AUSTRALIA New South Wales Workplace Safety Program

WorkCover NSW (Australia) recently launched the 2010 Safe Business is Good Business Mentor Program, an initiative that will see some of the state’s biggest companies help small businesses improve workplace safety.

General Manager of WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety Division, John Watson, said under the program more than 30 large organizations would partner with 45 small businesses to help them reduce injuries and develop a sustainable safety culture. (WCxKit)

“The program, now in its fifth year, allows small businesses to gain hands on industry-specific advice from large employers on how to meet workplace safety, injury management and workers compensation obligations,” Watson said. “The program involves a series of site visits, advisory sessions and workshops to help businesses to improve their capability to develop safety systems.”

“Investment in work health and safety provides tangible financial benefits to businesses and the mentor program will help small employers become more productive and cost effective.

“Almost 70% of mentee businesses in the current intake are from regional areas across New South Wales, with the remainder from across the Sydney metropolitan area.

Griffith-based disability service provider, Ningana Enterprises, took part as a mentee in the 2009 program and compliance officer Judith Chant said the program had a positive impact on her business. “We learnt how to identify and address any gaps in our safety system,” Chant said. “Our business was provided overwhelming support from our mentor. As a result we have introduced new safety procedures and more effective safety systems.”

Their mentor, Bega-based business Tulgeen Disability Services, is pleased the program is reaching regional New South Wales. “This program is particularly beneficial to businesses in rural areas. We received guidance in our role as mentor from our local WorkCover office,” Tulgeen Disability Services President Gae Rheinberger said.

“Knowledge sharing with large employers in the same industry helped us provide our mentee partner with a deeper insight into how to make real improvements to safety,” she said.

Watson said while workplace injuries in New South Wales are at their lowest levels in two decades, there is still more work to be done. (WCxKit)

According to officials, nearly 250 small businesses across a range of industries including retail, consumer services, community services, transport and agriculture, have taken part in the program dating back to 2006.

Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers Compensation costs, including airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. Contact: [email protected] or 860-553-6604.