Workplace safety winners announced

Steel engineering and fabrication company, Park Engineers, is one of four winners in this year's WA 2010 Work Safety Awards.

Park Engineers won the award for best safety and health management system in the private sector.

The award for best solution to an identified workplace safety and health issue was won by Salmat.

Salmat assembles Australia Post's unit loading devices, cage-like structures used to transport mail.

An employee of the company has developed the "Armstrong lever", a device designed to assist in assembly of the unit loaders and reduce back strain.

Pia Carter from the Department of Fisheries in Broome, won the award for best individual contribution to safety and health by a person with no formal responsibility for occupational safety and health.

Senior electrical engineer with electrical and project delivery company Sinclair Knight Merz, Danny Norton, was presented the award for best individual contribution to safety and health by a person with responsibility for occupational safety and health.

All of the award winners will be entered into the national Safe Work Australia Awards.

See WorkSafe statement below:

The four winners of the prestigious 2010 Work Safety Awards Western Australia were announced on Friday night.

Park Engineers, Salmat Pty Ltd, Pia Carter from the Department of Fisheries in Broome and Danny Norton from Sinclair Knight Merz are the winners of the three award categories and will now be entered into the national Safe Work Australia Awards.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said today the four winners were terrific examples of the many excellent workplace innovations and occupational safety and health systems being developed in WA.

"These awards provide the opportunity for innovative Western Australians to gain national recognition for their achievements," Ms Lyhne said.

"They recognise outstanding occupational safety and health management, solutions and innovation in both public and private sector workplaces in WA that reduce the risk of work-related injury and disease.

"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."

The award for best safety and health management system in the private sector was won by Park Engineers.

Park Engineers in Welshpool is one of Australia's leading steel engineering and fabrication companies, operating mainly in the mining and construction industries.

With input from employees, the Board of Directors and consultants, Park Engineering has developed a comprehensive and integrated safety and health management system with a strong emphasis on risk management.

The award for best solution to an identified workplace safety and health issue was won by Salmat Pty Ltd.

Salmat assembles Australia Post's unit loading devices, cage-like structures used to transport mail.

An employee of the company has developed the "Armstrong lever", a device designed to assist in assembly of the unit loaders and reduce back strain.

Salmat quickly recognised the potential of the Armstrong lever in reducing manual handling injuries, and now utilises it across its operations.

The award for best individual contribution to safety and health by a person with no formal responsibility for occupational safety and health was won by Pia Carter from the Department of Fisheries in Broome.

Pia, a newly-elected safety and health representative, identified two risks to workers accessing a four metre high seawater storage tank to clean it - the risks associated with working at heights and working in confined spaces.

After consultation between Pia and experts and staff, the Department installed a harness and cable system to prevent falls, along with a system of safe procedures for working in confined spaces.

The award for best individual contribution to safety and health by a person with responsibility for occupational safety and health was won by Danny Norton from Sinclair Knight Merz.

Danny, a Senior Electrical Engineer with electrical and project delivery company Sinclair Knight Merz, developed an assessment protocol and procedures to reduce the risks associated with switchboard arc flashes that can cause fires.

He traveled across Australia to present awareness-raising seminars, and his work has helped to ensure a safer work environment for all workers in the electrical industry.

Winners of the national Safe Work Australia Awards will be announced early in March 2011.

"Each of the category winners of the 2010 Work Safety WA Awards is a very worthy winner, and each now has the opportunity for their achievements to be recognised across Australia," Ms Lyhne said.

"I heartily congratulate the winners, along with everyone else who nominated for the awards, and encourage businesses of all sizes to nominate for the 2011 Work Safety Awards Western Australia."