ACCESS in ACTION
April 11th 2014 marked 365 days devoid of
a Lost Time Injury at Genie - nationally.
Zero Lost Time Injuries (LTI) is a
benchmark which every company strives
to achieve. According to the National
Safety Manager of Genie Australia, Chris
Bond, the Genie LTI record in 2010 was
pretty ordinary.
“To their eternal credit,” Chris said, “Genie
management committed to address the
LTI performance logged in 2010. What
followed was a period of rigorous analysis
to determine the causes for the workplace
injuries.”
The data collected became the
springboard for a series of workplace
initiatives which have led to the zero LTI
achievement of 2014.
“The workforce at Genie, from top to
bottom, committed to a change in safety
culture,” Chris said. “Safety assumed a
heightened status and we encouraged
everyone in the Genie organisation to talk
about hazards and report problems.”
There were changes in the workplace
too. It was recognised manual handling
in an industry where heavy objects are
the norm, was the cause for many LTIs.
Following the success of the launch of the
Bravi Platforms and Bravi Solo Gyps at the
HRIA Convention 2014, Action Equipment
has announced the first deliveries have
been made to Specialist Access Equipment
& Plant Hire in Tasmania.
After consultation with the rental
industry and Workplace Health and
Safety Queensland and with the support
and backing of the manufacturer, Bravi
Platforms, Action Equipment has made
modifications for the local marketplace.
The Australian Spec units available
through Action Equipment comply with
AS1418.10 2011 and are Design Registered
in Victoria. Features added for the local
marketplace include:
• Additional Flashing Beacons for 360
degree visibility
• IP66 Rated 240V Charing Input
• Pothole Protection deployment sensing
• Load Sensing
• Platform Control Guarding
Lifting handles have also been added to
the SoloGyps attachment to improve the
Design changes to Bravi for local markets
ease of handling and reduce risk of injury.
Bravi now has demonstration models in
Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Brisbane
with two models in New Zealand in
Auckland and Christchurch.
Contact: 07 3323 4500 or visit:
Zero harm keeps the team healthy
New measures were put in place to
reduce manual handling. Training focused
on better ergonomics and the use of
appropriate materials handling equipment.
Training programs were conducted across
all Genie branches in Australia through
2012 and 2013. Workshops were critically
assessed and problem areas rectified.
Safety awards were introduced.
These were open to everyone in the
organisation, not just on the shop floor.
Ideas which encouraged a safer workplace
were encouraged and rewarded.
The outcome has been a stunning
turnaround. Where the LTI record in 2010
was relatively poor, the stats for 2014
confirm not a single LTI has been recorded
at any Genie branch in Australia for 365
days.
Such an achievement is only made
possible with the complete support of
everyone on the Genie team throughout
Australia.
“We’ve established a new benchmark at
Genie,” Chris said. “The pressure is now
on everyone here to ensure our LTI record
grows well past the 365 days logged.”
Having achieved a zero LTI record, the
next objective is to achieve a zero injuries
record.
Contact: 07 3456 4444 or visit:
Fall Arrest Policy
The EWPA Fall Arrest Policy is being
updated. The main change is increased
information on the length of the lanyard
in a boomlift. The maximum lanyard
length is recommended at 1.8m in
baskets 1.8m or wider, if less than 1.8m
a 1.4m lanyard is recommended, subject
to the location of the attachment point.
There are some exemptions to this
guidance including when the mounting
points are at platform level. The EWPA
remains opposed to adjustable lanyards
in boomlifts because they are susceptible
to user abuse. The 1.8m lanyard remains
the length of choice and inertia reels can
be considered but users are warned to be
very wary of worker fatigue due to their
weight. There is also a need to ensure
shorter lanyards are used in low rise
working conditions and to ensure the
lanyard has a shock absorber fitted. The
EWPA thanks the Queensland Regulators
for their assistance in reviewing the
policy to try and minimise the risks
associated with working in booms at
heights. The policy will be available on
the EWPA webpage once approved.
Chris Bond. National Safety Manager of Genie
Australia
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ACCESS IN ACTION • AUGUST 2014
Action Equipment's new Bravi units are now
available
