Installation asks workers to reflect on safety

GEELONG workers will have the opportunity to stop and reflect on what workplace health and safety means for them at WorkSafe’s mirrored installation at Westfield Geelong.

The installation, which opened last week near the shopping centre’s customer service desk, allows people to stand in between giant mirrors and observe their own reactions as they listen to stories by Victorians who have been injured at work.

The installation is part of WorkSafe’s ongoing “Everyone. Every Workplace” campaign, which is designed to spark conversations in the community about workplace health and safety.

Torquay local business owner Mick O’Malley is one of 12 ambassadors of the campaign, taking part by reflecting on the role safety plays within his own workplaces.

“Safety is a huge one for us, both in the O’Malley Fitness Gym and taking trekkers to Papua New Guinea with our other business, Australian Kokoda Tours,” he said.

“Trekking the Kokoda Trail requires trekkers’ physical safety to be our top priority. We take every precaution because we’re in the jungle for 140 kilometres and the only way out is by helicopter.

“Before we even get there, we’ve ensured that all of our trekkers are fit enough to be able to complete the challenge safely and successfully.”

WorkSafe chief executive Clare Amies said the stories are unapologetically confronting to reinforce to all Victorians the importance of staying healthy and safe at work.

“These stories are told by ordinary people who have gone to work and suffered life-changing incidents that could have been prevented.

“In the past four years, there have been almost 4,400 injury claims in the Greater Geelong area, of which more than 570 were for a mental injury.

“Those figures are completely unacceptable, and we hope that by listening to the stories of injured workers it will challenge people to think about health and safety at their workplace, and to make prevention their number one priority.

“What we want people to take away from the installation is that that their workplace is a reflection of them, and everyone can play a part in making it safer.”