Entries for 2011 WorkSafe Awards closing soon

Businesses and individuals who submit their entry online at worksafeawards.com before the closing date of 31 August 2011 may be eligible to become a finalist and compete for an award at the dinner. Entries submitted after 31 August will be considered for the 2012 Awards.

The annual WorkSafe Victoria Awards have been expanded and improved this year, introducing quick and easy online entry, broader categories and a public voting system that will help highlight Victoria’s greatest success stories. WorkSafe’s Deputy Chief Executive, Ian Forsyth, said the new-look awards gave workplaces and individuals who had shown a commitment to safety, health and wellbeing or helping injured people return to work the incentive to enter the awards.

The public can also get involved in highlighting success stories. Under the new awards structure, anyone can enter, nominate or vote on an entry at: www.worksafeawards.com.

The new awards offer many opportunities for recognition for businesses of all sizes:

• The entries with the most votes from the public and industry experts and professionals each month will have their achievements promoted by WorkSafe.
• These entries may also be invited to contend for the prestigious annual WorkSafe Awards, at a dinner held on 19 October 2011.
• In February 2012, the 100 most popular entrants as voted by the public, industry experts and professionals and will be announced as the WorkSafe 100 for 2011. These organisations will be able to promote their achievement to their staff, customers and other key stakeholders.

The new WorkSafe Awards website would become an online community for entrants, where businesses can showcase, promote and share workplace initiatives and achievements, said Forsyth. “Every entry will feature on the WorkSafe Awards website, and anyone will be able to comment, vote and share entries through social-media channels,” said Forsyth. “The site will become a tool that businesses all over Australia can use to find innovative ideas for safety, health and wellbeing, and return to work ideas which will help their businesses or coworkers.”

WorkSafe Awards entry categories:

Health and safety

Best health and safety initiative in a small business
Best solution to a workplace health and safety issue
Best health and safety committee
Best health and safety representative
Best OHS management system

Return to work

Employer excellence
Occupational rehabilitation provider achievement
Treating health practitioner achievement
Return to work coordinator excellence
Worker return to work achievement

Health and wellbeing
Commitment to workplace health and wellbeing