Work Safety Award winners lead the way in safety
Issue Date: - Sunday, 26 October 2008
The five winners of the prestigious 2008 Work Safety Awards Western Australia were announced on Friday night.
Main Roads Western Australia, Southern Brake and Services Pty Ltd, Department of Agriculture and Food WA, APC Storage Solutions and Suzie Johns from Bunnings Morley are the winners of the five award categories and will now be entered into the national Safe Work Australia Awards.
WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said today that the five winners were terrific examples of the many excellent workplace innovations and occupational safety and health systems being developed in WA.
“These awards provide the opportunity for innovative Western Australians to gain national recognition for their achievements,” Ms Lyhne said.
“They recognise outstanding occupational safety and health management, solutions and innovation in WA workplaces that reduce the risk of work-related injury and disease.
“Awards such as these are all about encouraging best practice in safety and health, and the winners are leading the way by making a significant contribution to making WA workplaces safer.”
The award for best workplace safety and health management system was won by Main Roads Western Australia.
Employing 1100 people, Main Roads manages a network of more than 17,800km of national highways and State roads and works with local government to create an efficient transport network.
Main Roads has an excellent integrated management system incorporating occupational safety and health, environment and quality, and has achieved a very clear improvement in safety and reduction in injuries.
The award for best workplace safety and health practices in small business was won by Albany small business Southern Brake and Services Pty Ltd.
Employing only 11 people, Southern Brake and Services is a small business incorporating a petrol station, head machining and vehicle servicing and gas conversion.
The company has identified hazards and made the appropriate changes in collaboration with the Motor Trade Association, and has now implemented excellent safety management systems and practices.
The award for best public sector leadership for injury prevention and management was won by the Department of Agriculture and Food WA.
Employing 1900 people in metropolitan and regional locations, the Department’s role is to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of agriculture.
The huge diversity of work undertaken by the Department presents a broad range of hazards and risks. Safety and health is integrated into all work activities, and excellent consultation mechanisms have been established throughout the Department.
The award for best solution to an identified workplace safety and health issue was won by APC Storage Solutions.
Employing 130 people, APC Storage Solutions manufactures and installs industrial storage and handling systems, including pallet racking.
The company developed a mechanical aid for the installation of pallet racking frames in response to a recognised manual handling risk when raising frames weighing up to 100kg.
The award for best individual contribution to safety and health was won by Suzie Johns from Bunnings Morley.
Suzie is the Night Fill Team Leader at the store, and her team nominated her because of her caring attitude and emphasis on working safely.
Suzie encourages her staff to spot and report hazards or to make small changes, and they trust her to take their concerns to management. She constantly motivates her staff to work safely, and they describe her as “inspirational”.
Winners of the national Safe Work Australia Awards will be announced early in 2009.
“Each of the category winners of the 2008 Work Safety WA Awards is a very worthy winner, and each now has the opportunity for their achievements to be recognised across Australia,” Ms Lyhne said.
“WA has already established somewhat of a proud tradition at the national level, with two of the three WA entrants in the Safe Work Australia Awards winning their national categories in 2006.
“I heartily congratulate the winners, along with everyone else who nominated for the awards, and encourage businesses of all sizes to nominate for the 2009 Work Safety Awards Western Australia.”
Media contact: Caroline De Vaney 9327 8744 or 0408 927563.
Winner’s contacts
Main Roads Western Australia
Michael Leeks 9323 4694 or 0429 883976 (mob)
Southern Brake and Services Pty Ltd
Roslyn Loxton 9841 7955 or 0428 417955 (mob)
Department of Agriculture and Food WA
Phil Taylor 9368 3644 or 0427 350000 (mob)
APC Storage Solutions
Paul Burton 9378 0500 or 0431 130400 (mob)
Suzie Johns (Bunnings Morley)
Suzie Johns 9279 0200 or 0419 617100 (mob).