WorkCover blitz on falls from road tankers

WorkCover NSW chief executive officer, Jon Blackwell said that WorkCover is continuing its efforts to keep truck drivers safe with its latest compliance blitz on falls from heavy vehicles.

"The blitz forms the second phase of a national program, and will focus on heavy vehicles used for transporting liquid products," said Blackwell. The compliance program, which has just commenced in Sydney, will concentrate on the issues of fall prevention and working at heights on road tankers. "Tanker operators are being encouraged to adopt hazardous control measures that eliminate or reduce the need for operators or drivers to climb on top of the vehicles," he said.

"The compliance blitz will also provide an opportunity to measure awareness of occupational health and safety and workers compensation legislation in tanker transport," said Blackwell. Workplace safety breaches will be dealt with through the issuing of Improvement Notices or providing advice to operators. "WorkCover will also monitor work practices for loading and unloading tankers, examining access and exit procedures, and risk of falls from heights," he said. "Falls from heights cost the industry a considerable amount in workers compensation. For instance, in the 2000/2001 financial year, workers compensation claims for falls from heights for NSW truck drivers were in excess of $4,000,000," said Blackwell. The national campaign for falls from heights from heavy vehicles is focusing on car carriers, tankers, dry bulk haulage and livestock transport.