Tasmanian small business wins accolade in national safety awards

Tasmanian small business, Briar Maritime Services based in Ulverstone, will receive a Highly
Commended Award at the national Safe Work Australia Awards presented in Canberra this evening.

The Safe Work Australia Awards recognise the important work that organisations and individuals are
doing to make work health and safety a top priority and ensure that everyone returns home safely
from work each day.

WorkSafe Tasmania campaign spokesperson Kevin Harkins said Briar Maritime Services received the
Highly Commended Award in the ‘Best workplace health and safety practice/s in a small business’
category.

“Briar Maritime Services provides a plethora of services to the marine insurance, energy and mining
sectors and employs eight staff members,” Mr Harkins said.

“Briar identified a number of challenges within its small business, with one of the major risks being
fatigue among staff.

“The organisation set out to develop a quantifiable indicator of an employee’s fatigue levels that
took into account the irregular and sometimes extended hours, as well as personal factors.

“The result was a fatigue management program that is used as a predictive tool to allow
management to reallocate work tasks and reduce risks to workers, and since implementing the
system, Briar has reported zero workplace injuries.”

Mr Harkins said he also wanted to congratulate the other Tasmanian entrants in the Safe Work
Australia Awards, including Sibelco Australia Ltd, Leigh Jordan from MMG Rosebery, Caroline Langley
from Injury Prevention and Management, Bonney Group and Central Coast Council.

“I congratulate all the Tasmanian entrants on making it through to the national awards and for their
efforts in helping to keep Tasmanians safe and healthy at work,” he said.

The 7th annual Safe Work Australia Awards are being held tonight at Parliament House in Canberra.
WorkSafe Tasmania