Ask For Angela Campaign Rolling Out Across State

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

It's hoped the new 'Ask for Angela' safety campaign being rolled out by the State Government will soon make its way to the Hunter.

The campaign encourages patrons at participating venues to ask staff for 'Angela' if they feel unsafe, triggering an automatic response from staff who will discreetly assist the patron by escorting them to safety or contacting authorities.

'Ask for Angela' was launched in venues across the Sydney CBD over the weekend and University of Newcastle Criminology lecturer, Dr Xanthe Mallett, would like to see it rolled out in the Hunter.

Dr Mallett says the key to the program's success is that worried patrons won't feel pressured to explain the details of their situation, and venue staff will be correctly trained in how to respond.

"It gives people a really quick, simple way of expressing concern that other people can understand," Dr Mallett said.

"Even if it's just one person, even that is better than the current situation that we have."

Originating in England, the 'Ask for Angela' campaign has already been trialled successfully across New South Wales in Wagga Wagga, Albury, Orange and Byron Bay.

Picture: Liquor & Gaming NSW

Several People Rescued after being caught in Rip at Anna Bay

BY JESSICA ROUSE

It's not only safety on the roads emergency services are pleading for, it's safety on the water as well.

The Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to reports of several people being caught up in a rip at Anna Bay late yesterday afternoon.

A 27-year-old man and a 14-year-old girl were flown to the John Hunter Hospital for observation.

Both were last reported to be in a stable condition.

It also comes after a man lost his life at Frazer Park, Catherine Hill Bay on Sunday - a notorious spot for drownings.

Australians Afraid of the Bike

BY TYLER FARDELL

It appears many residents across Australia and the Hunter have given up cycling due to safety concerns.

The Medical Journal of Australia today released the results of a recent study, showing a doubling of hospitalised major trauma for cyclists in the last nine years.

The data is even more shocking when you note there has been a decrease in the level of bike riders over that same period.

So why has there been an increase in accidents when the number of riders has dropped? The Australian Cycling Promotion Foundation is blaming the lack of infrastructure for cyclists.

Australia doesn't have separate bike paths and lanes like other countries, forcing many riders to either ride on the busy footpaths and roads or not ride at all.

Stephen Hodge of the Cycling Foundation is calling on the government to act now and make cycling safer and more viable for casual bike riders.

"The government should focus on getting people out of their cars and onto their bikes, but the infrastructure needs to improve before that can happen", he said.

"The development of safe and well-connected bike lanes along with a more positive legislative attitude towards cycling is what we're calling for".

Source; ABC

Paramedic safety is paramount

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Health Service Union (HSU) is calling for words to be turned into action after a NSW parliamentary inquiry into the violence against paramedics across the state and throughout the Hunter.

There has been an incredible upsurge in incidents in the past year and the inquiry also comes after numerous violent incidents including two paramedics who were assaulted in Lake Macquarie while helping a woman who was going into labour.

The inquiry found 47 recommendations with the HSU suggesting some need to implemented urgently including paramedics not working along, extra security at hospitals including guards and CCT surveillance and new protocols introduced so when violent patients are left at hospitals by police there are enough security guards and resources to deal with them.

"The important issues for the government is to ensure that no paramedic responds on their own, and there is adequate support and backup from other crews to be able to assist and ensuing the communications are improved by doing away with the radio blackspots that they currently have," said NSW HSU Secretary Gerard Hayes. 

The committee holding the inquiry was bi-partisan and with plenty of bipartisan support, the HSU hopes the measures will be put into action as fast as possible.

"Certainly senior representatives of the government are on this committee and so we would expect now that they would be taking that to their cabinet to ensure that what the HSU has been talking about for the past five years in relation to additional paramedics, additional security staff to make their job safer and to make the community safer is delivered onto the people of NSW," said Gerard Hayes.

Calls for a summit to discuss Paramedic safety

BY JAMES WARD

State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery, has urged the Government to hold a summit to discuss the safety or lack of for Paramedics across the state.

Ms Hornery has spoken a number of times in Parliament about the issue dating back to 2013 with the tabling of the Notices of Motions but has again pleaded to the Government after a series of attacks on Paramedics in recent months.

Along with Ms Hornery, The Health Services Union has called for the summit after assaults on Paramedics have risen in the last year.

"There have been increasing levels of injuries to Paramedics so I'm asking the Government again to make sure they pay attention to my concerns about the lack of safety for paramedics and to host the summit," Ms Hornery said.

"Hopefully no more accidents occur before the government acts, the government need to pay more attention to the health and safety of our Paramedics and listen to them."

Paramedics have and will continue to care and attend to community matters but Ms Hornery wants more safety implementations put in place to prevent hard working Paramedics from being assaulted on duty.

"I'll continue to lobby for the Paramedics in the Hunter, they have a very important job and they don't deserve to be assaulted in line with their duty," Ms Hornery stated.

Souce: NSW Ambulance Jobs

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

Fix the congestion, RMS: Mayor

Bob Pynsent

BY GARY-JON LYSAGHT

It’s only been a day since the opening of Frame Drive Bridge at Abermain on Wednesday, but Cessnock Council has already begun to hear complaints from residents over increased congestion on connector roads.

It’s prompted Council to call on Roads and Maritime Services to honour two-year-old conversations to improve safety on various connector roads.

“We do anticipate the return of traffic on Frame Drive Bridge will have a profound impact as it will again serve as a major connector road to and from the Hunter Expressway,” Mayor Bob Pynsent said.

“The bridge has been open barely a day and we’ve already got complaints about queuing to get through both these intersections.”

The intersection of Hart Road, Government Road and Gingers Lane has been flagged as of particular concern, with Cr Pynsent calling on RMS to do something about it.

He says a round-a-bout or traffic lights need to be installed at the intersection as well as the intersection of Hart Road and Frame Drive.

“RMS needs to follow up on the commitment they gave to assist Cessnock City Council in the safety concerns with the opening of Frame Drive Bridge,” Cr Pynsent said.

“We’ve been talking, but there hasn’t been one cent of a financial commitment at this point.”

Community anger about the increased congestion has been of particular interest to Council, with Cr Pynsent saying there were pre-emptive complaints before Wednesday’s opening.

“We had a series of complaints before we even opened Frame Drive Bridge yesterday.  The people have flagged this issue with us and that was existing before the bridge was damaged in the April storms,” he said.

“Now the bridge is opened, now is not the time to remain idle.  We are urging the NSW Government to make this a priority to ensure the safety of our road users,” Cr Pynsent said.

The Frame Drive Bridge was demolished in April 2015, after it was badly damaged during the superstorm that blew itself across the Hunter.

Significant improvement, including adding a second lane and constructing the bridge out of concrete led to assurances that the bridge would have a use life of at least 100 years.

Night Works on Swansea Bridge

Roads and Maritime Services will be conducting roadworks from Sunday evening along the Pacific Highway, at Swansea.

The resurfacing work will be done on the southbound lanes of Swansea Bridge for three nights from January 31.

Work will be conducted between 8pm and 4.30am, with southbound traffic diverted onto the northbound brdige, via contra flow.

Weather permitting, works should be completed by February 7.

During work hours, a reduced, 40 km/h speed limit will be enforced to minimise risk for both workers and motorists.

Additional information can be found on www.livetraffic.com.  Motorists can also download the Live Traffic App for smartphones, or call the Transport Management Centre on 132 701.

Image courtesy of Matthew Fern, via Flickr (LINK).

Hospitals to Beef up Security

The State Government has agreed to launch an investigation into the safety of staff and patients at hospitals across New South Wales.

The security audit will include looking at duress alarms, CCTV monitoring and the design of emergency departments.

It comes after the near fatal shooting of a police officer and security guard at Nepean Hospital, in Sydney.

The increase in security is also linked to the rapid rise in ice and alcohol related violence, including a patient who attempted to grab a police officers gun at Manly Hospital, as reported by Fairfax Media.

Health Services Union Secretary, Gerard Hayes says ice and alcohol are becoming increasingly dangerous.

"Emergency departments in hospitals are becoming a dangerous place and we need to be able to engage and resolve those issues proactively as opposed to reactively."

"In John Hunter Hospital it's regular [that] there's violence through drugs like ice."

He says security guards with guns will not help the issue.

The issue also appears to be a bipartisan one, with Shadow Minister for Health, Walt Secord agreeing to help in any way.

"I want to work together with the [State] Government to find a solution.  The best thing we can do is put patients first."

"I'm willing to put aside any political differences and work with the [State] Government to improve safety in the emergency department."

Image courtesy of The Daily Telegraph (LINK).

Architects Urging Homeowners to Check for Leaks

After all the wild weather thrashed the Hunter two weeks ago, homeowners are now being asked to ensure their home's are free of cracks and leaks which have opened.

After heavy rain, leaky roofs can lead to dangerous situations where water can penetrate walls, get into the insulation and cause plasterboard to become moldy and weathered.

Homeowners are asked to also make sure guttering are free of fallen leaves, sticks and debris and to also ensure chimney's are structurally safe and secure against water damage.

Sydney architect and director of Archicentre, Michael Jones says residents should not try to do all the checks themselves.

"There's risk of loose electrical wires and that sort of thing so, moisture and electricity don't go together well."

"It needs someone with experience and the right tools and equipment and protection to up on the outside of the roof or up on the inside."

However, homeowners are still able to patch the problem both a professional can get the job done.

"If there's something very obvious and easy to deal with within reach they can put a bit of plastic over it or cover it up" said Mr. Jones.

"They should in the first instance photograph it, tak
e a record of it and ring their insurer, say they've got a likely claim."

"With professional advice, the insurance companies are far more likely to listen."

A full checklist for roof repairs is available on the Archicentre website.