On Thursday, February 28, WorkSafe Victoria announced its annual award winners.
Eight winners from various sectors such as health care, emergency services, agriculture, transport and local government were recognised for their significant efforts in enhancing workplace safety and facilitating the return to work for injured employees.
Health and safety representative of the year
Ambulance Victoria Mansfield paramedic Jason Learmonth was a joint winner of this award with University Hospital Geelong nurses Jen Gamble and Gaye Coles.
Mr Learmonth’s fatigue management strategies transformed his branch from an ‘on-call’ roster to a fully rostered team.
Ms Gamble and Ms Coles spearheaded vital changes at Geelong’s largest hospital to mitigate exposure to hazardous substances and increase safety around machines operated in the workplace.
The return-to-work achievement
Andrew Mifsud and Helene Visser were also joint winners.
They both triumphed over significant mental health challenges to rejoin the workforce, showcasing resilience and determination.
Mr Mifsud was a truck driver who developed post-traumatic stress disorder after witnessing a road fatality in 2022 and felt he could never return to the profession.
Mr Misfud’s family, employer and health team supported his gradual return to work and retraining as a driver-trainer.
Ms Visser was a victim of workplace bullying, leading to her mental health becoming debilitated and keeping her unemployed for 11 years.
She was determined to return to work and was placed in a new role through job-seeking assistance.
Ms Visser recognised there were aspects of the new workplace that were not healthy for her and instead secured a new job placement using the WorkSafe WISE scheme in mid-2023.
Health and safety solution of the year
Victoria Police received accolades for its innovative approach to safely starting impounded vehicles that were being released to their owners.
The impoundment support unit developed a hard seat cover that could be placed over the driver’s seat.
The cover reduced the risk of potential exposure to syringes and bio-hazards while eliminating the unsafe practice of starting vehicles by reaching in while standing outside.
Occupational health and safety leadership achievement
Hepburn Shire Council was honoured for significantly improving its workplace health and safety culture, including recognising health and safety representatives’ critical role as a communication line between workers and senior leaders.
After recognising there was a lack of engagement by staff in health and safety across the organisation, the council worked to improve its safety and reporting cultures, including by building its number of health and safety representatives to 20, developing health and safety policies, addressing workplace hazards and providing more information and training to staff.
Commitment to workplace health and safety on a farm
Brothers Paul and James Diamond own and operate a 1000-hectare farm.
Concerns about family members working alone across the property without reliable mobile reception led brothers Paul and James Diamond to develop AirAgri, a small physical device carried on each individual to monitor location on a digitised farm map.
The map has further functions, such as tagging hazards and safety assets on the property.
The device has given the farmer owner-operators peace of mind and could help to reduce fatalities and serious injuries across the industry.
Leading return-to-work practice
In the past 12 months, the not-for-profit Calvary Aged Care Services has greatly improved return-to-work outcomes.
Previously, injury reporting was managed externally, meaning injured workers often felt unsupported and disconnected.
It’s now been brought in-house, and managers are crucial in checking in with staff following an incident.
Injury management and incident reporting training have been introduced, and a more collaborative approach has been taken.