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Safe Work Australia Week

Workplace health and safety: It makes financial cents

Why is it important?

• Approximately 100 Queenslanders die each year as a result of work-related injuries.
• Nearly 30,000 of us are seriously injured each year.
• Total workplace incidents cost the Queensland economy over $5.2 billion each year.

What can you do about it?
Safe Work Australia Week (SWAW), 25 - 31 October 2009 aims to encourage all working Queenslanders to get involved in, and concentrate on, safety in their workplace to reduce deaths, injuries and diseases.

In 2009, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) is hosting an exciting calendar of state-wide events focusing on the theme Healthier and safer workplaces. Healthier and safer workers. The theme links to the Queensland Government’s Toward Q2 strategy which aims to make Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people.

WHSQ is engaging celebrity ambassadors and key partners to help spread the message this year including:

Dr Andrew Rochford

Dr Andrew Rochford joined the What's Good for You team on the Nine Network as the resident medicine man and human guinea pig. Dr Rochford demystifies the issues that surround new age diets, fitness and alternative therapies, to help people choose what is right for them. Dr Rochford will be presenting at the Healthier and Safer Workers Seminar and will be talking about general health and wellbeing and will delve into his experiences in putting his body to the test.

Shane Webcke

Shane Webcke retired from a successful rugby league career with a fairytale ending after the Brisbane Broncos won the 2006 Grand Final. He was then named one of the 100 greatest players of the Century. Shane has a rural upbringing and still plays an active role in farming cattle, sheep and grain in the Darling Downs. Shane will be presenting at the Rural Safety Day during SWAW and will talk about his experiences on the farm, including the death of his father as a result of a workplace incident.

Key events

Get involved

• Participate in Workplace Health and Safety Queensland's calendar of events.
• Hold a health and safety information session or morning tea.
• Encourage staff to take a break and exercise to improve alertness and physical wellbeing, i.e. walk, yoga, bike ride or run.
• Hold an office clean up day to ensure workplaces are safe and clean.
• Invite a doctor to your workplace to talk about health and wellbeing.
• Encourage staff to identify and speak up about a health and safety issue in their area.
• Visit www.worksafe.qld.gov.au for more ideas on how you can get involved.

For more information on Safe Work Australia Week visit www.worksafe.qld.gov.au or call the Workplace Health and Safety Infoline on 1300 369 915.

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