With just a few days until Christmas, SafeWork NSW is urging all businesses and workers across the State to make it an injury-free Christmas.
Christmas can be the busiest time of the year for many industries and coupled with thousands of young workers entering the workforce for the first time, the potential for injury is increased.
SafeWork NSW is urging businesses to make safety a priority after two young workers were seriously injured on Tuesday, 20 December.
The first incident occurred when a 16 year old apprentice carpenter fell approximately three metres from the second storey of a residential construction site at Kellyville, suffering suspected upper body fractures in the fall.
In the second incident an apprentice welder suffered lacerations and a fractured left elbow when he was struck by part of a motor at a manufacturing business on Kendall on the mid north coast.
SafeWork’s investigations into both incidents remain ongoing.
Acting Executive Director of SafeWork NSW Tony Williams urged bosses to put the safety and wellbeing of their workers first.
“The lead-up to Christmas is the most demanding period of the year for many workers, particularly those in the hospitality, transport, retail and construction industries,” Mr Williams said.
"Pressure to meet deadlines can make it tempting to cut corners but all too often can often this leads to tragedy.
“Many thousands of school leavers and casual workers are also entering the workforce for the first time, keen to impress their colleagues and employers.
“Reinforcing the need for employers to look after their young workers is the fact that young workers accounted for 16 per cent of all NSW workplace injuries during 2013/14.
“We’re urging workplaces to remember the importance of safety this week so that everyone makes it to Christmas injury-free.”
For further information on safety during the Christmas/New Year period and young worker safety, visit www.safework.nsw.gov.au or call 13 10 50.
Media contact: 02 4321 5474 or 0413 186 799
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