Concrete pumping

Concrete pumping involves the transportation of a freshly mixed batch of concrete via a system of pipes to a specific location on a construction site.

Concrete pumping is a widely used process in the construction industry. It can be used to manufacture pre-cast and tilt up concrete panels, concrete formwork, slab construction, concrete paving, and concrete spraying.

Generally, concrete pumping work is defined as construction work. It may also be considered high risk construction work under the work health and safety laws.

Health and Safety Bulletin No. 16 Incorrect use of a pipe wrench on a drilling rig

Recently, several incidents have occurred where workers have been seriously injured while working with a pipe wrench and a drilling rod on a live drill rig.

In December 2021, WorkSafe prosecuted an exploration company for the death of a worker where a 48-inch pipe wrench struck the worker in the head. At the time of the incident a pipe wrench and hydraulic breakout wrench were being used by workers to crack or “break out” bound threads between the head tube locking sub and air swivel while applying hydraulic rotation.

Travelling in remote locations: Mines safety matters pamphlet

This mines safety matters pamphlet contains information on the hazards and recommended safe work practices when travelling in remote locations.

The hazards

Extreme weather conditions, remoteness and vast distances in Western Australia, together with rarely travelled roads, mean that if you break down or get lost, you may not be found for some time.

Extremes of climate can bring on dangerous medical conditions. If you are not prepared, the consequences of being stranded in remote areas can be serious or even fatal.

Significant incident summary No. 5 : Farm worker entangled in rotating machinery – fatal incident

A worker at a farm was fatally injured when he became entangled in the rotating parts of a plastic mulch retriever (PMR) attached to the rear of a tractor.

The incident occurred while the operator was working alone near the spinning winder mechanism that was collecting plastic sheeting from a row of plants. The plastic sheet was approximately 93 metres long.

Construction induction training

The Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022 (WHS General Regulations) set out mandatory requirements for the provision of construction safety induction training, for a person conducting a business or undertaking ensuring that general construction induction training is provided to workers doing construction work at a workplace in Western Australia.

The training required by the regulations is not designed to take the place of work site or task specific instruction, training or supervision. 

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