Research showing that almost four dozen people had received crush injuries while working with moving large machinery or heavy vehicles prompted WorkCover NSW‘s call for safety.
According to research, 46 people working near or in large machinery or heavy vehicles received crush injuries in the 12 months from August 2012 to August 2013.
WorkCover NSW General Manager of Work Health and Safety Division, John Watson said the result of the study shows moving heavy machinery or heavy vehicles can be dangerous and can result to injuries and even death.
“Last year a six-year-old boy was run over when his father was reversing a forklift truckat the rear of the workplace. The boy sustained serious crush injuries to his abdomen and underwent surgery in hospital,” said Mr Watson.
“In another incident, a farmer fractured her leg and some ribs as a result of being struck by a front end loader’s bucket that became detached while she and her husband were using the machine to hit a post into a post hole.
“A motor mechanic, working underneath a prime mover, sustained serious crush injuries to his abdomen when the truck he was working on came loose from its chocks and pinned him down.
“In these examples everyone lived, however sadly that’s not always the case.”
Mr Watson said WorkCover can assist businesses to prevent workers from being injured.
“Almost every workplace has some form of plant or equipment and there are many associated hazards, including entanglement or crushing, cuts or punctures, being struck by moving objects, electrical or explosive hazards, slips, trips and falls, and manual handling,” said Mr Watson.
“NSW businesses must provide information, training and supervision to workers and ensure plant and equipment is without risk to the health and safety of workers by ensuring it is installed correctly, operated by a competent person, not interfered with and that control measures are in place.
“We believe crush injuries and fatalities involving moving large machinery and heavy vehicles can be reduced if attention is paid to the control of the risks associated with working with and on such equipment.
“At WorkCover we recommend businesses follow three simple steps to ensure the safety of workers. These are: look for the things in your workplace that can cause harm; decide how serious the risks are; and eliminate or control those risks by making changes that protect your workers.
Mr Watson said they can and does prosecute businesses that fail to protect their workers.
“For example, last year two companies were fined a total of $480,000 after two incidents four months apart left one man dead and another seriously injured.
“Every fatality has an immeasurable effect on families, friends and communities and this incident highlights the need for businesses to have safe work systems in place to prevent death and injury,” Mr Watson said.
“There was a clear risk to health and safety, and in the absence of appropriate procedures, the risk was reasonably foreseeable.”
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