WorkCover to target wine industry safety

Industrial Relations Minister John Della Bosca recently announced a new WorkCover safety campaign targeting the NSW wine industry.

This follows recent workplace safety incidents including the tragic deaths of a young winery worker at Leeton and two people at a Pokolbin winery.

“A team of workplace safety specialists from WorkCover’s rural, manufacturing and country inspectorates will assist the industry over the coming months,” Della Bosca said. “Winemaking is an important industry and WorkCover understands its unique nature.

“The safety of workers must remain paramount, throughout all stages of the production chain. WorkCover’s expert personnel have been working with the industry to review its Code of Practice and inspectors will now widen their advisory activities to address safety issues at industry, as well as local winery levels.

“Starting late March, inspectors and advisory officers are undertaking a planned program of activities, including workshops, advisory visits and compliance checks in the Riverina, the Mid-North Coast, the Hunter and the Central West.

“The initial focus will be on education and assistance, with follow-up visits to ensure there has been compliance with the law.

“WorkCover will also seek an industry-wide approach to improving safety by strengthening ties with industry leaders.”

The draft can be downloaded from www.ascc.gov.au/ascc/AboutUs/WhatWeDo/AFER.