Queensland’s 2023 Work Well Awards finalists announced

A total of 111 entries were received by the Office of Industrial Relations for the 2023 Work Well Awards, celebrating organisations and individuals striving to achieve the highest health and safety and return to work standards at their workplaces.

• The Office of Industrial Relations received 111 entries for the 2023 Work Well Awards in 10 categories, with 25 finalists nominated.
• The annual awards are a platform for organisations and individuals to showcase work health and safety and return to work achievements and share best practices.
• The winners will be announced at a ceremony in October, hosted by Mental Health Ambassador Hayley Lewis and Minister for Industrial Relations, Grace Grace.

Head of the Office of Industrial Relations Peter McKay congratulated the 25 Work Well Awards finalists, who are each in the running to win one of 10 categories honouring excellence in work health and safety and rehabilitation and return to work.

The finalists, hailing from South-East Queensland, Townsville, St George, Mackay, Western Australia and Victoria (with Queensland-based initiatives), now face a nervous wait to find out whether they will receive the top accolades later this year.

Mr McKay said previous year’s winners have produced a range of ingenious inventions or strategies to help workers safely navigate everyday situations in a diverse range of jobs.

They include K-Valve Systems’ test plug water flow control which eliminates musculoskeletal disorder risks; the Australian Agricultural Company’s tailor-made employee support mental health program, PRM Engineering Services artificial intelligence which recognises when people enter a hazardous zone, Pole Grab’s pully system for ladders, Greensill’s young worker safety program, and many inspirational stories of everyday Queenslanders successfully returning to work after a serious injury.

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace and Mental Health Ambassador Hayley Lewis will congratulate the 2023 Work Well Awards winners at a ceremony to be held on 21 October during Safe Work Month.

Winners will receive be showcased as examples of best practice in work health and safety, rehabilitation and return to work. Sharing and promoting their winning initiatives across industry helps others find ways to improve their systems, leading to safer and healthier working environment for all.

Congratulations to this year’s Work Well Awards finalists and their commitment to keeping people healthy and safe.

Quotes attributable to Head of the Office of Industrial Relations Peter McKay:

“We received 111 entries to this year’s Work Well Awards, from all corners of the state – it’s a fantastic result,” he said.

“The 2023 finalists come from public and private sectors, from large and small organisations, all with great examples of businesses and individuals going the extra mile to help make workplaces safer.

“It’s great to see employers continuing to keep health and safety embedded within their organisational systems, and really supporting those who have been injured at work.

“Among the finalists there are people who have successfully returned to work after very serious injuries, initiatives designed to cut time lost to injury, resources to improve health and wellbeing, work design being used to reduce sprains and strains, and devices which prevent machinery from contacting overhead powerlines.

“It’s great to see people striving to design new and better ways to make our workplaces physically and mentally safer, healthier, and more resilient.

“These awards showcase Queenslanders putting initiatives and systems into place at their workplaces so all workers can return home safely to their family and loved ones each and every working day.

“My congratulations to this year’s finalists – and the very best of luck as we now look forward to celebrating the very best of leadership and innovation in work health and safety, rehabilitation and return to work during Safe Work Month in October.”

For any media enquiries, contact: oirmedia@oir.qld.gov.au or 0478 33 22 00.