Thirty Queenslanders and businesses are being recognised for their exceptional health and safety initiatives and getting injured employees back on the job in the annual Safe Work and Return to Work Awards.
Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace today announced the finalists in ten categories for their outstanding results in work health and safety or rehabilitation and return to work.
“These innovative ideas and initiatives make Queenslanders safer at work or help them get back to work faster – and that’s worth celebrating,” Ms Grace said.
“This is about recognising and rewarding people and businesses getting safety right, doing their bit to avoid fatalities and serious injuries.
“Among the finalists there are some high achievers and the judging panel will have its work cut out picking the winners.”
The Safe Work and Return to Work Awards showcase excellence in safety or getting workers back to meaningful duties as soon as possible. In all, 167 entries were received for this year’s awards.
One of the finalists in the best solution to an identified work health and safety issue category, Buildsafe Qld has earned praise for developing a product called the Void Platform Stair System. With several falls recently reported at Gold Coast workplaces, this invention from the Coast-based business should help eliminate those through voids in domestic construction sites.
“Those who show initiative in their industry are also acknowledged like Brisbane business Bishopp Billboards which often needs to work close to powerlines.
“This company has looked at reducing risk when building new billboards by placing the gantry walkways behind the face – a simple yet effective solution,” Ms Grace said.
There are 30 finalists in 10 categories in this year’s awards. Toowoomba looms as a potential big winner with four finalists in three categories – best workplace health and wellbeing initiative, the injured worker achievement award, and best rehabilitation and return to work management system.
“These companies are investing in the wellbeing of their most valuable assets – their employees.
“They strive for maximum safety, however, if something does happen the awards also recognise industry-leading rehabilitation and return to work initiatives that help injured workers get back on deck as soon as possible.”
The Safe Work and Return to Work Awards are a highlight of Safe Work Month. Safety Ambassador Shane Webcke will join Minister Grace at the gala lunch at the Royal International Convention Centre, Bowen Hills on 18 October.
2017 Safe Work and Return to Work Awards finalists
Category one: Best solution to an identified work health and safety issue
Australian Country Choice – Roma
Buildsafe Queensland – Gold Coast
Hyne Timber – Maryborough
Lendlease – Brisbane
Category two: Best individual contribution to work health and safety
Owen Bevan – Stanwell Corporation Tarong Power Stations – Kingaroy
Paul Patten – Fulton Hogan Industries – Ormeau
Robert Brown – TAFE QLD – Gold Coast region
Category three: Best solution to an identified electrical issue
Bishopp Billboards – Kelvin Grove
Queensland Urban Utilities – Fortitude Valley
Category four: Most significant improvement to work health and safety performance
AHS Hospitality – Brisbane
Austral Precast – Salisbury
Decmil Australia – Brisbane
SEE Civil – Helensvale
Stanwell Corporation, Tarong Power Station – Kingaroy
Verifact – Springwood
Category five: Best workplace health and wellbeing initiative
FK Gardner & Sons Pty Ltd – Toowoomba
Laser Electrical – Edmonton (North QLD)
NOJA Power – Murarrie
Oncology Services Group, Children’s Health Queensland – South Brisbane
Specialty Fashion Group – Kippa-Ring
Category six: Best demonstrated leadership in work health and safety
Bishopp Billboards – Kelvin Grove
Lendlease – Brisbane
NOJA Power – Murarrie
Robert Brown – TAFE QLD – Gold Coast region
Category seven: Injured worker achievement award
Bruce O’Grady, Maxcon Industries – Brassall
David Jannusch, PDF Food Services – Toowoomba
John King, Brisbane City Council – MacGregor
Renee Robertson – Townsville
Category eight: Best rehabilitation and return to work management system
Darwalla Group – Mount Cotton
FK Gardner – Toowoomba
Queensland Ambulance Service – McGregor
Toowoomba Regional Council – Toowoomba
Category nine: Best individual contribution to rehabilitation and return to work
Jennifer Wu – Brisbane
Lauren Wozencroft – Upper Mount Gravatt
Michelle Fair – Robina
Sandra Long – Spring Hill
Toni Wilson – Cairns
Category ten: Best demonstrated leadership in return to work
Bruce O’Grady – Maxcon Industries – Brassall
Darwalla Group – Mount Cotton
Toni Wilson – Queensland Health – Cairns
For more information visit the Safe Work and Return to Work Awards page
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