A high number of Australian men die or are seriously injured each year while working under their cars using vehicle jacks, stands, and/or ramps, and Consumer Protection is keen to see a dramatic drop in these incidents.
Research undertaken by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) found that, in less than 10 years, 46 fatalities involving car jacks, vehicle ramps or blocks were reported.
WA Commissioner for Consumer Protection Anne Driscoll said a national safety campaign, targeting men aged 18 – 40, will aim to raise awareness about the risks associated with do-ityourself (DIY) vehicle maintenance and the simple steps to minimise the risks.
“Because practitioners of DIY vehicle maintenance tend to ignore product warning labels and disregard the risk of death and serious injury from lifting and suspending vehicles, various Australian government agencies got together and found innovative ways to get the message to the target audience,” Ms Driscoll said.
“40,000 free postcards will hit stands in cinemas, pubs and cafés around the country encouraging car jack users to enter an online competition to win prizes like six laps in a V8 supercar, with one West Australian guaranteed to win.
“Entrants just have to watch a short video clip made especially for the campaign and answer a simple question about it. The dedicated website with all you need to know about working under a vehicle is easily viewed on a mobile phone, and the competition runs until the end of January.”
The WA Commissioner urged people to call WA Consumer Protection 1300 30 40 54 for a copy of the new brochure about working under vehicles, or for more information about the mandatory safety standards for car jacks, stands and ramps.
Information about doing DIY work safely under a car, and entry to the competition can be found at: www.productsafety.gov.au/dontbeajackass. The competition closes at 2 pm on Tuesday, 31 January 2012.
Contact details
WA Consumer Protection
Media Contact: Alan Hynd
Telephone: (08)9282 0961 or 0429-078791
Email: alan.hynd@commerce.wa.gov.au, or cpmedia@commerce.wa.gov.au www.commerce.wa.gov.au
Fax: (08) 9282 0857 Website:www.wa.gov.au.
In addition more information is available for suppliers from www.productsafety.gov.au/dontbeajackass