Workplace safety is essential for the success of a business, regardless of its size. Business owners and managers are responsible for health and safety in the workplace. This responsibility is to their workers as well as all customers and visitors.
Workplace safety requirements have placed a priority on safe work practices in industry and business and State and Federal Government occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation requires businesses to provide safe workplaces and facilities and safe systems of work. The penalties for not complying with OHS legislation can include heavy fines and prosecution.
One in three injuries to Australian workers is caused by manual handling, with inexperienced workers at greatest risk. Manual handling injuries can be caused by lifting or carrying heavy loads, or by handling items in a variety of other ways including pushing, pulling, holding or restraining.
Research shows that implementing proper and suitable lifting equipment is the most effective way to prevent manual handling injury.
Research by WorkSafe Victoria indicates that the most common injuries related to manual lifting, as shown by injury claims, are:
- Back (48%) – muscle strain and disc injury from lifting objects such as boxes, cartons, crates, bags, drums, powered tools, equipment and other materials
- Shoulder (17%) – traumatic joint/muscle injury and strain from lifting objects and repetitively handling objects or other materials
- Abdomen (16%) – hernias from heavy and/or awkward lifting.
The safety equipment and products developed by WorkRight Safety Solutions will help employers improve safety in their workplace, which will help improve productivity as there is less down time due to injury.