Tasmanians encouraged to prioritise workplace safety during WorkSafe Month

Tasmanians Encouraged to Prioritise Workplace Safety During WorkSafe Month

Minister for Small Business and Consumer Affairs Michael Ferguson has said that WorkSafe Month serves as a crucial opportunity for Tasmanians to assess their commitment to health, safety, and overall wellbeing in their work environments.

Whether acting as a team leader or working on the front lines, October provides a valuable chance for all Tasmanians to reflect on how to ensure safety and wellbeing each day. This annual event gives every workplace health and safety initiative a platform to reach a wider audience across the state.

A Statewide Commitment to Health and Safety

“Our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future is all about keeping Tasmanians strong, healthy and safe, and what each of us can do to promote safety at work makes a difference,” said Minister Ferguson.

“Since its inception, WorkSafe Month has empowered us all to better manage workplace hazards, understand our rights and responsibilities, and to enhance mental health and wellbeing in our workplaces.”

This Year's Theme: Safe Bodies, Safe Minds

“This year, we continue the theme 'Safe Bodies, Safe Minds.' We are again excited to offer an enriching program that includes free webinars, facilitated in-person seminars, workshop discussions and the annual Health and Safety Representatives Conference in Launceston and Hobart.”

Safe Bodies, Safe Minds places equal weight on physical hazards and psychosocial hazards, recognising that lasting safety outcomes depend on addressing both. Every industry across Tasmania faces a distinct mix of hazards, from manual handling risks in construction to psychosocial pressures in healthcare and manufacturing settings.

Why Psychosocial Hazards Matter to Every Industry

Psychosocial hazards, including excessive workloads, poor workplace relationships, and inadequate support structures, contribute significantly to mental health outcomes across all sectors. Supporting staff wellbeing means building systems that identify these hazards early, before harm occurs.

For technical professionals managing teams in high-risk industries, understanding psychosocial risks is now considered just as important as managing physical hazards on site. Safe work practices that account for both dimensions give teams a stronger foundation for long-term resilience.

Building a Safety-First Community

WorkSafe Month strengthens community understanding around shared responsibility for health and safety outcomes. It encourages every industry, from construction to manufacturing, to treat safe work as a personal priority rather than a compliance checkbox.

Resources available throughout the month include:

• Free webinars covering practical safety topics relevant to multiple industries
• Facilitated in-person seminars for hands-on learning
• Workshop discussions addressing real workplace challenges
• The annual Health and Safety Representatives Conference in Launceston and Hobart

Organisations seeking practical tools to support these efforts can review resources such as Workplace Safety Rules or sector-specific documents like the Office Workplace General Safety SWMS to reinforce daily safety routines.

For broader context on how other states approach similar initiatives, see how WorkSafe Victoria organises workplace safety events during its own Health and Safety Month, or explore related coverage on how Tasmanians are urged to focus on workplace health and safety during this observance.

Read more here.