Safety program for young workers launched
Issue Date: - Thursday, 29 January 2009
Over the past four and a half years, 15 young WA workers have lost their lives in work-related incidents.
In addition, every day in WA around ten young workers are injured at work seriously enough to require time off.
To help reduce this tragic toll, a new and updated version of SmartMove - WorkSafe’s safety and health website for young workers - has been launched.
WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said today that SmartMove was the most popular section of the WorkSafe website.
“The first half of the current financial year saw around 50,000 visitor sessions on the SmartMove website, so it is a very successful product,” she said.
“We have seen over time that young people are at greater risk in workplaces because of their relative inexperience, and sometimes because they may not have the maturity to understand hazards and their potential consequences.
“They may also be less likely to speak out about workplace hazards, not fully realising that they have a right to a safe and healthy workplace and a responsibility to try to keep others safe as well.
“The WorkSafe SmartMove package aims to give young adults starting their first job a good general background on their rights and responsibilities for safety and health in the workplace.
“I urge students, teachers and parents to encourage the use of the SmartMove package – if it saves even one young person from an injury or worse, it is serving its intended purpose.”
WorkSafe SmartMove now has a broader content with more interactive features. It has been updated with the addition of clips, downloads and links to interactive games and videos.
SmartMove provides one general module consisting of introductory and general information on workplace safety and health, along with ten industry modules containing more detailed information on hazards specific to each industry.
Students read the information then complete a series of test questions on both the industry and general modules. When a user successfully completes an industry module, SmartMove generates a certificate acknowledging their participation in the program.
The content is tied to what students learn at school or TAFE, and the certificate can be formally recognised as a credit towards school or TAFE study.
“The SmartMove program is a safety and health resource aimed at young adults who are undertaking work experience and work placements,” Ms Lyhne said.
“It aims to teach young people about their rights and responsibilities for helping to ensure that the workplace is safe and healthy, both for themselves and others in the workplace.
“Technology changes at a rapid rate these days, and WorkSafe has responded to these changes by updating the SmartMove website to ensure that it remains relevant to its audience.
“It is also planned to add a SmartMove e-zine to which young adults will be able to contribute articles, comments and so on.”
Further information on WorkSafe SmartMove can be obtained by telephoning WorkSafe on 1300 307877, or visit SmartMove on WorkSafe’s website at www.worksafe.wa.gov.au.
Media contact: Caroline De Vaney 9327 8744 or 0408 927563 (media enquiries only).