Industry Action Plan

Transcription

1 Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Strategy Industry Action Plan Rural Industry

2 Acknowledgement This industry plan was developed in consultation with the Rural Industry Sector Standing Committee, consisting of representatives from: Canegrowers Queensland Farmers Federation Agforce Queensland Australian Workers Union Queensland Council of Unions Farmsafe Queensland Queensland Dairyfarmers Organisation.

3 Contents Introduction...2 Industry profile...2 Employment... 2 Age... 4 Contribution to economic activity... 4 Workers compensation claims trends...5 Fatalities... 5 Non-fatal injuries... 5 Rural industry initiatives for The next three years... 8 Rural industry initiatives... 9 Review Glossary Rural Industry Action Plan

4 Introduction The Rural Industry Action Plan is the second phase of implementing the Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Strategy This plan identifies Workplace Health and Safety Queensland s key areas of focus for the rural industry from The initiatives outlined in this plan aim to reduce work-related injuries and fatalities in the rural industry and contribute to meeting the targets outlined in the Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Strategy The targets are: to reduce the incidence of work-related injuries by 40% to reduce the incidence of work-related fatalities by 20%. Industry profile The rural industry covers the following industry sectors: Agriculture, comprising: - horticulture and fruit growing - grain, sheep and beef cattle farming - dairy cattle farming - poultry farming - other livestock farming - other crop growing (e.g. sugar cane growing) Services to agriculture (e.g. shearing services, crop harvesting and fruit picking) Forestry and logging Commercial fishing, including aquaculture. Employment In , just over 64,200 people were employed in the rural industry, representing 3.2% of all employed people in Queensland. The number of people working in the rural industry decreased by 19% between and In total, 89% of people working in the rural industry are covered by the workers compensation scheme. 2 Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Strategy

5 Rural industry employment to WC workers compensation Source ABS Labour Force Survey, Catalogue Based on an average of four quarterly surveys. Agriculture is the largest industry sector, with 54,600 people employed in Just under 90% of workers in this sector are covered by the workers compensation scheme. Workers covered by the workers compensation scheme in the rural industry by sector, Source ABS Labour Force Survey, Catalogue Based on an average of four quarterly surveys. Rural Industry Action Plan

6 Age In , workers in the rural industry were on average older than workers in other industries. Just over 56% of those employed in the rural industry were 45 years and over, compared with 36% for all other industries. Between and , the rural industry experienced a relatively high increase in the proportion of workers 45 years and over, from 49% to 56%. Contribution to economic activity In , the rural industry accounted for 4.1% of the Queensland economy, as measured by total factor income 1. It generated a total of $6.8 billion for the economy, with $1.5 billion in wages and the remaining $5.3 billion in profits and earnings of the self-employed. Between and , the rural industry in Queensland decreased its contribution to the economy from 4.4% to 4.1%, mostly due to large parts of the state suffering extreme drought conditions. Queensland s primary industries sector is the state s second most important export earner, contributing nearly one-quarter of Queensland s total exports. The gross value of production for Queensland s primary commodities in was $10.93 billion. The economic importance of the rural industry is demonstrated by its strong export performance, as well as the central role it plays in production flows, being a major supplier of commodities, which are processed by Queensland manufacturers. With skills shortages in the Queensland rural industry likely to continue into the medium and long term, and with an ageing workforce, it is critical that strategies are in place to prevent or minimise work-related injuries. A strong rural industry will contribute to maintaining growth and sustainability in the Queensland economy, while providing a significant proportion of the country s export income. Rural industries make an important and often under-recognised contribution to regional communities. Agriculture, forestry and fishing are the cornerstones of regional communities. Without these industries, service industries (e.g. education, health, retail, services to agriculture, etc.) would not be viable. There is extensive community interest in the future viability and sustainability of rural industries and communities. In these constantly changing times, rural industries and communities are facing financial, social, environmental and climate challenges. Workplace health and safety in rural industries must improve in order to minimise the social and economic costs to the community. In the past, work-related deaths and serious injuries have adversely impacted the ongoing viability of a significant number of family farms. 1 Total factor income is that part of the cost of producing the gross domestic product, which consists of gross payments to factors of production (labour and capital). It represents the value added by these factors in the process of production, and is equivalent to gross domestic product, less taxes plus subsidies, on production and imports. 4 Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Strategy

7 Workers compensation claims trends Fatalities Based on workers compensation claims data, the fatality rate in the rural industry was 12.2 fatalities per 100,000 workers. This was significantly higher than the fatality rate of 3.2 fatalities per 100,000 workers across all industries 2. A third of fatalities were due to vehicle accidents (e.g. motorcycles, all terrain vehicles, and tractors). Between and , half of those fatally injured in the rural industry were general farm hands. The largest concentration of fatalities was in the grain, sheep and beef cattle farming industry sub-sector. Non-fatal injuries In , the non-fatal injury rate for the rural industry was 19.6 claims per 1,000 workers, compared to 14.8 claims per 1,000 workers for all industries 3. The non-fatal injury rate has increased by 21% since While the actual number of workers compensation claims has steadily declined in the rural industry since , the number of workers in the rural industry has declined at a faster rate, resulting in an increase in the claim rate. A significant reduction in the injury rate (62%) is required to meet the Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Strategy target of a 40% reduction in work-related injuries by The major causes of rural injuries were body stressing, slips, trips and falls of a person, and being hit by moving objects. These injuries occurred more frequently in the outdoor, environment 4 and involved farm animals. The agriculture industry sector was the largest sector both in terms of number of workers and proportion of non-fatal workers compensation claims. Over the last six years, this industry sector accounted for 82% of claims. In particular, non-fatal claims were concentrated in horticulture and fruit growing, as well as the grain, sheep and beef cattle farming industry sub-sectors. In the forestry and logging, and services to agriculture industry sectors, non-fatal injury rates were high and increasing, but the number of claims were relatively low. 2 Based on accepted claims from employees and eligible self-employed workers while on duty or on a break at the place of work. Excludes the mining industry. Source: Queensland Employee Injury Database, Office of Economic and Statistical Research. Data current at January 2007 and is subject to change with further development. 3 Based on accepted claims from employees and eligible self-employed workers while on duty or on a break at the place of work. Includes non-fatal traumatic injury, disease and musculoskeletal disorder claims resulting in permanent impairment or temporary impairment with a duration of seven calendar days or more. Excludes the mining industry. Source: Queensland Employee Injury Database, Office of Economic and Statistical Research. Data current at January 2007 and is subject to change with further development. 4 The outdoor environment includes weather and water; sun; holes in the ground; wet, oily or icy traffic and ground surfaces; traffic and ground surfaces with hazardous objects; buildings and other structures; fencing; vegetation. Rural Industry Action Plan

8 non-fatal claim rates rural industry sectors (claims per 1,000 workers) n = number of claims Traumatic injuries Between and , 48% of non-fatal injury claims were due to traumatic injuries. The proportion of traumatic injury claims was significantly higher in the rural industry group than in other industry groups. The rural traumatic injury rate of 9.4 claims per 1,000 workers, was one of the highest of all industry sub-sectors. There was also a 22% increase in the traumatic injury claim rate between and The most common types of traumatic injury claim was fruit, vegetable or nut farm hands getting injured from using knives and cutlery, and motorcycles, trail bikes, all terrain vehicles and tractor vehicle accidents. Fractures, open wounds, contusions and crush injuries were the most common injuries, with fingers most frequently injured. 6 Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Strategy

9 Musculoskeletal disorders Between and , 47% of non-fatal injury claims were due to musculoskeletal disorders. The rural industry s proportion of musculoskeletal disorder claims was lower than all other industries. The musculoskeletal disorder claim rate was 9.1 claims per 1,000 workers in , following a 17% increase since Handling, lifting, carrying, or putting down objects, in particular vegetation or crates, cartons, boxes, cases, drums, kegs and barrels, were the most common causes of injuries. Falls on the same level due to wet, slippery, uneven ground surfaces were also a common cause of injury. Parts of the body commonly injured were the lower back, knees and shoulders. Diseases Disease-related claims represented 5% of non-fatal injury claims. The proportion of disease-related claims in rural industry was significantly below that in other industries. The most common type of rural disease-related injury was hernia, and over a third of cases were due to muscular stress while handling, lifting, carrying and putting down objects. Rural Industry Action Plan

10 Rural industry initiatives for The next three years The Workplace Health and Safety Board, the peak industry advisory body to the Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations, has committed to a strategy, in conjunction with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ), to promote and lead cultural change in identified high risk industries and industry sectors. This strategy seeks to increase awareness of hazards and risks to health and safety in the workplace and to improve knowledge, education and skills in managing workplace health and safety. Recommendations for the initiatives in this plan have come from the Rural Industry Sector Standing Committee, which has the primary function of advising and supporting the Workplace Health and Safety Board in relation to workplace health and safety issues in the rural industry. WHSQ will work with all stakeholders to improve workplace health and safety performance by: working with industry to develop industry-specific education and awareness-raising initiatives developing industry-accessible practical solutions providing targeted compliance support and guidance to industry undertaking regulatory reform where necessary undertaking more strategic enforcement action. As part of implementing the industry plan, WHSQ will: focus on the workplace health and safety of young workers increase the capability of industry and WHSQ to address musculoskeletal disorder risk factors build a culture that makes workplace health and safety an integral part of normal business operations focus on assisting small businesses explore incentives to encourage businesses to improve workplace health and safety performance. The initiatives outlined in this industry plan mainly focus on the horticultural and beef cattle farming sectors, as the workers compensation injury rates and number of workers involved in these areas indicate a need to improve workplace health and safety performance. They build on the work that has already been done in the rural industry to promote cultural change and acceptance of workplace health and safety as part of daily farm management. Information, education and resources for delivery of workplace health and safety in the rural industry will be further enhanced by building on the existing funding arrangements of Farmsafe Queensland, to help support rural workplaces in achieving safer systems of work. 8 Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Strategy

11 Farmsafe Queensland offers services to primary producers and their workers to facilitate improved workplace health and safety outcomes. The assistance and advice extends to policy and procedural systems, training programs, induction training, as well as hazard analysis, risk assessment and advice on implementing control measures for managing specific hazards and hazardous situations. The following initiatives broadly align with one or more of the five national priorities (NP) identified in the National OHS Strategy and the Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Strategy Both the national and Queensland strategies provide a basis for developing sustainable, safe and healthy work environments and for reducing the number of people injured or killed at work. Rural industry (agriculture, forestry and fishing) is one of the five industries targeted. Efforts are focused on the five national priorities identified in the strategies: NP 1. NP 2. NP 3. NP 4. NP 5. Reduce high incidence/severity risks Develop the capacity of business operators and workers to manage workplace health and safety effectively Prevent occupational disease more effectively Eliminate hazards at the design stage Strengthen the capacity of government to influence workplace health and safety outcomes. The initiatives also adopt strategies developed by WHSQ in the: Queensland Musculoskeletal Framework , which addresses the prevention and control of work-related musculoskeletal disorders Queensland Occupational Disease Strategy , which provides a framework for reducing the incidence of occupational disease in Queensland Small business initiative, including Serious About Safe Business 5. 5 Serious about Safe Business provides small and medium businesses with a simplified safety management framework to help them ensure a safe workplace and increase staff productivity. Rural Industry Action Plan

12 Horticulture Safer systems of field work Safer systems of field work (supported by audits) will be developed, piloted and trialled in five horticultural industries in the fruit growing sector, to reduce the high injury numbers associated with farm vehicles, elevating work platforms, picking ladders, knives and the disease leptospirosis. This will be achieved by: NP 1, 2, 3 and 5 Occupational Disease Strategy promoting and implementing horticultural field pilots and trials in the avocado, banana, citrus, melon and pineapple sectors disseminating information and education about compliance outcomes for safer systems of field work through Farmsafe Queensland and/or other industry associations and grower groups. Vegetable packing (plant and falls) Safer systems of packing work To reduce the high injury rate associated with fixed plant and slips, trips and falls in vegetable packing, safer systems of work (supported by audits) will be developed, piloted and trialled in vegetable packing operations. This will be achieved by: promoting and implementing safer systems of packing work, pilots and trials in vegetable packing operations NP 1, 2 and 5 Musculoskeletal Framework disseminating information and education about compliance outcomes for safer systems of vegetable packing work through Farmsafe Queensland and/or other industry associations and vegetable grower groups. 10 Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Strategy

13 Beef cattle handling Safer systems of beef cattle handling in yards To reduce the high injury numbers resulting from inadequate yard maintenance and design, and lack of worker training in safe animal handling, safer systems for beef cattle handling in yards (supported by audits) will be developed, piloted and trialled. This will be achieved by: NP 1, 2 and 5 partnering with industry to deliver regional workshops at which animal handling and behaviour is discussed providing a self-audit tool for beef cattle producers trialling workplace health and safety concepts with relevant staff at agricultural colleges and other training providers, including RITE (Rural Industry Training and Extension) promoting safer yard maintenance and design, and adequacy of worker training in safe animal handling techniques disseminating information and education about compliance outcomes for safer systems of beef cattle handling through Farmsafe Queensland, AgForce and Meat and Livestock Australia. All terrain vehicles Improved safety will be investigated and implemented to reduce the frequency and severity of injuries arising from using all terrain vehicles. This will be achieved by: NP 1, 2 and 5 researching the use of all terrain vehicles, injury risks, rider skill levels, work application and design parameters collating information about all causative factors where a fatality or serious injury arising from all terrain vehicle use occurs promoting education and awareness about safer operation of all terrain vehicles. Rural Industry Action Plan

14 High risk plant safety improvement A safety improvement program for manufacture and supply issues of high risk plant will be introduced to reduce injuries relating to high risk plant, and improve Queensland s rural industry compliance with national standards. The high risk plant will include: NP 4 and 5 animal handling equipment (e.g. crushes) imported plant (e.g. tractors that comply with local requirements) silos all terrain vehicle attachments elevating work platforms. High risk plant safety improvements will be achieved by: implementing manufacturer and supplier audits undertaking compliance inspections of plant design at agricultural field days contacting importers, suppliers or manufacturers to rectify non-compliance. On-property workshops To reduce the high injury numbers in rural industry, and improve the current low uptake of safe systems of work that support risk management, WHSQ will offer on-property workshops. These will be directed at improving uptake of safe systems of work, particularly in the targeted industries of cattle and horticulture. This will be achieved by: developing a resource package comprising three separate presentations (risk assessment; induction and training obligations and record keeping; legislation). The resources provided will align with the Australian Qualifications Framework (Certificate IV) Implement and monitor the enterprise OHS program NP 1 and 2 Musculoskeletal Framework delivering a series of workshops via producer groups broadening the scope of the program by skilling industry training providers providing appropriate guidance material, including Serious About Safe Business. 12 Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Strategy

15 Rural workforce profile Develop a profile of the rural industry workforce and investigate issues such as the skill levels of workers, trends towards using more contracted labour, greater reliance on labour hire companies, links between injuries and skill level of workers including: NP 5 labour hire workers contractors 457 and other visa workers young workers apprentices other farm workers. Work task assessments Safer methods of work will be introduced through the development of practical solutions. These will include work assessments of tasks resulting in a high incidence of musculoskeletal disorders and trauma, for which there are no obvious safer alternatives. These practical solutions will help reduce injury risk. NP 1, 2 and 5 Musculoskeletal Framework Work task assessments will be undertaken in consultation with industry through analysis of work tasks by an Occupational Therapist/Ergonomist, to identify ways to reduce injury risk in a manner that is acceptable to industry. These assessments will occur in the following sub-sectors: banana harvesting vegetable harvesting and packing cattle handling. Rural Industry Action Plan

16 Increasing Workplace Health and Safety Queensland s capability to assist industry Musculoskeletal disorders currently represent nearly 60% of all non-fatal workers compensation claims in Queensland. Due to the high proportion of musculoskeletal disorders occurring across all industries, and the complex nature of managing risk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders, WHSQ will enhance the capability of staff. This will be achieved mainly through professional development, particularly in ergonomics and musculoskeletal controls, to assist industry in eliminating and minimising these types of injuries. NP 5 Musculoskeletal Framework This initiative aims to increase the capability of WHSQ to better understand and prevent injuries by increasing skills through training on key hazards, solutions and systems of work, which impact on musculoskeletal disorder risk factors. This will be achieved by identifying key mechanisms and agencies of injury through data in specific sectors, working with industry representatives and providing specific training in these key areas. Induction training Workplace Health and Safety Board initiative There is a recognised need for greater workplace health and safety awareness and knowledge among workers in the rural industry. NP 1 and 2 Workplace health and safety induction offers a means of ensuring that a minimum level of workplace health and safety knowledge is acquired before workers commence work. This initiative aims to assist workers in acquiring a basic level of workplace health and safety awareness and knowledge through induction training programs before they commence work. WHSQ will investigate the feasibility of introducing workplace health and safety induction training. 14 Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Strategy

17 Review Over the next three years, this industry plan will be routinely monitored and reviewed to ensure it is relevant and contributing towards reducing the incidence of work-related fatalities and injuries in Queensland. Glossary Diseases Non-fatal diseases include mental, digestive system, skin and subcutaneous tissue, nervous system and sense organ, respiratory system, circulatory system, infectious and parasitic diseases and neoplasms (cancer). Musculoskeletal disorders Musculoskeletal disorders include a wide range of inflammatory and degenerative conditions affecting the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, peripheral nerves, and supporting blood vessels. They have been identified by the type of injury sustained. The following injuries are classified as musculoskeletal disorders: trauma to joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons and joint diseases, spinal vertebrae and intervertebral disc diseases, diseases of the muscles, tendons and involving the synovium, and other musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases. Traumatic injuries Traumatic injuries include intracranial injuries, fractures, wounds, lacerations, amputations and internal organ damage, burns, and injuries to nerves and the spinal cord, poisoning, electrocution, and effects of the weather. Rural Industry Action Plan

18 Further information For further general information on the action plans, please contact Workplace Health and Safety Queensland: Telephone Website Telephone interpreter service The materials presented in this publication are distributed by the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations as an information source only. The information and data in this publication are subject to change without notice. The Department of Employment and Industrial Relations makes no statements, representations, or warranties about the accuracy or completeness of, and you should not rely on, any information contained in this publication. This document is a guide only and must be read in conjunction with the Workplace Health and Safety Act The Department of Employment and Industrial Relations disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs you might incur as a result of the information being inaccurate or incomplete in any way, and for any reason. Copyright State of Queensland (Department of Employment and Industrial Relations) March DEIR 07/2932