Regulators around Australia have launched a range of initiatives in response to Safe Work Month which is held in October each year.

Safe Work Month encourages employers and workers to promote positive work health and safety in the workplace, and the theme for this year is “staying focused on workplace health and safety”.

While 2020 has involved many challenges, Safe Work Month aims to remind the industry and the community that the health and safety of workers remain a priority, according to The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS).

In Western Australia, an event will feature a virtual program of activities(link is external) with on-demand video presentations from dangerous good safety, mines safety and WorkSafe.

There will also be live-stream question and answer sessions from industry experts.

Safety and health representatives, managers, supervisors, safety professionals and workers in all industry sectors are encouraged to register.

In Victoria, helping employers and workers navigate through coronavirus (COVID-19) will be the focus of WorkSafe Victoria’s first fully virtual health and safety month(link is external).

Through October, the regulator will offer 16 free online seminars to help employers and workers maintain safe, healthy and connected workplaces during the pandemic and beyond.

Some sessions in the navigating through COVID-19 program are designed to address pandemic related safety issues in specific industries, while others will cover broader topics such as leadership, working from home and looking after injured workers.

Mental health will be a major focus, with a panel presentation on how organisations across different industries are promoting wellbeing through the pandemic.

There will also be online events aimed at young workers, while multicultural community leaders have been invited to a special presentation about everyone’s rights and responsibilities at work.

WorkSafe Victoria chief executive Colin Radford said this year’s program was designed to respond to immediate needs.

“This year, Victorian workers and businesses are facing a unique and acute set of challenges,” said Radford.

“These sessions are a valuable opportunity for people to get their questions answered and hear from the experts on a range of COVID-19 related issues.

“I encourage everyone who is connected with a workplace to have a look at the website and register for a session that will help them manage the risks of COVID-19.”

This article is provided by the Australian Institute of Health & Safety.