Being healthy and safe means being free from physical and psychological harm. A safe and healthy workplace benefits everyone. This is why, during October each year, Safe Work Australia asks businesses, employers and workers across Australia to join National Safe Work Month and commit to building safe and healthy workplaces for all Australians.
Everyone has the right to be safe at work. This week focuses on common health and safety risks and how to control these risks to keep
workers safe - whether it is from slips, trips and falls, lifting, pushing and pulling (manual tasks), or moving objects.
Mental (psychological) health, just like physical health, is an important part of work health and safety. Work-related psychological
injuries (mental illness) have a significant impact on workers, their families and business. These injuries may result in longer time away
from work and cost more than other injuries.
Managing WHS risks involves thinking about what could happen if someone is exposed to a hazard and how likely it is to happen. You should
always aim to eliminate risks. If you can’t, you must minimise risks. During this week, we look at ways to manage WHS risks and prevent
injuries and disease, including how and when to consult with workers on health and safety.
Australia is a world leader in WHS. To make further gains, we need to ensure that WHS is core to how we do business in Australia. This week
we look at the future of work, changing patterns and ways of working including the rise of automation, changes to work organisation and the
emergence of new forms of work that will create both opportunities and complexities for Australia’s WHS system.
To read more visit www.safeworkmonth.swa.gov.au
