SafeWork NSW continues to urge workplaces to maintain vigilance in the area of safety measures around mobile plant and vehicles, after two grave incidents occurred within a span of five hours. The use of comprehensive work safety products such as WHS management systems, SWMS, and strict adherence to safety policies are pivotal in managing these risks.
In an unfortunate incident at 7:30 pm, a Greenacre recycling centre saw a man in his 50s lose his life when he was struck by a truck. Local police were soon on site and SafeWork NSW inspectors will begin investigations today.
Earlier in the day at 3:50 pm, a worker in his 40s met with a serious accident. He suffered severe injuries when he got sandwiched between two cars at an Auburn smash repairer workshop. He is presently admitted to a hospital. SafeWork NSW took prompt action following this event, issuing a Prohibition Notice to the workplace to facilitate the establishment of a safe working system for vehicle-related works.
Critical tools like the Bluesafe WHS Management System can play a significant role in ensuring safer working situations while dealing with vehicles or heavy machinery.
Currently, SafeWork NSW inspectors have a compliance operation underway across the state that concentrates on minimising injuries attributable to mobile equipment, fixed machinery, and vehicles in various workplaces.
Since the operation’s inception last month, over 249 notices have been issued. One particular street in Prestons, subject to 12 visits in three days, ended up receiving 42 improvement notes and seven prohibition notifications.
The operation targets key risk areas like ensuring distance between individuals and mobile plant, limiting access to moving components, halting rollovers, and guaranteeing appropriate licensing and training.
SafeWork NSW hosts a wealth of information on mitigating threats from mobile plant, stationary machines, and vehicles on its official website. This includes the Code of practice – Managing the risks of plant in the office (PDF, 1987.96 KB) and more.
SafeWork NSW also provides advisory services, a $1,000 rebate for small enterprises to aid with the procurement of safety gear like Bluesafe SWMS. Firms with less than 50 workers can arrange a workplace evaluation with a SafeWork inspector to pinpoint risks and how best to manage them.
Trent Curtin, chief of SafeWork NSW stated, “The occurrence of two serious incidents within such a short timeframe is tragic and my deepest condolences go out to their loved ones, colleagues, and friends.”
He emphasised that it’s crucial for those working around mobile machinery, fixed equipment, and vehicles to evaluate their current safety measures so as to avoid similar incidents in the future.
Mr. Curtin maintains that while SafeWork NSW is committed to educating workplaces about safe practices during their inspections, they won’t tolerate worker’s lives being put at undue risk. The authority is empowered to levy immediate fines for any severe transgressions of safety regulations.
He concludes by reinforcing that all workers have the right to return home safely at the end of their workday. No job is so important that it should compromise safety.
Original article link: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/news/safework-media-releases/safework-nsw-issues-safety-warning-after-two-serious-workplace-incidents