WorkSafe Award recognises procedures that reduce the risk of injury in the workplace

26/3/98

Ex-truckie Jim Larmont has been presented with the State's highest award for safety by the Labour Relations Minister Graham Kierath.

The WorkSafe Award recognises outstanding achievement in the workplace for designing, developing, introducing or implementing new or innovative safety and health procedures that reduce the risk of injury in the workplace.

Mr Larmont won the award for his invention of the 'Underslide', a device designed to assist in changing tyres on trucks and heavy machinery.

The Underslide is positioned under the wheel of the vehicle after it has been jacked up. The wheel is lowered onto the device, the wheel nuts removed and the tyre pulled away. Rollers on the Underslide enable the tyre to be turned to allow access to a puncture.

In presenting the award, Mr Kierath said Mr Larmont's invention was a commonsense solution to prevent a manual handling injury.

"Manual handling injuries account for more than 30 per cent of all occupational injuries and diseases to people in the transport industry," he said.

"Simple and effective devices like the Underslide are a practical means of reducing injury rates.

"Changing tyres on large vehicles puts a worker at risk of sprain and strain injuries of back, neck, arms and legs and although these are not major injuries, they are debilitating and cost both workers and employers time and money.

"Mr Larmont has developed an effective method of reducing the risk of injury and he is to be congratulated for his initiative."

The WorkSafe Award was created in 1989 and has only been awarded 19 times.

Media contact: Steve Manchee 9481 2133