It’s Safe Work Australia Week (October 21-27) and Tweed Shire Council is encouraging Council staff to adopt work safe and healthy living practices, both at work and away from their jobs.
Council is one of many organ-isations across Australia which will use the week to promote and improve health and safety practices in their workplaces, as well as encouraging their workers to be leaders in work health and safety.
The theme of the eighth annual national event is “Safety begins with an ‘S’ but starts with YOU”, to remind workers that anyone can lead safety in their workplace.
A number of events will be held at Council workplaces throughout the week, including sun safety talks, car maintenance sessions and information on back care.
In addition, Council’s Work Health Safety section has launched a competition for children of Council staff to draw or create a collage that reminds staff why it is important to keep workplaces safe. The artwork of the winners will be used in Council’s 2013 Safety Calendar.
Council General Manager, David Keenan, said, although safety is always important, Safe Work Week is an opportunity to offer activities and programs that highlight key safety messages.
“Tweed Shire Council is one of the largest employers in the Tweed, with a diverse workforce of around 700 employees. Like all employers, Council has a responsibility to those workers to encourage safe work practices,” Mr Keenan said.
“Council is very aware of the importance of staff safety and values the efforts that every staff member places on their own safety and that of their mates,” Mr Keenan said.
“While Council staff are doing a great job, it is important that employees never lose sight of the key safety message to ‘Think, Act, Be Safe’.
“In addition, Council encourages employees to adopt healthy habits away from work, for their own benefit, for their families and also for the community.”
For more information on Safe Work Australia Week, visit the website www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au
