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South Australia prioritises wine safety with new best practice video

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Ensuring safety best practice in vineyards, wineries and cellar doors is behind the South Australian government’s $60,000 funding support to update the Wine Industry Safety Induction Video. 

The funding will enable the South Australian Wine Industry Association (SAWIA) to oversee the production of the video, which will replace the existing 11-year-old version used right across the South Australian wine industry. 

A lot has changed since the current wine industry safety induction video was released in 2010, according to minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham. 

“It is fitting that during National Safe Work Month, the Marshall Liberal government is providing support to the wine industry to help make their working environment safer,” he said. 

“Good safety means good business and for our $1.98 billion wine industry it is vital safety systems meet the latest in safety standards given the type of machinery, tools and operations involved in wine making and grape growing. 

“As more technology comes to hand and safety regulations get refined and changed, keeping up with best practice methods can be challenging. By assisting SAWIA to produce this new up to date video it will not only be a useful training tool for industry, but will help to ensure employees, contractors and visitors are kept safe.” 

According to SAWIA chief executive Brian Smedley, the existing training video that was produced in 2010 was in great need of updating and enhancement. 

“Following a review by our Work Health and Safety Committee, we became aware the existing video contains out of date terminology, while some of the hazard controls depicted don’t reflect current industry best practice,” Smedley said. 

“It also does not include advice in relation to managing or considering fatigue risks, working in extreme weather or provide guidance and assistance in relation to mental health in the workplace. 

“While our current training video is still widely used by industry for inducting new and existing employees, a new resource which takes a broader perspective, including mental health, will assist the industry in making further safety improvements, to benefit both business and workers.” 

Smedley said that the video will be included as part of an online training and assessment platform. 

“Focusing on safety is a high priority right across the industry and this new video and training platform, once completed, will be a useful resource as part of a broader support package we provide to our members – assisting them in identifying risks and areas for improvement across their operations, whether it is in the vineyard or the cellar,” he said. 

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