The OHS investigation process into the deaths of installers of insulation in Australia has led to charges being laid against Arrow Property Maintenance Pty Ltd. On 28 June 2010, Queensland’s Department of Justice and Attorney-General has charged the company with breaches of both the Electrical Safety Act 2002 and the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 following … Continue reading “More OHS charges laid over insulation installer deaths”
The debacle of the Australian Government’s insulation job creation scheme faded when the scheme was cancelled suddenly by the Government earlier in 2010. Attention was always going to return at various stages as investigations into the deaths of young insulation installers begin but Parliament resumed earlier and the Opposition attacked. The attack has led to … Continue reading “The politics of the insulation debacle become clearer”
Queensland’s Department of Justice and Attorney-General has announced that an insulation installation company will be charged with offences under its safety legislation due to the death of an employee. This is the first safety prosecution related to the Government’s , failed, job creation scheme. According to a media statement issued late on 5 May 2010, “QHI Installations Pty Ltd … Continue reading “First prosecution announced over insulation-related deaths”
If safety culture is set and developed by leaders, what does it mean when a Prime Minister launches a scheme that places the creation of jobs over the need for worker safety? Two days before International Workers’ Memorial Day, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Four Corners program analyses the failed insulation scheme initiated by the Australian … Continue reading “If safety culture begins at the top, what message is the Australian Government sending on insulation installer deaths?”
The Electrical Safety Office of the Queensland Government has issued two safety alerts that relate specifically to the installation of insulation in domestic dwellings. Several recommendations seem to address concerns aired by Chris Lehmann in SafetyAtWorkBlog on 12 February 2010. One safety alert, concerning foil insulation, states: “To reduce these risks, householders and tradespeople should not enter the ceiling space of a … Continue reading “New safety alerts for foil insulation”
Risk assessments are crucial for operating a safety management system built on consultation with employees and relevant experts. This should be borne in mind over the next few days while the Australian Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, continues to be grilled over what he knew about the risks associated with the government’s insulation scheme and when he knew. In terms … Continue reading “Risk assessment report – insulation”
As an example of “tabloid TV” the Today Tonight (TT) report broadcast on 17 February 2010 concerning children assisting workers to install insulation, was very good. It probably benefited from my own appearances remaining brief. The topicality of a story on the home insulation industry could not have been higher yesterday as a Senate inquiry … Continue reading “Reviewing Today Tonight’s insulation exclusive”