WorkSafe's looking for Boronia to become a safer suburb

14 April 2008

WorkSafe’s looking for Boronia to become a safer suburb

WorkSafe inspectors will be visiting small and medium-sized businesses in Boronia as part of a major safety improvement campaign - Safer Suburbs.

Up to 10 WorkSafe inspectors will take part in the visits between 28 April and 2 May.

Unmaintained and unguarded machines, dangerous electrical leads, inadequately trained workers, working at height and poor fire protection will be among the major targets.  

“Expect to be inspected and review your safety improvement needs,” the Director of WorkSafe’s Manufacturing, Logistics and Agriculture Program, Trevor Martin said.

“Identifying and fixing issues before the visit means everyone has a clear understanding of expectations. It means that when an inspector comes, there will be few issues to deal with.

“Inspectors can offer advice and provide information on how to make workplaces safe, but its employers that must provide a safe workplace while workers have a responsibility to not put themselves or others at risk.

WorkSafe’s website, www.worksafe.vic.gov.au, has information on a wide range of safety topics and occupations.  WorkSafe’s Advisory Service can also be contacted on 1800 136 089.

“Most injuries, including those that cause permanent damage and kill, occur when people are doing ‘routine’ work. Prevention really is better than cure,” Mr Martin said.

“It’s not just individuals who are hurt at work. Their families, workmates and employers are all affected. Often the injured person is the employer.”

Mr Martin said where a safety concern was identified an Improvement Notice would be issued to ensure the matter was addressed within an agreed period.

“Where there is an immediate risk to health or safety, a Prohibition Notice will be issued. A Prohibition Notice means a work practice or machine must stop until the risk is remedied.

Both notices require sign-off from an inspector before the issues are considered to be resolved.

Injury claims in Melbourne’s outer east 2002-2007

 

Municipality	Claims over the past five financial years (July 2002-June 30 2007)	Treatment and rehabilitation costs
City of Knox	5535	$76.8m
Casey	3508	$54.66m
Greater Dandenong	8854	$138.77m
Monash	6997	$97.20m
Maroondah	2129	$29.27m
Whitehorse	3631	$63.14m
Yarra Ranges	2582	$40.29m

Note: Treatment and rehabilitation costs are based on injuries where the person is off work 10 days or more and / or with medical costs exceeding $500. Lesser injuries are not included Figures vary based on local factors such as the residential /industrial-commercial mix, geographical area, proportion of businesses with employees compared with those that are owner-operated. 

 

What do you have to think about?   What are the known hazards in your workplace? What are the known hazards in your industry? Is there a process by which the employer and employees consult on health and safety issues? Is the workplace neat and tidy, clear of obstructions and fire hazards? What has been done to reduce the risks of slips, trips and falls. Are staff wearing suitable footwear? Are steps well lit? Have you controlled risks of falls from height? Are physical barriers and guards in use to isolate people from mobile plant and machinery such as forklifts or other vehicles? Are forklift drivers licensed? Has the risk of falls from height been managed? Have you considered options to prevent manual handling injuries? e.g. Are trolleys and other mechanical aids available and used? Can your workplace be safely evacuated in the event of an emergency? Are chemicals appropriately used and stored? Are storage racks suitable for the items held? Is electrical equipment tagged and tested? Are fire suppression measures adequate? Are refreshment and toilet facilities adequate? Are you actively supporting any injured workers’ early and sustainable return to work? Is an “If you are injured” poster displayed?

 

NOTES FOR JOURNALISTS: 

• Please note: This is not a ‘blitz’ or a ‘raid’. Colourful terms, but not accurate since we’re giving considerable notice. Info packs have been distributed in the local area.
• Workplace injuries cost Victoria’s employer-funded workers compensation system more than $1-billion a year. The human cost to individuals and the community cannot be calculated.