Award finalists announced

Finalists for the 24th annual WorkSafe Victoria Awards have been announced following a record number of entries this year.  

The awards attracted 286 entries this year from across Victoria, up 62% on last year’s number.

Thirty-five finalists, from a range of industries and workplaces, were chosen across nine categories representing safety, health and wellbeing and return to work.

WorkSafe Acting Chief Executive Ian Forsyth said the strong interest in the awards demonstrates the value Victorian employers and workers place on making workplaces safe and supporting people who are injured at work.

“It’s fantastic to see businesses out there taking a passionate interest in health and safety, and return to work in their workplace,” he said.

“Each of the finalists has shown innovation, commitment, ability to solve problems and leadership.

“Through their efforts, they are not only improving the health and safety of their colleagues, but helping make Victoria a safer state in which to work.

“Victoria has Australia’s safest workplaces, recording a record low injury rate for 2011/12, and its employers pay the lowest premiums for workplace injury insurance; however, this will only continue if high safety standards are maintained.”

Winners will be announced at an awards presentation on 1 November, during Work Safe Week.

Forsyth said the entrants who did not reach the finalist stage will be recognised via the awards website, which serves as a hub for workplace solutions and ideas.

Entries for the WorkSafe Awards are able to be submitted year-round. Any entries received from now may be eligible to receive an award in 2013.