Plant nurseries
Plant nurseries have specific health and safety challenges.
There are around 1800 workers in plant nurseries in NSW, part of a multi-billion dollar industry nationally. So anything we can do to improve safety for workers will benefit a lot of people.
The most common injuries affecting plant nursery workers are sprains and strains to the lower back and shoulders caused by manual handling.
These can be painful for the worker and each claim can cost the business an average of $5000.
Watch our short video to learn how to best protect you and your workers from extreme heat.
We also have advice on other issues effecting plant nurseries, including:
- manual handling
- sun exposure and heat stress
- exposure to hazardous chemicals and changing to GHS
- working safely near machinery or plant
- working with forklifts
Free help
We are working with the Nursery and Garden Industry Association of NSW & ACT to promote work health and safety in your industry.
Workshops
We have run four free PErforM (Participative Ergonomics for Manual Tasks) workshops. PErforM helps define what hazardous manual tasks are; helping you reduce sprains and strains from happening. Contact the ergonomics team on 13 10 50 for more information.
Advisory visits
All plant nurseries in NSW can register for a free advisory visit from us. We can provide you with simple tips on making your workplace safer.
$500 rebates
By completing the PerforM program or signing up for a free advisory visit, your business may be eligible for a $500 small business rebate to help you make your business safer.
Online webinars
Take a look at our current safety webinars. Free to watch, they cover a range of topics and are regularly updated.
YouTube videos
We also have a range of safety information on our YouTube channel covering a range of topic such as:
- Strains and sprains
- How to help your employee recover at work
- GHS - Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
- Agricultural chemicals awareness
- Forklift hitting pedestrians Safety Alert
If you work in extreme heat you may be at greater risk of associated health conditions. This video explains how you can remain safe when working in extreme heat.
Forklifts can be dangerous, especially in areas where there may be pedestrians. Watch this safety alert to reduce the risk to pedestrians.
To help workers and employers use chemicals safely, a new international system, the GHS (Glocally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling Chemicals was introduced on 1 January 2017. This video explains what the GHS means for you.
If a worker does get injured at work, you can help them with their recovery at work as this video explains .