WorkSafe Victoria has held its annual awards ceremony, recognising the state’s best in workplace health, safety and return to work.

 

The awards saw 11 winners receive honours, selected from a group of 35 finalists for the awards, now in their 24th year.

 

Initiatives showcasing individual excellence, return to work heroes, companies committed to health and safety and others helping to reduce workplace injuries were just some of the winners that walked away with the top honour this year.

 

Speaking at the event, Assistant Treasurer Gordon Rich-Phillips said the awards recognised the significant contribution of individuals and organisations in workplace health, safety and return to work.

 

“Victorian workplaces are the safest they have ever been and we continue to see the rate of workplace injuries trending downwards,” he said.

 

The winners of this year’s annual WorkSafe Victoria Awards are (please click on the below links to access more information)


Health and safety

Health and Safety Representative of the Year
This award acknowledges Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) who have made a significant contribution and demonstrable difference to OHS within their designated workgroups.

Harold Roeding – Department of Primary Industries

 

Health and Safety Committee of the Year
This award acknowledges the roles and functions of health and safety committees (HSCs) and recognises performance and achievements that demonstrate high level consultation and commitment to health and safety across the entire workplace.

Department of Primary Industries – Mildura

 

Best Solution to a Workplace Health and Safety Issue
This award recognises excellence in developing and implementing a solution to an identified workplace health and safety issue.

Preventing Musculoskeletal Injuries (for an innovation, invention or initiative that eliminates or significantly reduces the risk of musculoskeletal injuries)

Metropolitan Fire & Emergency Services Board – Richmond

Goodstart Early Learning – Locations across the state

Preventing Health and Safety Risk (for an innovation, invention or initiative that eliminates or considerably reduces a significant risk in a workplace)

SafePanel Pty Ltd – Parkdale


Health and wellbeing

Commitment to Workplace Health and Wellbeing
This award recognises leadership that demonstrates a whole-of-organisation commitment to promoting health and wellbeing at work.

Parmalat Australia Limited – Rowville


Return to work

Employer Excellence
This award recognises, at an organisational level, an employer's outstanding efforts to support the return to work of an injured worker(s) to safe and sustainable work.

Confoil Pty Ltd – Bayswater

Vic Freight Xpress – Tullamarine (Honourable mention)


Occupational Rehabilitation Consultant Achievement
This award recognises an occupational rehabilitation consultant's (from an approved provider) outstanding achievements in returning an injured worker(s) to safe and sustainable work.

Peter Murphy – Nabenet – Hawthorn


Return to Work Coordinator Excellence
This award recognises an individual Return to Work Coordinator's outstanding achievements in returning an injured worker(s) to safe and sustainable work.

Libby McLean – Form 700 – Altona North


Treating Health Practitioner Achievement
This award recognises a treating health practitioner's outstanding achievements in returning an injured worker(s) to safe and sustainable work.

Nick Economos – Empower Rehab – Heidelberg Heights


Worker Return to Work Achievement Award
This award recognises a worker's outstanding achievements in returning to work following a workplace injury.

Grant McKinna – GEA Westfalia Separators Australia Pty Ltd – Thomastown