Safe Work Australia (the Australian Government’s statutory agency representing the interests of workers and employers to improve work health and safety [WHS]) recently released its national vision for WHS for the next 10 years. The Australian WHS Strategy 2023-2033 (the Strategy) is now available on the Safe Work Australia website with its stated national goal to reduce worker fatalities, injuries and illnesses.

The Strategy is cognisant of the recent and ongoing changes that have occurred in Australian workplaces, including acceleration towards services, increasing exposure to global trade, rapid adoption of digital technologies, shifts in workforce demographics, climate change, and changing expectations around family care and work-life balance. It identifies three key factors that are required for the Strategy to be a success:

  • Enablers that embed good WHS practice, innovate and deepen WHS understanding, and collaborate collectively to respond to WHS challenges;
  • Introduction of specific WHS Targets for reducing fatalities, serious injury claims and work-related injury and illness; and
  • Actions that increase WHS knowledge, coordinate and cooperate, gather valuable data and information, provide WHS leadership and enforce compliance.

The Strategy is targeting the most common causes of workplace illness and injuries in Australia:

  • Vehicle incidents;
  • Slips, Trips, Falls;
  • Hit by Moving Objects; and
  • Body Stressing/Manual Handling.

The Strategy is also targeting the most common causes of workplace psychosocial illness:

  • Work Pressure;
  • Harassment and Bullying; and
  • Occupational Violence.

Lastly, the Strategy has identified 6 industries that face the highest rate of serious workplace harm and where a high priority and focus must be given:

  • Agriculture;
  • Construction;
  • Road Transport;
  • Manufacturing;
  • Health Care and Social Assistance (psychosocial claims); and
  • Public Administration and Safety (psychosocial claims).

If you haven’t already had a look at the new Australian WHS Strategy 2023-2033, there is some valuable information and guidance that every organisation can adopt, share and promote on its journey to a safer workplace and improving Australia’s overall WHS performance.

Please contact QRMC for more information.