Last chance to win accolades for safe work innovations

Queensland workplaces have until the end of the month to enter this year's Safe Work and Return to Work Awards.

Treasurer and Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations Curtis Pitt said the awards showcased companies’ commitment to keeping workers safe and helping those who are injured get back to meaningful work.

"Their safety leadership is saving lives and helping boost productivity for business and industry,” Mr Pitt said.

“Previous winning entries have included custom built cattle cross-loaders and gates to protect workers from livestock, healthy worker programs that are reducing obesity and smoking rates, computerised pre-task simulation programs for awkward, heavy and risky jobs, mobile safety apps, and virtual emergency simulation safety training.”

“We have also seen organisations drastically re-design workspaces to accommodate injured workers or re-train staff in other roles including a construction worker who severely injured his hand and now works as an accountant

“Preventable workplace deaths are unacceptable yet, tragically, around 40 Queenslanders die each year at work and more than 5,000 suffer permanent injury.’

"That’s why the awards are so important - showcasing individuals and businesses who think outside the square to make their workplace as safe as possible.”

There are eight safe work award categories:

•  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

There are five return to work categories:

• Injured worker achievement 
• Employer achievement – small/medium employer (fewer than 200 employees)
• Employer achievement – large employer (more than 200 employees)
• Rehabilitation and return to work coordinator achievement 
• Best demonstrated leadership in return to work (closed category – nominees selected by judges from entrants in categories 1 – 4).

Entries close 29 June 2015 and winners will be announced at a ceremony on 21 October 2015. To nominate someone go to: www.worksafe.qld.gov.au

Media contact:  0419 945 546