Workplace safety issues are in the hands of employers and, through good communication their employees – everyone being aware of and complying with all safety laws and regulations. Good safety practices = lower work comp cost. And, workers’ compensation has global implications.
Australia Campaigns for Improving Scaffolding Safety
Workplace Safety Authorities across Australia are undertaking a campaign to improve scaffolding safety in the construction industry.
The national campaign will see workplace safety inspectors from all states visit residential and commercial construction sites to ensure safe work procedures are in place to address the risks of erecting and using scaffolding.
John Watson, chair of Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities said recent scaffolding related incidents in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria highlighted the need for vigilance with the erection, use and dismantling of scaffolding to ensure the safety of workers and the public.
“On-site advisory visits will raise awareness of safety issues relating to scaffolding and improve the ability of contractors, employers and workers to identify, assess and control the hazards and risks associated with scaffolding.” Watson said.
“People must be cautious when erecting, altering, using and dismantling scaffolding. The targeted intervention program provides a coordinated national approach to address safety issues and will provide jurisdictions with an understanding of the current level of compliance in the construction industry.
“The campaign is also designed to increase the capability among trades linked to construction such as form workers, brick layers, tilers, painters and to identify, assess and control the risks of working with scaffolding,” Watson added.
A strong focus on ensuring construction site scaffolding comply with Australian Standards AS 1576 and AS 4576 for prefabricated, aluminum, trestle and swing stage scaffolds is another aspect of the campaign.
“The campaign is another example of the states and territories working in unison to develop a nationally consistent approach to workplace safety,” Watson noted. (workersxzcompxzkit)
The campaign supports the National OHS Strategy 2002 – 2012 to facilitate the development of consistent approaches to agreed Australian and New Zealand workplace safety priorities.
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: [email protected] or 860-786-8286.
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