Risks to life and limb identified in Cranbourne

WorkSafe inspectors issued six Prohibition Notices during a week-long inspection campaign in Cranbourne from 20 - 24 April ordering work to stop because of serious and immediate risks to workers’ safety.

Inspectors were in the Cranbourne area as part of a ‘Safer Work Zones’ campaign, which aims to help small businesses improve health and safety and Return to Work.

WorkSafe is concerned that despite advising workplaces that inspectors would be in the area, serious safety issues were still identified:

• Two Prohibition Notices were issued at separate construction sites when workers were at immediate risk of falling six metres from roofs.
• Another Prohibition Notice was issued at a site where workers were at risk of falling seven metres into an excavation.
• Two Prohibition Notices were issued at a hairdressing salon where unsafe electrical equipment put workers at immediate risk of electric shock
• One Prohibition Notice was issued at an automotive repairer to stop the spraying of isocyanate paints without appropriate respiratory equipment. Isocyanates can cause immediate health problems including lung damage, eye irritation and asthma. Recurrent overexposure can lead to liver and kidney damage and blood disorders.

WorkSafe inspectors visited 147 Cranbourne workplaces as part of the campaign. Apart from the Prohibition Notices, 71 Improvement Notices were issued ordering specific safety issues to be fixed.

Another 21 safety issues were fixed on-the-spot while inspectors were present. These included the removal of tripping hazards, incorrectly storing LPG cylinders and basic forklift maintenance.

Inspectors will soon return to Cranbourne to ensure notices are complied with.

WorkSafe’s Executive Director, John Merritt said, “while it is good that issues were fixed on-the-spot and that more will be fixed because of WorkSafe’s notices, we are concerned that businesses may have otherwise let these safety issues remain in their workplace.

“We’re particularly concerned about the high number of Prohibition Notices, one of the highest ever for this type of campaign. These are the most serious notices and are only issued where there is an immediate risk to life.

“The dangers of working at height, with faulty electrics or chemicals are well known. It’s very disappointing.

“Safety isn’t just a job for WorkSafe. It’s a job for employers and workers and their wives and mothers, sisters, husbands, brothers, sons, workmates and anyone else who knows something needs to be made right.

“We don’t want commitments to fix something after someone has been hurt or died. It’s too late then.

“While it might be tough to have a conversation about safety in your workplace, it’s easier than having a conversation with a worker, their family or the courts about an injury which could have easily been prevented.

WorkSafe is also concerned that 34 breaches to the Accident Compensation Act were identified, in some cases employers had not kept registers of injuries or displayed information about what people should do if they were hurt.

Mr Merritt said it was the most basic things that added to the death and injury toll.

“So far this year, there have been 11 work-related deaths in Victoria. Look after your workers, look after your mates and look after your self by fixing safety issues.”

What to do now:

If you’ve received an Improvement Notice it’s important to deal with it in the required period. People needing an extension can apply for one. Don’t hope it will go away.

A Prohibition Notice means the machine or task cannot be performed until the safety issue has been addressed and signed off by WorkSafe.

WorkSafe had several programs to help businesses better understand the potential hazards on their sites.

A free, three-hour, consultancy service involves an independent consultant coming in to check for potential problems and reporting to you on what needs to be done.

More than 11,000 small businesses in Victoria have had great value out of this program. Apply at www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/smallbusassist

WorkSafe can also help businesses deal with potential safety issues through its free and confidential telephone advisory service on 1800 136 089 or via the internet - www.worksafe.vic.gov.au.