National Safe Work Month 2023

3 October 2023

It is National Safe Work Month and a time for all of us to show our commitment to safe and healthy workplaces. Safe Work Month is an exciting time to focus on safety and to remind us we must practise safety each and every day of the year.

Work Health and Safety (WHS) Commissioner Jacqueline Agius is passionate about protecting all workers in all workplaces.

“Our theme this year is, Safe Work Month: it’s everyone’s Territory. We wanted to really connect with Canberra because improving the health and safety of workers in the ACT is why we exist."

“A strong safety culture in all industries across the Territory means all workers return home safely at the end of each day."

“We want to continue to see the numbers of workplace injuries, illnesses and diseases drop – both in number and severity. By being a part of this month, we are all making health and safety matter."

Each week of Safe Work Month has a different focus:

  • Week one: Vulnerable workers, including young workers, labour hire licensing and workers’ compensation
  • Week two: Psychosocial hazards
  • Week three: ACT Public Service
  • Week four: All workers, all workplaces

"We know that our workforce in Canberra is as diverse as our city itself, and we want to connect with everyone this month” Jacqueline Agius says.

“I encourage all businesses in Canberra to have a look at our website, have a chat to your workers, be creative. It could be adding information to your toolbox talks, putting up posters around the office or having safety themed trivia at your next meeting. Getting conversations focused on health and safety will help build your safety culture.”

Throughout the month, WorkSafe ACT will be releasing digital resources and information to raise awareness of work health and safety, workers’ compensation and labour hire licensing laws in the ACT. There is even a Campaign Kit that businesses and workers can download.

Each week WorkSafe ACT will hold a Safety Session. These sessions are a chance for workers, employers. and members of the public to meet WorkSafe ACT Inspectors, ask a question and pick up a safety poster or two.

“Our Safety Sessions are a great opportunity to ask our Inspectors questions about work health and safety, workers’ compensation and Labour Hire Licensing” said the WHS Commissioner.

“WorkSafe ACT would love to see the community get involved and ask us about how we can keep workers and workplaces safe and healthy and share your stories with us.”

The Safety Sessions will be hosted across Canberra:

  • Friday 6 October, 10:30am – 2pm: Gungahlin Town Centre, ACT
  • Wednesday 11 October, 10:30am – 2pm: City Walk, Canberra City, ACT
  • Wednesday 18 October, 10:30am – 2pm: Nara Plaza Courtyard, 5 Constitution Ave, Canberra City, ACT
  • Friday 27 October, 9am – 4pm: Bunnings Tuggeranong, ACT

The Safety Session on Friday 27 October is a Bunnings BBQ sausage sizzle, raising funds for the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC). The CRCC is a local organisation providing crisis, counselling and advocacy support to survivors of sexual violence and their supporters.

Commissioner Agius invites the community to come along to the event.

“Eliminating work-related sexual harassment and sexual assault have been priorities for WorkSafe ACT this year, and I am pleased to be able to support a local charity like CRCC who do amazing work. Please come along to Bunnings on the 27 October and support a worthy cause.”

WorkSafe ACT also encourages everyone to commit to continue to build on the strong and positive cultures throughout the workplace. In addition to this, National Safe Work Month is a time for WorkSafe ACT to focus on our own workforce.

“Our people work very hard all year round to keep Canberra workplaces safe. One of my top priorities is keeping my workforce safe, while they continue to protect our community. Safe Work Month is also a time when I thank my team for all they do to keep Canberra workers and workplaces safe.” Jacqueline Agius said.

Follow WorkSafe ACT on LinkedIn to keep up to date. Additional digital resources will also be released throughout the month.

WorkSafe ACT also has a calendar of National Safe Work Month events, including relevant online events held by other work health and safety regulators.

Statement ends.

Please contact the WorkSafe ACT Media team with any media enquiries.

For Safe Work Month: it's everyone's Territory images and branding visit the Campaign kit - WorkSafe ACT.

WorkSafe ACT Media team | media@worksafe.act.gov.au | 0466 927 213

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