WorkSafe will conduct a proactive inspection program to look at safety standards in some specific WA store-based retail outlets.
 
The program will continue throughout the remainder of the 2017/18 financial year, and will focus on various retail workplaces including firewood suppliers, musical instrument stores, pharmacies and selected franchise retail outlets throughout WA.

Acting WorkSafe Director Sally North said that this part of the retail sector had a high rate of work-related injury and would benefit from a proactive inspection program.

“The most common types of injury in retail outlets include musculoskeletal injuries, with a high proportion of these injuries being long-term,” Ms North said.

“Long-term injuries of this nature bring with them all the direct and indirect costs of treatment and return to work plans, so it is definitely better to have a prevention plan in place.

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

During this program Inspectors from the Retail & Services Team 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, Inspectors will look at safety issues related to new and young workers, and will conduct the inspections with the aid of a checklist to ensure consistency across all workplaces.

“The Retail & Services Team will inspect workplaces with a primary focus of raising awareness and providing information to employers and employees, but enforcement action will be taken if breaches of the laws are found,” Ms North said.

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

Further information on workplace safety and health 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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