In this issue:

• Changes to quarterly reporting
• Heat stress
• Open tender - Emergency Management Framework Review
• 2019 events
• Recently published reports

Starting in 2019, we are making it easier to submit quarterly reports. As a mine operator, you are now only required to submit all your quarterly work health and safety reports once a year. That means that you must submit your quarterly reports for the preceding 12-month period – September, December, March and June all at once between 30 June and 31 July.
 
You can also continue to submit your quarterly reports prior to the deadline, if you wish.
 
Quarterly work health and safety report forms will be generated in the mine operator’s online portal. The quarterly work health and safety report form for the December quarter will be generated soon.

Email links are no longer being sent to access the report.

With high temperatures expected to continue this month both employers and workers must remember to remain vigilant when working in a hot environment.

Heat illness occurs when the body is unable to sufficiently cool itself, can be incapacitating and even fatal.

Modifying the workload, re-scheduling work to cooler times of the day, engaging mechanical aids to minimise physical exertion, providing workers with access to drinking water, shaded rest areas and regular breaks will help minimise the risk of heat illness.

Heat illness is not the only danger of working during a heatwave. Hot working conditions can cause other health and safety issues, including the loss of grip while handling objects due to sweaty hands, mistakes, slips or falls due to heat fatigue or fainting, not following proper safe work procedures, burns from contact with hot surfaces or substances and sunburn.