Workplaces urged to prioritise health and safety this October

As National Safe Work Month kicks off, Safe Work Australia urges all workplaces to make workplace health and safety a priority.

National Safe Work Month is an annual national campaign held every October to raise awareness of workplace health and safety across construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and other high-risk industries.

Safe Work Australia statistics indicate roughly 200 workers are killed at work each year, many linked to hazards involving plant, electrical systems, or construction site operations.

This Year's Theme: Work Safely, For Everyone's Safety

The theme for 2023 is – for everyone's safety, work safely – encouraging all workplaces to prioritise workplace health and work towards preventing deaths, injuries, and diseases.

"The theme highlights the various ways individuals and organisations can work together to protect workers' mental and physical health by eliminating and managing risks at work, and ensuring all workers are supported in a safe and healthy workplace," Safe Work Australia said.

Why Hazard Management Matters Across Industries

Effective management of hazards remains central to preventing incidents on site. Construction businesses face particular exposure to plant-related hazards, hazardous substances, and electrical risks that demand robust management systems.

Technical professionals overseeing plant operation, electrical installations, or construction activities should treat this October as an opportunity to review existing management arrangements. Below are areas worth revisiting:

• Plant maintenance schedules and pre-start inspection routines
• Electrical isolation procedures and testing regimes
• Hazardous substance storage and handling protocols
• Construction site traffic management and fall prevention
• Consultation processes for identifying emerging hazards

Businesses that build safe systems around plant and electrical equipment reduce exposure to preventable incidents. Strong management practices also support compliance obligations under work health and safety legislation.

Resources for Safe Work Month

Safe Work Australia provides free resources to help organisations plan activities throughout the month, including guidance materials tailored to construction, manufacturing, and healthcare settings.

Safety professionals seeking practical tools can also explore SafetyDocs' Health and Safety Manual or the Work Health and Safety Manual (WHSM) for support with documenting management systems across plant, electrical, and construction operations.

Businesses running toolbox talks this month might consider hosting a SafeTea event to open dialogue around workplace safety, or attending the Workplace Health and Safety Show to connect with industry peers.

For more information, visit the Safe Work Australia website.