WorkSafe ACT

WorkSafe ACT encourages everyone to step back from the deadlines and focus on your real priorities during the holiday season. Don’t let fatigue contribute to a workplace tragedy. Look after yourself, your colleagues and your loved ones. Read the full safety alert here: https://lnkd.in/gxvXNZpt #Fatigue #WorkplaceSafety #WHS #WorkSafeACT #SafetyAlert

When it comes to complying with the duty to ensure the health and safety of workers, physical hazards are much easier to recognise. Hazards like falling from a height, noise, electricity, and tripping on uneven flooring are all tangible.    Psychosocial hazards are not like physical hazards. They are much harder to identify because they are part of the design or management of work.    As Work Health and Safety Commissioner Jacqueline Agius explained at our Health industry breakfast in May, you often see the outcomes of poorly managed psychosocial hazards in behaviours and harm such as:  - Bullying and harassment  - Work-related violence and aggression  - Sexual harassment  - Work-related stress and psychological injury    However, psychosocial hazards can be effectively managed by following the risk management process. Visit our webpage for resources on managing psychosocial risks.  - https://lnkd.in/gUZwcCmW - https://lnkd.in/gee-ZeJR - https://lnkd.in/gR34s88F #SafetyAtWork #AllWorkers #WorkSafetACT #AllWorkplaces  #WorkSafeACT #WHS #WorkplaceSafety #Psychosocial

Safe Work Australia has introduced a collection of new reporting tools on their data website. These tools are designed to help users more accurately assess, measure, and report on WHS performance using best practice methods. What's New? - A new webpage to help interpret data and understand the principles underpinning WHS reporting and performance. - An interactive dashboard using workers’ compensation injury frequency rate data, which can be filtered by industry, occupation, injury type, and severity. These tools will provide valuable insights on how to better use data to inform WHS reporting. Explore the new WHS performance reporting tools at: https://lnkd.in/g58dG4dj #WorkSafeACT #SafeWorkAustralia #SafetyData #AllWorkers #AllWorkplaces

November Compliance and Enforcement Data Snapshot        WorkSafe ACT’s Compliance and Enforcement Snapshot for November is out now.                   This infographic provides insights into our workplace visits and compliance activities, including a breakdown by demographics.                   You can check out the full version here:     https://lnkd.in/gz-Z7GJR If you would like to receive updates and information like the data snapshots directly to your inbox, email media@worksafe.act.gov.au and let us know.                  #SafetyAtWork #Compliance #AllWorkers #SafeWorkMonth #WorkSafetACT #AllWorkplaces  #Enforcement #WorkSafeACT #WHS #DataSnapshot #WorkplaceSafety 

Stopping unauthorised access to worksites is an important WHS requirement for construction sites, especially when sites may be shut down for extended periods during the holiday season. Unauthorised visitors, including children, may not be deterred by warning signs or aware of the dangers present once they have entered your workplace. The Construction Work Code of Practice 2018 provides guidance for businesses on what should be considered when installing a perimeter fence. https://lnkd.in/gdr9xYNx These include: - It should be difficult to gain access under or over the fence.  - It should be able to withstand anticipated loads, such as wind forces, attempts to scale it, and vehicle impacts.  - Where a fence consists of discrete panels, the joints should not weaken it and should provide the same level of security as the panels.  - Gates should not represent a weak point; the closed and securely locked gate should provide the same level of security. Visit our construction site management webpage for further information: https://lnkd.in/g4bBtmBm #SiteSafety #WHS #WorkplaceSafety #WorkSafeACT  

There are over 30,000 skin cancer diagnoses linked to workplace ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure each year. The majority would be prevented by eliminating or reducing exposure. When you’re enjoying the outdoors, you should always remember to slip, slop, slap, seek, and slide. But at work, there are steps that must be taken to protect workers from the sun. Where you can’t eliminate the risk of UVR by carrying out work inside or at night, a PCBU must minimise the risk by using other controls. For advice on how to manage the risks of UVR, visit our working in the sun webpage: https://lnkd.in/gsfkk5zT. #WorkSafeACT #WorkplaceSafety  #SlipSlopSlap 

WorkSafe ACT is thrilled to reflect on an incredible year of industry breakfast events. Each breakfast was a great success, and we've loved hearing from people across the community about the issues and insights relating to their industries. During 2024, our breakfast series explored topics including: Health Industry  Education Industry  Construction Industry  Hospitality and Retail Industry  Vulnerable Workers  Health and Safety Representatives, and  First Responders Thank you to all of the thought-provoking keynote speakers and panel members who offered their time and expertise in making each breakfast so valuable. We look forward to continuing the series in 2025. Keep an eye on our events page for further information: https://lnkd.in/g9UHzPXX   #WorkSafeACT #WorkplaceSafety #IndustryBreakfast #AllWorkers #AllWorkpalces 

As we dive into the festive rush this holiday season, WorkSafe ACT wants to remind the community to be kind to all retail workers. The holiday period is one of the busiest and most demanding times for retail workers, many of whom are young, new to the workforce, and working long hours to keep up with the holiday rush. While it’s a magical time for shoppers, for those behind the counter, it can be exhausting, stressful, and sometimes even unsafe. While it is the duty of the employer to ensure workers are kept safe, we ask everyone in the community to be kind, patient, and respectful when out shopping or enjoying events this summer. There is never an excuse for violent or abusive behavior towards anyone. Together, we can make this a safer, happier holiday season for everyone. #WorkSafeACT #WorkplaceSafety #RetailWorkers #WorkerSafety #AllWorkers #AllWorkplaces

International Day of People with Disability,     International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is observed internationally each year on 3 December. In Australia, it is a day to promote awareness, understanding and acceptance of the 5.5 million people with disability in the country.    This year’s theme is:   ‘Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.’    Workplaces play a vital role in creating a more inclusive and diverse community in Australia. You can find a range of disability inclusion resources at the IDPwD website.     https://lnkd.in/g88su4Z5

This morning, we hosted our 7th and final Industry Breakfast for the year. Today’s focus was on a vital part of our community: first responders. Our panel featured: ACT WHS Commissioner Jacqueline Agius, ACT Emergency Services Agency Commissioner Wayne Phillips, CEO of Lifeline Canberra Carrie - Ann Leeson, and Work Health and Safety Consultant Dr Peta Miller. We also had a surprise visit from the ESA therapy dog Banksy, who was the real VIP of the morning. The morning featured discussions on the hazards faced by first responders in the course of a ‘normal’ workday. Questions from the audience led to some great discussions on psychosocial hazards, their impacts on first responders and strategies used to manage them. Thanks to everyone who attended. The WorkSafe ACT Industry Breakfast series will be back in 2025, so make sure you sign up for our mailing list for further information in the new year. Email us at media@worksafe.act.gov.au to subscribe. #WorkSafeACT #WorkplaceSafety #CommunityWellbeing #knowtherisks #WHS #Working #WorkSafeACT #AllWorkersAllWorkplaces #firstresponders #therapydog