October is Australia’s Work Safety Month and the theme of “Be Safe. Be Healthy. Because…” is something we here at ABILITY GROUP are passionate about. What is also important about workplace safety is the consequences injuries have to workers. Depending on the seriousness of the injury, or in the tragic situations of a workplace fatality, government bodies can issue businesses material fines to complement the other effects.
National Work Safety Month – {Exert from Safe Work Australia} Chair of Safe Work Australia and National Safe Work Month Ambassador, Ann Sherry, is urging businesses to make health and safety a priority and conduct a risk assessment during 2015 National Safe Work Month.
“National Safe Work Month is all about participation, so take some time out this October to raise awareness, conduct a risk assessment and make changes to improve your workplace,” says Ms Sherry.
With the estimated total cost of work related injury and illness to employers, workers and the community at $60 billion a year, Ann Sherry maintains that a safe and healthy workplace is non-negotiable and that good health and safety management is all about good risk management.
“There is strong evidence that businesses who manage their risks well, including their health and safety risks, perform better financially,” said Ms Sherry.
Managing workplace risks effectively involves thinking about what could go wrong, what the consequences could be and then doing whatever is reasonably practicable to eliminate or minimise the health and safety risks.
Recently iCare (previously WorkCover NSW) has issued material fines to several businesses found at fault for workplace injuries and deaths. Read more below:
- Western Sydney Engineering Company Fined $225,000 over worker death in 2012
- Demolition Company Fined $120,000 after worker’s skull pierced by steel bar
- Leading Australian Paper & Recycling company fined $400,000 over workers death
Want to know more, contact us and one of our specialists will be very happy to assist.