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Showing 'March 2019: An explosive hazard hidden in plain sight'.
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A Hidden
Explosive
Hazard
CSG March 2019 Presenter: Richard Greenwood, RG Chemical Safety

An explosive hazard hidden in plain sight

Presentation by: Richard Greenwood, RG Chemical Safety

Presentation package now available (members only)

Combustible dust can be a hidden chemical hazard in workshops, factories, storage facilities and many other places. Because it’s not classified as a hazardous substance or as dangerous goods, it is often ignored in workplace procedures and risk control. The significance of this was discussed by chemical hazards expert Richard Greenwood in a lunchtime presentation to Central Safety Group on 12 March.
The consequences of not recognising the presence of combustible dust were dramatically demonstrated recently when two workers doing routine maintenance were seriously injured in a workplace explosion in Victoria. The result was an Enforceable Undertaking for the company involved, including preparation of basic workplace training materials and a video for awareness of the hazard. Richard spoke about this case as part of its compliance with WorkSafe’s Enforceable Undertaking.
He explained how fine combustible dusts are likely to form and potentially explode when disturbed in an enclosed space. He also discussed how to detect and manage risks associated with this.

The presenter:

Richard Greenwood has spent over 25 years working in chemical safety training and consulting and has been involved in the development of some key chemical safety regulations. His career includes 15 years as Manager, Compliance and Training with Chemwatch, an international company with its headquarters in Australia. He now has his own business, RG Chemical Safety.

 
 

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Sharing OHS
Knowledge
Across Sectors

CSG August 2026 event - 

Presenter: David Caple AM, David Caple & Associates


Sharing OHS knowledge across sectors

Presented by: David Caple AM, David Caple & Associates

How: CSG Lunchtime Presentation - via zoom or in person

Date: Tuesday 11 August 2026, noon
Non-Members welcome to attend

Sharing OHS knowledge across sectors
What are some OHS initiatives that can be shared across the "legal supply chain", health sector and banking industry? This will be the subject of Central Safety Group's lunchtime presentation by David Caple AM on Tuesday 11 August.
David’s distinguished career has spanned the last 50 years as a researcher and consultant in multiple industry sectors. He sees his work as a privilege, and we are equally privileged to have him as our August speaker.
David has witnessed and contributed to the evolution of OHS through an ergonomics lens with wide-ranging applications. His experience shows that there are links between OHS issues across industry sectors that provide opportunities to learn and share initiatives.
In his presentation, David will focus on three sectors in particular:
1. The "legal supply chain" – police, courts, prisons, youth justice and legal support services.
2. The health sector – public and private, aged care and paramedics.
3. The banking industry – where design has evolved from a focus on robbery prevention to using 24/7 accessible cash-handling machines.
In these industry sectors, David’s role in ergonomics involved assessing work systems and developing OHS controls as part of multidisciplinary teams. Many of these have industry-level applications to address risks to staff and the community.
This presentation will provide an overview of the methodologies used and the key outcomes. Come along to gain invaluable insights and mine David’s enormous wealth of knowledge.

About the Speaker:

David Caple AM is a leading figure in occupational health and safety here and overseas. He has advised a wide range of businesses, industry groups and public sector organisations, and has worked with Australian and overseas governments on work health and safety strategy.
He has spent more than 40 years as an OHS consultant, and was an Adjunct Professor, Centre for Ergonomics & Human Factors, La Trobe University for 20 years. David was President of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA) 2006-2009, in which capacity he represented the profession in 23 countries, to governments, universities, researchers and practitioners.
David is a Financial Member of Central Safety Group.

Date: Tuesday 11 August 2026
Time: 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Where: Regus Yarra Room, 50th floor, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne. Our thanks to Helen O'Keefe for providing the venue.
How: Online via Zoom or in person - the link will be sent out on the afternoon of the Monday preceding the event
N.B. A video recording of the session will be available on the website exclusively for financial members.
Cost: Financial members* free. Others $15
RSVP: COB Monday 10 August 2026. Online using our RSVP form
Join: Join CSG now [Individual membership fee: $85.]
*If unsure of your membership status, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   RSVP: by Monday 10 August.
Online using our RSVP form or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone the secretary T: (03) 9387 9768 Mobile 0417 040 252
The Zoom event link will be emailed on the afternoon of Monday 10 August.

Don’t forget to put every second Tuesday from February to December in your Calendar!

 

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