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A staff member at The University of Western Australia has won one of only two individual awards in this year's Work Safety Awards Western Australia.

Rob Greenhalgh, of Sorrento, who works as a senior administrative officer at UWA's School of Mechanical Engineering, won the category for best individual contribution to safety and health by a person with no formal responsibility for occupational safety and health.

Mr Greenhalgh, who has also been a voluntary safety officer for 15 years, won the award for his work in developing and maintaining safe systems of work in an environment where students and staff face hazards such as rotating machinery parts, chemicals, flammable and toxic gases, cryogenics and lasers.

UWA Safety and Health Manager Michael Rafferty said the award was well deserved.

"Rob has put tremendous energy into establishing and maintaining the safety and health program within the School of Mechanical Engineering over many years," Mr Rafferty said.

"He has worked tirelessly to develop and maintain safe systems of work and establish a sound safety culture.  Through his efforts, he has actively involved staff and students in hazards identification, assessment and control."

Mr Greenhalgh will now represent WA in this category for the National Safe Work Australia Awards, to be announced in Canberra in April 2010.

Media references

Rob Greenhalgh (UWA School of Mechanical Engineering)  (+61 8)  6488 7099
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716