Published: 22 September 2020
Through October, WorkSafe will offer 16 free online seminars to help employers and workers maintain safe, healthy and connected workplaces during the pandemic and beyond.
Some sessions in the Navigating Through COVID-19 program are designed to address pandemic related safety issues in specific industries, while others will cover broader topics such as leadership, working from home and looking after injured workers.
Mental health will be a major focus, with a panel presentation on how organisations across different industries are promoting wellbeing through the pandemic.
There will also be online events aimed at young workers, while multicultural community leaders have been invited to a special presentation about everyone's rights and responsibilities at work.
WorkSafe Chief Executive Colin Radford said WorkSafe Health and Safety Month always took place in October but this year's program was designed especially to respond to immediate needs.
"This year, Victorian workers and businesses are facing a unique and acute set of challenges.
"These sessions are a valuable opportunity for people to get their questions answered and hear from the experts on a range of COVID-19 related issues.
"I encourage everyone who is connected with a workplace to have a look at the website and register for a session that will help them manage the risks of COVID-19."
As part of the program, Mr Radford will host Surviving COVID: A WorkSafe perspective, which will share how WorkSafe is supporting workplaces through the crisis and what getting back to work safely might look like on the other side of the pandemic.
Industry leaders Sandro Demaio, from VicHealth, and SuperFriend's Margo Lydon will then join Mr Radford in a panel discussion about what they have learnt so far from the pandemic.
Other highlights include a retail industry focused session where an expert panel will share their own experiences and practical tools to improve the wellbeing of retail workers.Victorian Small Business Commissioner Judy O'Connell will also host a session on how small business owners can look after their mental health during these challenging times.