SafeWork NSW to visit Sydney metro transporters and distributors
Transport, distribution and warehousing sector businesses in the Sydney metropolitan area could soon get a visit from SafeWork NSW inspectors as part of a ‘Falls from Heights Advisory Program’ aimed at reducing fall-related injuries.
Falls from height are a leading cause of workplace fatalities and serious injuries, and a key risk while loading or unloading from vehicles, according to SafeWork NSW. With transport and delivery operations ramping up in the time to Christmas, SafeWork NSW Executive Director of Operations Tony Williams said the program was a timely reminder for the industry of the serious nature of working at heights.
“Workers continue to be placed at risk when working on the trays of trucks and trailers to restrain and or unrestrain loads which places them at significant risk of a fall from height,” Williams said. “SafeWork inspectors will be visiting workplaces to promote a ‘work from the ground approach’ when loading and unloading vehicles and the use of work platforms and rail systems where this is not reasonably practicable.”
SafeWork NSW visited more than 200 transport businesses across regional NSW in April 2019, with inspectors speaking to businesses about identifying and managing the risks of working at heights and explaining employer obligations under work health and safety laws.
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