SafeWork inspectors are visiting transport operators across Newcastle and the Hunter this week to promote safer practices when loading, unloading and working around vehicles.
It comes on the back of a number of serious incidents, which recently occurred in the industry.
In April, an employee suffered serious leg injuries when the truck she was working on rolled away from her on a property near Oberon.
In late 2020, a 50-year-old mechanic was fatally crushed in Tumut while working on the brake line of a tipper truck, while a 52-year-old tow truck driver was killed by a prime mover as it rolled off a tilt tray semi-trailer in Newcastle.
SafeWork executive director Tony Williams said the Safety Around Your Vehicle Compliance Project was an important initiative.
“Our inspectors will speak to operators on the requirement of having safe systems in place when carrying out activities around heavy vehicles,” he explained.
“Almost every week we see workers getting injured, or worse, while working around vehicles, whether that’s in a transport depot, unloading on a construction site, loading at a distribution centre or making retail or home deliveries.
“Many of the incidents are not driving related but happen as people work around the truck or vehicle.
“These visits are not about driving habits, they’re about safe work practices around the vehicle.
“To help achieve this, we will have up to 12 inspectors visiting sites across the region.
“The visits are about addressing safe loading and unloading practices, the importance of properly immobilising heavy vehicles and promoting the separation of people, product and plant at all workplaces.
“We have been undertaking widespread transport industry consultation to identify the highest priority risks, and this is part of our response to those issues.”
The compliance visit follows on from the recent launch of SafeWork NSW’s Safety Around Your Vehicle Glove Box Guide, which ensures those working in the heavy vehicle industry have access to the most up-to-date safety information.
“We are ensuring workers in the industry have access to the best safety information possible,” Mr Williams said.
“This guide contains information on everything from conducting a vehicle pre-start check, to information on what to do to prevent an unintentional roll away, as well as advice on loading and unloading vehicles.”
For further information on the Safety Around Your Vehicle Campaign, or to access the SAYV Glove Box Guide for Drivers, visit www.safework.nsw.gov.au
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