Businesses, employers and workers across the state are being encouraged to participate in a range of SafeWork SA activities during October that shine a light on workplace safety and promote healthy working environments.
According to Safe Work Australia data, a total of 169 Australians were killed at work in 2021 including 16 in SA.
National Safe Work Month has been held since 2009 after workplace deaths in Australia reached a peak of 310 in 2007.
The theme in 2023 is For everyone's safety, work safely, with a weekly focus on different health and safety areas including injuries at work, mental health and managing WHS risks.
Events include a series of webinars throughout the month and a mock trial which will be open to the public and will provide insights into the legal framework around work health and safety laws at Marion Cultural Centre on 19 October.
The Augusta Zadow Awards will also be presented at a Government House ceremony on 18 October.
SafeWork SA is preparing its regular ‘Organise Your Own Workplace Activity’ competition. Workplaces are encouraged to start planning an activity that will raise awareness about important work health and safety issues.
By registering an activity with SafeWork SA, businesses will go into the running to win a prize from our $2000 prize pool. The competition runs throughout the month so workplaces can register their activity anytime until 31 October 2023.
In 2022 there were 19 registrations from various South Australian businesses with six being awarded prizes.
As part of National Safe Work Month activities, workplaces are encouraged to put safety on the agenda by organising a SafeTea event.
A national initiative, SafeTea emphasises the importance of involving everyone in work, health and safety discussions by encouraging workplaces to grab a cuppa and have a safety chat.
Visit SafeWork SA’s National Safe Work Month web page for more details and to register for events.
This story was originally published on SafeWork SA and has been republished here with permission.
