The five winners of the prestigious 2016 Work Safety Awards Western Australia were announced this morning.

Juniper, Buckby Contracting Pty Ltd, St Stephen’s School, Tony Cannons and Ryan Knight are the winners of the Award categories.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch said this morning the five winners were examples of the many excellent workplace innovations and occupational safety and health systems being developed in WA.

“These Awards recognise outstanding occupational safety and health management, innovations and solutions in both public and private sector workplaces in WA that reduce the risk of work-related injury and disease,” Mr McCulloch said.

“Awards such as these are all about encouraging best practice in safety and health, and the winners are leading the way by making a significant contribution to making WA workplaces safer.

“I heartily congratulate all the very worthy winners and finalists, along with everyone else who nominated for this year’s Awards.”

WINNERS OF THE WORK SAFETY AWARDS WA 2016

Best workplace safety and health management system (two winners)

Winner:  Juniper

Juniper is a not-for-profit organisation providing aged home care, in-home community care and independent living units.

Management is committed to addressing hazards, particularly manual handling issues which are minimised through a “no-lift” policy, and employees are continually encouraged to raise safety issues.

Winner:  Buckby Contracting Pty Ltd

Buckby provides civil engineering services, specialising in installation of underground services including storm water, sewer, telecommunications, power, water pipes and cables.

The company supports the culture of a top-down approach to safety, where management leads by example and each worker thinks about the risks involved before they start a task.

Best solution to an identified workplace safety and health issue

Winner:  St Stephen’s School

St Stephen’s is a co-educational school in Perth’s north with students from pre-kindergarten to Year 12.

Having identified slips, trips and falls as the main cause of injuries sustained by students and staff, the school embarked on an innovative approach to risk management involving support staff, teachers and students.

Best individual contribution to safety and health by an employee - safety and health representative

Winner:  Tony Cannons from John Holland

Tony is the current Supervisor of Lift Operations at the Perth Children’s Hospital project, and has played a critical role in improving and maintaining an excellent safety record at the project.

He has the ability to engage with management and the wider workforce to encourage positive safety behaviour through strong communication, a proactive approach and never accepting compromised safety behaviour or standards.

Best individual contribution to safety and health - OSH Manager/OSH responsibilities

Winner:  Ryan Knight from DM Civil

Ryan, the SEQ Manager for DM Civil, believes that safety management systems are in place for good reason and, under his leadership, the company’s safety culture and performance are embedded into everyday practice.

Ryan’s ability to communicate clearly and enthusiastically about all safety and health matters has been fundamental in the company’s drive to reduce – and ultimately eliminate – the risk of injury to employees.

Media contact: Caroline De Vaney 6251 2363 or 0408 927563 (media enquiries only)

caroline.devaney@commerce.wa.gov.au

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