Lisa Sturzenegger, General Manager of the Operations Division, reflects on the year that was and looks forward to a safe and productive 2012.
As 2011 draws to a close and we all look forward to a break over the festive season, we have time to reflect on our workplace health and safety and the year gone by.
By the end of the year WorkSafe will have inspected more than 10,500 construction workplaces of a variety of sizes, complexities and OHS performance. Unfortunately the construction industry continues to feature prominently in terms of workplace injuries. During 2011 the rate of injuries increased by about three per cent with more than 4000 construction workers injured seriously enough to lodge a claim.
During this, my first year with WorkSafe, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with many of you or your representatives. I appreciate the time you have taken to explain your key issues and concerns. I also thank you for your constructive input into many of our industry initiatives.
WorkSafe’s Strategy 2012 draws to a close at the end of June 2012. Work has begun on the development of the next five year strategy to drive continued improvement across health and safety and return to work.
WorkSafe will be seeking stakeholder input into the development of Strategy 2017 throughout the early months of 2012 and I look forward to working with you to improve WorkSafe’s response to the key risk areas of the construction and utilities industries.
Congratulations to all those companies who participated in the 2011 WorkSafe Awards and particularly to the finalists and category winners. Remember you can enter for the 2012 awards anytime, just visit the WorkSafe website.
On behalf of WorkSafe I’d like to acknowledge the considerable focus, input and commitment from all staff and external stakeholders into the national health and safety reform process. We look forward to further direction from the State government next year.
I urge all employers and workers to take particular care during the ‘Christmas rush’ to ensure you and your work mates get to enjoy the festive season safely with your families. The recent spate of fatalities across all Victorian workplaces reminds us all that safety cannot be taken for granted. We must continue to build safety into the way we work every day.
Wishing you a happy, safe and peaceful time over the festive season.
