Australian Pacific Paper Products (Victoria)
Category 2: Best solution to an identified workplace health and safety issue
Australian Pacific Paper Products is a manufacturing company.
Australian Pacific Paper Products’ solution to an identified OHS risk at its workplace is power operated gates and continuous, fully enclosed and reinforced cages through which pedestrians walk to separate and protect pedestrians from the risk of being struck by forklifts in the warehouse.
Australian Pacific Paper Products developed an integrated suite of engineering controls to ensure pedestrian safety in areas where forklifts have to operate. The solution was developed in-house and demonstrates the value of organisational commitment and perseverance, in solving specific safety problems.
Australian Pacific Paper Products’ solution has application to any workplaces where there are space constraints and where presence sensing solutions are not practicable.
While the concept of physical separation of forklifts and pedestrians is not new, Australian Pacific Paper Products improved and tailored existing solutions to their operational needs and workplace layout. The result is a purpose designed suite of solutions that in combination provide safety for pedestrians in areas where forklifts are operating.
Australian Pacific Paper Products’ OHS Committee and health and safety representatives were involved in the solution, in addition to the building maintenance supervisor. All employees were involved in developing the options to separate forklifts and pedestrians, and the whole organisation is justifiably proud of what has been achieved.
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Page last updated: 03/05/2007