Recruitment drive for NSW inspectors

A recruitment drive for 12 new inspectors at WorkCover NSW will start this week, bringing its total force to 313.

WorkCover's Nathan Slade told Safety Solutions that the new positions are a result of the department's "increased focus on providing advice and assistance to employers around NSW to improve OHS in construction, farming, transport, small business and community services".

Slade said with the current level of inspectorate, fatality and injury rates in NSW are the lowest they've been in 19 years. NSW Assistant Minister for Commerce, Diane Beamer said it was anticipated these figures would drop even lower with the expanded force.

"The inspectors will play a vital role in working with industry to help the NSW government meet its commitment to reduce workplace injuries by 40% and workplace fatalities by 20% by the end of 2012," Beamer said.

It is anticipated the new recruits will enhance WorkCover's Major Hazard, Small Business Assistance and Auditing activities.

The successful candidates will be trained in the 18-month nationally accredited Diploma of Government (Workplace Inspection) before taking up their full-time positions.

Wendy Cramer, Editor