Be a Safety Champion this October during National Safe Work Month – a time for employers and employees to commit to building a safe and healthy workplace.

Minister for Employment and Workplace Safety, Suzanne Orr today launched National Safe Work Month and opened a series of mental health workshops reminding employers to continue to provide a safe, positive and productive workplace for employees.

“We spend one third of our lives at work, this is why it is so important to do what we can to create a safe environment and support our employees to look after their physical and mental wellbeing,” Minister Orr said.

“This year’s theme of ‘Be a Safety Champion’ encourages everyone to be a work health and safety champion by keeping an eye out for colleagues, including time in your day to focus on health and wellbeing and knowing your Health and Safety Representatives.”

Throughout National Safe Work Month, Worksafe ACT’s dedicated Psychological Health Officer will run mental health workshops to provide employers and employees with practical advice about mental health in the workplace.

“These mental health workshops are a great initiative for National Safe Work Month, with one in five Australian adults experiencing a mental health condition in any given year we know injuries at work are not just physical.”

“The ACT Government is committed to supporting the mental health of workers in Canberra and particularly throughout this month we will be encouraging all employers and employees to make physical and mental safety a priority.”

More information about workplace health and safety and Safe Work Month activities visit the Access Canberra website at:  www.act.gov.au/nationalsafeworkmonth  

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