October Is National Safe Work Month: Safety is Everyone’s Business

Did you know that October is National Safe Work Month? National Safe Work Month is an annual event that was established by Safe Work Australia to raise awareness about workplace health and safety (WHS), and to encourage businesses and workers everywhere to observe safer workplace practices and reduce workplace injuries. National Safe Work Month includes educational resources, safety tips, and various events designed to help employers and employees create safer working environments. Now in its 15th year, the campaign continues to provide valuable resources to encourage workplaces to run their own events.  

The slogan for this year is “safety is everyone’s business”, and the campaign will focus on different health and safety topics for each week of National Safe Work Month. This theme acknowledges that a safe and healthy workplace is a fundamental right for all industries and professions, while also underscoring the business advantages of prioritising safety. Throughout National Safe Work Month, various weekly safety topics are explored, highlighting the importance of achieving positive outcomes for individuals, organisations, and the broader community. Work health and safety should be central to the way we conduct business in Australia.

Each National Safe Work Month is centred around an annual safety theme, with each week focusing on a specific WHS topic. This year, the topics are designed to cover essential aspects of workplace health and safety, offering a comprehensive approach to building safer environments. By engaging with these weekly topics, businesses can foster a safety-first culture that benefits individuals, organisations, and the community at large.

• Week 1: Work Health and Safety Fundamentals:
  Start by reinforcing the basics of WHS. It's essential that all employees understand core safety principles. For example, conduct training sessions to ensure proper use of safety tools like safety knives and cutters, reducing accidents and increasing awareness.
• Week 2: Psychosocial Hazards:
  Psychosocial skills refer to a range of abilities that help individuals manage their mental, emotional, and social well-being in various contexts, including the workplace. These skills include empathy, emotional regulation, and constructive communication, and they are critical for coping with stress, building healthy relationships, and maintaining a positive mental state, contributing to overall psychological health and safety.  Focus on the mental well-being of your team by addressing how workplace culture, stress, and interpersonal dynamics can affect safety, and encourage discussions around managing stress and creating a supportive environment.
• Week 3: Risk Management Fundamentals:
  This week highlights the importance of proactive risk management. Encourage your team to regularly conduct risk assessments to identify potential hazards before they escalate, ensuring a safer workplace for everyone.
• Week 4: Musculoskeletal Injuries:
  End the month by focusing on the prevention of musculoskeletal injuries. Educate employees on ergonomic practices, safe lifting techniques, and proper handling of equipment. For instance, ensure safety knives are stored and used correctly to avoid strain and injury.

National Safe Work Month remains as important as ever. Our recent data reveals that in 2022, 127,800 serious workers' compensation claims were filed, and devastatingly, 195 workers in Australia lost their lives due to workplace incidents. Every job should be safe, and no injury or fatality is acceptable. National Safe Work Month offers a valuable opportunity to raise awareness about workplace health and safety, emphasising the positive impact of safe and healthy work environments on individuals, businesses, and the broader community. 

There are plenty of ways to engage your workplace in National Safe Work Month. Participating is simple and effective. Here are a few ideas:

• Download or Personalise Resources: Safe Work Australia offers customisable Canva templates, where you can add your own photos and company logo to create tailored materials. You can check out the SWA/Canva templates here and here.
• Stay Connected Online: Follow Safe Work Australia on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook, for the latest WHS prompts and news.
• Subscribe For Further Updates: Subscribe to Safe Work Australia mailing list to receive regular safety tips and resources straight to your inbox.

The SafeTea is simply an opportunity for you to gather your team, sit down with a nice cup of tea (or any other beverage of choice) and discuss work health and safety. Safe Work Australia provides many resources to help you prepare a SafeTea event that’s relevant to your industry. 

You can start by downloading the SafeTea chat checklist. Want to spice things up? Try making things fun with SafeTea discussion dice, SafeTea decorations, and SafeTea trivia. You can then promote your company’s SafeTea event by uploading photos with the hashtags #SafeTea, #SafeWorkMonth, or #SafetyIsOurBusiness to LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook, and Safe Work Australia will repost their favourites.

By committing to safety training and education, you can greatly reduce the risk of workplace incidents throughout your organisation. Here are just a few strategies to get you started. By adopting these practices, you can create a safer, healthier workplace for you and your team.

• Educate Yourself and Your Team: Stay informed about current safety topics. For example, during Safety Month in October, each week covers a different theme, from basic safety measures to dealing with specific hazards.
• Implement a Safety-First Culture: Encourage open communication about safety concerns and ideas. Team discussions can help generate strategies for enhancing workplace safety.
• Conduct Workshops and Training: Schedule sessions to address key safety topics. For instance, one week might focus on Work Health and Safety fundamentals, whereas week might focus on psychosocial skills.
• Implement Safety Protocols: Regularly review and update your safety policies. Always ensure everyone understands the procedures and has easy, open access to the necessary tools and resources to maintain a safe working environment.
• Share Helpful Resources: Distribute educational materials from trusted sources like Safe Work Australia. Whether through newsletters, posters, or digital content, ensure employees are regularly reminded of the importance of workplace safety. You can also head over to the MARTOR website to download manuals, safety posters, catalogues, leaflets, fact sheets, and training videos. 

MARTOR Australia has proudly been designing and manufacturing the world’s best safety cutters including safety knives and blades for over two decades now, with the simple mission to reduce workplace accidents everywhere a MARTOR safety cutter is sold. You can browse the best safety knives in Australia. If you have any inquiries, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us directly over at the MARTOR Australia contact page.