Abattoir safety program in WA raises more awareness

WorkSafe WA has conducted an inspection program to look at safety issues in WA regional abattoirs — 19 regional abattoirs were visited with 562 improvement notices and six prohibition notices being issued.

The most common reason for the issue of notices was guarding of machinery (81 notices), followed by provision of safe layout including floor demarcation (52 notices), maintenance and inspection of mobile plant (20 notices), and emergency stops (18 notices).

The most common tool used in the industry and the cause of the most lost-time injuries is the knife, and the usage and care of knives was the primary focus of the inspection program.

Common issues relating to knives included workers walking around with knives, knives being left unsecured around the workplace, workers sharpening knives near other workers, and workers using damaged knives.

The best-practice system seen in workplaces involved asset-tracking, where workers received a sharp, sterilised knife at the start of their shift and returned the knife at the end of the shift for resharpening and storage.

WorkSafe Commissioner Sally North said the inspection program had improved safety standards across the meat processing industry.

“The high number of notices issued at abattoirs illustrated that safety issues were widespread in the industry,” North said.

“The workplaces involved have now been required to put additional safety measures in place to keep their workers safe.

“It’s evident that the program has raised awareness of the common workplace hazards and risks in abattoirs, and that work health and safety standards across the meat processing industry have been improved as a result of this inspection program.

“WorkSafe will continue to monitor safety standards in this sector.”

Image caption: iStock.com/Portra