Th!nkSafe Volume 6 No. 1 May 2024

thinksafe vol6 1may2024
In the essential world of workplace health and safety, Th!nkSafe magazine provides a leading role in bringing information to all Western Australians.

Each issue of WorkSafe’s flagship magazine presents articles, current affairs, new systems and innovations and emerging WHS developments.

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Changes to the workplace exposure standard for welding fumes

The workplace exposure standard (WES) for welding fumes (not otherwise classified) has been reduced from an eight-hour time weighted average of 5 mg/m³ to 1 mg/m³. The new exposure standard…...

Transitional arrangements for WHS regulations commenced

Transitional arrangements apply where duties are new or substantially changed from previous requirements. The Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022 (WHS Regulations) include a transitional period allowing duty holders…...

Emergency planning under the Work Health and Safety Act 2020

The implementation of the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 and subsidiary legislation has driven significant transformation in safety management systems across industries. The focus has shifted from legislative prescription…...

Lessons learned from the ammonium nitrate emulsion tanker explosion

In October 2022, a tanker trailer carrying ammonium nitrate emulsion (ANE) caught fire and exploded approximately 150 kilometres east of Laverton in WA. ANE is commonly used in the manufacture…...

WorkSafe looks into security on construction sites

WorkSafe has commenced a proactive inspection program to look at site security issues on construction sites in Western Australia (WA). The inspection program will look at a number of randomly-selected…...

Unauthorised access on construction sites

When people enter construction sites, they may be exposed to hazards that can cause fatalities or serious injuries. As part of the duty of care responsibilities, the Work Health and…...

Timeline extended for mining statutory positions certification

The appointment of suitably qualified and experienced people into statutory positions has been a key principle ever since the requirement to appoint managers was enshrined in the Mines Regulation Act…...

Mine safety management system: Next steps

What is a mine safety management system (MSMS)? An MSMS is a comprehensive and integrated system for the management of all aspects of risks to health and safety in relation…...

Mining industry summit

Driving respect The Mining Industry Summit: Driving Respect (the Summit) was held on 1 August 2023 at Optus Stadium, with almost 1200 delegates attending. The event showcased an impressive array…...

MARS program updates and milestones

Led by the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS), in partnership with the Mental Health Commission, Equal Opportunity Commission and the Department of Communities, the Mental Awareness,…...

Meet Rob Curtis : The 2023 health and safety representative of the year

St John WA paramedic, Rob Curtis was awarded the 2023 Health and Safety Representative (HSR) of the year at the Work Health and Safety Excellence Awards held at Optus Stadium…...

Building human factors capability in the petroleum and geothermal energy industry

The WorkSafe Petroleum Safety and Dangerous Goods Directorate (WorkSafe) is responsible for the 22 major hazard facilities and 56 petroleum and geothermal energy operations that conduct drilling, pipelines and production…...

Asbestos 20-year ban anniversary: Where are we now?

Asbestos continues to be a hazard in Australia, despite the ban on new uses in 2003. This is because products containing asbestos still exist in our everyday built environment. WorkSafe…...

Establishing good safety practices on farms

WorkSafe has developed a basic farm safety guide, First steps to farm safety, to assist farmers on their journey towards establishing good safety practices on their farm. This guide simplifies…...

Rise of silicosis cases leads to ban on engineered stone

The rise in silicosis cases across Australia has prompted a national response from safety regulators, primarily targeting the engineered stone industry, but extending to address the risks from exposure to…...

WorkSafe agrees to enforceable WHS undertaking for the first time

WorkSafe and miner Fortescue have agreed to an enforceable WHS undertaking as an alternative to prosecution in relation to Fortescue failing to provide documents to WorkSafe. Fortescue was charged in…...

2022-23 Convictions

During 2022–23, workplace safety enforcement proceedings resulted in 24 convictions. Where incidents occurred prior to the introduction of the Work Health and Safety Act 2020, prosecutions were actioned under the…...

Safety prosecution updates

Recent convictions Northern Star Carosue Dam Operations, Whirling Dervish underground gold mine Sentenced: 18 December 2023 In July 2020, a mine worker suffered fatal injuries when they fell approximately 25…...

WorkSafe: The way forward 2023–24 to 2025–26

Following the introduction of the work health and safety legislation, WorkSafe began working on a strategy to focus the direction of the organisation through to the end of the 2025–26…...

WA fatalities statistics trends

Welcome to the May edition of Th!nkSafe magazine. In this column I feature some interesting statistics on workplace hazards. Recent statistics have shown Western Australian (WA) workers have a much…...

New Department name

On 1 December 2023, the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) was renamed the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS). Announced by the WA Government…...

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