University Safety Awards 2004

1. The Awards

The UWA Safety Awards acknowledge the contributions made to occupational safety and health at the University by Faculties, Schools, Sections and also individuals. It also facilitates the sharing of these approaches and achievements between different work areas.

History

This is the sixth year the awards have been presented on behalf of the University Safety Committee. These 2004 awards are for activities and achievements made since 2003.

Sponsorship

The University greatly appreciates the kind sponsorship provided for the UWA Safety Awards by the University Co-operative Bookshop.

Requirements

Written submissions were required. The deadline for nominations was 20th August 2004.   In considering the nominations the different circumstances of the nominated areas and the extent and significance of the systems approach and safety achievements made were taken into account.

Selection Panel

A selection panel met and decided on the awards. Members of the selection panel were:

• Dr Allan McKinley, Chair, University Safety Committee
• Mr Bob Farrelly, Director, Human Resources
• Mr Russell Candy, Director, Facilities Management
• Mr Mike Rafferty, Manager, Safety and Health, UWA Safety and Health
• Ms Averil Riley, Senior Occupational Therapist, UWA Safety and Health

Presentations

A presentation function was held in the Prescott Room, Vice-Chancellery on Wednesday 11th November 2004. The master of ceremonies was Dr Allan McKinley, Chair of the University Safety Committee. Professor Margaret Seares, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, presented the awards.

Winners for both categories received gift vouchers sponsored by the University Cooperative Bookshop. An article on the UWA Safety Awards will also appear in UWA News.

Summary of Past Awards 

2. Group Safety Award

The Group Safety Award acknowledges best practice approaches and achievements in occupational safety and health management by Faculties, Schools or Sections.

Faculties, Schools and Sections were restricted to 3,000 words (5 page) submissions (attachments permitted) based on criteria used by the WorkSafe Plan from WorkSafe WA. The five elements and standards used were:

The winner of the 2004 Group Safety Award was the University Library. 

3. Individual Safety Award

The Individual Safety Award is to acknowledge outstanding contributions by individual University employees in establishing and maintaining high standards of occupational safety and health activities and achievements within the University.

The contributions to workplace safety may be at a University, Faculty, School or Section level and have occurred or were maintained since 2003. Evaluation took into account the different circumstances of the work areas.

The winner of the 2004 Individual Safety Award was May Bond (Graduate School of Management).

Noteworthy aspects of the nomination for May include:

• Has been a Safety and Health Representative since March 2003 and a member on the University Safety Committee since June 2004
• Regular attendee and contributor to Safety Personnel and also University Safety Committee meetings
• Has prepared a GSM Safety Manual and ensures new staff and students receive a safety induction
• Carries out workplace assessments on a regular basis and proactively attends to and/or provides advice on safety related issues such as ergonomic equipment
• Keeps up to date with OSH legislation and University policies and procedures changes and ensures these are communicated to the relevant areas
• Regularly communicates with staff to remind them of their safety responsibilities
• Tackles issues promptly, diligently and always with a great deal of diplomacy, such as the recent issue with persons smoking on the building balconies
  

Left to Right: Professor Margaret Seares and May Bond

4. Group Rehabilitation Award

The Rehabilitation Award is to acknowledge work-areas who have demonstrated remarkable support and assistance in aiding employees with their return to work following an injury or onset of a medical condition.  The returning employee’s injury/medical condition need not be work related or involve workers’ compensation.

The winner of the 2004 Rehabilitation Award was UniPrint.

Noteworthy aspects of the nomination for UniPrint include:

• In 2003 a staff member sustained a manual handling injury which required surgery and a return to work program devised by an external rehabilitation provider in consultation with the injured staff member’s doctor 
• The injured employee required 3 months off work and a further two months to get back to full time and was retrained into another position within UniPrint
• Management provided alternative duties and showed flexibility in adapting work practices to accommodate the injured staff member
• Management reviewed all manual handling tasks and invested in assistive equipment such as trolleys and an automatic guillotine

The key elements that made this a successful outcome for the injured employee and the University were:

• The injured person’s motivation and enthusiasm to return to work
• Management and colleagues were supportive and offered reassurance over many months. They demonstrated a caring attitude at all times, collectively and individually
• Whilst recovery was protracted due to the severity of the injury, the unit maintained a positive outlook, aiming for the longer term prospect of the injured employee being able to return to work full time
• Management respected and abided by the recommendations provided by the medical practitioner and the rehabilitation provider, and did not hesitate to ask for clarification if there were any concerns. This in turn made it easier for the injured employee to work within their ability and not be exposed to aggravation due to over extending

UniPrint staff including Ray Horn, Craig Mackenzie and David Prior

November 2004 (F7943)