Whole of industry interventions
- Asbestos compliance campaign
- Sprains and strains assessment
- Onsite traffic management and pedestrian safety project
- Asbestos removal businesses
- Participative ergonomics for manual tasks (PErforM)
- People at work
Asbestos compliance campaign
The audits will target businesses operating from buildings built before 1990 and where asbestos is or may be present. Assessments will focus on compliance with requirements under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (WHS Regulation) and codes of practice to have asbestos registers and management plans in place. Inspectors will take enforcement action if the risk of exposure to asbestos fibres is not being managed effectively.
How can my business get ready?
Ensure you comply with requirements for asbestos registers and management plans in accordance with Part 8.3 Management of asbestos and associated risks (the WHS Regulation).
During the visit, you should provide the inspector with:
- your asbestos register and management plan
- any relevant inspections by a competent person under section 422 of the WHS Regulation or otherwise concerning asbestos in the building.
WorCover Queensland is launching a comprehensive campaign aimed at enhancing traffic management and pedestrian safety in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, transport, and agriculture. This initiative, spanning 2016 and 2017, seeks to minimize fatalities and injuries resulting from incidents involving mobile plant and pedestrians in Queensland workplaces.
As part of this effort, inspectors from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, representing WorCover Queensland, will conduct on-site visits to businesses, raising awareness about associated risks and assisting in the implementation of effective traffic management strategies.
As for asbestos removal businesses, their compliance with licensing conditions, the Work Health and Safety Act, and relevant codes of practice will be rigorously assessed. Audits will occur during actual removal activities, following notification to WHSQ of an intended removal. Businesses are advised to ensure compliance with licensing conditions, the Work Health and Safety Regulation, and relevant codes of practice. They should furnish WHSQ inspectors with necessary documentation, such as asbestos removal control plans, training records, relevant licenses, certificates of completion of specified training, air monitoring results, and clearance certificates.
Additionally, the Participative Ergonomics for Manual Tasks (PErforM) program, designed to address musculoskeletal injuries resulting from manual tasks, offers a risk management solution. Businesses are encouraged to explore PErforM, participate in free train-the-trainer workshops, and improve their manual task risk management.
Furthermore, the People at Work project, focusing on psychosocial risk assessment, evaluates workplace characteristics' impact on worker health and well-being, particularly psychological health. This project is open for statewide participation, and organizations interested in joining can reach out to enquiries@peopleatworkproject.com.au for more information.