National Safe Work Month, held annually in October, encourages workplaces around Australia to prioritise WHS and take action to reduce the number of work-related injuries, illnesses and fatalities. The theme for National Safe Work Month in 2026 is Safe work is for life – reflecting the fundamental purpose of work health and safety: to protect workers’ lives, health and future.
Throughout October, National Safe Work Month will explore 4 weekly focus areas:
- Week 1 (1-11 October): For life – why WHS matters
- Week 2 (12-18 October): For health – what WHS protects
- Week 3 (19-25 October): For the future – the long-term impact
- Week 4 (26-31 October): For all – action across all workplaces.
Safe Work Australia will be sharing resources to help workplaces across Australia take part in the campaign, start conversations and take practical action to create safe and healthy work for all.
How to Perform a 5-Minute Desk Audit
Creating a workplace culture focused on ergonomics is one of the best ways to keep your team healthy, happy, and productive. Studies show that effective office ergonomics can reduce musculoskeletal problems by 61% and drastically cut down on lost working days.
Here are seven practical steps to put ergonomics at the heart of your workplace:
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Plan ergonomic training: Educate your team on what a healthy workspace looks like. Workshops with professionals can help employees understand the long-term health impacts of poor posture and how to adjust their specific setups.
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Promote proper posture: Encourage daily mindfulness about seating positions. Key elements include utilizing backrests to prevent leaning forward, keeping the top of monitors at eye level, and keeping elbows close to the body.
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Run workspace assessments: Conduct regular Workstation Risk Assessments for both in-office and remote workers to quickly uncover and resolve comfort issues.
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Invest in adaptable equipment: Provide tools that support good posture and allow for adjustments. Essential items include monitor arms, laptop supports, lumbar support, and sit-stand converters to allow for positional flexibility.
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Encourage movement breaks: Combat the risks of sedentary workdays by encouraging short bursts of activity, such as walking or performing simple desk stretches for the chest and legs.
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Set up ergonomic policies: Integrate ergonomic standards directly into your official health and safety policies to prioritize injury prevention year-round.
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Nurture open communication: Regularly ask for employee feedback through surveys or meetings to monitor morale, address pain points early, and continuously improve your ergonomic initiatives.
