For three days, the Melbourne Exhibition Centre was abuzz with safety and insights, as experts and vendors at Australia’s premiere workplace health and safety trade show dished out serious safety solutions and advice.

Visitors from all around Australia descended on the 15th Safety in Action Melbourne (Tuesday 19 – Thursday 21 March 2013), seeking to stay ahead of the latest safety solutions and services, hear from Australia’s foremost experts in workplace health and safety, and network with other safety-minded professionals.

On the show floor, safety professionals and business visitors were treated to live demonstrations, interactive experiences and of course, a host of exciting products and services. Solutions and technologies at the show ranged from electrical testing equipment to survival suits, ergonomic electric vehicles to electrolyte drinks.

Notable Aussie safety company Hazibag presented a self-inflating, sand-less Barrier Sack at Safety in Action, while Roobuck launched Australia’s first certified LED Safety Vest.

Dial Before You Dig was also at the event, showcasing its free online service and iPhone app which allow users to find information about underground utilities anywhere in Australia.

HBA Learning Centres showcased their nationally recognised Vocational Education courses, tailored for different trades such as the Occupational Health & Safety, Mining and Construction, and Distribution industries.

Backcare and Seating, meanwhile, targeted sore backs and bad postures with its new Sit-Stand working environment and ergonomic advice.

Attendees exploring the show floor and show organisers alike were particularly impressed by Premium Health’s stand, which won the Award for Best Stand Under 18m². Premium Health blew visitors away with its life-saving Powerheart G5 automated external defibrillator, and a First Aid Course.

Similarly outstanding was the stand of safety leader BOC, who took home the title of Best Stand Over 18m².

The Best Stand by a New Exhibitor prize was awarded to Site Safety Australia, who also showcased their new Ezyrail, a demountable modular safety handrail system.

Those looking for answers to their safety questions found Safety In Action to be a hub of knowledge, as twelve specialist speakers from a diverse range of professional backgrounds converged to present 13 free talks on the latest thinking on subjects ranging from safety software to conflict management.

Psychologist Michael Adeney provided thought-provoking insight into the oft-overlooked issue of fatigue, and practical tips on keeping staff awake and safe.

Cristian Sylvestre from SafeStart presented three well-attended sessions. On Wednesday, Cristian explored strategies to keep workers focused on the task and avoid dangerous distractions. On Thursday, he talked about building up a safety culture at the workplace.

The more technically minded found a good balance between big-picture overview of the safety management landscape and mechanical details at Frank Schrever’s (Machine Safety By Design) talk on the latest updates to machine safety standard AS 4024.1-2006.

Particularly compelling was workplace disaster survivor James Wood, who provided a first-hand account of his experience with a workplace accident, and how the wrong choices in workplace safety nearly took his life.

Offering extra value, visitors to Safety In Action could also visit The Advanced Logistic and Materials Handling Show, which provided specialist information for those in the supply chain.

Safety In Action 2013 also hosted the world’s finest minds in safety, at the Safety Institute of Australia National Safety Convention (19th-20th March 2013), where delegates discussed health and safety legislation, and a wider perspective on crucial safety matters in Australia and around the world.

If you missed Safety In Action in Melbourne then make sure you put Queensland Safety Show and The Sydney Safety Show in your diary.

Queensland Safety Show
Tuesday 18 June 2013 10am – 4pm
Wednesday 19 June 2013 9am – 4pm
Thursday 20 June 2013 9am – 4pm
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
www.qldsafetyshow.com.au

The Safety Show Sydney
Tuesday 3 September 2013 10am-4pm
Wednesday 4 September 2013 9am-4pm
Thursday 5 September 2013 9am-4pm
Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park
www.thesafetyshow.com.au