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Winner of the Federal Safety Commissioner's Award announced
21 November 2008
Federal Safety Commissioner (FSC), Helen Marshall, presented the 2008 FSC’s award at the Master Builders’ National Awards held in Canberra last Friday.
The winner was John Holland for their Reliance Rail Maintenance Facility Project in New South Wales.
In presenting the award, Helen noted that the project demonstrated excellent communication where all parties associated with the active railway system were consulted.
This project was complex with high hazard profiles including a live railway line, overhead wires, contaminated land and all of the competing forces associated with the undertaking of construction work at an active site. The project team regularly and comprehensively addressed safety management risks, particularly during design and prior to construction commencing. This led to a project with no lost time injuries.
The FSC’s Award promotes best practice OHS on building and construction projects through the acknowledgement and celebration of excellence in health and safety.
Picture: FSC, Helen Marshall with award recipients.
Federal Safety Commissioner releases 2007-08 Progress Report
31 October 2008
The Federal Safety Commissioner (FSC) has just released the 2007–08 Progress Report, which shows encouraging signs that OHS initiatives are having a positive impact on the Australian building and construction industry.
“While I am heartened by the progress made to date, the rate of fatalities and serious incidents in the building and construction industry remains unacceptable. Further progress can only be achieved through strong industry leadership and cultural change” FSC, Helen Marshall said.
The Report outlines the range of OHS initiatives undertaken by the FSC aimed at improving OHS performance across the building and construction industry.
The Report also includes a summary of the performance of companies accredited under the Australian Government Building and Construction OHS Accreditation Scheme, which has been in operation for three years. An analysis of the performance data for accredited companies shows a reduction in the median Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) for the third successive year.
Over the next 12 months safety leadership will remain a key focus for the FSC as she continues to work with stakeholders to influence sustainable cultural and behavioural change.
To obtain a copy of the FSC’s 2007–08 Progress Report, please visit the publications page or phone 1800 652 500.
Picture: FSC, Helen Marshall releases the 2007-08 Progress Report.
A champion for workplace safety; Safety Bro
20 October 2008
The introduction of a safety mascot has produced award winning results for a NSW small business.
As part of Safe Work Australia Week (SWAW), the Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner has released a new case study outlining how one small business has successfully implemented a program to develop and maintain a positive safety culture in their workplace.
The case study explains how Sharpe Bros put into practice a safety awareness program to combat complacency in the workplace and to keep safety a top priority among employees. At the centre of the program is Safety Bro. A visual and fun mascot for workplace safety, Safety Bro serves as a constant reminder to all employees to always consider safety in their daily activities
For the initiative, Sharpe Bros were awarded the Best Workplace Health and Safety Practices in Small Business at the 2007 National Safe Work Australia Awards.
A lesson for other small operators interested in improving workplace OHS is that even the simplest concept can have award winning results provided everyone in the workplace is involved.
The Federal Safety Commissioner released the case study today at an event held by her fellow Safe Work Ambassadors, Sharpe Bros, at the Gosford Art Gallery.
View the Driving cultural change in small business case study.
If you have a topic that may be of interest to the industry as an OHS case study, please contact us.
Safe Work Australia Week 2008
15 October 2008
Safe Work Australia Week (SWAW) reminds us that workplace health and safety is everybody’s business.
SWAW 19 – 25 October 2008 is a national initiative of the Australian Safety and Compensation Commission (ASCC) aimed at focusing attention on workplace safety around Australia.
The Federal Safety Commissioner, Helen Marshall is a SWAW Safety Ambassador. As an Ambassador, Helen is promoting the message that everyone has the ability to influence safety regardless of where they work or their position in an organisation.
You can get involved by holding a safety event in your own workplace. This can be a fun way to get all staff thinking about safety. Activities are only limited by your creativity! Why not hold a safety themed morning tea or schedule some interesting safety or health seminars?
In the Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner staff are being challenged to create an artistic representation of ‘Safety’. The afternoon celebrations are bound to be very entertaining as teams present their artwork, dance routines and poetry recitals!
Raising awareness of safety in your workplace may not only help decrease the number of injuries and serious incidents, but also boost staff morale and increase efficiency in your organisation.
More information about SWAW can be found HERE
ACT Safe, encourage safety
2 October 2008
Safe Work ACT Month is an annual event, coordinated by the ACT OHS Commissioner and the Office of Regulatory Services, to encourage all ACT workers and businesses to get involved in, and concentrate on, safety in the workplace.
The Federal Safety Commissioner is proud to support this month, and is encouraging all workplaces to get creative and have fun while aiming to create safer and healthier workplaces.
As part of these activities, the Federal Safety Commissioner’s Office will be taking part in the ACT Safety Expo on 16 October at the National Convention Centre.
Safety is everyone’s responsibility. So if you’re an ACT business, why not take the lead in workplace safety by organising a fun and informative activity to highlight the importance of safety and the role that everyone plays in making safety a priority at work.
Further details on the Expo as well as information on becoming involved in Safe Work ACT Month are available here.
Engineering education on safe design
22 September 2008
The design phase of a project provides the greatest opportunity to improve health and safety outcomes. With this in mind, the Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner (OFSC) sponsored a group of engineering students to participate in the Associated Professional Certificate in Safety in Design.
Created and organised by the Association of Consulting Engineers Australia and University of Sydney, the two-day intensive program covers safety in design legislation and risk management techniques. Importantly, the program shows how these techniques can be integrated into daily practice.
The OFSC’s support of this initiative provided regional engineers with the opportunity to participate in this program.
A new case study provides detail on the initiative and describes the practical experience of students.
The OFSC works with a range of building and construction industry stakeholders to develop case studies that promote practical ideas and solutions in OHS. This is the eleventh case study published. View all case studies.
If you have an OHS initiative that may be of interest to the industry please contact us.
CEOs Voice Commitment to Safety
21 August 2008
Today the Hon Julia Gillard MP, Acting Prime Minister, addressed a group of 65 key leaders from the building and construction industry at the inaugural Federal Safety Commissioner’s CEO Forum.
The Forum brought together CEOs to gain their commitment to a Leadership Charter based on a philosophy of zero harm. CEOs agreed to drive cultural change – not only in their own companies but across the industry.
The Acting Prime Minister also announced Ms Helen Marshall as the new Federal Safety Commissioner.
In the last 12 months, as Deputy Federal Safety Commissioner, Helen has promoted OHS within the building and construction industry through participation in a number of industry events and forums. She noted, in accepting the position that she was looking forward to working closely with industry stakeholders to build on the significant achievements made to date.
To view the Deputy Prime Minister's address, the charter and the list of companies commiting to the charter view the leadership page.
A window on safe design
16 July 2008
The Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner (OFSC) promotes the concept and process of safe design to the building and construction industry to eliminate or reduce risk of injury at building, use, or demolition phases of construction. The OFSC has produced an audiovisual presentation promoting awareness of safe design:
A key message of the presentation is to encourage the involvement of all stakeholders in the process of safe design.
The safe design page provides further information on safe design.
New fact sheets released on small business and subcontractor OHS
11 July 2008
The OFSC has released two new fact sheets.
One of the fact sheets provides advice on how the Australian Government Building and Construction OHS Accreditation Scheme may apply to the activities of small business operators and residential builders.
The other fact sheet provides information on subcontractor OHS management as it relates to the Scheme and also details some practical examples for those seeking to improve their subcontractor OHS management arrangements.
The OFSC invites interested parties to view the fact sheets or to access copies via the new Subcontractor OHS page.
Tom Fisher downs tools as FSC
27 June 2008
The OFSC offers their appreciation and best wishes to Tom Fisher as he steps down from the position of Federal Safety Commissioner on 3 July 2008.
As Australia's first Federal Safety Commissioner, Tom's appointment came at a time when there was growing consensus in the building and construction industry that OHS must be improved.
Over the past three years, Tom has continued to champion the message that inadequately planned and poorly managed OHS not only costs more in time and money but may cost the lives of construction workers and devastate families. Tom has made a significant contribution to improving the safety performance in the building and construction industry.
The OFSC is committed to continuing to work with industry to bring about sustainable cultural change and safer and healthier worksites. Deputy Federal Safety Commissioner, Helen Marshall, will assume Tom's duties pending the appointment of a new Federal Safety Commissioner.
Helen and the OFSC congratulate Tom on his significant achievements as Federal Safety Commissioner and take this opportunity to wish him all the best in the next phase of his life.
