State work safety awards set to celebrate success

Published Wednesday, 13 April, 2016 at 11:00 AM

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, Minister for Racing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Grace Grace

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace today officially launched the 2016 Queensland Safe Work and Return to Work Awards in Brisbane.

Ms Grace said the awards recognise and reward the efforts of businesses and individuals who are excelling at keeping Queensland workers safe.

“They’re also about getting injured workers back to meaningful work as soon as they are able,” she said.

“Good safety and return to work practices benefit everyone – workers, employers, a business’s bottom line and the Queensland economy.

“That’s why it’s so important to celebrate and share success stories and encourage businesses to develop safety and return to work policies.”

Ms Grace said Queensland businesses and workplaces had a strong history of developing innovative work health and safety and return to work strategies.

"Over the years we have seen some amazing solutions from Queensland businesses and many of our winners have gone on to take out national awards,” she said.

“Thanks to their efforts, work related deaths and injuries are trending down and our businesses are paying the lowest workers’ compensation rates in the country.

“Please take the time to nominate yourself or someone else for the Awards so that these ideas and solutions can be shared with other workplaces across the state.”

Businesses or individuals are invited to nominate for 11 categories, and could be considered by the judges for a further two closed categories:

• Cat 1 – Best work health and safety management system
• Cat 2 - Best solution to an identified work health and safety issue
• Cat 3 - Best work health and safety practices in small business
• Cat 4 - Best individual contribution to work health and safety
• Cat 5 - Best solution to an identified electrical safety issue
• Cat 6 - Most significant improvement to work health and safety performance
• Cat 7 - Best workplace health and wellbeing initiative
• Cat 8 (closed) - Best demonstrated leadership in work health and safety
• Cat 9 - Injured worker achievement award
• Cat 10 - Best rehabilitation and return to work practices in small/medium business
• Cat 11 - Best rehabilitation and return to work management system
• Cat 12 - Best individual contribution to rehabilitation and return to work
• Cat 13 (closed) - Best demonstrated leadership in return to work

“Aside from the acclaim and kudos that comes with being an Awards winner, there are cash prizes up for grabs too - $1000 for most categories and $2000 for some,” Ms Grace said.

Nominations for the 2016 Queensland Safe Work and Return to Work awards close on 24 June. The winners will be announced during a gala breakfast at the Royal International Convention Centre, RNA Showgrounds on 18 October right in the middle of Safe Work Month.

Around 400 people will attend the event, including finalists, sponsors, dignitaries and WHSQ Safety Ambassador Shane Webcke.

For further information on how to nominate for this year’s Safe Work and Return to Work awards, visit worksafe.qld.gov.au

Media Contact: Martin Philip 0427 919 548