Worksafe Prioritise Parks and Gardens

We have recently received advice from Worksafe about a new project to visit and inspect park and garden workplaces for safety issues.

Worksafe have seen an increase in injury and accident reports from the outdoor sector and are making it a priority to ensure worker safety in these workplaces.

We expect members in Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions; Burswood Park Board and some Local Government and Communities divisions to see Worksafe inspectors in their workplaces over the next year.

Notice from Worksafe:

WorkSafe Project - Parks & Gardens

WorkSafe, a division of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, is initiating a project on occupational safety and health in Parks & Gardens. The project will focus on:

Parks and Gardens covered by local government, state government and other organisations covering nature reserves and conservation parks. The project will be conducted in the 2017 /2018 financial year.

The project is designed to assist employers in this industry to meet their occupational safety and health duties by providing information and ensuring employers understand their obligations under occupational safety and health legislation. 

Workplaces in the metropolitan and the regional areas will be randomly selected for inspection. Emphasis will be placed on WorkSafe's priority areas and industry specific hazards with a view to reducing injuries and diseases within the industry. 

Where inspectors identify non-compliance with occupational safety and health legislation, they will provide information and take appropriate enforcement action, which may include giving verbal directions, or issuing improvement or prohibition notices. 

What to expect and how-to prepare:
The project will be rolled-out over the 2017/18 financial year and the Inspectors have many sites to visit, so it may be a while before someone visits your workplace.

• Talk to the OSH Safety Representative in your workplace
• Don’t have a Rep? UnionsWA offer speciality training for new and existing OSH Reps.
  This training is covered under your Trade Union Training Leave (TUTL) entitlements and is a great value-add for your career. 
  Get more info at: http://www.unitytraining.com.au
• Members should share any occupational health and safety concerns they have with Worksafe inspectors when they visit
• Keep an eye out for potential risks over the coming weeks and make notes
• Be mindful of visitor safety - risks to you may also present a risk to the public visiting the wonderful parks, gardens and reserves you care for
• If you would like more information on your OH&S Rights, what sort of hazards to look out for, and what sorts of specific OH&S hazards may apply to your role, use the quick links for the OHS Website below:
  (to be linked to worksafe menu items)
  Home
  Licenses, Registration and Notices
  What does WorkSafe do?
  Occupational safety and health law
  Safety and health representations
  Work health and safety legislation reform
  Report of enquire about workplace incidents
  Small business safety
  Safety and health topics
  Tool box

Other great resources:
OHS Rep: We are union OHS Reps
http://www.ohsrep.org.au

Safe Work Australia
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au