SafeWork NSW and the NSW Wine Industry Association have launched a new safety guide for the NSW wine industry to keep the thousands of workers in the industry safe.

The ‘Guide to managing risks in wineries’ was launched at Tyrell’s Winery in the Hunter Valley today with representatives from industry and local wineries in attendance.

SafeWork NSW Group Director, Regional Operations and Sector Initiatives, Tony Williams said the publication provides practical guidance on how businesses and workers can manage work health and safety in wineries.

“Wineries need effective safety controls due to the high risk tasks that are undertaken, including confined space work, hot work, forklift operations and the handling and storage of hazardous chemicals, including ethanol,” Mr Williams said.

“The importance of controlling these risks is highlighted by the 1,206 reported employment injuries during the last five years at a cost of $15 million to the NSW Workers Compensation System.

“The most common injuries include trips, slips and falls, and musculoskeletal injuries from hazardous manual tasks.

“Every worker has the right to return home safely to their loved ones at the end of the working day and this guide will play an important role in keeping workers in the industry safe.”

Tom Ward, President of NSW Wine Industry Association said, “The New South Wales Wine Industry Association recognises that work health and safety is the responsibility of each and every one of us, and is pleased to have been working in partnership with SafeWork to pursue a common aim to minimise the incidence of serious workplace injury.”

The ‘Guide to managing risks in wineries’ is relevant to everyone working in a winery, including wine production, bottling, packaging, storage, sales and distribution. It should be read in conjunction with other codes of practice relevant to wine production.

The Guide and other information on safe wine production can be found on the SafeWork NSW website.

Photo and interview opportunity: The ‘Guide to managing risks in wineries’ will be launched at Tyrrell’s Winery, Pokolbin at 11am on Wednesday, 7 December. SafeWork NSW Group Director, Regional Operations and Sector Initiatives, Tony Williams and Stuart McGrath-Kerr, Executive Officer NSW Wine Industry Association will be available for interview and photos at the conclusion of the launch at 11.30am

Tyrrell’s Winery is located at 1838 Broke Rd, Pokolbin.

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