SafeWork inspectors issued 50 compliance notices during targeted operations involving horticulture businesses in the Coffs Harbour and Riverina regions. Moving plant, electrical safety and hazardous chemicals were among the issues identified, with further regulatory action under assessment.
An eight-day operation in the Coffs Harbour region ahead of the berry picking season involved visits to 28 farms, packhouses and agricultural businesses. Inspectors issued 34 compliance notices, comprising 29 improvement notices and five prohibition notices requiring immediate action to address serious safety risks.
A separate two-day operation in the Riverina involved 32 businesses and was conducted jointly with the State Insurance Regulatory Authority. SafeWork inspectors issued a further 16 improvement notices covering matters including moving plant, electrical safety and hazardous chemicals.
SIRA officers also checked workers compensation insurance coverage and reviewed workplace injury registers against compensation claims during the Riverina operation.
SafeWork and SIRA are assessing whether further regulatory action is warranted where significant non-compliance was identified. The source says this could include penalty notices and premium recovery action.
The operations also focused on risks associated with labour hire and complex supply chain arrangements in horticulture. For businesses operating farms, packhouses or agricultural workplaces, the results highlight the areas inspectors are actively examining, including plant, electrical risks, hazardous chemicals and arrangements involving labour hire workers.
Official source: SafeWork NSW – News & Media Releases