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Keeping South Australians safe – Safe Work Week

Keeping South Australians safe at work will be the focus of Safe Work Week, a series of free events to be held at venues across Adelaide from Monday 27 until Friday 31 October.

Jane CaroAround 20,000 South Australians were injured at work in the 12-months to July 2014 – while 14 South Australians died as a result of work-related injuries.

Keeping South Australians safe at work will be the focus of Safe Work Week, a series of free events to be held at venues across Adelaide from Monday 27 until Friday 31 October.

Speakers will include social commentator Jane Caro, a regular guest on Q&A, Sunrise, The Project and The Gruen Transfer, who will head up a Q+A-style panel of experts to discuss “rights + wrongs @ work” including inappropriate workplace behaviour, bullying and discrimination.

Bullying, hangovers, sleep deprivation, stress and managing hazards like dangerous substances and falls in the workplace will be among the topics to be discussed during Safe work Week.

Workplace diversity, mental wellbeing and resilience and the rights of new and young workers will also be covered.

South Australians will be able to take behind-the-scenes tours of GM Holden’s manufacturing facility and learn about its Employee Transition Support Initiative.

They can also learn about:

• South Australian industry leaders who are creating positive workplace safety cultures.

• How to work safely at heights and with plant, machinery and dangerous substances.

• The seven steps for managing safety in small business.

• Occupational health and safety in the mining industry.

• How to identify and respond to mental health issues.

• Suicide awareness and prevention program Mates in Construction.

• SA Ambulance’s Peer Support Program, which helps paramedics who have been exposed to traumatic events.

“Safe Work Week is designed to educate South Australians about the need to stay safe at work and provide practical ways to do so,” Bryan Russell, Executive Director of SafeWorkSA, said.

“The free events are aimed at employers, employees, contractors, health and safety representatives, workplace health and safety professionals and anyone interested in safe, fair and productive working lives.”

The full Safe Work Week 2014 program is available at www.safework.sa.gov.au with sessions expected to fill quickly.

SafeWorkSA is also contributing to Safe Work Australia’s Virtual Seminar Series, a free online event throughout October and broadcast online at www.swa.gov.au.

Safe Work Week concludes on Friday 31 October with the Safe Work Awards, which celebrate and recognise South Australians who have demonstrated excellence in work health and safety.

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