SafeWork NSW Announces $1.2 Million Fine for Orica After Cobalt Dust Exposure

SafeWork NSW has today confirmed that Orica Australia Pty Ltd has been fined $1.2 million by the District Court of NSW following a significant breach of workplace safety laws. The penalty comes after the company admitted to exposing two of its workers to hazardous cobalt dust over several years, leading to serious health consequences including occupational asthma.

The prosecution, led by SafeWork NSW, stemmed from incidents occurring between 2014 and 2019 at Orica’s Kooragang site. Orica pleaded guilty to a Category 1 offence under section 19 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011—the highest level of offence under NSW law, indicating reckless conduct concerning risk of death, serious injury, or illness.

At the centre of this case was the exposure to cobalt dust, a known respiratory sensitizing agent that can cause severe occupational illnesses. This exposure occurred in the Cobalt Catalyst Manufacturing Shed at Orica’s Kooragang Island facility, where the affected workers were employed. The court noted that the dust was visibly produced during various manufacturing stages, posing consistent health risks.

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Cobalt dust can lead to severe respiratory issues, including asthma, lung fibrosis, and damage, with potential for other critical effects such as cardiac issues and liver and kidney congestion. The court highlighted that Orica’s efforts to mitigate these risks were substantially insufficient and poorly executed.

Trent Curtin, Head of SafeWork NSW, commented on the court’s decision: “The court confirmed that the risk of exposure was inevitable, and Orica’s attempts to safeguard against this were grossly inadequate. This prosecution should serve as a resolute message to all industries: SafeWork NSW will not hesitate to enforce the full strength of the law to protect workers’ safety.”

For further details on health monitoring protocols related to cobalt dust, please refer to the SafeWork Australia guidance: Health Monitoring for Cobalt Dust.

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National Parenting Survey Unveils Challenges of Modern Parenting Amid Economic and Social Pressures

In a landmark survey, the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program today disclosed findings from its most extensive parenting study to date, underscoring the severe impacts of economic hardships, emotional stress, sleep deprivation, and digital media concerns on the mental health and wellbeing of children.

A total of 8,304 parents and caregivers participated in this comprehensive national survey, orchestrated by Triple P founder and Clinical Psychologist at the University of Queensland, Professor Matt Sanders. The findings offer a detailed overview of the multitude of challenges confronting a broad and diverse demographic of Australian families.

Professor Sanders emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating, “The results reveal the current state of stress under which families in Australia are operating, amidst escalating financial difficulties, rising concerns over children’s mental health and wellbeing, and increasing instances of school refusal.”

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He further noted, “Parenting is a complex journey exacerbated by these pressing issues. It is imperative that we equip families on the front lines with evidence-based support to foster their wellbeing and enhance their parenting efficacy, ensuring the development of happy, resilient children.”

Key Insights from Triple P’s 2024 National Parenting Survey:

• Financial Restraints: Approximately 90% of respondents have reduced spending due to cost-of-living increases, with significant cutbacks on dining out (81%), entertainment (70%), and vacations (69%). More than half have also scaled down on grocery expenses.
• Emotional and Relationship Impact: 42% of parents reported that financial strain has adversely affected their capacity to maintain calm and nurturing relationships within the family.
• Self-Care and Mental Health: Nearly half of all parents expressed dissatisfaction with their personal time for self-care activities such as exercising, socialising, or engaging in hobbies. About two-thirds feel guilty about the time spent with their children, and a substantial majority (83%) of parents with young children under five years old experience sleep deprivation weekly.
• Communication and Discipline: Over 80% of parents find themselves raising their voice or yelling at their children, highlighting the strain of parenting under stress.
• Digital Concerns: The digital realm poses significant challenges; 85% of parents who allow their children to use social media report regular conflicts, and a strong majority remains concerned about online safety (82%) and the impact of social media on their children’s mental health (79%).

Professor Sanders advocates for proactive engagement, “These findings underscore the importance of equipping parents and caregivers with effective strategies to guide their children’s digital interactions. Regular, open discussions about technology use are essential for navigating this complex landscape.”

Despite these challenges, the survey revealed a resilient streak among parents, with 80% optimistic that their children would lead better lives than their own.

“The response underscores the pivotal role of parents and caregivers as agents of change in their children’s lives. To support this vital role, we continue to provide accessible, evidence-based parenting resources, with over 270,000 Australian families already benefiting from our online support programs,” added Professor Sanders.

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care under the Parenting Education and Support Program, the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program offers essential resources for parents and caregivers, accessible at triplep-parenting.net.au.

The survey was executed by C|T Group on behalf of Triple P International, reflecting a national initiative to address and mitigate parenting challenges through strategic support and guidance.

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Midwives across NSW recognised for care and compassion

People across NSW are encouraged to celebrate and recognise midwives for their contribution to the NSW health system this International Day of the Midwife.

Health Minister Ryan Park said midwives are highly valued for their incredible work supporting women, their babies and families at such an important time in their lives.

“I thank every midwife across the NSW Health system for their ongoing commitment to providing safe and high-quality midwifery care to keep mothers and babies healthy across the state,” Mr Park said.

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“The dedication, skill and compassionate care midwives provide to all women and their families is remarkable, with midwives supporting the birth of almost 100,000 babies in NSW each year.

NSW Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Jacqui Cross said midwives play a vital role in helping to deliver safe, effective and collaborative maternity care in the state’s public maternity services.

“I’m very proud of the exceptional work of midwives in our services, making a difference in the lives of women, babies and their families every day,” Ms Cross said.

“Our midwives are passionate about providing woman-centred care to ensure women feel empowered to make decisions about their maternity care that meets their unique needs and achieves their desired health outcomes.”

“Every year, we recognise the achievements of our nurses and midwives in the NSW health system through the Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards, so I encourage people to nominate an outstanding nurse or midwife when applications open tomorrow.”

In 2024, there will be a total of nine awards, including seven local health district and specialty network nominated awards, one consumer-nominated Healing Heart award and one colleague-nominated Healing Heart award.

Nominations for the 2024 Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards for International Day of the Midwife close on Friday, 14 June 2024. For more information visit the NSW Health website.

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