Be kind to our retail workers this season
WorkSafe ACT Inspectors have been consistently on the ground across Canberra with a focus on retail and managing psychosocial hazards. Retail workers are at a higher risk of harm during peak shopping periods.
Work Health and Safety Commissioner, Jacqueline Agius implores the ACT community to be kind and considerate to our retail workers this festive season.
“It is a busy time of year for our retail sector with the celebration weekend so close and the temptations of the Boxing Day and New Year’s sales around the corner. We must remember, these workers are our parents, our children, our loved ones and our friends, and work-related violence and aggression are not acceptable. Everyone is entitled to a safe workplace.”
WorkSafe ACT’s dedicated psychosocial team are working with approximately 20 retail businesses to ensure their policies and procedures for psychosocial hazards, including workplace violence and aggression, bullying and sexual harassment, are adequate and firmly in place.
Inspectors also issued notices relating to the high demand for stock during the Christmas period, including breaches for:
- emergency routes and exits blocked by boxed stock
- poor pallet storage, and
- out of date or excess stock being stored in electrical switch rooms.
Commissioner Agius urges all businesses to put safety first to make sure we all get home safely.
Meanwhile in the residential construction sector and since 9 December, and following the tragic fatality of a worker at Taylor, inspectors completed 57 workplace visits and issued 71 notices. Commissioner Agius noted that the WHS breaches being observed in residential construction have not changed through 2021.
“We are still seeing significant and unsafe work practices. Site security, inadequate amenities and not managing the risk of falls continue to be observed across the board by WorkSafe ACT inspectors.”
WorkSafe ACT continues to be out in the field and responding to work health and safety issues and conducting proactive workplace visits throughout the holiday season.
“We are here and available over the phone and by email. You can contact us, and we can, and will, respond accordingly.”
You can reach WorkSafe ACT on 6207 3000, after hours on 0419 120 028 or email us at worksafe@worksafe.act.gov.au.
Media contact
Jackii Shepherd
0466 927 213
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