WorkSpace Week (21-27 October) promotes prevention and early intervention, aligning with National Safe Work Month running throughout October.
This year’s National Safe Work Month theme, safety is everyone’s business, calls on workplaces across the nation to make safety their business. This theme highlights the collective benefit of safe work practices to everyone in the workplace by reinforcing WHS as a fundamental principle and right.
Workspace Week is committed to reducing work-related muscular-skeletal disorders. Work-related muscular-skeletal disorders are the most prevalent workplace injury, costing the Australian economy over $55 billion annually.
According to the ABS National Health Survey, June 247.3 million (29 per cent) Australians suffer chronic muscular-skeletal disorders – almost one-third of Aussies.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 30.8 per cent of Women suffer MSDs compared to 26.8 per cent of men. Additionally, Occupational exposure contributes to 17% of back pain burden
Safe Work Australia Chief Executive Officer, Marie Boland said, “Creating safe and healthy workplaces is vital – this October I urge workplaces across Australia to make safety their business and participate in National Safe Work Month.”
“This year we want workplaces to think about safety as part of the everyday business of their workplace—creating a safe and healthy workplace that is free from physical and psychological harm benefits everyone.”
“Having a safe and healthy workplace is a fundamental right for all workers, across all occupations and industries.”
“Commit to making work health and safety core to how you do business this National Safe Work Month and beyond.”
Workers at the highest risk include healthcare, aged care, childcare, NDIS workers, tradies, labourers, and machinery operators.
Workplaces are encouraged to join the #StraightenUpAustralia Challenge using ACA’s Straighten Up app to promote simple exercises that improve spinal health and reduce WMSDs. Registration is FREE, and participants can access a suite of resources developed to help reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
