New guidelines to reduce workplace injuries in Victoria’s waste collection industry have been launched in Geelong. The City of Greater Geelong is one of the first Victorian Councils to implement the guidelines, which put an end to the manual handling of rubbish and recyclable materials. WorkSafe Executive Director, John Merritt, said the guidelines were the result of two years of talks between the industry, Local Government and the Municipal Association of Victoria.
“The industry was paying double the average premium because of the high injury rate, creating a massive cost for the community,” he said.
Between 1999 and 2002, injuries cost the waste management sector $19.3 million, or more than $250,600 per Council. There were 609 serious injuries in the recycling industry during this period, of which 60 per cent were strains and sprains and 30 per cent were back injuries.
On 19 June, a company subcontracted to another company working for the Shire of Yarra Ranges was fined $15,000 after an employee suffered chest and spinal injuries. The worker was crushed between the back of a truck and a tree as the driver reversed down a narrow road. In 1998, a 19 year old worker died when he fell from a reversing garbage truck in Ascot Vale.
City of Greater Geelong workers have also suffered serious injuries in recent years, including one man who lost both legs when a car collided with the garbage truck he was riding on.
“Each of these incidents could have been avoided,” John Merritt said. “It is the responsibility of Councils and contractors to ensure they do not occur. Apart from the cost of injuries, there is the pain and suffering of the injured workers, their families and workmates and the potential for substantial penalties and legal costs if the matter goes to court. The financial trade offs for converting to a safer system of work will provide many benefits. WorkCover premium costs should begin to fall.”
John Merritt said 15 Victorian Councils had recognised the need for change by complying with the new guidelines. He said WorkSafe was adopting a flexible, practical approach to make sure all other Councils adopt the new standard.
“Those Councils should undertake risk assessments for their collection staff and take steps to reduce hazards.”
