Page 15 - The Outdoor Showman July-September 2024

Using portable ladders in
the workplace
Falls from any height can seriously injure employees. The risk of serious injury or death increases if you work at heights above two metres. Anyone on a ladder is at risk of falling, even at heights below two meters.
Industrial rated ladders
Ladders used in a workplace need to meet the minimum standards set out in Australian Standard 1892.1: 2018 Portable Ladders, Part 1: Performance and geometric requirements. These requirements include:
• being ‘industrial grade’ and of robust construction
• having a minimum 120kg safe working load rating
• being suitable to the task
For further information please visit www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/safety-alerts/ employees-seriously-injured-falls-when- ladders-failed
Occupational Health and Safety
Amendment Psychological Health)
Regulations
Information about the proposed regulatory change to create Victoria’s first psychological health regulations.
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act), employers must provide and maintain a working environment for their employees, including contractors, that is safe and without risks to health, so far as reasonably practicable.
In Section 5 of the OHS Act, health is defined as including psychological health.
The Victorian Government is currently considering options for the development of the Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations (proposed regulations). This also includes the development of necessary resources to support implementation including a compliance code and supporting guidance.
The proposed regulations will strengthen the occupational health and safety (OHS) framework and recognise that hazards that pose a risk to psychological health are no less harmful to employees’ safety and wellbeing than physical hazards. The proposed regulations aim to promote the importance of psychological health and safety in the working environment.
WorkSafe will update as work progresses.
SINGLE USE PLASTICS BAN
Effective 1 February 2023 Reducing plastic pollution starts with us
Plastic pollution harms our health, wildlife, and the environment.
These problematic single-use plastics are now banned from sale or supply in Victoria:
Drinking straws • Cutlery • Plates • Drink stirrers • Cotton bud sticks Expanded polystyrene food service items • Expanded polystyrene drink containers
The ban applies to conventional, degradable and compostable plastics. For further information please visit www.vic.gov.au/plastics
WorkSafe Victoria – Information
Changes for incident notification - plant and equipment
From 1 July 2024, there will be new obligations and new types of plant and equipment that you will need to notify WorkSafe about if they are involved in an incident.
Report an incident: Criteria for notifiable incidents | WorkSafe Victoria
An expanded type of plant will now require notification if involved in an incident.
Equipment (Public Safety) Regulations 2017
From 1 July 2024, under the EPS regulations, the circumstances in which persons in charge of prescribed equipment at an equipment site will be required to notify WorkSafe of incidents involving plant will change.
From 1 July, notification will be required for prescribed plant
and equipment if the incident immediately or imminently exposes a person a serious risk to
their health or safety.
Before 1 July, notification is required for incidents involving prescribed plant that exposed a person in the immediate vicinity of the equipment to an immediate risk to that person’s health or safety.
Safety Alert
Background - A young employee of a fast food restaurant was struck on the head by falling boxes while restocking a
cold room. They suffered a concussion and needed medical treatment. The boxes of frozen fries and patties weighed up to 16 kg each and were stacked about 2 m high
Fast food employee struck on the head by falling boxes | WorkSafe Victoria
THE OUTDOOR SHOWMAN 13