Safe Work Month ready to roll!

October is Safe Work Month and this year it has strong rural themes, including the launch of a film about the importance of remote workplaces being prepared for the worst to happen.

The film Her life in my hands – the Robyn Neilson story, tells the story of our newest Safety Advocate Robyn’s heroic actions, and the traumatic aftermath, when she was the first responder to her neighbour who suffered life-threatening injuries when her arms were caught in a post hole digger. For two hours, Robyn gave life-saving care to keep her neighbour alive until the Royal Flying Doctors Service arrived. After the incident, Robyn was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Robyn talks about how important it is to be prepared – and that means having your first aid skills up to scratch!

All Safe Work Month events are online, kicking off at 9am on Friday 1 October with a launch featuring Safety Ambassador, football legend and sports presenter Shane Webcke, ex-Olympian Hayley Lewis and Safety Advocate Garry Nichols, who lost his leg after his tractor rolled over. Everyday Gourmet and MasterChef star Justine Schofield will be joined by past QCWA State President Christine King and QCWA Country Kitchens state program manager Meg O’Donnell to chat about healthy eating and the Country Kitchens program, which helps communities adopt healthier lifestyle behaviours.

Throughout October, a series of short talks will focus on safety leadership, design for workplace diversity and the future of work beyond COVID-19. Each session will deliver practical advice to help you start improving health and safety in your workplace.

The theme shifts to mentally healthy workplaces 10-16 October for Mental Health Week, with a forum and two webinars, before the flagship Injury Prevention and Return to Work Conference on 19 October.

For the first time, we will run two Facebook Live events – on 15 October with ex-Olympian Hayley Lewis, mental health advocate Aaron McCann and beef producers OBE Organic; and on 22 October with Safety Ambassador Shane Webcke looking at powerline safety with Ergon’s Glen Cook and the Electrical Safety Office.

Register for Safe Work Month and Mental Health Week events and download free resources.