Toyota worker wins state safety award

29 October 2009

Phyl Hilton from Toyota Motor Corporation’s Altona Plant has taken out the Award for Health and Safety Representative of the Year in this year’s prestigious WorkSafe Victoria Awards.

He was presented with his Award in front of almost 800 people at Crown Palladium.

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.

Phyl was one of four contenders for the title of Health and Safety Representative of the Year, which acknowledges health and safety representatives who have made a difference to health and safety within their designated work group.

Phyl has been a health and safety representative for 10 years and was nominated for his dedication to his role.

He has played an integral part in many initiatives at Toyota’s Altona Plant, including the design

and construction of weld bay facilities, the procurement of portable fume extractors and the development of press plant policies in English and Japanese.

He was also part of the Traffic Management Control Working Party and the Working at Heights

and Trades Hazard Mapping projects.

He is committed to developing and driving safety knowledge among Toyota apprentices and actively mentors and coaches fellow health and safety representatives.

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.

“Active Health and Safety Representatives are at the front line of ensuring Victorian workplaces are as safe as possible. They rely on understanding the issues, building and maintaining relationships.

“It’s not always an easy job, but it is important and can have a real impact on making Victorian workplaces safer.

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

“The Awards are about recognising these people and acknowledging 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.

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

Phyl Hilton / Toyota contact: Jennifer Bowker - 03 8369 7042 or 0408 032 408