Commencing in Portland and finishing in Dandenong, the annual workplace health and safety tour will include 25 face-to-face events with experts sharing information and advice, highlighting current trends and encouraging conversations about workplace safety.
The regional roadshow will cover diverse topics including safer manual handling; supporting workers returning from injury; the importance of health and safety representatives; and managing risks to mental health in the workplace.
Safety in construction will be a focus of tradies' events at Ballarat, Hamilton, Warragul and Thomastown, where participants can learn more about industry best practice while enjoying a free breakfast.
Farmers will be supported to prepare for a safe and successful harvest at a session hosted by the Birchip Cropping Group, while safety in agriculture targeting horticulturalists will also be a focus of the Sound Body, Safe Work workshop at VEG Education in Werribee South.
More health and safety topics will be covered in a week-long series of webinars following the bumper face-to-face program.
The 15 online events include sessions on supporting and supervising apprentices; preventing gendered violence in healthcare; safe use of elevated work platforms; preventing exposure to welding fumes; treatment pathways for mental injury; high-risk crystalline silica work and the ban on engineered stone; and preventing and managing psychosocial hazards.
Former AFL Geelong Cats Captain Cameron Ling is on board again and will present a number of webinars and face-to-face events in locations including Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton and Geelong.
WorkSafe Chief Executive Officer Joe Calafiore, who will present a webinar on 29 October, encouraged employers and workers to head online to view the full program of events.
"This year's program is packed with a range of sessions that will appeal to people across industries looking for the latest information and advice on workplace health and safety - there really is something for everyone," Mr Calafiore said.
"When it comes to health and safety, there is always something more to learn, so I encourage you to visit the website and sign up for the sessions that would be useful to you."
Registrations are now open for all events and webinars, with every session including a question and answer segment for participants to get advice on any workplace health and safety issues or concerns.
Face-to-face events will take place in:
- Portland - 1 October
- Warrnambool - 2 October
- Hamilton - 3 October
- Horsham - 4 October
- Traralgon - 8 October
- Pakenham - 9 October
- Dandenong - 10 October
- Warragul - 10 October
- Narre Warren - 10 October
- Carron - 15 October (in partnership with Birchip Cropping Group)
- Mildura - 14 October
- Ballarat - 16 October
- Bendigo - 17 October
- Ballarat Trade Breakfast - 17 October
- Wangaratta - 17 October
- Shepparton - 18 October
- Shepparton GV Safety Group Breakfast - 18 October
- Thomastown Trade Breakfast - 22 October
- Werribee South - 24 October (in partnership with VEG Education)
- Albury-Wodonga - 24 October
- Geelong - 25 October
- Dandenong Business Breakfast - 30 October
Webinars will run from 28 October to 1 November.
To view the full program of WorkSafe Health and Safety Month events and to register visit worksafe.vic.gov.au/events
