- Five new compliance codes (codes) that align to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 and Equipment (Public Safety) Regulations 2017 are now available. The fire new codes include:
- Hazardous manual handling (previously the Manual Handling Code of Practice, 2000);
- Facilities in construction (previously the Building and Construction Workplaces Code of Practice, 1990);
- Confined spaces (previously the Confined Spaces Compliance Code, 2008);
- Plant (previously the Plant Code of Practice, 1995); and
- Noise (a new code based on Your health and safety guide to noise, 2007, and the Guide for assessing and fixing noise problems and work, 2005).
Heavy vehicle and machinery operators and their employers are being urged to look up and always check for powerlines following a spate of serious incidents.
WorkSafe Victoria reports that late month a driver was lucky to escape without injury after the tray of his tip truck came into contact with overhead powerlines while delivering fertiliser to a farm. The truck caught fire and was badly damaged.
In February, a 55 year old truck driver was electrocuted in a similar incident near Albury.
WorkSafe is also aware of seven serious incident involving overhead powerlines on construction sites across Victoria since mid-November 2017 involving excavators, concrete pumps, cranes and a tip truck all making contact with live overhead powerlines.
WorkSafe says anyone in control of a workplace must ensure that workers, including contractors, are not put at risk from powerlines when carrying out tasks as directed.
Whether you are an employer in charge of workers on a construction site, or a farmer directing a contractor, you are responsible for ensuring that workers operating heavy machinery are aware of powerlines in the area before they commence the task.
Overhead powerline warning signs are available from Energy Safe Victoria.
As a warning about the need for electrical safety on construction sites. WorkSafe Victoria has published a fact sheet on electrical safety in the construction industry, and a 20-second animation aimed at electricians
and construction workers. More information is available at the WorkSafe Victoria website.
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VICTORIA –
www.worksafe.vic.gov.au
- Regulate access to high consequence dangerous goods (HCDG)
- Provide for the management of security-related risks associated with explosives and HCDGs; and
- Make consequential amendments to the Dangerous Goods (Explosives) Regulations (2011)
Dangerous Goods Regulations
The Victoria Government has made new Regulations under the State Dangerous Goods Act 1985.
From 31st July 2016, the Dangerous Goods (HCDG) Regulations (2016) will:
The new statutory rules replace the 2005 HCDG Regulations, which were initially scheduled to sunset last year, but were extended by 12 months.
OHS Regulations Reform
WorkSafe Victoria is currently reviewing its Equipment (Public Safety) Regulations 2007 (EPS Regulations) and Victoria’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007 (OHS Regulations).
Both the OHS and EPS Regulations expire on June 2017, therefore, WorkSafe Victoria is required to review and remake the regulations by that date.
The regulator says proposed changes will streamline and modernise the regulations’ content to better reflect current Victorian work practices.
From 1 July 2016, WorkSafe Victoria will use a new agent panel to manage workplace injury insurance claims and premium collection.
WorkSafe Victoria believes the composition of the new panel will provide improved services to Victorian employers and workers.
Agents on the panel manager WorkSafe insurance registrations and worker’s compensation claims, and provide guidance to employers and workers, including how to achieve safe return to work.
WorkSafe Victoria says the migration to the new agent panel will occur with minimal disruption for employers and workers.
If you require any assistance on this topic contact us here.