QUEENSLAND Industrial Relations Minister Cameron Dick met with 250 industry and union leaders to launch the Zero Harm at Work leadership program on 16 September 2009.
According to Minister Dick, the Zero Harm at Work program aims to reduce the number of deaths and injuries at Queensland workplaces. Around 100 Queenslanders are killed at work every year, while 30,000 others suffer serious injuries or work related diseases.
Minister Dick says Zero Harm at Work will help build a positive safety culture in Queensland workplaces, to help reduce the number and severity of workplace health and safety incidents.
The program will target safety improvements in all high risk industries across Queensland, by changing attitudes from the top down. This includes dangerous industries, which include construction, transport and agriculture.
Minister Dick asked business leaders and union and public sector leaders to join the forum and drive positive workplace health and safety changes in their organisations.
Around 35 organisations have already signed up to the leadership forum after a pilot forum for the construction industry was held earlier in 2009. In August 2009, construction company Baulderstone was the first to accept the Zero Harm at Work challenge.
According to Minister Dick, the Zero Harm at Work policy needs to be taken on by all stakeholders in the industry. The ideal model would involve sharing knowledge, mentoring staff and providing assistance for smaller businesses, to change the way people look at workplace health and safety.