SafeWork NSW will run its popular Mentor Program on the Far North Coast in 2018.
SafeWork announced the free program at the Annual General Meeting of the North Coast Safety Network at Workers Sports Club today.
SafeWork NSW Director, Region North, Laurence Richey said the Mentor Program brought experienced safety experts and small businesses together to create new and innovative ways to tackle safety.
“The Mentor Program is about helping small businesses find new solutions to work health and safety, workers compensation, and injury management challenges,” Mr Richey said.
“It not only enables them to improve safety but also improves their competitiveness and productivity through a series of site visits, advisory sessions, and workshops.
“Since 2006, 485 NSW businesses have participated in the Mentor Program with more than 90 per cent of mentees saying they improved work health and safety in their business.
“We’re calling on experienced safety experts and small businesses on the Far North Coast to come together and think about how they can create a safety culture at their workplace.“
Mr Richey said it was the first time the Program had been specifically tailored to Far North Coast businesses.
“Traditionally it has been a state-wide program where mentors and mentees travelled long distances to collaborate,” he said.
“By running a targeted program for Far North Coast businesses, mentors can be more accessible and the Program can to be tailored to the participants’ work schedules.”
To qualify as a mentee, a business must employ less than 20 full-time workers or equivalent. Mentees are also eligible to apply for a $500 rebate after making a safety improvement in their workplace through SafeWork’s Small Business Rebate Program. For further information on the SafeWork NSW Far North Coast Mentor Program, visit www.safework.nsw.gov.au or call 13 10 50.
The Program is supported by the North Coast Safety Network, as well as Murwillumbah, Ballina, Lismore and Tweed Heads Business Chambers.
Photo and interview opportunity: SafeWork NSW Director, Region North, Laurence Richey and Vice Chair Ballina Chamber of Commerce and former mentee, Narelle Besseling of Ballina Contrete Pumping are available for photo and interview at 1.30pm, Thursday, 27 Julyat Workers Sports Club, 202 Oliver Ave, Goonellabah.
Video news grabs of mentor Mark Pragan from CSR/Viridian Glass, mentee Mark Frater from Dee Why Glass Service and SafeWork NSW, Acting Executive Director, Jodie Deakes can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/227005196/c136c6258e
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