Make country life a safe life

Quad bike safety was at the top of the agenda at a special work health and safety event hosted by Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie and Queensland rugby league legend Mal Meninga in Roma.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie said the annual work health and safety community breakfast was held in western Queensland for the first time to highlight the dangers of working on the land.

“The Queensland Government is delivering on its election promise to revitalise frontline services and improve safety with an almost 5% decrease in the projected serious injury rate during the 2012-13 financial year,” Mr Bleijie said.

“While that figure is encouraging, workplace incidents are still taking too many Queenslanders’ lives, particularly out west where work is often physical and you’re a long way from help if something goes wrong.

“Quad bikes are useful tools in the country but they were tragically linked to 21 deaths in Australia last year, 11 of which were in Queensland, so it is imperative people use them correctly.

“Workplace Health and Safety Queensland recently released an educational video, highlighting how to ride a quad bike safely and what can happen when you don’t.

“The serious claims rate for the South West region is also a concern, with 16.1 claims per 1,000 employees, which is well above the state average of 13.5 claims per 1,000.

“Education is key and these types of events are about making sure Queenslanders are aware of risks in their workplace and how to effectively reduce them.”

Safety Ambassador Mal Meninga said it was encouraging to see so many locals attend the event.

“I grew up in the state’s north-west and I know country Queenslanders are a tough bunch who get the job done, but they shouldn’t do it unsafely,” Mr Meninga said.

“My father was a country boy through and through and he died in a workplace incident. That’s why I am committed to making Queensland workplaces safer.”

The breakfast, which included exhibitors, trade displays, free health checks, health and safety demonstrations and entertainment, was followed by a work health and safety seminar for industry leaders and regional business representatives.

Mr Bleijie also opened nominations for the 2014 Queensland Safe Work Awards, which showcased some of the state’s finest innovative work health and safety initiatives.

“These awards are about recognising and rewarding individuals and businesses who are thinking outside the box to make their workplace as safe as possible,” he said.

Entries for the Queensland Safe Work Awards close on 27 June and winners will be announced at a ceremony on 23 October 2014.

The video, A rush of blood: the Miles Paterson story, which highlights quad bike safety can be viewed online: http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/publications/multimedia/rush-of-blood/index.htm

For further information on the Work Health & Safety events in Roma or the Queensland Safe Work Awards, visit www.worksafe.qld.gov.au or call the WHS Infoline on 1300 369 915.

[ENDS] 30 April 2014

Media Contact: Ashley McDermid 0412 731 355 or Jaime Wells 0409 624 139