Wednesday 17th March 2021

Local manufacturers to see a boost from the new $1.5 billion Government investment. 

The Australian Government has recently invested $1.5 billion into its Modern Manufacturing Strategy (MMS). The change will result in improved availability and safety of consumer goods.

The investment is available to two of the six priority manufacturing sectors. Manufacturers can apply for a grant to strengthen their local supply chain, handle mass production, up-skill employees, scale-up and improve competitiveness.

Quality management expert at SAI Global Saeid Nikdel said, 'Our high safety legislation, codes of practice, and quality standards are the reasons why Australian-made products are so popular in international markets. As our manufacturers start to produce more locally, they can place a stronger focus on providing quality and safety products and services by certifying to Quality Management System ISO 9001 and OHS Management System ISO 45001.'

Nikdel is optimistic that the $1.5 billion Government investment will improve its target markets of space, resources technology, critical minerals processing, food and beverage, medical products, recycling and clean energy and defence sectors.

The full article can be found on the Manufacturers Monthly website.

WorkSafe Victoria urges all workplaces to prioritise health and safety. 

All Victorian workplaces are being urged to prioritise health and safety after 65 tragic workplace deaths in 2020.

WorkSafe chief executive Colin Radford said, 'every death was a tragedy for families, workplaces and communities grappling with the loss of a loved one.'

The 2020 toll includes 29 workers who died in a Victorian workplace incident and 20 workers who died in work-related road incidents. A further 13 workers died from the effects of disease contracted due to their work, one from a work-related medical incident and one from a workplace-related suicide.

It doesn't matter if workers are on a construction site, farm, office, or road; health and safety should travel with them wherever they are working.

Mr Radford said, 'Slow down, check your systems of work and make sure you are doing everything possible to eliminate or manage these risks because the cost of not doing so can be a life.'

Make sure to check out our Workplace Health and Safety Policy.

More on this topic can be found on the WorkSafe Vic website.