WorkSafe announces 2008-09 safety program

09 July 2008

WorkSafe has announced a comprehensive program of intervention activities to take place over the next 12 months.

The industries, suburbs and regional areas to receive added attention in the next year demonstrate WorkSafe’s transparent approach to compliance and allows everyone to take the necessary steps to prevent injuries.

WorkSafe has a wide range of services and publications to help businesses and workers understand their safety obligations, WorkSafe’s Executive Director John Merritt said. 

The free, three-hour safety consultancy for small and medium businesses provides an independent contractor who will offer advice on how  individual workplaces can be made safer, WorkSafe’s publications, and industry Hotspots which identify the main causes of injury in specific occupations   

The identified industries have been determined as being in need of improvement based on workers compensation claims (list attached) and reported incidents.

“Even in tough times, going to the trouble to look for potential hazards, consulting and undertaking improvement activity will get results,” WorkSafe’s Executive Director, John Merritt, said.  

“Taking shortcuts or putting-off essential work plays with lives and commercial viability.”

WorkSafe’s inspection strategy for the next year will use advice and assistance, as well as Improvement and Prohibition Notices, as primary enforcement tools.

“In cases of intransigence or when there are clear failings associated with someone being hurt or even killed, prosecution is possible,” Mr Merritt said.

 “Most employers believe WorkSafe should adopt a stronger stance toward those who breach OHS laws, because poor performance undermines those who are doing their best.

“The commercial and legal consequences of prosecution mean that even a modest fine of $20,000 can have an enormous impact on a business.

“It can be avoided by not cutting corners and by taking an active role in ensuring everyone gets home safely at the end of the day.

Related Information

2008/09 Planned WorkSafe Intervention Activities

Targeted industries and regions

• Agriculture
• Moulded & fabricated metals
• Emergency services and prisons
• Food and beverage
• Road freight transport
• Chemical storage
• Vehicle & parts manufacture
• Welfare services
• Wood products manufacturing

Melbourne Metropolitan Area:

Mordialloc	28 July to 21 August
Thomastown	18 to 22 August (re-visit)
Airport West	8 to 12 September
Ringwood and Croydon	6 to 10 October
Werribee	10 to 14 November
Campbellfield	9 to 13 February
Frankston and Cranbourne	20 to 24 April
Scoresby	11 to 15 May

Provincial Victoria: 

Swifts Creek, Omeo and Ensay	4 to 6 August
Walpeup and Underbool	18 to 20 August
Shepparton	16 to 18 September
Swan Hill and Kerang	24 to 28 November
Geelong - Big City Plaza	24 to 28 November
Hamilton (re-visit)	9 to 15 November
Ararat	23 to 27 February
Maryborough	23 to 27 March