National campaign to improve safety in manufacturing

Workplace Safety authorities across Australia have commenced a safety campaign to improve machine guarding in the manufacturing industry.

NSW is leading the national campaign, designed to reduce workplace injuries by improving the capability of businesses in the manufacturing industry to manage safety risks associated with operating machinery and equipment.

Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities chair John Watson said: “Unguarded machinery has the potential for causing severe injuries, including crushed fingers or hands, amputations, burns or blindness. In NSW, around 1100 serious incidents occur each year as a result of inadequately guarded machinery with 46% of injuries occurring within the manufacturing industry.

“Raising awareness of injury risks and improving the rate of installation and maintenance of adequate guarding on machines is the campaign’s primary aim. The campaign will produce nationally consistent guidance material to provide industry with practical information on how to guard machinery and equipment at their workplace.

“As part of the campaign, workplace safety inspectors in NSW will visit around 100 workplaces that manufacture wood products, to provide practical advice and assistance about safety requirements specific to guarding machinery and equipment. Workplace visits will also allow us to gain a better understanding of the unique challenges faced by workplaces that undertake manufacturing.

“The campaign is another example of the states working in unison to develop a nationally consistent approach to workplace safety.”

The campaign will continue throughout 2008 with participating jurisdictions including NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia and ACT.