WorkSafe Blitz on Quarries

ASHLEY BRAKEN, Project Officer, WorkSafe Victoria reports on the safety inspections on Victorian quarries.

WORKSAFE is continuing its program of targeted health and safety inspections of Victorian quarries. A significant number of quarry inspections have already been carried out this financial year, and WorkSafe is on target to complete 450 inspections by year’s end. WorkSafe will be issuing improvement and prohibition notices to ensure compliance, so it is important that you get your workplace in order before WorkSafe arrives.

TYPICAL ISSUES

The inspections undertaken so far this financial year have resulted in notices being issued for a wide range of health and safety issues; however, the typical issues that are being identified relate to:

• Plant (both static and mobile)

By far the most common health and safety issue in quarries, plant is typically found to pose a risk to workers due to inadequate guarding; inadequate maintenance; damaged/old plant being used past its design life; or poorly secured plant (keys left in ignition etc.).

• Electrical Equipment

Electrical equipment was found to pose a risk in several quarry sites due to inadequate testing, inspection and tagging; and due to the fact that electrical cables were running along the ground outside.

• Provision of Amenities

Where amenities were found to pose a risk was typically due toinadequate provision of toilets and dining facilities for workers.

• Emergency Response Facilities

Generally emergency response facilities throughout the quarries were found to be adequate, with good emergency response procedures in place. However, where the emergency response facilities were found to be a risk was typically due to inadequate testing and tagging of fire extinguishers, and in one instance, due to the fact that there were no qualified first aiders at the site.

• Exposure to Asbestos

Asbestos pipes were observed at several quarry sites during these visits. The pipes were uncovered and susceptible to weathering and potential damage/fragmentation. Workers were not protected or separated from the asbestos pipes.

• Various Other Issues

During this period notices were also issued for the following: falls from height; workers exposed to silica dust; manual handling risks; explosives housekeeping and signage issues; hot work issues (lack of welding procedure); and traffic movements/access.

A small number of these matters have been dealt with through voluntary compliance; however, the vast majority resulted in WorkSafe issuing improvement or prohibition notices to ensure compliance. Failure to comply with these notices may result in prosecution and significant fines. A prohibition notice can also result in production delays (e.g. through closure of a piece of plant); however, this can be avoided if the risks are identified and controlled prior to the arrival of WorkSafe.

REPORTED INCIDENTS

Further to the health and safety risks identifi ed by WorkSafe during inspector visits, there were two quarry related health and safety incidents reported to WorkSafe during this period.

The first related to a worker who had suffered a musculo-skeletal spinal injury while operating a front end loader. The second related to a worker being accidentally hit on the finger with a sledge hammer whilst preparing steel form work for a concrete pour.

Quarry owners and operators should work proactively to identify and address health and safety risks in their workplaces to provide a safe workplace for their employees and reduce the risk of such injuries.

When requested, WorkSafe can assist employers to identify possible health and safety solutions; however, it is ultimately the responsibility of the employer to control health and safety risks. Employers should also note that your employees usually possess the knowledge and experience necessary to design the most practicable solutions, and should be consulted during development of any health and safety risk control measures.

Get your workplace in order before WorkSafe calls!

Further information
WorkSafe Industry Guide – Your health and safety guide to Quarries
WorkSafe Victoria Advisory Service
Toll-free: 1800 136 089
Email: info@worksafe.vic.gov.au or Website: worksafe.vic.gov.au

You must be logged in to post a comment Login