Safe Work Australia Chair Tom Phillips AM today announced Janine Coleman as Australia’s first Safety Ambassador of the Year Award winner. Ms Coleman, a Workplace Health and Safety Coordinator from Macarthur Disability Services in NSW, has been awarded the inaugural title for her outstanding efforts in raising awareness of work health and safety.
The Safety Ambassador of the Year is awarded by Safe Work Australia as part of National Safe Work Australia Week. The Award recognises achievements of individuals who are champions of health and safety in their workplace during Safe Work Australia Week.
“The judging panel were overwhelmed with the number of quality submissions we received in the Award’s first year and are pleased to see so many businesses making positive contributions to work health and safety” said Mr Rex Hoy, Safe Work Australia Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Award’s judging panel.
Ms Coleman, based in the Campbelltown office of Macarthur Disability Services, was one of 529 people who signed on to be Safety Ambassadors this year and one of 46 entrants for the Award.
“Ms Coleman showed an enormous amount of hard work, passion and enthusiasm for Safe Work Australia Week. These are the qualities we were looking for in the Safety Ambassador of the Year,” said Mr Hoy.
“My role as the Safety Ambassador for Macarthur Disability Services was not only to promote the importance of work health and safety during Safe Work Australia Week but to show my colleagues that safety should be a priority all year round,” Ms Coleman said.
The judging panel was impressed with the way Ms Coleman spread the Safe Work Australia Week message beyond the staff at Macarthur Disability Services by involving their disability services participants, family and friends.
“Some of the initiatives Ms Coleman organised for Safe Work Australia Week included a safety slogan and logo competition, barbeque, colouring-in competitions and Fluoro Thursday event,” said Mr Hoy.
Ms Coleman said this was the first year Macarthur Disability Services participated in Safe Work Australia Week and their involvement, led by Janine, has had a positive impact on their workplace.
“Safe Work Australia Week has helped to change the perception and attitudes towards workplace health and safety by staff and created a positive safety culture. Staff understand and accept that workplace health and safety is Macarthur Disability Services number one priority and that there is a supportive culture from Executive Management.”
“Without the opportunity to participate in Safe Work Australia Week and the materials we received from Safe Work Australia, we would not have been able to hold these successful events and really show that work health and safety is an issue for everyone in the community.”
Two highly commended awards for Safety Ambassador of the Year were also announced:
- Julia Winkler from the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, and
- Maureen Nunn from the Catholic Schools Office Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
As Safety Ambassador of the Year Ms Coleman will be given a certificate, tickets for her and a guest to the 7th annual Safe Work Australia Awards in Canberra in April 2012 and a logo for Macarthur Disability Services to use on all promotional and information materials for the next year.
Safe Work Australia Week will be held from 21 to 27 October 2012 and the 2nd annual Safety Ambassador of the Year Award will again be open to everyone who signs up to be a Safety Ambassador.
The 7th annual Safe Work Australia Awards will be held in Canberra on Thursday 26 April 2012. For more information visit www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au
Statement ends 6 December 2011.
More information
Safe Work Australia media enquiries
Phone: 0434 664 294
Email: media@safeworkaustralia.gov.au