Safe Work Australia Week Perfect Time To Take Stock Of Workplace Safety

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25th October 2009, 06:00pm - Views: 1145





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ACCI represents over 350,000 businesses in every State and Territory and all industries. Our network employs around

4 million employees, ranging from the top 100 companies to tens of thousands of small and medium businesses.




MR 139/09


LEADING AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS

Sunday 25 October 2009


SAFE WORK AUSTRALIA WEEK THE PERFECT TIME TO TAKE STOCK OF

WORKPLACE SAFETY


Statement by Mr Peter Anderson, Chief Executive


The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Australia’s largest and most

representative business organisation, has welcomed Safe Work Australia Week, which runs from

25 to 31 October 2009, as an opportunity for employers and employees to step back and review

their approach to ensuring safety within their workplace.


It is essential that at regular intervals time is taken to step back and take a fresh look at the bigger

picture of workplace safety.  Safe Work Australia Week presents an ideal opportunity to do so.


Company Boards and Senior Executive teams should regularly review their organisation’s

strategy, culture, systems and commitment to workplace safety and make adjustments where

needed.  Safe workplaces are driven from the top.


However, managers, supervisors and all employees also need to take individual accountability for

workplace safety. Workplaces with the best safety records have a culture of clear and shared

accountability for safety from the first year apprentice to the Chief Executive.  This is built on the

empowerment and obligation of all employees to openly discuss workplace safety, report hazards

and incidents, and collaboratively find the most appropriate ways of managing risks.


It is important that in the midst of the current debate about

harmonised OHS legislation, the focus

on day-to-day workplace safety does not slip. 

Legislation is not going to drive further

improvements in OHS outcomes in Australia – people’s actions will. 

Governments and industry

must look for ways to further provide small business in particular with the tools, information,

advice and encouragement to effectively manage the challenges and complexities faced in

ensuring workplace safety.


When it comes to workplace safety Australia is one of the best performing countries in the

world. 

Through the combined efforts of employers, employees, unions, governments

and

regulators excellent progress has been made against the ambitious targets of the National OHS

Strategy 2002-2012, with a 16 percent fall in the rate of fatalities and injuries in the first half of the

strategy’s lifespan.  


ACCI represents employers on the Safe Work Australia Council and is a signatory to the National

OHS Strategy 2002-2012.


For further information:  

David Gregory              Director of Workplace Policy                    03 9668 9950 / 0417 052 390

Michael Sleap               Manager – OHS and Compensation          03 9668 9950 / 0402 845 275

Brett Hogan                   Director of Communications                      03 9668 9950 / 0407 273 884






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