Original article published by Safe Work Australia
This National Safe Work Month, Safe Work Australia encourages all Australians to make health and safety in the workplace a priority.
National Safe Work Month is held every October and provides all workplaces in Australia a reminder of the importance of work health and safety.
Individuals, their families and the broader community are all impacted by work-related injury and illness. Safe Work Australia data shows that more than 120,000 workers are compensated for a serious work-related injury or illness in Australia each year and just under 200 are fatally injured at work.
This year’s National Safe Work Month theme know safety, work safely puts the spotlight on a range of WHS topics, including injuries and illness at work, psychological health and managing work health and safety to create a safe and healthy workplace for all.
Be part of National Safe Work Month this October and make health and safety a priority at your workplace.
National Safe Work Month is led by Safe Work Australia and supported by initiatives across Australia from Safe Work Australia Members and their representative organisations, including Commonwealth, state and territory WHS regulators as well as employers and unions.
For more information and to access the National Safe Work Month resources, go to safeworkmonth.swa.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Michelle Baxter, Chief Executive Officer, Safe Work Australia.
“I encourage workplaces across Australia to take part in National Safe Work Month and commit to creating a safe and healthy workplace that is free from physical and psychological harm.
All workers, regardless of their occupation or how they are engaged, have the right to a healthy and safe working environment.
The impacts of work-related fatalities, injuries and illness are devastating for workers, their families and the broader community.
COVID-19 has demonstrated that Australian workplaces can successfully navigate work health and safety through some very challenging times. We now have the opportunity to refocus and broaden our efforts to make work healthy and safe. Talk to workers and their representatives and commit to making positive changes to ensure workers come home safe.”