The University of Newcastle-based WorkCover NSW Research Centre of Excellence (WRCE) has been designated a World Safety Organization (WSO) Collaborating Center for Occupational Safety and Health.

The WSO promotes safety and accident-prevention professions and related fields, and the activities of professional safety organisations. It also acts in an advisory capacity to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

Based at the University's Central Coast campus, the WRCE's role as a Collaborating Center for Occupational Safety and Health will include:

• providing evidence-based information and advice to employers, employees and industry partners
• raising the status and profile of occupational safety and health and injury management as a research field in itself
• developing practical research that is applied in industry
• raising community awareness of occupational safety and health and injury management
• supporting the prevention of workplace injury and disease
• engaging with stakeholders including professional associations, employer and employee representative groups and other research centres.

Director of the WRCE, Professor Derek Smith, said he was delighted to join the network of collaborating centres.

"This significant achievement will help further develop occupational health research opportunities internationally and across Australia," Professor Smith said.