Issue Date:  -  Tuesday, 29 August 2006

Inspection program for restaurants

oncerns about the number of injuries in restaurants have prompted WorkSafe to launch an inspection program in the industry.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said today there were concerns about the high rates of certain types of work-related injuries in restaurants.

“The most common causes of injury in restaurants are manual handling problems and slips and trips, especially in kitchen areas,” Ms Lyhne said.

“Both manual handling and slips are trips are among WorkSafe’s eight priority areas, which are all areas that have been shown to have high rates of workplace injuries.

“As from September 1, inspectors will be visiting randomly-selected restaurants in metropolitan and regional areas of WA, where they will look at manual handling and slips and trips hazards, as well as other issues such as hazardous substances, electricity, new and young workers and machinery guarding.”

There are around 1100 restaurants in the State, all of which have already received an information package that includes information on what inspectors will be looking for when inspecting each of the premises.

“The primary aim of the inspectors will be to provide information to employers in the industry in an effort to reduce the number of work-related injuries being suffered,” Ms Lyhne said.

“The restaurant industry includes a high number of casual and transitory workers, and as a result we suspect that a high number of injuries go unreported.

“For this reason, inspectors will be focusing on ensuring that employers are aware of the requirements for reporting of injuries under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

“This program is the latest in a series of targeted inspection programs in industries with high numbers of injuries to promote awareness of safety and health issues and knowledge of the legislative requirements.”

Further information on working safely can be obtained by telephoning WorkSafe on 9327 8777 or on the website at www.worksafe.wa.gov.au.

Concerns about the number of injuries in restaurants have prompted WorkSafe to launch an inspection program in the industry.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said today there were concerns about the high rates of certain types of work-related injuries in restaurants.

“The most common causes of injury in restaurants are manual handling problems and slips and trips, especially in kitchen areas,” Ms Lyhne said.

“Both manual handling and slips are trips are among WorkSafe’s eight priority areas, which are all areas that have been shown to have high rates of workplace injuries.

“As from September 1, inspectors will be visiting randomly-selected restaurants in metropolitan and regional areas of WA, where they will look at manual handling and slips and trips hazards, as well as other issues such as hazardous substances, electricity, new and young workers and machinery guarding.”

There are around 1100 restaurants in the State, all of which have already received an information package that includes information on what inspectors will be looking for when inspecting each of the premises.

“The primary aim of the inspectors will be to provide information to employers in the industry in an effort to reduce the number of work-related injuries being suffered,” Ms Lyhne said.

“The restaurant industry includes a high number of casual and transitory workers, and as a result we suspect that a high number of injuries go unreported.

“For this reason, inspectors will be focusing on ensuring that employers are aware of the requirements for reporting of injuries under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

“This program is the latest in a series of targeted inspection programs in industries with high numbers of injuries to promote awareness of safety and health issues and knowledge of the legislative requirements.”

Further information on working safely can be obtained by telephoning WorkSafe on 9327 8777 or on the website at www.worksafe.wa.gov.au.

Concerns about the number of injuries in restaurants have prompted WorkSafe to launch an inspection program in the industry.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said today there were concerns about the high rates of certain types of work-related injuries in restaurants.

“The most common causes of injury in restaurants are manual handling problems and slips and trips, especially in kitchen areas,” Ms Lyhne said.

“Both manual handling and slips are trips are among WorkSafe’s eight priority areas, which are all areas that have been shown to have high rates of workplace injuries.

“As from September 1, inspectors will be visiting randomly-selected restaurants in metropolitan and regional areas of WA, where they will look at manual handling and slips and trips hazards, as well as other issues such as hazardous substances, electricity, new and young workers and machinery guarding.”

There are around 1100 restaurants in the State, all of which have already received an information package that includes information on what inspectors will be looking for when inspecting each of the premises.

“The primary aim of the inspectors will be to provide information to employers in the industry in an effort to reduce the number of work-related injuries being suffered,” Ms Lyhne said.

“The restaurant industry includes a high number of casual and transitory workers, and as a result we suspect that a high number of injuries go unreported.

“For this reason, inspectors will be focusing on ensuring that employers are aware of the requirements for reporting of injuries under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

“This program is the latest in a series of targeted inspection programs in industries with high numbers of injuries to promote awareness of safety and health issues and knowledge of the legislative requirements.”

Further information on working safely can be obtained by telephoning WorkSafe on 9327 8777 or on the website at www.worksafe.wa.gov.au.