SafeWork inspectors will be visiting construction site transport operators across Newcastle and the Hunter region this week to promote safer working practices when loading, unloading and working around vehicles.

SafeWork executive director Tony Williams says the Safety Around Your Vehicle Compliance Project is about getting SafeWork Inspectors speaking to operators on the requirement to have safe systems of work in place when carrying out activities around heavy vehicles: “Almost every week we see workers getting injured, or worse, while working around vehicles, whether that’s in a transport depot, unloading on a construction site, loading at a distribution centre or making retail or home deliveries.

“Many of the incidents are not driving related, but happen as people work around the truck or vehicle. These visits are not about driving habits, they’re about safe work practices around the vehicle. To help achieve this, we will have up to 12 inspectors visiting sites across the region.”

He adds that the visits are about addressing safe loading and unloading practices, the importance of properly immobilising heavy vehicles and promoting the separation of people, product and plant at all workplaces.

“We have been undertaking widespread transport industry consultation to identify the highest priority risks, and this is part of our response to those issues,” Tony explains.

A number of serious incidents have recently happened in the industry including in April where a worker suffered serious leg injuries when the truck she was working on rolled away from her on a property near Oberon.

The compliance visit follows on from the recent launch of SafeWork NSW’s Safety Around Your Vehicle Glove Box Guide, which ensures those working in the heavy vehicle industry have access to the most up-to-date safety information.

For more information on the Safety Around Your Vehicle Campaign, or to access the SAYV Glove Box Guide for Drivers, visit www.safework.nsw.gov.au