Safety Ambassador Karen Graham
Background information
I have worked in OHS within the manufacturing and communication industry for over 10 years, and gained my post graduate degree in Safety Science at UNSW. During this time I have been exposed to many diverse challenges from the office to the warehouse. I am passionate about preventative safety and take proactive steps to ensure employees are fit for the job and maintain their fitness for the job. I take the proactive approach to health and safety and thrive on the challenge of maintaining a safe workplace.
During my tenure, I have achieved a number of goals including significantly reducing lost time injuries on a national basis, reducing repetitive strain injuries by 10% nationally.
I have been instrumental in initiating health promotion programs and preventative conditioning programmes such as pause gymnastics which have resulted in eliminating repetitive strain injuries within the NSW data entry department (and maintaining it for 10 years!).
Why workplace safety is important to me
Workplace safety is important because it protects employees and the employer from death or injury; teaches workers to pay attention to their surroundings and how to work in a safe environment enabling an increase in job satisfaction and productivity.
We need to take good care of our employees by incorporating workplace safety management into everyday activities to encourager and motivate our workforce to perform better with passion and enthusiasm.
Every employee deserves the right to return home at the end of the day in the same condition that the came to work. Workplace safety is not an obligation, it is every employee’s right!
My plans for national Safe Work Australia Week
Our theme for SWAW is – “At work at play, let safety lead the way”. We will have retractable banners placed in all our receptions around Australia (and our international offices) as well as banners on our production/warehouse floors.
We have designed a series of posters & postcards which highlight key areas:
• Preventative stretches – 12 posters
• Safety slogans – 12 posters
• Safety bulletin
• Ergonomic desk & chair set up postcards
Managers can nominate their safety champion – a Safety Champion is someone who promotes a positive health and safety culture throughout the organisation.
We have also designed a SWA email update which will be used as a daily template for all employees on email notifying them of daily activities at each site as well as daily safety tips.
We have designed SWA tickertape which will be pinned around our sites to highlight SWAW.
We have redesigned our Safety Newsletter, so this will be launched during SWAW.
Many sites will be hosting Fluro Friday BBQ’s on the Friday to celebrate the end of SWAW. With fluro cakes & biscuits on sale (profits going to our supported charities); department competitions and best fluro 80’s outfit!
All things going to plan, we will have 10 sites nationally celebrate milestones during SWAW – 1 site will reach 2,000 days zero LTI’s; 1 site – 1,500 days zero LTI’s; 5 x sites – 1,000 days zero LTI’s; 2 site 2 years zero LTI’s.
Why I accepted the role as a national Safe Work Australia Week Safety Ambassador
I wanted to share my experience with other like minded professionals and as Head of OHS&E for my organisation; I want to lead by example.
Page last updated: 18/10/2009