Council wins state award for unique snake safety initiative
Thursday October 8, 2009
Cobar Shire Council general manager Ray Smith commended council’s water and
sewerage leading hand labourer Greg Barklimore on the team’s recent state safety award. ▪ Photo contributed
Cobar Shire Council has won a state award for a safety initiative.
Council won an award in the ‘Think Outside The Square’ Occupational Health and Safety Excellence Awards at the Statewide Mutual Risk Management Conference in Sydney
recently.
Cobar Shire Council’s general manager
Ray Smith said the award recognises the
efforts of the Water and Sewerage Team in developing an environmentally-friendly,
cost effective method of controlling vegetation at the local sewerage works and ponds, which has been successful in protecting
employees from the hazard of snakes.
“Staff have been recognised for their initiative and ability to ‘think outside the square’ by using undersized, unmarketable feral goats in the works compound to keep the vegetation under control.
“This award recognises innovation and
outstanding performance in implementing programs, strategies or remediation measures to address OH&S issues,” Mr Smith said.
Council’s water and sewerage leading hand
labourer Greg Barklimore and supervisor Brad Kendrick were specifically acknowledged for their efforts.
“They identified a hazard and have put controls in place to minimise the rise associated with the hazard.
“It is not unusual to have up to a dozen snake sightings at the works each summer, so keeping vegetation under control is critical.
“By using grazing methods rather than
mechanical or chemical means to control
the vegetation, there have been significant savings to council in the cost of chemicals, use of plant and labour costs,” Mr Smith
said.
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