Truckie Deaths Examined For Workplace Factors

WorkCover says it is prepared to launch an investigation into the deaths of three truck drivers if preliminary accident reports reveal any workplace factors contributed to the incidents.

The long haul truck drivers were killed on the same night on November 27 in three separate incidents.

WorkCover says it can study preliminary accident reports under protocols established by the NSW Government's Interagency Task Force On Long Haul Trucking and says it will pursue an investigation under occupational health and safety legislation if necessary.

For a prosecution to be mounted WorkCover needs to demonstrate a direct link between the risks faced by a driver and a failure by the employer to provide a safe system of work.

However, WorkCover says traffic laws administered by the RTA and police are the most relevant legislation for accidents involving heavy vehicles.

"If evidence is uncovered by the police or RTA linking any of the accidents to workplace factors, we will pursue an investigation under the occupational health and safety legislations which WorkCover administers," according to WorkCover NSW general manager Kate McKenzie.

In its recent response to the July Workplace Safety Summit, the NSW Government committed to amending the OHS Act to cover long haul truck drivers when they are on the road "to allow WorkCover to investigate whether unrealistic and dangerous delivery timetables contributed in an accident involving a long haul truck".

It also supported recommendations to develop a memorandum of understanding for the transport industry, which would address the competitive culture within the industry, working environments, drugs and alcohol strategies, workforce health, workplace violence, and manual handling strategies. The MOU would also develop an action plan and set safety targets in each of these areas.

To view the NSW Government's response to the Safety Summit, please click here.

To comment on this or any other article appearing on the UnionSafe website, please visit out discussion forum Shoptalk.

© 2002 UNIONSAFE
This site is sponsored by the Workcover Authority of NSW for Labor Council of NSW

Site designed and engineered by Social Change Online [credits]
This page: http://unionsafe.net.au/news/10394160404205.html
Last modified: Tuesday, 15-Nov-2005 20:37:34 EST