Talk, think and work safe: Health and Safety Week Victoria

A world leader in mental health care, a young sportsman who recovered from a catastrophic workplace injury, an expert in dealing with major emergencies and specialists in pain management are among the speakers at Health and Safety Week in Victoria.

The event, run by WorkSafe Victoria, is designed to raise awareness and promote excellence and innovation in workplace health and safety. It will kick off later this month with a series of one-day events across Victoria before ending with a three-day symposium at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 26–28 October.

The theme this year will be ‘Talk safe. Think safe. Work safe’ with more than 70 free seminars, many available online, on topics like construction safety, hazards in health care, managing fatigue in the transport sector, workplace bullying, how to store and handle dangerous goods, practical controls in retail and return to work strategies.

“Reducing workplace injuries is everyone’s responsibility so it is important we seek out new ways to do things better,” said Clare Amies, WorkSafe chief executive.

“The seminars will be educational and informative, and I encourage anyone with a passion to improve health and safety in their workplace to attend.”

Regional events are planned for Geelong, Warrnambool, Ballarat, Bendigo and Mildura between 19 and 23 October, while the Victorian Trades Hall Council has organised a full-day program for Health and Safety Representatives on 27 October. WorkSafe is also supporting events planned by local health and safety groups at Port Fairy on 20 October, Horsham on 21 October, and Shepparton and Altona on 27 October.

“We have brought together experts in a wide range of OHS fields, as well as business leaders who have made workplace health and safety a building block to their organisation’s success,” said Aimes.

“Most Victorian businesses understand the value of workplace health and safety but there is always more that can be done. This event gives employers an opportunity to learn more.”

All seminars in Health and Safety Week are free, but bookings are essential. For more details, or to register, go to worksafeweek.com.au.

Keynote and guest presenters

• Sapna Mahajan — Director of Prevention and Promotion Initiatives at the Mental Health Commission of Canada, who oversees workplace mental health, e-mental health and peer support.
• Craig Lapsley — Victoria’s first Emergency Management Commissioner was appointed in 2014 and is responsible for the overall response to major emergencies, including coordinating the management of the consequences of the emergency.
• Jack Swift — At 21 he had his right leg crushed under an excavator while working in the construction industry. He made a remarkable return to work and is now a world-class athlete.
• Susan Alberti AO — Co-founder and managing director of the DANSU Group, a large-scale commercial and industrial builder, who is also the chair of the Susan Alberti Medical Research Foundation and VP of the Western Bulldogs Football Club.
• Frank Costa AO OAM — Chairman of Costa Brothers, the largest privately owned grower, packager, marketer, distributor and exporter of fresh fruit and vegetables and grains in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Jacqui Stanford and Nick Economos — Directors of Empower Rehab, a clinic that specialises in treating injured workers with persistent pain, and training health and return to work professionals about the management of workers with ongoing pain to help their recovery.