INNOVATION in occupational health and safety was celebrated at the WA Work Safety Awards last week, with four recipients now moving forward to the national competition.
INNOVATION in occupational health and safety was celebrated at the WA Work Safety Awards last week, with four recipients now moving forward to the national competition.
Park Engineers won the award for ‘best safety and health management system’ in the private sector for its development of a new management system using “toolbox meetings” with staff, and extensive safety training.
The Welshpool-based firm is one of Australia’s leading steel engineering and fabrication companies, servicing mainly the mining and construction industries.
General manager Gary Azzalini said the company had spent almost six years overhauling its management plan and placing a strong emphasis on risk management.
“Originally we had some consultants in. Since then we’ve taken control ourselves, through our workshop manager and the workforce,” he said.
“It’s not reactive, it’s proactive. Our emphasis is on being proactive and getting the message out there, that’s basically what’s its trying to do.
“If an incident does happen we record it, then we do a thorough investigation of what happened, and just reinforce that with the men.”
The award for ‘best solution to an identified workplace issue’ went to the Bassendean office of global outsourcing company Salmat.
Salmat in Bassendean assembles Australia Post’s unit loaders, which are used to transport mail.
Salmat storeperson Graeme Armstrong developed the Armstrong lever to reduce back strain and assist in assembling the unit loaders.
The Armstrong lever is now used across Salmat’s Australian operations.
Electrical engineer Danny Norton won the award for ‘best individual contribution to safety and health by a person with responsibility for occupational health and safety’.
Mr Norton, who works for electrical and project delivery company Sinclair Knight Merz, developed an assessment protocol to reduce the risks associated with potentially dangerous switchboard arc flashes, and has travelled the country presenting seminars to raise awareness of the danger.
The award for ‘best individual contribution to safety and health by a person with no formal responsibility for occupational health and safety’ went to Pia Carter from the Department of Fisheries in Broome.
Ms Carter helped to identify and minimise the risks associated with cleaning a four-metre high seawater storage tank.
Worksafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said the awards were a way to recognise outstanding occupational safety and health management and the innovation happening in workplaces across the state.
“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,” she said.
The winners will now be entered into the national Safe Work Australia Awards, held in April 2011.
