WorkSafe is conducting a proactive inspection program to look at safety issues in WA’s wine grape growing and winemaking workplaces.

The program will continue until the end of 2019, and will include wine grape growing and winemaking workplaces in both metropolitan and regional areas of WA.

The program will involve inspectors from both metropolitan and regional teams, and will look at the safety issues involved in both farming wine grapes and manufacturing wine.

WorkSafe Director Chris Kirwin said today there had been many changes in farming and winemaking over recent years, and it was decided that the sector would benefit from contact with WorkSafe inspectors.

“WorkSafe has an extensive schedule of proactive inspection programs concentrating on particular industries or activities and aimed at providing employers and employees with information on how to make workplaces safer,” Mr Kirwin said.

“The primary focus is education, but enforcement action will be taken during the program if breaches of the laws are found.”

During this inspection program, inspectors will be concentrating on the priority areas of manual tasks, electricity, slips, trips and falls, mobile plant and vehicle movement and use of hazardous substances.

In addition, they will look at safety issues more specific to the industry such as farm machinery, agricultural/quad bikes, inductions, guarding of plant and personal protective equipment.

The inspections will be conducted with the aid of a checklist to ensure consistency across all workplaces.

“These proactive inspection programs aim to help employers to comply with workplace safety and health laws, and we firmly believe that raising awareness is the best way in which to lessen the risk of work-related injury and illness,” Mr Kirwin said.

Further information on safety and health in agriculture and the checklist for this inspection program can be obtained by telephoning WorkSafe on 1300 307877 or on the website at www.worksafe.wa.gov.au.

Media contact: Caroline De Vaney 6251 2363 or 0408 927563 (media enquiries only)
caroline.devaney@dmirs.wa.gov.au
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