The switch to online shopping among consumers has been blamed for injuries to delivery drivers in Victoria
March 21, 2012
The switch to online shopping among consumers has been blamed for injuries to delivery drivers in Victoria, with new figures showing older workers are feeling the brunt of it.
WorkSafe Victoria says more than half of the 1300 delivery drivers hurt in the state each year are over the age of 50.
WorkSafe General Manager for Operations Lisa Sturzenegger has cited online shopping, along with trips to business and building sites, for injuries.
“Slips, trips and falls, repetitive lifting – particularly during loading and unloading, getting into and out of vehicles and restraining loads are among the main causes of these injuries which are predominantly to the back, shoulders and knees,” Sturzenegger says.
“These injuries can be difficult to treat and be long-lasting, but simple measures can eliminate them and remove avoidable costs to employers as well as long-term pain and suffering for the driver.”
Victoria has the country’s lowest average workplace injury insurance premium and can only be retained with workplaces committing to prevent injuries, she adds.
“Losing a driver to injury can have a serious impact on operations. By getting on top of issues early, the human commercial impact can be eliminated or at least greatly minimised,” Sturzenegger says.
“When a WorkSafe inspector visits we want to find employers who have done a risk assessment have the means to prevent injuries in place.”