When businesses don’t make workplace health and safety (WHS) a priority, this can result in serious injuries, workers’ compensation and personal disability claims and – in some cases – even death.
In 2012, a total of 212 employees died as a result of work-related injuries. While this number dropped to 186 employees in 2013 – a step in the right direction – there is still plenty of work that needs to be done. In fact, as of February 4, a staggering 11 employees have already been killed in businesses across the country.
One way that Safe Work Australia is trying to combat this problem is by organising the Safe Work Australia Awards each year. This event has now been running for nine years and serves to recognise the best of the best when it comes to WHS.
The finalists of 2014 have just been released by Safe Work Australia, and once again they are an “inspiring” group, states Ann Sherry, Safe Work Australia Chair.
She explained in a January 30 media statement the level of innovation and commitment to WHS that each of this year’s 28 nominees have exhibited over the past 12 months is truly outstanding, and something that all businesses and employees Down Under should aspire to.
New South Wales businesses take steps to promote WHS and reduce TPD claims
There are four categories in which businesses and individuals can be granted awards. These are Best Workplace Health and Safety Management System, Best Solution to an Identified Workplace Health and Safety Issue, Best Workplace Health and Safety Practice in a Small Business, and Best Individual Contribution to Workplace Health and Safety.
New South Wales businesses have been nominated in every category. It should be noted the two New South Wales businesses that are finalists in the Best Workplace Health and Safety Management System – Veolia Environmental Solutions and the State Water Corporation – actually won the top prize in 2013 for their work in the private and public sector, respectively.
Veolia Environmental Solutions is once again up for this coveted accolade for introducing a new safety system into its operations. Titled ‘Always Safe – No Compromise’, the safety system focuses on boosting WHS training, placing an emphasis on risk management and organising “visible leadership activities” to improve safety awareness, reveals Safe Work Australia.
So far, it has managed to reduce the business’s “lost-time injury frequency rate” to zero. A “lost-time injury” is defined as one that results in death, total permanent disability (TPD) or an employee taking at least one day or shift off work.
If you have suffered a “lost-time injury”, you could be entitled to injury compensation – so contact Gerard Malouf today.
