Minister for Better Regulation, Matt Kean has congratulated the winners of the 2018 SafeWork NSW Awards.
Eight winners have been announced across six categories at the awards ceremony gala dinner at The Star Event Centre marking the 15th anniversary of these prestigious awards.
The winners were selected from a competitive field of 160 businesses and individuals that produced 34 finalists.
We congratulate the winners who are setting the benchmark for safe and healthy workplaces.
Click this image to download a PDF version of the 2018 finalist eBook
RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION (NSW)
Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA NSW) is a volunteer organisation based at Sydney Olympic Park, which provides equine programs for people with disabilities to develop and enhance their abilities.
RDA NSW established a skills-based Coaching and Safety Panel (CASP), responsible for the training and assessment of coaches, along with reviewing all incidents, monitoring onsite audits and reporting to the Board of Directors.
COMMUNITY CARE OPTIONS
Operating in the Mid North Coast region since 1996, Community Care Options (CCO) provides a broad range of care and support services to a diverse client base, including people living with dementia and disability, carers and people returning home from hospital.
Every client home undergoes an extensive risk assessment prior to the provision of services, with Risk Management Plans provided to staff both in the home and through risk roster alerts. Hazard and Incident Reports are reviewed weekly by the management team, with a dedicated WHS Committee meeting bi-monthly to further review data, identify trends and determine training needs.
Proven results in WHS improvements include the reduction of claim costs from $30,000 in 2015 to $1,500 in 2018
NON-DRILL PTY LTD
Non-Drill is an Australian-made post and handrail system that eliminates the need to drill into precast structures to insert posts and handrails.
The solution has many safety benefits for all users, including the elimination of concrete drilling and steel exposure. It reduces exposure to silica dust and eliminates the need for power and welding, in turn reducing noise and the risk of hand, eye and ear injuries.
SEE CIVIL AND PAUL NIELSEN FABRICATION
To deal with challenging ground conditions on many construction sites, geo textile and geo synthetic material blankets, commonly known as geofab, are rolled out, sometimes across thousands of meters.
Having worked together on several projects, the two companies engineered a solution to totally eliminate manual handling when laying geofab. Rolls of geofab weigh anywhere between 240kg and 1000kg, and require a 150kg needle to be manually inserted through the centre of each roll.
Their innovative solution fully mechanised the placement process, eliminating any need for manual handling and improving workplace health and safety.
LISA McCAHON - COCA-COLA AMATIL
Lisa McCahon started with Coca-Cola Amatil nine years ago and identified an opportunity to focus on mental health within health and wellbeing projects at the company. Initially, it was in addition to the scope of Lisa’s role. However, its value was quickly proven and her position as National Injury Manager was officially expanded to include managing these important campaigns across Australia.
Initially incorporating mental health into injury management training, Lisa engaged AON Insurance Brokers to deliver ‘Mental Health First Aid’ training across Australia. Coca-Cola Amatil currently employs 36 trained Mental Health First Aiders.
THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY
The University of Sydney employs 9,500 staff. Its ‘Recovery at Work’ program is part of a fully-integrated Safety and Wellbeing Strategy which sees a holistic and innovative approach to achieving improved return to work (RTW) outcomes.
Five years ago, the University recognised its RTW practices and procedures were out of date, with ill and injured workers remaining at home until fully fit to resume their pre-injury duties. In transforming its RTW model, the University now encourages a proactive and positive approach to re-engagement in the workplace. This has resulted in a reduction in annual lost days from more than 4,500 to only 280 days.
SGT LUKE WARBURTON
Sgt Luke Warburton is a member of the NSW Police Dog Squad, a specialist state-wide resource, responsible for managing more than 60 dog teams and 90 dogs, and available for deployment 24 hours per day.
An incident in the line of duty saw Sgt Warburton involved in a hostage situation where he was severely injured. He sustained a gunshot wound that severed his femoral vein, causing serious complications and life-threatening injuries.
He maintained strong connections with his workplace and colleagues during the 10 months he was absent from work, including regular visits from both senior Police officers and dog squad colleagues. After a period of intensive rehabilitation, Sgt Warburton was successful in returning to work as a Dog Squad Training Supervisor.
BRIDIE GLOAG, COCA-COLA AMATIL
Bridie Gloag is the NSW Safety Specialist for Coca Cola Amatil, responsible for the Sales and Equipment Service Division within NSW. With manual handling injuries accounting for most injuries at Coca Cola Amatil, Bridie has been instrumental in delivering manual handling training to reduce this statistic. Bridie’s delivery leaves participants feeling engaged, motivated and mindful of safe manual handling methods.
Over the past 18 months, Bridie has gone above and beyond to lead an organisation-wide initiative to develop, build and implement the new hazard and incident online portal, Beakon. Bridie’s consultation across the entire workforce to ensure this system met the needs of the end users and offered improved customer experience is testament to the enthusiasm Bridie has for WHS.
Australian Red Cross Blood Service - Excellence in workplace health and safety culture for big business
NSW Police – Best solution to an identified workplace, health and safety issue for big business
Lendlease and Tyco Joint Venture - Best solution to an identified workplace, health and safety issue for big business
Brendan Edwards, Komatsu – Best individual contribution to workplace, health and safety.
Ballina Shire Council – return to work achievement award for business
Goulburn Mulwaree Council - return to work achievement award for business
TransGrid - SafeWork NSW leadership in safety
Sailfish Catamarans, Alstonville
Port Stephens Council, Raymond Terrace
