SafeWork NSW conducting machine safety compliance visits

Post COVID-19, manufacturing in Australia has returned to full capacity and workplace health and safety organisation, SafeWork NSW, is urging business owners to be mindful of employee safety and compliance in the premises.

“Operating machinery is a high-risk activity. Machines, especially those with moving parts, are a hazard to operators and other workers who can be caught in the machine, struck, or hit by ejected machine parts,” said SafeWork Executive Director Compliance and Dispute Resolution, Matt Press.

“Sadly, on July 8 this year, a man in his 20s was killed operating machinery at a recycling centre in Riverstone in a matter being investigated by SafeWork.

“Sixty-five per cent of all injuries resulting in a major workers compensation claim involved machinery between 2017 and 2021, with data indicating that young, labour hire and culturally and linguistically diverse workers are at greater risk.”

Press said SafeWork Inspectors will not only be ensuring businesses comply with safety regulations but also educating business owners on what to do to protect vulnerable workers.

“Workplaces need to be ensuring machines cannot be restarted during cleaning and maintenance, that there is regularly monitoring and consulting with workers to ensure they know how to operate machines safely, and they are using appropriate safeguards,” he said.

“SafeWork wants businesses to embed a culture of machine safety and will take appropriate regulatory action if unsafe work practices are identified.”

According to SafeWork NSW, the main reasons why people are killed or seriously injured when operating machines include:

SafeWork’s machine safety pack is available here.