Plan to improve safety in wood industry

WorkCover NSW has launched an action plan aimed at reducing workplace injuries and illnesses and improving injury management in one of the state’s highest risk industries.

The Wood Products Manufacturing Industry Action Plan was launched at Smithfield business Carrera by Design by the general manager of WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety Division, John Watson, and Industry Action Plan partners who had collaborated on the development of the plan.

The wood products manufacturing industry comprises more than 2000 businesses involved in the manufacture of wooden doors, kitchen cabinets, roof trusses and windows, the majority of which employ less than five workers.

In the three years to 2010 there were 1965 workers compensation claims for a range of injuries and illnesses, including muscular injuries when carrying or putting down timber, and wounds from industrial guns or saws, at a cost of $19.5 million to the NSW workers compensation scheme.

The Industry Action Plan will address five issues: manual tasks at the workshop; manual tasks at client sites; guarding on machines and powered hand tools; occupational disease from exposure to wood dust and noise; and return to work and injury management

Watson said the plan is part of WorkCover’s Focus on Industry Program, which involves working with businesses to make their workplaces more productive, healthy and safe.

“We have consulted extensively with industry and businesses on the development of the plan who told us that they are time- and resource-poor, with many having poor safety cultures where risks are accepted,” he said.

“Language and culture are also acknowledged as barriers to safety.

“The plan identifies a need for one-on-one support and access to quick and easy-to-use information and resources that help businesses improve safety and injury management.

“Over the coming months we will be working with our six industry action partners to develop tools and incentives to help businesses improve safety, such as information kits, rebates, events and safety coaches.”

Carrera by Design director Ron Abdishou welcomed the launch of the Industry Action Plan and said he looked forward to the new tools and incentives it may offer.

“We are a small business and recognise we all have a role to play in ensuring each other’s safety,” Abdishou said.

“Finding time and money for safety improvements can be a challenge for many businesses in the industry, and any tools and incentives that will support them in improving safety will be welcomed.”

The partners who will work with WorkCover on the delivery of the Industry Action Plan are the Furnishing Industry Association of Australia, Timber Trade Industrial Association of Australia, Timber and Building Materials Association, Housing Industry Association, Master Builders Association and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union’s Forestry and Furnishing Products Division.

“Every worker should return home safely at the end of the working day and WorkCover recognises the role business and industry play in developing effective work health and safety solutions,” Watson said.