Shops, cafés and restaurants the focus of statewide safety push

08 October 2009

A statewide inspection campaign of shops, cafés and restaurants begins in November with WorkSafe calling on employers and workers to act now to ensure high safety standards are in place.

Under the banner of the long running Safer Work Zones and Safe Towns campaigns WorkSafe inspectors will visit businesses across the state from 30 November to 4 December.

The campaign combines with WorkSafe’s current effort targeting slips, trips and falls.

Over the past five financial years treatment and rehabilitation of nearly 11,000 Victorian retail workers* has cost nearly $180-million.

More than half the injuries were related to manual handling injuries/slips trips and falls and 17% were from open wounds and fractures.

In cafes and restaurants, there have been more than 1700 reported injuries over the same period costing nearly $24.5 million in treatment and rehabilitation alone.

In this part of the hospitality sector, half the injuries were from manual handling and slips trips and falls and 25% from open wounds and fractures.

“In the lead up to Christmas, the risk of safety incidents rise as people become increasingly busy,” WorkSafe’s Executive Director, John Merritt, said.

“This campaign will remind retailers, café and restaurant operators that safety has to be a high priority. We’re giving people plenty of advance warning so they can deal with their issues before we arrive.

“Whether you’re a top-line restaurant, bakery, supermarket, toy shop, selling spares for cars or anything in between, our aim is to ensure everyone in the industry takes responsibility for safety.  

“It protects workers, businesses and members of the general public who can also be put at risk.

“Getting back to basics – ensuring people are properly trained and supervised, cleaning up spills, keeping stock away from emergency exits and putting guards on machines will produce higher-level safety across the board.

“These are not necessarily injuries that you’ll see on the nightly news, but they will affect individuals and businesses right when they need ‘all hands on deck’ in the pre-Christmas period.”                                                                                                                                                     

DEAL WITH THE SAFETY ISSUES

Mr Merritt said keeping walkways clear, storage areas tidy and providing appropriate lifting gear and trolleys reduced risk, kept productivity high and everyone working.

“There are also issues where the space above false ceilings is used for storage and where mezzanine floors are created above offices when they’re not designed for it.

Collapses in these areas do happen, and without fall protection mezzanine area can be dangerous leading to injuries for workers and customers. 

“Dealing with safety issues before someone is hurt is better than responding after the event. Unfortunately a lot of people do that,” Mr Merritt said.  

The WorkSafe publication ‘12 ways to make small business safer’ is available online along with information about particular risks, industries and occupations at www.worksafe.vic.gov.au or call WorkSafe’s advisory service on 1800 136 089.

Small businesses can sign up for a WorkSafe-funded free and independent three-hour consultancy. Details at www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/smallbusiness.

*Does not including Coles and Woolworths employees. These companies are self-insurers.