Leading-edge app aims to assist in improving health and safety in viticulture

Domestic trading conditions for Australian wine producers are forecast to significantly improve over the next five years, as restrictions related to controlling the COVID-19 pandemic continue to ease. China tariffs, should they remain in place, could initially increase competition in the domestic market and other more mature export markets until new markets are developed.

The newly released Augmented Reality (AR) app, ‘Wine Producers Guide to Workplace Safety 2021/22’, aims to assist in recognising and controlling the key hazards and risks associated in the value chain of wine production.

The latest Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulatory guidelines and framework are focused on proactive prevention of injury, ill-health and essential information in order to help create a workplace safety culture of zero harm.

Designed to be displayed in the workplace, the app has been developed with interactive AR capabilities for use with a smart device, by simply downloading the free Pro-Vis AR app.

This leading-edge digitally interactive guide is a targeted response to a changed landscape.

Workers often respond well to information relayed via visual means such as videos and 3D animations rather than written documents, making it a highly effective communication tool.

This industry is working collectively to ensure there is greater awareness of specific work-related injuries and work-related health risks amongst viticulture workers.

This is in light of the Agriculture Visa legislation, which represents a new chapter in Australia’s approach to addressing workforce shortages.

Safe Work Australia research based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data suggests young workers have a greater risk of work-related injury in Australian workplaces than their older counterparts.

By definition; working holiday makers are aged 31 or younger. The Agriculture Visa will be available to skilled, semi-skilled and low-skilled workers, who also fall into this additional risk category.

The Agriculture Visa program will be demand driven and supported by strong governance of WHS compliance.

A digital version of the Agrochemicals registered for use in Australian viticulture (‘Dog Book’) is also incorporated on the AR Interactive Guide, which underpins best practice in agrochemicals usage and to facilitate the export of Australian wine.

“We are continuing to make leaps and bounds by improving WHS education and training supported by advances in digital technology and AR,” Pro-Visual Publishing CEO John Hutchings said.

“The biggest impact of digitisation can be seen in how it can revolutionise engagement, which underpins success and effectiveness, by reducing risk to improve health and safety performance overall.

“The provision of WHS information in visual form is an effective way to ensure that important knowledge is understood by all viticulture… through various forms of multi-media and digital technology.

“I would like to thank our Corporate Sponsors and Industry Associations in promoting industry-specific WHS education and training in support of the viticulture industry.”

Work Health & Safety Seminar returns in 2021

The premier wine industry safety event – the Work Health and Safety Seminar by the South Australian Wine Industry Association (SAWIA) – will return in 2021, with seminars in McLaren Vale on 18 May and the Barossa Valley on 20 May.

“The return of the WHS seminar is good news for wine business owners and managers,” said Brian Smedley, Chief Executive of SAWIA. “We know from our annual Member Appraisal that work health and safety is one of the top three issues that our members need support with.

“These seminars are a great opportunity for winery owners, grape growers, managers, supervisors, team leaders and work health and safety representatives to share ideas, experiences and to get up to speed with the latest in work health and safety and receive practical advice to keep workers safe, healthy and productive”.

The keynote speaker is Australia’s pre-eminent occupational heat stress consultant, Dr Matt Brearley, who will talk about the risks associated with heat stress and best practice measures to manage this risk.

Other specialist speakers including Finlaysons Lawyers, the Heart Foundation, Pinnacle Workplace Consultants and Altus Traffic Engineering will present on the following topics:
• Risks and strategies in managing sexual harassment and bullying
• Heart health in the workplace
• Fit4Work – managing hazardous manual tasks in the winery
• Traffic management – keeping people safe around workplace mobile plant
• Bushfire and emergency management

Venues and dates:
• McLaren Vale: 18 May 2021, McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Visitor Information Centre
• Barossa Valley: 20 May 2021, The Vine Inn, Nuriootpa

For further information about work health and safety in the wine industry contact SAWIA on (08) 8222 9277 or email admin@winesa.asn.au.

New good work design handbook online

Safe Work Australia Chief Executive Officer Michelle Baxter.
Safe Work Australia Chief Executive Officer Michelle Baxter.

SAFE WORK Australia has launched a new handbook to help businesses meet obligations under the work health and safety laws, reduce worker injury rates, and improve productivity and bottom line.

Safe Work Australia Chief Executive Officer Michelle Baxter said that that well-designed, healthy and safe work allowed workers to have more productive lives, which in turn drives business efficiency.

Principles of Good Work Design shows businesses how to go about designing out hazards before a worker gets injured, which delivers tangible savings by avoiding the costs associated with incidents that result from poor work design practices,” she explained.

“It is often easier and more cost-effective to address hazards and risks during the planning and design stage. This applies to the places we work in, the things we use at work, as well as to how we design organisational structures, roles and tasks.”

A Safe Work Australia initiative under the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012–2022 and led by Comcare and WorkCover Queensland, the handbook contains information about the ten principles of good work design and how they can be applied to any workplace, business or industry.

Principles of Good Work Design is a ‘living’ electronic document that will be updated regularly with links to case studies and practical examples from businesses that have successfully applied the good work design principles.

“The handbook complements a range of existing resources available to businesses and work health and safety professionals,” said Ms Baxter.

“Failure to consider how work is designed can result in poor risk management and lost opportunities to innovate and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of work.

Good work design can radically transform the workplace in ways that benefit the business, workers and clients.”

Principles of Good Work Design is available on the Safe Work Australia website.

Draytons Wines fined over $200,000 for blast that killed Trevor Drayton, Eddie Orgo

DRAYTON’S Family Wines has been fined more than $200,000 over the explosion that claimed the lives of winemaker Trevor Drayton and welder Eddie Orgo.

Workcover NSW prosecuted Drayton’s, and Mr Orgo’s employer, Perfab Engineering, in the District Court’s criminal jurisdiction for two breaches each of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

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Major changes proposed for the WorkCover system in South Australia

SAWIA is undertaking extensive work on the alternative Workers Compensation scheme for South Australia, ensuring the State Government takes into account the wine industry’s views prior to the tabling of legislation. Overall the package of changes seems to be reasonable, albeit that some additional changes would further assist wine producers and grape growers. The focus is on a more sustainable system (ie dealing with the unfunded liability) and a levy rate that is far more comparable to interstate systems which should result in a much more competitive system.

By way of background, Premier Jay Weatherill introduced major policy reform that claims to benefit workers, reduce business costs and cut red tape, with the tabling of Return to Work Bill 2014 and the South Australian Employment Tribunal Bill 2014 in State Parliament on 6 August.

On 8 August, SAWIA circulated a Notice to Members setting out a brief summary of the key proposed changes including amendments to income maintenance, eligibility, return to work obligations, dispute resolution and the application of common law.

These changes will see the introduction of an entirely new Act, which the Government asserts will save registered businesses in South Australia more than $180 million per year. The Return to Work Bill will replace the current Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 1986. The Employment Tribunal Bill will replace the Workers Compensation Tribunal and is intended to provide quicker access and faster dispute resolutions. The Bills will be debated when Parliament resumes from 16 September.

SAWIA will continue to closely monitor the progress of the Bills and keep members informed as this matter progresses. For more information, contact Egon Schwidder on 8222 9273 or egon@winesa.asn.au.

 

Improving workplace safety

Improving workplace safety

TWELVE NEW codes of practice to improve safety in NSW workplaces have come into force. The codes are part of the national harmonised work health and safety laws that were adopted by NSW in 2012. The new codes replace a number of existing codes that were in place under previous occupational health and safety laws.

Acting General Manager of WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety Division, Peter Dunphy, said the codes were about making NSW workplaces safer.

“The NSW Government is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for every NSW worker,” Peter said.

“The new codes make it easier for everyone to know and understand their responsibilities.

“While what was safe previously will continue to be safe under the new codes, it is important that businesses, industry and workers understand the key changes.”

The new codes affect all industries, however, those most greatly impacted include the construction, electrical and manufacturing industries.

Peter said WorkCover would support employers and workers to implement the new codes.

“The new codes relate to first aid, construction work, electrical, chemical and plant risks as well as welding and spray painting,” he said.

“WorkCover is committed to supporting business and industry to adjust to the new arrangements.”

The 12 new Codes of Practice are:

 

  • First aid in the workplace
  • Construction work
  • Preventing falls in housing construction
  • Managing electrical risks in the workplace
  • Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace
  • Managing the risks of plant in the workplace
  • Safe design of structures
  • Excavation work
  • Demolition work
  • Welding processes
  • Spray painting and powder coating
  • Abrasive blasting

The five Codes of Practice revoked to avoid duplication or conflict are:

  • Excavation work
  • Safe Work on Roofs Part 2-residential buildings
  • Work in Hot and Cold Environments
  • Amenities for Construction Work
  • Prevention of Occupational Overuse Syndrome

For further information on the new Codes of Practice visit www.workcover.nsw.gov.au or call 13 10 50.