Friday 7th May 2021

Safety warning follows a spate of powerline incidents. 

WorkSafe is urging all employers and contractors operating trucks and other mobile plant near overhead power lines to ensure safety is a priority.

Electrocution from contact with powerlines by mobile machinery can cause serious life-changing injuries and death and can occur on large construction sites, sole farming operations and the transport industry.

On Monday, a 54-year old construction worker was taken to hospital in a critical condition after an electric shock when the excavator's arm on his truck struck powerlines.

In November 2020, a farmhand moving hay bales using a telehandler died when the raised attachment hit powerlines.

No matter the situation, care had to be taken when using machinery near electrical wires, said WorkSafe Executive Director of Health, Julie Nielsen.

'Make sure you assess the environment you are operating machinery in and keep clear of live electrical cables because WorkSafe will not hesitate to prosecute duty holders that fail to protect workers.'

There are currently ongoing investigations into six incidents.

The original article can be found on WorkSafe Victoria's website. 

Reminder to choose the correct equipment for dangerous chemicals. 

SafeWork SA has urged businesses that handle dangerous chemicals that they must use them with the right equipment due to a spate of workplace incidents involving injuries from corrosive and flammable liquids in 2020.

In January 2021, a worker suffered chemical burns to their arms and legs when they attempted to tighten the plastic tap on a leaking drum containing an acidic liquid. The seal on the on tap was incompatible with the chemical being decanted, causing the assembly to fail and the acid to spill.

Businesses must have a safe system of work for handling chemicals and ensure workers are adequately inducted and trained for handling chemicals and for the task being carried out.

Read the full article on the SafeWork SA website.