Previous ThinkSafe campaigns
2001 - Take the next step
In 2001 the campaign took a new direction. Previously the campaign had targeted employers, employees and the general community. The 2001 campaign targeted small business employers in response to national and state research that showed practical direction and commitment from management is important to achieving effective improvements in occupational safety and health.
Since 1995 the ThinkSafe Campaign had successfully laid down the foundations for a general heightened awareness of safety and health in the workplace as an issue for community concern.
ThinkSafe Campaign 2001 built on this awareness by encouraging small business employers to "Take the Next Step" in adopting a systematic approach to managing safety. Research showed that small business owners who account for 97 per cent of all private sector businesses in Western Australia, do accept their moral responsibility with regard to workplace safety and health but many did not have a formal system for dealing with hazards.
ThinkSafe 2001 featured a series of "Take the Next Step" television and newspaper advertisements that ran from June to August. The advertisements presented scenarios of workplace hazardous situations raising awareness of the employer's responsibility to their employees and promoting information available for starting a safe work system.
A key part of the campaign was the production of The First Step - a safety and health management guide for small business. It provided easy to follow guidance on hazard identification, risk assessment and control. Posters and new design ThinkSafe stickers were also distributed widely.
The 1800 HAZARD hotline (1800 429 273) was introduced and promoted in the campaign to encourage small business to ring and request The First Step, which was also available from WorkSafe's website and library.