Work Safe Forums
Full house for 2011 Forum
Some 500 people filled Burswood’s Grand Ballroom for the Perth Work Safe 2011 Forum as part of Safe Work Australia Month.
Minister for Commerce Hon Simon O’Brien MLA officially opened the forum before an audience of mainly safety and health representatives and occupational safety and health personnel. OSH experts and experienced OSH professionals gave presentations throughout the day.
Margot Halbert, communication expert and founder of Positive Persuasion, gave the very informative key note address on the benefits of persuasive and effective communication. Margot’s Tools for talking – stepping up the safety conversation guided the audience through strategies and methods for getting ideas and solutions accepted by management to achieve better safety outcomes.
Perth based psychologist and consultant Isobel Boylan was an enlightening presenter on fatigue management in the workplace. Isobel discussed the practical solutions for reducing the risks of fatigue and how to get a good night’s sleep.
In a change of pace, Work Safety Award 2010 winner Dan Norton and 2011 finalist, Sophie Sanderson, talked about their workplace safety initiatives and the challenges of taking action. They encouraged safety and health reps to think about their contributions to safety and health and nominate for the 2012 Awards.
Throughout the day, participants attended their choice of sessions on various safety and health topics.
HBF Health Promotion Manager Jenny Carter gave a very popular session on the benefits of wellness programs in the workplace. Stan Sexton from the Public Transport Authority entertained his audience on the topic of Walking the talk – engaging people in safety. Helen Fitzroy, Frank Carrano and Nigel Martin revealed from personal experience the effects of serious workplace accidents and incidents on all those involved, including family and friends.
Other session topics were:
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preventing sprains and strains;
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myths of workplace bullying;
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improving safety and wellbeing;
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new safety and health laws;
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vehicles as workplaces;
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working in hot conditions; and
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managing contract workers.
To obtain more information on the forum download the:
