Deaths in glass and glazing industry prompt new safety video

A spike in serious injuries and deaths in the NSW glass and glazing industry has prompted WorkCover NSW to respond with a new safety message.

The targeted safety initiative with the glass and glazing industry consists of a video and other resources that highlight the risks of unloading glass sheets from shipping containers and vehicles.

Over a three-year period, two workers died and 431 were injured, resulting in more than $7 million in workers compensation claims.

WorkCover reports the incidents were partly due to a lack of experience and businesses buying direct from unknown overseas manufacturers.

The executive director of WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety Division, Peter Dunphy, said when an incident occurred injuries were often serious, if not fatal.

“There are a number of risks associated with the manufacturing, storage and handling of glass,” Dunphy said.

“They include the unloading of shipping containers, particularly closed-top shipping containers, the loading and unloading of glass sheets from vehicles and the removal of glass sheets from timber packaging.

“All of these activities have the potential to result in serious work health and safety incidents.”

Dunphy said that another contributing risk is buying direct from overseas manufacturers rather than local glass wholesalers.

“This can result in businesses undertaking activities they may have no experience in, such as unloading shipping containers,” Dunphy said.

“Our new safety video highlights the risks of working with these materials and outlines what businesses can do to eliminate or minimise the risks of workers being injured.

“I encourage all glass and glazing industry businesses to take a few minutes during their next toolbox talk to show the video and discuss how they can prevent incidents at their workplace.”