The CEPU SA have won, one of three Augusta Zadow Award grants funded by Safework SA for this year.
Presented each October during National Safe Work Month, the awards support initiatives, research or further education that improve health and safety for women and young workers in South Australia.
The Augusta Zadow Awards have been run by SafeWork SA since 2005. To celebrate 20 years of the awards, funding was increased this year to $40,000 maximum per project.
The winners were presented by the Governor of South Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, at a Government House ceremony which also included the University of South Australia – When ShIft woRk meets mENopause (SIREN) and Culturally Safe WHS Induction Toolkit for Young Aboriginal Construction Workers
The CEPU SA submitted the application back in August for funding to develop and roll out an education and awareness presentation to reduce electric shocks in SA due to the number of reported shocks rising over the last few years to Safework SA and using Return to Work and the recent ETU apprentice survey. Something needs to be done to reduce and eliminate electric shocks, particularly for workers at the highest risk category, young workers.
The education awareness program is targeted at workers aged 16-23 in response to a high number of electric shocks among this age range. SafeWork SA has awarded the CEPU $39,600 to support the project.
This allows the Branch to employ CEPU member and electrical wizard Chris Green to develop the practical component of the presentation on how to avoid electric shocks through safe work practices, and Michelle Rath. Michelle sadly lost her son to an electrocution in 2013 and has been a staunch safety advocate in sharing her story with workers ever since.
By combing both a practical session, coupled with the real-life experience the Branch hopes to deliver education sessions to as many young workers, and the tradespersons who supervise them, as possible with the funding they have received.