SAFE WORK MONTH

Mr KENYON (Newland) (14:40): My question is for the Minister for Industrial Relations. What are the objectives of Safe Work Month 2008?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:40): I thank the member for Newland for his question. I am pleased to inform members that the Safe Work program is now double the size, moving from a program of a fortnight's duration, to a month long program of safe work events and activities. Safe Work Month is certainly our state's premier occupational health, safety and welfare promotional and educational event.

The program's expansion has enabled a greater focus on South Australia's regions, especially where there is an increasing level of economic activity now developing. More than 100 free workshops are being staged throughout Safe Work Month 2008, all of them being tailored to meet the specific needs of employers, employees and contractors.

Safe Work Month 2008 was launched with a community breakfast and forum in Port Lincoln on Monday 13 October. Since then, it has moved through the Spencer Gulf, to Roxby Downs, across to the Riverland, the Barossa and to Mount Gambier and the South-East of our state. Activities during Safe Work Month 2008 have included safety workshops held at hardware stores, farms, wineries and vineyards.

Information has also been specifically tailored to address the key industries of each region. In Port Lincoln, for example, a special session was held about addressing safety issues in the aquaculture industry. Whyalla, Roxby Downs and Port Pirie held special sessions focusing on manufacturing and mining safety. Safety workshops for Clare, the Barossa Valley, the Riverland and the South-East featured sessions on workplace safety in the viticulture and horticulture industries. Other workshops have—

Mr Venning interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: I am not going to bite, Ivan. I cannot help it if you do not take an interest in occupational health and safety, but I think you actually do. Other workshops have dealt with topics such as: quad bike safety, drugs and alcohol in the workplace, the government's Be Active at Work project and workplace bullying.

I am advised that the Safe Business is Good Business series of workshops has been particularly well received. These workshops are aimed directly at small business operators as part of SafeWork SA's centrepiece, the Industry Improvement Program. The strong attendance at the program's events enables a direct interaction between SafeWork SA, employees and employers. In turn, it also suggests that there is a growing awareness that workplace safety is a central issue for all enterprises.

The key message of Safe Work Month 2008 is that 'workplace safety is in your hands', and that workplace death, injury, illness and disease are all preventable. Safe Work Month 2008 aims to encourage workers and employers to effectively collaborate to create and maintain safe working systems.

I must acknowledge that this year's Safe Work Month program is supported by a collaborative effort between SafeWork SA, SA Unions, Business SA and WorkCover. There are many bedfellows when it comes to workplace safety. The enthusiastic support of these partners has been the critical ingredient in the success of the program.

The final week of Safe Work Month 2008 workshops and events will be held in metropolitan Adelaide from next Monday, and will conclude on Friday 7 November with the presentation of the annual Safe Work Awards. The Safe Work Month 2008 program makes an important contribution toward meeting our state's Strategic Plan objectives, specifically with regard to reducing the incidence of workplace injury and disease.

I urge all members to support Safe Work Month events in order to promote the benefits to all South Australians of having safer workplaces.