Local roadworkers trade asphalt for artwork during Safe Work Week

Joint Managing Directors of Sharpe Bros – Michael, Richard and Hayden Sharpe – who were recently named Safe Work Ambassadors for the Australian Safety and Compensation Council, held the Roadworkers Prize during Safe Work Week to remind Central Coast businesses of the importance of safe work practices.

Michael Sharpe said rest and recreation, along with a sense of community and an enjoyable work environment, all played an important role in maintaining safety in the workplace. “The Sharpe Bros crew took a well earned break from their busy road maintenance schedule to select the winner of the annual prize – ‘Windows of portend’ by Mike Worrall, who also won the Prize in 2006 and went on to become a finalist in the Sulman Prize which is part of the Archibald Prize,” Mr Sharpe said.

Federal Safety Commissioner, Helen Marshall, attended the event at the Gosford Regional Gallery to launch a Federal Government best practice case study which looks at the Sharpe Bros safety awareness program, Safety Bro. “Sharpe family companies have a history spanning nearly 60 years and three generations without a serious reportable injury or workplace fatality. This is a strong record for any company in the construction industry which has a fatality rate twice as high as the ‘all industries’ rate,” Ms Marshall said.

“The Safety Bro program, which won the 2007 National Safe Work Award for Best Workplace Health and Safety Practices in Small Business, shows other businesses that simple programs can be effective with the right attitude and strong leadership.”

Further information on the Safety Bro program is available at www.safetybro.com.au and the Federal Government case study is available at www.fsc.gov.au/ofsc/News/

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