The South Australian Government has announced that applications are now open for the SafeWork SA WHS Commissioned Research Grant Programme, aimed at improving work health and safety (WHS) outcomes throughout the state.

 

State Minister for Industrial Relations Russell Wortley said a total of $320,000 has been made available for successful applicants whose research projects match the objectives of the state’s Strategic Plan and are aimed at preventing work-related injury or illness.

 

The grants will help fund research in priority areas such as:

 

  • the impact of precarious employment on WHS
  • implications of social health trends and social policy for WHS in the SA Public Service
  •  best practice for inspectorial services
  • workplace-based WHS consultation
  • WHS youth strategy

 

“High quality research into priority areas will inform and progress workplace safety knowledge and policy development which is critical to achieving positive health and safety outcomes in South Australian workplaces,” Mr Wortley said.

 

“University-based and independent researchers can apply for a grant to investigate interventions that will improve workplace health and safety outcomes.”

 

“Previous grant recipients have already achieved significant results in priority areas such as youth safety, high risk employment, psycho-social issues and workplace-based WHS consultation,” he said.

 

Also in this round, the Mining and Quarrying OHS Committee will consider any submissions relevant to WHS in the mining and quarrying industries and, if successful, additional research funding will be granted.

 

SafeWork SA’s Annual Research Forum on 11 July 2012 will provide potential applicants with the perfect opportunity to discuss their ideas with like-minded researchers and previous grant recipients.

 

More information can be found here