Elise Archer,Minister for Workplace Safety and Consumer Affairs
Today's annual World Day for Safety and Health at Work and Workers' Memorial Day is another important reminder of the importance of workplace safety.
This year's theme 'Act together to build a positive safety and health culture' focuses on how we can all contribute to preventing work-related deaths, disease, injuries and illnesses.
By raising awareness and promoting positive work health and safety (WHS) cultures, employers and workers can work together and implement effective and sustainable approaches that can save lives.
I am particularly pleased to announce today that the Tasmanian Government will provide a $150,000 contribution towards the workers' memorial garden project in Launceston in the upcoming State Budget.
I thank Unions Tasmania for their advocacy on this initiative and will work closely with both Federal and local governments to progress this important project.
A strong WHS culture allows workers to be confident in raising concerns with their manager or employers about potential safety risks or hazards.
World Day for Safety and Health at Work and Workers' Memorial Day is also a day to remember those who have died from a work-related injury or illness.
In the last 10 years, there has been an 18 per cent decrease in injuries, but there is still more we can all do to further reduce this.
Our Government is committed to keeping Tasmanians safe and healthy at work, and believes that everyone deserves to go home safe at the end of their working day.
This World Day for Safety and Health at Work and Workers' Memorial Day, we can all raise awareness of WHS issues and take action to remove or reduce health and safety risks at work, and ultimately prevent work-related deaths and injuries.
