Released 21/12/2018
It’s not just temperatures that heat up at this time of the year. Workplace injury and incidents can increase as workers rush to meet deadlines in the lead up to the festive season as we have unfortunately seen in the last two days.
In addition, fatigue or distraction can also play a major role with increased injuries leading up to the Christmas break.
ACT Work Safety Commissioner Greg Jones reminded industry to focus on safety to ensure that everyone can enjoy their break at the end of their scheduled work. WorkSafe inspectors will be active on work sites over the next week, checking safety.
“Across the city at this time of the year workplaces tend to wind down as the festive season approaches but for industries such as construction, trades, hospitality and retail work intensity actually increases,” he said.
“For industries like construction and trades often there is a pressure for jobs to be finished before the break and for sectors like hospitality and retail the number of customers and work can increase.
“We’ll be monitoring these industries closely and I’d like to remind employers and workers of the following when it comes to work safety over the next few months,” he said.
“I’d strongly encourage all industries to ensure that safety remains the key priority.
Comments on key summer risk areas as well as referral links for more information are below which media can attribute to Mr Jones:
Heat safety
“It is important for employers to be thinking of ways to limit sustained heat exposure for workers and for workers to be mindful of their safety and that of their workmates,” he said.
“This is particularly critical in trades or industry where workers are in the sun or in hot environments such as kitchens or laundries. Not only can heat be unpleasant, but sustained heat exposure can also be dangerous.
“Workers need to ensure they stay hydrated, take breaks and wear adequate sun protection. Employers should organise outdoor or strenuous work for cooler times of the day where possible.”
Site shut down safety
“All workers and employers have a responsibility to ensure worksites that are shut down over the break are safe and secure. This week I encourage all sites to start putting their shutdown plans in place, and this could include the development of a checklist to ensure nothing is missed,” he said.
“This is critical to ensure sites are not subject to unauthorised entry over the period, that any water run-off from sites is mitigated and the community knows who to contact if they have questions or concerns around a site.
“Before work recommences, ensure thorough checks occur on all equipment including scaffolding as they may have shifted over the break. Make safety, supervision and induction key priorities.”
Young workers and seasonal workers
“During the holiday period increased numbers of young or inexperienced workers can occur across industries. I would like to remind all employers and workplaces that it is critical that adequate staff induction occurs in workplaces along with ongoing appropriate supervision,” he said.
“Young workers also need to be supported by their employers to know their rights and responsibilities in the workplace.”
No one deserves a serve
“I’d like to remind our community to be respectful to workers across all industries during what is often a stressful time of the year for many in our community,” he said.
“ ‘No One Deserves a Serve’ for simply doing their job and everyone deserves a safe work environment.
“ In the lead up to the holiday period WorkSafe ACT visited a number of workplaces where occupational violence by customers or clients is a risk, providing information for both workers and employers on supporting a safe environment.”
Gas safety
“I’d also like to remind industry and the community to exercise safety when using or transporting LPG gas bottles this summer,” he said.
“Gas bottles should be stored and transported in upright and well ventilated areas. No more than two gas bottles (even if empty) should be transported at a time and bottles and connections should be checked before every use.”
“I’d like to thank all workers and employers who have demonstrated a strong commitment to workplace safety this year and continue to put industry on notice that we will continue to be out in force supporting safety in 2019 and taking strong action where appropriate,” Mr Jones concluded.
- Statement ends -
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