Smart solutions tackling work health and safety in 2021
The 2021 Safe Work and Return to Work Awards have highlighted how working smarter is helping tackle health and safety issues, particularly during the pandemic.
A new category in 2021 recognised outstanding responses to COVID-19, won by beef supplier Australian Country Choice. Through accelerated use of digital technology and constant messaging, ACC kept its entire workforce up to date with restrictions and health requirements. The cattle, beef and food processing company also developed reusable and launderable balaclavas and used unique messaging for social distancing like ‘stay one cow-length apart’.
PRM Engineering Services Pty Limited, which won the Best solution to an identified work health and safety issue award, developed a high-tech human pedestrian detection system using artificial intelligence to recognise when a person has entered a hazardous zone.
The system reliably identifies a person’s presence and warns operators, pedestrians, or site employees of impending danger. The system is versatile and can adapt to all kinds of excavators, loaders, trucks and other types of vehicles, so it can be used in the construction, waste, retail and warehousing industries.
Also showing how working smarter can pay off was the winner of the Best demonstrated healthy and safe work design – Workplace Maintenance Solutions – which invented a safer way to manage heavy vehicle tyre replacement or brake maintenance that often involves manual handling heavy loads and working in awkward postures. Its WheelawayTM range features a linear actuator power that enables multi-directional load handling in excess of 500 kilograms. This means no force is required for any of the operations and providing high level accuracy of the linear motions with a built-in laser sighting system.
And the winner of this year’s Best solution to an identified electrical safety issue – National Electrical and Communications Association – has been active in the research, investigation and development of programs to address arc flash safety.
NECA developed a simple risk assessment method for arc flash hazards and an easy way for electricians to identify and choose the correct PPE. By using the KA (kilo amps) rating on a circuit breaker (which can be seen onsite), electricians can use the NECASafe PPE table and choose the appropriate PPE.
These are just some of the great initiatives recognised at this year’s awards.
View details on their solutions to real work safety and return to work issues
2021 Safe Work and Return to Work Awards winners
Category one - Best solution to an identified work health and safety issue
- PRM Engineering Services, Willawong
Category two - Best individual contribution to work health and safety
- Michelle Oberg, Downer Group, Runcorn
Category three - Best solution to an identified electrical safety issue
- National Electrical Communications Association, Salisbury
Category four - Most significant improvement to work health and safety performance
- Mendi Constructions, Townsville
Category five - Best commitment to work health and wellbeing
- Wesley Mission Queensland, Chermside
Category six - Best demonstrated healthy and safe work design
- Workplace Maintenance Solutions, Riddells Creek
Category seven - Best demonstrated leadership in work health and safety
- Australian Country Choice, Cannon Hill
Category eight - Injured worker achievement award
- Ellie Dunn, Protech, Highfields
Category nine - Best rehabilitation and return to work management system
- Wesley Mission Queensland, Chermside
Category ten - Best individual contribution to rehabilitation and return to work
- Nancy Andrian, Lendlease, Bowen Hills
Category eleven - Best demonstrated leadership in rehabilitation and return to work
- Protech, Highfields
Category twelve - Best response to the COVID-19 pandemic in work health and safety
- Australian Country Choice, Cannon Hill