Celebrating its fifth year, the Hunter Safety Awards team are proud to announce their 2020 finalists who have demonstrated positive approaches to Work, Health and Safety (WHS) in their workplace.
With thirteen categories now available, the Awards received a high number of outstanding entries, making final judgement calls for 2020 a difficult task for judges.
Following the success of introducing an overarching wellbeing award in 2019, this year’s event came with the addition of a ‘Best Health and Wellbeing’ category for both large organisations and small-to-medium enterprises (SME).
Entries demonstrated that there’s a growing focus on mental health safety in the workplace in addition to physical wellbeing.
Hunter Safety Awards Founder, Sarah-Jane Dunford said the increasing value businesses put on all aspects of WHS in the workplace is a very rewarding thing to see as a judge.
“Every year we’re impressed with the range of WHS approaches and initiatives, but to see even more businesses emphasising the importance of mental health in their entries has been a very rewarding aspect of judging this year.
“Mental health issues affect many in our industry, making it so important we don’t shy away from that and I’m so glad our awards ceremony provides a platform to celebrate and highlight these approaches,” Sarah-Jane said.
This year, the judging panel of industry experts and sponsor representatives had a great challenge on their hands choosing from so many worthy applications.
“Year after year the calibre of entries improves, making our job as judges tricky. It’s so exciting to see the amazing WHS measures local businesses are taking to ensure safety in their workplace.
“I’m always honoured to learn how companies in the Hunter are developing new approaches that create a positive work culture surrounding WHS. Our finalists come from a vast range of industries and sectors and are creating world-first products that help inspire other businesses to embrace a positive WHS culture.”
The Hunter Safety Awards was launched in 2016 to highlight and acknowledge companies and individuals within the Hunter region who demonstrate best-practice and innovative approaches when it comes to workplace health and safety.
Each year The Hunter Safety Awards attracts sponsors from local, national and international business communities.
Sarah-Jane said how exciting and lucky the team are to have such a great list of industry leaders on deck as supporters and sponsors each year.
“AGL is our major partner for the third year in a row and we couldn’t be more grateful for their ongoing support,” Sarah-Jane said.
“We’re also supported by eleven award sponsors including returning sponsors University of Newcastle, uvex, WesTrac, 3M, Red Insight, and Sonic Health Plus and new sponsors Ampcontrol, One Touch Contractors, Hume Doors and Timber and ARTC.”
Awards will be presented across thirteen categories and will see the winners announced at a gala event on Friday, 20 March 2020 at Newcastle Exhibition and Conference Centre (NEX).
“This is the only large networking event for WHS professionals in the Hunter. As with every year, we’re expecting a big crowd to attend, network and support the finalists and the winners,” Sarah-Jane concluded.
For a full list of finalists and tickets to the Hunter Safety Awards, visit their website below.
IMAGE | Finalists announced for the 2020 Hunter Safety Awards
