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icare has introduced its new look speakers program to the manufacturing, construction and health & community services industries, which it claims could help drive down workplace injuries and help support a culture of workplace safety.
According to icare, in the last 12 months over 10,700 people have been injured in workplace accidents within the manufacturing industry in New South Wales, followed closely by construction with 9,000 injuries and health & community services with 6,000 cases. On average, each of these claims costs more than $16,000 over its lifetime.
Through the program, which runs in partnership with the Australian Paralympic Committee, current and former Paralympians who have been affected by workplace injuries will be able to visit workplaces across the state and share their stories, it said.
icare general manager for loss prevention and pricing, workers insurance, Jason McLaughlin said the speakers program is a great way to help employers engage with the importance of workplace health and safety.
“There is no better investment than giving your staff the training and tools they need to operate a safer work environment every day,” McLaughlin noted. “This program empowers employers to change the safety culture of their workplace by helping their employees understand the ‘why?’ around injury prevention.
“Our Paralympians are role models of human endeavour and people leading successful lives after being impacted by a severe injury. By sharing their experience, businesses can learn not only about the impacts of a workplace injury but how people can successfully recover if they are injured.”
Putting injury-prevention first for NSW employers will reduce the loss of productivity, improve their return to work outcomes, and ultimately lower their workers’ insurance claims and premium, he added.
Nigel Smith, an Australian Paralympic volleyball champion, who lost his left leg at the age of 25 when it got caught in a chain conveyor working on a heavy industry paint machine, said keeping workplaces safe is a job for everyone.
“All it took was a split second for my life to change forever,” Smith said. “It’s not always up to an employer to point out potential risks on the job - employees also have to be aware. We have to keep striving for safe workplaces.”
