The initiative will involve 1500 printers across NSW, with finance minster Joe Tripodi saying the “aim is to help printing businesses achieve greater workplace safety results, improved risk assessment, and better injury management through the delivery of practical information, as well as the development of an occupational health and safety Resource Centre on the PIAA’s website”.

“During 2007-08 there were 378 injuries among printing industry workers in New South Wales costing the WorkCover Scheme more than $6 million dollars,” Tripodi said.

“This new program will target key areas such as injury management and workplace consultation to assist businesses to deliver sustainable occupational health and safety outcomes.

“The12-month partnership program include tailored workshops and advisory visits by WorkCover staff to businesses in the printing industry.”

PIAA CEO Philip Andersen said the partnership with WorkCover NSW is an important step in building industry sustainability.

“The basic message behind this relationship is that ‘safe business is good business’,” Andersen said.

“Our industry is facing many challenges ranging from perceptions about its environmental credentials and ability to attract talented young people, to keeping pace with technological change and coping with the global economic crisis.

“This partnership will help answer some of those challenges by positively changing perceptions about industry working conditions and contributing to the performance of New South Wales print companies.”

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