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Silca Dust Management in the Construction Industry
29 November 2022
- Australia’s first silica dust code of practice for the construction industry has been developed and will commence in Queensland on 1 May 2023. It applies to all construction work as well as the manufacturing of materials such as bricks, blocks, tiles, mortar and concrete.
- The Code outlines how duty holders can meet the requirements of Queensland’s work health and safety legislation, including eliminating or minimising exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) at work by:
- • using tried and tested dust control methods that prevent silica dust from being generated or being released into the air, including water suppression and on-tool dust extraction
- • using appropriate respirable protective equipment to safeguard at-risk workers
- • using exposure data from air monitoring to check dust controls are effective
- • providing health monitoring to at-risk workers, with clearly defined triggers for testing based on level of risk
- • consulting with workers, as well as training, education, instruction and supervision of workers.
- The Code was developed in close consultation with workers, employers and technical experts across Queensland, building on international best practice to ensure silica dust is managed safely and workers are protected in the construction industry and the manufacturing of construction materials.
- The code can be accessed at
- https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/laws-and-compliance/codes-of-practice/managing-respirable-crystalline-silica-dust-exposure-in-construction-and-manufacturing-of-construction-elements-code-of-practice-2022
Working with Covid in Construction
18 April 2022
On our constructions sites we still continue with the basics for Covid-19 management - clean your hands often, maintain 1.5m social distancing where practicable, wear masks if practicable in situation where you may not be able to maintain 1.5m social distancing, cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough (and wash your hands again).
By following safe practices including staying home when you are sick and not bringing illnesses to work our workforce remains safe and we avoid passing illnesses to other workers. Our sites are cleaned regularly, hand sanitiser is available and soaps fo the washrooms.
We promote vaccinations and keep a register of vaccinated workers. We also promote flu vaccinations.
I do not think we will ever fully go back to the way things 'used to be'. The pandemic has raised a global awareness of the needs for increased levels of cleanliness and an awareness of the potential to make 'others' ill though low hygeine standards.
Returning to work after Covid
09 April 2022
Here are some resources and tools avaiable through the Qld Worksafe website to assist you to address a worker’s questions and concerns when returning workers to work during COVID-19:
Beyond Blue has resources designed to help workers manage their mental health as they transition back to the physical workplace following working from home due to COVID-19. They also provide tips you can use as part of the return to work process, such as helping the worker manage information intake, how to navigate a ‘new normal’, and providing the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues:Strategies for transitioning back in the workplace after coronavirus: https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/covid-normal/workers/strategies-for-transitioning-back-into-the-workplace-after-coronavirus Adjusting to work in COVID-normal times. https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/covid-normal/workers/adjusting-to-work-in-covid-normal-timesRemind supervisors and managers of the importance of reconnecting injured workers with their colleagues as they transition back to work. A phone call or catch up can make a real impact on the success of a rehabilitation and return to work plan. Consider introducing these resources in your workplace:icare’s information on how social connections help prevent injuryBlack Dog Institute’s guide for managers on supporting staff during COVID-19.Read about how to manage psychological health during the pandemic, as well as to help your workers to navigate uncertainty and changes in employment circumstances:Workplace psychological health considerations during COVID-19
Beyond Blue has resources designed to help workers manage their mental health as they transition back to the physical workplace following working from home due to COVID-19. They also provide tips you can use as part of the return to work process, such as helping the worker manage information intake, how to navigate a ‘new normal’, and providing the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues:Strategies for transitioning back in the workplace after coronavirus: https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/covid-normal/workers/strategies-for-transitioning-back-into-the-workplace-after-coronavirus Adjusting to work in COVID-normal times. https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/covid-normal/workers/adjusting-to-work-in-covid-normal-timesRemind supervisors and managers of the importance of reconnecting injured workers with their colleagues as they transition back to work. A phone call or catch up can make a real impact on the success of a rehabilitation and return to work plan. Consider introducing these resources in your workplace:icare’s information on how social connections help prevent injuryBlack Dog Institute’s guide for managers on supporting staff during COVID-19.Read about how to manage psychological health during the pandemic, as well as to help your workers to navigate uncertainty and changes in employment circumstances:Workplace psychological health considerations during COVID-19
COVID-19 Lockdown for Cairns, FNQ
08 February 2020
The Queensland Government has announced that Cairns and Yarrabah are in lockdown for 3 days from Sunday 8th August 4pm. These areas are now in lockdown.
Persons who are in a locked down area are permitted to leave the lockdown area to perform essential work that is of a nature that cannot reasonably be performed from the person’s principal place of residence.However persons must :• Go directly to and from the place of work• Must carry a mask at all times• Must wear a mask when at work, or in an office even though social distancing can be maintained unless the person is in a private office with the door shut.
As construction is deemed an essential service construction sites can remain open with Covid safe restrictions above those normal Covid safe conditions.Standard conditions:• Not entering site if you have any flu like symptoms• Washing hands or sanitizing before signing in, before and after eating and before signing out.• Covering your mouth with your elbow when you sneeze• Maintaining social distancing, at the work area and in the crib room
Extra conditions• Workers are to minimise contact with other workers as is reasonably practicable• Wear masks at all times when travelling to and from a lockdown area, except if you are in a vehicle by yourself or with one other person in the rear, otherwise wear masks in the vehicle.• Wear masks at work when if you are have travelled from a lockdown area• Do not enter the site offices – knock and wait for a verbal response• Maintain lockdown conditions when you return back to the lockdown area after work• Minimise contact with the public
For further information and updates visit the Qld Health websitehttps://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19
Subcontractors should check the latest news and Qld Govt updates.It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure the lockdown conditions are followed and to stay updated on the current Covid-19 requirements.
Persons who are in a locked down area are permitted to leave the lockdown area to perform essential work that is of a nature that cannot reasonably be performed from the person’s principal place of residence.However persons must :• Go directly to and from the place of work• Must carry a mask at all times• Must wear a mask when at work, or in an office even though social distancing can be maintained unless the person is in a private office with the door shut.
As construction is deemed an essential service construction sites can remain open with Covid safe restrictions above those normal Covid safe conditions.Standard conditions:• Not entering site if you have any flu like symptoms• Washing hands or sanitizing before signing in, before and after eating and before signing out.• Covering your mouth with your elbow when you sneeze• Maintaining social distancing, at the work area and in the crib room
Extra conditions• Workers are to minimise contact with other workers as is reasonably practicable• Wear masks at all times when travelling to and from a lockdown area, except if you are in a vehicle by yourself or with one other person in the rear, otherwise wear masks in the vehicle.• Wear masks at work when if you are have travelled from a lockdown area• Do not enter the site offices – knock and wait for a verbal response• Maintain lockdown conditions when you return back to the lockdown area after work• Minimise contact with the public
For further information and updates visit the Qld Health websitehttps://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19
Subcontractors should check the latest news and Qld Govt updates.It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure the lockdown conditions are followed and to stay updated on the current Covid-19 requirements.
WHITE CARD NOW FACE TO FACE
07 February 2019
Construction industry homeWorkplace hazardsGeneral construction inductionApply for a General Construction Induction cardYou will need to complete training and assessment to be issued a general construction induction card (white card).The following description sets out the way and the form in which an application for a white card can be made, as provided under Part 6.5 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011.Note: This card was formerly known as the blue card.Getting your cardTo obtain a general construction induction card (white card) you will need to undertake training with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that conducts the general construction induction training. (unit of competency - CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry). Once you have successfully completed the training the RTO will issue evidence that you have completed the training and the white card. You should keep evidence of completion of training as it may be required to replace your card in the future.From February 2019, training for the white card must be undertaken face to face in Queensland. An exemption applies allowing candidates who reside further than 100 kilometres away from the nearest RTO delivering face to face white card training to complete the white card training via online delivery.Replacing a cardTo replace your white card you need to contact the RTO that issued your card.If the RTO that issued your card is no longer operating, you will need to contact another RTO that conducts general construction induction training and provide a statement of attainment to the RTO for CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry, or the previous QLD course CPCCOHS1001A Work safely in the construction industry, as well as a declaration of the circumstances in which the card was lost, stolen or destroyed.Contact RTO for more information.Blue card is still current
Do I need to replace a blue card?If you already have a blue card, you do not need to change to a white card unless you are enrolled in a course of training that requires the completion of CPCCWHS1001 as a prerequisite, such as CPCCDE3014A Remove non-friable asbestos or CPCCDE3015A Remove friable asbestos.If your blue card becomes lost, damaged or destroyed, you will need to contact an RTO and undertake the current general construction induction training (unit of competency - CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry). After completion of this training, you will be issued with evidence that you have completed the training and the white card.Interstate recognition of general safety induction cardsThe following construction induction cards are recognised in Queensland and vice versa:
Last updated WHSQ website https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au 07 February 2019
- Victoria construction induction card
- New South Wales construction induction card
- Australian Capital Territory construction induction card
- South Australia construction induction card
- Tasmania construction induction card
- Western Australia construction induction card
- Northern Territory construction induction card.
Last updated WHSQ website https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au 07 February 2019
ERGONOMIC SOLUTIONS
14 August 2017
Participative ergonomics is about workers at all levels of an organisation working together to find solutions to health and safety issues. This involves teaching workers and others-such as engineering and maintenance personnel-basic ergonomics principles, allowing them to draw on their own work experience to suggest solutions to work-related ergonomics problems. https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/injury-prevention-safety/hazardous-manual-tasks/musculoskeletal-disorders-faqsSafety Nette can assist your business in finding real solutions.
EATING WELL TO REDUCE HEAT STRESS
18 January 2017
Hot and humid working conditions.Supplying drink supplements or not?When working in of hot and humid conditions workers, supervisors and managers, have a responsibility to providing information and guidelines for the prevention of illness and injury.Workers are often subject to hot and humid conditions. Where it is not possible to discontinue works then prevention measures should be undertaken.Not everyone reacts to heat stress in the same way, according to WHSQ1, with factors including general health, weight, age, prescription drugs, alcohol consumption and medical conditions.Queensland Health2, , suggest a good guide for identifying a heat related illness is the urine test – urine should be clear or light straw and not dark yellow or brown.Basic guidelines include drink to satisfy your thirst, avoid ice cold drinks, limit caffeine intake, and avoid alcohol before your shift, Before reaching for the commercial thirst aid quenchers, high energy drink and electrolyte replacement aids, which are chemically based and often high in caffeine*, you may wish to try a more natural approach. *Caffeine is a natural diuretic which draws out water from the bodyOutdoorHerbivore3 suggests a natural remedy of drinking sufficient water to quench the thirst and supplementing with foods naturally high in electrolytes such as banana, coconut (this includes drinking coconut milk available in water bottles and cans), avocado, dates, raisins plus spinach, beans, lentils and potato. 1. https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/2. http://conditions.health.qld.gov.au/HealthCondition/condition/20/199/362/heat-related-illness3. http://blog.outdoorherbivore.com/life/replenishing-electrolytes/.
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site safe update: what to wear
18 September 2017
Cancer Council research shows some Australian workplaces are failing to protect workers from harmful UV, with around one in two workers who spend time outside missing out on sun protection.As Queensland heads into the hotter months of the year, employers and workers should take care to be sun smart.WorkCover Queensland Industry Manager Melissa Steadman says people working outdoors need to ensure they're wearing suitable protective gear."It's crucial for people working outdoors to wear long sleeves and trousers, a wide brim hat, sunglasses and wear and reapply sunscreen regularly," Melissa said."Employers should ensure their workers follow proper safety procedures to prevent sun-related illnesses.”As an employer, you can help your workers stay safe by:
Take these philosophies home as well, protect your family on aoutings and ensure everyone is sunsmart.
- reducing the amount of time employees spend in the sun
- providing sunscreen and other protective gear, and ensuring workers wear it properly
- providing a shade cloth or safe shelter
- providing drinking water
- allowing workers to take regular breaks or rotate with other workers where possible
- providing training on being sun smart.
Take these philosophies home as well, protect your family on aoutings and ensure everyone is sunsmart.