WorkCover announces work safety awards

A new annual state awards scheme to promote and recognise high standards of occupational health and safety in NSW workplaces was announced recently by WorkCover NSW Chief Executive Officer, Jon Blackwell.

"The inaugural WorkCover NSW Safe Work Awards, to be presented in Sydney on 14 October 2004, will provide a focus for both employers and employees who have achieved significant safety improvements in their workplace," said Blackwell. "The awards include categories for best solutions to general workplace health and safety issues and manual handling hazards, as well as best health and safety management and OHS training programs.

"A major objective of the awards is to encourage innovation in OHS in small business, and to facilitate this, businesses with 20 or less employees will be eligible for the 'Best workplace health and safety initiative in small business' award."

Blackwell said WorkCover's existing Premium Discount Scheme (PDS) Awards would be incorporated into the new awards program, with two special categories created - for outstanding achievement in the PDS by small/medium and large employers.

"Award nominations will be judged by a panel include senior representatives from WorkCover, trade unions, employer groups and specialist OHS advisory bodies," he said.