SAFEWORK inspectors will be out in force across the Hunter Region targeting transport operators after a spate of incidents around vehicle safety.
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At least 12 inspectors will be dropping in to Newcastle and Hunter sites to look at safer working practices when loading, unloading and working around vehicles.
It follows a number of serious incidents that have occurred in the industry in the last 12 months. In August, a 52-year-old tow truck driver was fatally crushed by a prime mover as it rolled off a tilt tray semi-trailer in Newcastle.
The incident occurred as the truck driver was loading the prime mover he had purchased onto the tilt tray semi-trailer. According to the SafeWork NSW report, it appears that when the driver raised the tilt tray to place tie down chains around the chassis of the prime mover, it rolled backwards off the tilt tray and crushed him.
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"Almost every week we see workers getting injured, or worse, while working around vehicles, whether that's in a transport depot, unloading on a construction site, loading at a distribution centre or making retail or home deliveries," SafeWork executive director, Tony Williams, said.
"Many of the incidents are not driving related, but happen as people work around the truck or vehicle.
"These visits are not about driving habits, they're about safe work practices around the vehicle."
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