 DIY
Safety Alert - Preventing injury brochures
Every year 15 Victorians are killed and at least 2,000 are seriously
injured carrying out Do-It-Yourself (DIY) work. The home, yard and garden
are the sites of 30% of all emergency department presentations for injury
to Victorian adults. Evidence suggests that home injuries result in more
lost days from work than workplace injuries.
Men are much more likely to be injured undertaking DIY tasks than
women, in the ratio of 4:1. Adults aged 25-34 years are the highest risk
group for DIY injury.
Professor Joan Ozanne-Smith of the Monash University Accident Research
Centre (MUARC) said "The most hazardous DIY activities for men are
grinding, welding and car maintenance, gardening is the highest risk
activity for women... other high risk DIY activities are lawn mowing and
ladder use".
 Esso
Australia Ltd. has supported MUARC to develop three brochures to raise
awareness about the patterns and causes of injury during Do-It-Yourself
(DIY) activities and the preventative measures that can be taken to avoid
such injuries.
Mr Rob Webb, Esso's Corporate and External Affairs Manager said
" Esso is sponsoring the DIY brochure because the company is focussed
on working hard to achieve the highest standards in occupational health
and safety, not just at work but 24 hours a day".
The Victorian WorkCover Authority and the Hire and Rental Association
of Australia Ltd are supporting initiatives to get DIY prevention
information to workplace managers and hiring firms.
Professor Ozanne-Smith says "Home handypersons are advised to
follow 4 safety rules: Use the correct tool and personal protective
equipment for the task at hand; maintain safe work practices at all times;
read and follow instructions and be aware of risks to bystanders".
She adds "Above all, don't be a hero. If a job is too much, call in
the professionals. Proving a point is little use if it puts you in
hospital."
The three brochures are aimed at providing information to home
handypersons, retail and hire outlets, and workplace managers.
Multiple copies of the Retail and Hire Outlets brochure are available.
The Home Handyperson and Workplace Managers brochures are now out of
print. However you can download them in .pdf format here. For
further information and to order brochures please contact Karen
Ashby on (03) 9905 1805.
|
