Media Release AIMS honoured for safe science August 5, 2004 Australia’s leading marine research agency has won a national award for its innovative approach to health and safety practices in the workplace. The Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Mr Kevin Andrews presented the "Workplace Safety Innovations Award - Highly Commended" to the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) for its multimedia Safety Induction Series, at the annual awards ceremony in Canberra. AIMS Occupational Health Safety and Environment Coordinator Liam Dee said it is a tremendous honour for the Institute which was running against a line-up of organizations exceeding 25,000 staff members. The Federal Safety Regulator – Comcare was so impressed with the safety program that it has invited AIMS to help educate other commonwealth-funded agencies about organisational excellence, at a seminar in Canberra next month. Liam Dee says the calibre of a safety program in the workplace is a reflection of the quality of the organisation, and this accolade presents AIMS as a role model for other Australian offices. The Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations - Mr Kevin Andrews (centre), Ms Leone Gregory - AIMS HRS manager (left) and Mr Liam Dee - AIMS Occupational Health Safety and Environment Coordinator (right). (Image by Noman Plant) The National Occupation Health and Safety Commission estimates that workplace accidents cost the national economy more than $34 billion per annum in lost productivity. Mr Dee said the safety culture in Australia is growing, but there’s a continuing need to improve its profile within the corporate world. These awards contribute to that process he said. The Institute hosts almost 200 visitors and research collaborators each year. The challenge for AIMS is to enable visiting national and international scientists to be inducted both on and off-site. "Many visiting scientists are operating on a tight schedule and need the flexibility to complete inductions prior to reaching Australia." "We often have collaborators boarding our research vessels in remote locations when our boats are en-route," Mr Dee said. The AIMS Induction Series is an exciting multimedia presentation available in full online and caters for clients with average English language skills. The DVD packages are produced in-house featuring AIMS staff. Photos from the awards ceremony will be made available to the media on request. Media contacts Liam Dee, AIMS OHS&E Co-ordinator, Phone: (07) 4753 4304, Email: l.dee@aims.gov.au Wendy Ellery, AIMS Media Liaison Phone: (07) 4753 4409, 0418 729 265 Email: w.ellery@aims.gov.au   Subscribe to AIMS media releases at: www.aims.gov.au/pages/about/communications/mc-mailing-list.html