Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) recently launched a new short film “In it for the long haul: The Tiffany Ward story”. This is a powerful film which follows Tiffany Ward, who at 18 years old, had her arms trapped in a factory auger, nearly ending her life and leaving her permanently injured. Her inspirational story shows her resilience and spirit as well as the vulnerability of younger employees in the workplace.

Tiffany showed great courage to speak about her experiences at the official launch of the film last week in Brisbane, wanting to share her story with people to raise awareness of the life-long consequences such a serious incident can have on someone’s life.  The film describes Tiffany’s battle to live with the financial, physical and emotional consequences of her injury.  Now 22 and married to Matt with two children, Tiffany’s inspirational message is for workers in every industry.  “I wanted to do this film to warn people that this does happen in a workplace. It doesn’t only just happen to middle-aged men, it can happen to anybody,” she said.

The Tiffany Ward story is the fourth film launched by WHSQ who have produced a series of short films where brave individuals from different industries recall their experiences after suffering from a serious injury in the workplace.  All four films are available for download from WHSQ website and can be used to raise WHS awareness in the workplace.  Click on the links below to visit the WHSQ website to watch their story.

In it for the long haul: The Tiffany Ward story
		At 18, Tiffany Ward was severely injured at work when both of her arms were caught in a potato processing auger.
		Industry: Manufacturing / Runtime: 12 mins 47s
Building bridges – The Jed Millen story
		Jed Millen’s career as a rigger ended when the bridge deck he was working on collapsed under his feet and he fell five metres onto the ground, permanently injuring his upper spine.
		Industry: Construction / Runtime: 12 mins 28s
Changing focus – The Gavan McGuane story
		This short film follows the story of Gavan who was blinded when an alkaline substance mixed with gas under pressure squirted into his eyes as he tripped and fell onto a beer keg.
		Industry: Hospitality / Runtime: 13 mins 09s
Between a rock and a hard place – The Garry Nichols story
		A film by WHSQ about the story of a tractor roll-over incident that changed one family’s life forever.
		Industry: Rural / Runtime: 12 mins 29s

Losing breath – The Adam Sager story
		Julie and Don Sager lost their son decades after he was exposed to asbestos. Losing breath – The Adam Sager story raises awareness of the dangers of disturbing asbestos without adequate precautions, in the hope of sparing other families from going through what Julie and Don have had to endure.
		Industry: Building / Runtime: 16 mins

More information is available from the Workplace Health & Safety QLD website.

Source:  Workplace Health & Safety QLD