WorkSafe Victoria Awards finalists announced

Finalists for the 23rd Annual WorkSafe Victoria Awards have been announced following a record number of entries in the event’s history. A revamp and restructure of the awards and the introduction of new categories attracted 176 submissions this year. Thirty finalists spanning 11 categories representing safety, health and wellbeing and return to work have been chosen following a rigorous judging process.

Winners from each category will be announced at the awards night, at the Crown Palladium Ballroom on Wednesday 19 October. The finalists, who come from small and large businesses across the state, showcase innovative ideas and leadership in workplace safety, health and return to work. Standout employees, return to work success stories and solutions to safety issues are just some of the categories that will be celebrated on the night. WorkSafe’s Executive Director of Health and Safety, Ian Forsyth, said the interest in the refurbished awards program had been phenomenal.

“We’ve received a wide variety of entries, showcasing how even small changes in the workplace can make a big difference,” he said. “These individuals and businesses have gone above and beyond to make improvements in workplace safety, employee wellbeing and efforts to improve return to work prospects for injured workers.”

Those interested in attending the dinner can book tickets online by 12 October at: www.worksafeawards.com.au. Forsyth said the entrants who did not reach the finalists stage would be recognised via the awards website, which serves as a hub for workplace solutions and ideas.

Entries for the WorkSafe Awards are able to be submitted year round. Any entries received from now may be eligible to receive an Award at the dinner in October 2012. For more information about the WorkSafe Awards, which is a highlight of Work Safe Week (17-27 October) and to view the finalists, visit www.worksafeawards.com.au.

Finalists in the 2011 WorkSafe Awards are:

Health and Safety

OHS Management System of the Year
This award recognises organisations that have demonstrated effective management of health and safety through the implementation of continual improvement strategies and processes.

• Energy Brix Australia Corporation - Morwell
• Grocon Constructors

Best Solution to a Workplace Health and Safety Issue
This award recognises excellence in developing and implementing a solution to an identified workplace health and safety issue.

• Boral Cement for its hydraulically operated slide gate system - Waurn Ponds
• Water Resources Alliance for its safe solution to concrete channel lining - Werribee
• CJM Attachments P/L with Swan Hill Rural City Council for its K-9 KUBE - Swan Hill
• Dulux Group and Robotic Automation for its dry powder robotic make up and finished goods handling system - Dandenong South
• Thiess Degremont Nacap Pipeline JV for its internal working platform for pipeline welding

Best Health and Safety Initiative in a Small Business
This award acknowledges the work by small businesses (less than 20 workers) to introduce significant improvements to workplace health and safety.

• Gecko Surfacing Solutions for its cricket pitch cover applicator and recovery/storage unit - Warragul
• Independent Ezy Access for its SCAFSAFE fall protection system - Campbellfield

Health and Safety Representative of the Year
This award acknowledges health and safety representatives (HSRs) who have made a significant contribution and demonstrable difference to occupational health and safety (OHS) within their designated workgroups.

• Marg Howard - Nestle Uncle Tobys - Wahgunyah
• Paul Harman - Thiess - Wonthaggi

Health and Safety Committee of the Year
This award acknowledges the roles and functions of health and safety committees (HSCs) and recognises performance and achievements that demonstrate high level consultation and commitment to health and safety across the entire workplace.

• Meritor - Sunshine
• RMIT University - Melbourne

Health and Wellbeing

Commitment to Workplace Health and Wellbeing                  
This award recognises leadership in demonstrating a whole-of-organisation commitment to promoting health and wellbeing at work.

• KPMG for its A Healthy YOU - Workplace Wellness Program - Melbourne
• Gippsland Water for its Annual Health and Wellbeing Program - Traralgon
• The Montague Group for its Health and Wellbeing Program - Narre Warren
• Orbost Regional Health for its ‘Orbost Regional Healthy’ Program - Orbost
• InsuranceLine for its ‘Healthy As’ Program - Melbourne

Return to Work

Employer excellence
This award recognises, at an organisational level, an employer’s outstanding efforts to support the return to work of an injured worker(s) to safe and sustainable work in the last 12 months.

• PMP Print - Clayton
• Kings Transport - Notting Hill

Occupational Rehabilitation Provider Achievement
This award recognises an approved occupational rehabilitation provider’s outstanding achievements in returning an injured worker(s) to safe and sustainable work in the last 12 months.

• The Recovre Group - Ballarat/Geelong region
• Nabenet - Hawthorn

Treating Health Practitioner Award
This award recognises a treating health practitioner’s outstanding achievements in returning an injured worker(s) to safe and sustainable work in the last 12 months.

• Anjelo Ratnachandra - Beyond Pain - Ringwood
• Karen Fitt - Melbourne Hand Rehab - Heidelberg Heights

Return to Work Coordinator Excellence
This award recognises an individual Return to Work Coordinator’s outstanding achievements in returning an injured worker(s) to safe and sustainable work.

• Joe O’Meara - Youth Justice Custodial Services - Malmsbury
• Jenny Arnold - Bendigo Health - Bendigo Health
• Mark Munro - Orbost Civil and Civic - Orbost

Worker Return to Work Achievement Award
This award recognises a worker’s outstanding achievements in returning to work following a workplace injury.

• Kylie Bryant - Knox City Council - Wantirna South
• David Smooker - Orbost Civil and Civic - Orbost
• Aldo (Aldolfo) Crespin - PMP Print - Clayton