In the spirit of National Safe Work Month this October, we bring to light the significance of workplace health and safety. Rather than being a factor left to chance or speculation, safety at work encompasses everyone’s responsibility. During this month, a series of events, organised by the Office of Industrial Relations, are programmed to exhibit your devotion towards enhancing occupational health and safety, rehabilitation, and return-to-work outcomes. Implementing work safety products like WHS management systems, SWMS, and policies can be a crucial step in achieving these improvements.
Among the planned events during October are the Work Well Conference, two Regional Work Well Breakfast Forums and a variety of free online webinars as part of the Work Well Speaker series, bridging awareness and engagement with pivotal topics. Each week will focus on a specific theme designated by Safe Work Australia such as health and safety fundamentals, psychosocial hazards, risk management basics, and musculoskeletal injuries. Incorporating systems like the Bluesafe SWMS can significantly aid in managing these areas.
On the 22nd of October, the year’s Work Well Conference will host an array of distinguished safety experts – Dr Kirsten Way from The University of Queensland, professor Drew Dawson, a sleep and fatigue research specialist, and Michael McQueen, a Morning Show contributor who investigates advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Dr Deborah Simmons OAM, meanwhile, will share her experiences of post-traumatic stress after assisting miners inculpated in a severe explosion at Moranbah. Such insights underscore the importance of robust safety measures, including a comprehensive Bluesafe WHS Management System.
The free seminars in the Work Well Speaker series comprise diverse topics on workforce consultation, managing mental health conversations, and controlling airborne contaminants within workplaces.
Aligning with Safe Work Month is Queensland Mental Health Week, taking place between 5-13 October. This time focuses on cultivating mentally sound workplaces and bracing for any psychosocial threats that may arise. The week’s highlight is the World Mental Health Day breakfast, moderated by Queensland’s Mental Health Ambassador, Hayley Lewis, who will lead an expert panel discussion on the issues of sexual and gender-based harassment in workplaces.
To find more details or to participate in these events, visit the Safe Work Month 2024 section on WorkSafe.qld.gov.au.
Deputy Director-General, Donna Heelan, emphasises: “This Safe Work Month, let’s converse about workplace health and safety with your colleagues and loved ones. Encouraging dialogue about safety practices urges employees to embrace the relevance of safety at work, which in turn makes them more likely to observe safety procedures and control potential risks. Everyone should be safe and sound after their working day, hence engaging with Safe Work Month may well save a life”.
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Original article link: https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/news-and-events/news/2024/safe-work-month-focuses-on-being-safe-365-days-of-the-year