2016 OHS/WHS Safety & Events Calendar
A comprehensive list of events and campaign either specifically addressing and assessing workplace health and safety, or those related to it.
If there is an event or campaign not covered below that is relevant to OHS in Australia, please comment with the details at the end of this article and we’ll take a look.
For regular information and insight on workplace safety and to stay informed on all of the events outlined below, sign up to the Pro Choice newsletter.
International Safe Work Day | Workplace Stress: A Collective Challenge
Globally | 28 April 2016
A joint initiative between the United Nations and International Labour Day, International Safe Work Day is a huge event on the OHS Calendar that is widely supported in Australia by industry organisations and companies alike.
The 2016 theme is ‘Workplace Stress: A Collective Challenge’.
www.un.org/en/events/safeworkday
www.ilo.org/safework/events/safeday
Safety Institute of Australia (SIA) South Australian Safety Summit
Adelaide | 16-17 May 2016
The 2016 South Australian Safety Symposium 2016 is a platform for discussing prevalent issues facing occupational health and safety (OHS) professionals today.
Themes such as transitional legislation, psychological health, healthy workplaces and priority disorders will run throughout the event, with presentations delving deeper into current strategies and initiatives in the field of OHS/WHS.
www.siasafetyconferences.com.au/safety-conference/south-australian-safety-summit
Sydney Safety First Conference & Expo
Sydney | 11-13 May 2016
The Safety First Conference & Expo is Australia’s complete safety event, co-located with National Manufacturing Week (NMW) and featuring a dedicated exhibition showcasing the latest technologies, products and services to improve safety standards and compliance and reduce safety expenditure.
Safety in Action Events
Perth | 1-2 June 2016
Sydney | 6-8 September 2016
Brisbane | 29-30 March 2017
Melbourne | 5-7 September 2017
The Safety in Action Event Series consists of two events in 2016 and includes safety seminars, OHS products and services, with around 100 exhibitors at each event.
Keep up to date with the latest developments and legislation and network with the industry all under one roof.
Diabetes Awareness Week
Nationally | 12 – 18 July 2016
An Australia-wide weekly campaign to highlight the seriousness and high prevalence of all types of diabetes. Plenty of assets and info on the website.
www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/national-diabetes-week
Safety Institute of Australia (SIA) 24th Annual OHS Visions Conference
Sunshine Coast | 14-15 July 2016
Visions is a unique and important annual event forming part of the broader national conference and events program at the SIA.
The 2016 event aims to feature high level, contemporary keynote speakers who are experts in their field of study and research, along with WHS Regulators and industry experts discussing current industry topics.
https://sia.org.au/events/calendar/visions-conference-2016.html
Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference
Gold Coast | 14-16 August 2016
This conference is described on the website as “one of the largest health and safety conferences in the southern hemisphere” with its purpose to present the latest information on issues that are critical for the continuing health and safety of the workforce.
www.qrc.org.au
Hearing Awareness Week
Nationally | 20 – 27 August 2016
This campaign provides insight and information and materials assisting people prevent, understand and deal with hearing loss. Given the prevalence of hearing loss in Australian construction industry, it is particularly important one for that industry, as well as any others that face loud noises.
It is driven by the Department of Health Office of Hearing Services and Deafness Forum of Australia.
www.hearingawarenessweek.org.au/
NSW Mining, 2015 Health, Safety, Environment & Community Conference & Awards Dinner
Hunter Valley | 31 August – 1 September 2015
The first event was held in 2015 year and brought together key policy experts and decision makers to talk about the operational and regulatory challenges and issues in these key areas for our mining and exploration businesses.
Topics covered those that matter to a range of operations experts and specialists, from risk, communications and safety through to minimising environmental challenges and strong community engagement.
www.nswmining.com.au/events/health,-safety,-environment-community-conference
Safety Institute of Australia (SIA) National Safety Convention
Sydney Showground | 6-7 September 2016
One of the biggest events on the OHS/WHS safety calendar, the SIA National Safety Convention is a worthy event for any safety professional.
www.siasafetyconferences.com.au/safety-conference/national-safety-conference
National Skills Week | August 29 – September 4 2016
Not a safety event per se, National Skills Week has run annually since 2011 and seeks to recognise, celebrate and inform students and the wider public of the diversity, benefits and career pathways associated with Vocational Education and Training (VET).
National Safe Work Month
Nationally | October
With events, resources, education kits, an app, virtual seminar series and more, this national safety campaign is a must for every OHS officer’s diary.
Click the link to explore the OHS campaign and its various elements.
www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/swa/media-events/safety-month/pages/nswm
World Mental Health Day | 10 October 2016
Mental Health Week is a national event, held to coincide with World Mental Health Day (10 October), and will run from 9 – 15 October, 2016 with states and territorties driving their own campaigns.
The week and day is an opportunity to promote awareness about mental health and wellbeing, and equip people with the right information.
National Nutrition Week
Nationally | 16-22 October
Run by Nutrition Australia, National Nutrition Week is all about getting all Australians to consume a better and ore balance diet.
www.nutritionaustralia.org/national/national-nutrition-week
National Skin Cancer Action Week | 15-21 November 2015
Each year Cancer Council Australia and the Australasian College of Dermatologists come together for National Skin Cancer Action Week.
With two in three Australians diagnosed with skin cancer by age 70, the week is designed to remind Australians of the importance of sun protection and early skin cancer detection.
Asbestos Awareness Week
Nationally| 21 – 25 November 2016
Asbestos Awareness Week provides a focus on the dangers related to asbestos and is an opportunity to remember the families affected by asbestos-related diseases through Asbestos Victims Memorial Day activities.
White Ribbon Day | 25 November 2015
White Ribbon is Australia’s only national, male led Campaign to end men’s violence against women with the vision of having women live in safety, free from all forms of men’s violence.
Safe Work Australia (+ State and Territory) Awards
Safe Work Australia and relevant state or territory bodies recognise excellence in work health and safety (WHS) through promoting and supporting national, state and territory awards.
Details of past awards in the various states and territories are outlined in the link below.
http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/swa/media-events/awards/pages/awards
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