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Confined Spaces - Information Sheet

The Information Sheet has Frequently Asked Questions that provide details which will:

• assist areas to identify if a workspace falls within the definition of a confined space;
• assist you to determine basic entry and training requirements; and
• give Schools/Branches guidance and examples on how to manage the hazards (including risk assessment) which are specific to entering a confined space.

 Click to view the Frequently Asked Questions for information on Confined Spaces.

Hazard Alert - Hydrofluoric Acid (HF)

An incident occurred when a lab worker was dispensing hydrofluoric acid using a safety dispenser  in a fume cupboard. 

As a result the lab worker was admitted to hospital.  The HSW Team have identified a number of contributing factors and provide recommendations to Schools to mitigate the risk of a recurrence.

Please refer to the hazard alert dated 24 April 2012.

RAH Burns Unit booklet is available at: http://www.rah.sa.gov.au/burns/downloads/First-aid-book2011for-Web.pdf

 Incident reports in RMSS and incident reporting timeline

It has been identified by the HSW Team that some Schools/Branches are not entering incidents into RMSS in a timely manner (i.e. sometimes more than one month following the incident). 

As a result, the incident notifications to key staff (e.g. Heads of School, Branch Directors) are delayed and the reports presented to the various HSW and other committees (e.g. UHSC, Audit, Compliance and Risk) are inaccurate.

At the UHSC meeting held 27 March 2012, the committee members considered the problem and the agreed outcome was that all incidents must be entered into RMSS within 5 working days from the date of the incident.
(A working day being simply the normal working days Monday through Friday – for example if an incident occurred on Wednesday 2nd May it must be entered into RMSS by c.o.b on Wednesday the 9th May)

NOTE: Where an incident occurs in relation to a field trip or off campus activity the incident must be entered no later than 5 working days of return to the University.
This new requirement will be audited.

The UHSC also discussed and confirmed the importance of an immediate phone call to the HSW Team  for any incident or injury that is potentially notifiable (see below) or that may involve an injury that is likely to result in a Workers Compensation Claim.

It would be appreciated if you could on-forward this email to the relevant staff in your School/Branch (those who enter incidents within your area).
Should you require any further information or clarification please contact the HSW Team  or contact me direct on ext 35904.

Louise Dunn
Secretary
University Health and Safety Committee

3.29  INCIDENT, NEAR MISS REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION

3.29.5 Definitions

Notifiable Occurrence (Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (1995) Division 6.6)

• Notifiable work-related injury

 Work-related injury that causes death;
 Work-related injury that has acute symptoms associated with exposure to a substance at work; or
 Work-related injury that requires treatment as an in-patient in a hospital immediately after the injury.
 

• Notifiable dangerous occurrence 

 • The collapse, overturning or failure of the load-bearing part of a scaffolding, lift, crane, hoist or mine-winding equipment;
 • Damage to, or malfunction of, other major plant;
 • The unintended collapse or failure of an excavation that is more than 1.5m deep, or of any shoring;
 • The unintended collapse or partial collapse;
             of a building or structure under construction; reconstruction, alteration, repair or demolition; or
             the floor, wall or ceiling of a building being used as a workplace;
 • An uncontrolled explosion, fire or escape of any gas, hazardous substance or steam;
 • The unintended ignition or explosion of an explosive;
 • An electrical short circuit, malfunction or explosion;
 • An unintended event involving a flood of water, rockburst, rock fall, or any collapse of ground;
 • An incident where breathing apparatus intended to permit the user to breathe independently of the surrounding atmosphere malfunctions in such a way that the wearer is deprived of breathing air or exposed to an atmospheric contaminant to an extend that may endanger health;
 • Any other unintended or uncontrolled incident or event arising from operations carried on at a workplace.

 Overseas Travel - Recent changes to Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT): Levels 1 - 4

 Please note that the DFAT alert ranking system for countries has changed.

• The old system allowed for 5 levels.  There are now 4.
• Level 1 of the old system has been deleted.
• When making an assessment, refer to the text descriptor in the ranking, not the numbers.
• The new ranking of 3 is “reconsider your need to travel”, whereas previously this was the level 4 ranking.
• Travel to high risk destinations will now be Levels 3 (Reconsider your need to travel) and 4 (Do not travel), in lieu of 4 and 5.

Staff travelling and School Managers are asked to be aware of the change to the DFAT country alert advice.
The HSW team are currently reviewing the changes to the T&E, the Travel Safety Chapter and the forms - will keep you posted on timing.

 The descriptors for the new rankings can be accessed via the following link to Smart travellers
 http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/travel-advice-explained.html

 For further information
 Please contact your Division/Faculty HSW Manager
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/hr/ohs/contact/team/

HSW Induction and Training Records (secure website)

For HSW induction records, the current selection is,  2004 to current (updated each month)
For HSW training records, the current selection is, 2009 to current (updated each month)

In the future the records will be extended to make electronically available as many records we have.

These records are in PDF format, to search these files you will need to select “edit” then “find”, enter the name or number then press enter.

Harmonisation - The New Model Work Health and Safety Legislation

The HSW Team will progressively update this section of What's New as new information comes to hand via SafeWork SA, SISA (Self Insurers of SA) and other regulatory committees.
At this point in time the information to the links below is for information purposes only.
When action is required by the University, the HSW Team will advise you accordingly via a separate email advice.

2 April 2012 – SISA have advised  that five new WHS model codes of Practice were released today for a 12 week public comment period.
• Safe Design, Manufacture, Import and Supply of Plant
• Working in the Vicinity of Overhead and Underground Electrical Lines
• Traffic Management in Workplaces
• Scaffolding Work; and
• Formwork and Falsework.

For further information and access to the model codes please click on this link.  <www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au.>
Feedback closes on 22 June 2012. 

19 March 2012 – SISA have provided members with a summary of items from the meeting held by SafeWork Australia members on 16/3/12, re progress on the implementation of the WHS Laws.

The WHS laws commenced in the Commonwealth, ACT, NSW, NT and QLD on 1 January 2012. 
The WHS laws have passed in Tasmania with a commencement date of 1 January 2013. 
The bill is yet to be debated in SA’s Parliament.

A number of Codes of Practice have now been endorsed with five more Codes going out for a 12 week public comment period commencing early April 2012. 

For further information on the release of the codes please click on this link.

6 December 2011 - SafeWork SA is pleased to advise that the PowerPoint presentation on the proposed harmonised Work Heath and Safety laws (WHS) which featured in the information session held on November 30 is now on line.

29 November 2011 - It has been announced that the SA Parliament voted to adjourn the debate on the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Bill until 14 February 2012.  Accordingly the new WHS legislation will not begin in SA on 1 January 2012 as previously planned.
For further information from SafeWork SA please click on this link.

21 November 2011: The new draft set of model WHS regulations was published by SafeWork Australia on 4/11/11. 

The new set is now available in the document library along with a document listing the changes that were made to the previous December 2010 version.

6 October 2011 : SafeWork Aust have released draft model Work Health and Safety Codes of Practice for Public Comment.

They include:

• First Aid in the Workplace
• Managing Risks in Construction Work
• Preventing Falls in Housing Construction
• Managing Electrical Risks at the Workplace
• Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals
• Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace

Closing date for public comment - 18 November 2011

• Safe Design of building and Structures
• Excavation Work
• Demolition Work
• Spray Painting and Powder Coating
• Abrasive Blasting
• Welding and Allied Processes
• Safe Access in Tree Trimming and Arboriculture
• Preventing and Managing Fatigue in the Workplace
• Preventing and Responding to Workplace Bullying

Closing date for public comment – 16 December 2011

For Access to the draft codes please click here

The HSW Team will provide feedback on the Codes in one submission on behalf of the University.
Please provide any comments/feedback via your Division/Faculty HSW Manager  or the Manager, HSW in the first instance, using the feedback template provided on the SafeWork Aust website.

16 August 2011 :  SafeWork SA have provided Fact Sheets for Employers concerning the Model Work Health and Safety Laws (E Bulletin (issue 6).
The information is available from the SafeWork SA website and includes links to the following documents:
• PCBUS, Workers and Officers
• Transitional Provisions
• Incident Notification
• Consultation
• Work health and safety entry permit holders
• Due diligence
• Volunteers

 16 August 2011 : Update from Self Insurers of SA (SISA) update on WHS  Codes of Practice
SISA has advised members that 21 draft WHS codes of practice are to be released to the public for consultation on 5 September 2011 for a period of 8 weeks.

15 August 2011 : Link to the update from SafeWork SA (E Bulletin (issue 5) 

At the  meeting of the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council (WRMC) on 10 August 2011, the majority of Ministers endorsed in principle the draft model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations and the first stage Codes of Practice.  All Ministers agreed to advise their decision with respect to approval upon consideration of the final Regulation Impact Statement.   Future developments will be provided as information becomes available.  

6 June 2011 : Link to the HSW Team’s Information Sheet and Frequently Asked Questions on Harmonisation

Safework Australia  web site.