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Hi Guys, apparently yesterday there was something in the Harald about a young drainlayer that died in a 3 meter trench, has anyone heard about this? Would really appreciate if someone could post the article. Poor family :(
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hi guys/newguy, yes very sad, i am not a drainlayer but i would not be in a hole of that depth without the sides being shored up, here is the story,cheers
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Very Sad :(
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Thanks Robbo, how sad, I wonder what Osh will do now.
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bugger, thats very sad news to hear :(
And to sit here knowing a few hundred dollars and a trench shield and this young man would still be running around.
Thats the problem we face in this industry with so many young fullas and employers willing to not take there safety serriously...
I suspect the employer will have the book thrown at him....
As an employee its damb hard to say no to your boss in this area of health and safety and calulated risk taking...but sometimes you just have to put your foot down!
To all you young fullas out there if you dont feel safe STOP and get out and challenge your employer about the safeness of the situation...you have EVERY LEGAL RIGHT to not work in situations where you do not feel safe...within reason.
No job is worth your life.
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hi guys, yes you are right, you are always in danger of getting the boot if you argue with the boss buy the way it is the boss can be in a whole lot of trouble when things like this happen, i suppose the situation arises here of was he a certifier? was he being supervised? one hell of a price to pay for what should have been simple procedure, i as we all do send our deep sorrow to the familys involved,cheers
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This is tragic - no matter what the circumstances. It is all the MORE tragic if indeed any employer has asked an employee to undertake work that is not safe and that employee has felt they could not say anything. Of course until all the circumstances come to light there is little point in conjecture about who was at fault - and nothing will bring back the life that was lost. A son, maybe a brother, a father, uncle, nephew, friend - all lost. All we can do now is learn from what comes out to save some other life.
I see everyone is quick to point out that perhaps employers put pressure on staff to work in unsafe conditions - but flip this thought around - why would an employer want to risk his MOST valuable asset - an employee? You can replace every tool you own, but you cannot easily replace a trained staff member. I have to say that we spend thousands on safety gear and training courses - and never once would I ever ask anyone to do anything that they did not consider safe. In fact as part of our induction process staff are given all my numbers and I personally tell them that if any senior staff ask them to do something they do not feel trained to do, or feel unsafe then they have my permission (and in fact I insist) that they say no - and they contact me. The problem I have is making sure they follow the health and safety rules and what they have learned at Site Safe etc. Also that they wear the safety equipment issued to them. You have only two eyes and two ears, you can't get new ones. Your safety glasses will NOT protect you sitting in the front seat of the van, nor your ear protection if it is not worn. I'll bet I'm not the only employer who experiences frustration when they come across a staff member not using what is bought and paid for! First and foremost you must look after yourself - not amount of money can replace you.
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hi guys/jax, well said jax i agree and i am sure that there is standard procedure for working 4mtrs down a hole, we are probably in more danger than the public as far as health and safety is concerned when we do our work and yet the board is only looking after the public,cheers
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Yea i understand where your coming from jax("I see everyone is quick to point out that perhaps employers put pressure on staff to work in unsafe conditions - but flip this thought around - why would an employer want to risk his MOST valuable asset - an employee?")...but to most employers out there speed and proffit out weigh safety most of the time...and its nice to know there are employers like you that actually do follow some sort of safety programe...
As far as i can understand from the health and safety in employment act and regs...notifiable works...(c) Every excavation which is more than 1.5 meters deep and which is deeper than it is wide at the top.
I would hesitate to say that if an osh notifiable works form had of been filled out and filed then the question would have been asked what are you using to shore that excavation?
4.3 general requirments
4.3.1 Excavations to be shored
4.3.1.2 Excavations 1.5 meters or deeper
Excavations greater than or equal to 1.5 m deep are particularly hazardous and MUST be shored unless
(a) The face is cut back to a safe slope and the material in the face will remain stable under all anticipated conditions of work and weather; or
(b)Shoring is impractiable or unreasonable, and safety precautions certified by a registred engineer to be adequate, have been taken.
What a sad situation this is for all involved.
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hi guys, good work thunder i reacon osh are going to be busy on this one,cheers
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Novembers common exam will be loaded with Excavations and osh.
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Hi guys
Very sad and so unnecessary if he was a trainee then I hope he was being supervised which I would say he wasn't poor training and poor supervision for him as well as his supervisor