View Training Dates for Your City

Filter By

  • No scheduled courses - please call us to discuss your requirements

Concerns  about the safety of the new wholesale market under construction at Epping have been taken to WorkSafe.

Vegetable Growers Association of Victoria president David Wallace said a meeting was held with WorkSafe officials last week to discuss standholders’ fears about building defects and unsafe pathways for forklifts and pedestrians.

Photographs of the Epping site, which was due to be handed over to the Melbourne Market Authority this month, show a roller door that does not close properly on a sloping concrete floor – leaving a drop of more than 30cm to be negotiated by forklifts – forklift aisles that are too narrow and pedestrian walkways that cross in front of doors to be used by forklifts.

Mr Wallace said WorkSafe had rejected a request to establish a designated work group on the grounds that potential tenants had not yet moved in and their staff could not be considered employees working at the site.

But he said WorkSafe staff had agreed to look at aisle widths, entries and exits and other issues of concern and raise them with the Victorian Government’s Melbourne Market Relocation Project team.

“We want to work out these issues,” he said. “We want to see a safe work environment and it’s (the Government’s) duty to provide that, not to say that it is and find out later that it’s not.

“To them it’s just a project, it’s not 500 businesses that they’re moving. It’s just a building (going) from Footscray Road to Epping.”

A spokesman for Minister for Major Projects David Hodgett said any building defects at Epping would have to be rectified by the building company before the handover to the Government.

“There is an issue with the area set aside for the fruit and vegetable stands at Epping,” the spokesman said.

“The current site at Footscray Road has a floor size of 14,000 square metres, yet the former Labor Government’s design for the new area at Epping has an area for the stands of 7000 square metres.

“The Victorian Government and the MMA are working through the options for the layout and have issued several discussion papers including a traffic and logistics management plan.”

The spokesman said the draft plan looked at options for the best use of the smaller trading floor and feedback was being considered.

The draft plan recommended the stands be increased by 36sq cm and forklift trading aisles be widened by 95cm.

More info on Occupational health and safety

Source: http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2013/09/05/581785_horticulture.html

Latest OHS news

Is Manual Handling Training Necessary for Workplace Safety?

It's imperative to understand the significance of manual handling training for ensuring workplace safety. Manual handling tasks, such as lifting, carrying, and pushing, are common in various ind...

Read more

What Qualifications Do You Need to Remove Asbestos?

Asbestos is a hazardous material that was commonly used in construction and other industries until the late 1970s. It was later discovered that exposure to asbestos can cause serious health issu...

Read more

How Do HSRs Identify Potential Workplace Hazards?

Workplace Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) play a crucial role in ensuring the workplace safety and well-being of employees by identifying and addressing potential hazards in the workplace....

Read more

What Are the Essential Safety Measures for Working In Confined Spaces?

Just entering a confined space can present serious risks to workers. So, it’s crucial to properly identify and assess potential risk hazards before any work is conducted in these environments. C...

Read more

Testimonials

“In over 20 years of training, this was one of the best courses I’ve ever attended.”

Queensland Rail

“Great! The instructor made it interesting and enjoyable”

Leighton Contractors

” We heard that AlertForce delivers one of the best courses around so the boss decided to send me to Australia from New Zealand.”

Participant Public Course

“I liked the trainer’s positive outlook and uplifting approach towards completing the long day.”

Visionstream

“Very competent training course. Trainer was very knowledgeable on subject.”

Servicestream

“AlertForce provided an excellent trainer,  knowledgeable on the topic and allowed for active questioning.”

DHS

“Informative and concise training delivered at the right pace.”

AFMA.gov.au

“The Trainer was very engaging”

Fair Work Commission

“Interesting, informative, relevant.”

Airservices Australia

Payments & Security

Awards & Accreditations

Make an Enquiry:

Google Rating
4.5
Total Rating 4.5 out of 5 based on 696 reviews
×