WorkCover NSW is reminding Port Macquarie and Mid-North Coast businesses of the importance of manual handling safety procedures to avoid workplace injuries.
WorkCover found that, between 2006/07 and 2008/09, there were more than 100,000 claims for manual handling injuries and work is being done to help employers better manage the most common cause of workplace injury.
WorkCover’s Port Macquarie District Coordinator, Colin West said, despite accounting for almost double any other type of workplace injury, manual handling injuries were still preventable.
“Nearly every job involves some form of manual handling,” Mr West said.
“This can include lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, moving, holding or restraining, as well as stretching, bending, sustained and awkward postures and repetitive movements.
“While it’s no surprise that it is the most common cause of workplace injury, there are many things businesses and workers can do to create a safer workplace.”
Mr West said that, when moving loads in the workplace there were a number of things that must be considered.
“How the load is to be moved, the distance to be moved, the duration and frequency of the move, the characteristics of the load, and the working posture of the lifter must all be considered before a load is moved,” Mr West said.
“Businesses should also take into account the age, skill and experience of workers when assessing manual handling risks.”
Mr West added that, in the event of a manual handling injury, businesses must have adequate return to work plans for injured workers.
“Getting back to work quickly is the best outcome for an injured worker,” Mr West said.
“It is important for injured workers, employers and case managers to work together to ensure sustainable return-to-work results.
“For those unable to return to their pre-injury job, WorkCover has a range of vocational rehabilitation programs to help workers return to suitable employment.”
Mr West pointed out that some businesses may find that they need to make safety improvements to reduce the risk of manual handling injuries.
“WorkCover recognises that finding money for safety improvements can be challenging,” he said.
“To support small businesses and sole traders, WorkCover offers rebates of up to $500 to help purchase and install safety improvements through its Small Business Rebate Program.”
Port Macquarie’s Coastal Hire and Sales provide portable buildings such as offices and lunch rooms to work sites. They used a rebate towards the purchase of a spreader beam which helps staff move portable buildings safely.
“The spreader beam is used to pick up portable buildings without crushing them,” Coastal Hire and Sales CEO, Peter Holmes said.
“Staff have to hook the spreader beam onto the crane before they are lifted and, because our new beam is 80 per cent lighter than the previous one, the risk of manual handling injuries is significantly reduced.”
For more information on manual handling safety or the Small Business Rebate Program, call WorkCover NSW on 13 10 50 or visit www.workcover.nsw.gov.au.
