Workers involved in welding, fabrication, metal casting, and machining suffer a range of injuries such as burns, amputations, fractures, dislocations, lacerations, concussion, dental and eye injuries, noise-induced hearing loss and respiratory disease.
What is the impact of injuries?
The number and cost of injuries in the metal manufacturing industry has increased dramatically in recent years. In the 2007/2008 financial year, moderate to serious injuries resulted in claims of more than $13 million. Concern about soaring injury rates and occupational disease in the metal manufacturing industry led to the formation of the Metal Manufacturing Safer Industry Group. This group is focussed on helping industry members turn this trend around.
The most common injuries include soft tissue injuries (eg sprains and strains), amputations, lacerations and puncture wounds, fractures and dislocations and noise-induced hearing loss.
The manufacturing industry represents around 25% of all claims for noise-induced hearing loss, more than any other industry. See Noise-induced hearing loss for further information.
Contact metal@acc.co.nz for further information on the most common types of injuries in the metal manufacturing industry.
What can I do to reduce injuries?
The Metal Industry Guidelines for Safe Work outline a number of practical ways to manage hazards and improve health and safety in the workplace. The emphasis is on providing employers, supervisors and workers in the metal industry with practical tips that can be used in everyday work practices to improve safety, reduce occupational illness and bring down injury rates.
You can order the ACC4389 Metal Industry Guidelines for Safe Work on CD, download individual sections from the publications page or request a hard copy by emailing metal@acc.co.nz.
Remember everybody has a role to play in preventing and reducing injuries in the workplace.
WorkSafe programme
Use ACC’s key work safety programmes to establish health and safety systems and help keep your business injury-free. For further information see:
What other help is available?
We have a range of tools and resources to help you identify and manage hazards typical to your workplace. See Metal Industry publications.
Many activities undertaken in the metal manufacturing industry are subject to Department of Labour Codes of Practice and Guidelines. These are available from the Department of Labour website: http://www.osh.govt.nz/order/catalogue/index.shtml
Metal Press
Metal Press is a bi-monthly e-newsletter with topical information and helpful tips about health and safety in the metal manufacturing industry. To subscribe or contribute to Metal Press contact metal@acc.co.nz.
Last updated: 20 April 2009