First Queensland Safety Show a hit

An Australian Exhibitions and Conferences product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jun 30, 2006

The first Queensland Safety Show and Forum has been hailed a success, with 4451 visitors attending the inaugural event from 21 to 23 June 2006 in Brisbane, Australia.

The first Queensland Safety Show and Forum has been hailed a success, with 4451 visitors attending the inaugural event from 21 to 23 June 2006 in Brisbane, Australia.

More than 150 safety suppliers showcased everything from asbestos management, construction, electrical, environmental, fire, materials handling and machine safety products through to services like auditing, first aid, rehabilitation and health screening.

Five peak industry bodies threw their support behind the Queensland Safety Show, including Commerce Queensland, Master Plumbers' Association of Queensland, Electrical and Communications Association, Australian Industry Group and Master Builders Queensland.

Workshops held by the associations were particularly popular, according to show organiser Australian Exhibitions and Conferences (AEC).

Ernie Kretschmer of the Master Plumbers' Association of Queensland (MPAQ) said the association was keen to be involved in the event to keep members abreast of the latest developments in occupational health and safety (OHS).

"Plumbers, like most construction industry trades, face risks such as working at heights, dangerous goods, exposure to waste and asbestos right down to the less common risks like needle stick injury," Mr Kretschmer said.

"The approach to OHS has changed over time".

"People are now taking an interest in their responsibilities and the MPAQ saw the Queensland Safety Show and Forum as an opportunity to keep members informed." Alongside the trade show, the Queensland Safety Forum opened with an address calling for national consistency in safety and workers' compensation by Peter Henneken, who is both a member of the new national umbrella body, Australian Safety and Compensation Council, and Director-General of the Queensland Department of Industrial Relations.

Delegates heard from 47 speakers over three days addressing wellness in the workplace; bullying and harassment; occupational health and safety management and risk assessment; leadership and safety culture; challenges facing the safety profession; and legal issues.

Organiser AEC's Marie Kinsella said the attendances at the inaugural Queensland Safety Show had confirmed that Brisbane was ready for a dedicated workplace event.

"We've decided to run another show in 2007 because the research we've done suggests there's still a lot of pent-up demand from Queenslanders to find out more about their safety options," Ms Kinsella said.

"The show could have gone longer than its three days - we had people queuing up at the door at 3pm on Friday, which is almost unheard of for a trade show." Exhibitor, Amanda McLucas of Danley Construction Products, said her company was "extremely happy" with the show.

"We got some great leads".

"The audience was spot on and our products suited them perfectly," Ms McLucas said".

""We've exhibited in many other shows and nothing has been so professionally organised as the Queensland Safety Show".

"A show like this is a big commitment for any exhibitor and it's a delight when it all goes so well." The next Queensland Safety Show and Queensland Safety Forum will run from June 19 to 21, 2007, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Meanwhile, The Safety Show, Sydney, will run from October 17 to 19 2006 at the Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park.