2002 Workplace Safe Awards - Winners
Overall Winner of the 2002 Workplace Safe Awards:
J Boag & Son Brewing Limited, Launceston
(L to R) Narelle McEachen, Margaret Killen, David Quinn and Anne Tolson of J Boag & Son Brewing Limited with the company’s Gold Award
J Boag & Son is one of Australia’s oldest breweries and employs 60 workers.
Over the past eight years, the brewer has continuously developed and integrated its OHS program into its workplace and management system.
The integrated management system is used as the tool to assess and control safety management at the brewery and includes quality, safety and environmental management.
A company employee handbook was also developed. This is given to employees during their induction and can be used for future reference, if needed.
Visitor safety has also been a focus because of increased numbers of tourists visiting the site.
This ongoing development has been made possible through consultation with a variety of parties including the workers, the senior management team, the OHS committee and the external auditing body, SGS international Certification Services.
The effectiveness of the program has resulted in an increased awareness and commitment to safety and the brewery enjoys the benefit of a favourable claims history.
Best solution to a workplace manual handling hazard
Gold Award: Glenorchy City Council, Glenorchy
(L to R) Scott Salter, John Sullivan, Sue Buckland-Excel, and Stuart Lovell of the Glenorchy City Council
Glenorchy City Council employs 120 workers in one of Tasmania’s largest cities.
Workers identified the lifting of small plant items and certain material on and off light trucks as a manual handling hazard – a number of them had reported strain and sprain type injuries.
Risks associated with the identified hazard included high force lifting, sustained effort, multiple lifts, sharp edges and crush points for hands and feet.
It was proposed that ‘electric over hydraulic’ cranes be installed to a wider range of fleet light trucks to provide greater access to this equipment and improve the efficiency of operation.
A total of 11 council trucks now have cranes installed and further investigations are continuing into other designs for reducing manual handling hazards in other fleet vehicles. Following discussions with a hire firm used frequently by the council, similar cranes have been installed in the vehicles regularly on hire.
The competency of those operating the cranes has also been addressed and safe operating instructions promoted.
As a result of this solution, high-risk activity has been significantly reduced and labour is used more efficiently. The versatility of the cranes is also being explored in relation to reducing manual handling risks in other areas.
Best solution to a workplace manual handling hazard
Silver Award: Impact Fertilisers Pty Ltd, Devonport
(L to R) David Ford of Impact Fertilisers is presented with Silver by the Minister for Infrastructure, Jim Cox
Impact is a Tasmanian company that manufactures, imports, distributes and sells fertiliser products.
The company identified a manual handling hazard in the bagging of fertiliser and the handling of the bagged product, which accounted for 15 incidents. Injuries included strains to backs, knees and shoulders, and a hernia.
Impact consulted with its workers, customers, distributors, corporate clients and contractors resulting in recommendations that were adopted by the board of management.
A decision was made to reduce the weight of filled fertiliser bags from 50kg to 25 kg bags. It was also decided that a modern bagging facility was to be built at Devonport.
Despite some initial negative reaction from contractors and agricultural practitioners to the reduced bag weight, other fertiliser companies have requested Impact to bag their product and distributors have requested that other products such as gypsum and dolomite be bagged.
Interest shown by other companies in utilising the bagging plant highlights the need for change in the industry and a desire to reduce manual handling hazards.
Best solution to a workplace manual handling hazard
Bronze Award: Pasminco Hobart Smelter, Lutana
The Minister for Infrastructure, Jim Cox (right) presents Bronze to David Bromfield of Pasminco Hobart Smelter
Pasminco’s Hobart zinc smelter fixed a manual handling hazard through the use of a specialised hoist.
The solution was developed in consultation with operations, maintenance and safety personnel and eliminated the need for workers to lift 50kg boxes of cast cadmium balls in the cadmium packing shed.
Operators were trained to use the hoist and were happy to use the equipment within hours of its introduction. The hoist, which had never been used on the site previously, has a 100kg lifting capacity and one-handed vertical and speed control.
The solution had immediate positive applications across the site and across the industry as a whole. It can be used in any situation where heavy items need to be moved across a small distance.
No injuries have occurred in the area since the change. It has also led to other areas being improved and, perhaps most importantly, has raised awareness of safety in the workplace for the workers involved.
Best solution to an identified workplace health and safety issue
Gold Award: Forestry Tasmania, Hobart
(L to R) David Mirk, Bob Knox, Lily Burgess and Matt McCormick of Forestry Tasmania
Forestry Tasmania, a government business enterprise, employs 580 workers and is responsible for management of state forests in Tasmania.
A risk assessment of All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) operation revealed safety hazards due to operators often being on their own in rough terrain and a danger of operators being crushed under the vehicle.
Forestry Tasmania worked with a local electronics firm to develop a waterproof and removable radio unit with a built-in distress alarm. The alarm allows the operator’s whereabouts to be known and a search can be triggered immediately if an operator does not respond when called.
To minimise the chances of the vehicle rolling over its operator, a padded roll bar was developed. An alarm triggers when roll-over occurs and the roll bar assists to keep the bike and radio near the operator. The bar is heavily padded to minimise the risk it harming the operator.
The systems developed are original and capitalise on improving technology in radio and electronics as well as the know-how of workers.
These solutions have had a dramatic effect on the costs of several of Forestry Tasmania’s operations and operators are extremely happy with the system. The process has heightened occupational health and safety (OHS) awareness and there is a noticeable increase in the involvement of workers in the whole OHS system.
Best solution to an identified workplace health and safety issue
Silver Award: Civic Solutions, Hobart City Council, Hobart
Scott Wilcox of Civic Solutions – Hobart City Council (left) is presented with Silver by the Minister for Infrastructure, Jim Cox
Civic Solutions has a workforce of approximately 250 workers who perform construction, maintenance, repair and cleaning work in sewerage systems, in fixed and portable toilet blocks and at the Council’s tip.
This work can bring them into contact with potentially fatal blood borne viruses (BBV) and infections.
Extensive consultation and research was undertaken with a range of workers from within the division and a special committee was established to examine all issues involved with the work processes.
Advice was also sought from the manager of the Council’s testing laboratory, environmental health staff, Council’s preferred general practitioner and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Valuable information was obtained, enabling a number of improvement strategies to be formulated and implemented.
These included: general hygiene education and practice, vaccinations and blood testing, issue and maintenance of protective clothing and equipment, training, education, provision of correct wash down facilities, and conducting educational seminars.
There have been no contractions of BBV or infection since the introduction of the program and strategies. The potential for infection has been much reduced and workers now know that they are working in a much safer environment with a greater understanding of the issues involved. As a result, worker confidence, morale and job satisfaction have also increased.
Best solution to an identified workplace health and safety issue
Bronze Award: George Town Council, George Town
The Minister for Infrastructure, Jim Cox (right) presents Bronze to John Parker of George Town Council
The Council maintains 11 sewer pump stations that require monthly, ongoing maintenance. The pumps in the stations weigh up to 1200kg each and require lifting in order to perform maintenance. Previously a backhoe or crane was used to retrieve the pumps. This method required five workers and some expense to ensure it was done safely.
Council workers investigated methods to solve the recognised problem and developed a trailable pump lift that proved much more efficient and reduced labour costs, plant utilisation and, most importantly, overcame safety concerns. The new trailer removes the safety concerns as the lift is operated by a handheld control that maintains the sightline for the worker. The mechanical control also removes the dangers of hydraulic failure that could have led to accidental lowering/dropping of the raised pump. Manual handling risks have been alleviated as well. The solution has improved both safety and efficiency for the Council and its workers.
Best workplace health and safety management program
Gold Award: J Boag & Son Brewing Limited, Launceston
(L to R) Narelle McEachen, Margaret Killen, David Quinn and Anne Tolson of J Boag & Son Brewing Limited with the company’s Gold Award
J Boag & Son is one of Australia’s oldest breweries and employs 60 workers.
Over the past eight years, the brewer has continuously developed and integrated its OHS program into its workplace and management system.
The integrated management system is used as the tool to assess and control safety management at the brewery and includes quality, safety and environmental management.
A company employee handbook was also developed. This is given to employees during their induction and can be used for future reference, if needed.
Visitor safety has also been a focus because of increased numbers of tourists visiting the site.
This ongoing development has been made possible through consultation with a variety of parties including the workers, the senior management team, the OHS committee and the external auditing body, SGS international Certification Services.
The effectiveness of the program has resulted in an increased awareness and commitment to safety and the brewery enjoys the benefit of a favourable claims history.
Best workplace health and safety management program
Silver Award: North Eastern Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Scottsdale
Chris Wooton (left) of North Eastern Soldiers Memorial Hospital with the Minister for Infrastructure, Jim Cox and the hospital’s Silver Award
North Eastern Soldiers Memorial Hospital employs 90 workers and operates both a 27-bed acute care hospital and a 20-bed nursing home.
Its OHS management program successfully addressed problems and issues identified in audits and in consultation with workers.
These problems included manual handling issues in the laundry and with chemical storage as well as the need for regular work site inspections and introduction of infection control issues among others.
In cooperation with various workers and with the support of management, solutions were provided, including an innovative linen lifter, which relieved manual handling issues in the laundry. Awareness of OHS issues has also been raised.
Best workplace health and safety management program
Bronze Award: Temtrol Technologies Pty Ltd, George Town
The Minister for Infrastructure, Jim Cox (right) presents Bronze to Graeme Radford of Temtrol Technologies
Temtrol Technologies employs 26 workers and operates three strategic business units: electrical contracting, thermocouple and resistance temperature device (RTD) manufacturing, and instrumentation and electrical sales.
In 2001, Temtrol improved on the standard of its existing OHS policy by introducing a SafetyMAP management policy into the workplace, correcting deficiencies and developing skills and competencies.
This policy included: building and sustaining commitment to the policy, documenting the strategy, managing the work process, and monitoring standards.
The company met the 58 criteria required for certification at an initial level and, in April 2002, became an accredited SafetyMAP organisation. The independent auditor who evaluated the implementation applauded Temtrol for its integrated company approach and further complimented the commitment and high standards of safety shown throughout the company.
Temtrol’s safety record speaks for itself with no lost time injuries recorded since the company’s inception.
Best return to work program
Gold Award: J Boag & Son Brewing Limited, Launceston
Kyllie Barber (left) of J Boag & Son Brewing Limited is congratulated by the Minister for Infrastructure, Jim Cox
J Boag & Son brews and packages beer. The company has continually built on and improved its return to work program as part of its strategic objective to be clearly accepted as Australia’s premium brewer.
The program has been developed and monitored in consultation with a variety of parties including workers, the OHS committee, the first aid team, the rehabilitation coordinator, the senior management committee and insurers.
Through this consultation, J Boag & Son recognised the need for its return to work program to be extended to provide support for injured workers whether or not their illness or injury was work related.
The program ensures that initial contact is made with an injured worker at the time of the incident or as soon as possible after the incident is known to have occurred. A rehabilitation plan is then developed in conjunction with the injured worker, their treating doctor, the worker’s supervisor and an internal rehabilitation coordinator.
The involvement of this wide range of stakeholders ensures the nature of the injury and the worker’s employment are taken into consideration at every stage of the program. The brewer’s accident and incident investigation system also involves the worker in generating solutions to the incident.
Since the implementation of the return to work program in 1998, J Boag & Son has experienced a reduction in workers compensation claims and has the benefit of a favourable claims history.