Strong values-based leadership, innovation and a focus on the people and families that make up a
business, have earned Tasmanian owned organisation, VEC Civil Engineering, and Caterpillar
Underground Mining General Manager, Dan Barich, the top accolades in the 2013 WorkSafe
Tasmania Awards.

WorkCover Tasmania Board member Dr Rob Walters said the Overall Organisation Winner of the
2013 WorkSafe Tasmania Awards was Ulverstone-based and Tasmanian owned, VEC Civil
Engineering Pty Ltd.

“VEC Civil Engineering received this Award for its innovative return to work program, designed to
facilitate early return to work, as well as its comprehensive electronic safety management system
titled VECSafe,” Dr Walters said.

“Since the introduction of VECSafe, the organisation’s lost time injury frequency rates have reduced
significantly, also resulting in a reduction in workers compensation premiums, providing additional
savings for the business.

“The return to work program supports early return to work, primarily through intimate and
meticulous management, consisting of three return to work coordinators, who actively manage
claims and assist workers in achieving their return to work goals.

“The program ensures that consultation and communication is regular and inclusive, ensuring all
parties are kept informed to assist injured workers on their recovery path.”

Dr Walters said the Overall Individual Winner of the 2013 WorkSafe Awards was the General
Manager of Caterpillar Underground Mining, Dan Barich.

“Mr Barich joined Caterpillar Underground Mining in May 2012, transforming the safety culture of
the organisation from his very first meeting with the team,” he said.

“At this team meeting, Dan revealed the trauma of being told as a teenager that his father had been
killed in a mining accident at work, as well as the day one of his team members was tragically killed
in a factory in South Milwaukee and the very difficult situation of telling the man’s family of his
passing at work.

“Dan promised his team that he would never compromise on safety, reiterating that safety was not
optional, but mandatory.

“True to his word, Dan has not compromised on safety and has challenged and inspired all team
members to focus minute by minute, task by task, on keeping themselves and their team mates
safe.”

The 2013 WorkSafe Tasmania Awards category winners were announced at a ceremony in Hobart
earlier this month, with VEC Civil Engineering receiving two category awards for ‘Best WHS
management system – private sector’ and ‘Best injury management and return to work system’,
while Dan Barich was named the winner in the ‘Best individual contribution to workplace health and
safety (employee)’ category.

The Overall Individual Winner and the Overall Organisation Winner of the 2013 WorkSafe Tasmania
Awards were announced at an awards presentation at the Country Club Casino in Launceston today,
which also featured an inspiring speech from heart transplant recipient and beyondblue Director,
Fiona Coote.
WorkCover Tasmania Board member Dr Rob Walters