This year WorkCover's SafeWork Awards has undergone some changes; these changes will streamline and simplify the entry and judging process.
These changes include:
- The public sector (previously category 4) is now represented in category 1 alongside private sectors and not for profit organisations.
- Category 5 for individuals has moved up to fill category 4 and now incorporates awards for employees with no formal responsibility for OHS management and those who are responsible for OHS management.
- Category 3 for small business has been simplified to only 3 questions
- Call for Entries has been opened earlier so not to conflict with business's end of the financial year responsibilities.
- The online entry process has been upgraded and streamlined to make entering the awards less onerous.
Award Categories
The Awards categories for 2009 are:
The Categories Explained
Category 1: Best workplace health and safety management system
(a) Private Sector
(b) Public Sector/Not for Profit
This award recognises demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement of workplace health and safety outcomes through the implementation of an integrated systems approach.
Judging Criteria
For entry in this category, submissions must show the following:
-
How clearly does the system achieve a demonstrated commitment to workplace health and safety?
Information provided could include demonstrated management commitment to the systematic management of occupational health and safety (OHS) and injury management, ongoing planning of OHS improvement and evaluation of the system, systematic identification, assessment and control strategies for the organisation's hazards.
- To what extent was the integrated approach developed in consultation with workplace parties and, where appropriate, with outside organisations?
- How well is the approach integrated into the overall operations of the company?
- Has there been a demonstrated improvement in health and safety in the workplace as a result of the integrated approach?
- How much potential is there for the system to have broader application across other workplaces and industry?
Please provide evidence of your organisation's systems approach by including in your submission:
- An external audit report conducted within the previous two years
- Evidence of control measures in place
- Claims or incident/injury data for at least the previous 12 months
- Evidence of occupational health and safety reporting and consultation
- Any other evidence to show a systems based approach.
For example, a systems approach demonstrates that all elements function according to fundamental rules, that analysis of the elements can be completed with a consistent auditing approach and each part of the overall system can itself be studied as a complete system. In a systematic approach short term goals are continually set and met, and are seen as contributing to the "higher" goal of elimination of risks to health and safety, improving the viability of the business and contributing to the well being of anyone affected by the business operations.
Category 2: Best solution to an identified workplace health and safety issue
This award recognises excellence in developing and implementing a solution to an identified health and safety issue. Entries for this award may include a product solution, engineering innovation, a training program, an awareness raising activity or other risk control measures that reduce the risk of work-related injury and illness.
Judging Criteria
For entry in this category submissions must show the following:
- (a) What is the workplace health and safety issue?
(b) What was the solution implemented to address the issue?
- What form of risk management system or process was used to identify the issue?
- How was the hierarchy of control applied to develop the solution?
- How effective was the solution for the control of the identified hazard?
- To what extent was the solution developed in consultation with workplace parties and, if appropriate, outside organisations?
- How original and innovative was the solution?
- How well did the solution impact on the overall operations of the company?
- Has there been a demonstrated improvement in health and safety in the workplace as a result of the solution? (provide claims or incident/injury data and any other occupational health and safety reporting as evidence)
- How much potential is there for the solution to have broader application across industry?
Category 3: Best workplace health and safety practices in a small business
Are you are a small business that has improved safety in your workplace with a great idea or a new approach? Then enter the 2009 SafeWork Awards.
It doesn't matter whether your safety solution is big or small, as long as it's made a difference to YOUR workplace.
This award recognises high standard workplace health and safety practices in small business. This may include, but is not limited to, the following:
- solutions to identified risks;
- an innovative and systematic approach to OHS management; or
- any other practice that has improved occupational health and safety performance in your business.
This category is limited to small business that have less than 20 employees or full-time equivalents.
Judging Criteria
To enter in this category your submission needs to detail the following:
- What have you done to improve OHS practices in your business and how were these improvements implemented?
- Describe the benefits/improvements of having implemented these OHS practices?
- Who was involved in the development of your OHS practices and how did they participate?
Category 4: Best individual contribution to workplace health and safety
This award recognises individuals who have made an exceptional difference to health and safety. Two awards will be given under the following sub-categories:
a) An employee, such as a health and safety representative, who does not have formal responsibility for OHS management as part of their duties;
b) An outstanding contribution by an OHS manager or a person with responsibility for OHS as part of their duties.
Judging Criteria
For entry in this category submissions must show the following:
- What were the individual's health and safety achievements/ contributions and how were they accomplished?
- What barriers, if any, were encountered while implementing them?
- How were the improvements in health and safety performance measured?
- In what way was the individual's approach and contribution innovative in achieving better OHS performance?
- Describe how the individual's impact on health and safety management and performance was above and beyond their immediate field/ area of responsibility.
- What is the potential for the individual's contribution to have broader application?
- What communication and consultation processes were required/ used to implement their achievements/ contribution?
Supporting material can be supplied to assist in demonstrating claims to the above criteria.
This could include, but is not limited to:
- claims and incident/ injury data
- other OHS reporting information