WINNER - Category 5 WorkCover's Leadership safety award
Motor Traders’ Association
Founded in 1910, the Motor Traders’ Association (MTA) has a 6000 strong membership across New South Wales. The MTA assists in the daily running of Member’s businesses through advice, specialised services and lobbying at a state and federal level. Operating specifically for businesses related to the motor industry, the MTA aims to ensure a long and viable future for the industry.
Leadership achievements
Over the past 10 years, the MTA has actively promoted OHS, workers compensation and injury management practices throughout the industry. The vast majority of MTA members are small businesses, with an average of seven employees engaged per member. This membership demographic puts the MTA in a privileged and unique position to influence and drive safety outcomes relevant to small business workplaces in NSW.
Through their extensive knowledge of the operations of small businesses - keeping the business afloat, growing consumer needs, responding to a legislative obligations and deadlines – the MTA has been able to introduce initiatives that have a positive impact on their membership.
The Association’s initiatives can be seen through their safety-focused workplace education and training programs. These programs include the development of the small business safety guidelines, OHS and workers compensation resource kit, the bullying and harassment awareness strategy, ‘MTA AutoSafe OHS management system’, industry induction program and the industry safety helpline.
The MTA has also entered into a partnership agreement with WorkCover – demonstrating their ongoing commitment to improving OHS. This partnership has allowed the MTA to support businesses in addressing important workers compensation and OHS issues, as well as providing training and workshops on issues that affect the retail motor industry.
HIGHLY COMMENDED -WorkCover's Leadership safety award
Shearing Contractors’ Association of Australia
The Shearing Contractors' Association of Australia (SCAA) represents the interests of Australian shearers at a national level. The SCAA supports its members by providing information about workers compensation issues, superannuation and interpretations of industrial awards. The organisation provides its members with a public face to an industry critical to the future of rural and regional Australia.
Leadership achievements
The SCAA has performed a significant role in the development and the delivery of OHS information in the shearing industry. Prior to the formation of the Association there was very limited representation or leadership for the hundreds of small organisations operating in the industry. Today, the Association provides practical advice, information and improvement assistance to more than 100 small shearing contracting businesses in regional NSW.
The consistent advice and information provided by SCAA has increased the level of OHS knowledge and improved safe work standards. The SCAA strives to assist shearing contractors and wool growers meet their legislative requirements in a practical, sustainable, and low cost manner across the industry.