Category 1 - Best Workplace Health and Safety Management System
This award recognises demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement of workplace health and safety through the implementation of an integrated systems approach.
Winner - Blackett Homes and Matrix Compliance Management
Blackett Homes OHS Management System
Blackett Homes have developed an OHS management system in full consultation with staff and management and with the active support of Matrix Compliance that is AS4801 compliant. The system was developed, implemented, and Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner accreditation was achieved, within 3 months from start to finish with no corrective actions required. The result has been heightened awareness of OHS in the organisation as well as improvements in the safety practices of the subcontractors used by Blackett Homes. Significantly increased communication and consultation has led to a reduction in incidents on sites and in the office.
Judges comments:
The judges were highly impressed by Blackett Homes' approach in working with Matrix Compliance to introduce a comprehensive and effective OHS management system which not only received Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner accreditation but has already produced tangible results both onsite and in the office. The final system was a credit to the professionalism of both organisations as well as the extensive consultation involved.
Commendation - Manteena Pty. Ltd.
Implementation of an Integrated Management System
Manteena's goal is to implement and maintain high levels of safety compliance on all sites, while continuing to provide on-time projects, on budget to an extremely high quality in an extremely competitive market. Manteena aims to achieve this through the implementation and maintenance of a third party accredited, integrated management system for quality, OHS and Environmental management, followed up by full accreditation with the Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner. The outcome is a system of policies, procedures, training, consultation and verification that has universal application, irrespective of the size or complexity of the project undertaken.
Judges comments:
The fact that Manteena's Integrated Management System has now become the system used in all their offices and across all sites locally and internationally is testament to its quality and soundness. The judges felt that Manteena should be commended for their effort. Their entry stood out in what was a particularly strong field of candidates.
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Category 2 - Best Solution to an Identified Workplace Health and Safety Issue
This award recognises excellence in developing and implementing a solution to an identified workplace health and safety issue. Entries for this award may include a product solution, design/ engineering innovation, training program, awareness raising activity or other risk control measure that reduces the risk of work-related injury and disease.
Winner - Bovis Lend Lease
Fall Protection System for Riser Shafts and Voids
Workers at risk of a fall through riser shafts or voids at heights are exposed to possible serious injuries or worse. Bovis Lend Lease considered this issue and came up with a solution which combines both elimination and engineering controls. Tim Toover's Fall Protection System for Riser Shafts and Voids, developed in consultation with project OHS reps and other senior project personnel, is both cost effective and designed and engineered to suit a specific purpose. The solution is a new concept which has since been implemented on two large multi-storey Commonwealth projects with a workforce of approximately 200 workers. There have been no reported incidents since the implementation of the fall control system.
Judges comments:
The judges considered this the best solution both because of its capacity to save lives and because it remained in place for the life cycle of the building, thus extending its benefit beyond the time for which it was originally intended. It is also a solution which cannot be easily by-passed by someone looking to take a short-cut.
Commendation - ACT Health
Manual Handling Program
In 2004, the Chief Executive of ACT Health became extremely concerned at the severity and prevalence of staff manual handling injuries. The area with the highest incidence of manual handling injuries was the Canberra Hospital. A Manual Handling Program Manager was appointed and in 2005 two manual handling advisors were appointed. The implementation of the Manual Handling Program began in 2005 and was progressively rolled out through all Canberra Hospital clinical areas, non-clinical areas and Community Health. Amongst non-clinical staff there has been a 91% reduction in time lost due to manual handling injuries. In Community Health over a 12 month period, there was a 98% reduction in time lost due to these types of injuries.
Judges comments:
ACT Health's response to a significant source of injuries to their staff showed all the elements of a classical OHS response - identification of a significant issue, identification of the source and causes of injuries, assessment of the risks, adoption of appropriate control measures and, finally, ongoing evaluation of implemented responses.
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Category 3 - Best Workplace Health and Safety Practices in Small Business
This award recognises achievement in overcoming barriers associated with small business to attain excellence in workplace health and safety outcomes. This could cover a solution to an identified risk, a training program, toolbox talks about occupational health and safety or any other practice that has seen an improvement in occupational health and safety performance.
Winner - Appliance Tagging Services
Designer Trolley
Rather than accept a specially designed and manufactured trolley supplied by the Franchisor for their testing and tagging equipment, Appliance Tagging sought a smaller, lighter trolley that they then redesigned to meet their own specific needs. While the original trolley was too tall and heavy for their staff, the new lightweight trolley is a great engineering solution to an identified hazard.
Judges comments:
This business took the time to design a solution to enable all staff to work safely - rather than just accept the product on offer. The solution was simple and cost effective. The added bonus is that it increases the efficiency of the business at the same time that it is improving health and safety.
Commendation - Optimum Brick and Block Pty. Ltd.
New Tricks for Old Dogs - Workplace Safety in the Bricklaying Trade
Optimum Brick and Block found that there were ongoing poor practices and behaviours in the bricklaying trade and no systematic approach to the management of safety issues. Their approach was to focus on education for their workforce, the training and placement of peers and fostering and promoting a safety culture. Hazards are now identified early and managed through a consultative process which utilises the traditional Hierarchy of Control. The result has been less absenteeism, increased productivity and an enhanced business reputation.
Judges comments:
Optimum Brick are to be commended for their efforts in breaking through old traditions. Their 'bottom up' approach to safety is a great example of how effective consultation can be a vital element in building safe work practices that really do get implemented at the coalface.
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Category 4 - Best Public Sector Leadership Award for Injury Prevention and Management
This award recognises achievement in providing leadership in both injury prevention and management in the public sector through assessment and reporting, best practice risk management and injury prevention and fostering a safety culture.
Winner - ACT Health Injury Prevention and Management Unit
Injury Prevention and Management Unit
The ACT Health Injury Prevention and Management Unit has responded to the increasing human and financial cost of workplace injuries with a comprehensive multi-layered system that has engaged both management and staff, led to the introduction of an OHS Management System with regular external audits, focused on key hazards such as those associated with manual handling and client aggression, provided improved support for those injured through early intervention and a solutions-based approach to post injury management and which monitors outcomes and pressure points on a regular basis. The result has been a dramatic decrease in injuries and time off and substantial dollar savings to the ACT’s health system.
Judges comments:
The fact that the financial savings from this solution were used to further improve safety, along with the comprehensive support developed in terms of statistics and management information to enable effective targeting of the interventions required makes this response an outstanding one. The management information available has the further benefit of demonstrating the ongoing cost-effectiveness of well thought out safety solutions.
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Category 5 - Best Individual Contribution to Health and Safety
This award recognises an individual’s personal achievement in occupational health and safety.
Winner - Steve Douglas from Bovis Lend Lease
Steve Douglas from Bovis Lend Lease
Steve Douglas is a long-term employee of Bovis Lend Lease. Over the last 10 years working as a construction worker he has demonstrated a real commitment to safety. Over the last 5 years, in particular, Steve has played a key role in managing and leading safety on Bovis sites across this region. Steve’s boots-and-all approach is an inspiration to everyone at Bovis. Somehow he always manages to find the energy to lift the rest of the team. Rather than wait for someone else to lead, Steve is always at the forefront – using his determination and hard-earned respect to make sure that safety is always given the attention it deserves.
Judges Comments:
The respect and authority Steve commands at Bovis has clearly been earned by long, hard and tireless dedication to health and safety. Steve is the team member every OHS team would want to have on board – always willing to go that extra step when it comes to safety. The example he provides for younger staff and the invaluable resource he is to senior management make him clearly this year’s best individual contributor to health and safety.
Commendation - James Miller - from Roof and Balcony Solutions
James Miller - from Roof and Balcony Solutions
James Miller has dedicated many hours to the implementation of a comprehensive safety system, placing special emphasis on ensuring it is easy to understand and implement for all employees. His systems have been accomplished through research, persistence and consultation and are implemented through meetings, training and on-the-job support. James’ dedication to safety has helped to build a safety culture in which safety issues are identified before or as they arise rather than as a result of after-the-event analysis.
Judges comments:
James’ commitment to safety over a long period of time was very clear to the judges and deserving of recognition. His obvious concern for the safety of his staff should be an example to everyone.
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Category 6 - Most Successful Promotion of OH&S in Workplaces
This award recognises achievements by a business in promoting occupational health and safety in workplaces.
Winner - Bovis lend Lease
Incident and Injury Free and the Meerkat Safety Culture
Bovis Lend Lease has established a worldwide goal for their employees, their consultants, their suppliers and the broader community of Incident and Injury Free worksites. The team at National Circuit in Barton promotes the Meerkat Way, where all team members lookout for each other’s safety and wellbeing, as a way of achieving this goal on their site. The Meerkat Way is promoted to all site workers from their first induction right throughout their time on the project. ‘Merve the Meerkat’ even attends barbeques and other site events, reinforcing the ‘One for All, All for One’ safety culture as a way of protecting health and safety.
Judges Comments:
The judges found the use of the Meerkat Way as an adjunct to an existing safety message an innovative way of taking an existing approach and thinking laterally about the best way of continuing to keep the message fresh in the minds of stakeholders.
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Category 7 - Best Workplace Health and Wellbeing Program
This award is a proactive award and recognises the organisation that has developed and implemented the best workplace health and wellbeing program. It is promoted on the premise that a fit and healthy employee is a more productive and happy employee.
There were two joint winners in this category ~ Creative Safety Initiatives and PCA People Pty. Ltd.
Winner 1 - Creative Safety Initiatives
CSI and CIT Workplace Health Initiative
The Canberra Institute of Technology, in association with Creative Safety Initiatives, has developed a suite of training for their building and construction industry apprentices to help fully prepare them for the challenges of working in a difficult and stressful industry. This training includes drug and alcohol awareness training for first year apprentices, Sun Smart and nutrition training for all second year apprentices and finally OHS responsibilities and fatigue management training for third year apprentices.
Judges comments:
CSI continue to strive to help not only existing workers to be safer and healthier, but the workers of tomorrow as well. The generous support from the Canberra Institute of Technology is enabling them to prepare the ACT’s future building and construction workers for what can be a challenging and stressful working environment
Winner 2 - PCA People Pty. Ltd.
PCA People Wellness Program 2008
The aim of the PCA People Wellness Program is to inspire staff to improve their individual health and lifestyle. The program takes a multifaceted approach to wellbeing and is designed to bring about positive behavioural change. The program consists of monthly themes relative to health and wellbeing that includes events such as massage, Tai Chi, work/home lifestyle balance, flu vaccinations, heart health screening and many more. Since the program’s introduction PCA People have noticed an 80% improvement in staff retention. Staff members are happier and healthier and so are their families.
Judges Comments:
The judges found that this program was developed in a collaborative manner and has become an integral element of the change process in the organisation. Key elements engage workers in a positive manner to enable them to make changes both in and beyond the workplace.
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GIO EXCELLENCE AWARD
This award is presented in recognition of outstanding achievement in in all the nominated categories.
Winner - ACT Health Injury Prevention and Management Unit
ACT Health Injury Prevention and Management Unit
The ACT Health Injury Prevention and Management Unit has responded to the increasing human and financial cost of workplace injuries with a comprehensive multi-layered system that has engaged both management and staff, led to the introduction of an OHS Management System with regular external audits, focused on key hazards such as those associated with manual handling and client aggression, provided improved support for those injured through early intervention and a solutions-based approach to post injury management and which monitors outcomes and pressure points on a regular basis. The result has been a dramatic decrease in injuries and time off and substantial dollar savings to the ACT’s health system.
Judges comments:
The judges felt that the ACT Health Injury Prevention and Management Unit’s initiative had all the elements of a successful response to a health and safety issue in the workplace – engagement and commitment from senior management, good use of statistics and other available management information to both target the response and monitor its ongoing effectiveness, and a well-thought out, comprehensive and sustained approach to both injury prevention and injury management. When all this is combined with a clearly successful outcome, it’s hard to go past their initiative for this year’s Excellence Award.