ACT reviews a month of safety

This year’s ACT Health and Safety Month saw 188 events place in the ACT, including a variety of OHS displays, training sessions, workplace assessments and workshops by a number of participating organisations.

“The Health and Safety Month is a great opportunity for all ACT businesses, large and small, to examine health and safety issues within their workplace, and place greater attention on finding ways to improve their OHS performance, ultimately aiming to prevent workplace injuries,” acting OHS Commissioner, Steven Hart said.

At the close of the event, Hart announced a number of initiatives that are part of the Office of the OHS Commissioner’s ongoing plan to promote occupational health and safety principles and practices to workplaces throughout the ACT.

“These programs are aimed to assist businesses across the ACT to improve and maintain their level of safety whilst complying with OHS-related legislation,” said Hart.

“The Office of the OHS Commissioner has several OHS educational programs that will be rolled out over the next 12 months, and we have already received a very positive response from industry groups, many of whom have made a commitment to assist our office in promoting the programs to their members and the general community.”

The new programs include: radio and television advertising campaigns; improvements to ACTsafe material and the young workers website; a Partners in Safety mentor program; manual handling training and small business advisory programs; and the 2008 safety summit.

Further details on the programs can be found on the OHS office’s website: www.workcover.act.gov.au.