This National Safe Work Month, Safe Work Australia asked workplaces across the country to make health and safety a permanent part of their workplace culture by continuing to think safe, work safe and be safe throughout the year. 

“Throughout the pandemic, we’ve seen just how important work health and safety is. Nearly 70,000 people visited the National Safe Work Month website this year, providing a strong indication of Australian businesses ongoing commitment to health and safety at work,” said Safe Work Australia CEO, Michelle Baxter.  

Safe Work Australia has an important national role to help drive reductions in the incidence of work-related death, injury and illness and to improve outcomes for injured workers and their employers. 

“It is important that workplaces commit to work health and safety, not just in October for National Safe Work Month, but every day. Tragically, 194 workers were killed at work last year. Work-related fatalities, injuries and illnesses have a devastating impact on workers, their families and the community,” said Ms Baxter. 

“All workers have the right to a healthy and safe working environment and no workplace death or injury is acceptable.” said Safe Work Australia CEO, Michelle Baxter.

“We are starting to see evidence through our national data of how COVID-19 has impacted the way people work. For example, we know that workers’ compensation claims and injuries have increased compared with previous years, particularly in relation to mental health claims.”

“If you’re a person conducting a business or undertaking, you must ensure your workers are safe and healthy at work. Investing in work health and safety benefits everyone, now and into the future.” 

Safe Work Australia works to create safer and more productive workplaces through improvements to Australian work health and safety and workers’ compensation arrangements. 

National Safe Work Month is led by Safe Work Australia and supported by initiatives across Australia from Safe Work Australia Members and their representative organisations, including Commonwealth, state and territory WHS regulators.

For more information and to access the National Safe Work Month graphics and resources, go to safeworkmonth.swa.gov.au