Launch of OHS leadership program in Queensland

Queensland Industrial Relations Minister Cameron Dick recently met with 250 industry and union leaders to seek their commitment on a new program to reduce workplace deaths and injuries.

Dick said the Zero Harm at Work program aims to reduce the shocking number of deaths and injuries in Queensland workplaces: “Ensuring safety in the workplace is one of the most important challenges facing industry in Queensland. Every year around 100 Queenslanders are killed at work and 30,000 people suffer serious injuries or work-related diseases, costing our state more than $5 billion a year. Worst of all, mums, dads, husbands, wives and children are left mourning the family member that never came home from work.

“My government wants to make it clear that workplace health and safety is everyone’s business. Zero Harm at Work aims to build a positive safety culture to help reduce the number and severity of workplace health and safety incidents and to improve safety in all high-risk industries by changing attitudes from the top down.

“We’re asking business, union and public sector leaders to join the forum and drive positive workplace health and safety changes in their organisations. While industry is making progress, there’s still an urgent need for change.

“Dangerous industries, including construction, transport and agriculture, have been targeted by the program to reduce the high numbers of injuries and fatalities. Around 35 organisations have signed up already. Baulderstone was the first company to accept the Zero Harm at Work challenge and I congratulate them for the leadership they’ve shown in their workplace health and safety practices.”

“The ideal model involves sharing knowledge, mentoring staff and providing assistance for smaller businesses. The government is committed to making our workplaces among the healthiest and safest in the nation, but we can’t do it alone. Real and sustainable improvements in workplace health and safety can only be achieved by the engagement and commitment of industry leaders.”

The program is designed to motivate and encourage organisations to voluntarily strive for zero harm at work by:

• providing an ongoing forum to foster and promote leadership in workplace health and safety in the construction industry;
• providing examples of good practices and sharing lessons learnt to assist other workplaces improve;
• promoting the adoption of a zero-harm-at-work culture through cooperation and knowledge sharing; and
• providing practical advice, support, materials and tools to implement a zero-harm culture.