SafeWork NSW has launched a $3.2 million campaign aimed at ensuring workers and employers stay safe on the job.

The “Safety starts with you” campaign has been developed to improve safety and help reduce workplace injuries and illnesses across NSW.

It highlights risky behaviour in an effort to reduce the number of injuries in NSW workplaces.

In 2015/16 alone, SafeWork NSW received 30,902 reports about major workplace injuries and illnesses, and tragically, there were 60 fatalities.

SafeWork NSW, Group Director, Regional Operations and Sector Initiatives, Tony Williams said the campaign aimed to encourage workers and business owners to discuss safety in the workplace.

“No matter your occupation, industry or background, safety is everyone’s responsibility,” Mr Williams said.

“When you are injured at work, it doesn’t just affect you, it affects your family, friends and can also have an impact on your community.

“Through the campaign, we want workers, to think about what might happen if they’re injured at work and look at changing their behaviour.”

The campaign features paid advertising across a mix of media, including new tv, print and radio ads that focus on high risk industries and work activities.

Farmer, Ed Whitechurch, from Young, who features in the campaign’s print ads about machine guarding of augers on farms, said he got involved in the campaign to encourage other famers to stay safe.

“Farm safety is important for not only farmers but farm workers, and their family and friends,” he said.

“If we can help saves someone’s life – that is very important.”

The campaign is part of SafeWork NSW’s Work Health and Safety Roadmap for NSW 2022. For more information and resources visit the Safety starts with you website or call 13 10 50.

Source: SafeWork NSW, 12 March 2018