Record turnout for NQ work safety conference

Published Friday, 20 April, 2018 at 09:00 AM

Minister for Education and Minister for Industrial Relations
The Honourable Grace Grace

A record crowd is attending the North Queensland Injury Prevention and Return to Work Conference in Townsville today.

Opening the conference at the Ville Resort, Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said the high turnout highlighted the community’s increasing awareness of these important issues.

“I’m so pleased more than 300 people are attending this conference in North Queensland today,” Ms Grace said.

“The conference is a must for safety and return to work professionals in the state’s north.

“The Palaszczuk Government is proud to support this important event because we are committed to looking after injured Queenslanders and getting them safely back to work.

“For the first time, this year’s conference will have a specific focus on injury prevention in the workplace.

“As we know, there’s no better way to avoid the personal and financial cost of workplace tragedies, than by preventing them.”

Attending the event with Minister Grace today, Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said workplace health safety was an important issue.

“It’s great to have the Minister in North Queensland for this event,” Mr Harper said.

“As a former paramedic, I know all too well how devastating workplace accidents and injuries can be so I encourage delegates at the conference to take their learning back to their workplaces to share with their colleagues."

Ms Grace said the conference program featured high profile keynote speakers, including Australia’s leading demographer Bernard Salt.

“Other keynote speakers include hand and plastic reconstructive surgeon Dr Cameron Mackay, organisational psychologist Simon Brown-Greaves, neuroscientist Dr Stanley Rodski, and fatigue expert Dr Matthew Thomas,” she said.

“Workers, employers, health experts and other highly credentialed professionals will highlight the latest strategies for keeping workers safe, and getting those who are injured healthy and back on the job as soon as possible.

“There will also be insights into safety leadership, musculoskeletal disorders, fatigue hazards and mental health issues.”

The conference program also included a networking event and a breakfast seminar for doctors to look at managing work-related psychological conditions.

For more information visit worksafe.qld.gov.au

Media enquiries: Emma Clarey – 0439 578 472