WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY INNOVATIVE PRACTICE GRANTS

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (14:45): My question is to the Minister for Industrial Relations. Can the minister advise the house about the recent recipient of the Work Health and Safety Innovative Practice Grant?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:45): I thank the honourable member for his question and acknowledge the many years that the Hon. Mr Kandelaars spent representing the health and safety interests of his members. The SafeWork SA Advisory Committee, through its research committee, is responsible for the Work Health and Safety Innovative Practice Grants program. The Work Health and Safety Innovative Practice Grants program funds projects that develop and promote innovative safety practices to help reduce work-related injuries, diseases and fatalities.

A total of eight applications were received in the 2012 call for applications, and it was pleasing to see such keen interest in this program from people who want to make a difference to their workplace health and safety. The applications were reviewed and assessed by the research committee to determine whether they met the priorities of the occupational health and safety strategic framework of South Australia. Projects were also assessed on their broad relevance and whether the wider community benefited from the project and not just the applicants themselves.

I am pleased to advise that, after thoroughly considering each applicant, the advisory committee has decided to grant $45,290 to Business SA towards the South Australian Oyster Growers Association maritime and shared safety project 2012. This project will establish the current status of occupational health and safety within the shallow water horticulture industry. It will specifically look at oyster growing in shallow water leases and work practices within production sheds during seeding and when oysters have been harvested.

Once current practices have been established, it is the intent that the effective risk reduction strategies be determined for implementation across the industry, with ongoing support and mentoring provided to operators within this specific regional industry. This project is significant, as the aquaculture industry is a high-risk industry, with the second highest injury rate amongst all industries. This industry comprises many small family owned businesses, often with ad hoc safety management practices.

I would like to thank the advisory committee for its continued commitment to promoting research and innovative development to improve workplace safety. I look forward to following the progress of the South Australian Oyster Growers Association maritime and shared safety project and seeing the benefits it will bring to the South Australian aquaculture industry.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Darley has a supplementary question.