Waste and recycling industry OHS initiative

WorkCover NSW launched an initiative to assist businesses in the waste and recycling industry to improve occupational health and safety.

Rob Thomson, Acting WorkCover CEO, said a 12-month partnership program between WorkCover NSW and the Waste Contractors and Recyclers Association of NSW would involve more than 130 businesses across the state: “The partnership program will reach 90% of waste contractors and recycling businesses and will help them meet their workplace safety and workers compensation obligations.

“During 2007-08, there were more than 778 claims reported to WorkCover across the waste collection and disposal services industry.”

The partnership will help build industry capability to develop cost-effective and productive safety, injury management and return-to-work practices to produce sustainable outcomes.

The Executive Director of the Waste Contractors and Recyclers Association, Tony Khoury, said the agreement would maximise the potential for positive OHS outcomes for both employers and workers in the industry: “The partnership agreement will help the association build on its existing relationship with WorkCover and support industry stakeholders in reducing injuries and benchmarking safety.

“The association is committed to working with WorkCover to improving productivity and safety performance throughout the industry.”

Thomson added that although safety rates are improving, 30,000 people are still seriously injured at work each year and more work needs to be done to reduce that number: “WorkCover is committed to working in partnership with industry to achieve healthier work environments, reduce the incidence of injuries and improve workplace safety.

“Promoting a culture of safety across the waste and recycling industry will help create workplaces in NSW that are safer, more cost effective and more productive.”

Further workplace safety information, including a range of free guidance material, is available from www.workcover.nsw.gov.au.