Released 25/07/2017
Joint media release: Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA and Gordon Ramsay MLA
Today is International Workers Memorial Day. It is an important reminder that the safety of all workers is critical every day.
It is also a day to pause and remember family, friends and colleagues whose loved ones lost their lives in the course of their work.
“It is a day to reflect, remember and respect those who have been killed doing their jobs and recommit to doing everything in our power to ensure all workers get home safely at the end of each day,” said Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations Rachel Stephen-Smith.
Minister Stephen-Smith represented the ACT Government at today’s commemoration ceremony at the National Workers Memorial.
“One workplace death is one too many and we need to continue to work together – as government, unions, safety regulators and industry – to support work environments across all industries where workers are able to raise safety concerns and have those concerns taken seriously and addressed.”
Today is also World Day for Safety and Health at Work and this year’s theme is Take the lead with workplace health and safety. Minister for Regulatory Services Gordon Ramsay said we can all show leadership in ensuring our workplaces are safe.
“Each day across the Territory we have hundreds of thousands of workers supporting our city to grow, develop and to function. It is up to us all to ensure we play our part in creating healthy workplaces where safety is a priority.”
Minister Stephen-Smith said “The ACT Government is committed to providing leadership to support workplace safety, including through implementing recommendations of the Getting Home Safely report on the construction industry.”
“This could include proactively reporting any risks you may see to management, leading by example in demonstrating a safety culture, keeping an eye out for yourself and your colleagues, introducing some simple initiatives to make your workplace healthier and always speaking up if you have any concerns.
“Together we can work to reduce any safety incidents across the Territory.”
Minister Ramsay recognised the important role of WorkSafe ACT and inspectors who are on the ground everyday across Canberra supporting safety.
“The inspectors do important work with a great deal of professionalism and with a focus on not only ensuring safety and reducing risks, but also providing education support to improve safety cultures and practice,” he said.
The Ministers encouraged everyone in the community to today make a commitment to leadership in health and safety in their workplaces.
More information on World Day for Safety and Health at Work and International Workers’ Memorial Day can be found at the Safe Work Australia website www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au
- Statement ends -
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases