The City of Kingston is believed to be the only Council to win a Worksafe Victoria Award 2002 which recognise Victorians who have made a significant contribution to improving health and safety in the workplace.The award was won by the carers at Kingston who developed a safety culture of self responsibility that is now evidenced across the Aged and Disability Services Team.
More than 100 companies, organisations, consultants and individuals applied for the Victorian WorkCover Authority Health and Safety Awards. Winners were selected in six categories. Kingston won the Best Risk Solution Award that recognises innovation in workplace health and safety that significantly reduces risk.
Kingston City Council and in particular, the Aged and Disability Services Team, substantially reduced workcover claim costs from $120,000 per annum in 1999 to less than $10,000 for the current financial year by initiating a successful health and safety program for carers in Home Care and hostels.
“The health and safety program ensures that staff injuries are reduced to a minimum which translates into less down time and more productivity in the workplace,” said Council’s Community Services Manager, Carolyn McClean. “Simply, if our carers are healthy and safe, they will be able to attend to the needs of our frail, aged and disabled better, and deliver a cost effective service.”
One of the key elements of the safety approach has involved having fun with health and safety. “Kingston’s Safety Bug mascot has played an important role by visiting workplaces for inspection, undertaking training and induction of staff and is now Kingston’s all encompassing symbol for health and safety,” Carolyn McClean said .
For further information, contact Council’s Human Resource Advisor, Melissa Hay on (03) 9581 4731.
