2012 National Safety Awards of Excellence winners named

A groundbreaking, industry based suicide prevention program by MATES in Construction, (a QLD based charity) has won the top award at the 2012 NSCA/GIO Workers Compensation National Safety Awards of Excellence.

The 20th Annual National Safety Awards of Excellence, held at Doltone House, Sydney on Thursday 11 October, was hosted by former Australian Olympian, Kerri Pottharst OAM with the keynote address by Kate Carnell AO, CEO of beyondblue.

This year saw the introduction of a new and important category - Best Workplace Health and Well being Program which highlights the growing need for organisations to look after not only the physical but psychological health and well being of their workers. The keynote address by Kate Carnell – CEO o beyondblue, provided key facts and figures on Australia’s growing mental health and suicide rates and the associated high cost to business from a health and safety perspective.

With a record 140 submissions this year, the National Safety Awards of Excellence recognise organisations that achieve excellence in their field of work by introducing, developing or improving health, safety and environmental standards.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard, praised those who had entered the awards in her video message as having “gone the extra mile to create safe workplaces where employees lives and well being are treated with the care and respect they deserve” and that they were “showing the way for other firms that workplace safety is not an added extra or a hassle but something that lies at the heart of a well run company.”

The National Safety Council of Australia (NSCA) is Australia’s only national, independent body promoting excellence in safety in the workplace. The Awards of Excellence, now in their 20th year, are Australia’s premier safety awards celebrating organisations and people that recognise WHS&E

as a cornerstone of elite business performance.

For the full list of winners and the awards gala event presentations please visit nsca.org.au/awards or contact Tracy Bradley, NSCA National Marketing Manager on 0401 613 205