Agribusiness shines in work health and safety awards
The agriculture industry features prominently in this year’s Safe Work and Return to Work Awards, with the winners to be honoured at a gala event in Brisbane in a few weeks.
Finalists for the awards have been chosen, with judges having a hard time deciding on the best initiatives from a wide range of entries by business, individuals and government, community and educational organisations.
The awards, which will be presented by Queensland Safety Ambassador Shane Webcke, highlight how workplaces have targeted everything from safer work systems to health and wellbeing initiatives, technological solutions and practical innovations for everyday use.
This year, the Best solution to an identified electrical safety issue category saw Balmoral Engineering make the finals for its Rotamarker powerline marker. The Rotamarker is a red and white spinning device which draws attention to overhead powerlines, reducing the chance of workers accidentally coming into contact with them.
JBS Australia is also in the running for Best solution to an identified health and safety issue and Best demonstrated leadership in work health and safety. Judges were impressed with its livestock handrail system, which allows handrails to lift up and lock safely in place.
The Australian Agricultural Company also made the finals with its rural centred employee support program nominated for the Best commitment to work health and wellbeing category. The program offers one to one coaching services for AAC’s 430 workers and their families across Queensland and the Northern Territory, coaching for managers, critical incident response and support for family members, including younger children and teenagers.
Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace congratulated all the finalists, saying they had gone that extra mile to help their workmates or their workplaces work safer.
Ms Grace said businesses and individuals who have made it this far have displayed unrivalled commitment to keeping Queenslanders healthy and safe at work, or if they’re injured, getting them back on the job as soon as possible.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony, hosted by the Office of Industrial Relations, on Friday 21 October in Brisbane.