Take safety seriously working in remote areas of WA
WorkSafe has called on employers and workers to consider all the precautions they should take when work is being undertaken in remote areas
Take working remotely seriously
WorkSafe WA is urging employers and workers to take working in remote areas seriously. Many workers in WA travel remote on a regular basis throughout the State such as tour operators, miners, truck drivers and farmers.
Acting WorkSafe Commissioner Sally North said both employers and workers had legal duties for health and safety when working in the outback.
"While anyone who travels to the outback needs to consider safety when deciding what to take with them, we would particularly like to remind both employers and workers that they have responsibilities under workplace health and safety laws.”
Tips on how to prepare and stay safe
Work vehicles can break down leaving workers stranded - it is advised that workers should always have:
- Suitable and well-maintained vehicles with spare parts and recovery equipment.
- Reliable communication or alert devices such as satellite phones, GPS trackers, beacons or EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons). You can watch a video discussing reliable communication by the Western Australian Police Force here.
- Regular communication plans and check-ins.
- Adequate training and instruction on hazards, risks and control measures.
- Current weather information, including fire risks or events.
Ms North said anyone who travels to remote areas of WA should be aware of the life-threatening risks and how to avoid them.
“Many of these risks can be life-threatening, so it’s crucial that everyone is aware of them and what they need to do to reduce or eliminate them.”
Further reading
Read the original article published on the WorkSafe WA website here. The WA Police Force have a range of useful advice on the There Outback Travel, Bushwalking and Prospecting page. Additionally, WorkSafe WA has information in particular for mining prospectors, drivers and tour guides that can be found here.
Sources
WorkSafe calls for safe procedures when working in remote areas by Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, 25th January, 2024.
Consider your safety with a Personal Locator Beacon by Western Australian Police Force, 29th January, 2024.
