Thirty-five finalists, from as far as Mildura and Wonthaggi, Wangaratta and Geelong, were recognised in the Awards, now in their 24th year.

Speaking at the event, Assistant Treasurer Gordon Rich-Phillips said the awards recognised the significant contribution of individuals and organisations in workplace health, safety and return to work.

Victorian workplaces are the safest they have ever been and we continue to see the rate of workplace injuries trending downwards

he said.

Acting Chief Executive Ian Forsyth congratulated the winners on an outstanding achievement. He said that

these businesses highlight the importance and benefits of making health, safety and return to work a priority in the workplace.

 

The following businesses and individuals were the winners in their categories.

Health and safety

Health and Safety Representative of the Year

• This award acknowledges Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) who have made a significant contribution and demonstrable difference to OHS within their designated workgroups.

Harold Roeding – Department of Primary Industries

Health and Safety Committee of the Year

• This award acknowledges the roles and functions of health and safety committees (HSCs) and recognises performance and achievements that demonstrate high level consultation and commitment to health and safety across the entire workplace.

Department of Primary Industries – Mildura

Best Solution to a Workplace Health and Safety Issue

• This award recognises excellence in developing and implementing a solution to an identified workplace health and safety issue.

Preventing Musculoskeletal Injuries (for an innovation, invention or initiative that eliminates or significantly reduces the risk of musculoskeletal injuries)

Metropolitan Fire & Emergency Services Board – Richmond

Goodstart Early Learning – Locations across the state

• Preventing Health and Safety Risk (for an innovation, invention or initiative that eliminates or considerably reduces a significant risk in a workplace)

SafePanel Pty Ltd – Parkdale

Health and wellbeing

Commitment to Workplace Health and Wellbeing

• This award recognises leadership that demonstrates a whole-of-organisation commitment to promoting health and wellbeing at work.

Parmalat Australia Limited – Rowville

Return to work

Employer Excellence

• This award recognises, at an organisational level, an employer's outstanding efforts to support the return to work of an injured worker(s) to safe and sustainable work.

Confoil Pty Ltd – Bayswater

Vic Freight Xpress – Tullamarine (Honourable mention)

Occupational Rehabilitation Consultant Achievement

• This award recognises an occupational rehabilitation consultant's (from an approved provider) outstanding achievements in returning an injured worker(s) to safe and sustainable work.

Peter Murphy – Nabenet – Hawthorn

Return to Work Coordinator Excellence

• This award recognises an individual Return to Work Coordinator's outstanding achievements in returning an injured worker(s) to safe and sustainable work.

Libby McLean – Form 700 – Altona North

Treating Health Practitioner Achievement

• This award recognises a treating health practitioner's outstanding achievements in returning an injured worker(s) to safe and sustainable work.

Nick Economos – Empower Rehab – Heidelberg Heights

Worker Return to Work Achievement Award

• This award recognises a worker's outstanding achievements in returning to work following a workplace injury.

Grant McKinna – GEA Westfalia Separators Australia Pty Ltd – Thomastown

 

Original article - www.worksafenews.com.au