Unauthorised access to work areas The purpose of this Safety Alert is to highlight the dangers of having unauthorised persons within the work area.

Background To raise awareness for businesses that allow unauthorised access (general public admission) to workshops, work and storage areas that can result in serious injury. Children are particularly at risk when accessing these areas.

The following factors and actions need to be considered to ensure hazards are identified and mitigated.

Contributing factors  No separation or demarcation of ‘high risk’ areas.

 Unauthorised access to workshop, work and storage areas.

 Inappropriate storage of equipment and materials.

 No risk assessment or hazard identification in workshop areas.

 Customers waiting in workshop, work and storage areas.

Action required  No access signage erected to warn unauthorised persons and to be policed by staff.

 Install barriers for work areas that take into consideration access and egress to work areas.

 Appropriate storage of materials, tools and equipment, for example, the use of shelving or similar.

 Identification and risk management of potential hazards.

Further information

Legislation  section 20 Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act

1 Safety Alert - Name (version 1.0 – Day Month Year)  Part 3.1 Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations.

Guidance publications  A Guide to Automotive Workshop Safety, WorkSafe Victoria

 How to Manage Health and Safety Risks, Code of Practice

Contact details NT WorkSafe: 1800 019 115

Email us at [email protected]

For more information on work health and safety, go to NT WorkSafe’s website at www.worksafe.nt.gov.au

Disclaimer

This Safety Alert contains safety information following inquires made by NT WorkSafe about an incident or unsafe practice. The information contained in this Alert does not necessarily include the outcome of NT WorkSafe’s action with respect to an incident. NT WorkSafe does not warrant the information in this Alert is complete or up-to-date and does not accept any liability for the information in this report or as to its use.

2 Safety Alert - Name (version 1.0 – Day Month Year)