WorkSafe Awards to Honour WHS Excellence

WorkSafe Victoria will announce the winners for the 36th annual WorkSafe Awards at an event scheduled for 26 February at the Plaza Ballroom. Employers, workers and industry innovators who have lifted health and safety performance across Victoria will be recognised on the night.

Key Details at a Glance

• Event: 36th annual WorkSafe Awards, 26 February, Plaza Ballroom, Melbourne
• Shortlist: 22 entrants drawn from 95 nominations
• Categories: seven, covering occupational health, safety innovation and return to work
• Focus: practical risk reduction and recovery support across every industry sector

According to the Victorian workplace safety regulator, a total of 22 finalists have been selected from 95 nominations across seven award categories, each acknowledging outstanding accomplishments in occupational health and safety as well as return to work.

WorkSafe Chief Executive Officer Cathy Henderson remarked that the robust selection of nominations and finalists exemplifies the remarkable possibilities that arise when workplace safety is treated with the seriousness it deserves.

“Each year, the WorkSafe Awards show how employers and workers across the state can reduce workplace harm and assist injured workers back to work,” Ms Henderson said.

“Every finalist has a powerful story worth sharing. We hope their efforts will inspire others to make a difference in their workplace.”

WorkSafe says the awards will also celebrate the inspiring resilience demonstrated by four finalists in the Worker Return to Work category, along with the cutting-edge safety technology utilised throughout the agriculture industry.

Why Industry Recognition Matters for WHS Performance

Awards programs give safety leaders a credible benchmark. When an industry body publicly validates a control measure, procurement teams and boards tend to fund similar upgrades faster.

Recognition of this kind also accelerates knowledge sharing between industry peers. A guarding solution proven on one Victorian farm can be adapted by growers, processors and transport operators facing comparable hazards.

Independent evidence supports that ripple effect. Safe Work Australia data consistently shows that fatality and serious claim rates fall fastest in industry groups where employers adopt higher-order controls instead of relying on personal protective equipment alone.

What the Shortlist Reveals About Current Risk Priorities

Three themes stand out across this year’s submissions:

• Technology-enabled hazard detection – sensors, telematics and machine upgrades that remove people from the line of fire, now common in agriculture and heavy industry.
• Psychosocial risk management – structured programs addressing fatigue, bullying and unreasonable job demands.
• Early intervention – recovery planning that keeps injured staff connected with their crew, trade and supervisor.

How Organisations Can Apply These Lessons

You do not need an award-winning budget to make measurable gains. Begin with a documented risk assessment, verify controls on the ground, then record what changed and why.

1. Map high-consequence hazards against recognised industry standards and approved codes of practice.
2. Consult crews who perform each task daily — they notice near misses first.
3. Capture controls inside a current safety management system so evidence survives staff turnover.
4. Review incident trends quarterly, comparing results with industry benchmarks published by regulators.

Ready-to-use documentation shortens that journey. Our team offers safety policies and procedures templates plus a business safety document finder that matches paperwork to your trade, whether you operate in construction, manufacturing, healthcare or primary industry.

Nomination Rounds and Earlier Coverage

Entries usually open mid-year, giving organisations time to gather outcome data and worker testimony. Our previous reporting explains how submissions are assessed:

• WorkSafe begins accepting nominations for the 2025 safety excellence awards
• Nominations open for this year’s work health and safety awards
• WorkSafe Victoria accepting entries for the 36th annual awards

See full details here. For safety professionals watching Victorian industry, the ceremony offers a reliable snapshot of controls delivering genuine results right now.