$460,000 in proposed penalties for company that exposed workers to lead

A company is facing nearly $460,000 in penalties from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, after being cited with 38 alleged violations. The violations, including 14 willful and 11 repeat, were found at bridge work sites, where workers were exposed to lead and other safety and health hazards while performing abrasive blasting and repainting projects.

MaryAnn Garrahan, OSHA regional administrator said:
"Employers have a legal responsibility to provide workers with safe and healthful workplaces. Anything less is unacceptable."

The willful violations include failing to properly protect workers from exposure to lead and failing to provide fall protection.

The repeat violations include:
• A lack of warning signs posted in lead work areas
• Failing to provide medical evaluations and fit tests for respirator users
• Failing to notify employees of the results of lead monitoring

Eleven serious violations were cited for:
• Allowing workers to have and/or consume food in the area where lead exposure was above the permissible level
• Not ensuring workers wore respirators while blasting with glass media or when exposed to lead in excess of permissible limits.
• Failing to provide personal protective equipment for workers when blasting

Source: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration

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Workplace bullying could be criminalised throughout Australia

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has backed a national version of workplace bullying laws introduced in Victoria last year, which criminalise serious workplace bullying. Under the changes, workplace bullies can face up to 10 years jail time. The Victorian law, also known as “Brodie’s Law” was established after the tragic suicide of 19-year-old Brodie Panlock, a waitress who faced relentless taunts and abuse at work.

In May 2012, Ms Gillard announced a national review into workplace bullying, which will assess the nature, causes and degree of workplace bullying. ''One way we could add to what we're doing now is to take Brodie's law nationally and to have a common national law to deal with bullying in the workplace,'' Ms Gillard said.

What impact does bullying have on your workplace?
According to the Australian Productivity Commission, workplace bullying costs employers and the Australian economy between $6 billion and $36 billion per year.

Employers are responsible for helping to prevent bullying and harassing behaviour in the workplace. It is in their interests to make it clear to everyone that such behaviour will not be tolerated. The costs to the business may include poor employee relations, low morale, inefficiency and potentially the loss of staff. Training all staff about the standards of behaviour expected can make it easier for all individuals to be fully aware of their responsibilities to others.

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Sources: The Sydney Morning Herald Safe to Work

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