Code of conduct for employers to protect workers against falls

19/12/97

Labour Relations Minister Graham Kierath has released a code of conduct that places employers under greater responsibility to protect workers against falls in the workplace.

"I believe that launching today's Code of Practice will be a turning point in the unacceptably high rate of deaths and serious injuries from falls in workplaces in Western Australia," Mr Kierath said.

"Each year more than 1,700 people are seriously injured through falls at workplaces across the State.

"Each accident averages more than seven weeks off work and costs more than $20 million a year, not to mention the personal trauma and economic hardship to the injured people and their families.

"We are averaging between one and two deaths a year from falls and almost every one could have been prevented by some kind of preventive strategy or device.

"This code of practice puts the onus on employers and people in charge of workplaces to eliminate or minimise risks from fall hazards by identifying hazards, assessing the risk and controlling that risk."

Mr Kierath said that by tackling specific high injury areas, such as falls, the State Government intended to cut the number of workplace injuries and deaths in half by 2000.

The code broke new ground by recommending guidelines for the induction, training and supervision of employees required to work at height or exposed to the risk of falls in workplaces.

It also specified that training include instruction in safe work practices and the correct selection, fitting, use, care, maintenance and storage of fall arrest systems and devices, including safety nets.

"This code is legally enforceable and applies to all industries, not just the construction industry as it has in the past," Mr Kierath said.

"When it comes to preventing falls, we have few excuses, because some of the best equipment in the world is made right here in Perth, at Fallright International Pty Ltd, and exported throughout the world."

Media contact: Steve Manchee (08) 9481 2133