FORKLIFT SAFETY

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (14:51): My question is to the Minister for Industrial Relations and it relates to workplace safety issues. Will the minister provide the council with details of South Australia's involvement in a recent national project related to forklift safety?

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for Gambling) (14:52): Members would be aware that forklifts are commonplace in warehouses, factories, shipping yards, freight terminals and other workplaces. However, each year across Australia, forklifts continue to be associated with workplace incidents and accidents. The statistics tell a compelling story about the risks associated with forklift use in Australia.

In the period 2000 to 2007, forklift incidents led to more than 7,400 work-related injuries nationally. In South Australia, I understand that there are more than 74,000 licensed forklift operators. I am advised that in the period 2000 to 2008, South Australia recorded three forklift fatalities, while 23 convictions relating to forklift operations were recorded between 2005 and 2008 resulting in fines totalling $647,525 plus costs. Further, in the period 2005 to 2008, there were 2,800 forklift related claims in South Australia that resulted in a total workers compensation cost in excess of $23 million and more than 67,400 days of lost time.

Last year these sorts of figures prompted the Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities (HWSA) to commence a campaign aimed at reducing the rate of incidents and injury from forklift related tasks such as loading and unloading trucks. The Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities group comprises representatives of the regulatory authorities responsible for the regulation and administration of occupational health and safety in Australia and New Zealand.

The national campaign specifically focused on the safety of forklift operations in the grocery wholesalers and fruit and vegetable wholesalers industry sectors. I am pleased to inform the chamber that this state's occupational health and safety regulator, SafeWork SA, coordinated this national campaign. The campaign involved the provision of safety information followed by workplace audits. An information pack was first provided to stakeholders involved in the audit program, followed by audits of targeted sites by occupational health and safety inspectors.

In South Australia, I am advised that a total of 25 worksites were audited, consisting of 21 in metropolitan Adelaide and four regional locations. While a number of compliance notices were issued relating to the condition of the forklifts, overall compliance was found to be good. Most worksites visited had engaged a service provider to maintain their forklifts. A large majority of worksites had safety systems implemented and most worksite environments were found to be in good condition.

Further to the compliance audits, SafeWork SA—with the cooperation of all state, federal and territory jurisdictions—led the way in updating guidance material on forklift safety. This information is now being made available to Australian industries. SafeWork SA is currently distributing a publication called Forklift Safety—Reducing the Risks, which aims to improve forklift safety practices in the workplace. I am advised that SafeWork SA is currently finalising a report which analyses the outcomes of workplace audits, and this will be presented to HWSA shortly for its consideration. I look forward to updating the chamber on the outcomes of this important campaign.