Share your vision for a safer Queensland

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace has launched the 2019 Safe Work and Return to Work Awards.

Ms Grace said nominations are now open for the annual awards, with entries due by Friday, June 21.

“These awards put a spotlight on the leaders in work health and safety who challenge the norm,” Ms Grace said.

“If you have made your workplace safer or helped a workmate get back on the job quickly and safely, then now is the time to share your story with all of Queensland.

“It doesn’t matter what industry you are in, where you operate, or how big or small your workforce is. We want other businesses to hear about your successes and see if they can make their own workplace safer or get injured workers back on the job faster.

“I’d encourage all Queensland businesses and individuals to put their hat in the ring.”

Ms Grace said a major new category has been added to the list in 2019, called Best demonstrated healthy and safe work design.

“Designing healthy and safe work is fundamental to improving health, safety and wellbeing in the workplace and is a focus of Queensland’s Work Health and Safety Board’s five-year strategic plan.”

In 2018, Christmas Creek Cattle Company at Rolleston took out two major awards – Best solution to an identified work health and safety issue (small to medium business), and Best demonstrated leadership in work health and safety.

“By thinking outside the square, this company used existing culverts under the road to safely move livestock from one property to another, avoiding dangerous highway crossings,” Ms Grace said.

Last year, Nerang based P.T. Automation Solutions took out the award for Best solution to an identified electrical safety issue after finding maintenance technicians were at risk while undertaking fault finding and analysis activities on switchboards.

“This company started using QR codes to access as-built and updated installation, operations and maintenance manual documentation,” Ms Grace said.

“We receive fantastic nominations like these from all parts of the state, so I look forward to seeing the calibre of entries in 2019.”

The 2019 categories are:

Category 1 – Best solution to an identified health and safety issue

Category 2 – Best individual contribution to work health and safety

Category 3 – Best solution to an identified electrical safety issue

Category 4 – Most significant improvement to work health and safety performance

Category 5 – Best commitment to work health and wellbeing

Category 6 – Best demonstrated leadership in work health and safety (Closed category – entrants are chosen by the judging panels from categories one to five)

Category 7 – Injured worker achievement award (serious injury and return to work)

Category 8 – Best rehabilitation and return to work management system

Category 9 – Best individual contribution to rehabilitation and return to work

Category 10 – Best demonstrated leadership in return to work (Closed category – entrants are chosen by the judging panels from categories seven to nine)

New Category 11 - Best demonstrated healthy and safe work design (Closed category – entrants are chosen by the judging panels from categories one to five, eight and nine)

The winners will be announced by Safety Ambassador Shane Webcke in October, during Safe Work Month.  

More details are available at worksafe.qld.gov.au.

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Media contact: Scott Chandler 0439 578 472