Have your say on work health and safety for the next decade

The framework for work health and safety in the nation for the next decade, the ‘Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-2022’, was released yesterday for an eight-week public comment period.

The Chair of Safe Work Australia, Tom Phillips AM, encouraged workers, employers and policy makers across Australia to actively be involved with the development of this strategy.

“All Australians have the right to return home from work safely every day,” said Phillips.

“I urge all interested Australians to be aware of the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-2022 and consider providing their views on it as it will influence their working lives over the coming decade.”

The public comment period will be open from Monday 26 March to Monday 21 May 2012.

216 Australians died from a work-related injury in 2009-10. The estimated total annual cost of workplace injury, illness and disease is more than $60 billion. In the 2008-09 financial year, this equated to 4.8% of Australia’s gross domestic product.

“Despite significant improvement in work health and safety in the last 10 years, there is still more that can be done to keep our families free from work-related death, injury and illness,” said Phillips.

“Safe Work Australia is seeking your views to develop a practical, overarching strategy with targets that all Australian workplaces can and should aspire to achieve.”

The draft strategy released for public comment is the result of months of extensive consultation with Australian workers, unions, employers, employer associations, community groups and other key stakeholders. It establishes clear and achievable targets and priorities for the progression of work health and safety in Australia. The ultimate vision is for “healthy, safe and productive working lives by 2022”.

To comment on the strategy, click here.