The finalists of the 22nd WorkSafe Awards were recently announced. The announcement of the winners will made at the Awards Dinner on Thursday 28 October.
‘Health and safety representative of the year’ finalists for 2010 include:
Dave Jones - Ambulance Victoria (East Gippsland)
Dave Jones has made a name for himself as a HSR amongst the tight-knit ambulance community - not only in Gippsland, but across the state. He represents fifty fellow paramedics and ambulance community officers in Lakes Entrance, Orbost, Cann River and Mallacoota.
In less than two years, Dave’s achievements include changing the way patients and personnel are transported off local beaches during emergencies; arranging training for ambulance officers involved in getting patients on and off vessels; helping fellow officers get appropriate fire retardant uniforms; and addressing ambulance radio coverage black spots within East Gippsland.
Glen Barber - Loy Yang Power (Traralgon)
Glen Barber has spent 34 years on the job at Loy Yang. Like most of his workmates, he’s seen a lot of changes in that time. Since being elected Health and Safety Representative in 2003, many of those changes have been inspired by Glen, which is great news for his own safety and that of his workmates.
Glen is seen as the senior HSR at Loy Yang Power, and often other HSRs from other areas will contact Glen and seek his advice, support and input. Although Dave enjoys talking directly to his workmates about safety, he’s also developed a regular newsletter to let the wider organisation know what’s been happening in the world of health and safety.
Keni Navusolo – Woolstar Pty Ltd (Barnawartha North)
Keni Navusolo has worked at Woolstar for 8 years and has been a health and safety representative for almost two years.
In that short period Keni has been instrumental in driving safety improvements from the floor, and his persistence and skill in negotiating in often difficult circumstances has resulted in substantial wins for worker safety on site. Some of those wins include fewer injuries, better hazard awareness, racial tolerance and fellow workers being better educated about their rights.
Marten Kelders – Heidelberg Graphic Equipment Limited (Melbourne)
As a Health and Safety representative for the last eight years at Heidelberg Graphic Equipment Limited Marten has played a key role in helping to improve safety for him and his fellow workmates and now it has paid off.
Marten has fifteen years service with Heidelberg Graphic Equipment Limited having been employed as a field service technician since April 1995. As HSR Martin has made a significant contribution to improving safety a the workplace including helping to eliminate work at height issues, slips trips and falls, improvements in making safety information available to other workers and improvements to the physical environments.
All four finalists are outstanding representatives in their workplace and are deserving of their nominations.
VTHC comment:
It should also be noted that all four finalists are also active union members who have looked to their union for assistance and support.
WorkSafe’s Strategic Programs Director Trevor Martin said that HSRs were the heroes of health and safety in Victoria and deserved the recognition that the WorkSafe Awards give them.
“There are thousands of HSRs in Victorian workplaces working tirelessly to improve workplace safety. Dave, Glen, Keni and Marten are great examples of the dedication and resolve that so many HSRS display in their role."
Other finalists include:
Best OHS Management System
- GHD Pty Ltd (Melbourne)
- Compass Group (Australia) Pty Ltd (North Melbourne)
Best Solution to an Identified Workplace Health and Safety Issue
Construction:
- Coliban Water (Bendigo) - Confined Space Entry Workbox
- Tenix (Melbourne) - Safe Working with Continuous Conduit
Public Sector and Community Services:
- Bendigo Health (Bendigo) - Loddon Linen Stress Prevention Program
- Glen Eira City Council (Works Depot) (Moorabbin) - Pipe locating dummy head
Manufacturing, Logistics and Agriculture:
- Kooka Brotha's Pty Ltd (Wodonga) - Half size aluminium pallet
- FreshBins Pty Ltd (Warrnambool) - Generation 3 Mobile Wheelie Bin washing and sterilising truck
- No Bolt Operations Pty Ltd & BlueScope Distribution Pty Ltd (Westall) - Trailer Portable Access Guardrail
- Cherry Constructions P/L & Workright Safety Solutions Pty Ltd (Carrum Downs) - Liftright Wheel Lifter
- Rotolift Pty Ltd (Bayswater) – Easy Picker
Mr Martin said that the 22nd Annual WorkSafe Awards would be held on Thursday 28 October at Peninsula, Shed 14 - Central Pier, 161 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands.
“Like every year, the awards promise to be a great night and a chance to recognise the stars of health and safety in Victoria. Tickets are now available and I encourage everyone with an interest in health and safety to come along and have a great night.”
WorkSafe Media Release (Paul Fallon)
last updated august 2011