Injury prevention and return to work in spotlight at Brisbane conference

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace today opened the annual Injury Prevention and Return to Work Conference in Brisbane, showcasing the latest research and developments in work health and safety and return to work.

KPMG partner and demographic expert Bernard Salt is one of a number of expert speakers at the conference, which is being attended by over 700 health and safety professionals.

Ms Grace said the event provided hundreds of work safety professionals with up to date trends in their line of work.

“The conference is the flagship event in a very busy Safe Work Month, which has seen health and safety professionals gathering throughout Queensland to share ideas about how to make our workplaces safer and assist people back to work.

“There’s no better way to avoid the financial and personal cost of workplace tragedies than preventing them – doing our very best to make sure they don’t happen.

“And just as important, if incidents do occur, having systems in place to help get valued employees back on the job as soon as safely possible.

“Work plays an important role in any rehab process, as the act of doing promotes recovery.”

Of special interest to the rehab and return to work coordinators who attended the conference was the news that the Government is running the Getting back advertising campaign again.

“It reminds people of just how important it is for workers to get back on deck as soon as they can,” Ms Grace said.

“Long periods off work can significantly reduce the likelihood of an injured worker ever returning to work and often has a negative effect on the worker and their family.

“Employers who encourage and support workers to recover on the job often achieve the best results, with employees able to contribute at work as they build towards full duties.”

Ms Grace said the winners and finalists of the Queensland Safe Work and Return to Work Awards, announced yesterday, were a shining example of how to support workers in safe workplaces on the job.

“These companies are not only setting the bar in rehab and return to work, they are sharing their successful strategies with other businesses,” she said. 

“Good safety management in the workplace delivers benefits not only for workers and their families, but for businesses and the State economy.” 

For more information visit www.worksafe.qld.gov.au

Media contact: Martin Philip 0427 919 548