WorkCover NSW has congratulated Orange-based worker Peter Rogers for winning a national award for his contribution to work health and safety.
Mr Rogers won first place for Best individual contribution to workplace health and safety by an OHS manager at the 7th annual Safe Work Australia Awards held in Canberra last night.

Mr Rogers, who works as the Quality Assurance and Work Health and Safety Coordinator at Jeff Hort Engineering, was among 37 finalists from a range of industries across Australia, including five from New South Wales.

General Manager of WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety Division, John Watson, said Mr Rogers played a pivotal role in developing a health and safety system achieved international accreditation.

“The system Mr Rogers developed transformed the company’s safety culture, saved money, and created a framework that has made thinking about safety second nature to everyone in this workplace.

“This detailed attention to safety has translated into zero lost-time injuries in the past 12 months, including near misses such as environmental and chemical issues,” Mr Watson said.

“Mr Rogers’ work is an outstanding example of how leadership and commitment to work health and safety can provide tangible results in terms of injury reduction and he deserves to receive national recognition for his efforts,” he said

Mr Watson also congratulated the other New South Wales finalists: NSW State Transit Authority, Inghams Enterprises, Penrith business Production Automotive and Illawarra aged-care worker Peter Lehwess.

Safe Work Australia Chair Mr Tom Phillips AM commended all of the national finalists on their efforts in reducing workplace death, injury and disease in Australia.

“The national Awards showcase the achievements of everyday Australians who have made a difference to work health and safety” said Mr Phillips.

The finalists were winners of their state, territory or the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission 2011 work health and safety awards.

Entries are now open across the state for the 2012 WorkCover NSW Safe Work Awards. Submit an entry online at www.safeworkawards.com.au or call 13 10 50 to find out more.