08:42 pm, Friday 24 September, 2010

WorkSafe inspectors will visit small businesses in Campbellfield next month to find out if they have heeded its message on safety.

The safety blitz, which will be held from October 11 to 15, is part of a WorkSafe campaign focusing on the most common and preventable injuries.

The area was last visited by WorkSafe in October 2009- and the safety watchdog wants to know if businesses have improved their safework systems.

“We’re giving small businesses prior notice that we’re coming – this is done intentionally so they can sit down with workers, go through the potential safety issues, and work out what can be done to eliminate them,” said Ross Pilkington, WorkSafe’s Manufacturing and Logistics Director.

“Once that’s done, we encourage workplaces to put a plan together and get to work putting it into effect.

“It’s in everyone’s interest to do this sooner rather than later. Don’t adopt a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude or wait until a WorkSafe inspector arrives.”

According to Mr Pilkington, the same health and safety issues come up year in and year out for small businesses.

“Time and time again, our inspectors issue notices for the same problems – and often they’re things which are cheap and easy to fix.

“For example, inspectors regularly come across out-of-date first aid kits, overloaded or damaged racking and shelving, electrical cords with exposed wires, and cluttered work spaces.

“We don’t want to be issuing notices to businesses for health and safety breaches – so our advice would be to sort out any health and safety issues before our inspectors knock on your door.”

Report by Julia Alder - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know