Cheryl Edwardes

Cheryl Edwardes

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    Minister presents QAL Refrigeration with WorkSafe Silver Certificate

    20/12/2000 9:30 AM
     
    20/12/00

    Labour Relations Minister Cheryl Edwardes has presented Karratha-based company QAL Refrigeration (WA) Pty Ltd with a special WorkSafe Plan Silver Certificate.

    Mrs Edwardes said the award to QAL Refrigeration recognised the company’s achievements in workplace safety and health.

    QAL Refrigeration (WA) Pty Ltd began operations in Karratha just two years ago, providing refrigeration and air-conditioning services to the local region.

    “Their achievements include implementing a hazard management system to make sure the safety and health of employees is well looked after,” Mrs Edwardes said.

    The WorkSafe Plan was regarded by the company as a practical way of assessing their hazard management system. It credits the assessment as a key factor in its successful pre-qualification for Woodside Energy Limited contract work and preferred contractor status with Robe River Iron Associates.

    One of the company’s initiatives was a ‘take-five’ approach to work, which uses a five step procedure to analyse and assess risks that might occur during the completion of a job.

    “Take-Five has been so successful for them that apparently many of their clients have also taken it up in their own approach to many projects,” the Minister said.

    A ‘zero tolerance’ to lost time injuries and continual review of procedures has kept the firm focussed on fulfilling all their safety requirements and they have become a benchmark to other companies.

    WorkSafe Western Australia launched the WorkSafe Plan assessment process in 1994 to rate occupational safety and health management systems within individual workplaces, and to provide a major incentive for workplaces to gain recognition for their good performance.

    To receive a WorkSafe Plan Certificate of Achievement, an organisation must meet minimum standards in scores for the five key elements, together with an annual reduction in lost time injuries.

    QAL Refrigeration’s best score was in consultation, achieving an impressive 70 per cent.

    For more information about WorkSafe Plan, refer to the WorkSafe Western Australia website at http://www.safetyline.wa.gov.au

    Media contact: Steve Manchee on 9421 7777