WORKPLACE INJURIES / INCIDENT ALERTS FOR DECEMBER
The below Serious Workplace Injuries / Incident Alerts for December (Embedded Content Extracts) were taken from WorkSafe QLD at https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au
Latest work-related fatality statistics show more needs to be done
According to new statistics, annual workplace fatalities in Queensland increased from 39 to 41, while the fatality rate remained at 1.6 per 100,000 workers. The figures are below the five-year average for both fatality number (44) and rate (1.8). Although most other states have seen bigger increases in both numbers and rates, Queensland continues to record the second highest number of worker deaths in Australia after New South Wales. Queensland’s annual fatality rate is equal highest with South Australia, although Queensland and Victoria were the only jurisdictions not to record an increase in the fatality rate.
Falling building materials
"In November 2020, glass balustrading from a high-rise balcony shattered and fell onto a ground level building access way. Initial enquiries indicate building rectification work was being done on the balcony at the time. No injuries were reported. Objects have the potential to fall onto or hit people at the workplace or adjoining areas if precautions are not taken.
Workers caught in conveyor belt system
"In October 2020, a worker suffered serious arm injuries when he was caught in a conveyor belt system. In a separate incident, a young worker received significant degloving injuries to both hands after being pulled into a conveyor system.
Fatal quad bike incidents involving farm workers
"Fatal quad bike incidents involving farm workers"Two tragedies on farms in the past six months have again highlighted the dangers of quad bikes. In both incidents, the farmers died after appearing to lose control of their quads. In the most recent incident (December 2020), the man was traveling along a farm road when for reasons yet to be established he lost control of the quad bike. A similar incident occurred in July.
Worker struck by moving truck
"In November 2020, a worker was seriously injured when he was run over by a truck while clearing debris caught underneath it. Investigations are continuing.