The winner of Victoria, Australia's Workplace Health & Safety Committee of the Year Award was TNT Express (Laverton site) for its focus on advanced occupational health and safety training and its review of depot forklift operations.

All companies and individuals who excelled in creating safer workplaces were recognised at the 2004 WorkSafe awards ceremony in Melbourne last month.

The awards were presented at a gala dinner hosted by WorkCover minister Rob Hulls and WorkSafe Victoria executive director John Merritt, an AAP report said.

Harry Lumanovski from Pilkington Australia's Dandenong site and Tony Hicks from Murray Goulburn's Cobram site were both awarded Health & Safety Representative of the Year awards.

Mr Hulls said the awards recognised "people with vision" who were prepared to "challenge assumptions".

"It is all about recognising people and acknowledging that, no matter what the field or endeavour, progress only occurs through people who believe things can be done better," Hulls said.

The WorkSafe Awards were launched 16 years ago to recognise individuals and companies creating safer working environments.