Three south-west residents including Southern Victorian Plumbing’s Darren Smith finalists in WorkSafe awards | The Standard

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A truck accident at work five years ago turned his life upside down, but it didn’t stop Darren Smith from Warrnambool from doing what he loved. Now he’s recognized at the state level for inspiring others. “Don’t be afraid to reach us” has become a motto for the self-employed plumber who is a finalist for WorkSafes “Worker Return to Work Achievement”. “Use all the services available,” he said. “It can take you three to five years to learn to recreate your life after severe trauma. So you have a plan. Whether it’s mental health services or a psychologist in the gym. I even went back to university and took some courses to retrain. “In 2016, Mr. Smith was involved in a life-changing accident when the truck he was driving collided with a B-type milk tanker. He survived, had to but finding a new way of living and working after a lower leg amputation. Since then, Darren has used his story to help others give speeches and even retrain to teach students the importance of work safety. “I am a session teacher at TAFE, who offers courses on health and safety at work and tries to bring lived experience into these courses, “he said.” TAFE accepted me with a disability extremely well, but also tried to capture my work experience as an employer as well as my lived trauma experience. ” IN OTHER NEWS: Mr Smith is a top contender for one along with Michelle Duynhoven of Warrnambool Bus & Roadways Award. Ms. Duynhoven – nominated for the “Leading Return to Work Practice” category – was recognized for her work in reaching injured employees at an early stage and with real empathy. Cobden’s Aurora Dairies were also recognized for their efforts to improve work safety by using low-cost technologies like geofencing and GPS tracking to improve conditions for workers who use quads. Colin Radford, WorkSafe Chief Executive Officer, commended all of the finalists for their commitment to improving health and safety and getting back to work after injuries. “This year’s finalists have developed innovative approaches to new topics – like the challenges of safely treating COVID-19 patients – as well as new solutions to ongoing challenges,” he said. “We received many outstanding submissions, including innovative use of technology, prevention-oriented approaches to mental health, and finalists who go way beyond borders in their commitment to occupational safety.” WorkSafe award winners will be announced in a ceremony on February 24th. Now just a tap of the finger with our new app: Digital subscribers now have the convenience of having faster news right at their fingertips with The Standard: Our journalists work hard to provide local, current news for the community. Here’s how you can access our trusted content:

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December 8, 2021 – 12:45 p.m.

A truck accident at work five years ago turned his life upside down, but it didn’t stop Darren Smith from Warrnambool from doing what he loved. Now he’s recognized at the state level for inspiring others.

“Don’t be afraid to reach us” has become a motto for the self-employed plumber who is a finalist for WorkSafes “Worker Return to Work Achievement”.

“Use all the services available,” he said.

“It can take you three to five years to learn to recreate your life after severe trauma. So you have a plan. Whether it’s mental health services or a psychologist in the gym. I even went back to university and took some courses to retrain. “

INSPIRE: Darren Smith retrained at South West TAFE to teach students the importance of occupational safety. Image: Morgan Hancock

In 2016, Mr Smith was involved in a life changing accident when the truck he was driving collided with a B-type milk tanker.

He survived, but had to find a new way of living and working after a lower leg amputation. Since then, Darren has used his story to help others make speeches and even retrain to teach students the importance of work safety.

“I am a session teacher at TAFE who offers courses on health and safety in the workplace and I try to bring real experience to these courses,” he said.

“TAFE accepted me excellently with a disability, but also tried to capture my work experience as an employer as well as my lived trauma experience.”

Mr. Smith is a top contender for an award along with Michelle Duynhoven of Warrnambool Bus & Roadways.

Ms. Duynhoven – nominated for the “Leading Return to Work Practice” category – was recognized for her work in reaching injured employees at an early stage and with real empathy.

Cobden’s Aurora Dairies were also recognized for their efforts to improve work safety by using low-cost technologies like geofencing and GPS tracking to improve conditions for workers who use quads.

Colin Radford, WorkSafe Chief Executive Officer, commended all of the finalists for their commitment to improving health and safety and getting back to work after injuries.

“This year’s finalists have developed innovative approaches to new topics – like the challenges of safely treating COVID-19 patients – as well as new solutions to ongoing challenges,” he said.

“We received many outstanding submissions, including innovative use of technology, prevention-oriented approaches to mental health, and finalists who go way beyond borders in their commitment to occupational safety.”

The WorkSafe award winners will be announced at a ceremony on February 24th.

Now just one tap with our new app: Digital subscribers now have the convenience of faster messaging right at their fingertips with The Standard:

Our journalists work hard to bring local, breaking news to the community. Here’s how you can access our trusted content:

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