WorkCover and Tasco commit to safety

WorkCover NSW and sawmilling company Tasco have signed an alliance to enhance the safety of Tasco staff. The safety alliance will involve WorkCover and Tasco working in partnership to achieve a safer workplace and effective injury management for workers at Tasco’s Bombala sawmill. Tasco is currently constructing a new sawmill with the $69m project including the upgrade of all processing facilities, creating additional work health and safety demands.

Both organisations would work in partnership to provide a safe and productive workplace, said the Acting General Manager of WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety Division, Peter Dunphy. “The death of a loved one in a workplace incident can have a devastating affect on family and colleagues.

“WorkCover acknowledges that those dealing with risks on a daily basis are well placed to assist with the development of relevant and effective work health and safety solutions. WorkCover will support Tasco through communication, consultation and cooperation, giving the family and friends of Tasco staff increased reassurance that their loved ones will return home safely at the end of the working day,” Dunphy said. 

Tasco’s Managing Director, Bart Crawley, said the alliance also sets a protocol for direct contact between the Project OHS Advisor and WorkCover for any issues with the project. “Part of the Alliance is an agreed Action Plan for deliverables for WorkCover and Tasco, such as the provision of monthly reports by Tasco to WorkCover, on-site presentations by WorkCover about the new National Workplace Health and Safety Legislation, as well as attendance at our site safety meetings,” Crawley said.

“Tasco is responsible for strong workplace health and safety leadership and is committed to providing a safe workplace for all its workers and visitors. Tasco will work with WorkCover NSW to achieve safer workplaces by improving occupational health and safety management performance,” Crawley said. Continuing, Crawley said that Tasco personnel are committed to the company corporate values of happiness, trust, respect for talent, change and innovation and ethical management, and that it was Tasco’s aim to establish a safety culture around these values moving forward under the alliance with WorkCover and all stakeholders.