Plastics and rubber manufacturing industry

The Plastics and Rubber Manufacturing Industry is a large and diverse sector of the South Australian workforce. The industry produces an immense range of products and it employs workers from all walks of life. The types of injuries sustained by workers relate mainly to manufacturing, handling and chemicals.

Hazards

The most commonly reported injuries include:

• Muscular stress caused by handling heavy objects
• Cuts with knives
• Collisions with other people, machinery, tools and equipment
• Chemical exposure
• Slips, trips and falls
• Accidents with machinery, tools and equipment.

The SAfer Industries Committee is endeavouring to provide guidance to the industry on how to minimise compensation costs by minimising hazards and providing prevention strategies to reduce rates of injury.