The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Julia Gillard has joined Chairman of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council, Mr Bill Scales in congratulating winners of the 2007 National Safe Work Australia Awards in a ceremony held at Parliament House.
Thirty finalists from across Australia competed for this year’s awards, covering a broad range of industry and organisation types from both the public and the private sector.
Finalists of the National Safe Work Australia Awards should be commended and be exceptionally proud of their contribution to workplace safety.
The Awards, a key initiative of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council, recognise OHS excellence at the government, organisational and individual level.
Safety in the workplace is a national priority. While we are taking steps in the right direction there is still plenty to achieve.
The Rudd Government has committed to work cooperatively with the States and Territories to harmonise OHS regulation in Australia within five years. A national review into OHS laws to work towards achieving this goal has commenced.
We have committed to the creation of a new independent body to replace the Australian Safety and Compensation Council and have already commenced a review into the Commonwealth’s Comcare scheme.
The Rudd Government is working cooperatively with stakeholders at all levels to create safer and more productive workplaces for Australia.
The Rudd Government firmly believes that every Australian should feel confident that they will go to work and come home safely at the end of the day.
Finalists for each of the five Award categories were winners of OHS awards in their state or territory jurisdiction. An independent judging panel considered each finalist’s award submission before deciding on a final winner.
NATIONAL SAFE WORK AUSTRALIA AWARD 2007 WINNERS:
Category 1 –
Best Workplace Health and Safety Management System
Catholic Schools Office, Diocese of Broken Bay (NSW)
ENTRY: School OHS Management System
Category 2 – Best Solution to an Identified Workplace Health and Safety Issue
E.A.R.S. Australia (VIC)
ENTRY: Exhaust Air Recycling System
Highly commended finalist
Watpac Australia (QLD)
ENTRY: Skilled Park Stadium
Category 3 – Best Workplace Health and Safety Practices in Small Business
Sharpe Bros. (Aust) Pty Ltd (NSW)
ENTRY: Safety Bro
Category 4 – Public Sector Leadership Award for Injury Prevention and Management
Department of Public Works, Queensland (QLD)
ENTRY: Pathways to Better Health and Safety Program 2006/07
Category 5 – Best Individual Contribution to Workplace Health and Safety
Captain Sharryn Batt
Department of Defence, Special Air Service Regiment, Army