Julie-Anna Smith

Transitioning from lagging to leading safety indicators involves several important considerations for any organisation. The Australian Institute of Health & Safety has just published an article that explores recent research and provides suggestions on how to move toward a more proactive safety management system. The research, recently published in Safety Science, underscores the importance of adopting a systems-thinking approach that integrates both human and technological factors. It also highlights the benefits of using a centralised safety analytics platform to enhance data quality and leverage insights from other organisations. Click through to learn how this transition can provide comprehensive safety intelligence and foster a stronger safety culture. #LeadingIndicators #SafetyCulture #SafetyIntelligence #ProactiveSafetyManagement

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Western Sydney and Central Coast Safety Group Webinar held on 29 May 2024. We had 34 people attend our May webinar to listen to the presentation by Paul Paciullo MAIOH, CENVP, MOccHyg, BEnvSc on Asbestos testing/removal, Land Contamination Assessments/ Remediation and Occupational Hygiene. The presentation was thought provoking and provided insight to where asbestos was used, here are some key takeouts. Types of asbestos: Friable and non-friable asbestos Asbestos-containing materials are either friable or non-friable. ·       Friable asbestos is high risk. Friable asbestos can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to a powder by hand pressure. ·       Non-friable asbestos is lower risk. It is mixed with cement or other hard bonding materials. Non-friable asbestos can become friable if damaged or old. ·       Asbestos register – If buildings, structures or plant at your workplace were built or installed before 2004, or in Queensland built before 1990, an asbestos register would be expected to be available. ·       Asbestos can be located in old air-conditioning ductwork and hot water systems (wiring, millboard), switchboards, old pool liners, fibresheets behind tiles, heat resistant gloves, telecommunication pits, fire doors, vinal sheeting (friable paper backing), sealant in precast concrete panels or windows, corrugated roof sheeting, ·       Asbestos identification/confirmation is in a NATA accredited lab. ·       Unexpected find of suspected asbestos – stop works, restrict access and report. What should happen once the asbestos register is prepared? (Asbestos Management Plan) ·       Your asbestos register is an important part of the written Asbestos Management Plan for your workplace. You must have an Asbestos Management Plan prepared for your workplace if asbestos and ACM has been identified or is assumed to be present. ·       The Plan requires to be consulted. ·       Asbestos Management Plan to be reviewed or updated every five years. ·       Removal (greater than 10 m2), appropriate asbestos license holder is engaged to undertake the removal of a licensable quantity of asbestos and ACM prior to demolition or renovation work. ·       SafeWork (in NSW) to be notified of intent to remove asbestos. ·       SWMS required. ·       Signage to be displayed indication asbestos removal is occurring. ·       Air monitoring required. ·       Removal from site to be managed. ·       Clearance certificate at end of works. Thank you Paul for your presentation on asbestos types and requires controls. Useful Links: https://lnkd.in/gU66tu_g https://lnkd.in/gh2bHFvp #AIHS, #WHS, #Risk, #MATES, #NZISM Thank you to the Australian Institute of Health & Safety for the support. Stay focused and look after your workmates.

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I will be facilitating our next HAZOP LEADER Training course in Auckland on November 5-6. Now is the time to register you or your team. This 2-day IChemE-approved course aims to train the course participants to become effective and efficient HAZOP review facilitators: https://hubs.ly/Q02PfHKP0 Course Content Includes: ✔️Legal requirements and standards ✔️Risk Management model ✔️How to organise and prepare for a HAZOP ✔️How to structure and execute a HAZOP workshop ✔️How to facilitate effectively ✔️How HAZOP can fail ✔️HAZOP report critique ✔️HAZOP variants ✔️Equipment failure modes ✔️All attendees will get two workshop opportunities to facilitate a mock HAZOP and receive personalised feedback. Participants’ e-learning is used to prepare for the course, with 6-8 hours of online learning FREE of charge. We also offer an optional SUPPORT PACKAGE, which includes 3 hours of one-on-one training at a reduced rate when purchased alongside your training. This package can include reviewing your HAZOP procedure, supporting your HAZOP preparation, reviewing your HAZOP report, or assisting you during a HAZOP workshop.

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Our next HAZOP LEADER Training course is in Auckland on November 5-6 and now is the time to register you or your team. This 2-day IChemE-approved course aims to train the course participants to become effective and efficient HAZOP review facilitators: https://hubs.ly/Q02Pr5gT0 Course Content Includes: ✔️Legal requirements and standards ✔️Risk Management model ✔️How to organise and prepare for a HAZOP ✔️How to structure and execute a HAZOP workshop ✔️How to facilitate effectively ✔️How HAZOP can fail ✔️HAZOP report critique ✔️HAZOP variants ✔️Equipment failure modes ✔️All attendees will get two workshop opportunities to facilitate a mock HAZOP and receive personalised feedback. Participants’ e-learning is used to prepare for the course, with 6-8 hours of online learning FREE of charge. We also offer an optional SUPPORT PACKAGE, which includes 3 hours of one-on-one training at a reduced rate when purchased alongside your training. This package can include reviewing your HAZOP procedure, supporting your HAZOP preparation, reviewing your HAZOP report, or assisting you during a HAZOP workshop. Well worth the investment!

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Future changes to hazardous chemical reporting requirements recently featured in a Newsroom article. The story highlighted the importance of information on the amounts of chemicals being imported and manufactured in New Zealand.   We have updated hazardous substances rules, including requiring importers and manufacturers of certain hazardous substances to report annually on the quantities imported and manufactured from 2026.   It will enable us to monitor trends and developments in chemical use and help bring New Zealand into line with international best practices. The reporting requirements focused on substances with a high potential to enter the environment, such as pesticides, fumigants and anti-fouling paints.   More information on the upcoming changes to the hazardous substances reporting requirements is available on our website: https://ow.ly/eOaL50SLOiU You can read the Newsroom article here: https://ow.ly/MIQH50SLOiT

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👉Do you understand your obligation to protect psychological health under the OHS Act? 👉Are you familiar with psychosocial hazards and how to identify and reduce the risks in your business? 👉Do you know if you have the relevant policies or have you talked with and trained your employees? We have curated FREE information and resources on https://hubs.li/Q02tJzHN0. In collaboration with Partners In Wellbeing.

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**Understanding Plant Risk Assessments and Incident Notifications to the WHS Regulator: A Safety Consultant's Insight** While many businesses undertake plant risk assessments, it’s crucial to start by asking, "What exactly is considered 'plant' under WHS legislation in most Australian states and territories?" A few years ago, while supporting a civil contractor on a construction site in the Territory, I noticed a lot of confusion surrounding the definition of 'plant.' To set the record straight, I reached out to NT WorkSafe. It turns out, 'plant' isn't just about heavy machinery—it includes everything from light vehicles and computers to tools, quad bikes, and even amusement devices. ⏭️Fast forward a couple of years, and this understanding of conducting research, brainstorming and solution finding proved invaluable. While supporting a client during an incident on-site today, the safety team initially believed it wasn't reportable. But after closely reviewing section 37 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (QLD), I had a strong inkling it should be reported, even though no one was injured. We consulted the regulator, and indeed, the incident was reportable. ▪️These experiences have reinforced a key lesson: when in doubt, consulting with regulatory bodies, safety consultants or experienced safety practitioners is always the best course of action.

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Great work by AIHS in pushing this issue. Couldn’t agree more! 👏 Small businesses particularly struggle with the cost of compliance. The cost (at $150 plus per standard and in the thousands for access to multiple standards) to access the information and assess whether/how it is applicable is disproportionate. Particularly when it may not always be relevant or is unclear. In addition, the business may then need to implement standard requirements or engage additional resources to do this. It quickly falls into the “too hard” or “later” basket and they accept the risk of being non-compliant, hoping they will not be caught out. Some may argue that is the cost of running a business but it does not seem fair. If we want business to comply, make the standards free and easily accessible. Same goes for academic literature! It allows us all to be better informed, why wouldn’t we want that?

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Learn how we engineer due diligence for governance outcomes that meet Australian WHS/OHS legislation that all reasonably practicable precautions are in place for high consequence, low likelihood events. This online course is run over two half days and is a more detailed, technical course for engineers and for risk and compliance staff of technology-based organisations. Further workshop information and registration via EEA: https://buff.ly/44nSnsZ Also listen to our recent podcast episode on our due diligence process for an overview of what will be covered. Details at https://buff.ly/49PY3gs #engineering #duediligence #governance

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WorkSafe has reviewed 57 Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) and 1 Biological Exposure Index (BEI).  Click below to see some of the substances that we often see on sites and their proposed changes. https://lnkd.in/grVMBzzm

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Martin Kerr, Director of Structured Change, presented a powerful session on aligning maintenance strategies with operational goals at the recent annual AMCouncil symposium. Key insights included: - Capability Delivery Model: Treating organisations as assets by integrating physical and non-physical elements to achieve desired outcomes. - Continuous improvement through lifecycle thinking: Emphasising the importance of aligning maintenance with operational strategy across all stages. - Navigating challenges: Examples from a global joint venture in the rail industry demonstrated how to manage change, support technical knowledge transfer, and maintain stakeholder alignment. - Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA): Martin highlighted the value of this framework for continuous process validation and outcome optimisation. Thank you, Martin, for showcasing how strategic maintenance can enhance performance and sustain long-term value! The AMCouncil is also gearing up for AMPEAK, its annual international asset management 4-day conference, to be held on the Gold Coast in April 2025. Be sure to save the date in your diaries (6th - 9th April 2025!) and keep an eye on buff.ly/3Xt8NMA as further information is released. #AssetManagement #OperationalExcellence #MaintenanceStrategy #AMPEAK2025 #AMSymposium2024

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A well-developed culture of safety not only enhances safety performance but also boosts financial success, according to the latest research cited in the below article by the Australian Institute of Health & Safety. Companies that invest in robust safety policies, employee training, and comprehensive safety management systems see significant improvements in safety metrics, which translate into better financial outcomes. A positive safety culture also improves corporate reputation, a key factor for maintaining competitive advantage. To learn more about the link between safety culture impacting financial outcomes, click through to read the full article. #SafetyCulture #WorkplaceSafety #CorporateReputation #SafetyResearch

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Please join my learned colleagues to find out more about changes to the WHS Act!

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How do you record safety risks in your risk registers? I started my career in Risk, supporting senior leaders to record " what makes them lose sleep at night ". However, beyond the standard mantra of " There is a risk that we will not comply with health and safety law", I've found capturing safety risks meaningfully in Risk Registers a challenge. Take a look at my blog for Hastam as I explore this and share your thoughts.

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The Australian government introduced legislation to strengthen safety provisions for offshore oil and gas workers. It bans discriminatory conduct against workers raising safety concerns, strengthens Health and Safety Representatives, and ensures their role in safety committees. It also aligns the powers and protections of HSRs with those in national WHS laws to address a culture of fear and reprisal as identified by a previous inquiry. Contact us to learn more about how the proposed offshore safety reforms might impact your organisation and how to ensure compliance. #healthandsafetyconsulting #workplacesafetyaus #safetysolutions #riskassessmentau #consultingexperts #safeworkplace #verbalaggressionatwork #workersmentalhealth #sleepdisturbances #healthandsafetyau #safetymanagement #complianceconsulting #occupationalhealth #safeworkpractices

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This week for Safe Work Month, we’re diving into Risk Management Fundamentals. One of the key risks to manage in industries like construction and manufacturing is exposure to materials like silica dust, a hazardous material that can lead to long-term respiratory diseases such as silicosis. A crucial part of managing this risk is ensuring that workers have properly fitting respiratory protection. Fit testing guarantees that respirators form an effective seal, preventing dangerous particles from entering the lungs and keeping your team safe on the job. We offer comprehensive fit testing services as part of our commitment to help businesses manage risks effectively and safeguard employee health. In conjunction with a variety of other testing services, we act as your compliance copilots, keeping you and your teams protected. Don’t wait until it’s too late—ensure your team’s respiratory protection is up to standard. _ #HaydenHealthSafety #RiskManagement #FitTesting #SilicaSafety #SafeWorkMonth #OccupationalHealth #WorkplaceSafety #WHS

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