Norske Skog: Gates in closed position
Five southern Tasmania based organisations were today recognised in the 2012 WorkSafe Tasmania
Awards, demonstrating the commitment by businesses in the region to ensuring workers return
home safely at the end of each working day.
WorkCover Board member Kevin Harkins said Boyer based company Norske Skog received a Highly
Commended Award in the IPM Award category for ‘Best Solution to an Identified Workplace Health
and Safety Issue’.
“Norske Skog’s swift reaction to a fatality in a similar workplace overseas saw the business
undertake a risk assessment surrounding pedestrians and forklifts sharing the same floor space,
which dramatically reduced the risk of injuries,” Mr Harkins said.
“Hobart based Nyrstar also received a Highly Commended Award in the IPM Award category ‘Best
Solution to an Identified Workplace Health and Safety Issue’ for its development of a manganese
pump, which changed the 100-year-old practice of manually digging manganese mud from cells and
reduced injuries by 50 per cent.
“Huon Aquaculture, based in Dover, also received a Highly Commended Award in the same category
following its recognition of the multiple risks surrounding cranes and capstans on board vessels.
“The developments put into place by Huon Aquaculture included training, purchasing, engineering
and servicing improvements, which has seen it without an incident involving cranes and capstans in
a 10-month period.
“Tasports received a Special Encouragement Award in the category for ‘Best Workplace Health and
Safety Management System’ through a re-evaluation of its Safety Management System which
reinforces safe practices on a regular basis.”
Mr Harkins also recognised Hydro’s success in the WorkSafe Awards in two categories, firstly
partnering with Entura for their Electrical Safety Management System which reduced significant risks
associated with performing electrical work, and secondly for its identification of hazards associated
with maintaining heavy machine parts in a confined area, for which it developed a Lower Guide
Bearing Hydraulic Platform which provides a safe working area.
“The range of diverse Award winners demonstrates the variety of organisations making work health
and safety a priority in their workplace,” he said.
The WorkSafe Tasmania Awards, now in their 17th year, are the finale of WorkSafe Tasmania Month
and are a positive opportunity to recognise and reward those Tasmanian businesses committed to
work health and safety.
Download the winners:
2012_WorkSafe_Tasmania_Award_winners_summaries_FINAL_031112.pdf
WorkSafe Tasmania Month 1 October – 2 November 2012
