Two leading Toowoomba community organisations have united to improve workplace safety outcomes for their staff.
YellowBridge QLD and Lifeline Darling Downs and South-West Queensland today launched the inaugural Not-For-Profit Workplace Health and Safety Network.
Twenty-five staff from both organisations met for the first time to share ideas and strategies for safety at work, learn tools and tips from industry peers and meet fellow not-for-profit colleagues who have responsibilities for workplace health and safety.
YellowBridge CEO Adrian Bonica and Lifeline CEO Grant Simpson attended the event to jointly launch the Network during National Safe Work Month.
“The health and safety of our workforce is extremely important to both organisations,” Mr Bonica said.
“We have a great workplace health and safety program but we are always seeking new ways to improve our approach,” he said.
“It made sense to come together and share our ideas and strategies and provide an opportunity for our WHS representatives to meet their industry peers.”
Both organisations aspire for the Network to be expanded to include more not-for-profit organisations in the future.
“Mental health and well-being are a key area of focus for the workplace. Employers need to be well equipped to provide workers support in this critical aspect of WHS,” Mr Simpson said.
“Toowoomba is home to many not-for-profit organisations who all share many of the same workplace issues and challenges,” he said.
“This Network has the potential to be a significant annual event for all WHS staff from the not-for-profit sector.”
“We have a lot to gain if we work collaboratively to share our wisdom and support with each other.”
According to Safe Work Australia, more than 120,000 serious workplace injuries were reported last year. Nearly 40 percent of all injuries were related to joint, ligament or tendon injury.