect?

A voluntary transition period will commence on 1 July 2014 and it is proposed that the updated
laws will become mandatory on 1 July 2015.

It is very important that people reading the ADG code read it in conjunction with the specific
dangerous goods legislation that applies to their state or territory e.g. your states DG Act and
Regulations or WHS Act and Regulations, hazardous chemicals.

If you have any questions, please contact Andrea Rowe, T: 03 9690 6311.

QUEENSLAND WHS AMENDMENTS

The Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2014 commenced in
Queensland in May 2014.

This Act amends the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 with some changes, including:

Requiring WHS entry permit holders to give at least 24 hours, but not more than 14 days,
prior notice before they can enter a workplace to inquire into a suspected contravention. This
will align with other entry notification periods in the WHS Act and the Fair Work Act
2009 (Cth).
Increasing the penalty for non-compliance with WHS entry permit conditions and introducing
a new penalty provision for failure to comply with the WHS entry permit holder notification
requirements.
Removing the power of HSRs to direct workers to cease unsafe work. Workers will continue to
have a right to cease unsafe work.
Removing the requirement for a PCBU to provide a list of HSRs to the WHS regulator. An up-
to-date list of HSRs must still be displayed at the workplace.

To view the amendment Act click here:

Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2014

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2014 Safety Action Pty Ltd
 August 2014
News
SAFETY LEADERSHIP 2-DAY COURSE

17th & 18th September 2014

Limited
places, book Safety Action Boardroom,
now!
Melbourne

$1,500 + GST per person

This 2 day course is conducted as a small and interactive group, providing participants with
specific training to help them fully understand their leadership role.

It will deliver proven tools and techniques and give you the confidence through practical tips and
exercises to become a true safety leader. A comprehensive manual is also included.

The facilitators passion for safety is inspiring. I never could have imagined that 2 days of safety training
could have been so interesting, informative & entertaining. Thank you. Metro Trains Melbourne

For further details, please contact Danielle Smith

on T. 03 9690 6311 or email enquiries@safetyaction.com.au

NEW CODES FOR NSW

Twelve new codes of practice (adopted model WHS codes) commenced in New South Wales in
July.
The new codes are:

1. First aid in the workplace

2. Construction work
3. Preventing falls in housing construction
4. Managing electrical risks in the workplace
5. Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace
6. Managing the risks of plant in the workplace
7. Safe design of structures
8. Excavation work
9. Demolition work
10. Welding processes
11. Spray painting and powder coating
12. Abrasive blasting
They can all be downloaded from WorkCover NSW website:
http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/formspublications/Pages/default.aspx?Category=Legislation&SubCategory=Codes+of+Practice

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2014 Safety Action Pty Ltd
 August 2014
News
National WHS guidance material released
National WHS Guidance Material Released
Safe Work Australia has released nine packages of guidance material to support the model
Safe
Work Workand
Health Australia
Safety has released
(WHS) nine
Act and packages
WHS of guidance material to support the
Regulations.
model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act and WHS Regulations.
The topics are:
The topics are:
Workplace traffic management
Workplace
Managing traffic management
cash-in-transit security risks
Managing cash-in-transit security risks
Managing risks in forestry operations
Managing
Industrial risks in forestry operations
lift trucks
Industrialdevices
Amusement lift trucks
SafeAmusement devices import and supply of plant
design, manufacture,
Safe design,
Working manufacture,
in the vicinity import
of overhead and
and supply of plant
underground electric lines
Working in the vicinity
Formwork and falsework, and of overhead and underground electric lines
Formwork
Scaffolds and falsework,
and scaffolding and
work.
Scaffolds and scaffolding work.
The new publications, initially planned as Codes of Practice are now called Guides with
The newinformation
supporting publications, initially planned as Codes of Practice are now called Guides
sheets.
with supporting information sheets.

2014 Benchmarking Safety Performance

A reminder to submit your benchmarking survey data for 2014, see page 11.
The survey is designed to allow you to compare your organisations safety performance
with similar businesses, industry averages and to identify best practice performance.

The benchmarking of performance in safety is a collaborative effort and the more

organisations willing to compare data*, the more accurate the results become.
We encourage you all to participate.

*Note: all information provide to Safety Action is kept confidential. Only you will know the details
of your business performance within the benchmarking report.

Kirill Kouzmin Danielle Smith

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2014 Safety Action Pty Ltd
 August 2014
News
Facts about PPE
On 30th July, our friends from 3M Solutions presented Everything
you didnt know about PPE at our breakfast briefing on the roof.
Below are some highlights.

A key takeout was most organisations have traditionally focussed

on whether workers are wearing PPE. Rarely have we considered
the correct type or fit of the equipment. As a result workers may
not be protected as well as we think.
Steve McCleary from 3M,
Other valuable points: demonstrating the correct way to test
a respirator.
Correct type of PPE

- It is important to select the PPE based on the specific PPE will only provide
workplace circumstances. For example, earplugs need to be adequate protection if it is the
selected to reduce excessive noise to the wearer however, correct type and fits the user
blocking out too much noise can also create new hazards,
e.g. if the wearer cannot communicate with colleagues or
hear alarms.

- Different types of PPE are best suited to different people.

When it comes to earplugs and respirators, theres not a one
size fits all type.

Type 1 Type 2 Type 3

How long do respirator filters last?

What did you say? I cant hear you.
- Respirator filters stop being effective if not replaced often enough.
Many factors will determine how often is often enough, such as the
level and type of contamination, physical work persons breathing rate,
For those in Sydney,
humidity and the substance type.
Safety Action will be
- Respirator filters are only effective if the correct type of filter is chosen
holding an event at the
for the substance you are exposed to and the respirator is correctly
fitted to the individual uses. 3M Centre in December
watch this space for
Storage of PPE
To retain its effectiveness, PPE must be stored correctly. For example, more details.
respirators should be stored in an airtight container (an airtight lunchbox type
container will do fine!)

www.safetyaction.com.au Page 10
2014 Safety Action Pty Ltd
 Benchmarking Safety Performance 2014
Administrative Questions:
Organisation Name: __________________________________________________________________
Your Name: _____________________________ Job Title: ____________________________
Tel. No: _________________________ Email: ________________________________________
Industry Type: __________________________________________________________________________
e.g. food manufacturer, mining, warehousing, healthcare, government regulator etc.

Number of Employees (EFT) covered by data: _____________

Data for a recent 12 month period e.g. 2013/14 FY or calendar year 2013:
(see definitions on next page)

1. Number of LTIs = __________________________

(lost time injuries e.g. work injury resulting in inability to work for one shift (8 hours) or
more, any time after the incident)

2. Number of MTIs = __________________________

(Medical treatment injuries e.g. treatment by qualified medical practitioner beyond first aid)

3. Number of First Aid Injuries = ________________________

4. Number of Days Lost = _________ (due to work injuries-all years)

5. Number of Total Recordable Injuries = ___________________
6. Workers Compensation Premium $_________________________ (if available)
7. No. of Safety & Workers Compensation Personnel (EFT) ___________
(e.g. 2.5 people)

8. Inspections Conducted to Schedule = _________________ (percentage)

9. Hazards Fixed < 60 days =_________________ (percentage)
10. Safety Climate Survey =_____(Percentage positive e.g. per annual Safety Climate survey)

If you have any questions, call T: 03 9690 6311

To participate, simply email or fax this completed form to
enquiries@safetyaction.com.au or F: 03 9690 6399

www.safetyaction.com.au
2014 Safety Action Pty Ltd
Page 11
 Definitions for 2014 Benchmarking Survey

No. Employees Number of effective full time employees, including

regular casuals or contract labour.

Days Lost / 100 Employees Number days lost per 100 employees per year.

EFT Effective full time e.g. two half-time workers = 1 EFT.

Hours Worked Number employees (EFT) x 225 Work days x 8 hours

e.g. 1800 hrs./worker/year.

LTIs Lost time injury e.g. work injury resulting in inability to

work for one shift (8 hours) or more, any time after the
incident.

LTI Rate Number of LTIs per million hours worked.

MTIs Medical treatment injuries e.g. treatment by qualified

medical practitioner beyond first aid. Not an MTI if
only first aid, even if first aid given by a doctor.

MTI Rate Number of MTIs per million hours worked.

Workers Comp. Cost Workers Compensation premium costs only for recent
12 months period e.g. last financial year.

TRI's Total recordable injuries include; death, loss of

consciousness, lost time causes, restricted work, job
transfers, affected routine, and medical treatment
beyond first aid.

TRI Rate Number of TRIs x 1,000,000 / Number Hours Worked.

www.safetyaction.com.au
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