WHS July 2020 Newsletter Part 2
COVID-19 – Update
The Corona Virus is still dominating headlines across Australia. Our thoughts are with those in Victoria particularly the Melbourne area who have been affected by the latest restrictions and lockdowns again. Many regions in Victoria outside the hotspots do not have any acknowledged COVID–19 cases. It is therefore particularly tough for you all as well. We hope "normality" as far as COVID normality returns as soon as possible across the state. And that other Australian states can continue to restrict any large clusters and outbreaks.
Some resources to assist your business in the ongoing management of COVID–19 are in the links below.
COVID-19 Information
Link
General Workplace Information
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/covid-19-information-workplaces
Resource Kit
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/collection/covid-19-resource-kit
How to clean and disinfect your workplace - COVID-19
For information on when masks should be worn in the community in Australia
(See email attachment)
Victoria (NSW could potentially mandate as well) Face Coverings Mandatory for Melbourne and Mitchell Shires (19th July 2020)
COVID-19 information by state and territory
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-information-by-state-and-territory
Farm Safety Week
National Farm Safety Week aims to raise awareness of farm safety issues in rural communities across Australia. This year's theme for Farm Safety Week is "Farming for a Future" and will focus on risk assessment and awareness, planning and mitigation, particularly in light of a year of drought, bushfire, floods and COVID-19. We will have a strong focus on mental health awareness and support.
Incident Alert – Transportable silo collapse
The purpose of this safety alert is to highlight the risk of collapse of transportable (relocatable) silos, commonly used on farms.
Background
In May 2020 a five metre high grain silo collapsed while a farmer was underneath it attempting to position a grain auger and release the slide gate (knife plate) on the discharge cone.
It appears the support framework buckled on one side of the silo, causing the body of the silo to topple sideways onto the ground. The impact with the ground caused the skin of the silo to tear away from the silo base, spilling grain onto the ground. The farmer was trapped for some time until he could be removed. In addition to being severely injured, there was also a risk of the farmer being engulfed (i.e. suffocation risk) in the grain as it emptied from the ruptured silo
Contributing factors
The cause of the failure is currently being investigated but so far it has not been determined why the support framework failed. Photograph 1 shows the buckled support frame after the collapse.
Support frames on silos can fail for one or more of the following factors:
Damage, including bent support members and broken welds. Bending not only reduces the load carrying capacity of a member but can also increase the load applied to that member because it can cause the silo to tilt, therefore moving the centre of gravity closer above the member (Photograph 2).
Impact from mobile plant—this can cause immediate collapse or can bend support members so that failure can occur later.
Corrosion—either external or internal corrosion. Internal corrosion can occur when hollow members fill with water, even with small cavities in the member and no drainage holes. External corrosion can occur when the protective coating degrades or when parts of the support frame are buried in dirt (Photograph 2).
Soft or sloping ground under the silo can cause the silo to tilt, making the silo unstable and increasing the load on some of the support members.
Poor repairs.
Transportable silos are generally designed to be lightweight to allow easy movement. This characteristic means that this type of silo can be blown over when it is empty and not anchored to the ground or support pad. The lightweight design of the silo means that damage from being blown over is certain to occur.
ACTION REQUIRED - SILO INSTALLATION
Silos must be set up in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Ensure silos:
have been designed and manufactured to allow for all load combinations during their lifecycle including loads that are applied during filling, storage, discharge and as a result of environmental factors (e.g. high winds)
are preferably set up on level concrete pads and/or footings that can safely support the load when it is full.
are anchored to the supporting surface in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions to avoid the silo moving or overturning in strong winds when empty
are only filled with product that has been approved by the silo manufacturer. A silo designed for grain may not have the same corrosion resistant properties of a silo intended for fertiliser.
are set up where they are unlikely to be damaged by mobile plant and in areas away from overhead power lines
are periodically inspected for damage and corrosion.
Boy, 12, dies after being thrown from quad bike near Alice Springs
What devastating news for the family of this young boy. How long and more deaths before it becomes clear the high risk of quad bikes including not wearing a helmet. The state/territory governments and work safe regulators need to do more to educate.
A 12-year-old boy has died after crashing his quad bike in the Northern Territory.
A family member called for help after locating him "unresponsive and some distance from a quad bike he had been riding" earlier on Wednesday, NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services said in a statement today.
It said the boy was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
Authorities believe he had been riding the quad bike on an access road to an outstation 29 kilometres north of Alice Springs before the incident. The 12-year-old died at the scene.
The NT government states quad bike riders "must wear the right safety gear" including an approved and secure fitting helmet, a jacket, pants, gloves and eye protection.
"You must supervise children on and around quad bikes at all times," it states
"You must not let children under the age of 16 years ride an adult-sized quad bike.
Almost 11 per cent, or 14 fatalities, were children aged 11 years of age or under and over half of all deaths were the result of a rollover.
If you have any questions regarding the above or would like to engage our services please contact us.
