WORKSAFE WA says it has begun an inspection campaign to look at safety standards in fish wholesaling workplaces.
According to WorkSafe WA, the campaign will improve safety in the industry, which presents some specific hazards, and provide employers with information on how to comply with workplace safety laws.
WorkSafe WA claims inspectors will focus on the priority areas of manual handling, slips, trips and falls, electricity, new and young workers and mobile plant and machinery guarding. It will also be looking closely at emergency procedures, first aid and amenities, fire and emergency safety and housekeeping issues in general.
Major safety issues confronting the fish wholesaling industry include manual handling issues connected with the lifting of heavy cartons, hazards associated with mobile plant such as forklifts and the risk of slips, trips and falls due to contamination of floors by spillages.
The inspection campaign will run throughout the 2009-2010 financial year, with inspectors visiting fish wholesaling workplaces across Western Australia.