FAQs

  1. What are the Awards?
  2. Why enter?
  3. Who is not eligible to enter?
  4. Hints for writing your entry?
  5. What is the aim of the Awards?
  6. Why does WorkCover hold these Awards?
  7. What are the Awards categories for 2011?
  8. How do I apply?
  9. Is there a cost involved to enter the SafeWork Awards
  10. When do entries open and close and how are the Winners announced?
  11. What is WorkCover NSW seeking from the entries?
  12. Who can enter the WorkCover NSW SafeWork Awards?
  13. What should an entry consist of?
  14. How do you submit an entry to the Awards?
  15. Can you make more than one entry in the Awards?
  16. How does the assessment and judging of the entries take place?
  17. Who is on the Finalists Judging Panel?
  18. What is the requirement for Intellectual Property all about?
  19. Is any permanent record made of the Awards?
  20. What does hierarchy of control mean?
  21. What do the Award recipients receive?
  22. What if I need help with my application?
  23. What if I've forgotten by password?
  24. Can our business still apply if we are already involved in a WorkCover program?
  25. How are those entrants informed of the judging outcome?
  26. Can entrants seek feedback on their entries?
  27. Apart from the awards ceremony, will WorkCover publicise the recipients?
  28. Our organisation has developed a really high quality solution to a problem we have had. But we are being investigated because of a serious incident, which occurred some months ago. Can we enter the Awards?
  29. We have developed a really good solution for a problem in our workplace. It is currently being trialled before it is implemented into the rest of the workplace. Can we enter this solution in the Awards?
  30. Our business has developed what we think is a really good product which we intend to sell to others. Can we enter it in the Awards?
  31. Does it make any difference if the entry is basically at the level of complying with what the legislation requires?
  32. What happens if the WorkCover Inspector who conducts the site visit finds that an entry does not comply with the law?
  33. What are the conditions of entry?

What are the Awards?

The WorkCover NSW Safe Work Awards is an annual event, designed to promote and recognise high standards of occupational health and safety in NSW workplaces. It was first held in 2004.

Back to Top

Why enter?

The benefits of entering the SafeWork Awards are:

  • Recognition of your business as a leader in workplace safety within your industry
  • Use of the prestigious WorkCover NSW SafeWork Awards 'winner' and 'finalist' logos for business promotion
  • WorkCover will highlight your achievements through the WorkCover and SafeWork Awards websites, WorkCover News and media releases.
  • An opportunity for your business to showcase your innovations in workplace health and safety
  • All finalists receive two free tickets to the SafeWork Awards 2011 black tie dinner
  • All finalists receive overnight accommodation including breakfast (for two)
  • Two return airfare tickets for finalists from regional areas
  • Winners in each category will be eligible for entry in the National Safe Work Australia Awards.

Back to Top

Who is not eligible to enter?

  • Organisations that are currently under investigation by WorkCover NSW
  • Organisations that are not registered as a NSW business or operate under Comcare
  • Organisations that do not have a current workers compensation insurance (if applicable)
  • Organisations that have won an award cannot resubmit the same initiative/solution etc

Back to Top

Hint for writing your entry?

  • Before writing your entry ask yourself how has the initiative improved safety in my business/company?
  • It needs to be over and above your normal OHS legislative requirements.
  • What safety solution or initiative have I developed? Is it innovative? How has it improved my business?
  • Be able to provide examples and demonstrate the successful business outcomes achieved as a result.
  • Remember the judges may not necessarily be familiar with your industry so try and use plain English and avoid using jargon.

Back to Top

What is the aim of the Awards?

Raise awareness of work health and safety (WHS) and promote high standards of health and safety in NSW workplaces.

  1. Encourage innovation in WHS.
  2. Provide a forum for sharing ideas and solutions to workplace health and safety issues.
  3. Publicly recognise and reward outstanding workplace health and safety innovations and achievements.

Back to Top

Why does WorkCover hold these Awards?

The Awards have been established to encourage public and private workplaces throughout NSW to develop and implement initiatives that help to achieve a safer work environment.

Back to Top

What are the Awards categories for 2011?

  1. Best workplace health and safety management system
  2. Best solution to an identified workplace health and safety issue
  3. Best workplace health and safety practices in a small business
  4. Best individual contribution to workplace health and safety

Back to Top

How do I apply?

Apply online through the online application process. Accompany your application with any supporting documentation and address all selection criteria relating to the Award category you are entering. For information or help with your application contact the SafeWork Awards helpline on (02) 4321 4444.

Back to Top

Is there a cost involved to enter the awards?

No, there are no entry fees and you may enter as many times as you want and in more than one category.

Back to Top

When do entries open and close and how are winners announced?

  1. Awards open on 9am Monday 2 May 2011
  2. Awards close at 5pm Friday 22 July 2011
  3. Winners are announced at the Awards Ceremony and Dinner on Thursday 27 October 2011

Back to Top

What is WorkCover NSW seeking from the entries?

WorkCover is seeking excellence, innovation, outstanding commitment, and solutions to work health and safety issues in the workplace. The Awards also seek to recognise leadership by individuals or organisations that contribute towards achieving safe and healthy workplaces in NSW.

Solutions : WorkCover NSW is seeking solutions to workplace health and safety issues. The ideas don't have to be big to be effective. Sometimes small-scale solutions can be most effective in dealing with identified issues.

Leadership : Activities by individuals or organisations – this covers the work done within a workplace by health and safety representatives, committees, managers, individuals or an entire organisation.

Back to Top

Who can enter the WorkCover NSW SafeWork Awards?

For 2011, there are four Award categories. These categories are open to all NSW registered businesses, organisations and individuals and include categories that specifically recognise innovation in small business and those NSW employees who have made outstanding contributions to the improvement of health and safety in their workplaces.

Back to Top

What should an entry consist of?

Entrants are required to complete the online application. Each category has a number of specific judging criteria that are explained within each relevant category.

Entries may be submitted by individual applicants or organisations (see Who can enter for specific information on each category's entry requirements). Individuals or organisations may also be nominated for an award by another party. See How to Enter for more detailed information.

NB. A checklist has been included in the entry process to ensure all information is included with your entry.

Back to Top

How do you submit an entry to the Awards?

Entries can only be submitted using the online application system.

For information and help with your application please contact the SafeWork Awards helpline on (02) 4321 4444.

 

Back to Top

Can you make more than one entry in the Awards?

Yes. You will be required to submit a separate application for each category entered, addressing the criteria for that category. Each entry must have a unique application name.

NB: Please do not submit the same entry in every category.

Back to Top

How does the assessment and judging of the entries take place?

The judging process is as follows:

Stage 1: Initial review

All entries are reviewed by an internal assessment panel of occupational health and safety experts from WorkCover NSW. The role of this panel is to identify those entries, that are of sufficient quality to progress to the next stage of a site visit.

Stage 2: Site visit

Site visits are conducted by the assessment panel, made up of experienced WorkCover NSW Inspectors, specialists or authorised representative of WorkCover NSW. The role of the site visit is to substantiate the information provided in the entry. During site visits, the assessors may need to speak to a number of different people. Based on their on-site assessment they may also need to obtain additional information.

Stage 3: Judging

Following a successful site visit, entries then progress to the final stage of judging as a Finalist in their category. The Final Judging Panel will include senior representatives from WorkCover NSW, trade unions, employer groups and specialist OHS advisory bodies. Winners are announced at the SafeWork Awards Black Tie Dinner on the 27 October 2011.

Applicants are advised the outcome of each stage of the judging process via a letter or email.

Back to Top

Who is on the Finalists Judging Panel?

The Finalists Judging Panel for the Awards will include senior representatives from WorkCover NSW, trade unions, employer groups and specialist OHS advisory bodies.

Back to Top

What is the requirement for Intellectual Property all about?

For entries involving innovations or inventions it is a condition of entry for an Awards entrant to own all the intellectual property rights for the concept where this is relevant. The only additional matter is the requirement for the entrant to confirm, via the entry form, such ownership.

Back to Top

Is any permanent record made of the Awards?

Yes, photographs will be taken of the recipients receiving their Awards and an electronic copy will be emailed to you after the Awards ceremony.

Back to Top

What does hierarchy of control mean?  (in Category 2 criteria)

The hierarchy of hazard controls is a list which emphasises controlling a hazard at the source. This is done by giving preference to the use of the 'engineering controls' outlined in strategies 1 to 5.

Engineering controls

  1. DESIGN. Try to ensure that hazards are 'designed out' when new materials, equipment and work systems are being planned for the workplace.
  2. REMOVE the hazard or SUBSTITUTE less hazardous materials, equipment or substances.
  3. ADOPT A SAFER PROCESS. Alterations to tools, equipment or work systems can often make them much safer.
  4. ENCLOSE OR ISOLATE THE HAZARD through the use of guards or remote handling techniques.
  5. PROVIDE EFFECTIVE VENTILATION through local or general exhaust ventilation systems. Administrative Controls
  6. ESTABLISH appropriate ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES such as:
  • job rotation to reduce exposure or boredom, or timing the job so that fewer workers are exposed
  • routine maintenance and housekeeping procedures
  • training on hazards and correct work procedures.

Back to Top

What do the Award recipients receive?

Award recipients will be presented with a trophy and certificate and finalists will receive a certificate, together with Award ceremony photos and SafeWork Award "winner" and "finalist" logos.

Refer to Benefits of Applying

Back to Top

What if I need help with my application?

All requests for assistance please email swa@workcover.nsw.gov.au or phone 13 10 50

Back to Top

What if I've forgotten my login password?

Email swa@workcover.nsw.gov.au with your details and your password will be sent back to you promptly.

Back to Top

Can our business still apply if we are already involved in another WorkCover program?

Yes, being involved in another WorkCover program does not affect your application.

Back to Top

How are those entrants informed of the judging outcome?

Award recipients will be announced at an Awards ceremony on Thursday 27 October 2011. Finalists will be advised prior to the event. However, Award recipients will not be advised prior to the awards ceremony.

Refer also to key dates information

Back to Top

Can entrants seek feedback on their entries?

Yes, feedback will be offered to all entrants after 30 November 2011. Entrants will be contacted to organise feedback session.

Back to Top

Apart from the Awards ceremony, will WorkCover publicise the recipients?

Yes, an article will be featured in the December 2011/February 2012 edition of WorkCover News and recipients will be listed on both WorkCover and SafeWork Awards websites.

Back to Top

Our organisation has developed a really high quality solution to a problem we have had. But we are being investigated because of a serious incident, which occurred some months ago. Can we enter the Awards?

No. WorkCover NSW reserves the right, acting in its sole discretion, to decline an entry where the entrant or a related person or organisation is under investigation for possible breaches of occupational health and safety or workers compensation law (whether or not a prosecution is pending), or where the acceptance of the entry may be detrimental to the objectives of the Awards scheme.

Back to Top

We have developed a really good solution for a problem in our workplace. It is currently being trialled before it is implemented into the rest of the workplace. Can we enter this solution in the Awards?

WorkCover prefers to receive entries that have been fully developed and implemented in all the appropriate areas of the workplace. Additionally some evaluation of the effectiveness of the solution is required to confirm its success. Such entries have more conviction and credibility and provide more confidence to those judging the entries.

Back to Top

Our business has developed what we think is a really good product which we intend to sell to others. Can we enter it in the Awards?

In principle there is nothing to prevent a business entering commercial products or services in the Awards.

Back to Top

Does it make any difference if the entry is basically at the level of complying with what the legislation requires?

WorkCover's policy is that all workplaces should be complying with what the legislation requires at all times. The Awards are not intended to provide recognition to those who have only sought to comply with their obligations.

Back to Top

What happens if the WorkCover inspector who conducts the site visit finds that an entry does not comply with the law?

Generally the Inspector responds no differently from any other occasion on observing non-compliances with the legislation on an Awards visit. Additionally, this usually means this entry is eliminated from the Awards.

Back to Top

What are the conditions of entry?

Read the Terms and conditions of entry for the 2011 WorkCover NSW SafeWork Awards.

Back to Top