At Altogether, safety is more than just a policy; it's the beating heart of our culture. As we mark National Safe Work Month, we're delighted to share some significant milestones on our continuous journey to enhance workplace safety. In this article, we'll explore our recent safe-tea events, share some details about our new safety policy, and the introduction of Altogether's Safety Awards program.
Safe-tea (Safety) events at Altogether's Sites
National Safe Work Month provided us with the perfect opportunity to focus on safety at our sites.
Recently, we hosted two 'safe-tea' events - one at our local water centre in Box Hill and the other at AJ's Café for our Huntlee & Cooranbong communities.
These events brought together our staff, contractors, and stakeholders to talk about safety excellence. They remind us that our partnership goes beyond mere transactions; it's about building relationships, fostering open communication, and sharing a common commitment to making our communities safer.
These events play a pivotal role in keeping the safety conversation alive. We encourage our community members and contractors to reach out if they wish to learn more or be part of our ongoing safety dialogue.
A highlight of the Box Hill SafeTEA event was the awe-inspiring speech delivered by Ben Houllison, who shared his remarkable journey from a paralyzing workplace incident to becoming a professional athlete and now a cattle farm owner. His story resonated deeply, emphasising the need for unwavering diligence and a steadfast commitment to safety, even in the most routine tasks.
Our new safety policy and culture of zero harm
At Altogether, we take safety seriously, and our primary goal is to ensure that every individual returns home safely every single day. With this goal firmly in mind, we recently introduced a new Safety Policy to help us create a culture of zero harm.
Our safety strategy revolves around promoting a safety-first mindset and instilling a culture where safety takes precedence, with the ultimate aim of achieving zero harm. We place a strong emphasis on leadership involvement through activities such as leadership walks, safety consultations, and the implementation of the Cease Work Policy.
Our policy empowers every member of Altogether to address unsafe situations. We actively encourage open communication, making it easy for employees to report safety concerns and incidents. We emphasise the importance of feedback for continuous improvement. Furthermore, we value thorough incident investigations to identify root causes, ensuring that we constantly improve our safety measures.
At Huntlee met Paralympian Nigel Smith, who lost one of his legs in a workplace accident more than two decades ago. He credits his survival with the fact that a mate and colleague was right there to pull him out and another colleague trained in first aid.
Introducing Altogether's Safety Awards
To underscore our unwavering commitment to safety, we're delighted to share Altogether's Safety Awards program. This initiative aims to recognise and reward the individuals who contribute to making Altogether a safer place for all. The program is open to everyone within our organisation, including external contractors working on our behalf.
Nominations can encompass a wide range of contributions, including the introduction of new processes, engineering innovations, training programs, risk control measures, or any activity that heightens awareness and reduces the risk of work-related injuries or illnesses.
Altogether is committed to creating a safer, healthier, and more secure workplace for all. We believe that by acknowledging and appreciating the efforts of individuals who prioritise safety, we can inspire even greater commitment to a culture of zero harm.
Safety is more than just a one-month priority; it's a fundamental value at Altogether. With our new safety policy and the launch of our Safety Awards program, we are taking substantial steps towards ensuring that everyone returns home safely every day.