Businesses and employees who go the extra mile to make workplaces healthier and safer are being encouraged to nominate for the 2019 WorkSafe Victoria Awards.
The awards recognise the achievements of those who strive for innovative ways to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of Victorian workers.
Previous winners include an arborist injured in a workplace car accident who overcame many physical and mental barriers to return to work, and a company that developed reusable marine platforms to reduce the risks of staff working over water.
WorkSafe Chief Executive Clare Amies said the awards played an important role in promoting the importance of workplace health and safety.
"Workplace health and safety has improved dramatically since the awards began in 1988 but workers continue to be killed and injured at work," Ms Amies said.
"These awards honour the achievements of employers and workers who are determined to make health and safety a priority and who are doing everything they can to help injured workers return to work."
"They deserve recognition for their efforts and I encourage them to enter so they can share their ideas with others."
For the first time in the awards history, the winner of each category will also receive a $2000 cash prize.
The categories for this year's awards are:
- Health and Safety Representative of the Year
- Health and Safety Invention of the Year
- Best Solution to a Specific Workplace Health and Safety Issue
- Best Solution to a Manual Handling Issue
- OHS Leadership/Achievement Award
- Commitment to Workplace Health, Safety and Wellbeing
- Leading Return to Work Practice by an Employer
- Return to Work Coordinator Excellence
- Worker Return to Work Achievement Award
Nominations are open to all Victorian-based employers and workers, and entrants may nominate themselves or another person.
Entries close on 31 May and winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Melbourne on 31 October during Health and Safety Month.
