Safety initiatives recognised ahead of Safe Work Month

Thirty Queenslanders and businesses have been recognised for their exceptional health and safety initiatives and getting injured employees back on the job in the annual Safe Work and Return to Work Awards.  

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace announced the finalists on September 1, 2017 in 10 categories for their outstanding results in work health and safety or rehabilitation and return to work.  

“These innovative ideas and initiatives make Queenslanders safer at work or help them get back to work faster - and that’s worth celebrating,” Grace said.  

“This is about recognising and rewarding people and businesses getting safety right, doing their bit to avoid fatalities and serious injuries.  

“Among the finalists there are some high achievers and the judging panel will have its work cut out picking the winners.”  

The Safe Work and Return to Work Awards showcase excellence in safety or getting workers back to meaningful duties as soon as possible. In all, 167 entries were received for this year’s awards.  

One of the finalists in the best solution to an identified work health and safety issue category, Buildsafe Qld has earned praise for developing a product called the Void Platform Stair System. With several falls recently reported at Gold Coast workplaces, this invention from the Coast-based business should help eliminate those through voids in domestic construction sites. 

“Those who show initiative in their industry are also acknowledged like Brisbane business Bishopp Billboards which often needs to work close to powerlines.” 

“This company has looked at reducing risk when building new billboards by placing the gantry walkways behind the face – a simple yet effective solution,” Grace said. 

There are 30 finalists in 10 categories in this year’s awards. Toowoomba looms as a potential big winner with four finalists in three categories - best workplace health and wellbeing initiative, the injured worker achievement award, and best rehabilitation and return to work management system.   

“These companies are investing in the wellbeing of their most valuable assets – their employees.  

“They strive for maximum safety, however, if something does happen the awards also recognise industry-leading rehabilitation and return to work initiatives that help injured workers get back on deck as soon as possible.”  

2017 Safe Work and Return to Work Awards finalists 

Category one: Best solution to an identified work health and safety issue

Australian Country Choice - Roma

Buildsafe Queensland - Gold Coast

Hyne Timber - Maryborough

Lendlease - Brisbane 

Category two: Best individual contribution to work health and safety

Owen Bevan - Stanwell Corporation Tarong Power Stations - Kingaroy

Paul Patten - Fulton Hogan Industries - Ormeau

Robert Brown - TAFE QLD - Gold Coast region 

Category three: Best solution to an identified electrical issue

Bishopp Billboards – Kelvin Grove

Queensland Urban Utilities – Fortitude Valley 

Category four: Most significant improvement to work health and safety performance

AHS Hospitality - Brisbane

Austral Precast - Salisbury

Decmil Australia - Brisbane

SEE Civil - Helensvale

Stanwell Corporation, Tarong Power Station – Kingaroy

Verifact - Springwood 

Category five: Best workplace health and wellbeing initiative

FK Gardner & Sons Pty Ltd - Toowoomba

Laser Electrical – Edmonton (North QLD)

NOJA Power - Murarrie

Oncology Services Group, Children’s Health Queensland – South Brisbane

Specialty Fashion Group – Kippa-Ring 

Category six: Best demonstrated leadership in work health and safety

Bishopp Billboards – Kelvin Grove

Lendlease - Brisbane

NOJA Power - Murarrie

Robert Brown – TAFE QLD - Gold Coast region 

Category seven: Injured worker achievement award

Bruce O'Grady, Maxcon Industries - Brassall

David Jannusch, PDF Food Services - Toowoomba

John King, Brisbane City Council - MacGregor

Renee Robertson – Townsville 

Category eight: Best rehabilitation and return to work management system

Darwalla Group – Mount Cotton

FK Gardner - Toowoomba

Queensland Ambulance Service - McGregor

Toowoomba Regional Council - Toowoomba 

Category nine: Best individual contribution to rehabilitation and return to work

Jennifer Wu - Brisbane

Lauren Wozencroft – Upper Mount Gravatt

Michelle Fair - Robina

Sandra Long – Spring Hill

Toni Wilson - Cairns 

Category ten: Best demonstrated leadership in return to work

Bruce O’Grady - Maxcon Industries - Brassall

Darwalla Group – Mount Cotton

Toni Wilson – Queensland Health - Cairns 

 

Image sourced from Flickr cc: Interactive Archive book

 

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