Safety roadmap to drive down workplace injuries

The SafeWork NSW work health and safety roadmap has just been launched, setting a number of targets to reduce the rate of injury, illness and fatalities in NSW workplaces.

The Work Health and Safety Roadmap for NSW 2022 is a six-year plan with the end goal of making the lives of NSW workers and business owners healthier, safer and more productive.

Focusing on ‘healthy, safe, and productive working lives’, the roadmap aims to reduce work-related fatalities by 20%, serious injuries and illnesses by 30% and serious musculoskeletal injuries and illnesses by 30% through engaging and empowering workplaces to manage health and safety more effectively.

SafeWork NSW Executive Director Peter Dunphy said while NSW had made good progress towards meeting national safety targets, the rates of work-related injuries, illnesses and fatalities were still too high.

“Over the last 10 years, fewer people are being seriously or fatally injured in NSW workplaces,” Dunphy said.

“There has been a 49% decline in fatalities and a 39% decline in serious injuries and illnesses, which can be attributed to a number of factors, including changing attitudes towards work health and safety, as well as the development of best practice, industry transformation and technological developments.

“But the number of workplace serious injuries and illnesses remain too high with 30,902 NSW workers harmed during 2015/16.

“And when we consider the economic cost of these injuries and illnesses, which at more than $17bn or 3.7% of gross state product, it’s clear that we must do more.”

Over the next six years, SafeWork NSW will develop and deliver a range of initiatives in partnership with employers, workers, peak bodies, associations and community leaders. These initiatives will be underpinned by good safety practices and supported by committed leadership and consultation.

Targeted programs will also be implemented in high risk sectors including agriculture, construction, health, manufacturing, government and transport. These programs will seek to limit musculoskeletal injuries, mental health disorders and exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials.

“We are also committed to significantly reducing the number of injuries involving quad bikes, forklifts, machine guarding, working at heights and electrocution,” said Dunphy.

“While our workplaces are amongst the safest, healthiest and most productive in the country, the roadmap challenges us to look out for each other and improve workplace health and safety across the state.”

Image credit: ©iStockphoto.com/Charles Schug