WorkSafe has commenced its new probe into safety issues currently facing West Australian waste and recycling facilities, with the movement of vehicles one of a range of aspects of the sector set to be placed under the microscope.
The waste and recycling industry has been identified as having significant challenges regarding safety due to the high number of injuries suffered.
Inspectors will be placing strong emphasis on assessing safe movement of vehicles, manual tasks training, machinery guarding, consultation, procedures and psychosocial issues including fatigue.
Inspections will be proactively completed with the aid of a checklist to ensure consistency.
WorkSafe Commissioner Sally North says the inspections are aimed at helping employers in the industry fulfil health and safety commitments to their employees.
“The primary goal of our proactive programs is to provide information and to collaboratively work towards a reduction in work-related injuries and illnesses in the industry sectors we target,” North says.
“However, if our inspectors find non-compliance with work health and safety legislation, they will take appropriate action that could include the issuing of verbal directions or notices requiring the facility to remedy the situation.
“A wide range of safety issues may be present for workers in the waste and recycling industry, and it’s our aim to make employers fully aware of the risks and supply them with information on measures that can be put into place to lessen those risks.
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