This week of National Safe Work Month explores For the future: The long-term impact, encouraging workplaces to think beyond immediate incidents and consider how work-related harm can affect workers over time.
The National Return to Work Strategy sets a vision to minimise the impact of work-related injury and illness and enable workers to achieve a timely, safe and durable return to work. When appropriate supports are in place, returning to good work can support recovery and improve health outcomes.
This week's activities encourage workplaces to consider realistic injury and illness scenarios and discuss how they would respond. These conversations can help identify strengths, gaps and opportunities to improve support systems before they are needed.
Our activity kit also encourages workplaces to address workers' compensation stigma, which can discourage workers from reporting injuries, accessing support or participating in recovery processes. Creating a supportive workplace culture can help workers feel confident seeking assistance when they need it.
As part of our focus on the future, we’re also thinking about how changes in technology, society and climate are reshaping the way we work. These changes can introduce new hazards, create emerging risks or change how existing risks need to be managed.
Get involved this week:
- Watch the Week 3 campaign video
- Complete the future impact scenario activity
- Choose one practical improvement to implement in your workplace
- Discuss what good work means in your workplace and how it supports recovery.