⭐CARINGA SPARK RADIO ⭐ EPISODE #9⭐
In honour of National Safe Work Month; our absolute Queen of Safety, Kim (official title Safety Officer) slayed the house down with her hot takes and made-for-the-airwaves chat.
When Kim was asked about her role at Caringa and the moments she loved the most; surprisingly it wasn’t the WHS paperwork but something a little more wonderful…
“My favourite thing about being a safety officer is probably not what people think. Although I must admit, I do love legislation, (!!) but to me it’s about helping people and working with everyone to try and improve our overall safety culture within the workplace.
I think that it is important to check in on people and recognise those early warning signs when someone is struggling. Sometimes just reaching out can make people feel better, just to be heard is important to all of us.
My goal is to ensure everyone goes home the same way they came to work so if the little part that I can play helps then that makes me happy.“
~ Kim Johnston, Safety Officer
🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️
Listen to Episode 9 online now:
EPISODE #9
Kim’s Song Choices:
Smokie – Living Next Door to Alice
Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody
Follow Kim on Spotify if you need to add some old-school classics to your day 🎶🎵
And read on below for all the hot goss, catch ups and Safety Snippets from Kim and the People & Culture Team at Caringa.
PEOPLE AND CULTURE UPDATES:
SEPTEMBER:
Caringa Community x R U OK? Day BBQ
Kim, Taylan and the People & Culture Team welcomed the wider Caringa Community to join the Crew for a BBQ Lunch on September 12th for R U OK? Day. Everyone wore their brightest YELLOW outfit and it was a great opportunity for everyone to unwind and enjoy some yarns and lunch together.
Thank you to Booshie Boxes for creating our cute Caringa Crew x R U OK? Day BBQ cookies for the event!
October:
National Safe Work Month – SAFETY IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS
October is National Safe Work Month- a time when employers and workers across Australia commit to creating safe and healthy workplaces.
Why is this important?
Safety is everyone’s business is all about promoting a positive safety culture and emphasising the importance of good work health and safety practices.
Despite the safety of work improving significantly over time and the fact that Australia compares favourably to the rest of the world, there were still 200 people last year who did not go home from work. A timely reminder that we cannot afford to be complacent.
There are many ways to get your workplace involved in National Safe Work Month! Each week of National Safe Work Month revolves around a different WHS topic, and Kim has planned out some great activations for the Caringa Crew this month.
National Safe Work Month for the Caringa Crew:
Week 1 – Work Health and Safety Fundamentals – let’s get back to basics and remind ourselves and each other of the very important roles, responsibilities and obligations that we have as workers.
Big thanks to everyone who joined Kim & the People and Culture Team over at the Caringa Employment hub last week – kicking off the Long Weekend with a BBQ on Friday 4th October.
Week 2 – Psychosocial Hazards – we are hosting two Big Blue Table events to raise awareness about mental health!
Big Blue Table encourages people to connect over a meal in a fun environment whilst having courageous conversations with their friends, family and colleagues. Let’s fight the stigma of mental health, one conversation at a time!
All Caringa Crew are invited to join Kim and the People & Culture Team for morning tea at Grafton or lunch in Coffs Harbour on Thursday 10th October.
Funds raised will support those impacted by anxiety, depression and suicide by helping fund the Beyond Blue 24/7 Support Service.
Week 3 – Risk Management Fundamentals – Take the opportunity this week to come up with some great risk management strategies based on our cruising on the high seas activity.
Look out for posters at each work location during this week. Spend some time consulting with your team and see what you can come up with.
On Tuesday the 22nd of October there will be a Frocktober fashion parade at the Castle Hub Community space, where we will all be wearing our finest outfits – safely and securely of course!
Week 4 – Musculoskeletal Injuries – This week will see an all-worker survey on identifying hazardous manual tasks in the workplace.
Take the time to have your say and to provide valuable feedback about what you do every day and how we can make it better.
CARINGA SPARK RADIO on FM 103.1 Loving Life EVERY THURSDAY. Busting myths around disability, sharing updates on upcoming events, trips & programs; and letting YOU know what we ACTUALLY do day to day, as an inclusive, welcoming, authentic + local motley crew of people here in the Coffs & Clarence communities.
Tell us what YOU want to hear each week when another ‘willing’ Caringa Community Member volunteers to hit the mic.
Leave a comment with a song request or shout-out! Listen online via the FM103.1 app if you are out of town, or tune in live locally every Thursday from 8am.