Issue Date:  -  Monday, 20 September 2004

Keeping truck drivers safe at work

A campaign to alert heavy transport operators and drivers to the need for safety when working at heights on trucks has been launched across Australia.

“Drivers and transport workers are at high risk of falling from heights on heavy vehicles, especially livestock carriers,” WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said today.

Ms Lyhne announced WorkSafe’s involvement in a national campaign to inform heavy transport operators and drivers of the risks of falls from trucks.

“Falls cost the industry a considerable amount in workers’ compensation claims.  Each year in WA, falls from trucks result in an average of 22 incidents requiring time off work,” Ms Lyhne said.

“As this is a national problem, the Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities around Australia have agreed there is a need for Australia-wide strategies to prevent falls from heights from trucks,” she said.

“The national campaign of compliance and advisory programs is focusing on car carriers, tankers, dry bulk haulage and livestock transport.

“A series of information field days – focusing on livestock carriers – will be held across Australia, with one is planned for WA later this year,” Ms Lyhne said.

“Representatives from WorkSafe WA, the Livestock Transporters Association of WA and Alcoa Farmlands will represent Western Australia at a national conference in New South Wales this week.”