06:50 pm, Thursday 2 May, 2013

Three Queenslanders were among the winners of the recently concluded 8^th National Safe Work Awards.

Attorney General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie congratulated the winners.

“Queensland is well and truly leading the way in making our workplaces safer for everyone,” said Mr Belijie.

“The Safe Work Awards show just what can be achieved when government and industry work together to make safer workplaces.

Mr Bleijie encouraged everyone to “think outside the box when it comes to improving safety”.

“Every year, more than 5,000 Queenslanders are permanently injured, and tragically 25 people die, as a result of traumatic workplace incidents.

“I hope these wins inspire greater efforts from all workplaces to keep their workers safe  and share their initiatives with others.”

Origin Alliance, Zemek Engineering Pty Ltd and Paul Gear from the Gold Coast City Council won the awards in the categories Best Workplace Health and Safety Management System, Best Workplace Health and Safety Practice/s in a Small Business and Best Individual Contribution to Workplace Health and Safety by a Work Health and Safety Manager respectively.

Mr Bleijie emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of each and every worker.

“Nominations are now open for the 2013 Queensland Safe Work Awards, and I join with Safety Ambassador Mal Meninga in encouraging all organisations to consider nominating and to share their safety solutions,” said Mr Bleijie.

“I look forward to seeing plenty of nominations come in, and to see Queensland continue showing the rest of the country how it is done.”

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11:20 am, Friday 31 August, 2012

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland recently conducted successful construction and transport forums which highlighted the importance of ensuring safe workplaces.

The Zero Harm at Work Leadership Program forums held in recent weeks received strong support from industry leaders committing themselves to safer workplaces.

The building and construction industry forum and the transport forum gave industry leaders the opportunity to exchange safety strategies and share their best practices.

Speaking at the forum, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Jarrod Bleijie emphasized the importance of the two industries to Queensland’s economic development and getting the state back on track. He said the Government wanted to work with industry in achieving safer workplaces and economic growth.

“Strong leadership in workplace safety has reduced the number of fatalities in the transport industry from 35 to eight between 2007 and 2010, “said Mr Bleijie.

“The transport industry is a major player in the Queensland economy, contributing about seven percent to the state economy and employing 125,000 workers.

“To ensure the industry continues to generate Queensland jobs it is imperative we work together to build a safety culture across the state.

“Around 25 Queenslanders die each year as a result of traumatic workplace incidents and more than 5000 are permanently injured, devastating families and carrying a significant financial cost to industry and the community.

“Together, government and industry can reduce serious injuries and deaths, workers’ compensation claims and hidden costs associated with retraining and recruitment.”

The forums showcased case studies looking at workplace safety success stories as well as lessons learned on the way. Presenters discussed the importance of visible and committed leadership in driving safety through both contractor relationships and the design of consultation and communication strategies for managing risks.

Queensland’s biggest and most successful companies were encouraged to renew their commitment to the zero harm objective and to apply the principles of zero harm at work into their workplaces.

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01:20 am, Friday 31 August, 2012

Hon Jarrod Bleijie
Photo: Queensland Government website

Queensland’s attorney general said he is willing to minimise burdensome workplace health and safety laws if necessary.

Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie chaired a roundtable discussion on Wednesday with industry groups to examine the national Workplace Health and Safety laws introduced to Queensland in January.

He said the Government is committed to improving the state’s finances by encouraging Queensland businesses and supporting safe and productive workplaces.

“The previous Government’s view on Workplace Health and Safety was all about regulation and red tape, which strangles business and reduces productivity and flexibility.

“The Newman Government wants to work with the business sector, not over-regulate it and tell companies how to run their operations.

“Unlike the previous Government, we trust business wants to do the right thing as they don’t want a reputation for dropping the safety ball.

Mr Bleijie also said that the Liberal National Party raised concerns about the workplace health and safety laws and advised of possible future amendments if the laws were not well received.

He said he wanted to hear from the business sector the impact of implementation and operation of these laws.

“I want to hear from businesses and workers directly affected by the new laws on whether aspects of the legislation are unworkable or have compliance or cost burdens,” said Mr Bleijie.

“Given it is an employer’s responsibility to ensure a safe workplace for staff, it is essential that Government listens to how this can be best achieved.

“By working with employers to create safer workplaces, we aim to reduce the overall number of workplace injuries and also improve business efficiency and labour productivity.

“While we want to ensure there is strong focus on work health and safety standards and improved safety outcomes, we do not want to impose unnecessary burdens on business,” he said.

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12:01 pm, Tuesday 26 June, 2012

Hon Jarrod Bleijie
Photo: QLD Government website

This month, Attorney General Jarrod Bleijie announced the Queensland Workers Compensation scheme will be reviewed by a parliamentary committee ahead of a 2013 deadline.

The five-year review, legislated under the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003, will be spearheaded by MPs in an open and transparent manner.

In a media statement, Mr Bleijie said the review was an important step forward to give the community a say in how the scheme operates in the State.

“In their role as the people’s representative, MPs from around the State will bring the grassroots opinions and issues of their regions to the table,” said Mr Bleijie.

“I have asked the Finance and Administration Committee to look at the Queensland scheme to see how it compares to arrangements in other Australian jurisdictions.

“Although the principles of the legislation are the same across the country, different regulations are applied in each State.

“I want to ensure that Queensland employers are not being choked by excessive compensation premiums but also that workers are receiving adequate cover.”

Mr Bleijie said reforms to the Workers Compensation Act 2003 came into play in 2010 to address the growth in common law claims in previous years.

“The committee will also investigate whether these reforms have worked and whether they have helped to address the problem.

“Employers in Queensland are in the unique position of being able to self-insure and I want the Committee to investigate whether this is a viable option in the contemporary workplace.”

He also said that the Finance and Administration Committee have to recognise the recommendations of the Structural Review of Institutional and Working Arrangements in Queensland Workers’ Compensation Scheme.

“Particularly, I want to know what further structural changes can be made to improve the efficiency, responsiveness and cost-effectiveness of the scheme,” said Mr Bleijie.

“I want our scheme to promote injury prevention, responsive injury management and better return to work outcomes.”

The Finance Administration Committee will report back to parliament by 28 February 2013.

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