Safe Work Australia has announced COVID-19 as the theme of its National Safe Work Month campaign in October.
This year’s theme, work health and safety through COVID-19, acknowledges and reflects the wide-reaching impacts of COVID-19 on Australian businesses, employers and workers.
The initiative pays tribute to around 1800 people who died while doing their job last year.
Safe Work revealed that around 107,000 people also made a workers’ compensation claim for serious injury or illness in 2017/18.
“Workplaces have had to quickly adapt their practices and procedures to reduce the WHS (work health and safety) risks arising from COVID-19 and to manage the psychological effects of the pandemic on workers,” Safe Work stated.
“The National Safe Work Month theme highlights the WHS challenges, as well as the positive outcomes brought on by the pandemic and the significant role WHS plays in keeping workers safe and preventing the spread of COVID-19.”
Miners can access a range of Safe Work’s online resources to improve their and their colleagues’ health and safety during this season of pandemic.
The equivalent is available for mining companies and employers, covering the topics of physical distancing, personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning and workers’ compensation.
The National Safe Work Month initiative has been running every year since 2009.