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EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL
Welcome to our new publication. Industry Uplift magazine picks up where Engineering Buying Advisory Service magazine left off. Its mission is to make a difference to the Material Handling Industry in particular, and the Manufacturing and Construction sectors at large. We are broadening our horizons and our agenda.
Produced by Borgers Research and Publications Pty Ltd, this magazine will continue to disseminate up-to-date information and technical expertise based on sound research and the solid industrial experience of top engineers and leading, innovative companies and businesses. We aim to assist our readers in making better choices and more informed decisions in the marketplace and workplace. To remain essentially independent, apolitical and cause-driven in the provision of this service, we avoid any paid advertising content and align ourselves with individuals, organizations and government agencies that philosophically reflect our own ideals and objectives geared towards uplifting the industry.
First cause in industry should always be safety. In this, our inaugural edition, we promote occupational health and safety (OH&S) in the workplace by seeking to strengthen national safety alliances and support government and private enterprise similarly devoted to improving OH&S outcomes at the coalface.
Our comprehensive feature article on Forklift Safety, written by one of WorkSafe Victoria’s dedicated Field Inspectors, Roger Parry-Jones, underlines the crucial role all stakeholders play in the creation of low- risk, environmentally safe worksites. The critical but often thankless role these Inspectors play in saving lives and protecting the welfare of workers and the community on a daily basis must never be underestimated. Every twelve minutes, one of these public safety advocates (and there are over 200 active Inspectors out in the field in this State alone) visits a factory or office or shop-front and campaigns for the prevention of ‘accidental’ death and injury. Their job is to educate, advise and regulate. Our job, when they appear, should be to co-operate. Let’s make it easy for them to do theirs – at all times.
Safety consciousness and responsible business management are never a waste of time or money. The most professional and progressive companies see the ‘big picture’ – they understand that, ultimately, safe procedures and equipment will translate into increased efficiency, reliability, productivity and profit. Less downtime and absenteeism (due to illness or injury) enhances business viability. Avoiding law suits certainly helps – as our articles testify. So, if corporate success really matters to you, and you want to ensure an optimal return on your investments, develop correct product selection criteria – based primarily on safety imperatives and protocols. Incorporate only the very best, researched and tested products, and never cut corners on quality and service. It all pays in the end!
EVA HETYEY, Founding Editor Email: eva@borgerscorp.com.au
COVER DESIGN
Design: ERIC JOHN OCSON Photography: KRISTIAN HETYEY
CONTENTS INDUSTRY WATCH
3 Structural Failures of Large Span Semi-Portal Gantry Cranes – significant incident report
4 Crane Deaths Lead to Massive Fines – case study
5 Failure of Imported Lifting Equipment – Cranes 6 CraneSafe Counts up Crane Faults in Australia 6 Crane Topples on Top of Building in Brighton
SAFETY FIRST ... ALWAYS
7 Major Inspection of Cranes – WorkSafe guidance
11 Forklift Safety – the right tools and conditions for the job 16 Forklift Fatality – prosecution result summary
(case study 1)
17 Forklift Traffic Risk – prosecution result summary (case study 2)
18 Forklift Hitchhike Hijinx – company & worker prosecuted 18 Forklift Fun – comes at a cost
STRENGTHENING OUR NATIONAL SAFETY ALLIANCES
20 Safety Institute of Australia
– creating business value and reducing social costs
23 WorkSafe Lifts the Bar on Crane Safety – new guidance
24 Bridge and Gantry Crane Guidance Launch
– collaborative enterprise of industry with government
SUPPORTING NEW EMERGING TRADE ASSOCIATIONS
25 Vehicle Hoist Association of Australia
26 CraneSafe – mobilizing safety in Australia
MANUFACTURING SUSTAINABILITY 26 Industry Slashes Water Use
– encouraging news from the Premier of Victoria 27 RotaryLift – environmentally responsible
innovations in manufacturing
INNOVATION AND RESEARCH
28 Industry Innovations Under One Roof – NMW
29 Manufacturing Excellence in Victoria
MONEY MATTERS
30 $245 Million Lifeline for Victorian Industry, Jobs – government initiative
30 New Investment Allowance Part of Business Planning in First Half of 2009
– Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND ENQUIRIES
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