FED: Poor literacy, numeracy threaten workers' safety - report

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-2009
FED: Poor literacy, numeracy threaten workers' safety - report

SYDNEY, Aug 31 AAP - One of Australia's largest business groups has launched a project
to address the impact of poor worker literacy and numeracy, which it says is causing accidents
and costing the economy millions.

Fairfax newspapers say Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows almost half of all
working Australians have less than the minimum literacy and numeracy levels required to
meet the demands of everyday work.

The chief executive of Australian Industry Group, Heather Ridout, says some workers
cannot read standard operating procedures, and use machinery inefficiently, resulting
in products needing to be reworked and materials wasted.

The inability of some workers to read training materials makes it difficult to give
them new skills or prepare them for higher duties, she told Fairfax.

Ms Ridout said poor literacy also contributes to avoidable injuries and accidents where
employees are unable to fully comprehend warning signs, written instructions and other
safety guidance.

Ms Ridout said her group's project, funded by the Department of Education, Employment
and Workplace Relations, will provide a model for addressing problems in many workplaces.

AAP ao

KEYWORD: LITERACY

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