CMPA NEWS (Issue 50)

By CMPA SECRETARIAT

Welcome to the 50th edition of CMPA News! Below is a summary of the latest news and happenings from the CMPA Secretariat.

NEW WORK PLAN GUIDELINE

The CMPA has provided comments to DPI on the draft of the updated Extractive Industry Work Plan Guideline. This guideline outlines the requirements of the scope of a work plan and replaces previous guidance material (G3 and G4).

Thank you to the members who provided input into the CMPA comments. The final version of the guideline will be available shortly from DPI.

Copies of the draft guideline are available from http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/earthresources/whats-new

FREE OHS REVIEW

The CMPA with the assistance of WorkSafe has a number of free reviews of your sites OHS system and issues until the end of June 2010. These consist of a 3 hour session with an OHS consultant who will develop an action plan for your business to move forward at no cost to you.

Any business with less than 50 employees is encouraged to apply – CMPA Member or not. As this is being funded by the State Government, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

To book a session, contact the Secretariat – get in now before the end of financial year.

CHANGE IN STAFF

Roger Buckley has resigned from his position as CMPA Executive Director as he’s accepted an offer to work with the Victorian office of the CCAA in their policy and government relations area.

“I have really enjoyed my time over the last 11 months with the CMPA and I thank all the Members and Management Committee for their support and assistance” Roger said. “I look forward to working with the CMPA in the future on common policy issues. An industry wide approach to government where possible, oft en yields the best results” he added.

WORKSAFE INFORMATION SESSIONS

Get the latest information direct from WorkSafe on:

• Changes to the law – what do the reforms of the Accident Compensation Act mean for your business? These reforms are designed to reduce red tape for employers as well as significant changes in the area of return to work.
• Safer workplaces – find out how to meet and exceed you health and safety obligations and get access to the latest information on topical issues.
• Your WorkSafe premium for 2010/11
  • Learn about the important link between better safety, effective return to work practices and the amount you pay in premiums.

Don’t wait until you have a WorkSafe inspector knocking on your door to find out what your obligations are. Act now! Visit www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/register to book your place now. Sessions are scheduled for various regional centres and metropolitan Melbourne until 11th June 2010.

NOISE IN COUNTRY VICTORIA

The CMPA recently provided a submission to the EPA on their draft Noise from Industry in Country Victoria guideline.

Key points made include:

• Supports earth resource noise limits not being planning based
• Supports the new noise limits being slightly higher than previous guideline
• Notes that the new noise limits may drive quarries to be located in areas with higher background noise, impacting on potential buffer distances
• Notes that some operations may find it difficult to operate before 7am and Saturday afternoons
• There are concerns regarding the cost of ongoing site monitoring and welcomes EPA advice on cost effective methodology and equipment.

EES PROCESS INQUIRY

The CMPA recently provided a submission to the Parliamentary Environment & Natural Resources Committee Inquiry into the EES Process in Victoria. This submission was developed in consultation with the CCAA but with separate submissions with many similar points made by the two organisations. The CMPA submission made the following key points:

• Regulatory bodies should make decisions based on evidence according to the triple bottom line of social-environmental-economic values without undue political pressure.
• Mandatory time frames for certain milestone decisions should be introduced and enforced.
• An appeal mechanism for proponents should be introduced.
• Streamline and synchronise the EPA Works Approval and MRSDA requirements with the EES process.
• Industry experts are available to advice government during the EES process.
• Senior government officials (at least Director level) are required to attend Technical Reference Group meetings.

SAFETY MATTERS

A key role of the CMPA is to assist industry in working towards a safer work place. Quarry operators should be proactive in safety by developing a body of documented evidence that can prove they have been actively developing a safe work environment.

Attendance at CMPA Workshops, attending the Work Safely course, obtaining a free OHS review through the CMPA and a full complement of CMPA operator checklists contributes to such evidence should the need arise.

WorkSafe’s compliance branch has recently finalised 94 prosecutions under the Occupational Health and Safety Act with fines totaling $5 million.

There has also been an increasing trend to prosecute directors or company owners, with three directors recently prosecuted for failing in the duty to ensure their company was complying with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

One has yet to be sentenced. Another was found guilty and fined $25,000. A third director was fined $3,000 without conviction for failing to ensure their company complied with an improvement notice.

STATUTORY WORK PLAN PROPOSAL

DPI sought industry comment on their proposal for the endorsed work plan to become a statutory process. Due to the strong support for the proposal from the CCAA and the MCA, DPI has included this proposal in their Review of the MRSDA Stage 1 bundle of legislation that was presented to Minister Batchelor, despite the objection of the CMPA. It will then be put forward into a Bill for passing into legislation by Parliament, probably in August/September 2010, just sneaking in before the next election.

FREE EMPLOYEE HEALTH CHECKS

WorkSafe is offering free 15 minute health checks for employees of small businesses.

The aim of these checks is to identify and reduce preventable chronic disease by checking blood pressure, cholesterol and other lifestyle risk factors that impact health. Early detection of the risk factors not only means healthier employees, but importantly can lead to reduced absenteeism and increased productivity in your workplace. The checks are conducted in private by a qualified health professional.

For more information or to apply for WorkHealth checks call 1800 136 089 or visit www.workhealth.vic.gov.au

FUNDING FOR TRAINING

An additional $25 million from the Commonwealth Government has been made available to fund training of people wishing to obtain a Certificate II, III or Diploma qualification, including qualifications from the nationally accredited extractive industry training package.

Small businesses with less than 100 employees may be eligible for financial assistance up to 90% of course costs.

Contact Ray Townsend of SkillsDMC National Industry Skills Council on 0429 00438 or vicregion@skillsdmc.com.au for more information.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Foreman / Supervisor: Full time position at an outer metro quarry – located at Castella on the Melba Highway. Knowledge of quarry operations, OH&S and Mobile Plant preferred. Resume to: Castella Quarries, PO Box 420, Yarra Glen, 3775 or email: castellaq@bigpond.com

HEALTH & SAFETY REPS. WORKSHOP

Are you aware of your obligations with respect to HSR’s on your site?

• Do your Health & Safety Rep’s want to better understand their role in an industry context?
• Do you want to identify common issues, risks and workable solutions in this industry?
• Do you want your Health & Safety Rep’s to get to know other Health & Safety Reps so that you can work together in the future?
• Are you aware of the proposed harmonisation of OH&S laws across Australia?
• Do your Health & Safety Rep’s have linkages with WorkSafe and the industry’s Health & Safety Representative Support Officer?

If so, you need to attend the CMPA HSR Workshop.

DATE: Thursday 17th June 2010
TIME: Noon – 4pm
WHERE: William Adams, Laverton Training Centre 32-42 Spencer Street, Sunshine
COST: $40 Members, $70 Non Members, (Note that this is not OHS training as defined in the OHS Act)

Contact the CMPA Secretariat for more information on 1300 267 222 or enquiries@cmpavic.asn.au

RECENT EVENTS

Announcement of CMPA Innovation Awards

CMPA Day at Bendigo with tour of Allstone Quarries, Guarding Workshop followed by Members General Meeting.

CMPA met with Tony DeDomenico of the Urban Development Institute of Australia to discuss how the costs of construction material affects house affordability.

Secretariat held discussions with Tom McKenny on how to update the look and feel of the CMPA magazine and manuals. Look out for the new, improved look in an upcoming edition of Sand & Stone!

CMPA representatives met with Percy Pillai, Health & Safety Representative Support Officer to discuss the upcoming CMPA Health & Safety Representative Workshop.

Submission to the EPA on their draft Noise from Industry in Country Victoria guideline.

Shot Firers Refresher Training & Assessment conducted at Box Hill.

Work Safely and Conduct Crushing & Screening training courses were held at Bendigo.

Comments were made on the DPI’s Draft Extractive Industry Work Plan Guideline.

CMPA attended the DPI Earth Resources Regulation Stakeholders Forum.

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