SafeWork SA are conducting a safety awareness and compliance campaign on reducing musculoskeletal disorders in the manufacturing industry.
Reducing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and related traumatic joint, muscle and tendon injuries across the manufacturing sector is the focus of a compliance and safety awareness campaign being conducted by SafeWork SA that will run over the coming weeks.
According to Safe Work Australia, workplace injury and musculoskeletal disorders led to 55% of serious claims in 2015–16, with the most common being traumatic joint / ligament and muscle / tendon injuries (almost 43%).
SafeWork SA will visit a range of manufacturing businesses, auditing the safety control measures in place to protect workers from musculoskeletal disorders including workplace induction training and safe lifting training.
Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA), business owners are responsible for providing adequate training and supervision for all workers, ensuring equipment is in safe working order, and appropriately managing all risks to prevent injuries.
SafeWork SA Executive Director, Martyn Campbell, said musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most common type of work-related injuries.
“We will be conducting compliance audits in manufacturing businesses to ensure improved safety in South Australian workplaces”.
“During our visits, we work with the business to identify the challenges and hazards unique to their workplace and discuss the best safety solution for the situation. Where we find a safety issue that breaches WHS requirements, our Inspectors will issue a compliance notice.”
To comply with legislative requirements, businesses must identify all hazards specific to their workplace, and have appropriate control measures in place to prevent or minimise the risk of harm to workers and the public.
A successful safety plan ensures that:
- all hazards have been identified and appropriate control measures are in place;
- all workers receive adequate training and supervision; and
- all safety control measures are reviewed regularly.
“As the state’s Regulator, SafeWork SA wants every worker goes home safe each day. I strongly encourage all businesses to be proactive about safety,” said Mr Campbell.