Legislative Council Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1) 52 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Workplace Injuries WORKPLACE INJURIES The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO Legislative Council WORKPLACE INJURIES The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (14:29): My question is to the Minister for Industrial Relations. Will the minister please advise what the government is doing to acknowledge both the efforts of people who recover and return to work after a workplace injury and those who help them succeed? The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN Legislative Council Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for Gambling WORKPLACE INJURIES The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for Gambling) (14:28): I thank the Hon. Mrs Zollo for her question. The government is committed to ensuring that South Australians who are injured at work are supported to remain at work wherever possible or, if time off is required, to return to work quickly and safely. The efforts of injured workers and those who assist them to do this should be acknowledged. With this in mind, WorkCover SA conducts an annual awards program that recognises employers, workers, health providers and case managers who embrace best practice in return-to-work management following a workplace injury. The Recovery and Return to Work Awards are now in their sixth year. Being at work is critical for the health and wellbeing of injured workers. The longer a worker is away the harder it is for them to return. At last year's WorkCover SA annual conference, a highly respected keynote speaker, Professor Sir Mansel Aylward CB, one of the key players in health reform in the United Kingdom, presented results from a range of studies that revealed an increased risk of poorer physical and mental health for individuals out of the workforce for long periods. In particular, Professor Aylward stated that not being at work for a long term is one of the greatest known risks to public health. It has a health risk equivalent to smoking 10 packs of cigarettes per day, as cited in a study by Ross (1995). In 2011 a new Remain at Work Achievement Award has been added to recognise the collaboration between a worker and employer that results in an outcome of remaining at work or a faster return to work. An excellent example of this was demonstrated in the 2010 awards, when Banner Hardware in Mount Gambier changed the duties of an injured forklift driver so that he could build flat pack furniture. That has since resulted in a new, ongoing production line for that store—a rewarding outcome for the worker and the employer. The 2011 Recover and Return to Work Awards were launched this morning at the Adelaide Convention Centre. After an extensive nomination and judging process, the winners will be announced on 13 September this year, the evening before the annual WorkCover SA conference. The full list of award categories includes: a return to work achievement award for a worker in a small to medium company (one to 50 employees); a return to work achievement award for a worker in a larger company (51 or more employees or a self-insured company); a remain at work achievement award; an employer excellence award for a small to medium company (again, one to 50 employees); and an employer excellence award for a larger company (51 workers or more or a self-insured company). There are also the Health and Rehabilitation Achievement Award, the Case and Injury Management Excellence Award, and the Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinator Excellence Award. These awards will play an important part in recognising the efforts of workers and those in the field to ensure better and faster return to work, which, as I said, is so clearly in the interests of both workers and employers.