Inspectors go on the look-out

WORKSAFE will target Springvale as part of the 2009-2010 Safer Work Zones inspection campaign.
The campaign targets specific metropolitan areas with teams of up to 10 WorkSafe inspectors visiting as many workplaces as possible over one week.
Inspectors will descend on Springvale between 20 and 24 July. The program’s aim is to help small and medium-sized businesses identify basic safety problems in order to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities.
It also aims to help people who have been hurt to return to work and ensure businesses have appropriate WorkSafe injury insurance.
WorkSafe’s executive director, John Merritt, called on employers and workers to join forces and put a stop to people being hurt or injured at work.
“We tell people that inspectors will be in the area and what they’re looking for,” he said.
“Despite this, we frequently find people ignore the opportunity to make improvements.
“As a result they receive safety improvement notices or are prohibited from operating dangerous equipment or doing dangerous work.”
To get started, WorkSafe encourages small businesses to take advantage of its free and independent three-hour consultancy (details at www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/smallbusiness) or the WorkSafe publication, 12 Ways to Make Small Business Safer.