National OHS finalists announced

The finalists of the 2006 Safe Work Australia Awards have been announced by Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Joe Hockey.

The awards are designed to acknowledge organisations and individuals who have demonstrated leadership and innovation in improving safety at their workplace.

The 33 finalists are all winners of their state awards and are now competing for the national awards, an initiative of the ASCC.

"More than 300 people die from work-related injuries each year. That's too many lives lost," Hockey said when he announced the finalists.

"In addition, 140,440 Australians suffered a work-related injury or disease during 2004"05. This equates to 385 employees each day who make an injury- or disease-related workers compensation claim involving one week or more off work."

An independent judging panel will consider all finalist submissions in five categories: Best Workplace Health and Safety Management System; Best Solution to an Identified Workplace Health and Safety Issue; Best Workplace Health and Safety Practices in Small Business; Public Sector Leadership Award for Injury Prevention and Management; and Best Individual Contribution to Workplace Health and Safety.

The 2006 award winners will be announced by Minister Hockey and the chairman of the ASCC, Bill Scales at an official awards ceremony at Old Parliament House on 23 April 2007.