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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-03-01 Daily Xml
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SAFEWORK SA INSPECTORS

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (15:23): My question is to the Minister for Industrial Relations. Can the minister advise the house about the important work of SafeWork SA's country teams?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:23): I would like to thank the honourable member for his very important question and also acknowledge the many years that the honourable member has been a great advocate for his members.

SafeWork SA has the vital role of promoting and encouraging safe, fair and productive working lives for South Australians right across this state and fulfils its role through a combination of strategic actions involving the provision of information, assistance and advice and ensuring compliance with and enforcement of the state's industrial relations and occupational health and safety laws.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting SafeWork SA's Port Pirie and Whyalla offices to gain a better understanding of the specific work undertaken by inspectors to ensure safe, fair and productive workplaces in the regional areas of the state. Last year, I also had the pleasure of attending the Mount Gambier and Port Lincoln regional offices and met many employees, who should be commended for their ongoing commitment to workplace safety.

I also travelled to Ceduna, where I had the pleasure of attending my first ever 'truck stop'. I had the opportunity to view the important work of SafeWork SA inspectors in ensuring that operators and drivers met their occupational health and safety obligations, including in the safe transport of dangerous goods.

I am advised that, during the five-day operation, which also involved commonwealth and state authorities—such as the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, the South Australia Police and the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure—SafeWork SA inspected approximately 100 vehicles. As result of these inspections, SafeWork SA inspectors issued 35 occupational health and safety compliance notices for issues such as first-aid kits and fire extinguishers in vehicles, and 40 dangerous substances improvement notices for issues such as inappropriate records and signage.

Truck stops are only one facet of the unique work undertaken by SafeWork SA inspectors in regional areas of the state. SafeWork SA regional inspectors have also conducted a fishing industry improvement program, which has seen inspectors audit various fishing vessels that operate in waters off Gulf St Vincent, Spencer Gulf and the West Coast.

SafeWork SA recognises that workers and employers have specific needs when it comes to proactive injury prevention activities, and SafeWork SA has tailored its strategies so that they are delivered at times and in places that better accommodate the needs of regional workplaces and industries.

For example, for Safe Work Week in 2011, 48 presentations were made at various times throughout the year to fit in with the seasonal work engagements of the regional communities. This approach proved to be successful, with over 2,500 people attending these regional sessions. It is important that we recognise the important work of SafeWork SA inspectors right across the state in ensuring positive industrial relations and occupational health and safety outcomes.

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