WorkSafe Victoria blitz to prevent manual handling injuries

A state-wide campaign targeting musculoskeletal disorder injuries (commonly known as ‘sprains and strains’), begins 1 November 2008 when WorkSafe commences inspections across the state.

Improvement and Prohibition notices will be issued where safety issues are found and, where serious safety breaches are identified, prosecutions may follow.

WorkSafe executive director John Merritt said employers needed to do more to improve safety: “Preventing injuries from manual lifting and slips, trips and falls of less than two metres are the focus of this campaign. These injuries accounted for more than 60% of all workplace injury insurance claims in 2007–2008.

“Despite working with and supporting industry for more than a decade to address these risks, WorkSafe’s message doesn’t appear to be getting through.”

Technological solutions such as robotics and the bulk supply of raw materials are helping eliminate manual lifting in manufacturing.

Merritt said many employers don’t seem to realise that affordable mechanical solutions are readily available: “These solutions have been available for many years and are a good first step towards reducing unsafe manual lifting.”

“Injuries from slips, trips and falls where workers were using unsuitable ladders or climbing on furniture to reach and handle objects located above shoulder height are of particular concern. Mobile scissor-lift work platforms or mobile, stable steps with a work platform and handrails such as we see in supermarkets are readily available. While these solutions reduce injuries, they can also increase productivity and help minimise business costs associated with managing claims and potential legal and reputational issues.”