Workplace Issues magazine December 2020 · 2020. 12. 15. · magazine’ link. Phone: 1300 366 322...

DECEMBER 2020

WORKPL CE

Men’s health, working safely in heat and UV, and more

safety, wellbeing

Keeping fruit pickers COVID Safeseasonal worker safety

Dangers in floor sheeting and tilesbe asbestos aware

issues

2 Workplace Issues No. 97 December 2020

ContentsNEWS + EVENTS8 WorkSafe Tasmania Month hits new highs

12 Tasmania adopts national traffic management guide

14 Spotlight on Public Admin and Mining industries

16 Update: Advisory Service

18 Prosecutions

19 About Worker Assist: How it can help you

21 National report: COVID workers comp claims

safety4 Beware of COVID complacency

6 Berry farm’s COVID Safe efforts bear fruit

10 Working Safely in the heat

11 Working safely in the sun

11 Other summer safety resources

13 Warning: Asbestos in flooring materials

23 Helping fruit pickers stay COVID Safe

wellbeing17 Supporting mens health

regulars3 From the Minister

20 Who can claim for workers compensation?

22 Business Tasmania: Here to help

23 Everybody’s Talking

COVER STORY

Keeping fruit pickers COVID Safe Burlington Berries explains its COVID Safe measures for protecting its workers; and Hillwood Berries is the backdrop for our new Safe Farming Tasmania COVID Safe video.

Be asbestos aware Know the risks of vinyl floor sheeting and tiles.

PublisherPublished three times a year by WorkSafe Tasmania.

OnlineTo see current and past editions, our warnings about telefraud and graphic images, and to subscribe, go to worksafe.tas.gov.au then choose the ‘Resources’ button then the ‘Workplace Issues magazine’ link.

Phone: 1300 366 322

Email: [email protected]

DisclaimerWorkSafe Tasmania and the Crown in the right of the State of Tasmania, its employees and agents disclaim liability for the accuracy or comprehensiveness of the information, data and advice provided in Workplace Issues; and will not be responsible for any loss, however arising and whether or not due to negligence, arising from reliance on, or action taken on the basis of any information, data or advice provided in Workplace Issues.

Any information, data and advice is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment and verification of such information, data and advice before any reliance is placed upon it.

Views expressed in Workplace Issues are those of the individual contributors or the editorial committee and are intended to stimulate discussion. They do not necessarily reflect the policy of the Government or WorkSafe Tasmania.

ISSN 1444-6316 (Print)

ISSN 2204-5597 (Online)

Throughout, the acronyms ‘WHS’ stands for work health and safety and ‘PCBU’ stands for person conducting a business or undertaking.

page 13

Cover photo: Hillwood Berries, courtesy Alex Beem Creative Media

http://www.worksafe.tas.gov.aumailto:[email protected]

Workplace Issues No. 97 December 2020 3

As our State continues to move forward safely and responsibly with the lifting of certain restrictions and the opening of our State borders, we must continue to be vigilant and keep COVID-19 safety at the forefront of our minds.

The Tasmanian Government’s ‘Keep on Top of COVID’ campaign recognises that we have been able to lift many COVID-19 related restrictions because the overwhelming majority of Tasmanians did the right thing during the height of the pandemic.

As individuals and a community, we practised good hygiene and maintained physical distancing, followed the rules and guidelines for gatherings and activities, and had a test if we felt unwell with COVID-19 symptoms.

Now, it is as important as ever that we do not become complacent. We must maintain our COVID-Safe behaviours and attitudes, and remember the shared responsibility we all have to keep our community and our loved ones safe.

The key to the Keep on Top of COVID campaign is the word ‘keep’. We all need to keep doing the right things to keep COVID-19 away, so we can keep enjoying the things we like to do.

This campaign reminds us to keep washing our hands, keep social distancing and get COVID-19 tested if we experience any cold or flu symptoms. The campaign has communicated the reasons behind acting and thinking in a COVID-Safe way so we can keep socialising with our friends, keep visiting our family and keep our business open.

What does this mean for you and your business practices, your workers and your customers?

It means continuing to communicate to your workers, suppliers and customers the COVID-Safe control measures you have in place. This is especially important for any measures that go beyond the usual hygiene and physical distancing, and are unique to your particular workplace requirements.

It also means addressing any COVID-19 complacency that may have crept in, whether that might be with your staff or your customers. The Advisory Service’s new column in this edition addresses ways to do this, and communication is the key.

We do not want to undo the hard work Tasmanians have put in over the past nine months. Keep on Top of COVID has empowered Tasmanians to feel confident to continue with their lives and continue to embrace and apply COVID-Safe behaviours.

I encourage you to stay up-to-date with the latest COVID-19 warnings and advice for Tasmania at coronavirus.tas.gov.au.

Finally, it gives me great pleasure to announce WorkSafe Tasmania’s new Executive Director, Robyn Pearce.

Robyn has led WorkSafe Tasmania as Acting Chief Executive Officer since March 2020, stepping up from her role as Director Industry Safety (which she has held since June 2018).

This coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought about an unprecedented rise in workload throughout WorkSafe Tasmania. Robyn led the WorkSafe team throughout this challenging period, collaborating with the State Controller, multiple Government agencies, industry and unions to contribute to the Tasmanian Government’s COVID-Safe Workplaces Framework and ongoing recovery work. This was in addition to the important work WorkSafe does day to day in the areas of workers compensation, asbestos compensation, licensing and more.

I wish to personally thank Robyn and her entire team for their incredible efforts to date during COVID-19, and I wish them all the best as they work to make Tasmanian workplaces safer and healthier into the future.

As always, please look after each other, stay safe and take care.

ELISE ARCHER MPMINISTER FOR BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION

Keep on Top of COVID Campaign

For most Tasmanians, life has become easier and returned closer to normal through the staged easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

Lifting restrictions has been made possible because the overwhelming majority of Tasmanians did and continue to do the right things: practising good hygiene and maintaining physical distancing, following the advised restrictions on gatherings and activities, and getting tested if feeling unwell with COVID symptoms.

While this is good news, it is very important that we all don’t fall into the trap of complacency, and we maintain these good behaviours, especially with our borders reopening to interstate travellers.

We need to remain vigilant — as individuals and as workplaces.

We have seen other states and countries suffer second waves, and tighter rounds of restrictions.

Switching restrictions off and on again would come at a significant cost: to our personal freedoms, our livelihoods, our mental health and wellbeing, and our local and state economies.

So it is very important that we all keep doing what is needed to prevent coronavirus taking hold again in our community.

Until we have a vaccine, the best way to remain safe is to continue following and complying with Public Health guidelines and instructions on health, hygiene, physical distancing and gatherings.

For all of us, this means continuing to:

• wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, and use hand sanitiser when necessary

• maintain 1.5 metres between yourself and others where possible: for example, at work, when lining up at the supermarket, when exercising

• getting tested if you have any COVID-19 symptoms and staying home while you await the results.

For workplaces, this means:

• continue to promote good hygiene, distancing and testing to your workers: with posters, staff newsletters or emails, and team meetings. Be up-front about complacency and discuss the importance of remaining COVID Safe

• continue to communicate the COVID Safe control measures that are particular to your workplace operations, activities and environment.

Even as we enjoy ‘the new normal’, control measures are still required (and will be enforced by WorkSafe Tasmania’s Inspectorate).

Your COVID Safe plans remain important guidance for you and your workers. They should be ‘living documents’ that you review on a regular basis, and especially whenever Public Health directions change. Review your plan’s control measures to make sure they continue to do what they are supposed to do: keep you, your workers and your customers safe.

To help inform your review, go back to our industry resources with fresh eyes. Are there other actions or measures that you should incorporate now? Are those you already have in place still working? Find all our industry guidelines (developed in consultation with Tasmanian industry stakeholders and representatives) at our COVID-19 web pages. Go to worksafe.tas.gov.au/coronavirus and search for ‘guidelines’.

New information sheets and templates have also been developed, further explaining density, distancing and mixing requirements — and how to comply with them. There are documents specifically aimed at gyms and event organisers, to help them ensure they meet all the COVID Safe requirements. Go to worksafe.tas.gov.au/coronavirus and search for ‘framework’.

Beware of COVID complacency

Keep up to date.

www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au

COVID-safe behaviours for the workplace

Follow this advice to protect yourself and others.

Wash your hands frequently for

at least 20 seconds. Use alcohol-

based hand sanitiser if hand

washing is not available.

Cover coughs and sneezes with

a tissue or the inside of your

elbow. Dispose of used tissues

immediately using a rubbish bin.

Stay 1.5 metres away from other

people.

Clean and disinfect frequently

touched surfaces, equipment

and shared spaces.

Stay home if you have cold

or flu-like symptoms.

Get tested for COVID-19.

A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY

WHAT THIS MEANS IN PRACTICE

REVIEW YOUR PLANS, STAY UP TO DATE


safety

http://worksafe.tas.gov.au/coronavirushttp://worksafe.tas.gov.au/coronavirus

Keep up to date.


COVID-safe behaviours for the workplace

Follow this advice to protect yourself and others.

Wash your hands frequently for

at least 20 seconds. Use alcohol-

based hand sanitiser if hand

washing is not available.

Cover coughs and sneezes with

a tissue or the inside of your

elbow. Dispose of used tissues

immediately using a rubbish bin.

Stay 1.5 metres away from other

people.

Clean and disinfect frequently

touched surfaces, equipment

and shared spaces.

Stay home if you have cold

or flu-like symptoms.

Get tested for COVID-19.


Family-owned berry farm Burlington Berries is in the midst of its busiest time of year: harvesting and packing its juicy, high-quality strawberries and raspberries ready for customers all around Australia.

This year, the company has had an extra layer of preparedness for the harvesting season: making sure its operations and long-time and seasonal workers are COVID Safe.

‘Our approach at Burlington has been driven by an acute awareness of our responsibility to the local community, our long-term workforce and the significant number of seasonal workers for whom we have a duty of care,’ said General Manager of Burlington Berries, Laurie Adams.

Laurie and his team started planning when the first cases and lockdown hit Tasmania earlier in 2020.

‘This was the last few months of our 2019–20 season, so we had a decent number of workers on site. Where it was possible, we moved people to working from home or working in isolation immediately, and as the first lockdown evolved we developed what would become our integrated COVID policies,’ explained Laurie.

A crucial characteristic of Burlington’s response was adaptability: remaining open to the rapid pace of change. ‘Throughout March and June, our senior managers held short daily meetings — outdoors, standing two metres apart — to adapt and respond quickly. We had to talk often and act quickly,’ said Laurie.

‘As we moved to a more stable position in Tasmania in June, we started to formally draft a plan for the winter and our next season.’

The senior management team discussed (and still does) COVID at each weekly meeting, and the manager of each of the company’s different areas (for example, harvest, welfare, and the packhouse) is expected to lead their team. ‘The overall policy and approach was pulled together by Maddie Fish, our Human Resources Officer, in consultation with the area managers.’

Consultation was an important part of Burlington Berries’ COVID preparations. ‘We consulted heavily with our regional grower group, which includes other berry farms, and developed a lot of policies together with them. Likewise we were able to draw on the various government websites for guidance, including WorkSafe Tasmania’s.

‘And Burlington is fortunate to have a sister company in the UK, so we could learn from their experiences over the northern summer.’

However, the company was also unafraid to act early, especially in the early days of the pandemic when specific industry or government consensus was not yet available.

The team worked together to develop and communicate its new policies: ‘This remains a key part of maintaining buy-in from the wider team,’ explained Laurie. ‘Communication has been important, ensuring our workers are aware of what and why we’re doing things.’

The berry business is ‘such a labour intensive business’, so the potential impact of a COVID case would have ‘wide-ranging impacts’, said Laurie.

‘Thankfully with the current situation, theses impacts remain potential, not actual. But our approach was to look at the situation in terms of different risk levels: low, medium or high. Each of our areas had increasing levels of controls as the risk level in Tasmania changed,’ explained Laurie. ‘As cases arrived or spread in the state, we had our responses planned and ready to implement; and the team was aware of these levels, which mitigated any shock or frustration when or if we had to implement them.’

Berry farm’s COVID Safe efforts bear fruit

SAFETY


So what control measures has Burlington Berries introduced to make its workers and the broader community COVID Safe?

‘We’ve put as many practical controls in place as we can, such as a host of office and field-based hygiene facilities, digital sign-in procedures, Perspex screening, and workstation spacing and workforce separation,’ said Laurie. ‘We’ve set up the various accommodation facilities to allow for quarantine and workforce isolation.’

Consideration of staffing levels is a very important matter for Burlington Berries, especially as it moves back into peak season when there will be over 300 people on site. ‘Due to the fact that we employ staff in our own accommodation as well as the community, we’ve had to develop systems to group the workforce not just by operation but also by living location and transport to site.

‘It’s been challenging to be so involved in people’s lives, but the priority is keeping the team, community and business safe.’

Scenario planning has also been important: ‘We keep running contingencies and scenarios to see how our systems will hold up and adjust as needed. Likewise as the government advice and situation in Australia changes, we need to react and evolve.’

Obviously this level of preparedness comes at a cost. ‘Inevitably there has been investment in hygiene facilities, workstation and workforce separation. Probably the biggest investment has been in scenario planning and contingency preparations, stress-testing ideas and assumptions as early as possible. And contingencies, such as securing extra accommodation and vehicles, comes at a cost.’

Burlington Berries also recognises the impact the pandemic has had on the welfare of its workers, when staff were asked to isolate, work from home or adjust to new practices. ‘And often our seasonal workers are far from home, living in farm-provided accommodation, and at a high risk from the physical and mental health issues posed by COVID-19.

‘Without doubt COVID-19 has posed a host of challenges and brought significant working changes,’ said Laurie. ‘The team has had to rise to the situation, but has developed a range of skills and experience that will make them and Burlington a more resilient business going forward.’

All photos courtesy Burlington Berries

Month 2020

Over the years, WorkSafe Month has successfully helped workers, managers and employers learn how to manage workplace hazards, comply with the laws, understand their rights and responsibilities, manage positive return to work outcomes, and become healthier too.

This year was no exception!

Respecting COVID-19 restrictions and safety measures, WorkSafe Tasmania, on behalf of the WorkCover Tasmania Board, provided an energised online program.

‘WorkSafe Month is always evolving to meet the information needs and wants of employers and workers. In these unprecedented times, we wanted to focus on helping everyone navigate through this difficult and unpredictable period,’ said Senior Project Manager Stephanie Mirowski (below), who has been involved with the Month since 2008.

Focusing on the theme ‘Safe Bodies, Safe Minds’, WorkSafe Month saw expert speakers, business leaders and health and safety professionals deliver webinars on a topics covering WHS, wellbeing, mental health, injury management and return to work.

OzHelp (a program of Lifeline Tasmania) delivered free and subsidised online training covering suicide prevention, mental health first aid, managing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, and supporting others in the workplace.

Going completely online allowed individuals and groups, no matter where they are based, a greater opportunity to participate in our 37 webinars.

There were over 4,000 registrations from people not just in Tasmania, but from all over the world. A further 196 people participated in OzHelp’s training.

‘It was great to see how successful this year has been with everyone embracing the change to an entirely virtual WorkSafe Month,’ said Stephanie.

‘The feedback we’ve received from presenters and participants has been exceptional, and we now have these wonderful resources for everyone to use in the future.

‘Ongoing collaboration with stakeholders has been the key to the success of this project, and we will continue to do this to ensure a safer and healthier Tasmania through WorkSafe Month.’

WorkSafe Month in Tasmania supports Safe Work Australia’s National Safe Work Month.

WorkSafe Tasmania Month hits new highs

2021 and beyondWe recognise how important it is to engage with our stakeholders and the community all year round, not just in WorkSafe Month, so next year we will roll out our 2021–2023 WorkSafe Engagement Program.

The Program will deliver education and engagement activities throughout the year, to ensure we’re providing you with ongoing opportunities to learn more about WHS, wellbeing and return to work.

To stay up to date, subscribe to our mailing list at worksafe.tas.gov.au/subscriptions.

WorkSafe Tasmania’s Senior Project Manager, Stephanie Mirowski

http://www.worksafetasmonth.com.auhttp://www.worksafe.tas.gov.auhttps://www.worksafe.tas.gov.au/about/about-the-workcover-tasmania-boardhttp://worksafe.tas.gov.au/subscriptions


Robert Aurbach: Uncommon ApproachKlaus Baur: Heart2Heart Foundation David Bentley: Just LeadershipKristen Carroll: Lifeline Tasmania IncNatasha Cloak: SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTyScott Coleman: Preventure Pty LtdRhys Cooper: Longitude6Maurice Dawe: Drug Education NetworkAnne-Marie Dean: Tasmanian Association of Vocational Rehabilitation ProvidersProfessor David Dunstan: Baker Heart and Diabetes InstituteLorna Farquhar: Tas Ergonomic CollaborativeRuth Feeger: Tasmanian Association of Vocational Rehabilitation ProvidersYohana Franklin EverymindLiz Freeman: Tas Ergonomic Collaborative Ella French: Cancer CouncilWendy French: Talking about...TrainingJennie Gorringe: Equal Opportunity TasmaniaAssociate Professor Genevieve Healy: University of QueenslandRos Herbert: Council on the Ageing (COTA Tasmania)Klaus Hofer: Communications and Training InternationalDr Kieran Holm: Positive SolutionsRoss Iles: Monash UniversityAndrea Ireland: Tas Ergonomic CollaborativeAssociate Professor Nektarios Karanikas: Queensland University of TechnologyAngelina Lee: PhysioForward Alicia Leis: WLF Accounting and AdvisoryLyn McGaurr: Council on the Ageing (COTA Tasmania) Alison Merridew: WLF Accounting and AdvisoryGarry Mills: Garry Mills Peak PerformanceJessica Munday: Unions TasmaniaAssociate Professor Kimberley Norris: University of TasmaniaJustin Ockerby: IPAR RehabilitationBrad Parker: WorkSafe TasmaniaDaniella Polita: Tas Ergonomic CollaborativeMark Reggers: 3MDave Reynolds: Drug Education NetworkSarah Sealy: HWL Ebsworth LawyersLinda Sheahan: Beyond BlueHazel Smirlis: Compliance LabVicki Tabor: WorkSafe TasmaniaLuke Taylor: HWL Ebsworth Lawyers Roz Taylor: Respect at WorkAnthony Warwick: WorkSafe TasmaniaMaree Webber: Tas Ergonomic CollaborativeBianca Welsh: Stillwater Restaurant, Seven Rooms and Black Cow BistroDr Megan Woods: University of Tasmania

Watch the webinars againIf you want to watch the webinars again, share them with your co-workers, or if you didn’t get the chance to see them when they we re live, catch up with them on our Youtube channel. Go to youtube.com/WorkSafeTas.

The month in numbers

37 webinars attracted over 4,000 registrations from all over the world, with 2,270 attending.

196 people participated in OzHelp’s training.

More than 50 presenters from over 40 local, national and international organisations.

27,63627,636 viewed worksafemonthtas.com.au with 6,155 unique visitors.

LinkedIn gained approximately 258 followers and 5.844 unique users engaged with our Facebook page.

news +

eventsWorkSafe would like to thank our webinar presenters for their excellent presentations

http://youtube.com/WorkSafeTas


Working in the heat can, quite simply, be hazardous to your health and safety. Your body needs to maintain a temperature of about 37 degrees Celsius. If your body starts to overheat or has to work too hard to stay cool, you can suffer a heat-related illness: conditions ranging from fainting, heat rash, dehydration and heat cramps up to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can be fatal.

A worker suffering from the heat can lose concentration and make mistakes, which can lead to incidents and injuries.

Work being carried out for an extended period of time or that demands a lot of physical exertion also increases the risk of heat-related illness.

Factors that increase the risk of heat-related illnessIn the summertime, working outside or within a space that can heat up, such as a roof cavity, can put workers at risk. Radiant temperatures may be higher when working in the sun on a concrete or metal roof, or near hot machinery.

Minimal air movement in confined or poorly ventilated spaces can make workers feel hotter. Humidity makes it harder for a person to cool down.

Ways to work safelyEmployers have a duty of care to ensure their workers are safe from heat hazards. Workers have a responsibility for their own safety and health, and must follow UV protection policies and use sun protective measures provided.

You can make modifications to buildings and indoor work spaces to make them cooler (such as ensuring there is good ventilation and air-conditioning systems). For outdoor workers, control measures might include:

►use plant or equipment to reduce manual work and exertion

► schedule heavy or strenuous work for cooler parts of the day (or even cooler times of the year, if possible)

►modify targets and work rates to reduce physical exertion

►provide shaded, air-conditioned or cool areas for workers to take breaks in

►modify clothing so workers wear cooler, more breathable items

►establish work/rest schedules

►ensure workers are not working alone; if they must work alone, monitor them regularly and make sure they can easily make contact if they need help.

Make sure supervisors and workers are trained to recognise the symptoms of heat-related illness, and know what to do if they experience it or think a co-worker may be at risk.

Staying hydrated with water (not soft drinks, tea or coffee) is also very important. Make sure workers have ready supplies of cool drinking water available.

Working safely in the heat

WORKING IN HEAT

Working in heat can be hazardous and can cause harm to workers 1,360 over the ten years from 2008–09 to 2017–18p

5 You must do everything reasonably practicable to eliminate the risks of working in heat. Where the risk cannot be eliminated, it must be minimised as much as reasonably practicable.

WAYS TO CONTROL RISK

Relocate work to cooler or air-conditioned areas

For further information see our Potential Hazards and Risks for working in heat fact sheet or our Guide for managing the risks of working in heat

Automate processes, use plant equipment to reduce physical labour requirements

1,235working in the sun

85working in hot indoor conditions

Number of workers’ compensation claims resulting from working in heat

OF THESE CLAIMS:

5 Different workers may react differently to heat conditions.

5 Heat is not just a hazard when working outdoors on hot days. Consider the conditions inside your workplace and what hazards may be present.

heat stroke or heat stress40of these claims were cancer

related

750of these claims were heat stroke or heat stress related

140

Review rest schedulesModify targets and work rates to account for conditions

Schedule work to cooler parts of the day/year

Where possible, don’t allow workers to work alone

Note: The claims data has been sourced from Safe Work Australia’s National Data Set for Compensation-based Statistics (NDS), which is compiled based on workers’ compensation data provided annually by each of the jurisdictional workers’ compensation authorities. The data for 2017-18 is preliminary (denoted by ‘p’) and will be subjected to upwards revision when new data is available

Get the guide Safe Work Australia’s guide on Managing the risk of working in heat contains straightforward directions to reduce the risk of you or your workers suffering from a heat-related illness. It includes a risk assessment checklist and a first aid fact sheet which would be ideal to copy and make readily available to work crews. Go to safeworkaustralia.gov.au and search for ‘heat guide’.

Summer’s HereSAFETY

http://safeworkaustralia.gov.au


Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Each year over 2,000 Australians die from this almost entirely preventable disease.

Risks of UVPeople who work outdoors are exposed to more UV (ultra violet) radiation than indoor workers, and they have a higher than average risk of developing common skin cancers.

It pays to be careful no matter what the day looks like: sun damage is possible on a cool or overcast day, as UV radiation can penetrate some clouds, and may even be more intense due to reflection off the clouds.

Ways to work safelyEmployers have a duty of care to ensure their workers are safe from the hazard of sun exposure. Workers have a responsibility for their own safety and health, and must follow UV protection policies and use sun protective measures provided.

Control measures include:

►plan for outdoor work tasks to be done early in the morning or later in the afternoon when UV radiation levels are lower. Move work indoors or into shade during the middle of the day when UV radiation levels are strongest

►provide shade for breaks if it’s not available in the environment. This might be sheds, caravans, tents, windbreaks or portable shade canopies. In some situations, vehicles or public facilities may provide appropriate short-term shelter

►provide and maintain equipment needed to protect workers from the sun. This includes long pants, shirts with long sleeves and turn-up collars, and hats with broad brims or legionnaire-style flaps (you can get attachments for helmets and hard hats), and sunglasses that meet the appropriate Australian Standard

►provide sunscreen of at least SPF 50 that is broad spectrum and water resistant

►provide information, instruction and training in using these and any other control measures properly to reduce UV exposure.

Further guidance Cancer Council Australia has a detailed safety guide ‘Skin cancer and outdoor work: A work health and safety guide’ and brochure ‘Work outdoors? Use sun protection every day’.

The guide is particularly detailed and is a great source of information for making your workplace sunsmart. It covers risk assessment, sun protection policies, training and skin checks; and has lots of templates and checklists to use.

Go to cancer.org.au and search for ‘outdoor work’.

Working safely in the sun

Other summer safety resourcesSummer is (hopefully!) the time for outdoor activities, barbecues, bushwalking and the beach. Great fun — but also involving some risk. Here are some sites to help you stay safe this summer.

►Bush/forest safety: Parks and Forest Queensland Government, parks.des.qld.gov.au: search for ‘visit with care’ for safety when bushwalking, camping and enjoying other activities in the bush

►Fire safety: Tasmania Fire Service, fire.tas.gov.au: for how to make your bushfire survival plan

►First aid: RACT, ract.com.au: search for ‘first aid tips’ to deal with stings, bites and other summer nasties

►Food safety: Better Health, betterhealth.vic.gov.au: search for ‘summer food safety’ to avoid food poisoning in the hot and humid weather.

►Respiratory health: National Asthma Council, nationalasthma.org.au: search for ‘heathy in the heat’ for managing asthma or hay fever in the warmer months

►Water safety: Royal Life Saving Australia, royallifesaving.com.au/tas: for water safety around the home (including pools), on the beach, river and when fishing.

Heat and safetyUV

http://cancer.org.auhttp://parks.des.qld.gov.au


On 1 January 2021, Tasmania will adopt the national Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management. From this date, all temporary traffic management must be done in accordance with the Austroads Guide and updated AS1742.3:2019 Traffic control for works on roads.

The aim of the Austroads guide is to improve traffic management practices and therefore worker safety at road works sites. It covers the planning, design and implementation of safe temporary traffic management practice. It is aimed at road agencies, traffic management practitioners, contractors, and industry.

The 2021 adoption of the Austroads Guide follows a year of industry consultation by the Department of State Growth. State Growth will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure the guide is successfully adopted in Tasmania.

Here is what you can expect in 2021.

Temporary traffic managementTemporary traffic management practices in Tasmania shall be conducted in accordance with:• the Tasmanian Traffic Act 1925 and the

Tasmanian Traffic (Road Rules) Regulations (available at thelaw.tas.gov.au)

• Traffic Control for Works on Roads, Tasmanian Guide 2020 (available at transport.tas.gov.au)

• AS 1742:2019 Manual of uniform traffic control devices, in particular Part 3 Traffic control for works on roads (available at saiglobal.com)

• Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (available at transport.tas.gov.au).

WorkSafe’s involvementState Growth’s Transport officers will be working closely with WorkSafe Tasmania’s inspectors to ensure compliance with the above requirements, and providing advice where improvements are warranted.

TrainingAustroads is currently developing training material, which will form part of the national training package for improved and consistent training outcomes.

State Growth is working with registered training organisations (RTOs) in Tasmania about delivering the new training package. RTOs will need to be approved with State Growth to be authorised to deliver the training and provide statements of attainment. RTOs can continue to deliver their current temporary traffic management training until the pending release of the national training package, expected in mid-2021.

For anyone trained in temporary traffic management, the requirement for refresher training every three years was removed from the Traffic Control for Works on

Roads, Tasmanian Guide. Removal of this requirement only applies to people who completed traffic management training (initial or refresher) after 1 January 2017.

PrequalificationAustroads has drafted a national prequalification scheme, which sets out the process and requirements for companies that wish to become prequalified for the design or implementation of temporary traffic management. Following industry consultation in August 2020, this scheme should be adopted in 2021.

State Growth will keep the local industry updated, as it will be a mandatory requirement for all works managed by the road authority.

PlatformThe national training framework and the prequalification scheme will be supported by a centralised online system. This will manage prequalified organisations, approved training providers and qualified individuals.

More informationFor more information go to transport.tas.gov.au and search for ‘austroads’. To subscribe to updates about the Austroads guide adoption, email [email protected].

Tasmania adopts national traffic management guide

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events

mailto:[email protected]

BE

aware


Some types of vinyl floor sheeting had a soft paper-like backing attached to the vinyl during manufacture. This paper backing is likely to contain a high percentage of asbestos fibre which, during removal, is likely to separate from the vinyl itself. The backing layer remains partially attached to the floor and exposed to the environment and workers. The exposed asbestos is easily crumbled and therefore ‘friable’.

Asbestos-containing vinyl tiles have a much lower percentage of asbestos, which is bound tightly within the make-up of the tile. Sometimes these tiles can be easily and wholly removed — but other times, they need to be chiselled off, which crumbles the tile and again increases the risk of exposure to asbestos.

Know the health risksDisturbing any amount of asbestos can release fibres into the air. These could be inhaled or swallowed, which may lead to debilitating and fatal diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma in later years.

Around 4,000 Australians die annually from asbestos-related disease. That’s more than triple the annual road toll (source: Australian Government Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency).

Identifying asbestos in flooring materialsIf you are unsure whether your building contains asbestos, how much is present and whether the asbestos is friable or not, ask a licensed asbestos assessor or removalist for advice. Find these at worksafetas.gov.au by searching for ‘find a licensed asbestos removalist or assessor’.

Removing asbestosWorkSafe Tasmania recommends that only people who have been trained in asbestos removal practice and have access to the required PPE and removal tools should undertake asbestos removal work.

Licensed removal requirements depend on the type and amount of asbestos containing material present:

• you do not need an asbestos removal licence to remove less than 10 square metres of non-friable (bonded) asbestos

• you do need a licensed asbestos removalist to remove over 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos and any amount of friable asbestos.

More informationFor asbestos safety information and further practical resources, including the codes of practice How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace and How to Safely Remove Asbestos, go to worksafe.tas.gov.au/asbestos.

Warning: Asbestos in flooring materials

If your workplace, home, garage or shed was built or renovated before 1990, there’s a good chance it has some asbestos.

Before you start,

BE aware

safety

http://worksafetas.gov.auhttp://worksafetas.gov.auhttp://worksafe.tas.gov.au/asbestos


Occupations with the highest percentage of serious injuries

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

AND SAFETYINDUSTRY SNAPSHOT 2019

12.6 serious injuries per million hours worked38% higher than thestate average

of 9.1

THIRD HIGHEST OF ALL INDUSTRIES

14%

12%

Firefighters and Police

Prison and Security Officers

Miscellaneous Labourers

14%

8% of the total

Tasmanian workforce

Tasmania’s public admin industryPublic Admin is a relatively large employer in Tasmania. There are an estimated 18,000 workers in this industry which is around 8% of the total Tasmanian workforce. It includes: • local government; state government

(but not areas such as education and health care, for example)

• public order, safety as well as justice: for example, police, fire fighters and prison guards.

Public Admin workforceOver half of workers in the Public Admin industry are over 45, which is higher than the state average of all industries; and 73% of its workers are employed full time, which is again higher than Tasmanian workers as a whole.

The majority of Public Admin workers are in work in state government (41%) followed by local government (16%).

Public Admin injuriesThe industry reported:• the fourth highest number of injuries

in 2019, with 810• the third highest serious injury

frequency rate; this was 38% higher than the state average

• the third highest number of serious injuries; this was 10% of all serious injuries in 2019.

Workers aged 55–64 years olds reported the highest serious injury frequency rate. The occupations reporting the most serious injuries were:• firefighters and police • prison and security officers.

There has been one reported work-related fatality in Public Admin in the last ten years.

Body stressing, mental stress, and falls slips and trips are the top three causes of injury in this industry.

Public Admin resourcesOur Public Admin industry web page has links to relevant resources that cover hazards such as slips trips and falls, hazardous manual tasks, occupational violence and aggression, sedentary work, PTSD and more. Go to worksafe.tas.gov.au and search for ‘public admin’.

Spotlight on Public AdminEach edition we focus on different industries that WorkSafe has identified as priority industries. This edition we will throw the spotlight on the Public Administration and Safety (Public Admin) industry and the Mining industry.

http://worksafe.tas.gov.auhttp://worksafe.tas.gov.au


safety

Occupations with the highest percentage of serious injuries

in the last ten years the serious injury frequency rate dropped overall by

MININGINDUSTRY SNAPSHOT 2019

Stationary Plant Operators

Construction and Mining Labourers

Miscellaneous Labourers

19%

9%

28%

4 serious injuries per million hours worked56%lower than the state average

of 9.1

52%

Tasmania’s mining industry Mining includes the mining of coal, metal ore, and construction materials. It also include quarrying, gas and oil extraction and exploration.

Mining workforceMining is only 1% of the total Tasmanian workforce. Almost 96% of workers in this industry are employed full-time. 48% of workers are aged over 45. Metal ore mining is the largest employing group, and it reported the highest number of serious injuries, too.

Mining injuriesThe serious injury frequency rate for the Mining industry has significantly improved over the last ten years, dropping overall by 52%. However, the trend has been slowly increasing again since 2017. There were 4.0 serious injuries per million hours worked — 56% lower than the state average of 9.1. There were 74 injuries in the Mining industry in 2019; 18 were serious.

Who reported the most injuries?:• stationary plant operators (28% of

injuries)• construction and mining labourers

(19% of injuries)• miscellaneous labourers (9% of

injuries).

Body stressing, falls slips and trips, and being hit by moving objects are the top three causes of injury in this industry.

Mining resourcesOur Mining industry web page has links to relevant resources that cover hazards such as slips trips and falls, hazardous manual tasks, noise, airborne contaminants and more. Go to worksafe.tas.gov.au and search for ‘mining’.

and Mining industriesAll data, unless otherwise noted, is for 2019. A serious injury is one that results in the worker requiring at least one week of time off work due to their injury. Injury frequency rates are calculated as the number of injuries per million hours worked.

Industry snapshotsWorkSafe’s Industry snapshot report and posters, which these columns draw on:

• survey the WHS performance of each industry group

• identify emerging or existing WHS issues for evaluation and action

• compare most current WHS performance relative to previous years and, where applicable, to other industries across Tasmania.

Find your industry’s snapshot: go to worksafe.tas.gov.au and search for ‘industry snapshots’.

http://worksafe.tas.gov.au


The way to wellbeing‘As the years have gone on, we have become more involved in the education of health as a growing area, both in industry and educational institutions, as expected by the community and industry alike,’ said Paul.

‘In the health and wellbeing area, there has been continued demand for information and guidance from our clients,’ said Paul. ‘We’re continuing to educate small and medium business on the importance of good mental and physical health, and we provide the tools (such as time saving and easy to use templates) and support to implement a workplace health and wellbeing program.’

Talk to an advisor today To book your free and confidential visit with an Advisor, go to

worksafe.tas.gov.au/advisoryservice

Since it began in 2007, our Advisory Service has helped small and medium sized business in Tasmania better manage health and safety in their workplaces. Our advisors have met with employers — and managers and workers — to help them improve their workplace culture around safety, and understand their WHS roles, rights and responsibilities.

Helping through coronavirusThe Advisors were busy during COVID-19, helping employers develop their COVID Safe plans and comply with Public Health directions. They teamed up with Business Tasmania to do this through webinars, and also worked directly with workplaces, albeit in new ways.

‘Our consultations have been very different this year, using all types of media and technology — over the phone, Skype, Zoom, Microsoft Teams — and face-to-face when possible,’ said Advisory Service Team Leader Paul Kilby.

‘It has been a period of discovery for us and we have learned that people were happy to talk with us by any means available, which in the early stages of the pandemic I was concerned about. I didn’t want to put the team — or individuals at any visited workplaces — at any risk, and luckily industry was very accepting of that.’

During the pandemic, the Advisors also worked with Tasmania Police, local councils, COVID regional control centres and industry groups to keep small to medium businesses informed and supported as they continued to operate or as they re-opened.

Moving forwardThe Advisory Service is now resuming work it had put on hold during the pandemic.

‘Our presentations to schools and colleges, training organisations and workplaces with new and young workers are resuming again,’ said Paul. ‘This is an important aspect of our work, helping students and new workers understand their safety rights and responsibilities.’

Update: Advisory Service

news +

events

Want your workplace to be healthy and safe?

Free help is at hand

Our Advisory Service’s Paul Kilby and Shaned Gaffney

http://worksafe.tas.gov.au/advisoryservice


Supporting

Research shows that Australian men generally fare worse than women when it comes to health. Reasons for this are complex, but generally:

► while women often naturally talk with and seek advice from their friends, family and even colleagues about physical and mental health issues, men are far less inclined to do so

► men are also more inclined to wait for a health problem to become serious before they seek out help and advice.

The role the workplace can playMen’s core identity is often closely associated with their job, so work and work relationships play a very important role in the lives of working men.

Some industries and trades (such as construction, manufacturing and transport) commonly have a high proportion of male workers. So these workplaces in particular are ideal places to raise awareness of specific men’s health issues and to support their workers to improve their health and wellbeing.

Bringing a health and wellbeing program to your workplace can make it easier for men to talk about their health and discuss issues that they may otherwise ignore.

Workplace strategiesA workplace that supports discussion around men’s issues, and encourages open and honest conversation among workers, will be more likely to inspire men to look after themselves.

Humour can be a great way to make men feel comfortable about engaging in health-related conversation, but remember to take the issue itself seriously.

The following strategies may help you encourage the men in your workplace to start thinking about and improving health and wellbeing.

► If you know a man is experiencing a hard time, perhaps go for a walk, or talk while doing an activity. Many men prefer talking shoulder-to-shoulder, or while engaged in an activity, rather than face-to-face over a desk or coffee table. Make sure it’s in an informal, relaxed and private setting.

► Provide easy access to useful information (such as posters and brochures), so men can find contacts for services on their own, or through talking to a key worker or health and safety representative.

► Look for opportunities to bring specific health services to your workplace. This can help raise awareness and make it easier for men who need to see a health professional.

► Use Men’s Health Week in June each year to hold events and promote health issues and services.

Remember that not all men are alike, and that different groups of men in your workplace will have different needs and health, wellbeing and social issues.

WELLBEING

ResourcesThe Blokes’ Book has contact details for health services relevant to men’s health issues. Find it at the Department of Health’s website at dhhs.tas.gov.au by searching for ‘blokes book’.

The Better Health channel has facts about men’s health that you could incorporate into any information you share with your workers. Go to betterhealth.vic.gov.au and search for ‘men’s health’.

Beyond Blue has information about men, depression and anxiety; and how to look out for yourself or a mate. Go to beyondblue.org.au and search for ‘men in the workplace’ (search just for ‘men’ and find lots of other information, too).

The Men’s Health Week website has posters, brochures and other resources to download, print and use in your workplace. Go to menshealthweek.org.au.

http://dhhs.tas.gov.auhttp://betterhealth.vic.gov.auhttp://menshealthweek.org.au


Abbattoir convicted and finedJBS Australia Pty Ltd was prosecuted and fined $150,000 after a worker fell into a wash bath filled with hot water, causing serious injuries.

The incidentOn 23 November 2016, a worker was performing his normal tasks in the offal/tripe room at the JBS Australia Pty Limited plant at Longford. He noticed the tripe had not fallen through the hole into the cooker, but was still in the chute on top of the cooker.

In order to get the tripe into the cooker, the worker tried to dislodge it with a metal pole. When that was unsuccessful, he decided to try and get closer to the cooker. So he climbed up onto the edge of the pre-wash tub (that was full of hot water) and stepped onto the edge of the tub and a basket that was immersed in the pre-wash tub. As he was maneuvering the tripe into the cooker, he lost his footing and slipped into the tub of hot water, which was later determined to have been 82 degrees Celsius.

The worker’s gumboots immediately filled with hot water, causing second and third degrees burns to both his legs from the knees down (including both feet).

Contributing factorsThe WorkSafe Tasmania investigation found a number of factors contributed to this incident.

The company had failed to fix the problem of the tripe getting stuck on the top of the cooker, even though they were aware of the issue for some time. However, there was a ‘work-around’: using a metal pole to dislodge the stuck tripe, which had become common practice.

There was no risk assessment undertaken of the task, or consultation with workers on how this issue would affect them.

The penaltiesJBS Australia Pty Limited was convicted and fined for:

• failing to comply with a health and safety duty: Category 2 under section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (fine of $130,000)

• failing to consult with workers pursuant to section 47 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (fine of $20,000).

news +

events

Machos Pty Ltd (trading as Nu Jet) has been fined $50,000 for a Category 2 offence under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.

The incidentOn 22 January 2018, a worker from Machos Pty Ltd t/a NuJet struck an underground extra high voltage electrical cable with a pneumatic rock breaker while working on the roadway in front of 282 Argyle Street North Hobart. The subsequent flash ignited oil in the cable, causing the oil to burn.

The worker received burns to his face, both hands and torso. He was treated initially on site and admitted to hospital where he made a full recovery and returned to work.

Contributing factorsThe WorkSafe Tasmania investigation found the company:

• failed to undertake an adequate onsite risk assessment when circumstances changed, and failed to provide adequate supervision

• failed to notify TasNetworks of the work it was undertaking, so that TasNetworks could provide onsite supervision.

The chargesMachos Pty Ltd was charged with one count of failing to comply with a health and safety duty (category 2). It entered a guilty plea and was fined $50,000.

Plumbing company convicted and fined


Who is Worker Assist?Worker Assist Tasmania Inc is a community legal centre, providing a unique service — only offered in Tasmania — and fills an important role in educating and empowering workers as they navigate the workers compensation system.

‘Our experienced team provides free legal advice that is independent and unbiased; and most importantly we provide support to injured Tasmanian workers,’ said Mylinda Purtell, Principal Solicitor of Worker Assist.

How can Worker Assist help you?Understanding the workers compensation system can be complicated and confusing — even for the employers and lawyers! Worker Assist can help you navigate the workers compensation process, and answer all your questions if you’re thinking about lodging a claim, such as:

• how do I lodge a compensation claim?

• I have a workers compensation medical certificate, is that enough?

• are there any time limits in lodging a claim?

• how do I give notice of my injury?

• am I an employee?

‘Worker Assist can explain what entitlements you’ll receive if you lodge a claim, and how these are calculated, what happens if your claim is disputed, and what happens if you work in more than one workplace,’ said Mylinda.

If you need help with return to work and rehabilitation matters, Worker Assist is also here for you. ‘We can help you understand your rights as well as your responsibilities; and the role of different people you’ll deal with in the return to work process — for example, your doctor, the insurer, and injury management co-ordinator’, explained Mylinda.

‘We can also help if COVID-19 has impacted your return to work.’

The team at Worker Assist works with its clients to make sure that insurers and employers are meeting all aspects of the worker’s legal entitlements.

It also provides workers with a space to feel heard, with practical solutions that empower them in their decision-making process.

‘One of our clients told us “Worker Assist was the first place that has helped me. I don’t know what I would have done if WorkSafe had not referred me”, and another told us they were “in the dark” until they spoke to us — and for the first time to two years, they felt like they had some perspective on their claim,’ said Mylinda.

Increasing awarenessWorker Assist also plays an important role in educating workers and the broader community on their rights to workers compensation. It does this by visiting workplaces and talking with employers, managers and workers, and speaking at events such as conferences and training courses, all free of charge.

‘Education is key to raising awareness of issues impacting workers who have sustained an injury or illness,’ said Mylinda.

‘After each training session, it’s pleasing to hear from participants that they have a greater understanding of what’s involved in a claim, and of the practical solutions that they can take back to their workplaces.’

Crunching the numbersSince it began operating in 2011, Worker Assist has helped over 5,300 clients. It deals with around 1,000 issues each year.

Since 2016, there has been almost a 30% increase in enquiries about mental health matters.

Around 10% of Worker Assist’s clients come from a culturally and linguistically diverse background; so in 2018–19, it introduced a free interpreting service to help these clients lodge claims, attend doctors’ appointments and independent medical examinations, or instruct solicitors to advance their claim.

Get in touchTo find out how Worker Assist can help you:

• go to its website at workerassist.org.au

• get in touch through its Facebook or Instagram page

• call 1300 027 747 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

You can also make an appointment to meet with a Worker Assist staff member in person.

Worker Assist acknowledges the WorkCover Tasmania Board, which funds the service.

safety

About Worker Assist: How it can help you

http://workerassist.org.au


regular

Who can claim for workers compensation?

Who is a worker?To be entitled to workers compensation, a person must be a worker. A worker is someone who works under a contract of service or a training agreement. This includes casual employment.

Some people are ‘deemed’ workers under the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988. Examples include (but are not limited to): • volunteer fire-fighters while they are engaged in their volunteer

duties• salespeople paid by commission• taxi drivers while they are driving, loading or cleaning their

vehicle.

Who is not a worker?Some people are specifically excluded from the Act, and are therefore not entitled to workers compensation if injured while working. Examples include (but are not limited to):• people employed on a casual basis for a purpose other than the

employer’s trade or business• outworkers• people employed as domestic servants with a private family, who

have done less than 48 hours employment with their employer when they are injured

• people taking part in approved programs of work for unemployment payment (work for the dole schemes).

SportspeopleIn general, the Act does not apply to people engaged in sporting activities who receive payment simply for playing, training or travelling with a sporting body.

However, if someone is engaged under a contract of service with a sporting body (for example, as a paid coach, umpire or referee), they are a worker.

The Act also covers sportspeople who are paid under a contract of service to perform tasks not related to competition.

ContractorsIn most cases, independent contractors are not entitled to workers compensation under the Act. An independent contractor is engaged through a contract for services, rather than a contract of service.

However, there is an exception where a contractor is engaged to perform work exceeding $100 in value that is not work related to a business or trade regularly carried on by the contractor. For example, a person who usually works as an accountant but is engaged to do some gardening. In such circumstances, provided the contractor does not sublet the contract or employ any workers, the contractor is taken to be a worker employed by the person who engaged them. However, this does not apply if the contractor has taken out their own personal accident insurance.

Full details and definitionsYou can find the full lists of who is included and excluded from the definition of a worker in our Workers Compensation Handbook: The Basics; go to worksafe.tas.gov.au and search for ‘GB010’.

When is a worker entitled to compensation?A worker is entitled to workers compensation if they suffer an injury or disease that:• arises out of or in the course of their employment, or• their employment has contributed to by a substantial degree.

What can you claim for?A worker may be entitled to compensation for:• weekly payments while incapacitated for work• medical and other expenses• rehabilitation expenses• permanent impairment.

What is not covered?However, injuries suffered in the following situations are specifically excluded from compensation:• any injury that occurs while a worker is travelling between their

home and work (unless the injury occurs during a deviation from their normal route that their employer tells, asks or authorises them to make)

• any injury that occurs during an absence from the workplace that was not authorised, directed or requested by their employer

• any injury that is caused by a worker’s serious or wilful misconduct (unless the injury results in their death, or serious and permanent incapacity)

• any injury that was intentionally self-inflicted.

DiseaseA worker is entitled to compensation for a disease where their work is the major or most significant factor in their disease.

Some injuries and diseases are contracted by a gradual process, or may not become apparent until sometime after initial exposure or contraction.

Industrial deafnessIndustrial deafness is the permanent loss of hearing caused by a worker being exposed to industrial noise in their employment.

A worker is entitled to workers compensation for industrial deafness that occurred after 16 August 1995. They must have suffered more than 5% binaural hearing impairment due to industrial deafness since 16 August 1995.



Safe Work Australia has released a report providing an overview of COVID-19 related workers compensation claims data.

National findingsKey findings show that as at 31 July 2020:

• 533 workers compensation claims related to COVID-19 were lodged in Australia

• 34% of these claims related to mental health impacts of COVID-19

• 34% of claims lodged were from the health care and social assistance industry

• community and personal service workers had the highest number of claims.

It’s important to note that the report only covers data to 31 July 2020, so does not include the major COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria. And due to variations in the way states collect and report data, working from home claims are not included.

Tasmania’s claimsIn Tasmania, as at 30 October 2020, Tasmanian workers had lodged 85 workers compensation claims in relation to COVID-19. These claims were for contracting the illness, the related mental health impacts, and other COVID related matters (including working from home). All claims for contracting COVID-19 were accepted.

Under the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988, a worker can make a workers compensation claim for COVID-19 where:

• they are diagnosed with COVID-19 (with evidence of pathology testing confirming your diagnosis) and

• their employment has been the major or most significant factor contributing to them acquiring COVID-19.

For more information go to worksafe.tas.gov.au and search for ‘COVID 19 workers comp’.

National report: COVID workers comp claims

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events

Find the report at safeworkaustralia.gov.au by searching for ‘COVID workers comp claims’.



Hi, Business Tasmania here. We’ve enjoyed working with WorkSafe Tasmania to bring you useful information in each edition of Workplace Issues magazine in 2020. We hope to see you again in 2021!

As part of providing tailored business support to Tasmanians, Business Tasmania is the central contact point for many Tasmanian Government grant and funding programs. A comprehensive list of currently available funding opportunities can be found on our website at business.tas.gov.au/funding.

Considering our experience in the area of funding, we are bringing you our five top tips for grant writing. We’ll be referencing our guide Applying for Business Grants, which you can find on our website by searching for ‘grants guide’.

Working backwards from the closing date, work out a timeline for writing the application. Consider:

• who will do what and when?

• do you need any supporting documentation?

• do you need to request letters of support?

Leave enough time to pull it all together. This will help to ensure that your application is robust and you haven’t made silly mistakes. Also: rushed applications are obvious, and late applications are almost never accepted.

We’ve provided a work schedule template on page 28 of our guide, to help you plan your work.

Grant or funding assessors are looking for businesses that can demonstrate both the value of their proposal and that they have the capacity to deliver it. With that in mind, it is more valuable to be clear on your project before you seek funding. Consider:

• will the project further your business’ goals?

• is your team properly resourced and skilled to deliver that project?

• do you have the time and resources to write a quality application in the time available?

• do you have a project plan; can you write one?

Use pages 8, 26 and 27 of our guide to help you answer these questions.

All grants will have eligibility criteria. If your business or project does not meet these criteria, you should seek other opportunities, because your application will not be considered, no matter how excellent it is.

It’s also important to ensure you understand key terms in both the eligibility criteria and the assessment criteria, so you know you’re really answering the question and can demonstrate your project is a good fit. This information is clearly communicated in the Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions.

Page 5 of our guide explains common terms, and page 24 has a comprehensive glossary.

It’s not enough to simply state that you meet the assessment criteria in a sentence. The strength of your responses will determine how your application is ranked against other competing applications. You should demonstrate how your project aligns with the aim of the funding opportunity as clearly as possible. A popular way to do this is using the SEE method: Statement, Explain, Example.

See pages 12–14 of our guide for examples of providing a good response.

The assessment panel is likely to be hearing about your project for the first time in the application, so it may benefit you to find someone else who doesn’t know the ins and outs of your project to review your draft. In plenty of time before you submit your application, ask a colleague or friend to read over your draft and ask them:

• to give you an overview of your project in their words; this will demonstrate a clear understanding

• if you’ve made any errors or exemptions

• if they have suggestions to strengthen your application.

This is a great way to test whether you have been clear, convincing and concise.

See page 14 of our guide to see examples, and pages 16–18 for tips on completing a final check.

These tips are tried and tested, applicable to government and non-government funding opportunities, and applicable to any business structure. They’re sure to help you present a stronger application.

regular

We’re Business Tasmania. We’re here to help.

Five top tips for grant writing

Demonstrate you meet the assessment criteria

Business Tasmania1800 440 026 (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri)

business.tas.gov.au

[email protected]

facebook.com/BusinessTasmania

twitter.com/businesstas

Give yourself enough time

Pursue funding to further your business’ goals

Ask another person to review your draft

Confirm you meet the eligibility criteria

http://business.tas.gov.aumailto:[email protected]://facebook.com/BusinessTasmania http://twitter.com/businesstas

What is the minimum age of employment in Tasmania?Under the laws that WorkSafe Tasmania administers, there is no specified minimum age for employment.

The Work Health and Safety Act 2012 requires the PCBU (employer) to provide a safe workplace for all workers, and employers may need to make extra considerations for new and young workers without experience, skills and knowledge. Inductions, training and supervision are important. For guidance aimed at employers, go to worksafe.tas.gov.au and search ‘new and young workers’; for our Welcome to the Workplace guide aimed at new workers, search for ‘welcome’.

There are some restrictions around age or competence in operating certain plant and equipment; for example, a licence to perform high risk work will only be issued to applicants from 18 years of age.

Other laws may prescribe when a child must be at school, and the types of work they can or can’t do — for example, other laws may prevent young people from gaming and selling tobacco products or alcohol.

The Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 can provide information on the correct rate of pay they should receive.

Can I be paid a pro-rata long service leave entitlement if I leave my employment?Yes, provided you have completed ten years of continuous service. In some circumstances you may be entitled to a pro-rata payment provided you have completed at least seven years of service.

Payment of a pro rata entitlement is not automatic and is only available in certain circumstances. Most of these circumstances are not straightforward, and depend on each individual case; you should seek advice if you are unsure. WorkSafe’s Helpline can give you some general advice but not specific legal opinion.

You can find more detailed information about long service leave on our website. Go to worksafe.tas.gov.au and search for ‘long service leave’.

Everybody’s Talking...Questions and answers from our Helpline

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Demonstrate you meet the assessment criteria

Ask another person to review your draft

Watch out for our new Safe Farming Tasmania COVID video, which explains how seasonal workers in Tassie’s agricultural industries can Keep on Top of COVID.

The video was filmed at Hillwood Berries in the state’s north. WHS Manager Tom Bonham and the Hillwood workers generously supplied the beautiful scenery and ‘talent’!

Our Safe Farming Tasmania consultants Phill John and Ken Nolan were also on hand, along with Fruit Growers Tasmania’s Industry Development Officer Ian Cover.

Helping fruit pickers stay COVID Safe


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Visits to workplaces by WorkSafe inspectors are one of the many ways that the Tasmanian Government is keeping on top of COVID.

A COVID Safety Plan is a great way for workplaces to document COVID-safe measures and show how they are keeping their customers, their workers and the community safe. WorkSafe Tasmania has also developed templates to help small and medium businesses to prepare their COVID Safety Plans.

By ensuring that everyone’s doing their part in controlling the risks of COVID, we’re helping to keep workers, customers, and the community, on top of COVID.


KEEPING WORKPLACES COVID-SAFE

CoverContentsKeep on Top of COVID CampaignBeware of COVID complacencyBerry farm’s COVID Safe efforts bear fruitWorkSafe Tasmania Month hits new highsWorking safely in the heatWorking safely in the sunOther summer safety resourcesTasmania adopts national traffic management guideWarning: Asbestos in flooring materialsSpotlighton Public Admin and Mining industriesUpdate: Advisory ServiceSupporting Mens HealthProsecutionsAbout Worker Assist: How it can help youWho can claim for workers compensation?National report: COVID workerscomp claimsWe’re Business Tasmania. We’re here to help.Questions and answers from our HelplineHelping fruit pickers stay COVID SafeKEEPING WORKPLACES COVID-SAFE

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