Safety & Health - Newsletter-2007 October

Safe Work Australia Week

Safe Work Australia Week is being held nationally from 21^st -17^th October 2007. A number of events are being within WA and at UWA during this week. For information on WA events see: http://www.worksafe.wa.gov.au/newsite/worksafe/content/initiatives/wswaweek0001.html

UWA Safety Awards 2007 – Tuesday 23^rd October

The presentation function for the UWA Safety Awards 2007 will be held at lunchtime on Tuesday 23^rd October. Nominees and safety personnel will be sent invitations. Anyone else wishing to attend should contact Bonnie Knott (6488 3938, safety@uwa.edu.au ) by 19^th October.

OSH for Managers and Supervisors - Thursday 25^th October

The next UWA Safety and Health for Managers and Supervisors course (1 day) is on Thursday 25^th October 2007 at the Oral Health Centre of WA, Monash Avenue, Nedlands. This is essential training for all manager and supervisors and provides knowledge of OSH legislation, principles, responsibilities and practices and their application at UWA. For more information and to enrol please see: http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/courses/Safety_and_Health_for_Managers_and_Supervisors

Mental Health Week – 7^th -13^th October

Mental Health Week is an annual national health promotion event. The aim is to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and well-being in the wider community, to increase community awareness and education about mental health issues and to encourage participation in life enhancing lifestyles. Two lunch time talks have been arranged with OSA Group (UWAs external EAP provider) to coincide with this week.

Topic 1: Work/Life Challenge: Tipping the Balance in Your Favour

When and Where: Tuesday 9^th October – 1.00 – 1.45pm Law Lecture Room 1 (G31)

Topic 2: Energy and Motivation

When and Where: Friday 12^th October – 1.00 – 1.45pm Law Lecture Room 1 (G31)

Work Related Stress and Injury Management – Monday 22^nd October

From 11.30 am - 1.30 pm on Monday 22^nd October a range of activities focusing on work related stress and injury will be demonstrated in the Great Court. Demonstrations include Tai Chi, Yoga, Reiki and Aromatherapy. There will be Stress Buster information and prizes and giveaways. Come down and collect some information and have a chat. The event is supported by the National Tertiary Education Industry Union.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - October

Early detection of breast cancer increases the chances of successful treatment and ultimately, survival. The Breast Cancer Foundation of WA Inc provides awareness raising and educational activities to increase the community’s knowledge about being breast aware. Educational sessions can be arranged in your workplace to suit your group’s needs. Topics include: being breast aware, breast cancer, breast cancer treatments and supporting people through breast cancer. Contact Tricia Wylde to arrange a speaker tricia.wylde@uwa.edu.au

Pit Stop Health Assessments – Friday 26^th October

If You Were A Car Would You Be a Hot Rod or a Clapped Out Bomb?

You have your car serviced regularly so what about doing the same for your body? You should conduct regular preventive maintenance to make sure your machine is firing on all cylinders. A Pit Stop will be conducted for staff on the Friday 26^th October. Safety and Health are looking for volunteers to work as “Mechanics”. All it takes is a sense of humour, a certain flair for wearing overalls, an hour or so on the day and a quick training session beforehand. If you are interested please email Tricia Wylde for further information tricia.wylde@uwa.edu.au

WorkSafe WA Safety Forum – Monday 22^nd October

The Perth Work Safe 2007 Forum will be held from 9 am - 4 pm on Monday 22^nd October 2007 at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre. The cost is $120 (GST inclusive). The Forum is targeted at safety and health representatives, managers and supervisors, safety officers and safety professionals from all industries, including the mining sector, and interested members of the community. The registration brochure is available on the WorkSafe website at www.worksafe.wa.gov.au/forums

WorkSafe WA News – Come Home Safe Campaign

To raise awareness of the importance of workplace safety, WorkSafe has launched "Come home safe", a state-wide television and radio campaign which supports the State Government priority of Safer Communities. It aims to make workplaces safer by achieving a positive change in workplace safety culture and practices. The campaign focuses on the importance of arriving home safely from work and features children and family members waiting for loved ones to come home from work. The campaign has printed campaign posters and other information products. It examines ways to make your workplace safety including:

Safety and health management in action
Consult and involve staff to raise the profile of safety and health
Conduct regular inspections of the workplace
Spread the word
Training, health and wellbeing

http://www.worksafe.wa.gov.au/newsite/worksafe/content/initiatives/wswacmhs0001.html

WorkSafe WA News – New Code

WorkSafe WA has released a new Code of Practice: Occupational Safety and Health in the Public Sector as a way to bring about significant cultural change in the public sector. 'The Code allows the State Government to demonstrate its commitment to the safety and welfare of all its employees by setting standards for safety and health management across the public sector. Research indicates the importance of leadership, and employees' perceptions of their leaders, in the formation of a more positive safety culture and reduction in accidents. The code applies to all agencies, including departments, trading concerns, instrumentalities and statutory bodies.

For more information go to www.publicsectorsafety.wa.gov.au

http://www.worksafe.wa.gov.au/newsite/worksafe/media/pdf/codes/CodePublicSector.pdf

Staffing Changes

Safety and Health welcomes Eddie Stoelwinder (Safety and Health Adviser, 6488 2035) who commenced on 3^rd September and provides general safety and heath consultancy services, investigations, training, safety management system audits and assistance with the University fire safety and emergency response programs.

University Safety Committee

The USC next meets on 9^th October 2007. Approved minutes from previous meetings are available from the Safety and Health website.

Previous Safety & Health Newsletters

For those who have missed out on our earlier editions, copies of previous newsletters can be obtained from the following web site: http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/newsletter. All are encouraged to share relevant safety information in each edition others in your respective workplaces.