Title: Coroner warns of DIY dangers
Orginal link: http://www.news.com.au/mercury/story/0,22884,21396247-3462,00.html
Author: MERYL NAIDOO
Published date:March 17, 2007 12:00am
A HOBART coroner says the death of a renovator who fell from scaffolding should serve as a cautionary warning to other Tasmanians considering DIY jobs.[/b]


Coroner Olivia McTaggart released her findings yesterday on a man who died as a result of head and chest injuries he received when he fell from a scaffold in southern Tasmania.

Coronial statistics in Tasmania indicate deaths from DIY activities have been uncommon in recent years. However, Ms McTaggart said: "This death should serve as a caution to those considering domestic maintenance work."

The man, whose crash helmet came off during the fall, had been preparing a window for painting.

She said investigations suggest fatigue may have also been a factor as he had been working on the scaffold for about two hours.

"The deceased"s unfortunate death is an example of deaths occurring to individuals working in and around the home, undertaking general maintenance," Ms McTaggart said.

"Coronial files, particularly in other Australian jurisdictions, disclose numerous examples of how such deaths occur in a variety of risk areas such as working on ladders or the roof, electrical work, garden maintenance and motor vehicle repairs.

"Many of these cases involve what would, by reference to applicable Australian standards, be considered unsafe systems of work or the use of unsafe equipment."

Ms McTaggart said although Australian standards have been primarily developed for the workplace, they represent best practice in safety generally. All home renovators should take on these safety measures.

Workplace Standards Tasmania recommendations include:
[*]Comply as far as possible with any Australian standard applicable to the task, people are encouraged to call Workplace Standards Helpline on 1300 366 322 for queries.



[*]Get copies of safety publications on the use of ladders and working at heights from the Workplace Standards website at www.wst.tas.gov.au.



[*]Take a break every hour.



[*]Conduct a risk assessment which should identify potential safety hazards in the proposed work.