New industry safety standards

Under its Industry Solutions Program, WorkCover NSW has released a number of practical solutions to problematic safety issues in an industry. It recognises the need for assistance in some industry sectors, to overcome particular difficulties or challenges to the improvement of their workplace safety.

A series of safety standards for a range of industries have been developed through the program and are available on the WorkCover website.

Solutions to safety issues are developed in partnership with industry and released for industry-wide implementation. Within 12 months, an evaluation is conducted jointly with industry to determine the effectiveness and practicality of the solutions. If necessary, further refinements, including additional solutions, are included after the evaluation.

The program aims to reduce injury and illness by providing practical safety solutions for employers, employees and industry and builds awareness, knowledge and skills that will enable employers, employees and others to make their workplaces safe. The program also endeavours to provide confidence in industry that risk controls will meet relevant health and safety obligations and establish a forum where practical solutions and advice can be developed.

Industry safety standards now available include safe erection of timber roof trusses, grain augers, post drivers, erecting altering and dismantling prefabricated steel modular scaffolding and wood splitters. Further issues currently under review include front-end loaders, slashers and masonry walls.