Safety first for Queenslanders

Published Tuesday, 30 April, 2013 at 05:00 AM

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
The Honourable Jarrod Bleijie

It truly was “safety first” for Queenslanders who scooped a swag of titles in the eighth national Safe Work Awards.

Attorney General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie congratulated the winners, who were announced in Canberra on last night (29 April).

“Queensland is well and truly leading the way in making our workplaces safer for everyone," Mr Bleijie said.

“The Safe Work Awards show just what can be achieved when government and industry work together to make safer workplaces.

“We need to think outside the box when it comes to improving safety.

“Every year more than 5,000 Queenslanders are permanently injured, and tragically 25 people die, as a result of traumatic workplace incidents.

“I hope these wins inspire greater efforts from all workplaces to keep their workers safe and share their initiatives with others.”

Origin Alliance, Zemek Engineering Pty Ltd and Paul Gear from Gold Coast City Council were named national champions in the categories Best Workplace Health and Safety Management System, Best Workplace Health and Safety Practice/s in a Small Business and Best Individual Contribution to Workplace Health and Safety by a Work Health and Safety Manager respectively.

Mr Bleijie said everyone had the right to go to work in the morning and come home at night.

"Nominations are now open for the 2013 Queensland Safe Work Awards, and I join with Safety Ambassador Mal Meninga in encouraging all organisations to consider nominating and to share their safety solutions.”

For the first time, all entries will be eligible for nominations in the final category Best Demonstrated Leadership.

“I look forward to seeing plenty of nominations come in, and to see Queensland continue showing the rest of the country how it’s done.”

For more information, to enter the awards or nominate someone else, visit www.worksafe.qld.gov.au or call the WHS Infoline on 1300 369 915.

[ENDS] 30 April 2013

Media Contact: Ashley McDermid 0412 731 355 or Katherine Hornbuckle 0402 862 351