OH&S time bomb looms
I WORKED for a national corporation and if a staff member needed to work from home, their home environment was checked by an Ergonomist to ensure it was appropriate as a workplace. This included the type of desk/worktop, chair, lighting, ventilation and so on. Since the arrival of COVID-19, thousands are now working from home and we are told this will be the way of the future. Is anyone checking the homes that have become new workplaces for suitability as a long-term proposition, or are we creating a situation where people suffer work-related injuries attributable to long-term use of an unsuitable workplace? TV news grabs on the subject show people sitting on bar stools working at a breakfast bar, or sitting on the sofa with a laptop on their knees.
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How long before work-related injuries (back problems as an example) start to surface? Employers have a duty of care to their staff and I'm surprised that there seems to be a complete lack of attention to this situation, with its potential for health-related issues and potentially costly claims in the future.
Chris Herbert, Legana.
Invermay traffic conundrum
WHAT is the biggest concern for Invermay with UTAS moving to Inveresk? It is traffic. Why then, is there a development application in with the City of Launceston council for a recycling and waste disposal (tip) to be in Foster Street, Invermay, a mere 200 metres from the proposed university car park? In the application, they state they have a fleet of up to 70 heavy vehicles coming and going numerous times a day (from 3am to 10pm), 76 staff vehicles and two 19-metre semi-trailers per week.
Why is this even being considered, it is an accident waiting to happen?
Jo Murray, Invermay.
Borders closed by Premier
I AGREE wholeheartedly with the decision to keep our borders closed (The Examiner, August 4). It is a solid well worked out decision. No one of any political persuasion would endorse Tasmania to be faced with the terrible situation Victoria finds themselves in. Tasmania at all costs must avoid Victoria's lockdown, it is a matter of life or death. Millions out of work, curfews, mandatory mask-wearing and limited exercise and shopping time. The pain in all this is unimaginable. Failed hotel isolation, close-contact demonstrations, plus non-compliance with restriction rules, have been suggested the cause. When Will Hodgeman resigned as Premier and Peter Gutwein took over, not in his wildest dreams could he have envisaged the challenge he would face. Mr Gutwein, you have done a fantastic job. Great leadership incredibly smart decisions.
From all Tasmanians, thank you!
Peter Doddy, Trevallyn.
Parks passes price increase
TOURISM, directly and indirectly, supported around 42,000 jobs in Tasmania or about 17.2 per cent of total Tasmanian employment, which due to the pandemic has been devastated. The state government is encouraging us to visit places in our state to inject some business into these areas and yet, as from September 1, 2020, most passes to Tasmanian National Parks run by Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania are to be increased by up to 66 per cent. How does that help us visit our home state?
J. Boyle, Riverside.
Controversial transmission route
TASNETWORKS chief executive Lance Balcombe claims his company has heard the community and altered UPC-Tasnetworks' transmission line to have "less impact" (The Examiner, August 4). Our community can promise him that the "tweaks" to the route change nothing - the power line will still devastate and dry our valley, destroy tourism jobs, kill land values, 'island' critical ecosystems, and increase fire risk to an isolated community.
We reject every claim, including his assertion that TasNetworks has been responsive to the community.
The reality on the ground is that UPC and TasNetworks have operated selectively and in stealth, have withheld information, offered cash-splash 'sweeteners' to the community, and spent millions of taxpayer dollars on expensive PR in place of genuine community consultation. We've been given a fancy slide-show and told to suck it up.
We reject claims about jobs and investment opportunities resulting from Marinus, and UPC-Tasnet's massive power lines. UPC's energy proposals are about sending power to buyers on the Mainland, and profits to offshore investors. TasNetworks is both planning the new grid and intending to profit from unwarranted transmission line construction. Meanwhile, there's no cost-benefit analysis to indicate that, post-construction, there will be any wins for the North West. They have no social license for the proposed line, and we reject it, lock, stock and barrel. Start listening to communities, and take the Marinus project and grid changes back to the drawing board.
Ben Marshall, Supporting Our Loongana Valley Environment chair.
A shark circle of state safety
ENCOURAGING a few more white pointer sharks to circle Tasmania will ensure that the state remains one of the safest places on earth.
