The coming decades are expected to present a host of new challenges for those tasked with keeping their workplaces healthy and safe.

From an ageing workforce to the ever-extending reach of new technologies, these and other significant changes are likely to have disruptive impacts on the Australian working environment.

Anticipating these impacts and preparing for a range of plausible futures is an important step in ensuring the long-term effectiveness of our workplace safety and workers compensation systems.

Tasmania’s work health, safety and wellbeing professionals will be invited to address these challenges at an upcoming two day conference at the Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart.

Hosted by WorkSafe Tasmania, the ‘Future work, Future challenges’ Conference on 22 and 23 October will focus on the trends and innovations that will shape the work health, safety and wellbeing landscape into the future.

One of the key themes that will be addressed at the Conference will be technological advancements —a major driver behind a changing workplace — and how they are managed from a work health, safety and wellbeing perspective.

Other themes that will be explored are employment patterns and structures which are shifting with the introduction of freelance task-based work. These are happening within the broader context of Australia’s ageing workforce and rising levels of stress and chronic disease.

From the challenges associated with the extended reach of automated systems and robotics, which will alter how we work, to the rise of workplace stress and mental health issues, it is imperative these matters are appropriately considered now.

While new technologies and ways of working introduce new risks and challenges for work health and safety and workers compensation, they also have the potential to make work safer and reduce workplace injury.

The ‘Future work, Future challenges’ Conference will enable employers and decision makers to begin thinking about possible futures before they eventuate, and make wiser planning and strategic decisions.

Conference keynote speakers include well-known journalist, author and speaker Brad Howarth who will also be the conference facilitator.  Brad has spent the last two decades examining and communicating the impact technology has on business and society.

Other speakers include Professor David Dunstan PhD, Head of the Physical Activity Laboratory at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne; and Tania Van der Stap, the Founder and Principal Director of ALIGN Risk Management.

A highlight of the conference is the WorkSafe Tasmania Awards and Cocktail Evening hosted by John X.

The 2018 WorkSafe Conference is part of WorkSafe Month and aligns with its theme of ‘Future Work, Future Challenges’, which aims to raise awareness and discussion around the new work health and safety issues arising as workplaces adapt to shifting external and internal conditions.

To find out more about the WorkSafe Conference, visit: worksafetasconference.com.au