National campaign to reduce manual task injuries

Workplace safety authorities across Australia announced in December that they will cooperate to reduce manual handling injuries in several industries.

The Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities Chair, John Watson, said the national campaign aims to reduce injury rates that result from manual tasks such as loading and unloading vehicles: “Injuries from manual tasks and moving objects are quite significant in the retail, wholesale, transport and storage industries and impose a considerable financial burden on industry.

“By identifying why manual handling injuries in this industry are significant, employers can develop ways to reduce their incidence and this can ultimately assist in reducing workers compensation claims costs to these businesses.”

The 18-month campaign involves a soon-to-be-rolled-out education program including advisory workshops and site visits to businesses in the road freight industry to assist employers increase their capability to lower safety risks.

Workplace audits will follow the education campaign in late 2009 with the overall results expected to be released in the first quarter of 2010.