The Work Health & Safety Excellence Awards recognise South Australian wine businesses that go above and beyond the basics of WHS by demonstrating substantial improvements and commitment to worker safety. The awards also recognise the critical role of workers in health and safety, via a separate category for a Safety Champion, who is a role model to other employees.
“The South Australian wine industry has demonstrated a high focus on work health and safety, providing professional services and support for many years,” said SAWIA Chief Executive Brian Smedley.
“We created these awards as we believe that businesses and individuals who manage risks effectively and strive to achieve a positive workplace safety culture should be celebrated.”
The Large wine business category, sponsored by State Technics, was won by Treasury Wine Estates who addressed the safety hazard of confined space entry that wineries encounter on a regular basis. More than 90 yearly confined space entries related to cleaning rotary fermenter vessels were eliminated. The idea originated from the workers, demonstrating a strong safety culture and leadership within the business.
The Safety Champion category, sponsored by Tarac Technologies, was won by Cameron Loprete, packaging technician from Treasury Wine Estates in the Barossa, who has taken a leading role with new task-based risk assessment practices. He has also helped improve the safety culture in his work area and has assisted the safety team due to his strengths.
“These initiatives are excellent examples of the wine industry’s strong track record in work health and safety,” Mr Smedley said.
Mr Smedley also acknowledged the award finalists and the generous support of the award sponsors: State Technics, Bunnings Trade and Tarac Technologies.
The 2022 Work Health and Safety Excellence Awards were presented at SAWIA’s annual luncheon held on 27 October 2022.
