Inspection program takes closer look at vehicle hoists

WorkSafe is undertaking a further inspection program to look at safety issues with motor vehicle hoists.

An initial inspection program – prompted by the high number of soft tissue and muscle injuries and two work-related deaths in the motor vehicle repair industry in 2013 – was conducted over the 2014/15 financial year.

That program resulted in the issue of more than 1300 notices and revealed serious concerns with hoists and traffic management, so a further inspection program will be conducted in metropolitan and regional areas over the 2015/16 financial year.

The new program will expand the reach of workplaces visited, and take in businesses such as tyre sales and repair shops, vehicle body wrecking yards and any other workplace that contains motor vehicle hoists.

WorkSafe Director Joe Attard said today that inspectors had visited 174 workplaces during the last inspection program, and the number of notices issued indicated the need for an expanded follow-up program.

"Inspectors aim to visit even more workplaces during the 2015/16 program and provide employers with information on how to make their workplaces safer, especially with regard to motor vehicle hoists and traffic management," Mr Attard said.

"A total of 264 notices were issued for breaches involving vehicle hoists during the last program. Of these, 148 related to pre-start checks, inspections and servicing records, so maintenance is a major concern.

"Traffic management issues – which resulted in the issue of 83 notices during the last program – is also a major issue in workplaces where mobile plant may be operating in areas that also have pedestrian access.

"During this program, inspectors will work with the aid of a checklist to ensure consistency, and will also look at general areas such as electricity, work at heights, hazardous substances, machinery guarding and slips, trips and falls.

"As with all WorkSafe inspection programs, raising awareness is the main objective but inspectors will take enforcement action if they find breaches of the laws.

"Employer groups have been informed of the program, so employers should be aware of what is required of them if visited by a WorkSafe inspector."

Further information on workplace safety and health can be obtained by telephoning WorkSafe on 1300 307877 or on the website at www.worksafe.wa.gov.au.