06:34 pm, Tuesday 16 March, 2010

WorkSafe has launched an inspection program addressing the gantry crane use.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said the program, which kicked off last week, aims to bring the safety risks to light and to ensure that employers has the necessary knowledge to comply with the laws.

“This inspection program is part of an ongoing program of proactive inspections aimed at providing employers with information on how to make workplaces safer,” Ms Lyhne said.

“There are literally thousands of these types of cranes in use across the State – in fact, most factories, warehouses and workshops have at least one of these cranes.

“WorkSafe inspectors have encountered many mechanical failures with these cranes over the years, and felt that this warranted a program to check as many of them as possible.”

Inspectors have been armed with a checklist to ensure consistency in the inspections, which cover cranes of all lifting capacities in metropolitan and regional areas.

WorkSafe inspectors have also been tasked to check the maintenance records of the worksites.

“Under WA’s occupational safety and health laws, employers have a responsibility to properly maintain items of plant in the workplace,” Ms Lyhne said.

“Our inspectors have noticed that there are many ageing overhead travelling cranes in WA workplaces and want to make sure that they are being properly maintained so they do not fail and cause an injury.

“Employers also have an obligation to ensure these cranes are being maintained, inspected and operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, but in some cases the manufacturer is no longer in existence and Australian standards then must be followed.

“Like all WorkSafe’s proactive inspection programs, this one aims to raise awareness and provide employers with information, but inspectors will take enforcement action if necessary.

“We firmly believe that raising awareness with proactive campaigns is the best way in which to lessen the risk of work-related injury and illness.”

Report by Julia Alder - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know