Best ways to prevent manual handling injuries in the workplace

12/11/96

Workers and employers will be able to find the best ways to prevent manual handling injuries in the workplace after the opening of a new centre, Labour Relations Minister Graham Kierath said.

The Manual Handling Centre, opened in Leederville yesterday, is the first of its kind in Australia and displays a range of manual handling equipment to help employers solve manual handling problems.

It also offers training programs that focus on process and solution, an independent consultancy to assess or provide advice and will foster research into improvements to prevent injuries.

"While we have been successful in bringing down the long-term trend in the rate of occupational injuries amongst Western Australian workers, there has been a much slower fall in manual handling injuries," Mr Kierath said.

"There were more than 9,300 manual handling injuries in 1994-95, costing each worker at least one shift or day off work.

"The cost to WA industry in workers' compensation payments for these injuries amounted to $92.3 million.

"Although it is hard to compare the average cost of workers' compensation claims due to the individual nature of each case, a one per cent reduction in the number of manual handling workers' compensation claims would save about $924,000."

Mr Kierath said WorkCover WA and WorkSafe WA had joined together to develop the centre as a way of helping industry find solutions and spread information.

Both departments had helped fund this centre till the end of 1997. Then it would operate on a self-funded basis, meeting costs by charging fees for consultancy services and the provision of education and training to industry.

The Manual Handling Centre was another part of WorkCover WA and WorkSafe WA's plan to cut the rate of manual handling injuries by 50 per cent between 1995 and 2000.

"The centre will be a community-based resource for employers and employees to teach the prevention and management of manual handling injuries," Mr Kierath said.

"It represents a strong commitment by the Government to decreasing the occurrence, severity and cost of injuries."

Media contact: Steve Manchee 481 2133