Cleanaway Malaga wins Gold WorkSafe Plan Certificate of Achievement

3/2/99

Cleanaway Malaga was rewarded today for its excellent standards in occupational safety and health with a Gold WorkSafe Plan Certificate of Achievement.

Labour Relations Minister Cheryl Edwardes today presented Cleanaway Malaga branch manager Bert Kelly with a WorkSafe Plan Gold Certificate of Achievement for attaining an exemplary rating in occupational safety and health management.

"Gold Certificates of Achievement are not given lightly," Mrs Edwardes said.

"Cleanaway has proved its commitment to occupational safety and health in order to earn this recognition."

Mrs Edwardes said that last year 27 organisations received Certificates of Achievement, and only nine of these were gold.

The WorkSafe Plan - launched by WorkSafe Western Australia in 1994 - is an assessment plan which rates occupational safety and health management systems and recognises good performance in the workplace.

To receive a Certificate of Achievement, enterprises must achieve certain scores in five key areas:

·      management commitment to a safe and healthy work environment;

·      occupational safety and health policies, plans and procedures;

·      consultation between employers and employees;

·      systems to identify workplace hazards and to assess and control risks; and -

·      safety and health training at all staff levels.

Cleanaway Malaga first gained gold status under the WorkSafe Plan in 1995, and has recently been reassessed as deserving of another gold certificate.

"The successful management of occupational safety and health at Cleanaway Malaga is particularly evident from the fact that the company had only one lost time injury in the last financial year," Mrs Edwardes said.

"Cleanaway's operations have always carried a high risk of manual handling injuries, so the company enlisted the help of an occupational therapist, who recommended job rotation and exercise programs.

"These recommendations were adopted, and although the exercise program is voluntary, every employee chooses to participate.

"Cleanaway's commitment to occupational safety and health is evident from the fact that the company has maintained high enough standards to earn gold a second time."

Mrs Edwardes congratulated Cleanaway Malaga on once again reaching gold status, and commended its decision to become involved in the WorkSafe Plan.

"I would encourage all business to become involved with the WorkSafe Plan because thinking about, discussing and improving safety at work can only improve productivity and morale," she said.

Media contact: Nicole Trigwell 9421 7777