Worker and Drivers Safety - Managing Fatigue
With the silly season upon us and many of us continuing to work, travel and catch up with friends and family it is important for us to remember that driver fatigue is one of the top three contributors to the road death toll. Research has shown that fatigue can be as dangerous as drink driving. But unlike drink driving, there are no laws regulating driver fatigue. Your safety is in your hands. Thinking about hitting the road? Test how tired you might be before you get behind the wheel at: www.testyourtiredself.com.au So what is Fatigue? Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy that does not go away when you rest. People may feel fatigued – in body or mind. With physical fatigue, your muscles cannot do things as easily as they used to. You might notice this when you climb stairs or carry objects. With psychological fatigue, it may be difficult to concentrate for as long as you used to. In severe cases, you might not feel like getting out of bed in the morning and doing your regular daily activities Mental fatigue can ONLY be reduced with quality sleep! Why are you so tired? Typically, fatigue can be traced to one or more of your habits or routines. Fatigue can be a normal and important response to physical exertion, poor eating habits, emotional stress, boredom, or lack of sleep. In some cases, however, fatigue is a symptom of an underlying medical problem that requires medical treatment. Health Concerns associated with Fatigue include: •High blood pressure •Heart disease •Stroke •Diabetes •Depression •Obesity •Digestive Disorders Causes of Fatigue The most common cause of fatigue is put down to being tired, mentally or physically, but there are also other factors that can trigger fatigue which include: •Medical – unrelenting exhaustion may be a sign of underlying conditions, such as a thyroid disorder, heart disease or diabetes. •Lifestyle –such as sleep deprivation, overwork or unhealthy habits e.g. eating the wrong foods at the wrong time •Emotional concerns and stress – fatigue is a common symptom of mental health problems, such as depression and grief, and may be accompanied by other signs and symptoms, including irritability and lack of motivation. Please note: Fatigue can also be caused by a number of factors working in combination. Symptoms of Fatigue •Eyelids drooping or bloodshot •Micro-sleeps •Blinking increases •Yawning becomes uncontrolled •Slurred speech •Loss of attention •Making errors •Reduced ability to problem solve •Failure to observe warning signs •Have a higher rate of incidents The Effects of Fatigue are similar to those of alcohol •Being awake for 17 hours impairs performance to the same level as having a 0.05 blood alcohol content. •Being awake for 20 hours impairs performance to the same level as having a 0.1 blood alcohol content Beat Fatigue: Most people need 8 - 10 hours sleep a night (not just lying down) If you miss out on your required level of sleep, you need to make it up quickly. •Maintain a healthy lifestyle through exercise and healthy diet •Catch up on sleep debt with an early night •Limit stress levels if possible •Form regular sleep and wake patterns •Understand your sleep pattern and work with it.
WorkPac End of Year Closure Dates 2023
Need to get in touch with us over the end of year / new year period? From Monday 25th December 2023 to Tuesday 2nd January 2024, WorkPac’s office locations will be available via appointment only from 8.00am to 3.30pm. To ensure your enquiry can be handled quickly and efficiently, please contact us on 1300 967 572.For further information regarding when pays will be processed over the end of year / new year period, please check out our recent blog post here.On behalf of WorkPac, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support throughout 2023. We hope this festive season brings you happiness and a joyful start to a prosperous new year.
WorkPac End of Year Pay Run Guide 2023
The end of the year is just around the corner! And we know how busy this time of year can be. To help we have popped together a handy reference of key dates so you can plan ahead, relax, and focus on what matters most this festive season.Payroll Changes | All Divisions & FTMsWeek Commencing Monday 18th December 2023Please ensure we have received your approved timesheet by 10am Monday 18th December 2023 to ensure it is processed on time.All pay runs will be processed as per normal.Week Commencing Monday 25th December 2023Due to the Christmas Day and Boxing Day Public Holiday your pays will be delayed by 2 working days. Please ensure we have received your approved timesheet by 10am Wednesday 27th December 2023 at the very latest to ensure it is processed on time.All pay runs will be processed on 29th December 2023 then the next pay run will be Tuesday 2nd January 2024.Week Commencing Monday 1stJanuary 2024Due to the New Year’s Day Public Holiday your pay will be delayed by 1 working day.Please ensure we have received your approved timesheet by 10am Tuesday 2nd January 2024 at the very latest to ensure it is processed on time.Please check with your bank with regards to their processing days Importantly, our Payroll team are aiming to minimise these delays where possible. For example, if all employees in a division have lodged their timesheets, we will endeavour to process payments earlier. This is a great reason to make sure your timesheet is logged promptly.We also encourage you to reach out to your bank for assistance with queries regarding their processing days.Please contact your WorkPac Recruitment Coordinator for assistance with any queries.Wishing you all the best for the festive season and a joyful start to a happy new year.
SAFETY UPDATE | HEATSTROKE & HEAT EXHAUSTION
Australia's summer climate is one of extremes, with many regions regularly experiencing temperatures 30 degrees and above. In this blog, learn about the signs, symptoms and treatment of heatstroke and heat exhaustion and the steps you can take to help yourself and others stay safe.Heatwaves and hot weather can kill, and the risk of heat-related illness is higher for young children and elderly persons, during pregnancy and when taking certain medications. What is heat exhaustion?Heat exhaustion happens when someone becomes dehydrated due to fluid loss from a hot environment and/or excessive physical activity.The symptoms of heat exhaustion include:Normal or mildly higher body temperatureCool, pale, clammy skinExcessive sweatingThirstyHeadacheMuscle crampsRapid, weak pulseFainting or dizzinessTreatmentHelp the person to lie down in a cool or shady area to monitorRemove excessive clothing and loosen any tight clothingImmerse hands and feet in cold water, cool by fanning and moisten the skin, if possibleIf fully alert and responsive, give them frequent small drinks of waterIf muscle cramps occur, gently stretch the affected muscles to ease the painWhat is heatstroke?Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency and can cause a person to collapse or fall unconscious. Heatstroke is more serious and means the body is no longer able to regulate its temperature by cooling the skin's surface by sweating. The internal body temperature rises, and organ damage can occur.The symptoms of heatstroke include:Reduced sweatingHigh body temperature (above 40°C)Dry, flushed, hot skinNauseaMuscle spasmsPain throughout the bodyUnusual behaviour or signs of confusionSeizure or possible loss of responsivenessTreatmentImmediately call 000 for an ambulanceIf available, have the person take a cold shower or bathCool the person with household items such as wet towels, fans or icepacks placed in the neck, groin and armpitsIf unresponsive or not alert, place in the recovery positionPrepare to give CPR if necessaryHeatwaves can kill, so it's important to be aware of what to look for and what you can do to help. For more information, the Red Cross has an excellent First Aid app (download here)and advice about how to stay cool in hot weather.
National Safe Work Month 2023
October is National Safe Work Montha time to for all of us to commit to building a safe and healthy workplace.Being healthy and safe means being free from physical and psychological harm. A safe and healthy workplace benefits all of us. For everyone’s safety, work safely. #SafeWorkMonthWorkPac’s primary commitment is to your health and safety, and we are strong advocates of National Safe Work Month and actively encourage all of you to put safety in the forefront of your minds not just in October each year but on each and every day, take the time to think about the tasks you are undertaking, what could go wrong and how you can do it safely.Working safely can become a habit if you prioritize your own personal safety and that of others. WHAT we can do EVERY DAYWork together to manage risks at workHabit number one – think about the hazards associated with the task you are about to undertake. What could go wrong? How can I do this safely? What are the controls I know are in place? Has anything changed? What else can I do to make this safer for me and my colleagues? This thought process is a basic risk assessment.Please take the time to read through the WorkPac site hazard register and the required safety controls on each site you are assigned to so that you know what the risks are!Work together to protect our mental wellbeingHabit number two – take care of your personal safety, including your mental wellbeing, know your rights at work, seek assistance when necessary.Work life can at times involve psychosocial hazards, these are the things in our daily lives that can impact our mental health such as:-time pressures- Job demands- exposure to trauma- physical environment- bullying and or harassment- conflictWork together to support each other for safe and healthy workplaces Habit number three – Support your colleagues and team members. Being younger or inexperienced or learning a role, having a culturally diverse background, working alone or in an isolated location, or returning to work after an injury can make some team members more vulnerable to harm.By supporting each other, we can make work safe for everyone.
Introducing Stopline and Respect@Work
Respect@Work WorkPac is committed to protecting and promoting the right of every employee to work in an environment which is free from sexual harassment and discrimination. Recent changes to legislation mean that all employers, including WorkPac, now have a positive duty to take reasonable steps to prevent and eliminate sexual harassment and discrimination on the basis of sex in the workplace. This legislative regime is known as Respect@Work. As part of WorkPac’s zero tolerance for this type of conduct, the following documents have been updated and are available on the WorkPac website: WorkPac Code of Conduct Whistleblower Policy and Procedure Sexual Harassment PolicySexual Harassment ProcedureHarassment, Discrimination and Bullying PolicyHarassment, Discrimination and Bullying Procedure Introducing Stopline WorkPac is also pleased to announce it has now engaged with Stopline to provide an independent and confidential whistleblowing service. Employees, contractors and clients of WorkPac can contact Stopline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to make a disclosure about incidents such as: TheftDishonestyBullying and HarassmentSexual HarassmentPolicy BreachesUnethical BehaviourWorkplace Safety HazardsFraudStopline can be contacted phone, email, online and by mail.P: 1300 304 550E: makeareport@stopline.com.auW: workpac.stoplinereport.comM: WorkPac C/o Stopline Pty Ltd, PO Box 403, Diamond Creek Vic 3089 Together, we can eliminate improper workplace conduct.
END OF FINANCIAL YEAR TAX INFORMATION
We are preparing for the end of the 2022/2023 financial year and employee Payment Summary information (also known as a Group Certificate) will soon be ready.This important document will be available in employees' Australian Tax Office online services account, accessed via myGov.It will be called an ‘Income Statement’ and will be available in myGov by 14 July 2023.To avoid any delays with your Income Statement, we strongly encourage you to take the following steps: Make sure you have created a myGov account (click here for instructions) Check that your personal and contact details are correct in myWorkPac. If you need to update your details, please contact your WorkPac Representative as soon as possiblePlease note that WorkPac does not email these documents, nor have copies to provide.Please contact your WorkPac Representative for assistance with queries or further information.
CEO UPDATE | National Reconciliation Week 27 May - 3 June 2023
This year, National Reconciliation Week adopts the theme of ‘BE A VOICE FOR ALL GENERATIONS’, encouraging all Australians to actively contribute to reconciliation efforts in their everyday lives.At WorkPac, we are dedicated to supporting reconciliation by fostering a deeper understanding, enhancing education, and taking meaningful actions that promote a fair and equitable nation for everyone.National Reconciliation Week provides an opportunity to explore and appreciate Australia’s shared history, diverse cultures, and remarkable achievements. WorkPac takes great pride in its diverse workforce and encourages active participation from all individuals. We invite all our employees to engage with local community events to get involved and broaden your knowledge and appreciation for Indigenous history and cultures.New South WalesNorthern TerritoryQueenslandSouth AustraliaTasmaniaVictoriaWestern AustraliaMore information about National Reconciliation Week can also be found at Reconciliation Australia's website.Regards,Hamish GriffinChief Executive OfficerThe WorkPac Group
WORLD DAY FOR HEALTH & SAFETY @ WORK 2023
Friday 28 April is World Day for Safety and Health at Work and Workers' Memorial Day. This year’s theme is ‘A safe and healthy working environment is a fundamental principle and right at work’. The day provides an opportunity to reflect on how to prevent work-related occupational diseases, deaths, injuries, and illnesses. It is also a day to remember those that have died from a work-related injury or illness. By raising awareness of work health and safety (WHS) issues and taking action to eliminate or minimise health and safety risks at work, we can help prevent further work-related fatalities and injuries.While the number of work-related fatalities in Australia has been steadily decreasing over the last decade, any workplace death is tragic and unacceptable. World Day is a good time to recognise the importance of work health and safety to prevent any work-related fatalities and injuries. WHS risk management can be as simple as a discussion with teammates or your manager. It is also important to remember to manage psychological and mental health risks. We encourage everyone to raise awareness about health and safety in the workplace and recommend visiting these sites for more information. Safe Work Australia - 2023 World DayAust Govt - Mental Health ResourcesLifelinePlease join the Office of Industrial Relations and the Consultative Committee for Work-Related Fatalities and Serious Incidents on Workers’ Memorial Day to commemorate those who have lost their life because of their work.When: Friday 28 April 2023 at 7:30amWhere: Watch live on the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland Facebook page
WORKPAC PAYROLL UPDATE | ANZAC DAY & LABOUR DAY 2023
In accordance with Australia's national public holidays, ANZAC Day will be observed on Tuesday 25 April. Qld and NT will also acknowledge the Labour Day public holiday on Monday 1 May 2023. Please be advised of the following Pay Run adjustments through this time. Week Commencing Monday 24 April 2023 Due to the Anzac Day public holiday, there will be no pay run on Tuesday 25 April (delaying pay by 1 working day)We encourage all employees to please lodge their approved timesheets prior to 10am AEST, Monday 24 April Timesheets received after this deadline will be processed in the next available pay run (ie. Thursday 27 & Friday 28 April)Week Commencing Monday 1 May 2023Due to the NT and QLD Labour Day public holiday on Monday 1 May, pay will be delayed by 1 working dayTo minimise delays, we encourage all employees to please lodge their approved timesheets prior to 10am Tuesday 2 May 2023 to ensure timely processingPlease remember these public holidays may also impact your bank's processing days. Please contact your bank should you have any concerns. Employees are also encouraged to contact their WorkPac Representative for assistance with any other queries.