Developing a safety culture

The City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters’, South Australia, efforts in the implementation of risk management programs and processes have been recognised with a Local Government Association Workers Compensation Scheme (LGWCS) Work Health and Safety (WHS) Best Practice Major Award for a metropolitan council.

The award acknowledged Council’s commitment to WHS through monthly Greater Safety Meetings, which ensure that WHS remains at the forefront of the Council’s day-to-day operations.

Chief Executive Officer, Mario Barone, said, “The Council is honoured to be recognised by the LGAWCS and our peers for our approach to best practice WHS which ensures that senior management exercise due diligence while providing a forum for ongoing WHS monitoring and decision making.

“Awards like this are the result of many years of hard work, commitment and most importantly, the passion of a dedicated team of management and staff.”

Given the scope of infrastructure, services and activities that the council provides for the community – from fixing potholes to managing a child care centre to hosting large-scale community events – the need to have best practice WHS and risk systems in place is fundamentally important.

“The most significant outcome through our Greater Safety Meetings has been the development of a WHS and risk culture which has set the foundations for ongoing sustainability.”

The Local Government Association Workers Compensation Scheme has been recognising excellence in Local Government through the annual Schemes Awards since 1999.