Queensland dominates national Safe Work Awards

Published Wednesday, 30 April, 2014 at 04:59 PM

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
The Honourable Jarrod Bleijie

Queensland has again led the way in work health and safety, taking out two of the four categories at the ninth national Safe Work Awards, held in Canberra earlier this week.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie congratulated the winners for their dedication to workplace safety initiatives.

“It is now two years in a row that Queensland companies have dominated the national awards,” Mr Bleijie said.

“Frasers Livestock Transport and Jennifer Bell from RSPCA Queensland were both named national champions in the respective categories of Best solution to an identified work health and safety issue and Best individual contribution to work health and safety by a work health and safety manager.

“I congratulate both of them for their fine and innovative efforts to make their workplaces safer.

“The Government is delivering on its commitment to revitalise frontline services and improve safety with an almost 5% decrease in the projected serious injury rate during the 2012-13 financial year and Queensland is well and truly showing the rest of the country how work health and safety is done.

“However, any preventable workplace death or injury is unacceptable and more can always be done to make our worksites or offices safer.

“Tragically, around 17 Queenslanders die each year as a result of traumatic workplace incidents, and more than 5,000 suffer a permanent injury.

“This is why it’s important the Safe Work Awards showcase individuals and businesses who think outside the square to make their workplace as safe as possible.

“I hope these wins inspire other organisations to get thinking about safety solutions for their work places and to share their initiatives with others.

“Nominations are now open for the 2014 Queensland Safe Awards. I’m joined by Safety Ambassador Mal Meninga in encouraging all organisations to get thinking about safety solutions for their workplace and to consider nominating in the awards.

“I look forward to seeing plenty more innovative ideas in this year’s nominations, and to recognising those who make a real difference.

There are eight award categories available:

  • Best work health and safety management system
  • Best solution to an identified health and safety issue
  • Best work health and safety practices in small business
  • Best individual contribution to work health and safety
  • Best solution to an identified electrical safety
  • Most significant improvement to work health and safety
  • Best workplace health and wellbeing initiative
  • Best demonstrated leadership in work health and safety

Visit www.worksafe.qld.gov.au to enter or nominate someone else, and view example entries and films of previous winning initiatives.

Entries close 27 June and winners will be announced at a ceremony on 23 October 2014.

[ENDS] 30 April 2014

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