Work Safety Awards Western Australia
The Work Safety Awards Western Australia recognise outstanding occupational safety and health management, solutions and innovation in Western Australian workplaces.
Celebrating the best in safety 2011 Work Safety Awards Western Australia
Congratulations to all the finalists and worthy winners of this year’s Work Safety Awards. The 2011 winners will be entered into the National Safe Work Australia Awards to be announced early in 2012.
The Work Safety Awards Western Australia recognise outstanding occupational safety and health management, solutions and innovation in Western Australian workplaces.
Minister for Commerce Hon Simon O’Brien MLC, presented the awards at a breakfast function at Burswood chaired by ABC radio personality Russell Woolf. There were rousing cheers from colleagues and work mates when Russell announced some of the category winners.
Special guest, Professor Mark Griffin, from the School of Psychology at the University of Western Australia, presented 'Proactive safety - what drives safety innovation in the workplace'. Professor Griffin discussed the latest research findings and drive factors, particularly the importance of leadership.
Professor Griffin said he was honoured to be invited to the awards presentation.
‘This event is important,’ he said.
‘A key part of leading a proactive safe workplace is showing support for worker well-being and rewarding and celebrating safety innovation.’
In his address, Lex McCulloch, Acting Work Safe Commissioner and panel judge member for the awards, told guests he was ‘blown away’ by some of the award nominations.
‘As judges, we were particularly impressed by the individuals who showed tremendous commitment by putting in extra hours and effort outside of their normal duties to come up with a great safety solution,’ Lex said.
2011 Finalists and Winners
Category 1a - Best workplace safety and health management system in the Private Sector
Winner
Decmil - a civil infrastructure and building company operating on remote projects in the Western Australia’s North West. It has developed SHIELD – a program that drives the behaviours, attitudes, decisions and actions of employees, with the aim of achieving a working environment free from injury or incident.
The judges commented that Decmil’s programs were outstanding in achieving all criteria, with a system that is built into broader business management systems.
Decmil’s HSE Manager, Jeremy Knowles, said the award was great recognition.
‘It’s an endorsement of SHIELD and our safety systems. Promoting the win also boosts our marketing efforts when we are trying to win new contracts.’
Decmil announced that the company won the $70 million contract to build a Fly in/Flyout Camp and facilities for the Wheatstone LNG Project near Onslow on the Pilbara coast.
Finalists
Ertech - the largest wholly employee-owned construction company in Australia. Ertech developed and improved safe work practices, implementing a layered audit procedure, and formalising a 'just culture' process. Injury rates have been greatly reduced.
Veolia Transport Perth - provides public transport solutions and services. Veolia developed a safety management system that values consultation and transparency and facilitates continuous improvement to ensure the safety of all those who travel, work or interface with its operations.
Category 1b - Best workplace safety and health management system in the Public Sector
Winner
The Public Transport Authority (PTA) - operates all bus, train and ferry public transport services under TransWA. The PTA has established a ‘hearts and minds’ approach to safety recognising that strong leadership promotes positive safety culture. It motivated staff to actively contribute to achieving safety outcomes.
The judges said the PTA had a great range of strategies across all elements of its safety and health management system.
Finalists
The Broome Port Authority - facilitates trade and controls activities at the port. The Authority designed and coordinated Certificates III and IV in Transport and Logisitics, to link in with their new competency based assessment system.
LandCorp - the State Government’s land development agency managing major land, tourism and infrastructure projects. LandCorp developed a project procedures manual that sets the requirements for managing site safety risks, with a strong emphasis on the construction phase.
Category 2 - Best solution to an identified workplace safety and health issue
Winner
Wellington Dam Alliance - a partnership between Leighton Contractors, the Water Corporation, Hydro Tasmania, Structural Systems and Aecom. The Alliance is responsible for the Wellington Dam Improvement Project aligning the South West dam with current engineering standards.
The Alliance designed the post-tensioning strand cutting module. The module cuts 42 strands without the need for an operator to hold the grinder removing the risk of serious injury from kickback.
Judges commented that the Alliance showed great consultation in the design of a solution that protects workers performing very dangerous work.
Finalists
Ertech - developed a suite of star picket driving tools, also known as the ‘noodle whackers’ to reduce the risk of hand injuries to employees and sub-contractors when driving star pickets or reo bar into the ground.
Hollywood Private Hospital - a healthcare facility in Nedlands, Perth. The hospital introduced the delta-shaped mini slide board to eliminate the need for hospital workers to be in an awkward posture by sliding an arm under a patient for movement. The slide boards are now used across the organisation. Hollywood also rolled out a new training program as part of the patient manual handling system.
Swick Mining Services - provides mineral drilling services across Australia and North America. Swick has established a Human Energy Damage Reduction Program that has an ergonomic approach to reduce injury rates. Numerous strategies were implemented to address the people, equipment and environmental factors that increase the risk of human energy related injuries.
Tutt Bryant – Heavy Lift and Shift - a division of the Tutt Bryant Group. Tutt employee Ron Graham identified a serious manual handling issue involving the lifting and fitting of a 60 kg hydraulic ram that placed operators at risk. In his own time, Ron designed and manufactured the hydraulic ram installer, which completely removed the need to lift. This greatly reduced the risk and made the task a one man operation.
The Shire of Mundaring - designed the fold-up/down ladder, which has been installed on a fleet of three-way tipper trucks. Previously, staff stood on the A-frame of the truck’s trailer to pull a retractable tarpaulin over the truck which posed many safety risks. This ladder has reduced the risk of back injuries, slips and falls.
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital - one of Perth’s major tertiary hospitals, often receives patients by helicopter. Through a collaborative effort between CHC Helicopters Australia, St John Ambulance and the Hospital, a frame was developed to fit over patient trolleys. This frame has reduced the risk of manual task injuries when transferring patients to and from a helicopter.
Category 3 – Best workplace safety and health practices in small business
Winner
Leicon Notley - a broad-based, professional engineering construction company. It has spent the last two years improving OSH practices, resulting in a fully integrated, workable and certified system. Leicon Notley’s first step was engaging WorkSafe’s ThinkSafe Small Business program and the company attributes its success to a strong focus on raising staff awareness and participation.
‘Winning the award is a measure of our achievement in safety management. It has made the process worthwhile,’ said Geoff Leivers, Managing Director.
‘The award motivates us to stay aware of the issues, keeping safety at the forefront of everyone’s mind.’
The judges said Leicon Notley introduced a sophisticated and fantastic system for small business.
Finalist
Modern Motor Trimmers (MMT) - a Perth-based company that delivers innovative seating solutions, technical support and services to clients throughout Australia and internationally. MMT created a safety management program to indentify hazards, assess risks and introduce control measures and procedures through fortnightly toolbox consultations with staff.
Category 4 - Best individual contribution to safety and health by an employee with no formal OSH responsibilities
Winner
John McDonnell - Hollywood Private Hospital - John is a patient service assistant in Hollywood’s operating theatres. John rolled out a new training program to theatre staff as part of the patient manual handling system.
When John became aware of patient handling risks for workers, he went on to invent the delta-shaped mini slide board. It is now used organisation wide resulting in Hollywood Hospital being a finalist in Category 2 - Best solution to an identified workplace safety and health issue.
The judges were impressed with John’s high level of initiative dealing with a workplace issue that is completely outside of his normal role.
Finalists
Sophie Sanderson, Public Sector Commission - Sophie was a Strategic Projects Officer at the Commission. Even though she had no formal OSH responsibilities, Sophie took it upon herself to develop and implement a new OSH system, procedures and policies into the Commission.
Robert Hickey, Broad Construction Services - Robert is a site manager for the Western Power Head Office refurbishment. John became a champion of ‘Safety Essentials’, which is a list of non-negotiable safety requirements for all projects.