Darebin City Council’s Corporate Safety Committee was the only Local Government finalist in the recent WorkSafe Victoria Awards 2009.
The prestigious awards, which recognise individuals and organisations that have made a significant contribution to improving health and safety in their workplace, were announced in October at the 21st Annual WorkSafe Victoria Awards Dinner.
Darebin’s committee was one of five finalists in the Health and Safety Committee of the Year category, which acknowledges a Health and Safety Committee (HSC) that has demonstrated a high level of commitment, represents all interests in the workplace and is highly consultative.
Council employs more than 1,100 people across a number of sites and delivers a diverse range of services, including children’s services, civic amenities and community services.
Operating since 2005, the Corporate Safety Committee meets every six weeks.
It is made up of eight management representatives and 16 health and safety representatives who are all passionate about improving OHS outcomes.
The committee’s achievements include redevelopment and implementation of a safety management system, a safety strategy built around home care, and a new incident reporting system.
The highly consultative committee provides training and information sessions to all staff, and maintains a proactive approach in identifying and reducing risks.
Its dedication and commitment is proven in the increased OHS awareness across all Council sites and through a reduction in incidents and injuries.
WorkSafe’s Executive Director of Health and Safety, John Merritt, said Darebin City Council’s Corporate Safety Committee was one of five finalists selected from 118 applications received from across Victoria.
He said RMIT’s School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering took out the overall award for the Health and Safety Committee of the Year category.
For further information on the awards
and a full list of the 2009 winners visit
www.worksafe.vic.gov.au
