The WorkSafe ACT Working in Heat Data Snapshot is out now.

WorkSafe ACT Senior Leadership Team and Responsibilities 

Bill Smith. Strategy, Compliance and Enforcement: bill.smith@worksafe.act.gov.au  

Bill is the Senior Director of Strategy, Compliance and Enforcement. He is responsible for the WorkSafe ACT data, strategy and governance functions. Bill also leads the inspectorate teams who help educate and enforce general work health and safety, commercial and residential construction, workers’ compensation and labour hire licensing requirements and obligations to workers and workplaces in the ACT.  

Jackii Shepherd.  Specialist Operations, Capability and Communications: jackii.shepherd@worksafe.act.gov.au 

Jackii is the Senior Director of Specialist Operations, Capability and Communications. Jax is responsible for the WorkSafe ACT media, events and communication functions, and the quality assurance, coaching, and systems frameworks. This includes communicating the great work our organisation does, delivering public events, maintaining our case management and records management systems and training all of our Inspectors. Jax also looks after specialised Inspector teams for Occupational Hygiene, including dangerous goods, Psychosocial and Major Investigations.  

Robert Alford. Civil Construction, Regulatory Governance and Education: robert.alford@worksafe.act.gov.au

Bob is the Senior Director of Civil Construction and Regulatory Governance and Education. He is responsible for our newly created Civil Construction team which oversees the major projects being built throughout the ACT. This includes the Light Rail project and the Woden CIT campus.  

Bob also looks after the regulatory governance and education section that oversees training courses provided by registered training organisations, provides training to industry on topics such as safe work method systems and looks after our internal governance that ensures we are a strong and consistent regulator.

Safety alert: Installation of solar panels

Working at heights is an integral part of installing roof trusses.

The WorkSafe ACT Occupational lung diseases data snapshot is out now.

Safety alert: Lead processes and lead risk work 

The WorkSafe ACT Compliance and Enforcement Data Snapshot for December is out now.

 Work Health and Safety: Tower crane Code of Practice that will be in force in the ACT from 22 September 2022.

SAFETY ALERT: INSPECTION AND TESTING OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AT THE WORKPLACE

The WorkSafe ACT Work-related sexual harassment data snapshot is out now.

Safety alert:

 Mandatory training of apprentices

Every worker must have the appropriate training to allow them to perform their job safely. 

1. General Construction Induction Card (White Card)   Building and Construction Induction 

2. Asbestos Awareness TrainingAsbestos Awareness Training

3. Working Safely with Asbestos Containing Materials (WSWACM)Required by: A list of occupations who require this training can be found on the WSWACM section of our website.

Silica Awareness Training

By 1 July 2023, all workers on a construction site will be required to complete Silica Awareness Training. For more information, see our Silica Dust webpage.

Apprentice training and supervision: Working at heights

Australian Apprentices are a valued part of the ACT’s economy and community. WorkSafe ACT has observed an increasing number of apprentices who have not received the correct induction and supervision and are being placed at risk of serious harm at the workplace.

Falls from height, even if they have not resulted in injury, are notifiable incidents and must be reported to WorkSafe ACT immediately. PCBUs can call WorkSafe ACT on 13 22 81, after hours on 0419 120 028 or email at worksafe@worksafe.act.gov.au to notify an incident. Notification can also be made using the online form available on the WorkSafe ACT website.

The prohibition on the uncontrolled mechanical cutting of material containing crystalline silica, under the WHS Amendment Regulation 2022 (the Amendment) is scheduled to come into effect on 14 July 2022.

This will only fully apply to engineered stone products.

Reforms outlined in the Silica Dust Reforms Action Plan for 2022 introduced mandatory silica awareness training for workers in high risk crystalline silica work.

For all other products and materials that contain silica, and until 17 October 2022, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) are exempt from the application of section 418B (a) and 418C (b)(i).

All PCBUs continue to be expected to apply all reasonably practicable control measures when modifying materials containing silica, including where possible, wet methods.

For information about managing silica dust at the workplace, please visit the WorkSafe ACT website.

The 2021 Outstanding Graduating Apprentice and Encouragement Awards were held on Thursday 3rd February 2022. You can listen to Interviews (HERE)