The Sydney Safety Show offers industry professionals an opportunity to find the latest OHS products, services and ideas, and gives them a chance to see hundreds of new and innovative ways to improve workplace performance. It also enables visitors to keep up to date with new developments in OHS from the broad range of specialists.

Guidelines on PPE to be worn by electrical workers are detailed in AS/NZS 4863:2011.

According to WorkSafe Victoria, from 1985 to 2008, over $19 billion was paid out in workers compensations claims as a result of injuries sustained in the workplace. And with over 29,000 cases of workplace injuries reported in Victoria in 2007/08 alone, it is little wonder that employers are continually reassessing their OHS standards and requirements to create a safer working environment.

Smelly painful feet, skin rashes, ingrown toe nails, hammer toes and postural deformities are just a few of the many problems experienced by tradesmen wearing uncomfortable or ill-fitting boots on the job site. What most tradesmen don’t realise is that by not wearing safe and supportive work boots, they are not only jeopardising their safety when at work but also the longevity of their careers.

Working near power lines is a major national safety issue because of the number of deaths and serious injuries that occur each year. The Southern Grampians Council worked with a local manufacturer to develop a device that automatically stops machines and activates an alarm if they got too close to high-voltage power lines, reducing the risk of electrocution or serious burns.

In a recent survey released by Kimberly-Clark Professional, 89% of safety professionals said they had observed workers not wearing safety equipment when they should have been.

The new ISO 27065:2011, 'Protective clothing - performance requirements for protective clothing worn by operators applying liquid pesticides', addresses the protection of farmers and workers mainly during the application phase of handling pesticides, i.e. the work phase where most operator contamination occurs.

Rescue teams and emergency medical services providers need effective personal protection equipment (PPE) to protect themselves from the dangers faced on the job in saving lives and protecting property. The snap decisions made by rescue teams can make a difference between life and death, rescue or recovery. This explains why it is necessary to select the best protective clothing and hazmat gear for each potential situation they will face.

WorkCover NSW has issued a safety alert following an incident involving the collapse of a suspended concrete slab during the demolition of a multistorey building.

To find money for health and safety at work means thinking beyond legal obligations and looking for ways that health and safety can add value to, and be valued by, an organisation. It means being creative and looking both above and below the line - business decisions should be objective but are often influenced by underpinning management values.

WorkCover NSW has issued a safety alert on scissor lift table chocks following a fatal incident when a person was crushed beneath a scissor lift table while repairing the hydraulic system.

The model Work Health and Safety Act will commence in each jurisdiction in Australia from 1 January 2012. One aspect of the legislation that is significantly different to current laws is the duty imposed on ‘officers’ of a person conducting a business or undertaking.

The harmonised safety laws across Australia are one step closer to becoming a reality and will bring about significant changes to the construction industry. With only six months to go until the new laws commence operation on 1 January 2012, businesses have a limited timeframe to become familiar with the new Workplace Health & Safety Act and regulations that will replace the current laws.

Three million working days are lost in Australia each year due to alcohol- and drug-related issues, according to a 2007 media release issued by the Australian Psychological Society. Employees affected by alcohol or other drugs may present a safety risk, and employment of best drug testing practices is vital for effective and efficient functioning of organisations. However, the most suitable method for workplace drug testing still remains debated.

Too many people who work on construction sites think that it’s someone else’s responsibility to keep them safe. This is especially true for people who are required to work at height in these environments. But even the most conscientious and safety-focused worker can pay the ultimate price due to workplace safety neglect.