Manufacturing in
Queensland
Wounds and lacerations
Workers in the manufacturing industry are
exposed to high risk activities daily. Even with
the best training, safety policies and experience,
injuries can happen which may require
rehabilitation and/or alternative duties before a
sustainable return to work.
Some of the most common and preventable injuries
are wounds and lacerations. These injuries may
be low in cost but they are high in frequency. They
have hidden costs, such as lost productivity, due to:
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Minor injuries add up!
Simple solutions to reduce
your injuries and costs.
machinery downtime for repairs
tool maintenance and cleaning
staff hiring and retraining
review of safety procedures to minimise future
risk.
Reducing or minimising these hazards will:
33 have a positive impact on productivity
33 reduce claims costs
33 reduce impact on annual workers’
compensation insurance premiums.
Sometimes a simple solution is all it takes.
2014–2015 WorkCover Queensland data
A simple safety procedure
pays dividends
Practical tips and strategies
Following an incident resulting in a minor injury
at their Glulam Laminated Beam Plant, Hyne
Timber, Australia’s largest privately owned timber
manufacturer, has introduced a simple and effective
safety system. This safety system now eliminates the
chance of a similar injury occurring and further cost
to their premium.
Here are some top tips to help reduce injuries
in your workplace. You should work with your
employees to ensure the most effective solutions
are put in place.
A Process Worker sustained a laceration to his knee
during the timber beam lamination process due to
miscommunication with another Process Worker.
The injury resulted in sutures to the laceration
performed by the GP, a course of antibiotics,
approximately five (5) weeks of restricted duties
and $1,526.98 in costs.
After completing an investigation into the incident,
a failsafe button was installed and all operators
where trained in the work instruction changes.
The button now only allow laminates to be pushed
through the process when all team members are in
position and ready to receive, not relying on verbal
communication or human interaction.
Hyne Timber is now reaping the benefits of a simple
safety system and procedure change, resulting in
less injuries and lower insurance premiums.
Knives and sharp tools
• Keep knives sharp and in good working
condition
• Provide the correct knife or sharp tool for the
task
• Train and instruct workers about using,
sharpening and safely storing knives
• Never try to catch a falling knife
• Never leave an exposed blade unattended;
use self-retracting cutting blades
• Ensure training is up to date for safe cutting
techniques.
Minor injuries can become significant
due to underlying medical conditions.
Consider other complications
like tetanus, bacteria, and cross
contamination if working with food
products.
Metal fragments and dust particles
• If your workers are exposed to particles and
dust, make sure you have a wash out station
readily available
• Consider close fitting goggles and a face shield
for airborne fragments.
More fragments can lodge in the eye
when removing clothing or shaking off
the hair. Consider full head protection
or even a hairdryer on site to gently
blow away any loose fragments.
Personal
protective
equipment
• Select appropriate
Personal protective equipment (PPE) for the work
to be performed
• Use PPE in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions and instruct staff on its proper use.
Safety culture
• Provide accessible first aid equipment and
trained first aid officers
• Know your people—encourage a culture of
reporting.
SAFETY FIRST
Take action now
and reduce your
premium!
If you have questions about injury management or any
information contained in this brochure, please contact us.
WorkCover Queensland
p: 1300 362 128
worksafe.qld.gov.au