News & Views
RSI Day 2008
Union leader Brian Boyd, has chosen International RSI Day, the last day in February, to once again calling on WorkSafe to “Get serious about the prevention of RSI and other workplace injuries.”
We would just like to see WorkSafe Victoria bring more prosecutions against employers who needlessly injure workers across all industries, professions and occupations,” said the Trades Hall Secretary. Trades Hall calls on WorkSafe to enforce the laws even more.
The Victorian Trades Hall Council is highlighting RSI Day is an opportunity to promote injury prevention and raise awareness about the prevalence of RSI and its effects. It points out that in order to stop these injuries, monotonous, repetitive and stressful work needs to be eliminated as well as work at fast speeds and poor work organization (unnecessary overtime, cutbacks and layoffs, substandard equipment, lack of worker control).
The first RSI Awareness Day was February 29, 2000. That day was selected because it was the only non-repetitive day of the year, like this year’s RSI Day. The day is recognized on February 28 in non-leap years.
Employers have a duty to provide a safe and healthy workplace
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations set out duties of the employer to identify and control any hazardous manual handling tasks. The first thing that employers must attempt to do is eliminate the hazardous elements of the task. Workplace OHS Representatives also have a legal role in this process.
Victorian Unions are also highlighting the need for uniform laws throughout Australia that are of the highest possible standard.
More on International RSI Day
Margot Hoyte, OHS Campaigns Officer - 03 9662 3511