Safe Work Month 2024

Fundamentally Safe

In week one we are focusing on ensuring that all workers have a firm understanding of the basics of workplace health and safety and workers’ compensation legislation in the ACT.

Understanding WHS fundamentals can be difficult, particularly for workers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. WorkSafe has created a Safety Basics Factsheet, along with FAQ documents addressing workers' compensation and WHS issues specific to CALD workers. These materials are translated into Simplified Chinese, Nepali, Vietnamese, and Punjabi.

Find them on our Translated Guidance Materials webpage.

Safety Starts Small

Week two will focus on small businesses.

97% of businesses in the ACT are classified as small businesses, each employing fewer than 20 people. That is 81,000 Canberrans across over 34,000 businesses. This week is about educating and equipping small businesses with the tools they need to keep their workers safe.

Understanding WHS is essential but can be a significant challenge for small businesses. To assist, WorkSafe ACT is publishing a checklist to help businesses ensure they are meeting their WHS duties.

WorkSafe ACT will be out visiting businesses to distribute the small business checklist and answer any WHS questions they have.

Download the checklist here.

Know the Risks

Risk management is integral to a safe and healthy workplace. It involves thinking about what could happen if someone is exposed to a hazard and how likely it is to happen.

For week three we will be highlighting the risk management process and taking a dive into the data to see what industries and mechanisms of injury are driving workers’ compensations claims in the ACT.

WorkSafe ACT will be out visiting businesses to distribute the small business checklist and answer any WHS questions they have.

Download the newly developed ACT Workers Compensation Data Snapshot here.

Know WorkSafe

Who are we and what do we do. Week 4 is dedicated to helping the community get to know WorkSafe ACT. This week is all about familiarizing businesses and workers with the role of WorkSafe ACT, the support it provides, and how we ensure safe and compliant workplaces across the territory.

We’ll be releasing a video that offers insight into our inspectors—what drives them, how they approach their work, and some WHS tips they have for businesses. We’re also hosting a Bunnings BBQ, that is a great opportunity to meet the WorkSafe ACT team in person.

Working Together (HSR)

Week 5 we are looking at Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)

HSRs play a crucial role in promoting workplace safety. Appointed by workers, HSRs act as a bridge between employees and management, ensuring that health and safety concerns are promptly addressed. They have the authority to inspect workplaces, consult on safety matters, and represent workers in discussions with the employer.

WorkSafe ACT will host an industry breakfast focusing on HSRs where attendees will hear from a number of expert speakers, workshop ideas and have the opportunity to engage in a Q&A. The breakfast will also be an opportunity to introduce WorkSafe ACT’s HSR Toolkit.