WorkSafe is conducting a proactive inspection program to look at safety issues in glass product manufacturing workplaces across WA.

The program will continue until the end of the 2019/20 financial year, and will include glass product manufacturers in metropolitan and regional areas of the State.

WorkSafe Director Chris Kirwin said today an inspection program was being undertaken in this area because several serious injuries had been recorded in the industry.

“Handling glass has some obvious risks, the main ones being the risk of lacerations and the risk of sprain and strain injuries while conducting manual tasks,” Mr Kirwin said.

“We will be checking that employers in glass product manufacturing have identified any hazards in the workplace, assessed the risks of injury and put control measures in place to reduce or eliminate those risks.

“The inspectors will also be checking that safe operating procedures have been developed and implemented and that employees have been adequately trained and are receiving appropriate instruction.”

During this inspection program, inspectors will be concentrating on priority areas including manual tasks, slips and trips, falls from height, electricity, guarding and isolation of plant, hazardous substances and mobile plant and vehicle movement.

The inspectors will also focus on storage racking and shelving, pressure vessels, contractor management and the use of personal protective equipment.

The inspections will be conducted with the aid of a checklist to ensure consistency across all workplaces.

“A wide range of safety issues exists for employees at glass product manufacturing workplaces, and it is time we looked at the issues in this sector,” Mr Kirwin said.

“WorkSafe has an extensive schedule of proactive inspection programs concentrating on particular industries or activities and aimed at providing employers and employees with information on how to make workplaces safer.

“The primary focus is to deliver information to employers, but enforcement action will be taken during the program if breaches of the laws are found.

“These proactive inspection programs aim to help employers to comply with workplace safety and health laws, and we firmly believe that raising awareness is the best way in which to lessen the risk of work-related injury and illness.”

Further information on workplace safety and health and the checklist for this inspection program can be obtained by telephoning WorkSafe on 1300 307877 or on the website at www.worksafe.wa.gov.au.

Media Contact: Caroline De Vaney, 6251 2363 or 0408 927563 (media enquiries only)

caroline.devaney@demirs.wa.gov.au

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