SafeWork NSW launches WHS Guide for road freight transport industry

SafeWork NSW has launched a Work Health and Safety Guide for the Road Freight Transport Industry, to help keep workers and the community safe. The guide provides transport operators and supply chain businesses with practical and tailored work health and safety information relating to working in and around vehicles. SafeWork NSW Executive Director of Compliance and Dispute Resolution Tony Williams said the guide was developed after extensive consultation with key industry stakeholders including transport industry groups, unions, Transport for NSW and interstate regulators.

“The transport industry is an essential service provider for all Australians but unfortunately records a high rate of fatalities and serious injuries with major claims for injuries around 50 per cent greater than the average employment sector,” Williams said.

The guide addresses risks such as loading and unloading, traffic management, working at heights, immobilisation and hazardous manual tasks, as well as health risks from psychosocial hazards. Williams said the guide is a comprehensive resource for the transport industry that will help build skills and knowledge to protect workers from serious harm. The guide also highlights the importance of embedding road safety within the workplace by focusing on improving work health and safety systems and practices, responding to changes in technology, injury recovery, and learning from incidents that occur.

“The guide, having received a commitment from industry and being supported by SafeWork NSW, promotes a safer road freight transport industry to meet the demands of the growing NSW economy,” Williams said.

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