Racing trio win state safety award

29 October 2009

They were presented with their Award tonight in front of almost 800 people at Crown Palladium.

The design of lightweight and durable UV-rated plastic rails for use at racecourses saw the racing trio into the finals and on to take the title.

They were up against one other business for the Best Design for Workplace Safety Award, which recognises individuals and organisations that have developed an innovation or invention that eliminates or significantly reduces a risk.

Running rails have been a safety issue in the racing industry for many years, causing serious injuries to jockeys and horses involved in collisions. Track staff have also been hurt due to the manual handling required to set up and move rails. 

This new running rail, which was designed and invented by Dan Mawby, tested by Delta-V Experts and used by Racing Victoria, is a welcome replacement for the solid aluminium rails currently in use.

The major improvement is that the horizontal rail doesn’t break from the impact of weight-bearing objects. Instead, it elevates, springs and bends on impact.

The design and flexibility of this rail system also has the ability to steer a horse back on track should light contact be made, therefore avoiding injury.

The new running rail is in place at Flemington and Caulfield Racecourse and some training facilities.

WorkSafe’s Executive Director, Health and Safety, John Merritt, said the Award recipients, as well as all of the finalists, should be extremely proud of their achievements.

“We commend all the finalists for their strong commitment to creating safer working environments.

“The Awards recognise these people and acknowledge that with initiative and commitment, health and safety improvements can be achieved.

“No matter what the industry or field, progress occurs through people who believe that things can be done differently and better.

“We want every Victorian worker to return home safely every day and each Award recipient and finalist is helping us achieve this important goal, “Mr Merritt said.

There were 118 entries in the Awards this year with 19 entries going through to the final round. From these, six overall Awards recipients were selected.

Recipients of 2009 WorkSafe Victoria Awards

•  Health and Safety Representative of the Year - Phyl Hilton from Toyota Motor Corporation
• Health and Safety Committee of the Year - RMIT - School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
• Best Solution to a Health and Safety Risk - Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE (BRIT)
• Best Solution for Preventing Musculoskeletal Injuries - Cherry Constructions and Workright Safety Solutions
• Best Strategy for Health and Safety Management -Youth Justice Custodial Services - Department of Human Services
• Best Design for Workplace Safety - Racing Victoria, Dan Mawby and Delta-V Experts

Racing Victoria contact: Bob Gilpin 03 9258 4367 or b.gilpin@racingvictoria.net.au

Delta-V Experts contact: Dr Andrew Short 0415 984 519, 03 9481 2200 or ashort@dvexperts.net