Located on the border of New South Wales and Queensland, Moree Plains Shire Council has reduced loss time injuries and the cost of workers compensation through a whole of Council program – ‘The Safety Challenge’. First introduced in the 2005/2006 financial year, the challenge uses education, training and awards to encourage staff to think more about their health, safety and wellbeing.
Council’s Acting Director of Corporate Services, Debby Baxter-Tomkins, said a sporting context was used to highlight the importance of team work.
“As with team sports, the Challenge calls on all members of a work group to care as much about the work and wellbeing of others as themselves,” she said.
All employees were strongly encouraged to participate in the program. Staff were classified into 22 teams from each of Council’s three areas – outdoor, combined indoor/outdoor, and indoor teams.
In its initial year, the key objective of the challenge was to achieve a 10 per cent reduction in time loss injuries, manual handling injuries, and the cost of Council’s workers compensation premium over a 12 month period. Teams were motivated by the opportunity to receive generous awards if successful after this time.
Awards included a special barbecue organised by Council within working hours, a ‘safe worker’ certificate, a free pass to Moree Spa Baths for six months for each employee in the team, one additional paid day of leave, a one month head start for the safety challenge in the following financial year.
Debby Baxter-Tomkins said all teams were briefed and motivated to achieve the awards set.
“Data analysis was required to review trends in work type, injury type, team or individual and seasonal issues,” she said. “From this data, major areas of concern were identified and action plans and subgroups were formed to address any issues.
“Employees were also consulted regarding their whole of life views and needs in relation to health, safety and wellbeing, as well as what services they support and value in the workplace.
“Employees with previous injuries were vivid reminders of the impact of injuries and how this does not start and stop at the work gate, but rather impacts on their lives, such as not being able to lift children and contribute at home.”
Council engaged external organisations to assist with training in areas such as manual handling training, hearing protection awareness, review of work designs and ergonomics. A voluntary ‘get fit’ program was also held during lunch hours, assisting people to get fit and lose weight. It included sessions with various practitioners, such as dieticians and psychologists.
The Cancer Council, Beyond Blue, the QUIT Line and Community Health were also accessed for information to support people’s health goals and promote awareness. In addition, stickers and posters were designed by employees and posted around Council to raise awareness of potential hazards and to identify the correct way to undertake tasks, such as lifting heavy objects.
In 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 all but one team achieved the results set by the challenge. In its first year, manual handling incidents were reduced by more than 43 per cent, time loss injuries by over 38 per cent and workers compensation premiums fell by 43.48 per cent.
Each year, the challenge sets higher goals to be achieved for fewer awards, and rebalances the focus onto intrinsic motivators and desire to work safely.
Council is now focusing more on the initial causes of accidents, rather than the aspect of time loss injuries.
For further information contact Debby Baxter-Tomkins on (02) 6757 3222.
