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Watpac supports Safe Work Australia Week 2010

Announcement posted by Watpac Limited 25 Oct 2010

Safe Work Australia Week 2010 begins today and one of Australia’s leading contracting companies, Watpac Limited, is getting behind this important initiative.

Safe Work Australia Week 2010 begins today and one of Australia’s leading contracting companies, Watpac Limited, is getting behind this important initiative.

Throughout the week, Watpac will be undertaking a range of activities to promote best practice in workplace health and safety, focusing on the theme of ‘work safe, home safe’.

According to Queensland Government statistics, each year in Queensland there are around 100 work-related fatalities and nearly 30,000 serious injuries and diseases where workers are either permanently impaired or seriously injured .

Members of the Spinal Injuries Association’s SEAT at WORK program will visit two Watpac sites in Brisbane to speak about some of the possible permanent effects of workplace incidents, and how these impact life at home.

On Tuesday 26 October, the SEAT at WORK facilitators will speak to employees at Watpac’s Brisbane Markets Northern Warehouse project site at Rocklea, and will again present at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research Smart State Medical Research Centre site at Herston.

Watpac will also hold a drawing competition for children of employees throughout Queensland, where participants will be asked to draw a scene demonstrating how their family member stays safe at work.

Twelve winning drawings will be chosen and compiled into Watpac’s 2011 Safety Calendar, which will be distributed to Watpac offices and related industry and government bodies.

In addition, throughout the week safety-themed ‘toolbox talks’ will be held on site, and audits of safety equipment and practices will be undertaken.

Greg Kempton, Watpac Managing Director, said it was important for Watpac and the wider construction, civil and mining industries to support Safe Work Australia Week.

“At Watpac, safety is our number one priority and events such as Safe Work Australia Week are a timely reminder to all staff of the importance of maintaining standards of excellence in workplace health and safety practices,” Mr Kempton said.

“Though we focus on safety every day of the year, this week is an opportunity to engage not only staff members and sub-contractors but their family members and friends, and to drive home the ‘work safe, home safe’ message.

“Activities such as the drawing competition help to generate discussion at home regarding workplace health and safety, and we hope that with this extra encouragement from family members, employees and sub-contractors will become even more aware of their work practices on site.

“I am looking forward to seeing Watpac staff and sub-contractors on site engaging in Safe Work Australia Week activities, and continuing to work in a manner that supports Watpac’s reputation as a leader in workplace health and safety.”

Watpac has previously won industry and Government praise for its innovation in workplace health and safety. Most recently, the 8 Australia Avenue project in Sydney Olympic Park earned the Excellence in Safety for Construction (projects under $50 million) from the Master Builders Association of New South Wales.

Watpac’s Skilled Park Stadium project at Robina earned numerous awards for an innovative safety system implemented to protect people working at heights. Some of the awards included the National 2007 Safe Work Australia Award for Best Solution to an Identified Workplace Health and Safety Issue, and the Queensland Master Builders Association Award for Innovation in Workplace Health & Safety.

Note to editors:
Watpac is an ASX-listed company specialising in construction, civil engineering and mining, specialty services (including refurbishments), and property development. We have offices in Brisbane, Townsville, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth. More information can be found at www.watpac.com.au.