Campaign examines workplaces that do aircraft maintenance

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said the campaign aimed to help identify any risks to the safety and health of aircraft maintenance workers.

“Beginning this month, WorkSafe inspectors will visit airports across the State with the aim of raising awareness of safety issues involving these workers,” Lyhne said.

“WorkSafe has notified airport authorities and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure that the industry is aware of the campaign and of what is expected in aircraft maintenance workplaces.

“Although WorkSafe does not have any jurisdiction over the actual maintenance and safety of aircraft, occupational safety and health laws do cover the workers performing this function.

“As well as looking at WorkSafe’s priority areas such as hazardous substances, electricity and machinery guarding, inspectors will be examining areas of work such as spray painting and fibreglass/composite repair work.

“Inspectors will use a checklist in order to ensure a consistent approach to all inspection visits during the campaign.

“This inspection campaign is part of an ongoing program of proactive inspections aimed at providing employers with information on how to comply with occupational safety and health laws.

“We firmly believe that raising awareness is the best way in which to lessen the risk of illness and injury, but if inspectors find breaches of the laws, they will take enforcement action.”