Inspectors encourage prevention

A WORKSAFE crackdown will target businesses in Dandenong and Keysborough this month.
The major safety campaign will focus on smaller companies that usually slip under the radar of WorkSafe inspectors.
The two-pronged campaign will first provide employers with workplace safety information before WorkSafe inspectors conduct inspections in March.
Businesses bounded by Olive Grove, Chandler Road, Dandenong Street and Greaves Reserve will have a safety information pack distributed next week.
The packs will be delivered by WorkSafe staff driving around the area in highly visible vehicles promoting safer work zones and towing a “helping businesses work in the safe zone” trailer.
Visits by WorkSafe inspectors will run from 26-30 March.
Between July 2001 and June 2006 there were 6709 workplace injury claims reported from workplaces in Dandenong and Keysborough, costing $97.2 million in treatment and rehabilitation.
WorkSafe’s executive director John Merritt said the safer work zones campaign concentrated on risks known to cause serious injuries and death and achieved improvements in a short period across a broad range of businesses and worksites.
“Giving people plenty of notice and an idea of what the inspectors would look at, helps employers and employees meet their health and safety obligations,” Mr Merritt said.
“The overwhelming majority of people want to do the right thing but they don’t always know what to do.
“WorkSafe’s role is to help people understand what’s expected of them and how they can protect their employees, co-workers, customers and their business.”
Improvement notices require work to be carried out within an agreed period.
A prohibition notice means a work practice cannot continue or a machine used until the immediate risk to injury or health is remedied.
“By giving local businesses prior warning about this campaign, we hope that issuing of notices will not be necessary,” Mr Merritt said.
“Having said that, we will enforce the law when required but our preference is to encourage prevention rather than cure.”