Victoria honours workplace safety and return-to-work achievements

St Mary’s Primary School Business Manager Maree McLean and Yarrawonga Riverlands Tourist Park Manager Dennis Gabriel shared the Return to Work Achievement award. Maree sustained a mental injury after 35 years at the Swan Hill school and was initially unable to get out of bed. Following psychological treatment, support from her employer and her own determination, she returned to full-time work after 12 months. Principal Kate Quin credited Maree’s positive approach to her recovery. “Maree took on every bit of advice from health professionals to have a sustainable return to work and she is still making a remarkable contribution to the school,” Ms Quin said.

Dennis suffered multiple physical injuries when he fell through a laserlite roof in an incident that nearly claimed his life. He returned to work six weeks later, supported by his employer, family and treating physicians. His employer travelled from Brisbane to attend meetings during his recovery. For Dennis, returning to work also meant regaining routine, identity and purpose.

Seymour Whyte Constructions won the Occupational Health and Safety Leadership and Achievement award for the second year running, recognising its approach to the Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road upgrade. The project involved 2,100 machines on site and the movement of 600,000 tonnes of material. The company developed tailored safety solutions rather than relying on traditional approaches to high-risk work. “We weren’t willing to accept that what’s worked once, will work again, given the job possessed some unique challenges,” Senior Project Engineer Matthew Owen said.

Natural Growth Partners received the Workplace Health and Safety Solution of the Year award for Tree Coach, a tree-planting solution designed to reduce hazardous manual handling and repetitive strain risks. The system removes the need for stake ramming and heavy lifting during tree installations. Tree Coach is placed in the ground with the tree, then secured by the surrounding compacted earth after backfilling. The tree is tied to its stakes for support.

Manor Lakes Community Learning Centre won the Excellence in Preventing and Managing Psychosocial Risk award. Following an increase in aggressive and harmful behaviour among young people attending the centre, the team consulted extensively to understand workforce hazards and developed actions and tools to move from reactive management to prevention. Warakirri Cropping was also commended for its Farm Safety Solution, which addresses psychosocial hazards for remote and isolated agricultural workers. Its approach used data review and consultation to build trust and engagement with an on-site psychology service.

The Royal Melbourne Hospital received the Leading Return to Work Practice award for changing how it supports injured workers. It redefined roles within its Injury Management Team around a partnership model, strengthening collaboration between injured workers and their managers and creating a more supportive, proactive approach to returning to work.

City of Ballarat Health and Safety Representative Manny Mason was recognised for his advocacy and support for colleagues. His work included supporting a vulnerable worker through a traumatic experience, holding the employer accountable for its legal obligations and advocating for the worker’s safe return. Australian Industry Group’s Tracey Browne was also commended for Outstanding Leadership and Contribution to Health and Safety, recognising more than 20 years of expertise in occupational health and safety and workers compensation in Victoria and nationally.

WorkSafe Chief Executive Officer Cathy Henderson praised the finalists’ innovative and proactive responses to workplace health and safety issues. “The quality of this year’s entries was outstanding and I want to congratulate all of our finalists along with the worthy award winners,” Ms Henderson said. “It’s inspiring to hear stories of resilience from those who have returned to work after injury and see the meaningful contribution of those dedicated to protecting the health and safety of their colleagues and workers across Victoria.”

How Blue Safe can help: Our free WHS self-check can help you review your business’s approach to workplace health and safety and identify areas for closer attention, including consultation and psychosocial hazards. Take the free WHS self-check