Farm safety: WorkSafe, health authorities inspect Sunraysia properties
Victorian grape growers have been visited by inspectors from three authorities. This is how they fared.
More than 40 Sunraysia grape growers have had a visit from authorities to ensure they are complying with occupational health and safety regulations, staying Covid-safe and supporting vulnerable workers.
In the three-day inspection program in the Robinvale area late last month, WorkSafe inspectors issued 28 improvement notices to duty holders at eight of the 27 properties they inspected.
Department of Health inspectors visited 11 properties, issuing four improvement notices and the Labour Hire Authority visited 21 properties with a focus on education – checking providers had COVIDSafe plans and looking at their licence status and conditions for labour hire workers.
WorkSafe regional operations director of the western region Trevor Butler said among the most common safety issues were improper guarding on tractor power take-offs and other machinery; a lack of rollover protection and maintenance on quad bikes; and inadequate labelling and storage of chemicals.
“Many of the improvements required were relatively small changes that would result in big safety improvements,” Mr Butler said.
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