12:11 pm, Wednesday 28 October, 2009

25 October 2009 marks the start of the annual Safe Work Australia Week, which aims to raise awareness of workplace safety throughout the country.

Safe Work Australia Week, now in its fifth year, is a key initiative of Safe Work Australia. It will be celebrated until October 31. This yearÂ’s theme focuses on the harmonisation of Occupational Health And Safety (OHS) legislation.

In a statement, Safe Work Australia encourages everyone – employers and employees alike – to get involved in promoting safety in the workplace to reduce injury, disease and deaths. The simplest way to get involved is to hold an activity or event in the workplace, stressing the importance ofWorkplace Safety.

In Victoria, the Safe Work week will be highlighted by the 21st annual Victoria Awards Dinner on 29 October 2009. The gala event will feature an awards ceremony, giving recognition to the individuals and businesses that have made significant contributions to improving health and safety in their workplace over the last year.

In Queensland, Industrial Relations Minister Cameron Dick has also emphasised the importance of workplace safety, pointing out that on the average, 82 Queenslanders are absent from work each day due to workplace injuries and illness.

“Safe Work Australia Week is for all Queenslanders – whether you’re a small, medium or large business, an office worker or labourer, an apprentice or manager, from the country or the city, or work in an office or outdoors,” Mr. Dick says.

“It’s the perfect opportunity for employers and workers to look carefully at their workplace health and safety practices and systems and how they can be improved.”

In Tasmania, a new online education program is launched yesterday to Tasmanian students about workplace health and safety in preparation for their entry into the workforce.

Lisa Singh, Tasmania’s Minister for Workplace Relations, said, “From 2010, the interactive education package will provide teachers with up-to-date information about workplace health and safety and related legislation, industry specific modules and an assessment tool to provide evidence of student completion.”

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