Defence: overcoming its “can Do” culture unsW kills safety anD risk ...

neWsWestern australia on crane safety driveWestern Australia’s WorkSafe this month kicked off acrane inspection program due to ongoing concerns overmechanical failure.“There are literally thousands of these types of cranes inuse across the State – in fact, most factories, warehousesand workshops have at least one of these cranes,” saidWorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lynhe.“WorkSafe inspectors have encountered many mechanicalfailures with these cranes over the years, and felt thatthis warranted a program to check as many of them aspossible.”A potential risk in WA is the age of cranes, according toWorkSafe WA’s inspectors.“Our inspectors want to make sure that they are beingproperly maintained so they do not fail and cause an injury,”said Lynhe.Inspections will be on the look out for unregistered cranedesigns, crane modifications, that access channels aresafe, maintenance and inspection record keeping, operatorlicensing, and lifting gear such as chains and slings.“Under WA’s occupational safety and health laws,employers have a responsibility to properly maintain items ofplant in the workplace,” Lyhne said.“Employers also have an obligation to ensure thesecranes are being maintained, inspected and operated inaccordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, but insome cases the manufacturer is no longer in existence andAustralian standards then must be followed.”8Worksafe vic launches bullying campaignWorkSafe Victoria is offering free workshops to for download, to raise consciousness at thebusinesses that want to know how to manage workplace.the problem of bullying.Its guide provides practical advice on howThe regulator says its research shows to prevent and respond to bullying at work,that 14 per cent of the Victorian workforce and provides a reminder of employer andexperience bullying.employee obligations under law.“Bullying is repeated, unreasonableAdditional information it has made availablebehaviour directed to an employee or group includes an employer checklist for managingof employees that creates a risk to health bullying, a bullying risk indicator, and adviceand safety,” it said.for those that believe they are the victim ofIt has made available its bullying poster bullying.OHS PrOfeSSiOnaL ISSUE 3 | MARCH 2010