Launch of work health and safety guide for road freight transport industry

SafeWork NSW has launched its ‘Work Health and Safety Guide for the Road Freight Transport Industry’ to help keep thousands of workers and the community safe.

SafeWork NSW Executive Director of Compliance and Dispute Resolution, Tony Williams, said the Guide was developed following extensive consultation with key industry stakeholders including transport industry groups, unions, Transport for NSW and interstate regulators.

“The transport industry is an essential service provider for all Australians but unfortunately records a high rate of fatalities and serious injuries with major claims for injuries around 50 per cent greater than the average employment sector,” Mr Williams said.

“The Guide provides transport operators and supply chain businesses with practical and tailored work health and safety information relating to working in and around vehicles.

“Risks covered include loading and unloading, traffic management, working at heights, immobilisation and hazardous manual tasks as well as health risks from psychosocial hazards.

“This is a comprehensive resource for the transport industry that will help build skills and knowledge to protect workers from serious harm. It highlights the importance of embedding road safety within the workplace by focusing on improving work health and safety systems and practices, responding to changes in technology, injury recovery, and learning from incidents that occur.

“The Guide, having received a commitment from industry and being supported by SafeWork NSW, promotes a safer road freight transport industry to meet the demands of the growing NSW economy,” Mr Williams said.

The Guide can be found on the SafeWork NSW website here.

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