The WorkCover Authority of NSW has announced it will hold a free webinar later this month to help businesses better understand how to manage hazardous manual tasks in their workplaces.

 

The announcement of the webinar comes after data shows that manual handling is one of the top five causes of injuries throughout the state.

 

WorkCover’s General Manager of Work Health and Safety, John Watson, said the webinar forms part of WorkCover’s Focus on Industry program, which targets the 10 highest risk industries in NSW as well as the five most common injuries and illnesses.

 

“The Focus on Industry Program aims to make NSW businesses and workers more productive, healthy and safe,” Mr Watson said.


“Between 2006/07 and 2008/09 there were more than 100,000 claims for manual handling injuries, accounting for a third of all workplace injuries and almost double any other cause of  injury.



“The webinar will outline the basic requirements for managing hazardous manual tasks, including lifting, carrying and restraining.



“It will also cover how to control risks, including who is responsible for checking and identifying manual handling risks.



“The webinar provides the perfect opportunity for business and workers to ask questions from the convenience of their workplace.

 

The Hazardous Manual Tasks webinar is the first of several as part of the Focus on Industry Program. During September and October WorkCover will also hold webinars on slips, trips and falls and sun safety.


As an added incentive, small business owners with 20 or less full-time employees may also be eligible to claim a Small Business Rebate of up to $500 towards the cost of purchasing and installing eligible safety equipment after attending the webinar.   



The webinar will be held on Wednesday, 29 August from 11am – 12pm.



All webinar participants must pre-register at: http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/newlegislation2012/assistance-and-support/Pages/whs-webinars.aspx