Manufacturing ISSC communique: November 2024

The Manufacturing Industry Standing Committee (the Committee) convened on 8 November 2024. Mr Scott Reichman, the Chair, welcomed members and guests to the Committee’s third meeting.

Mr Andrew McMahon, General Manager Mates in Mining, Energy and Manufacturing, joined the meeting to present on Mates in Manufacturing. Mr McMahon gave a summary of the MATES programs which provides evidence based training and resources to identify and minimise psychological risks in the workplace. MATES delivers suicide awareness and peer to peer support programs, along with case management and referrals to appropriate professional services.

The Committee noted the ongoing issue of suicide in the manufacturing industry. The Committee noted that sourcing funding for such programs is a key step and the manufacturing industry will likely require a co-funding model. Members agreed to leverage their networks to support Mates in Manufacturing and agreed to assist Mr McMahon build connections with relevant Queensland stakeholders.

The Chair facilitated discussion on ‘Building enhanced and sustained compliance through improved information and its use’ – a matter referred by the Work Health and Safety (WHS Board). The Committee provided feedback including the value of industry specific case studies, the need to develop communication mediums that deliver ‘bite sized’ information, the use of artificial intelligence/AI chat bot and the value of increased industry collaboration to disseminate safety information.

The Committee discussed current issues impacting the manufacturing sector including:

• Non-silica manufactured stone products being used as a substitute. Members observed that manufactured stone products (resin based) are being used as an alternative to engineered stone. Members agreed that it is critical that PCBUs continue to invest in basic controls such as wet cutting and use of appropriate PPE.
• A recent serious incident at a meat processing facility that involved workers from the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. The challenge of language barriers from the culturally and linguistically diverse overseas workforce was noted, often leading to them being overrepresented in serious incidents.
• The upcoming summer season noting that during past summer’s, heat stress had caused numerous serious incidents and a fatality.

Members agreed that an awareness campaign on heat stress is required immediately. The Committee agreed to advise the WHS Board of the necessity of a heat stress campaign before the start of summer.

The next Committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, 20 March 2025.

ISSC secretariat | Email: oirboardsandcommittees@oir.qld.gov.au