SafeWork SA launches vehicle hoist safety campaign

SafeWork SA has launched an awareness and compliance campaign focusing on vehicle hoists in automotive workshops. The six-month campaign targets high-risk plant such as vehicle hoists and pressure vessels, which are a common cause of serious injuries in automotive workshops.

In 2011, a worker died after being found crushed beneath a vehicle hoist at an automotive workshop in Wingfield. An investigation found that an unsafe system of work and the poor condition of the hoist were the primary factors, prompting an earlier proactive campaign.

The 2023 campaign will provide a health check regarding vehicle hoists in automotive workshops, with the data collected being compared with the results from the 2011 campaign. The automotive industry directly employs almost 33,000 South Australians. The majority of these businesses are small and family-owned enterprises.

SafeWork SA inspectors will visit a range of automotive workshops throughout the state, auditing the safety control measures in place for vehicle hoists and pressure vessels to protect workers from risk of injury. A vehicle hoist self-assessment tool is available on SafeWork SA’s website to help workplaces identify risks. If non-compliance is identified during the audit and cannot be remedied while the inspector is onsite, a statutory notice will be issued. Inspectors will also provide advice, information and education about vehicle hoists and pressure vessels.

The Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) stipulates that business owners are responsible for providing adequate training and supervision for all workers, ensuring equipment is in safe working order, and managing all risks to prevent injuries. SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell said the failure or misuse of a vehicle hoist has a high likelihood of severe injury or death.

“We will be conducting compliance audits in automotive businesses to ensure safety in South Australian workplaces in the second half of 2023. I strongly encourage all businesses to be proactive about safety because every worker deserves to go home safely,” Farrell said.

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