Workers Fear Exposure to Toxic Gas at Westfield Kotara.

BY DANIELLE RIES

Toxic gas otherwise known as aluminium salt slag has been discovered by workers during the $90 million redevelopment of Westfield Kotara.

Aluminium salt slag emits highly toxic and explosive gases when exposed to water or humidity.

The poisonous gas was found during the excavation of the car park near Northcott Drive and workers fear they could have been exposed to the contamination.

Construction workers are now being advised to wear full body suits and using respiratory equipment when working at the site.

Truck drivers removing the contaminated material are being advised to keep their windows closed and not to leave their cabin.

Before the environmental damage of slag was known to the public, it was used as landfill for sites around the Hunter region.

Both the Environment Protection Authority and SafeWork NSW have launched investigations into this incident.

In a statement provided to 2NUFRM, SafeWork NSW said:

"Investigating alleged exposure to hazardous materials at a construction site on the corner of Park Avenue and Northcott Drive Kotara.

A part of its investigation, SafeWork will review the reports of independent consultants engaged by the business."

Westfield Kotara.
Credit- Visit Newcastle Website.

UPDATE: Loving Father Killed in Workplace Accident at Thornton

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

Investigations are continuing into yesterday's tragic workplace accident at Thornton which claimed the life of a contractor.

Allan Newling, 55-year-old father-of-three died instantly when the amenities block he was unloading from his flatbed truck tipped and fell on him in the yeard of Onsite Rentals in Huntingdal Drive.

The precise circumstances leading up to the tragedy are still not known.

EARLIER:

BY IAN CROUCH

A report is being prepared for the Coroner after a man died in a workplace accident at Thornton.

It's understood the 56-year-old Lake Macquarie man was unloading a portable building from the back of a truck at an industrial estate in Huntingdale Drive at about 8.15 on Wednesday morning when the structure fell on top of him.

The man died at the scene.

Police and SafeWork NSW are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Image The Newcastle Herald.

Man Killed In Workplace Accident At Thornton

BY IAN CROUCH

A report is being prepared for the Coroner after a man died in a workplace accident at Thornton.

It's understood the 56-year-old Lake Macquarie man was unloading a portable building from the back of a truck at an industrial estate in Huntingdale Drive at about 8.15 on Wednesday morning when the structure fell on top of him.

The man died at the scene.

Police and SafeWork NSW are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Officers At The Scene Of Workplace Accident at Thornton picture:theherald.com.au

Cutting down injuries in tree work industry

BY SARAH BARONOWSKI and JESSICA ROUSE

SafeWork NSW is raising concerns about worker safety in the tree work industry, following a serious incident at Windale last month.

A 25-year-old man fell 6 metres while lopping a tree at Windale and suffered suspected spinal injuries. It's not the only worrying incident with three other workers also involved in similar incidents throughout April, suffering head injuries and lacerations.

"Unfortunately, three workers were fatally injured last financial year and there's a lot of ongoing incidents including serious head, spinal and severe lacerations. So we really need to work closely with industry so we eliminate these issues," said Lawrence Richy from SafeWork NSW.

The Tree Work project will see SafeWork NSW work with tree industry businesses across NSW over the next six months to ensure they're meeting work health and safety, and workers compensation responsibilities.

Lawrence Richy said SafeWork "would like workers to ensure that they're working closely with their employers if they're in the tree work industry and utilising all the safe working systems of work and consulting with their employers," and importantly if there are any concerns no one should hesitate and ring up SafeWork on 13 10 50.

"We will be able to get an inspector out to walk through the proper processes and make sure everyone returns home safely after their days work."

Image www.maalikitreeservices.com.au

Quad bike safety training free for farmers

BY JARROD MELMETH

Farmers, including those in the Hunter, will now receive free quad bike training in a boost to the safety improvement program aimed at significantly reducing the number of deaths on rural properties across NSW.

SafeWork NSW in partnership with Tocal College will deliver up to 100 training events in regional and remote areas across NSW previously costing upwards of $200 after a government rebate of $310.

Member for the Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen said, offering incentives for quad bike safety will reduce deaths as a result of quad bikes.

"I can't put more hours in a day but what I can do is make it as easy as possible to access training.

"That is why we are abolishing the fee. That is why we are giving helmets away. To make sure people are safe when using quad bikes.

"We are trying to raise awareness about how dangerous these quad bikes are and about how important it is to ride them safely and to use appropriate equipment when using them," Mr Johnsen said.

Since 2011, there have been 113 deaths from quad bike accidents across Australia, with 32 incidents just in NSW.

In March this year, the government doubled the rebates available under the scheme for farmers who want to buy a safer side-by-side farm vehicle, retrofit safety equipment to existing quad bikes, and/or buy an approved helmet.

Today's announcement is about removing a barrier to accessing training and making it as safe as possible for farmers who use quad bikes," Mr Johnsen said.

L-R: Singleton's Gavin Wake, Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen, Max Wake
 and Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Matt Kean at the Wake
 property on Sunday.

Hunter independent service stations should expect a visit from SafeWork

BY JARROD MELMETH

The New South Wales Government has today launched a project aimed at educating independently-owned service stations in regional NSW, including the Hunter on safety and workers compensation, as well as obtaining fuel pricing information.

The project is in response to recent SafeWork research that found small, independently-owned service stations lack understanding of work health and safety in relation to storage, handling and use of dangerous goods, as well as safety and emergency plans.

Director North Region SafeWork NSW, Laurence Ritchie says Hunter service station owners should expect a visit.

"It's quite possible that there will be visits across the Hunter Region, but that will not be in the Greater Metropolitan area.

"The Hunter Region itself is quite broad and we will be looking to go to service stations that out lie the Hunter area," Mr Ritchie said.

SafeWork NSW Group Director, Regional Operations and Sector Initiatives, Tony Williams said the project was about increasing the ability of service stations in regional NSW to work safely and more productively.

"Due to their isolation, small independently-owned service stations in regional NSW have received less frequent assistance in the past.

"By Supporting them to understand their work health and safety, workers compensation and trading obligations, workers will be safer and consumers better protected," Mr Williams said.

During visits, SafeWork inspectors will advise local operators how to comply with dangerous goods regulations and ensure they have adequate and up to date safety and emergency plans.

"We've worked with stakeholders who have supported us going out," Mr Ritchie said.

Operators that receive a visit may be eligible to claim a $500 rebate from SafeWork NSW, to put towards the purchase and installation of eligible safety items that address a safety problem.

Newcastle Man Killed At Sydney Work Site

BY IAN CROUCH

The death of a Newcastle construction worker at a Sydney work site has raised safety concerns.

Tim Macpherson was working as a rigger on barge being used in the construction of a new ferry wharf at Barangaroo on Wednesday when he was struck and killed by a 3 tonne steel beam which fell on him.

He leaves behind a 14-month old son and his pregnant partner.

SafeWork NSW is investigating the death, however the Construction Union says it's concerned about whether the work was being carried out correctly, describing the tragedy as a case of industrial manslaughter.

Heads Should Roll Over Death Of Electricity Worker at Buladehlah: Union

BY IAN CROUCH

 The Electrical Trades Union is calling for the bosses of Essential Energy to be held personally accountable for the death of a worker at Buladehlah 3 years ago.

47-year-old Trevor Tooze was one of six workers replacing several kilometres of power lines on Monday September 2, 2013.

He was working on a raised platform when he was electrocuted after taking hold of a copper cable being lowered to the ground which came into contact with a live overhead 11,000 volt  power line.

His colleagues performed CPR but, despite their best efforts, Mr Tooze was pronounced dead at the scene by ambulance paramedics.

The top conductors of the power line had been left energised to maintain uninterrupted power supply to customers while workers removed the bottom conductors.

A SafeWork NSW investigation found if Essential Energy had ensured the top conductors were deenergised and the power was turned off at the feeder, Mr Tooze's death could've been prevented.

The company has been convicted and fined $300,000.

Since the incident, Essential Energy has issued a safety alert prohibiting the practice which led to the death. It has also formed a Safety Review Working Group and installed 178 defibrillators at worksites.

However, Union Assistant Secretary, Dave McKinley believes heads should roll over the incident.

"We believe the senior executives who were responsible for this policy, who knowingly placed workers in danger for the sake of maintaining electricity services, must be held personally responsible," he said.

ETU Assistant Secretary Dave McKinley