Safe Actions

02/06/2026

Words matter in so many ways.
Several third-party apps and platforms operate in Australia to connect NDIS support workers with participants, or to help independent workers manage their businesses.
One of them is advertising at the moment that all their support workers are verified. This is probably true: they are verified that that meet NDIS support worker screening.

What it does NOT mean is that they are certified nor competent nor experienced.
And if they are certified, have they done all their training online only?

The app/ platform does not assume responsibilities for a worker in relation to WHS, that is up to the individual employing them i.e. the individual with a disability.
Nor does the platform assume public liability nor workers compensation coverage, that is up to the individual support worker.

26/05/2026

This business has a few good resources/ videos on manual tasks and risk management. These may help support your training.

https://www.youtube.com//videos

19/05/2026

Manual tasks/ body stressing continues to be the most frequent mechanism of injury across all work places:

In contrast, the most widespread mechanism for serious workers’ compensation claims was body stressing. These incidents made up more than one-third of all serious claims in 2023-24p and were the most common mechanism across every major occupation group.

Body stressing injuries impacted both males and females across all age groups, resulting in 50,326 serious claims in 2023-2024p. The average number of serious claims for body stressing injuries over the past 5 years (2019-20 to 2023-24p) was 47,237. Its prevalence underscores the ongoing challenge of managing physical strain in the workplace.

SafeWork Australia 2026
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/media-centre/evidence-matters/2025/behind-numbers-whats-causing-harm-work

14/05/2026

Bonus post this week:

I am running a slide sheet course on 11 June 2026 1-4pm at my office in Bayswater. There will be some general theory, exploration of different types of slide sheets, some teaching of the basics and then the rest will be driven by the questions of the group. This is my favourite course to teach and we nearly always invent something new.
Cost is $143 per person. No video or photos allowed.
To register, just email me at [email protected]

12/05/2026

The Australian Association for the Manual Handling of People is planning a conference in Adelaide in 2027.... stay tuned for whether it is 2 or 3 days, and the dates. This is THE conference to attend if you are interested in manual handling/ manual tasks

28/04/2026

I have had a few queries regarding Safe Transporting.
For costing and logistics reasons this is something I only generally run as a group training.
For those of you who are sole traders then I can suggest the following:
- under work health and safety your employer (PCBU) must ensure you are adequately trained and competent in all your work tasks
- sometimes buddy training misses important safety information
- ask for a transport plan. This will usually be prepared by a therapist. They are then responsible for ensuring the safety of the wheelchair, restraints, hoist and vehicle
- most manufacturers of restraints have videos in how to apply them. You might be able to find them on the internet and then fact check that against how you have been instructed
- Department of Transport may also be able to help

23/04/2026

This week my mind turns to moral injury: first used in relation to military veterans but there is evidence that health care workers can experience it too.

For example
You did/ didn't do/ saw something that went against your moral code or values (e.g., you harmed someone or failed to protect someone from harm), that went against your moral code or values (e.g., you witnessed cruel behavior) or,
You were directly affected by someone doing something or failing to do something that went against your moral code or values (e.g., being betrayed by someone you trusted)

https://www.openarms.gov.au/signs-symptoms/moral-injury

Reach out to health care providers, employee assistance programs and beyond blue for support

Moral injury refers to the psychological, social and spiritual impact of events involving betrayal or transgression of one’s own deeply held moral beliefs and values occurring in high stakes situations.

14/04/2026

It is that time of year when we might turn our thoughts to cleaning gutters: please consider ladder safety.
https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/hazards-a-z/ladders

Apparently there is an acronym used in ED: OGFOL
Old guy falls of ladder.
Please don't let that be you: young, old, which ever gender

Each year there are dozens of serious incidents where workers have fallen from ladders. Most of these incidents involve a ladder being used incorrectly or inappropriately.