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Australia’s Industry Elite Meet For The Sake Of Safety

Announcement posted by Safety in Action 14 May 2014

Western Australia’s top businesses and institutions in anticipation for Safety in Action’s return to Perth
The safety spotlight will be on Western Australia next month when Safety in Action arrives in Perth on Wednesday June 11 and Thursday June 12, 2014.

Taking place at Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre, the free event will see more than 100 of the safety sector’s top influencers provide their solutions, services and insights into Western Australia.

Presented by The Safety Institute of Australia, the event is geared towards helping workplaces achieve real and measurable OHS results through providing vital information on topics relevant to all industries including mining, construction, oil & gas and many more.

The exhibition will feature exhibitors from around the country displaying a comprehensive range of the latest safety-related products and services. Industry professionals will be able to speak directly to producers of safety products and resources, and build relationships for future business engagements.

Given the state’s focus on their large and lucrative mining industry in conjunction with Western Australia’s Safety Reform Strategy, it comes as no surprise that the two-day exposition will be an essential event for all businesses. 

Director of Safety in Action Australia-wide, Tony Francis is thrilled to be heading back to Western Australia, following an exciting start to the year with a first-time visit to Darwin in March.

“We are very excited to head to back to Western Australia. With Perth’s industry growing from strength to strength there has been immense interest from WA based companies wanting to attend and be part of the show.

“With the recent commitment by the WA government in Safety Reform there is currently a lot of interest surrounding safety issues, over a range of industries.

“We are also delighted to announce the involvement of both the Department of Mines and Petroleum WA (DMP) and Chamber of Minerals & Energy Western Australia as speakers. Hopefully this will help reduce the likelihood of serious incidents in all aspects of resource industry based activities in Western Australia”

Safety in Action Perth will feature six daily presentations including four panel discussions across the two day show covering a broad array of safety-related topics in the Safety Seminars sponsored by Workplace Access & Safety – building safety, workplace bullying, injury prevention programmes and an overview of the Australian work health and safety strategy 2012 – 2022 plus much more.

The free to attend program will open on June 11, with a panel discussion on Mine Safety, led by Greg McLoughlin, Director at Health by Design. The session will shed light on DMP’s continuous endeavours to provide appropriate services in an ever-changing landscape of new technology and expectations. On the panel will be Nicole Roocke, Director, Chamber of Minerals & Energy Western Australia, Tom Martin, Special Counsel, Norton Rose Fulbright and Executive Director Resources Safety, Simon Ridge from Department of Mines & Petroleum WA.

Following the panel discussion, myosh Business Development Manager Adrian Manessis will speak on The Benefits and Risks Associated with Safety Software. Manessis will highlight the benefits of safety management software and how the use of mobile applications can improve the reporting process for businesses. myosh are also the Major Corporate Sponsor of the Safety in Action series.

Another highlight on June 11 will be The Definition of a Workplace Bully panel discussion. Dr Jacquie Hutchinson, University of Western Australia will join Tom Martin, Norton Rose Fulbright and Executive Director, Rod Astbury from WA Association for Mental Health to look at how the law recognizes a workplace bully. Research indicates that entire organisations and not just individuals may be to blame for workplace bullying. Issues such as workloads, redundancies and pay scales, as well as the more commonly recognised behaviours such as abusive language may all contribute to workplace bullying.

Also contributing on June 11 will be Terry Wong from Move 4 Life explaining How To Future-proof an Ageing Workforce against Sprain and Strain Injuries. Sprains and strains contribute to the highest proportion of workplace injuries in Australia; regularly occupying between 40 and 60% of an organisation’s workplace injury profile. Terry will explore how Australia’s leading companies can practice successful sprain and strain prevention strategies and the secrets to ageing well within the workplace.

The topic of drugs and alcohol in the workplace continues to dominate workplace safety discussions. More than one in 20 Australian workers admit to having worked under the influence of alcohol and almost one in 50 report attending work under the influence of psychoactive drugs, according to a 2011 survey entitled Intoxicated Workers. On June 12, Head of Workplace Services, Australian Drug Foundation Phillip Collins will join four thought-leaders from various industries across Australia on the panel discussion: Drinks, Drugs and Work don’t mix. The panel will shed light on the complexities surrounding the controversial issue of drug and alcohol testing in the workplace – from appropriate testing to legal questions, case studies and hardware options.

Also on the agenda will be the issue of safety in the building and construction industry, with WorkSafe WA Director of Policy & Education Ian Munns heading up the panel discussion on Building Safety. Joining Ian will be Dr Susanne Bahn from Edith Cowan University. Dr Bahn stresses that, “proactive identification of hazards in the workplace underpins risk management, often these skills are poorly trained and we need to address them different way.” Joanne Garlick ofConexus Consulting will alsojoin thepanellists to discuss the key safety issues facing the building industry and its workers in WA and identify the best strategies to overcome and mitigate the risks involved. 

Following on from this, Carl Sachs, Managing Director, Workplace Access & Safety will deal with the major changes to the Australian Standard AS1657 for fixed ladders, platforms and walkways that safety professionals need to consider in his session Are you ready for the revised AS1657 on walkways, ladders and platforms?

Rounding out the program on June 12 will be Safety budget success – How to plan it, fund it and get everyone on board. Costa Barboussas, Workplace Access & Safety explains that "OHS is often perceived as a cost rather than an investment and a tangled web of red tape. Ironically, occupational health and safety professionals are better equipped than most to present a compelling business case for capital expenditure. Like so many things, the key to success may just be simplicity."

The Safety in Action Perth trade show will offer an invaluable opportunity for Western Australia workplaces to take responsibility for the safety of their staff and contractors by engaging with cutting-edge research and Australia’s leading experts within the safety field. 

With Safety in Action, Informa Exhibitions Australia will continue to deliver the high-quality trade shows that have made these events the big-calendar dates for safety industry professionals.

From 2014, all shows across Australia will be known as Safety in Action. One major three- day show will run in September each year, alternating between Sydney and Melbourne. Shows in Perth and Brisbane will be held in June and April across alternating years.

Attendance is free so secure your place at the event online now.

What:    Safety in Action Perth

When:   Wednesday 11 June 2014, 9am - 4pm

                Thursday 12 June 2014, 9am - 4pm

Where: Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre

                21 Mounts Bay Rd, Perth WA 6000

For more info:  http://www.safetyinaction.net.au/perth/
Keep up-to-date with the show on Twitter by following @SIAevents #safetyinaction

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:  Specialist INTERVIEWS and IMAGES available

Katie Eastment katie@cardinalspin.com.au P: 02 8065 7363 M: 0435 918 466

Amy Owen amy@cardinalspin.com.au M: 0404 977 338