WorkSafe Victoria have announced that the entries for 2009 WorkSafe Victoria awards are now open. The awards recognise health and safety committees and health and safety representatives, workers, employers and companies which are making an outstanding commitment to workplace health and safety in Victoria.
According to John Merritt, Executive Director, WorkSafe Victoria, the awards were a means of encouraging everyone in the community to do more about making their workplaces safer. More than ever in hard times, maintaining high safety standards has to be a priority. Sharing the experiences with others through an awards nomination is one way that can help others.
Following are the WorkSafe Victoria awards 2009 categories:
Health and Safety Representative of the Year: This category acknowledges a Health and Safety Representative (HSR) who has made a difference to health and safety within their Designated Work Group (DWG) by demonstrating commitment to representing members of their DWG and bringing occupational health and safety issues to the attention of the employer. The category also recognises health and safety representatives who are able to facilitate positive outcomes and demonstrate persistence in difficult environments.
Health and Safety Committee of the Year: This category acknowledges a Health and Safety Committee (HSC) that has demonstrated a high level of commitment to health and safety, represents all interests in the workplace, and is highly consultative.
Best Health and Safety Initiative in a Small Business: This category acknowledges the work done by a small business (less than 20 employees) which is aimed at improving occupational health and safety in their workplace. This category may address specific solutions to identified risks, a systematic approach to OHS management; or any other practice that has improved the occupational health and safety performance of businesses.
Best Design for Workplace Safety: This category acknowledges a design organisation for the innovative design of a building, structure or plant that eliminates or reduces a workplace risk.
Best Strategy for Health and Safety Management: This category acknowledges the way organisations manage and improve workplace health and safety. Entries may vary from effective management processes, effective ways of consulting with employees and contractors, risk reduction programs, to the inclusion of occupational health and safety processes into other aspects of an organisation’s activities.
Best Solution for Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders: For an innovation, invention or initiative that eliminates or reduces the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This could be a solution such as a single engineering control or a number of risk controls packaged together.
Best Solution to a Health and Safety Risk: For an innovation or invention in workplace health and safety, that eliminates or reduces a risk. This could include a specific issue or a group of initiatives such as changes to the work environment, new equipment, an engineering control or design solution or it could be an entirely new work process.
Last year’s WorkSafe Award recipients
- Health and Safety Representative of the Year – joint recipients
- Derek Jones - OTIS Elevator Company, South Melbourne and William B. Thomson - Department of Human Services, Melbourne Youth Justice Centre, Melbourne
- Health and Safety Committee of the Year - Kmart Supply Chain, Hoppers Crossing
- Best Design for Workplace Safety - Toll Autologistics -Vehicles in partnership with J. Smith & Sons, Laverton North
- Best Health and Safety Initiative for Small Business - Bill Grant Engineering, Bendigo.New inventors listing
- Best Solution for Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders - Toll in2store & Layer Tech, Altona North
- Best Solution to a Health and Safety Risk - Smarter Safer Solutions, Portland
- Best Strategy for Health and Safety Management - Nestle Uncle Tobys, Wahgunyah