Safety First June 2011

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Solutions Guide

June 2011

INSIDE: OH&S • Production Line Safety • Materials Handling Body Protection • Height Safety

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Waste & Hazardous Environments

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>>> A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT PRODUCED BY REED BUSINESS INFORMATION

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CONTENTS

SafetyFirst.

Editorial Co-ordinator Rita Mu Tel: (02) 9422 2572 Fax: (02) 9422 2722 E-mail: rita.mu@reedbusiness.com.au Managing Editor Sarah Falson Tel: (02) 9422 2480 Fax: (02) 9422 2722 E-mail: sarah.falson@reedbusiness.com.au Victoria sales Project Manager Michael Northcott Mobile: 0448 077 247 E-mail: michael.northcott@reedbusiness.com.au New South Wales sales Anthony Head Tel: (02) 9422 2368 Fax: (02) 9422 2966 E-mail: anthony.head@reedbusiness.com.au Queensland sales Sharon R. Amos Tel: (07) 3261 8857 Fax: (07) 3261 8347

E-mail: sharon.amos@reedbusiness.com.au Publisher Michelle Graves Tel: (02) 9422 2391 E-mail: michelle.graves@reedbusiness.com.au Production Co-ordinator Mary Copland Tel: (02) 9422 2738 Fax: (02) 9422 2655 E-mail: mary.copland@reedbusiness.com.au Graphic Design David Ashley Tel: (02) 9422 2710 E-mail: david.ashley@reedbusiness.com.au Circulation/Customer service Tel: (02) 9422 2666 E-mail: customer.service@reedbusiness.com.au\

contents OH&S

Manager’s Occupational Health and Safety

Solutions Guide

June 2011

04

Managing bullying in the workplace Queensland Safety Show to feature workplace safety seminars Safety, a workplace priority: Survey Enerpac appoints new mining safety manager

Production Line Safety

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LED lights that last for entire work shifts

Materials Handling

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Robotics, a solution to safe materials handling Construction safety guide now available Safely loading, unloading palletised products

Waste & Hazardous Environments

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10

New kit from Enware neutralises chemical spills fast Combating toxic fumes Wide scale dust suppression

Body Protection

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The costs of prescription safety eyewear Eyewear that protects from powerful lasers Improving safety with Ansell’s Guardian solution

Height Safety Contents Copyright. Published by Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Pty Ltd (ABN 80 132 719 861) Tower 2, 475 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood NSW 2067 Locked Bag 2999, Chatswood Delivery Centre Chatswood, NSW 2067 Tel: (02) 9422 2999 Fax: (02) 9422 2922 web: www.reedbusiness.com.au Printed by Offset Alpine Printing All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Utmost care is taken to ensure the accuracy of editorial matter. Product specifications and claims are those of the manufacturers.

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Preventing falls in the workplace Sperian releases Miller AMAX.2 harness Hannay Reels compact rescue reels from Reeltech

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Printed four times a year, Safety First is inserted in the March, June, August and October issues of Manufacturers’ Monthly, FEN, Food and PACE with a distribution of 35,000.

Behind the cover Queensland Safety Show 2011 21-23 June 2011 Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

INSIDE: OH&S • Production Line Safety • Materials Handling Body Protection • Height Safety

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Waste & Hazardous Environments

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>>> A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT PRODUCED BY REED BUSINESS INFORMATION

With 200+ companies showcasing their latest, you will see hundreds of new WHS products and solutions on offer.

Visit the Queensland Safety Show to discover how you can reduce WHS risk in your workplace by questioning the experts and receiving practical advice. Keep up-to-date with an industry that continues to expand with the free WHS & Manufacturing Seminars plus co-located shows, Queensland Manufacturing and Queensland Materials Handling. Register online at qldsafetyshow.com.au

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OH&S

Managing bullying in the workplace Bullying creates a problem in the workplace that is finally coming to the attention of not only employers but the media as well, writes Ray Schaffer.

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or far too long bullying has been swept under the carpet or been the subject of disbelief or ridicule. Only recently has bullying become a major “problem” in the eyes of the media, occurring not only in the workplace, but in government and non-government institutions, schools, hospitals and hotels.

Examples of bullying that have received media attention recently include the Skype-sex scandal at the Australian Defence Force Academy, which led to questions about the toxic culture of the academy, and the story of teenager Brodie Panlock who killed herself in 2006 after being tormented by four colleagues at a Hawthorn cafe. The latter case led to the introduction of new legislation in Victoria, which provides jail terms of up to 10 years for workplace bullies.

Tackling workplace bullying There are a variety of practical tools that can be used by the SME employer to develop a bullying management plan and hence, better manage bullying in the workplace.

One of the first challenges of developing a bullying management plan is defining the term “bullying.” In a recent news report in The Australian, senior psychology and social policy lecturer at the University of South Australia, Michelle Tuckey, said bullying was negative behaviour, repeated over time.

Some workplace indicators of what may constitute as “bullying” include verbal abuse; the spread of untrue stories about a co-worker; stories that demean a fellow worker and; dangerously altering a co-worker’s work-station or work tools.

For employers, the most critical stage in the development of a bullying management plan is to ensure that there is continuous consultation with employees.

Workplace bullying can be better managed by developing a business standard for appropriate employee behaviour.

acceptable behaviour; the management’s commitment to preventing bullying; business standards of what is considered as appropriate employee behaviour; examples of bullying type behaviour; and the consequences of not complying with the policy.

Developing a policy Key elements of a bullying policy should include information assuring employees that a whistle blower approach is

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Induction training A business’ induction training and management’s attitude towards the issue of

bullying should be reinforced by periodic awareness training sessions for new employees and all levels of management.

A business’ induction training should address various issues such as how to deal with an overbearing middle level manager; inadequately detailed-position descriptions; the lack of employee support from management and a negative work Continued on page 6

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OH&S

Continued from page 4

environment. The induction training should also address the increased risk of bullying that may arise from poor worker supervision as well as the type of workers involved in a task.

Bullying, particularly over a lengthy period, can be stressful for the victim. This can lead to a workers compensation claim being lodged against the business’ insurers. Such claims can cost a business a considerable premium increase over one or two years.

Bullying has long been an issue in many businesses.

While the norm has been to ignore it, employers and management need to understand that times are changing as evidenced by the new Victorian legislation and the fact that causing “harm� to an employee under New South Wales and Victorian law now includes psychological injury such as fear and stress.

The old ways are no longer acceptable and employers can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to the issue of bullying because it could cost them dearly.

Ray Schaffer is the principal consultant with R.M.H.Schaffer & Co. Health, Safety and Workers Compensation claims management consultants based in Sydney.

02 9878 0613 schaffer@environmentdiy.com.au

Qld Safety Show to feature workplace safety seminars The Queensland Safety Show will be returning this year with two new features: the Queensland Manufacturing Show and expert seminars dealing with the new workplace health and safety laws.

Show organisers have anticipated more than 5,000 trade visitors and industry professionals will attend the co-located shows this year, which will include more than 200 exhibitors.

The free workplace safety seminars at the Queensland Safety Show will include experts from Safe Work Australia, the Norton Rose law firm and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland and Enterprise Connect, who will explain how to attract funding and how to meet obligations within budget.

The seminars will also provide information on what to expect from the new workplace health and safety laws, which come into effect on 1 January 2012.

The Queensland Manufacturing Show will showcase the latest technologies in CAD/CAM software, programming systems and general industrial engineering products, according to show organisers.

The Queensland Safety Show, Materials Handling Show and co-located Queensland Manufacturing Show will run from 21 to 23 June at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Australian Exhibitions & Conferences 03 9654 7773 www.qldsafetyshow.com.au

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OH&S

Safety, a workplace priority: Survey While safety is the dominant OHS priority for Australian businesses in 2011, it is just one of a growing list of issues that need to be addressed in the workplace, according to the latest survey by ComOps. The results of the survey, which was conducted in April at Safety In Action Melbourne 2011, showed that almost 90 per cent of OHS managers cited safety as being of critical or high importance to their organisation. A further 86 per cent are concerned with finding ways of highlighting to senior

OHS training, understanding and planning for the new OHS harmonisation laws, and reducing the cost of injury management, as priorities for management in 2011.

Sales Director – Salvus of ComOps, Moshe Woods, said the number of areas requiring OHS input had grown in the past few years.

“Every year, OHS managers are being asked to do more in line with organisational aims to improve productivity and enhance competitiveness and sustainability,” he said.

“It’s clear that organisations that have integrated safety and risk management systems will have the capacity to handle ongoing legislative challenges...” management the value of safety as a key business driver.

Contractor management and environment compliance ranked second in OHS priorities for 2011.

Other leading priorities for OHS managers were similar to those nominated in 2010.

For example, more than three quarters of respondents nominated risk mitigation,

“It’s clear that organisations that have integrated safety and risk management systems will have the capacity to handle ongoing legislative challenges and the management of an increasingly mobile and flexible workplace environment.”

ComOps 1300 853 099 www.comops.com.au

Enerpac appoints new mining safety manager High-force tools specialist, Enerpac, has appointed Anders Mangen, a mechanical engineer with an academic background in science, business administration and economics, as its new Global Mining Market Manager. Mangen has 30 years of experience in working with high precision and safety technologies, according to Enerpac.

In his new role, Mangen will help strengthen Enerpac’s focus on not only safety but also productivity and cost savings in the mining industry. According to Enerpac, minimising customers’ downtime will be a key element of Mangen’s new role within the company.

Prior to his new role, Mangen worked with companies such as Leica Geosystems and SKF. He also previously led Enerpac’s Asia Pacific teams in lifting, shifting and manoeuvring some of the world’s heaviest and most challenging objects and structures. These included lifting mining draglines, safely positioning heavy ball mills to accuracies within fractions of a millimetre and employing synchronous hydraulic systems to safely monitor the centre of gravity of massive objects

Anders Mangen is Enerpac’s new Global Mining Market Manager.

during lifting, including a 16storey, 200-metre long dredger of 2200 tonnes.

“Like the outstanding performers of the mining industry, I have a lifelong passion for quality, which I believe is vital to the sales and service process in mining,” Mangen said.

“I want always to be able to look people in the eye when we are doing business with them, knowing that we can deliver what we promise, that we can do what we say we can do. This is so important to building and sustaining relationships.”

Enerpac Australia 02 9743 8988 www.enerpac.com.au

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PRODUCTION LINE SAFETY

LED lights that last for entire work shifts

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owerful cordless LED function strongly for an entire worklights that run for eight work shift, illuminate an entire hours or more on one charge engine bay, and recharge in fewer are being introduced by GO than four hours.

Distribution to provide optimum “The same high performance illumination and safety in demanded by the automotive manufacturing, fabrication, industry also has strong benefits maintenance and recreational tasks. for applications, such as industrial The new HEMIPLUS LED heavy vehicle maintenance, professional worklights provide mining and manufacturing powerful beams using high power workshops, energy and electrical LUXEON REBEL LEDs to distribution facilities, resources exceed the light area intensity and infrastructure development of a 75W beam, while also – particularly in gloomy and eliminating hot spots, dull confined areas – as well as areas or irritating halo rings. farm and machinery GO Distribution Director maintenance workshops,” he Gary Oborne said the tough said. and light HEMIPLUS LED was “HEMIPLUS LED’s HEMIPLUS LED lights built to meet the rigorous outstanding light projection – run for at least demands of the automotive incorporating patented Unieight hours. repair industry, which needed a beam Optical Technology – high performance worklight that would offers a broad and solid high intensity

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| Safety First | June 2011

light pattern with no shadows or hot spots.”

Hand held or suspended from its convenient 360-degree swivel hook, the HEMIPLUS LED is built with aircraft grade anodized aluminum chassis and high-impact polycarbonate reinforced resin parts.

Other features include: ■ Rechargeable 8800 mAh Lithium Ion battery ■ Less than four hour recharge time from total discharge ■ No battery memory – recharge at any time ■ Smart charger – will not overcharge ■ Switch mode charging station ■ Electronic charger with 110-240V input range, 50-60 Hz ■ Optional 12v car charger adapter ■ Optional clip-on magnet GO Distribution 02 6026 4886 www.cliplight.com

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Safe Plant and Machinery

Improve Productivity As a supplier of safe automation systems, Pilz Australia have been leading the way in machine safety and automation product development for more than 60 years.

We are your safe automation solutions partner during all phases: from risk assessment and development of safety concepts through to implementation and validation of plant and machinery.

Pilz clients receive one-stop solutions for safe automation as well as an extensive range of products for automation control, motion control, sensor and monitoring technology, visualisation

Programmable Safety and Control Systems

and diagnostic systems.

Call our Safety Engineers your discuss your safe automation options.

Dedicated to Automation Safety Unit D7, Hallmarc Business Park, Cnr Westall & Centre Rds Clayton, Melbourne, Victoria 3168

Ph: 03 9544 6300

Fax: 03 9544 6311

www.pilz.com.au techsupport@pilz.com.au

the spirit of safety

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MATERIALS HANDLING

Robotics, a solution to safe materials handling

“Operating a secure robotic environment involves an entirely new set of protocols; otherwise you’re simply replacing the risk of injury from manual handling to something entirely more hazardous.

“Fortunately, there are specialist robotic integrators who are experts at providing an array of safety options and instructing the manufacturer on which ones are the most appropriate for their application,” Leslie said.

Pro-Visual publishing has released the new edition of its Victorian Construction Industry Guide to Safety 2011.

Mobile plant safety is one of the major topics in the 2011 edition, including vital information on operator competency, forklifts, crane safety, earthmoving equipment, power lines and other topics related to plant safety.

This year’s guide also addresses crucial safety information such as nail gun safety due to a dangerously high increase in nail gun penetration injuries throughout the construction industry.

It also provides information on repetitive strain injury and chronic joint and muscle pain/injury.

The guide is available free-of-charge to building contractors, road construction contractors and commercial construction companies.

Pro-Visual Publishing is the leading specialist in wall mounted workplace health & safety, food safety & hygiene and health and wellbeing information resource charts.

Robotize 1300 916 431 www.robotize.com.au

Pro-Visual Publishing 02 8272 2611 www.provisual.com.au

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obotics is an ingenious solution for employers in the manufacturing sector struggling to drive down injuries associated with manual handling, says robotics consultancy group Robotize.

“The best solution is to redesign tasks to eliminate the possibility of injuries caused by body stressing and robotics can provide the ultimate answer,” Robotize Director Wade Leslie said.

According to WorkSafe Victoria’s guide, Manual Handling in the Automotive Industry, robotics should be used to control tools and loading and unloading production equipment such as presses and lathes, as well as stillages and pallets.

The guide also recommended the use of robotics in the food industry such as when packing and inspecting products, weighing and palletising.

Leslie said that while there were benefits of automating hazardous manual handling tasks, it was critical that other safety hazards in the factory were not ignored.

“Of course, it is essential to remember that the role of workplace safety doesn’t end once a manufacturing task is robotically automated,” he said.

Construction safety guide now available

Robotics can help eliminate injuries associated with hazardous manual handling tasks.

Safely loading, unloading palletised products Industrial Conveying is custom designing, manufacturing and installing a new line of technology for bulk loading and unloading of palletised products into shipping containers.

These include powered and gravity-fed dock loading systems such as the unique Airlift, Airola, Airchain and Transkate systems that comprehensively utilise trucks at the delivery points.

Coupled with options such as RFID, plc, scanning, sensors barcode systems and other technologies, the systems allow efficient movement of stock to eliminate bottlenecks, double handling, dormant freight and delivery delays.

The technology is designed to cater for 20ft and 40ft containers.

During the handling process, vehicle/container docking alignment is controlled and verified electronically. Equipment controls are easy to use and minimal training is required.

The docks themselves are designed to both load and unload the containers. Being robust in design and construction, the technology easily copes with the demands of a 24/7 operation.

Applications of the new dock loading systems range across all industry sectors. Loads are prepared on the loading dock whilst trucks

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Industrial Conveying’s dock loading systems cater for 20ft and 40ft containers. are in transit. Once the truck arrives, the vehicle/container loading time is normally less than five minutes.

Industrial Conveying (Aust) 03 5440 5100 www.icaust.com.au

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Liftpod Aerial Work Platform The Liftpod is the most portable aerial work platform in the world; each module can be carried by one person and can be assembled in around 30 seconds. A secure, comfortable work platform that allows you to work confidently using both hands. It also has a work tray to carry tools and materials, increasing productivity and quality of work. The FS80 Liftpod is the practical, superior alternative to a ladder. It is lightweight and mobile enough to be transported by one person between sites on the back of a typical utility vehicle and just as portable around the work site on non-marking 200mm poly wheels. The ease of portability is a result of the innovative and lightweight design, combining a high-strength steel base with a lightweight aircraft quality, aluminium mast and platform. The FS80 is powered using a compact, variable speed power pack with 2 x NiMH battery packs that can elevate and descend 20 times on a single charge. The FS80 also comes with a spare battery and a fast automatic charger, so you can work continuously.

Code FS80 Specifications: Platform height: 2330/1715*mm Working height: 4330/3715*m Stowed height; 3020/2352*mm Platform capacity: 150kg Platform size: 600 x 500mm Base size: 1250 x 1040mm Weight: 70/63*kg * Short mast version Code FS60

$

3000

Liftpod is the most portable aerial work platform in the world.

There are 3 major components: 1. Base with mast and carriage 2. Platform 3. Power pack (includes charger and 2 batteries) 1

3

2

Prices are + delivery charge & + GST. Valid to 30th June 2011

SF1105

Our website: www.materialshandling.com.au Phone us: 1300 65 00 35 Fax us: 1800 68 68 96 Email us: result@materialshandling.com.au

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WASTE & HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENTS

New kit from Enware neutralises chemical spills fast

A

broad spectrum chemical spill response kit – called FASTACT – has been developed by Enware to assist in responding to a wide range of hazardous chemical spills and vapours in laboratories in the commercial, industrial, scientific, educational and medical sectors.

FAST-ACT (First Applied Sorbent Treatment – Against Chemical Threats) is a non-toxic, non-corrosive and environmentally friendly sorbent that is easy to maintain and use, requires no pre-mixing and has no limited shelf life, says Enware.

It rapidly neutralises a range of toxic chemicals including acids, solvents, halogens, acidic and caustic gases, phosphorus and organic compounds.

Originally developed for the military to counter chemical warfare agents, FAST-ACT has also been successfully trialed by the Australian National University to neutralise hydrofluoric acid.

FAST-ACT is available in shakers, wall units and pressurised cylinders.

Enware Australia 02 9525 9511 www.enware.com.au

FAST-ACT rapidly neutralises toxic chemicals.

Combating toxic fumes Toxic workplace fumes are a major OHS issue, especially in winter when warehouses and factories are left closed in order to retain heat, says Fanmaster. The problem of workplace fumes can be exacerbated when this occurs.

Reducing risks associated with atmospheric polluntants in the workplace is important to employee health. Workers can be exposed to hazardous substances in the form of fume, gas, mist, dust or vapour.

According to Fanmaster, its Welding Fume Extraction Fan (IFA-160-3) is designed to extract toxic gases from the source and remove them safely away from workers.

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The IFA-160-3 extracts toxic gases and removes them from workers.

Ideal for welding fume extraction, allowing for hands free and safe ventilation, the wall-mountable IFA-160-3 features additional ducting available for fan outlets and a hose piece with a reach of three metres.

Fanmaster 1300 900 345 www.fanmaster.com.au

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WASTE & HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENTS

Wide scale dust suppression Tecpro Australia has introduced the Elefante fog cannon to its range of industry-leading dust suppression systems.

Manufactured by Italian company Idrotech S.r.l, the Elefante fog cannon is suitable for suppressesing airborne dust in large open areas. It also minimises the transfer of dust to adjoining sites, thereby reducing dust pollution, says Tecpro Australia.

By dosing the water with a deodorising chemical, the Elefante fog cannon can also be used to neutralise odours in garbage disposal sites. It can also be used to cool outdoor areas thanks to the evaporative cooling effect of the fine droplets.

Three concentric nozzle

rings produce a mist of fine water particles, which are propelled by a powerful fan a distance of up to 60 metres.

The cannon can be supplied mounted on a wheeled trolley, or it can be fitted to a concrete base or to a trailer. It uses water pressure of up to 10 bar through 156 nozzles, and the flow rate varies from 14.8 litres per minute to 87.6 litres per minute, depending on the particular nozzle size fitted.

The cannon has a rotation angle of 320° and elevation of -20° to +45°. Air volume from the cannon is 28.500 m3/h.

The height of the Elefante is 2.4 metres and the fan diameter is 660mm.

Tecpro Australia 02 9634 3370 www.tecpro.com.au

Enpac: superior solutions for site safety ENPAC IS A WORLD LEADER IN SPILL PROTECTION WITH PROVEN QUALITY YOU CAN DEPEND ON. MADE FROM HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE WITH UV PROTECTION, FOR MORE STRENGTH AND DURABILITY.

ENPAC POLY-SLIM-LINE™ 6000 Large footprint and raised edge e for more protection Strong 2700kg UDL capacity smarter rigid design, fork 250.8 litre sump capacity

from all sides

Drain hole and plug Nestable for easier storage Forkliftable from all sides MODEL: E5400-YE-D

ENPAC POLY-DOLLY™ Mobile drum dispensing system Enclosed sump for safer recovery 304 litre capacity for +100% containment Drain hole and plug Strong 270kg UDL capacity Integral handle for extra strength h safer design for lifting

Handle design for safer lifting Forkliftable from rear MODEL: E5300-YE

ENPAC IBC 2000i™ IBC storage and spill protection Integral pail holder for dispensing Strong 3628kg UDL capacity Huge 1457 litre sump capacity built strong, Can hold 2 IBC units stacked 3628kg UDL Drain hole and plug Forkliftable unladen Unit weight, 132.5kg indicative of the strong design MODEL: E5469-YE-D

SEE US AT THE QLD SAFETY SHOW – STAND E14

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CALL 1300 369 273 OR VISIT W W W. E N WA R E . C O M . A U / E N PAC The unit requires 400v-50Hz power and uses 11 Kw of energy.

June 2011 | Safety First |

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BODY PROTECTION

The costs of prescription safety eyewear New requirements for prescription safety eyewear have increased safety costs in the workplace, however, thanks to new technology, this no longer needs to be such a costly issue.

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he construction industry and labour hire companies must find solutions to the cost of prescription safety glasses for employees following changes to the Australian Standard for prescription eye protection, says OPTX. The revised Australian Standard AS/NZS 1337.6 stipulates that prescription safety glasses must comply with new medium impact requirements. It also requires manufacturers of prescription safety glasses to be licensed.

Industrial prescription safety glasses from certified manufacturers must also carry a number of specific markings on the lens and frames and a certificate with the manufacturer’s license number for tracking if required.

Ron Greenwood of OPTX Australasia said the changes were beneficial for both employees and employers.

“This is a great benefit to employees as end users because it will ensure higher quality products for better protection,” Greenwood said. “Employers will also be better off as all products will be traceable to the manufacturer.”

According to OPTX, workers aged over 40 can face increased safety risks as an age-related condition known as presbyopia affects their eyesight.

Greenwood said the cost of new or replacement prescription safety glasses that meet the requirements of the

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The introduction of new technology, such as the OPTX 20/20 HydroTac stick-on lens, means prescription safety eyewear no longer needs to be an expensive issue.

new Australian Standard would be borne by employers, who have a duty of care to provide protective equipment for workers.

However, he said employers and employees could now benefit from new eyewear technology that was inexpensive.

“Optometrist-prescribed bifocal safety glasses generally range from $300 to $600 per worker and that’s something rarely budgeted for in a construction project where workers come and go,” Greenwood said.

“The appropriate strength OPTX 20/20 HydroTac stick-on magnifying lens and a

pair of safety glasses can effectively be less than $50.”

Greenwood said the need for corrective safety glasses was often ignored by employers and employees.

“Older workers sometimes delay getting their eyes tested, knowing that test results may indicate a need for prescription glasses,” he said. “Employers rarely take the initiative in offering on-site eye testing for all workers other than for a pre-employment medical exam, regardless of age.”

OPTX Australasia 1300 678 920 www.optxaustralasia.com

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BODY PROTECTION

Eyewear that protects from powerful lasers Sperian Protection has released the new Laser-Gard range of safety eyewear, which has been designed to reduce the threat posed to eyesight by powerful green and red lasers.

A variety of sport-inspired frame styles that feature multiple adjustments and form fitting features are available in the Sperian Laser-Gard range.

Additionally, two patented lens tints are available. The distinctive salmon shade lenses offer protection from green lasers and is ideal for use during the night, while the bronze shade lenses protects against both red and green lasers and is ideal for use during the day.

Both Sperian Laser-Gard lens options provide UV and glare protection. The Sperian Laser-Gard range of safety eyewear is certified to ANSI Z 87.1 & Z 136.1 Sperian Protection 1300 139 166 www.sperian.com

Sperian Laser-Gard bronze shade lenses protect against red and green lasers.

Ansell’s Guardian selects the best gloves for each job.

Improving safety with Ansell’s Guardian solution

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nsell has launched its Guardian program, a management tool designed to help companies improve safety while developing new perspectives for increased productivity and cost of ownership savings.

“Based on an in-depth analysis of a company’s workstations, production units and processes, the Guardian solution’s methodology reveals opportunities for improvement and recommends the most appropriate gloves to protect each unit,” Ansell Healthcare’s Amanda Honey said.

“Leveraging Ansell’s extensive global experience, the Guardian solution assesses each unit’s particular needs, compares these to the existing safety solutions and then selects the best gloves for each job.”

According to Honey, the Guardian focuses on seven key areas that have the capacity to deliver real productivity gains, injury reduction

and cost of ownership improvements.

“The injury prevention module highlights potential to reduce risk and the cost of employee injuries; the training module employs strategies to educate employees in proper selection, usage and disposal of PPE products and the cost performance module maximises product performance,” Honey said.

“There are also SKU management and standardisation modules that minimise the number of SKUs used and ensure optimal product selection across similar job applications and multiple site locations. Other modules address controls such as optimisation of PPE dispensing, usage and disposal procedures and productivity that improves output and eliminates waste.”

Ansell 1800 337 041 www.ansellasiapacific.com

5 Unit 17, 25-33 Alfred Road, Chipping Norton NSW 2170.

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HEIGHT SAFETY

Preventing falls in the workplace Working safely at height and preventing falls are important issues for all industry workers, writes Leonardo Di Coio, Capital Safety Australia & New Zealand.

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he same principles of fall protection and height safety apply to guarding penetrations and openings in formwork and other areas. Civil and confined space applications can present dangerous situations that employers and employees need to be aware of at all times.

In December 2009 a commercial construction company was fined $15,000 for failing to adequately cover a floor opening. During the 2006 incident a bricklayer’s labourer was working on a site where there were floor openings covered by plywood and supported by formwork. The bricklayer returned from lunch, unaware that the formwork had been removed, and fell about three metres through the opening, breaking a foot.

Worksafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said it was disappointing to learn of falls that were easily preventable.

“It’s really disappointing to see a lack of fall protection in workplaces because falls are readily preventable and it need not be difficult or costly to ensure that suitable barriers or fall restraint systems such as wire mesh or substantial covers are organised before a tragedy can occur,” Lyhne said in a statement. “…After the supporting structures were removed from beneath the plywood covers, the employer should have made

Penetrations in the workplace can present dangerous situations that employers and employees need to be aware of at all times.

However, such makeshift solutions offer no guaranteed protection to workers on site. For example, some covers may not be suitably visible or provide adequate rigidity to prevent workers from

“Too many workers and innocent bystanders have been either severely or fatally injured by falling through unguarded or poorly guarded penetrations.”

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absolutely clear that they were replaced with another method of adequate fall prevention and clear warning signs.”

falling. Temporary covers may not be fixed in place to prevent them from moving around.

Makeshift solutions

Avoiding accidents

A common way to protect workers from falling through a penetration of any kind is to use a temporary cover such as a piece of plywood or old pallet. A guardrail or safety mesh around the opening may also be used.

Within every workplace where penetrations or voids exist, safe work practices need to be developed to eliminate and control the risks. The following control measures need to be considered for any penetration in the

| Safety First | June 2011

workplace that could potentially cause injury to workers: ■ isolation: the use of bold ‘Danger’ signs and appropriate staff training to minimise access to certain areas of risk ■ engineering controls: properly constructed guardrails to prevent edge access ■ administrative controls: site protocol and personal protective equipment and ■ up-front training of all workers.

Trapdoors versus penetration covers Trapdoors should be lockable and consist of robust hinges that last for the entire life of the trapdoor.

Penetration covers, which are generally used for service holes that do not require access, should be provided secured to the floor so that they remain in position. Ideally they should also have cast-in mesh in the penetration when the concrete is poured.

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HEIGHT SAFETY

Both covers must be clearly marked with ‘Danger’ warnings and require structurally adequate fixings and adequate distance from the void’s edges.

Any removal of the cover or trapdoor must ensure the provision of appropriate edge protection.

Marketplace solutions Expensive and time consuming safety measures in relation to voids can be overlooked. The short term nature of penetration covers means that many companies may be reluctant to commit to the cost of a safe and permanent solution that is designed in accordance with the appropriate Australian Standards, such as AS3610 (Formwork for Concrete).

Recent market innovations mean that safe and temporary measures such as Capital Safety’s PenoGuard can be utilised to provide an effective and economical solution for the prevention of falls around penetrations.

This temporary penetration cover is easily carried and erected by one person.

It has a 200kg safe working load when

Capital Safety’s PenoGuard can be used to prevent falls around the workplace.

closed, converting to a four-sided guard rail with a safe working load of 150kg when opened. When in the closed

position the mesh gates securely cover the hole and visually alerts any bystanders/workers to the presence of a penetration.

“Too many workers and innocent bystanders have been either severely or fatally injured by falling through unguarded or poorly guarded penetrations,” said Rick Millar, the Technical Manager for Capital Safety, Australia and New Zealand. “Long gone are the days of throwing an unsecured sheet of plywood, pallet or makeshift cover over a hole and hoping that no one will fall through.”

The potential costs, not just financial but to life and limb, as well as the availability of robust marketplace solutions, should be enough of an incentive to ensure companies maximise their workers’ safety at all times.

Leonardo Di Coio is the Marketing Communications Manager at Capital Safety Australia & New Zealand.

Capital Safety +(61) 2 8753 7600 www.capitalsafety.com.au

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Sperian releases Miller AMAX.2 harness For added comfort, users can wear their self-rescue units at their side instead of the back, eliminating discomfort when sitting down.

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he Miller AMAX.2 harness, which includes a removable equipment belt, is a full body harness, engineered for mining or rescue applications.

Designed specifically to carry emergency breathing apparatus and other tools, the removable miner’s equipment belt incorporates a battery and self-rescuer strap.

For added comfort, users can wear their self-rescue units at their side instead of the back, eliminating discomfort when sitting down, and ensuring worker safety compliance, says Sperian.

Features of the harness include frontal and rear dorsal fall-arrest D-ring and D-ring extension, confined space loops, extra wide removable shoulder pads, padded leg straps, adjustable waist and shoulder straps, and aluminium quick connect buckles on the leg straps for ease of donning.

For added comfort, all padding in the Miller AMAX.2 mining and rescue harness comes complete with moisture absorbing 3D mesh panels to provide enhanced stability and breathability in warm weather.

The harness is manufactured using a heavy duty and lightweight 43mm polyester webbing for improved durability and strength, and has been engineered using stainless steel hardware for a longer service life.

The harness also features high contrasting colours on all load bearing sew patterns, allowing for easy harness inspection and maintenance, says Sperian.

The Miller AMAX.2 harness is certified to Australian and New Zealand Standards AS/NZS 1891.1-2007.

Sperian Protection Australia 1300 139 166 www.sperianprotection.com.au

Sperian’s Miller AMAX.2 harness includes a removable equipment belt.

Hannay Reels compact rescue reels from Reeltech Reeltech now offers the new ELF and ESF Series of rescue reels from Hannay Reels.

The ELF Series is a compact, low height rescue reel, with a maximum height of 14.5” and 20 per cent lower profile than a standard reel.

The ESF Series is a compact narrow depth rescue reel, with a maximum depth of 14” and is 27 per cent narrower than a standard reel.

Both hose reels feature a new gear motor rewind in either 12V or 24V, for a slow, powerful rewind speed in a small footprint. The slow, even rewind speed provided by the specially engineered gear motor eliminates any need for installing a speed control device.

A universal 6” drum diameter fitted on the reels extends hose or cable

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| Safety First | June 2011

life by meeting the manufacturer’s minimum bend radius, says Reeltech.

The two-coat finish (alkyd-modified topcoat over e-coat primer) ensures a highly durable finish on the reels.

The ELF and ESF Series are the most compact rescue reels available, taking up only 70 per cent of the space of a traditional reel for the same capacity hose or cable. They are available for all three rescue reel types – air, twin hydraulic or cord.

Reeltech is the sole distributor of Hannay Reels in Australia and New Zealand.

Reeltech 02 9533 4690 www.reeltech.com.au

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Mongrel SP Range Because what you do makes a difference to the boots you wear Our Mongrels SP Series was designed to incorporate the most significant technological, comfort and safety features into one premium range. Now Mongrels have expanded the SP designation to meet the requirements of different work conditions.

For example the mining industry and light manufacturing industries have very different needs. Now, along with SP>P Originals we offer SP>R, SP>S, SP>Z, SP>T and SP>N ranges. Take a look on our website or call for a Mongrel salesman for more information.

Features many of the original and popular styles of our SP Premium Range launched in 2006.

The high tech rubber-soled work boot that’s built to take the heat no matter how rugged the conditions – heat resistant soles up to 300˚C

The lightweight, work boot with aluminium toe-cap and advance Sport technology soling.

The revolutionary ZipSider style allows for great ankle support with easy on and off features required by many trades.

Our Trade range featuring high spec features matched with a comfort innersole and value for money rugged leather uppers.

Many workers don’t require a steel toe cap. So Mongrels has provided a number of non-safety styles from riding boots to classic elastic sided boots and a security range.

SP RANGE The Aussie born and bred work boot designed to work best for you

Victor Footwear 15 George Young St. Auburn NSW 2144 p: 02 8667 2555 f: 02 8667 2500 e: sales@mongrelboots.com.au w: www.mongrelboots.com.au SPS 003