OHS Newsletter July/August 2003

Use of Bar Heaters

Please don’t.
Bar heaters are not considered safe or energy efficient and if used in an air conditioned area they upset the balance of the air conditioning for everyone else – especially if the heaters are close to a sensor. If the air conditioning sensor registers warmth it will not trigger the system to increase heat to the overall area so you will all get colder.

If the majority of people are feeling cold while working in an air conditioned area, a spokesperson should contact maintenance and ask them to investigate. The heat may need to be increased – or the problem may be a draft in a particular area. If there is no apparent draft, and the majority of people are comfortable, then those who are cold may be able to increase their comfort by choosing warmer clothes.

If you are not in an air conditioned building and your office needs some form of heating then fan heaters with a thermostat control, a thermal cut-out or a thermal fuse are considered safer than open bar heaters. Electric oil-filled convective radiators are also suitable.

Contact Mark Moses in Buildings and Property Division for further information about safe and energy efficient heating.

OHS internal audits

Last quarter
The OHS internal audit teams have now completed the audits of Hazardous Substances and the First Aid system, and results in all areas were good.

The Hazardous Substances Managers are providing an important service to staff in their areas, by keeping track of hazardous substances, ensuring substances are correctly labelled, and assisting with provision of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

With regard to First Aid, there are over 100 trained First Aiders on campus, and it’s encouraging to know that staff are aware of the First Aid people in their area and that they know how the system operates.

In the last quarter the OH&S Unit audited Boats and Boating Activities (in the School of Chemistry Physics and Earth Sciences and in the School of Biological Sciences) and Scientific Diving (in Marine Archaeology) and, again, audit results were good.

Lincoln Marine Science Centre has acquired a new boat, suitable for diving, and a new life raft. The Hero, in the School of Chemistry Physics and Earth Sciences, also has a new life raft and both vessels meet all safety requirements.

Marine Biology has recently appointed some new academic staff and it is anticipated that the School will soon recommence Scientific Diving.

There are plans for a University Diving Policy to be compiled in consultation with staff of Marine Biology and the Department of Archaeology.

This quarter

Between July and October this year the internal audit teams will be auditing Electrical Appliance Safety.

They will also check that people are aware of the distinction between the OH&S inspection system and the OH&S audit system. (Hint: regular inspections are done to identify hazards (e.g. torn carpets) and audits are carried out to check that the various systems for managing OH&S matters are working as they should.)

The OH&S Unit will be auditing Confined Spaces, Asbestos, Radiation, Laser safety and Chemical Waste Disposal.

If you want to see Policies relating to these topics, go to the OHS website. The address is on your yellow stress ball – and if you don’t know what that means then you have probably missed out on getting a ball. They were sent to all staff in January 2002 and have been given out at safety inductions for all new staff since then.

If you don’t have a stress ball, please ask your supervisor if they have one for you. If not, call Chris Euripides on 13024 and she will send you one.
Jennie Cumming, Head OHS Unit

Free ‘wellness’ sessions

Feldenkrais – free at lunch times
Feldenkrais is a relaxation technique in which you learn new patterns of movement/behaviour specifically designed to expand body awareness, allowing more efficient and comfortable movement and self image.
Lunchtime classes will commence on July 3rd and run for 6 weeks. Sessions will be guided by a qualified Feldenkrais practitioner / physiotherapist.

To make bookings (or be placed on the waiting list) and for any further details please call Kerry Jaunutis (13117). Spaces are limited but with sufficient demand additional classes will be arranged.

Tai Chi – free at lunch times

All classes run for 9 weeks and all classes start in the Geoff Harrison meeting room.

Previous students are welcome to come for a refresher course – but please book with Chris Euripides because space is limited.

Tai Chi Level 1 for beginners starts on Wednesday 23 July from 1.10pm to 1.55pm.
Tai Chi Level 3 for continuing students starts on Wednesday 23 July from 12.10pm to 12.55pm.
Tai Chi Level 5 for continuing students starts on Friday 25 July 12.10pm to 12.55pm.
Kerry Jaunutis, Occupational Health Nurse

Summary Statistics for 2nd quarter 2003

During the 2nd quarter of 2003 there were 35 accidents and incidents reported to the Occupational Health and Safety Unit.

Accident/incident statistics - 2nd quarter 03

Of the 28 accidents/incidents reported by staff members in this quarter, 7 resulted in workers compensation claims.

No. staff accidents/incidents by Cost Centre

In 19 of the 28 matters reported by staff, prevention would have been "reasonably practicable". Of the 19 that could have been prevented, 9 occurred because correct procedures were not followed.

Comparison of staff accidents/incidents for 2nd quarter of year over a 4 year period

Mechanism of accident/incident in each major cost centre during 2nd quarter of 2003

Workers Compensation Costs

The costs listed below are for wages and medical expenses only (medical consultation, medication, medical reports, surgery, physiotherapy and so on).
Lump sum payments from Unisure to staff members to compensate them for permanent disabilities are not included in these figures.

Cost centre workers compensation costs for 2nd quarter

*Please note: the costs listed above are only wages and medical bills. The figures exclude lump sum payments made by Unisure.

Comparison of workers compensation costs for 2nd quarter of year over a 4 year period

Chris Euripides, Administrative Assistant