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Peter McCubbery (Ergonomics Unit Acting Manager, WorkSafe) is an ergonomist with 15 years experience, including 10 with WorkSafe. In this edition, Peter talks about reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, such as sprains and strains, from hazardous manual handling in order picking.
We estimate some workers in order picking are bending their backs forward at least 300 to 400 times a day. If it was possible to use ‘correct lifting techniques’ we’d see workers out there with legs and thighs as big as Sherpas’ who trek up the Himalayas! We don’t.
Order picking in large delivery centres gets product into large and small retailing organisations. Tonnes of product are picked daily by many workers – every product picked from a pick slot inside storage racking goes onto a pallet or roll cage, usually starting just above ground level.
Despite many good innovations to reduce manual handling, these workers still face significant risk of injuries from all the back bending.
One way to control the risk of injuries is to introduce height-adjustable load shifting equipment to raise the empty packing pallet so the unnecessary back bending is designed out.
There are some proactive organisations that welcome change and look for innovative products to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries to their workers. The average cost of a musculoskeletal injury is $54,000 – and that doesn’t factor in the personal cost.
WorkSafe inspectors are doing everything possible to provide assistance and guidance to order picking delivery centres, including researching and investigating potential solutions such as height-adjustable, double-pallet length order picking load shifting equipment. This type of solution means workers can pack or handle product at a safe height.
These solutions when adopted will not only increase productivity (eg workers will take less time to pick product), potentially containing supply costs, but also reduce the risk of injuries to workers. And that has to be a good thing.
Is there anything you want to read about in For what it’s worth? We’d love to hear from you. Email: safetyexpress@worksafe.vic.gov.au
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Hello from Lisa Sturzenegger
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WorkSafe's new Operations General Manager
It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to write a few words for The Safety Express.
While new to WorkSafe, I am not new to the world of safety having been the Director of Community Safety with the CFA for the past four years and previously the Director of SafeKids USA (part of SafeKids Worldwide).
Coming from a strong operational background, I have worked with the community, beginning on the frontline as a teacher of children with special needs many years ago.
This instilled a passion to make a difference and I continue on this path today with my role at WorkSafe.
In this new role, I want to ensure WorkSafe continues to deliver high standard services, providing advice and guidance to achieve quality safety outcomes. I also want to build a broader understanding within the community about why safety at work matters.
I understand the challenges and complexities of the work that our Inspectors do and a large part of my focus will be on supporting them as they play their central role in making Victoria’s workplaces as safe as they can be.
I have already met several stakeholders from the manufacturing, logistics and agriculture industries and welcomed their frank assessments and opinions of where safety can be improved in the industry. Over the coming weeks and months, I welcome the opportunity to meet many more of you.
Kind regards,
Lisa Sturzenegger
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Important OHS lessons
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Since 2009 WorkSafe Victoria has funded the Victorian Applied Learning Association to develop teaching and learning resources to improve the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) awareness of young people entering the workforce.
The Safe-t1 webpage is the hub of the project, providing information about OHS, links to existing resources as well as teaching and learning activities. It also aims to develop a culture of safety awareness in the workplace for young workers.
More than 130 different teaching resources now exist on the website to enhance the teaching and learning of workplace health and safety in Victorian schools. A multimedia tool allows students to understand the role of Inspectors via WorkSafe’s Dan Nolan.
Students and teachers can use the following link to find out about his job, understand the role of WorkSafe Victoria and get some useful tips on how to stay safe at work.
The resource allows teachers to direct students to watch videos in a topic area, and then test their knowledge through multiple-choice questions about what they have heard.
Each topic area has a project for students and a link to more information. .
Click here to view Inspector Dan Nolan
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WorkSafe
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Man dies after chemical exposure
WorkSafe is investigating the death of a worker at a Laverton North chemical factory after he was exposed to phenol while working on a pipe.
Read more
Ensure your workplace is safe
WorkSafe has renewed calls for regional workers to pay more attention to workplace safety following the death of a farm worker, the seventh workplace death this year.
Read more
Tractor power take-off guarding
WorkSafe has released a health and safety solution highlighting the risks of entanglement associated with unguarded power tractor take-off (PTO) driven attachments.
Workers are at risk of hair or loose clothing becoming entangled on unguarded PTO shafts.
Read more
WorkSafe to uncover breaches
WorkSafe Inspectors will visit small businesses in Melbourne’s south east next month as part of an intensive campaign targeting workplace safety.
Read more
WorkSafe’s on the road and we're coming to a place near you
WorkSafe are holding information sessions to bring you up to date with the latest news and developments in return to work, health and safety and your WorkSafe premium.
We’ll also be talking about national heath and safety reform and what it may mean for Victoria, our current workplace safety priorities such as musculoskeletal injury prevention and workplace bullying, and changes to the Accident Compensation Act.
Sessions will run throughout Victoria during May and June. Check locations and dates and book at worksafe.vic.gov.au/register
Read more |
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Manufacturing and Logistics
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Maintenance of blast freezers
WorkCover NSW has issued a Safety Alert outlining the safety measures required to ensure plenums and ceilings in blast freezers are secure and stable.
Read more
Sawmill owner fined over worker death
A Mathoura sawmill owner hit by last year's forest closures has been fined almost a quarter of a million dollars over the death of worker.
Read more
Fine over apprentice acid burns
A South Australian industrial magistrate has fined an Adelaide heavy machinery and vehicle hire firm after two young workers were seriously injured while cleaning a truck with a highly acidic solution.
Read more
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Agriculture
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SA: Fatality at Renmark winery
SafeWork SA is investigating the death of an electrician at a Riverland winery. The 28-year-old was inspecting a capping line machine when he received an electric shock.
Read more
Farm safety - Manual handling
Many farm workers become injured while handling animals or lifting heavy loads. The Better Health Channel has posted a list of general tips to prevent back injuries in the agricultural sector.
View here
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Retail
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WA: Car dealer fined after detailer injured
A vehicle dealership has been fined $30,000 after a worker was struck by a car driven by an apprentice without a driving licence.
Read more
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Risky Business
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The following image serves to remind people of the dangers of unsafe work practices.
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Reported incidents
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From 11-23 May there were 41 incidents reported to WorkSafe, including two fatalities.
There were 11 lacerations, five fractures and an electric shock.
Read the list for your industry |
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News
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Did you know?
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Keeping up to date on prosecutions
Check out WorkCover NSW’s prosecution page which aims to provide easy access for employers and workers on the court outcomes of breaches to workplace health and safety laws and workers compensation fraud.
View here
Do you have a question for WorkSafe? Email us
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