A new initiative to reduce workplace injuries across the meat processing industry was launched in New South Wales, Australia, according to Michael Daley, Minister for Finance.
Daley said WorkCover NSW and the Australian Meat Industry Council are working together to improve work health and safety, workers’ compensation and injury management across the industry.
“AMIC represents more than 75% of employers in meat retailing, wholesaling, processing and small goods manufacturing,” Daley said. “That means the safety and injury management outcomes resulting from this partnership will reach more than 4,500 workers across NSW workplaces – which is why this alliance is an important step towards improving the meat industry’s safety performance.
In 2007/08 financial year, there were 632 major workplace injuries in the meat manufacturing, processing, wholesale and retail sector, costing the Workers’ Compensation Scheme more than $9.3 million. The most common injuries in this sector include manual handling injuries, serious cuts and lacerations and slips, trips and falls.
The partnership addresses safety issues specific to the meat industry and includes a series of workplace advisory visits from WorkCover officers and roll out of a workshop program targeting high risk areas.
AMIC CEO Kevin Cottril said the partnership would help members make their businesses more productive by raising awareness of safety risks and effective injury management.
“This partnership directly addresses the OHS challenges facing the meat industry,” Cottril said. “We look forward to strengthening our relationship with WorkCover and our members to ensure the program helps our industry develop a sustainable safety culture."
Since 2004, WorkCover has provided $158,000 to the AMIC in grants under the WorkCover Assist Grants Program to develop risk management and injury management initiatives.
“I commend the AMIC for their proactive stance towards achieving durable workplace safety outcomes," Daley added. (workersxzcompxzkit)
The partnership is one of 10 alliances WorkCover has developed with a range of industries since 2007 that include the construction, manufacturing, boating, and waste recycling sectors.
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 860-553-6604.
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