OHS REPS @ WORK

WorkSafe has announced the eight finalists for the 2007 Health and Safety Representative of the Year.  All are union members - here's a brief background on each of them.  The Awards will be announced at the WorkSafe Awards Dinner, to be held during WorkSafe Week.

Andrew keenly represents the health and safety interests of his colleagues and has dealt with a large number of issues throughout his time as the health and safety representative in Central Highlands Water. He adopts a proactive, consultative approach to addressing issues raised by members of his DWG. He has been actively involved in a number of key safety initiatives that have been implemented in Central Highlands Water and many other Water Authorities within Victoria. Andrew has a true passion for OHS and the safety of his DWG members and has developed a great working relationship with them, earning their trust and respect.

Marg Howard (NUW):  Nestle Uncle Tobys

Marg has demonstrated a genuine passion for OHS and has been a proactive and persistent representative for many years. She is held in high esteem by fellow employees and management alike. Marg has excellent communication skills, and has ensured all members in her DWG are involved in the scoping and implementation of new machinery, equipment and work processes. One of Marg’s proudest achievements was facilitating the development of a custom built ladder to allow safe access to a cheese hopper during cleaning. Her strong facilitation skills contributed to the development of a chemical containment system, modifications on the packing line and the fitment of machine guarding.

Bronwyn Macreadie (LHMU):  Zoos Victoria

Bronwyn has worked for Healesville Sanctuary for the past 25 years as a zoo keeper in the animal husbandry department and is currently serving her second term as the health and safety representative. She is widely recognised in her workplace as a driving force behind improved OHS standards and has established a reputation for persisting with issues on behalf of members of her DWG until they have been satisfactorily addressed. Bronwyn developed the concept of ‘safety alerts’ in her workplace and initiated a zoological health and safety network. She is also involved in developing the first set of industry safety standards for Zoos. Bronwyn has earned the trust and respect of her colleagues and management and is seen as an OHS mentor and coach to others.

Vicki Norton (ANF):  Lorne Community Hospital

Vicki has been a dedicated representative at the Lorne Community Hospital for the past 10 years. Combining her representative role as a champion for OHS on behalf of members of her work group, and her job as a part-time nurse, one of Vicki’s major achievements has been her involvement in the redevelopment of the Lorne hospital. Vicki’s persistence resulted in substantial OHS improvements to the design of the building. The adoption of several of Vicki’s suggested initiatives is testament to her ability to represent staff and patient needs and communicate openly and effectively with management. Her ability to relate to a small and dedicated team is held in high regard at all levels.

Peter Neumann (NUW):  Nylex Materials Handling

Peter has been a health and safety representative for 16 years at this plastic manufacturing plant and has been re-elected six times. He has been described by members of his DWG as caring, serious about his role as their representative and proactive in raising issues with management when appropriate. He is equally respected by management who speak of him as being a person who is receptive, co-operative and vigilant in relation to OHS matters. Peter has been instrumental in driving OHS improvements in his workplace including the introduction of robot guards, a traffic management system, the installation of burn units and eyewash stations. His personal interest in forklift safety has resulted in a number of initiatives being integrated into his workplace which have provided company-wide benefits, and are a testament to his commitment to health and safety. Peter’s skill at resolving OHS issues and mentoring staff has contributed to high levels of trust and co-operation across the business.

Caroline Paulzen (ANF):  Royal District Nursing Service

Caroline works as a mobile district nurse in Rosebud, and was elected as representative eighteen months ago. Caroline’s greatest challenge is that she represents a mobile workforce in a multitude of workplaces (client homes). Constantly engaged with her colleagues and management, Caroline has led the way on a number of hazard prevention strategies, including a back injury prevention program. She consults widely and is a skilled active listener, earning the respect of the co-workers she represents. Caroline is regarded as a mentor and a trusted source of health and safety information. She has developed strategies to address employee stress issues, organised ergonomic assessments of work stations, and takes an active role in ensuring site risk assessments are completed for all new client homes, amongst other things.

Tarek Soueid (NUW):  Woolworths

Tarek currently represents up to 50 employees in his DWG at the afternoon dispatch department at Woolworths’ Hume Distribution Centre. It has been said by the OHS manager that Tarek is ‘the engine room’ of OHS at the distribution centre, showing an extraordinary willingness to ‘raise and persist with issues through to resolution’. He has played a key role in devising and flow-charting a new site wide OHS consultative structure. In addition, he has been involved in raising and resolving a wide range of OHS issues at the site, including negotiations to increase the number of representatives for the site; manual handling associated with a trial introduction of roll cages and wrapping of pallets and the introduction of bullying and harassment guidelines.

Brendan Taylor (AWU):  Bluescope Steel

Facilitating significant OHS improvements at Bluescope Steel has been the highlight of Brendan’s eight years as health and safety representative, having been re-elected on three occasions. His professional demeanour is highly regarded as is his innate ability to seek resolutions to some of the most complex issues facing this industry. Brendan has been described as being very proactive, taking on a range of OHS issues and following them through to the end. He always provides feedback to members of his DWG and thoroughly addresses OHS matters that arise in the workplace. Glenn, a member of his DWG commented that Brendan is very helpful. “He never shirks issues, even the difficult ones, no matter who he has to see to tackle the issue, and no matter how busy he is.” Significant OHS improvements that Brendan has been involved in include the replacement of derelict sections of the roof at the Hot Strip Mill, the replacement of damaged crane rails and hold down clips and the development of a crane electro-magnet exclusion zone to minimise risk associated with magnetised loads dropping in the vicinity of personnel.