Local businesses that have demonstrated positive approaches to workplace health and safety have been selected as finalists in the sixth annual Hunter Safety Awards.

Founder Sarah-Jane Dunford with the previous award winner, Asset Training.

The Hunter Safety Awards were launched to highlight and acknowledge companies and individuals within the Hunter region who demonstrate best-practice and innovative approaches to Work, Health and Safety (WHS).

Finalists include businesses and individuals who have proved that COVID-19 was no distraction to the importance of a safe workplace.

Hunter Safety Awards founder and judge, Sarah-Jane Dunford, said that following a year of changing workplace restrictions and health concerns, the event team had received some outstanding entries.

“Every year, we’re impressed with the range of WHS approaches and initiatives, but to see even more businesses this year putting safety at the forefront of their processes is fantastic,” Dunford said.

“There has been a strong focus on the mental and physical wellbeing of company staff following the ongoing effects of the pandemic.”

She said it was clear more businesses had put safety first after the impacts of COVID-19 on a range of industries.

“We always receive a high calibre of entries for the awards, but this year our jobs as judges seemed more difficult than usual,” Dunford said.

“So many businesses have experienced challenges over the last two years, and they’ve drawn on these challenges for their entries.

“We’re privileged to learn about the innovative programs, ideas, and approaches to workplace safety from all the Hunter businesses.”

Hunter Saftey Award trophies.

She said it was amazing that they could celebrate success amid so much adversity.

AGL General Manager of Liddell and Bayswater power stations, Len McLachlan, said they were proud to be a sponsor of the awards.

“At AGL, our priority is reliably providing essential services for our customers and our communities–but doing so with safety as a non-negotiable consideration,” McLachlan said.

“Every year, submissions showcase the innovative ways businesses and individuals are committing to safety, ensuring that not only their workplace is safe, but the wider community too.”

Other award sponsors include the University of Newcastle, Uvex, WesTrac, 3M, Red Insight, Sonic Health Plus, Ampcontrol, Tomago Aluminium, ARTC, By Group, CypherIQ Digital and Strike Force Services.

Finalists include Aqua Assets, ARTC, Asplundh, Asset Training, Carter Heavy Haulage, Chandler Macleod, CHD Partners, CMA Contracting, Community Therapy, EML, Ethos Health, Fenech Demolition, GCG Health, Safety and Hygiene, Hillgrove Mine, Liddell Coal (with Rollingball Productions), Mainstream Industries, Mavid Construction, MolyCop, Morgan Engineering, Murray Consulting Solutions, Plant Assessor, Red Insight, Singleton Council and Warner Company.

Awards will be presented across 13 categories and will see the winners announced at a gala event on Thursday, May 12, at the Newcastle Exhibition and Conference Centre (NEX).

To purchase tickets to the 2022 Hunter Safety Awards, visit huntersafetyawards.com.au/event.

Hayley McMahon