Preliminary data from Safe Work Australia has revealed approximately 180 people died while performing their job in 2020, while around 107,000 people made a workers’ compensation claim for serious injury or illness. Furthermore, occupation groups with the highest number of claims include technicians, trade workers, machine operators and drivers, and labourers. 

In light of National Safe Work Month, we spoke to Acclaimed Workforce's Injury Management and Safety Manager, Allyce Walding, about the company's recently expanded Workplace Safety Management Services. Here, we discuss the concept of prevention being the cure to workplace claims, and how their pilot Early Intervention Program in the Barossa managed to avoid 16 workplace injuries within just its first few weeks. 

Allyce, tell us a bit about your professional background and how you became Acclaimed Workforce's Injury Management and Safety Manager. 

Prior to commencing with Acclaimed Workforce in 2019, I spent the previous nine years working in Adelaide for two of the major workers compensation claims agents. It was there that I began to understand the range of workplace injuries that can occur, and the impact these can have on an individual, as well as their employer. It really helped to shine a light on the idea of prevention being key, and the importance of having the safety systems in place to avoid claims in the first place. 

After working in Adelaide, I made the decision to move to the Barossa Valley, and I was lucky enough to secure a position within Acclaimed Workforce (formerly CozWine). 

Acclaimed Workforce's specialisations cover industries including agriculture, manufacturing and warehousing. What are the most common workplace safety risks and hazards that occur within these industries? 

The most common safety risks and hazards in any workplace that has moving vehicles, plants or forklifts operating are incidents or injuries with these machines/vehicles. 

Within agriculture, manufacturing, and warehousing environments, we unfortunately see a lot of near misses with forklifts, from pallets being dropped at heights to workers stepping out in front of a moving forklift. 

As soon as an injury or near miss occurs, we conduct an entire review process of the workplace safety systems and look at implementing corrective actions as soon as practicable. 

Acclaimed Workforce has recently expanded its Injury Prevention and Safety Management services, to provide more support in relation to pre-employment screening, job dictionaries, toolbox talks and RTW. Can you tell us about this and why you're offering this to employers? 

These newly expanded services were created to give employers peace of mind that from the recruitment stage through to the day-to-day operation of their business, they're keeping their workforce and business safe. 

Our on-site pre-employment screening means employers are hiring candidates that are best suited to the roles and work environment, which reduces risk of injuries from the outset. While tailored job dictionaries, toolbox talks and a Return to Work service provide ongoing safety solutions. This all works to minimise the risk of hazards, incidents and injuries while also quickly and sustainably returning staff to work. 

This kind of end-to-end Injury Prevention and Safety Management service is  unique to Acclaimed Workforce, particularly as, being specialists, we are better positioned to understand the specific job functions and work environments of our clients. 

These services place a big emphasis on injury prevention. Why is prevention something that business owners should be focused on? How is this attitude to workplace safety beneficial to their business? 

With anything in life, prevention is always going to be better than searching for a cure. Employers have a duty of care and safety should always be a focus, especially within the semi-skilled and trades industries which typically present more risks. 

A positive and proactive attitude to creating a safe workplace not only encourages current employees to respect their and others' safety, but also makes that business a more sought-after place to work. Great safety processes improve reputation, attraction and retention. Furthermore, the cost of injuries to businesses from a morale and financial perspective, can be significant. 

Acclaimed's Barossa team has recently launched a pilot Early Intervention Program (EIP) for its local employers and employees. Can you tell us more about this and the results you've seen so far?  

I've been very excited about this program as it's something I'm very passionate about! 

The EIP is a service model that recognises the importance of early treatment to facilitate sustainable return to work and health outcomes for the workforce. Our on-hired employees are offered access to free weekly physiotherapy in our office for both work-related and non-work-related soreness, niggles, pain, and injuries. 

The program has been running for four weeks now, and has been booked out each week, totalling 65 appointments for the month. Though non-work-related soreness was the main reason for staff visits, our physiotherapists reported that the program managed to reduce 16 injuries from becoming Workcover claims. As stated in the physiotherapists summaries, these injuries would have been aggravated at work due the repetitive and manual nature of the job function. 

You are also able to act as a Return-to-Work coordinator for small businesses. What does this involve and what kind of assistance does this offer employers? 

Yes, that’s correct! For small businesses, this enables them to have a dedicated Return to Work Coordinator available on an as-needs basis without having to employ someone solely dedicated for this role, which can be much more costly. This is a flexible service, and I can tailor it for each businesses' requirements. 

How would a business owner know if their safety systems and processes are robust enough? And if they could use improvement, where should they begin? 

Business owners should be frequently reviewing their safety management systems to make sure they're meeting legislative requirements along with their changing and or growing business. 

They can begin with a safety plan, which creates action for the business to review their current and potential risks. Systematically scheduling ongoing reviews and ensuring every worker clearly understands their safety obligations and training is also crucial. It can be a big process to tackle alone, which is why Acclaimed Workforce has developed its Safety Management Services to assist employers. 

If you're interested in discussing Acclaimed Workforce's Safety Management and Injury Prevention services further, including our EIP and RTW service, or would like a review of your current safety plan, contact us today.