Tradies Admit Taking Risks With Power Tools

Bosch And CFMEU Join Together In National Safety Survey - Tradies Admit Safety Comes Second In Order To Get The Job Done

26 October 2010

A national survey of professional tradesmen reveals most workplace injuries involving power tools could have been prevented

A survey of Australian tradies has revealed 72% of building site workers have
compromised their safety in order to get a job done quickly.

Alarmingly close to a quarter of them have been seriously injured in a workplace
accident involving a power tool, some more than once, with one third of those
injured admitting the accident could have been prevented.

The safety survey was conducted by the world's leading power tool manufacturer, Bosch - in partnership with Australia's biggest construction union, the CFMEU - in a bid to reduce the number of workplace injuries caused by power tools.

CFMEU National Secretary Dave Noonan says he is most concerned that 71% of
those surveyed thought safety was not considered enough of a priority on
Australian building sites.

"When you look at the consequences to lives when safety takes a back seat on a
building site, there can be no excuse," he said.

Bosch is committed to decreasing the number of on-site injuries by fitting its
power tools with a range of safety features.

However, senior brand manager of Bosch Professional power tools, Tim Feldman, said it is still up to tradies to understand how to prevent accidents on site.

"Whilst we are aware of the statistics relating to workplace deaths and injuries, other insidious injuries such as those caused by power tool vibration or mishandling of power tools remain largely unknown,"

The survey also found that;

* Almost half of tradies surveyed are not familiar with how to prevent long- term damage such as hand/arm vibration related injuries caused by overuse of tools, and
* 91% of tradies would support national guidelines around vibration control for power tools.

Bosch Power tools have created a special micro-site www.bosch-pt.com.au/safety highlighting health and safety issues, with useful tips and guides to the correct handling and use of power tools, including a vibration calculator.

Bosch products incorporate innovative technology to advance workers' health and safety protection, including anti-vibration technology, dust extraction, lightweight eco-friendly cordless tools and high-tech security features including kick-back stop, restart protection, soft start and protective guards.

Contact person for press inquiries:

Lahra Carey or Kathryn Elliott phone: +61 39685 3193 Email: [email protected]

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. According to preliminary figures, some 270,000 associates generated sales of roughly 38 billion euros in the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology in fiscal 2009. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 300 subsidiaries and regional companies in over 60 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. Each year, Bosch spends more than 3.5 billion euros for research and development, and applies for over 3,000 patents worldwide. With all its products and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial.

The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as "Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering." The special ownership structure of Robert Bosch GmbH guarantees the entrepreneurial freedom of the Bosch Group, making it possible for the company to plan over the long term and to undertake significant up-front investments in the safeguarding of its future. Ninety-two percent of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, a charitable foundation. The majority of voting rights are held by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG, an industrial trust. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by the trust. The remaining shares are held by the Bosch family and by Robert Bosch GmbH.

Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch.com.

SOURCE: Bosch Blue