Safety Action Pty Ltd - Group Training Australia

GTA SAFETY NEWS
October 2012
®
Sedentary Habits –
The Risks
Chair Disease Do you have it?
WHS
HARMONISATION
UPDATE
UNSAFE ELEVATED
PLATFORMS
SWIVEL SEATS
NEEDED ON MOBILE
PLANT
GTA SAFETY NEWS
October 2012
®
The Risks of Sedentary Habits
Our modern lifestyle is very sedentary for many
people – that is to say, we don’t just lack in medium
to high intensity ‘exercise’, but we also spend long
periods of time at work and at home, sitting or lying
down, being completely inactive.
Recent community initiatives outside of the health
and safety profession have been making more of an
effort to increase worker and public awareness of the
dangers of too much sitting, coining phrases like
‘chair disease’ and publishing scare factor type
campaigns such as ‘Sitting is Killing You’.
But the truth may be even scarier; however we don’t
fully understand all the risks yet. Nonetheless
sufficient evidence has been collected by researchers
globally to show us that this is an issue that we should
take seriously.
Typical scare campaign image.
To view full poster visit
http://www.medicalbillingandcoding.org/sitting-kills/
The most widely publicised detrimental effect of sedentary habits is a reduction in metabolism (leading to
increased rates of obesity) but there are a large number of other correlated health issues. As health and safety
professionals we need to consider the trend of taking a holistic approach to workplace and safety; not just
protection from potential direct injury, but also the preservation of physical and mental wellbeing. We can
see this holistic approach is evident in most workplaces now through the inclusion of anti-bullying
harassment policies, a protection primarily for mental wellbeing.
Other identified health risks of excessive sedentary behaviour are:
•
•
•
•
•
Lower Abdominal Cancers
Gallstones,
Mental Disorders,
High Cholesterol,
Hypertension,
•
•
•
•
•
General Mortality,
Cardiovascular Disease,
Type 2 Diabetes,
Fatal Myocardial Infarction, and
Weight Gain.
Although a positive correlation does not indicate causation, the research so far concludes that increased
sedentary behaviour is likely to increase the risk of these health issues in individuals who may be prone to
them.
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GTA SAFETY NEWS
October 2012
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A 2003 survey of women aged between 25 and 30 years found that the average daily sitting tine for full-time
workers was 7.31 hours per day, while those engaged in full-time household duties had a reduced total sitting
time of 4.91 hours per day.
There is an increasing number of standing work stations or adjustable sit/stand desks available on the market,
and it has been shown that standing (even still) can provide health benefits over sitting all the time. The
muscles in the core and legs are engaged, and while both standing and sitting have the potential to increase
static force on the lumbar spine, the difference in position is significant enough to constitute a rest break
from each respective posture.
Manual Handling Tip!
The stiffness resulting from prolonged
sitting (>1 hr for men and 1-2 hours
for women) may increase the risk of
low back injury from activities
undertaken immediately afterwards.
Avoid lifting and reaching tasks which
require a full motion through the spine
directly after a prolonged sitting
period.
Warm up and stretch first.
Electromyogram patterns show skeletal muscles in legs are
engaged when standing and walking. (Hamilton et al 2007)
What Should You Do?
Traditionally recommendations for minimum exercise levels have included things like 150 minutes a week,
30 minutes a day, 1 hour 3-4 times a week etc; but a 2009 study showed that prolonged sitting can have
detrimental effects even if you meet these minimum exercise requirements. Those who took frequent breaks
had a lower mean waist circumference than those who sat for long periods of time, regardless of the total
hours sitting per day.
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GTA SAFETY NEWS
October 2012
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While regular exercise should still be undertaken, you should also
attempt to break up prolonged sitting periods with further ‘nonexercise’ activity’. This may include standing up and stretching
every 30 minutes, taking a 5-10 minute walk around the block
every 1-2 hours, and making an effort to walk to a colleague’s
desk instead of calling or emailing.
Increase fidgeting rather than sitting still in your chair as this can
increase energy expenditure by about 50%, bringing it halfway
between sitting still and standing up.
Energy expenditures table (Levine et al 2000)
Prolonged sitting can have
detrimental effects even if you
exercise regularly.
In the workplace, try to provide easy options for workers to vary their sitting and standing during the day.
Communicate the health issues of sedentary behaviour, and encourage standing up and moving around. In
some workplaces this may prove to be more a challenge than others, for example in a call centre where staff
must stay by the phone, however workers should understand that it is ‘ok’ to stand up if they need to.
Most importantly lead by example! Workers will be more interested and more confident in adopting new
behaviours if they see managers and supervisors doing it first. It also reinforces that you see it as a genuine
issue if you seem to be concerned about your own health rather than just trying to enforce another policy.
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GTA SAFETY NEWS
October 2012
®
Risks of Remote Work
A company in WA has been fined in excess of $50,000 when two of their consultants were lost in a
remote area – luckily neither person was injured. It was found that the company failed to provide and
maintain a safe work environment as the two consultants involved were not provided with appropriate
training and lacked the functioning equipment necessary for travelling in remote locations.
The key factors to this case were;



Staff were not given any training on travel in remote areas; including the use of a four wheel drive vehicle,
navigation equipment or instructions on the conditions of the area they were travelling to.
The two staff were not provided with any navigational tools such as a map or GPS
A lack of adequate communication systems; they did not have a functional satellite phone, and had to find
a pay phone after they became lost in order to contact help.
As a minimum the following should be in place within all organisations that travel remotely;



Appropriate means of communication equipment,
including procedure for regular contact.
Ensure availability of emergency response.
A full training/briefing program for all personnel
involved.
This case highlights the importance of evaluating travel
situations prior to travel and implementation of adequate
controls. This is best done by conducting a travel risk
assessment.
Toyota Landcruiser with recommended emergency
equipment for remote work
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GTA SAFETY NEWS
October 2012
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WHS Harmonisation Update – September 2012
Commonwealth
New South Wales
Australian Capital Territory
1st January 2012
1st January 2012
1st January 2012
Queensland
Northern Territory
1st January 2012
1st January 2012
Tasmania
South Australia
1st January 2013
Currently before state parliament. Subject to the passage of the Bill through
parliament, the laws are due to commence on 1st January 2013.
The Western Australian Government has budgeted for its introduction and has a public
discussion paper on the propose legislation. Expected to commence sometime in 2013.
Western Australia
Not yet introduced into state parliament. No date set
Victoria
Model Work Health and Safety laws commencement dates:
Transitional arrangements
Transitional arrangements under the Act and Regulations in each jurisdiction will allow duty holders a
period of time to make necessary adjustments in order to comply with any new requirements.
Model Codes of Practice
Model Codes of Practice are based on existing codes and guidance available in most
jurisdictions. Existing jurisdictional codes will remain in force until a replacement model Code of
Practice is approved.
State
Website
Commonwealth
http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au
ACT
http://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/page/view/2798#Overview
NSW
http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/lawpolicy/codesofPractice/Pages/default.aspx
NT
http://www.worksafe.nt.gov.au/Legislation/New%20Work%20Health%20and%20Safety%20Laws/Page
s/Transitional-Arrangements.
http://www.worksafe.nt.gov.au/Publications/Code%20of%20Practice/Forms/AllItems.aspx
QLD
http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/law/whslaws/index.htm
http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/law/legislation/codes/index.htm
TAS
http://worksafe.tas.gov.au/model_whs_act/implementation_process
http://worksafe.tas.gov.au/model_whs_act/model_codes_of_practice
SA
http://www.safework.sa.gov.au/whs/
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GTA SAFETY NEWS
October 2012
®
Storage & Lifting Attachments – Are they safe and
compliant?
In recent times we have noticed considerable confusion in relation to the safety requirements for things
like; storage racking, lifting chains & slings, forklift attachments and other lifting devices.
Essentially, every structure or piece of equipment which lifts or supports loads above
ground level must be rated for the load and have the safe working limit (SWL) clearly
displayed.
Note: Sometimes you will see the term “working load limit (WLL)” used on newer lifting equipment,
however, the current harmonised WHS Regulations still uses the term “safe working limit” (SWL) e.g. in
Reg. 219, so either term is acceptable until regulations prescribe a single term to be used.
In this article we focus on the key placarding requirements only for:
 Mezzanine storage areas;
 Storage racking;
 Cranes & hoists;
 Lifting slings and accessories; and
 Forklift attachments.
Mezzanine Storage Areas
We are often asked “is this mezzanine safe for the load
placed there?” There is no immediate or universal answer to
this question unless the mezzanine is placarded with its safe
load capacity e.g. “XXkg/sqm”, or the structural drawings for
the structure are available and indicate the load carrying
capacity for the structure.
Therefore, every mezzanine should have displayed in a
prominent place the safe load carrying capacity in order to
avoid inadvertent over-loading or unnecessary questions
about its appropriateness for the storage. If there is any doubt
about a mezzanine platform you should consult an
appropriate engineer for clarification of safety and load limit.
Heavy storage on mezzanine platform
SAFE LOAD CAPACITY = 100KG PER SQUARE METRE
Sample mezzanine signage for safe load capacity
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GTA SAFETY NEWS
October 2012
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Storage Racking
Most storage racking in the workplace these days are
made of cold formed thin section steel legs and beams.
There is an Australian Standard (AS 4084 Steel storage racking)
which governs the design, construction and loading of
steel storage racking.
Every set of storage racking should have displayed in a
conspicuous position (e.g. end of each bay) a permanent
corrosion-resistant plaque at least 125mm long x 250mm
high with lettering at least 25mm high about 2m above floor
level with the following:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)
Cantilever type storage racks
Permissible working unit load limit;
Permissible total working unit load for each pallet beam level;
Permissible total working unit load for each bay;
Designer’s name;
Manufacturer’s name, supplier’s name and trademark (if any) and installation date;
Maximum distance from base plate to first beam level and maximum distance between first and second
beam levels.
In addition, every set of racking must have readily available in the workplace, the racking configuration
e.g. “as-built” drawings and specifications, including any special damage limitations.
No “SWL”
label on beam
Cranes & Hoists
All cranes and hoists must have their safe working limit (SWL) clearly displayed on:
-
The supporting structural member(s);
The hoist or crane mechanism; and
Any associated lifting slings or chains etc (see following section).
Note: The crane or hoist must not have displayed a higher SWL than the
supporting structural member(s). If structural member(s) have lower
capacity than the crane or hoist then the crane or hoist should be “derated” and the lower capacity displayed on the hoist to avoid risk of being
accidentally over-loaded.
Typical overhead hoist
SWL 3.2t
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GTA SAFETY NEWS
October 2012
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Lifting Slings & Accessories
All lifting attachments must have a tag attached to
indicate the manufacturer, date of manufacture,
date put into service, and safe working limit and
any limitations or precautions for use. Lifting
accessories include among other things; soft slings,
steel wire and chain slings, shackles and hooks.
Lifting eye bolts must also display their essential
details including the SWL.
Eye bolt without SWL or
manufacturer details.
A soft sling with manufacturer tag correctly
attached and safe load capacity clearly
displayed.
WorkSafe Victoria recently issued a safety alert (http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au) on soft slings, i.e.
fabric lifting slings, as these can more easily be damaged in storage or use and fail unexpectedly. Soft
slings should not be the default choice as they are susceptible to mechanical, chemical and UV damage,
and should only be selected when the risk assessment shows other slings are not appropriate.
Forklift Attachments
We have seen forklift tine extensions and other “home-made” forklift attachments which lack an
identification plaque to confirm the manufacturer, date of manufacture, safe working load and any
limitations or precautions.
The harmonised Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations (Reg. 218) require that all forklift lifting
attachments must be:
a) Suitable for the load to be lifted;
b) Operated in a manner that ensures that any risk is eliminated or minimised as far as reasonably
practicable. Therefore documented instructions on connect use (e.g. operating instructions)
should also be supplied with all lifting attachments.
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GTA SAFETY NEWS
October 2012
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WHS Regulation 219 also requires equipment used to lift or suspend
loads to be specifically designed to lift or suspend the particular load.
This would require the manufacturer’s plaque and safe load capacity to
be displayed in order to confirm compliance.
Note: All lifting attachments must be securely attached and not loose on the forklift tine.
The key standards and references for this article include; the WHS
Regulations 2011, AS 4084 steel storage racking, Guide to 10 year major
inspections by Crane Industry Council of Australia, WorkSafe Victoria
soft sling safety alert & mobile crane checklist.
.
“Home-made” attachment on forklift tine, with
no manufacturer’s tag, SWL and not secured on
the tine.
Elevated Work Platforms – Pre Use Checks
An employer in WA was recently fined $12,000 after two employees fell from an elevated work platform
(EWP).
The investigation by WorkSafe found; safety harnesses were not worn or supplied, the stabiliser legs
lacked the “spread plates”, the controls were faulty and a safety switch was taped down. These defects
would have been detected if the proper pre-start checks were conducted to ensure the EWP was safe for
use.
The court was also told the employer had absolutely no regard for the safety of his employees, as a follow
up inspection by WorkSafe six months after the accident found the replacement EWP had a safety
interlock switch held down with a cable tie.
Commonwealth Amend H&S Rep Training
The Commonwealth has amended the WHS Regulations (Reg. 21) to allow existing health and safety
representatives to attend a short “bridging” course, instead of completing the full 5-day approved course.
The safety authority will still need to approve the shorter bridging course (duration not prescribed in the
amendment Regulations).
Note: The entitlement to a 1-day annual refresher course, following completion of the approved initial
course, remains unaltered.
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GTA SAFETY NEWS
October 2012
®
Swivel Seats Needed on Mobile Plant
Following a fatality involving a road roller, the South Australian Coroner has recommended a national
strategy to improve design of “inherently unsafe” mobile equipment.
Whilst the issues of the particular incident are many and varied, essentially a road roller reversed over a
worker when the operator got confused about direction of the controls and “stabbed” at a non-existent
foot brake instead of lifting his foot off the “dead man’s” control.
We all know how important it is for our motor vehicle foot pedals to be in exactly the same location and
order, so we can correctly apply them in an emergency. This becomes more difficult when the operators
have to frequently twist around and remember where all the controls are and the correct direction to
operate them.
This issue could have application on some forklifts or other common workplace equipment.
The Coroner concluded “I simply cannot accept the present unsatisfactory state of affairs where a
driver has to spend half his day reversing a vehicle and twisting to look over his shoulder to do so ...”.
Let’s hope designers and manufacturers eventually introduce mobile plant with swivel seating and
controls to avoid these types of unfortunate incidents.
Safe Work Method Statements Inadequate
There have been a number of recent queries regarding the incorrect application of Safe Work Method
Statement (SWMS) at construction sites. A WorkSafe Construction Manager stated, “Over a three
month period, some 226 sites were directed to stop work because of SWMS breaches’.
It is a requirement in all states to complete a SWMS for all high risk construction work, this includes
work; where there is a falls risk of >2m, involving demolition, asbestos removal, trench excavation
with a depth >1.5m, involving confined space and work on or near pressured gas or chemical lines.
A SWMS must;





Identify work that is high risk;
Specify hazards relating to the work;
Describe control measures to be implemented;
Describe how the control measures are to be implemented, monitored and reviewed;
Be readily accessible and understandable to the persons using it.
The person in control of the work, e.g. principal contractor, must also ensure compliance with the
SWMS and that the SWMS is kept available until the work is completed.
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Safety Support
October 2012
®
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Safety Action Pty Ltd
Tel: 03 9690 6311
Fax: 03 9690 6399
enquiries@safetyaction.com.au
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