Seven winners recognised at Victoria’s WorkSafe Awards

Civil construction company Seymour Whyte and Community RoadSafe Mildura shared the OHS Leadership and Achievement award. Seymour Whyte’s work on the Pound Road upgrade included a dedicated wellbeing room, a mental health app and portable safety stations. General Manager Michelle Nation said the team completed more than 400,000 labour hours without lost-time injuries, major incidents, infringement notices, penalties or public safety complaints. “You don't get fantastic safety outcomes and a really strong culture by luck; you get it by having a very strategic focus and some very good leadership,” she said.

Community RoadSafe Mildura was recognised for its Heavy Vehicle Forum, developed after a series of local heavy vehicle incidents in Sunraysia in 2024. Around 70 owner-operators attended, along with industry experts from organisations including Victoria Police, Transport NSW and WorkSafe Victoria. The forum covered road rules on both sides of the Victoria–NSW border and included live demonstrations of safe loading techniques.

Maintenance fitter Matthew Manley received the Return to Work Achievement award after returning to employment three months after a serious hand injury. While tightening a conveyor, he lost control of a spanner, shattering his arm and wrist and severely degloving his hand. Unable to drive for three months, he received support from his employer, Kinross Farms, including transport from Benalla to Melbourne for medical appointments. His colleagues also checked in, sent gifts and invited him to social events to help him stay connected.

Gensis Safety won Workplace Health and Safety Solution of the Year for height-adjustable change tables designed to reduce hazardous manual handling risks for early childhood educators. The tables lower at the press of a button so toddlers can climb inside, then rise to 88cm so educators can change nappies at a comfortable height. The design addresses the bending and lifting involved with traditional change tables.

St John of God Health Care received the Leading Return to Work Practice award for a caregiver-focused program addressing physical and psychosocial factors. A review of its injury services had identified musculoskeletal injuries and patient abuse as key concerns. Its response included a 24/7 hotline for physical and psychological therapy, plus a partnership with Navigator Group offering remote physical therapy through motion-tracking technology.

The Department of Transport and Planning was recognised for its Commitment to Prevention of Mental Injury in the Workplace. Its mental health work began in 2020 as part of its health, safety and wellbeing strategy. A workplace psychological safety index survey identified workload, reward and recognition, and work pressures as the three leading concerns. The department introduced 30–40 initiatives, including a time and motion study to examine ways to reduce or better manage workloads. Mental health injury claims have significantly decreased since the program began.

Glenelg Shire Council plant operator Mick Puche was named Health and Safety Representative of the Year. Representing around 20 people, he leads daily toolbox meetings, supports open discussion of safety concerns and organises social events to support mental wellbeing. After losing a finger in an industrial incident, he committed himself to preventing workplace injuries.

WorkSafe Acting Chief Executive Officer Ash West congratulated the recipients, recognising their creativity, care and compassion. “The stories we've heard show that excellence in workplace health and safety goes beyond fulfilling legal duties – it’s a commitment to continuous improvement that delivers tangible results for our community.”

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