Entries for the 2015 WorkSafe Victoria Awards opened today, with businesses and employees that have demonstrated a passion for improving workplace health and safety encouraged to apply.

Now in their 27th year, the prestigious awards recognise outstanding contributions to health and safety and returning to the workplace.

There are nine WorkSafe Award categories across health and safety and return to work:

Health and Safety

Best solution to a specific workplace health and safety issue
Excellence in health and safety management
Health and safety representative of the year
Health and safety invention of the year
Commitment to workplace health and wellbeing
OHS Achievement

Return to Work

Employer excellence in return to work
Return to Work Coordinator excellence
Worker return to work achievement

 Winners will be announced at an awards presentation during WorkSafe’s Health and Safety Week in October.

Quotes attributable to Harriet Shing MP

“Every Victorian employee has a right to feel safe in the workplace.”

“I would encourage businesses in Gippsland to enter the WorkSafe Awards.”

“To enter the awards local businesses should visit www.worksafeawards.com.au by 26 June.”

“I am sure there are businesses in Gippsland, which lead by example in occupational health and safety and in helping employees returning to the workplace and I encourage them to enter.”

Quotes attributable to WorkSafe Victoria’s Acting Chief Executive, Clare Amies

“The awards have been a key event in the WorkSafe calendar for 27 years. Each year it’s inspiring to see the commitment so many Victorian employers and workers have to keeping each other safe in the workplace.”