Companies set for safety clampdown

By Glen Atwell
CRANBOURNE businesses have been warned to improve safety and fix known hazards before visits from WorkSafe inspectors in April next year.
The workplace safety authority has given local businesses nine months to ensure safety and protective measures are up to scratch.
WorkSafe will target a number of industries in the Cranbourne area, including food and beverage manufacturers, moulded and fabricated metals, road freight transport and chemical storage.
Vehicle and parts manufacturers can also expect a knock on the door from a WorkSafe inspector.
WorkSafe’s executive director John Merritt said looking for potential hazards, consulting and undertaking improvement activity was the best way to get results.
“Most employers believe WorkSafe should adopt a stronger stance toward those who breach occupational health and safety laws, because poor performance undermines those who are doing their best,” he said.
“We take a constructive approach which allows every opportunity to get things right. In most cases people use the time given to do what they need to, but in some cases we’re left with no option but to prosecute. The commercial and legal consequences of a prosecution mean that even a modest fine of $20,000 can have an enormous impact on a business,” Mr Merritt said.
The industries on the targeted list have been over-represented in recent reported incidents and compensation claims.
The program, named Safe Towns and Safer Suburbs, will involve a team of up to 10 inspectors visiting Cranbourne businesses for up to a week.
Safety issues such as unguarded machines, forklifts, manual handling and chemical storage will come under scrutiny. In the past five financial years to June 2007, Casey workers filed 3508 insurance claims with a combined monetary total of more than $54 million.
The figure only included cases where the employee had missed 10 or more days of work or had medical treatment costs which exceeded $500.
Neighbouring municipality Greater Dandenong had 8854 claims combing for a total of $138 million in compensation.