Horticulture visits put safety in the spotlight
WorkSafe, Department of Health and Labour Hire Authority inspectors have visited almost 40 orchards across the Shepparton region as part of a co-ordinated approach to workplace safety.
Labour Hire Licensing Commissioner Steve Dargavel said the Authority’s focus during its 19 visits was on education and ensuring compliance, checking that providers had COVIDSafe plans, as well as looking at their licence status and conditions for labour hire workers.
“These site inspections were important because they helped identify providers that needed COVIDSafe plans. By working with growers and providers to make sure they have compliant COVIDSafe plans we’re protecting regional communities and the harvest,” he said.
“Our compliance and enforcement officers were well received by growers who provided information about their labour hire providers. We have also received positive feedback about the information session hosted in Shepparton leading up to the inspections.”