Council gets behind Safe Work Australia Week on the Coast

Safe Work Australia Week 19th to 25th October 2008 - reminding us of why coming home safely at the end of each day is the most important reason for making your workplace safe.

The Sunshine Coast Council, the biggest employer on the Coast, has got behind Safe Work Australia Week to help businesses in the region put their best foot forward when it comes to healthy and safe workplace practices.

And that includes breakfast with the animals at Australia Zoo and well-known TV health guru and health management pioneer, Dr John Tickell, on Wednesday 22 October.

Council’s Acting Manager, Economic Strategies and Innovation, Carolyn Bullen, said Council had joined forces with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland to encourage local business and industry to review or take up healthy work programs.

“More than 140,000 Australians are seriously injured at work every year and more than 250 die as a result of work related injuries. Many more die as a result or work-related diseases or illnesses,” Ms Bullen said.

“On the Sunshine Coast alone, more than 4000 people were injured in the workplace during 2006/07. For local businesses and industry, these injuries resulted in more than 97,800 lost working days.

“These kinds of figures make you realise the impact that an unhealthy work environment can have on the success of a business and the health of its community. Council is always looking at ways to support local business and during October will promote the relationship between a healthy, safe work environment and productivity.

“Our partnership of Safe Work Australia Week is aimed at highlighting the importance of safety in the workplace and the role everyone plays in making safety a priority.”

Council is partnering with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland to offer local businesses an opportunity to enjoy breakfast and engage with senior staff from industry, Council and the State Government to learn more about how to make their workplace healthier and safer with an optional tour of the world-renowned facility.

“Dr Tickell’s will deliver a presentation on how to put the ‘H’ back into ‘OH&S’,” Ms Bullen said.

To register for breakfast visit www.worksafe.qld.gov.au