Program underway for WorkSafe Health and Safety Month

Ambassadors have now been announced for the WorkSafe Victoria Health and Safety Month.

Actor Catherine McClements and AFL player Cameron Ling will promote activities in Melbourne and across the state for the event, which will run from 4 October–1 November.

Seminars will be held in around Victoria on a range of topics, including the safety of young workers, an international perspective on health and safety, what to expect during a workplace inspection, OHS issues for small businesses, drugs and alcohol in the workplace, occupational violence, workplace bullying and quad bike safety.

McClements said it was pleasing to see the focus on physical and emotional wellbeing in the workplace in this year’s program.

“Workplace bullying, violence and aggression at work, and even overcoming barriers to return to work after an injury or significant event, can have a huge impact on one’s mental health and their ability to work,” she said.

“It’s really heartening to see these topics being covered across the state during Health and Safety Month and for the mental health and wellbeing of workers to be given the recognition it deserves.”

This will be the second year in a row as ambassador for Ling, who will launch the event at an invitation-only Business Leaders’ Breakfast at Zinc at Federation Square.

“I am honoured to have again been asked to promote an event which ultimately aims to ensure that workers get home safely at the end of the day,” he said.

“We all have a role to play in workplace safety, so I encourage Victorians to learn more during Health and Safety Month.”

Alan Newey, a workplace accident survivor and recipient of Australia’s first mind-controlled bionic arm, will share his experience with a Mildura audience on 17 October.

Meanwhile, Essendon Football Club Chairman and former Federal Minister for Finance Lindsay Tanner will deliver the keynote address on Leadership in Mental Health at a special symposium in Melbourne on 1 November.

There will be other regional events held in Geelong, Hamilton, Port Fairy, Warrnambool, Ballarat, Bendigo, Horsham, Swan Hill, Wangaratta, Echuca, Shepparton, Morwell and Wodonga.

WorkSafe Chief Executive Clare Amies said she hopes as many Victorians as possible can take part in the event, which is now in its 25th year.

“The free seminars not only give employers and workers the chance to hear from experts on a broad range of subjects, but they will enable participants to equip themselves with the knowledge and skills needed to work more safely,” she said.

The 2017 WorkSafe Awards will also be announced at the Crown Palladium on 19 October as part of Health and Safety Week. Twenty-six Victorian businesses, health and safety representatives and individuals are finalists in the awards, which recognise outstanding contributions to workplace health and safety and to helping injured workers return to work.