“94% of Australian workers killed at work are male,” says study
October is National Safe Work Month and is the perfect time to raise awareness and focus on health and safety in the workplace.
Safe Work Australia’s CEO Michelle Baxter officially launched Safety Month earlier this month with the theme for 2015 being ‘Be safe. Be healthy. Because ….’ Ms Baxter said the theme has been deliberately left open so that people can add their personal reason for being safety and healthy at work.
Tragically in 2014, 188 workers were killed and of those fatalities 94% were male. During October, Safety Australia Group has taken on board the theme ‘Be safe. Be healthy. Because safety saves lives’ as part of our campaign to make a difference to workplace safety. Some further staggering safety statistics have been released by Safe Work Australia this month:
- Vehicle incidents continue to be the most common cause of workplace fatalities;
- Mental stress claims are most common in workers aged 40-54;
- In 2012-13 the average lost time for someone with a work related injury or illness was 5.4 weeks;
- Each work related injury or illness costs approximately $99,100; and
- 35% of workers who died in 2014 were machinery operators and drivers.
Behind Closed Doors
Safety Australia Group has taken a different approach to safety awareness and training through interactive court cases or mock trials. Participants become involved in a scenario such as a workplace fatality or a workplace bullying incident and take on the roles of court officer, judge, and key witnesses. The mock trial offers a ‘real-life’ element to the training and is effective because it:
- Identifies potential risks including gaps in systems and processes;
- Reflects on cultural vulnerabilities;
- Highlights opportunities for continuous improvement;
- Showcases how laws are practically interpreted and the effect this can have on an organisation; and
- Most importantly challenges and disrupts the traditional thinking of all attendees.
Safety Australia Group Managing Director Robert Keft explains “This is a unique opportunity to gain insight into what may happen if an incident ends up in court”. “The benefit and impact on the individuals involved in the Mock Trial is long lasting due to the interaction that is required during the session” say Mr Keft.
Safety Australia Group will be hosting a Workplace Health & Safety court case with renowned former NSW WorkCover Lawyer Bruce Whitehead on Thursday 27 October 2015 in Sydney, NSW. Safe Work Australia is encouraging all Australians to participate in Safety Month.
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- Contact Information
- Robert Keft
- Managing Director
- Safety Australia Group
- (61) 1300 585 158
- Contact via E-mail
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