The April 2010 report of Australian, New Zealand and International Workplace Fatalities is now available; below you will find a statistical extract from the FULL report.

2010 Totals are 1391, which break down to the following:

These statistics show Total Fatalities & Incidents are:

These statistics show Mortality Rates are:

Highest Industries with Fatalities

Highest Mechanisms of Fatalities

Email grant@achievablesolutions.com.au if you would like to receive a copy of the FULL Report complete with graphical analysis and incident details.

Everyone is responsible in some way or another for Health & Safety whether it be their own, their colleagues or anyone else they come into contact with.But how is the communicated by your business?

Don't let legislation DRIVE you mad!

Over the past few years we have seen major changes in Health & Safety Legislation with Duty of Care, Corporate Manslaughter & Homicide Act, European Time Directive, and lately the Health & Safety at Work Offences Act are phrases we are all too familiar with I’m sure, with many articles published on these subjects. Where will it end? Do you understand it all? Unfortunately it will end right on the door step of the business and more than likely the individual director or manager responsible for this area if you have not taken steps to make sure responsibility is directed to where it should be. There are not many businesses today that do not rely on motor vehicles in one form or another as part of their business activities; therefore almost all businesses will be affected.

For instance when someone starts in the factory, do you assume that they can operate the machinery they will be working on? Of course not, as you will be asking for trouble should anything happen. Then why do most businesses allow a vehicle to be used by an employee or contractor without checking the competence and compatibility of the driver and safety of the vehicle without proper Risk Assessments and checks being carried out?

Risks arising from vehicle use, need to be assessed and a Policies & Procedures management control system put in place to measure and control this area of any business that uses vehicles on behalf of their working activities.

It is getting harder by the day to manage occupational road risks and the question is how are you doing it at the moment? Not sure? Then you need to get your system checked and up to date as ignorance is not a defence should you be in the unfortunate position of an incident occurring. There are endless questions that you could ask to qualify the previous question, and it will no doubt alert you to the risks involved. However, what excuse will you make when faced with possible prosecution regarding an incident with a vehicle that one of your employees or contractors used while on your company business? Will your policy and procedure document withstand close scrutiny? Don't be under the illusion that the company vehicle / employee handbook you have issued over the years will be sufficient; you will actually require a comprehensive policy and procedure document that covers every aspect of the individuals’ responsibilities who are working on your behalf.

The lack of urgency that many businesses put on the issues raised above is amazing. There seems to be an element of fear in any proposed changes, an uncertainty of how it will affect the business, and who is supposed to be in charge of what and who makes the final decision compounded by cost implications, it is easy to see why this area is often neglected. However, could you afford an accident or investigation, or lose a key member of your operation and all the costs involved in replacing them? Putting in a management system will actually help reduce your costs in the long term.

There is no right or wrong way to procure or manage your fleet as every business is different. You know your business better than anyone, so find a company who will listen to you and give you what you require with flexibility to offer a full package of services could be best for you in the long run as they tend to be totally independent. They can offer impartial advice and bespoke the services to the businesses' specific requirements and, most important of all, allow you to stay in control by working with you.
Those individuals who drive as part of their employment are five times more likely to be killed at work than any other industrial accident. By introducing occupational road risk assessments, training and having better communication can reduce this dramatically.

Graham Primrose of Fleet Management Solutions (UK) Ltd, says that “Duty of Care” legislation needs to be taken seriously and once businesses get past the fear aspect of what it is all about and defining the different departmental responsibilities then they can move forward.

Therefore don’t let legislation DRIVE you mad; ask for help to install a satisfactory management control system that suits your business. By engaging a Fleet Management Company to carry out an audit of your current situation, will highlight the areas that will require immediate attention. Such as a driver training programme as part of your system which seems on paper a sound commercial reason to have, only 1 in 5 businesses actually operate one.

With costs continually increasing on a daily basis this is an area that can in a lot of cases make a dramatic saving as areas of inefficiency can be turned round to become more efficient and safer into the bargain very quickly.

Feel free to email me any questions that you may have and I will be happy to answer them for you.

graham@fleetmanagementsolutions.co.uk

A new recruitment website is being marketed as the home for oil and gas jobs in Norway. Oil and Gas People, a UK based site has recently signed up several big recruitment companies in the region.

With the market starting to pick up and a buzz of activity in Europe, dozens of oil and gas positions are being listed in the region every week.

The site which only launched this year is proving a huge hit with candidates and recruiters in the industry. Following a new model, Oil and Gas People has clearly been designed to assist those looking for work in the oil and gas industry.

Oil and Gas People creates a live snap shot of the available work force and offers recruiters a process that allows them to post jobs and be instantly matched to available candidates for free.

Candidates benefit from their own free online CV that they can link to when applying for jobs anywhere on the net. By maintaining a live profile on the site candidates will be automatically matched to suitable oil and gas positions posted by recruiters.

To Search oil and gas jobs in Norway and internationally, visit the site at www.oilandgaspeople.com

A fantastic community site is also available atwww.oilandgascommunity.com which is a great place to network and exchange information with other oil and gas people.

 A new recruitment website is being marketed as the home for oil and gas jobs in Qatar. Oil and Gas People, a UK based site has recently signed up several big recruitment companies in the region.

With the market starting to pick up and a buzz of activity in the Middle East, dozens of oil and gas positions are being listed every day.

The site which only launched this year is proving a huge hit with candidates and recruiters in the industry. Following a new model, Oil and Gas People has clearly been designed to assist those looking for work in the oil and gas industry.

Oil and Gas People creates a live snap shot of the available work force and offers recruiters a process that allows them to post jobs and be instantly matched to available candidates for free.

Candidates benefit from their own free online CV that they can link to when applying for jobs anywhere on the net. By maintaining a live profile on the site candidates will be automatically matched to suitable oil and gas positions posted by recruiters.

To Search oil and gas jobs in Qatar and internationally, visit the site at www.oilandgaspeople.com

A fantastic community site is also available at www.oilandgascommunity.com which is a great place to network and exchange information with other oil and gas people.

The February 2010 report of Australian, New Zealand and International Workplace Fatalities is now available; below you will find a statistical extracted from the FULL report.

2010 Totals are 625, which break down to the following:

9 - Australia           

3 - New Zealand

613 - International 

These statistics show Total Fatalities & Incidents are:

These statistics show Mortality Rates are:

Highest Industries with Fatalities

Highest Mechanisms of Fatalities

Email grant@achievablesolutions.com.au if you would like to receive a copy of the FULL Report complete with graphical analysis and incident details.

It is common knowledge that more accidents occur during the holiday season than any other time of the year. The best way to prevent an injury is to learn what the most common reasons are that bring a person into the ER.

Car Accidents

Car accidents this time of year are extremely dangerous due to weather conditions and a higher-percentage of intoxicated drivers on the road than usual. Avoid driving in hazardous weather conditions when possible and winterize your vehicle before traveling. Above all else, never drink and drive.

Holiday Decorating

When it comes to holiday decorating a variety of accidents can happen. Over 5,000 each year involve falling off of a ladder hanging Christmas lights and decorations. The month of December is responsible for 25 percent of all home decorating fires. Fires caused by Christmas trees and decorative lights claim an average of 500 homes annually. 

Winter Sports

Many people do not realize how dangerous winter sports can be and end up with extreme consequences. Skiing and snowboarding accidents cause hundreds of physical injuries, as well as frostbite, hypothermia and severe sun burns. 35,000 sledding injuries occur each year. In 2004, 11,000 children sought medical attention from ice skating injuries.

Kitchen Fires

Fire departments across the country plead with the public to be careful in the kitchen during the holidays to avoid kitchen fires. Three out of ten home fires began in the kitchen. To reduce the risk of a kitchen fire, do not leave cooking food unattended and keeping flammable materials away from heat sources.

Cuts

From cooking to wrapping presents, if it’s sharp it can cut the skin. Hundreds of people cut themselves every year working hard to create the perfect holiday mood. Be careful with sharp objects and keep out of the reach of children. Make sure that first aid kits are available when needed.

Poisonous Christmas Plants

The many holiday plants are poisonous and can cause severe reactions if ingested. Keeping poinsettias, mistletoe, holly, Jerusalem cherry and amaryllis out of the reach of small children and pets is the best way to ensure that there will be no need to call poison control.

Electrical Shock

Electrical decoration mishaps bring an average of 5,000 people to the emergency room each year. Only use extension cords that are in good condition (not frayed) and never run them underneath any kind of fabric, including rugs. Be careful to overload electrical sockets and unplug devices when they are no longer in use.

Shoveling Snow and Snow Blowers

Removing snow and ice from walkways and driveways provides protection from potential lawsuits, but each year 100,000 injuries are result of this chore. When shoveling snow, lift with knees bent and a straight back to prevent back injury. Permission from a physician is necessary for those with heart conditions and should stop immediately if chest pains occur. When using a snow blower, the fourth leading cause of finger amputation, always wear protective eyewear and keep hands away from the auger. Make sure that all safety devices are in working condition and read safety instructions before operating.

To learn more about SafetySkills™, visit http://www.safetyskills.com.

Loved ones coming together is what the holidays are all about, but first you have to get there. This holiday season is expected to receive more travel on the roads than in previous years due to the recession, which means that more safety measures need to be taken to avoid accidents. SafetySkills™ is providing these safe driving tips:

• Know the weather conditions and how to drive in them. 75 percent of all winter weather related deaths can be attributed to driving in dangerous weather conditions. Take SafetySkills™ free Hazardous Driving Conditions online course to learn how to minimize your risk at http://www.safetyskills.com/winter-driving.
• Prepare you vehicle for winter driving. It is recommended to check the tire pressure, windshield wipers and fluid, and the battery to avoid car trouble and keep the windshield and windows clean for proper visibility. Stocking the car with self-sustaining technologies and supplies is also encouraged, such as a first aid kit, blankets, matches, safety flares, flashlight, fully-charged cell phone and bottled water.
• Stay alert. Driver distraction is becoming, in the words of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, an “epidemic” that caused 500,000 car accidents and 6,000 fatalities last year. Drivers need to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel at all times.
• Never drink and drive. 36 percent of all Christmas accidents on the road are alcohol-related. Those who become too festive for their own good should never get behind the wheel and should use a taxi service.
•  Plan for daytime driving. Three times as many fatalities occur during the night (6 p.m. - 6 a.m.) than during the day according to both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Safety Council (NSC).

“Driving this time of year is simply chaotic,” said Trey Greene, CEO of noodleStream.com. “The roads are busy and that mixed with the weather creates a dangerous environment for driving. Using these tips will help reduce the chance of car accidents and more importantly injuries and even deaths.”

To learn more about SafetySkills™ and to take their free Hazardous Driving Conditions course, visit http://www.safetyskills.com/winter-driving.

Safety in the kitchen will save a perfect holiday dinner from ending with the fire department hosing down your Christmas ham. Kitchen fires are a major concern during the holidays and some simple safety tips could prevent a Christmas disaster.

Stay in the kitchen while food is cooking. Leaving cooking food unattended is the number 1 cause of kitchen fires.

Keep cloth items away from heat sources. Wearing long sleeves while cooking and leaving potholders and dishtowels lying near the stove are great ways to accidentally start a fire. Roll up long sleeves and place potholders and dishtowels away from the stove and oven.  

Do not have too many cooks in the kitchen. Make sure there is enough room for everyone to cook well and safely. Nobody wants to get burned or cut, but chaos in the kitchen leads to accidents so keep things calm.

Cleanliness is godliness. Many people do not realize that keeping kitchens clean reduces the risk of fire. Leftover grease and food can catch fire in burners, the oven, pots and pans.

Grease is the enemy. Grease and oil can easily ignite if they get too hot. Cook very carefully and lower the heat whenever smoke appears. If a grease fire occurs, try to smother it with a lid. Never attempt to put it out with water, this will cause the fire to spread further.

Call 911. Every home should have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen as a precaution, but sometimes the fire department still needs to be called. If a fire occurs and you are unable to put it out, call 911 immediately and flee the home.

“Our goal is to give people the information they need to enjoy life while being safe,” said Trey Greene, CEO of noodleStream.com and creator of SafetySkills™. “Everyone should have a great holiday, especially with the hardships so many are experiencing. Helping out in any way we can is what holiday spirit is all about.”

To learn more about SafetySkills™, visit http://www.safetyskills.com.

These past few days have been horrific across the U.S. The stunning tragedy at Fort Hood claiming the lives of 13 people along with many injured, and then today’s workplace shooting in Orlando. All that seems to come to mind is, what is wrong with people today and why is it that signs of danger get ignored until it is too late?

In Fort Hood, Texas on Nov. 5 at 1:30 p.m. suspected shooter Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, an Army psychiatrist, gunned down the very soldiers who he was there to help. 13 have died and 30 are seriously wounded. So what made this man crack to the point of violence and were there any signs that could have been an indication of what was to come?

It was reported by several individuals that Hasan was frequently expressing anger about his upcoming deployment. He was also involved in many office arguments about his disapproval of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. His final and most explosive outburst took the lives of his fellow soldiers and he now lies in a hospital bed breathing on a ventilator. Now don’t get me wrong, not foreseeing the future is nobody’s fault in this tragic situation. But being aware and alert to possible dangers is important to everyone. Unfortunately, it seems that our soldiers can’t even feel safe on their own base. It’s hard enough to have to become mentally prepared for the dangers of war without having to worry about your safety at home.

As if that wasn’t enough horror for one week, another shooting occured in Orlando, Florida at the office of Reynolds, Smith and Hills. This shooting left Otis Beckford, 26, dead and five others injured. This incident reportedly occured due to the anger of disgruntled former employee, Jason Rodriguez. Rodriguez is currently in police custody facing a charge of first-degree murder.

With two fatal episodes of workplace violence taking place within two days, one has to wonder – could anything have been done to prevent such tragedies? From 1992 to 2006, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) found that 11,613 workplace homicides took place. Many have even indicated that this type of violence is expected to grow due to the stress of the economy and job market. Employers need to take the extra time to ensure their employees’ safety by taking extra security precautions as well as training efforts.

Here are some helpful tips on creating a safer work environment to avoid workplace violence:

- Do thorough background checks on employees.

Many employers currently do this, but some have become more lax due to financial reasons. If you find out that a potential employee has a violent past, it may be in everyone’s best interest if you pass.

- Provide proper training.

All employees should be administered not only training for the physical hazards of their jobs, but the emotional ones as well. There is a reason companies have a Human Resources department. Take advantage of all of the recommended HR training, such as Violence in the Workplace at www.safetyskills.com.

- Create an open-door policy and protocols for safety concerns.

Make sure that employees feel safe when coming to a supervisor about a possible safety issue. All discussions should be respected and stay confidential. Create a protocol for reporting a concern for violence and follow-up on the matter with discretion.

- Have a no tolerance policy.

Never condone or forgive a violent matter of any kind in your workplace. It doesn’t matter how minor the incident or if it was a joke gone awry. This needs to be embedded into the minds of your staff that your number one concern is their safety.

- Get security.

Get some type of security in your workplace. This can mean an actual security guard, a monitoring system or a personal keycode system that can be removed upon the termination of an employee. The harder it is for a disgruntled employee to get into the building, the less likely they will try.