Pakenham employers and workers are some of hundreds set to hear from health and safety experts, industry leaders and pioneers in workplace safety next month, as WorkSafe hits the road for Health and Safety Month.
WorkSafe will visit 17 locations across Victoria next month, stopping off at Pakenham Regional Tennis Centre on 18 October for the free seminar, which is tailored to the needs of the community.
Mentally healthy workplaces, hazardous manual handling, helping newly-arrived migrant workers understand their safety rights, and dealing with drugs and alcohol in the workplace are just some of the items on this year’s agenda.
Breakfast or lunch will be provided at each event, as well as a Q and A session where participants can raise their queries or concerns around workplace health and safety.
Former Cats captain turned commentator Cameron Ling is on board again, hosting a business owner’s breakfast at Essendon Fields plus other events in Shepparton, Traralgon, Geelong, Pakenham and Bendigo.
The month will conclude with a week-long series of webinars, with Health and Safety Month ambassador Sean Aherne taking to the virtual stage to lead insightful discussions on how to enhance health and safety in workplaces.
The 2022 WorkSafe Award Finalist has spent most of his working life in the metal manufacturing industry, and is now a Health and Safety Representative at a steel manufacturing plant.
Recognising the impacts of being a shift worker in heavy industry, Mr Aherne committed himself to transforming the mental health culture at his workplace and is eager to help other HSRs implement initiatives to improve not only mental health, but safety and wellbeing across the board.
“I do what I do in relation to being a HSR because…I could see a lot of people struggling in different areas, and I didn’t think that there was enough available support,” Mr Aherne said in a video promoting Health and Safety Month.
“We’ve gone from nobody speaking about mental health to people actively engaging in support networks, becoming mental health first aiders and ambassadors for people to speak to.”
WorkSafe chief executive Colin Radford said the month was an opportunity for business leaders and workers to centre their attention on what matters most in a workplace: health and safety.
“Protecting workers from physical and psychological harm is the most important part of any business, which is why we’ve dedicated a month to tour the state and deliver our message to as many Victorians as possible,” Mr Radford said.
“Our events are packed with industry knowledge, fresh safety advice and requirements, inspirational stories and great networking opportunities.”
“I encourage everyone to head to our website and check out the program – there’s something for everyone to learn.”
Regional events will take place in:
Portland – 2 October
Port Fairy – 3 October
Warrnambool – 3 October
Horsham – 4 October
Ballarat – 5 October
Essendon Fields – 6 October
Mildura – 9 October
Echuca – 10 October
Shepparton – 11 October (two events)
Bendigo – 12 October
Traralgon – 17 October
Pakenham – 18 October
Frankston – 19 October
Wangaratta – 19 October
Geelong – 20 October
Dandenong – 23 October (CALD event, invitation only)
Albury/Wodonga – 26 October
Webinars will run from 23-27 October.
To register for the Pakenham event, please visit worksafe.vic.gov.au/events/hs-month-2023-pakenham
