Annual Report - 4.7 Occupational Health and Safety

Table of contents

Part 3: Management Arrangements

Part 4: Accountability Reporting

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The Department is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment, and to providing return to work opportunities for staff who are ill and injured, consistent with legislative obligations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988. This commitment is underpinned by the Department’s Corporate Plan and Collective Agreement which reflect the importance of the need for healthy staff, both mentally and physically, and an appropriate work and personal life balance. These documents are available at www.health.gov.au. Below is a discussion of activities undertaken by the Department, reporting against Section 74 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991.

Health and Safety Management Arrangements

The Department released its Health and Safety Management Arrangements 2008–2011 in September 2008 following consultation with staff, staff representatives and management. The new arrangements replace the Department’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy and Agreement. These arrangements set out the responsibilities of the Department, senior management, supervisors and employees in maintaining effective health and safety practices, and aim to create a culture that protects the health, safety and wellbeing of employees, visitors and contractors when on departmental property and business.

Occupational Health and Safety Committees

Occupational Health and Safety Committees in the Department’s Central, State and Territory Offices, and the Therapeutic Goods Administration met regularly during the year to discuss and address safety issues. Other committees with key roles in addressing safety included staff consultative forums at divisional level and emergency planning committees. These actions were consistent with the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991. The membership structure of the Department’s health and safety committees complied with the requirement of the Act that the number of management representatives must not exceed the number of staff representatives.

Health and Safety Representatives

Each division in the Department had designated work groups, health and safety representatives and deputies in place to identify and risk manage issues in consultation with local managers. During 2008–09, the Department undertook a process to elect Health and Safety Representatives and deputies in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991 to fill vacancies resulting from staff movements. During 2008–09, two new designated work groups were formed as the result of divisional restructures. The Health and Safety Committee decided to postpone a review of designated work groups until a move to the new Central Office premises in 2010 is completed and new physical locations are settled.
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Initiatives Undertaken During 2008–09 to Ensure the Health, Safety and Welfare of Employees and Contractors of the Department

In 2008–09, the Department undertook a range of initiatives under its Health and Life Strategy, to assist and increase the health and wellbeing of its staff, encourage a work/life balance and reduce the rate of illness and injury. Activities included providing voluntary access for staff to influenza vaccinations in the workplace, encouraging physical activity and self-management of staff health, and providing Employee Assistance Program presentations on performing under pressure and work/life balance. Such initiatives can increase employee productivity and have a positive effect on work culture, as well as decrease stress and reduce the impact of illness and injury.

During 2008–09, the Department introduced a new system where all maintenance requests which related to occupational health and safety were forwarded to the National Occupational Health and Safety Advisor. This provides for assessments to be undertaken, ensuring injury prevention and the avoidance of recurrence of injuries. All hazards were reported and followed up.

Health and Safety Outcomes (Including the Impact on Injury Rates of Employees and Contractors of the Department) Achieved as a Result of Initiatives Mentioned Under the Above Paragraph or Previous Initiatives

During 2008–09, the Department improved occupational health and safety injury management practices, and ensured best practice in rehabilitation. The Department’s early intervention and rehabilitation activity led to sustainable return to work outcomes for injured or ill employees, and the number of accepted workers compensation claims reduced.

Statistics of Any Accidents or Dangerous Occurrences During the Year that Arose out of the Conduct of Undertakings by the Department and that Required the Giving of Notice Under Section 68

In 2008–09, the Department reported no dangerous occurrences, three serious personal injury incidents and one notification of 30 days incapacity from date of injury to Comcare under Section 68 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991. This compares with three dangerous occurrences, three serious personal injury incidents and no notifications in 2007–08. The Department investigated all reports and implemented all necessary action.

Any Investigations Conducted During 2008–09 that Relate to Undertakings Carried on by the Employer, Including Notices Given to the Employer Under Sections 29, 46 and 47

During 2008–09, the Department conducted testing of air quality, and cooling tower functions. The Department also provided staff with access to eyesight testing and arranged medical examinations to determine fitness for duty where applicable.

No directions or notices under the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991 were served on the Department during the year by Health and Safety Representatives or Comcare.

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Key Facts for 2008–09: Departmental Initiatives to Support the Health of Staff

The Department manages a number of initiatives to help its staff to become and remain healthy. These include:

Corporate Gym Memberships: created to encourage departmental staff to achieve a healthy and active lifestyle. This initiative provides staff with negotiated corporate rates for membership to fitness centres located in the vicinity of both the Central and State and Territory Offices.
Workstation Assessments: conducted by an occupational therapist at an individual staff member’s personal workstation, this assessment provides advice to staff on how to perform at their workstation effectively to avoid injuries. Assessments are available to all new staff along with any staff that may be experiencing pain or other symptoms while using their workstation, and any staff member identified by their team leader as requiring education on safe work practices. Therapists are able to recommend any appropriate equipment that is required by the staff member as well as provide advice on the proper techniques to be used at their workstation. This equipment can be used at any workstation occupied by the staff member.
Social Club: the Department’s social club works to promote the wellbeing of its members. Available to all staff, the club runs a wide range of activities including social, sporting, recreational and charitable events. In 2008–09, the club hosted the Family Christmas Fun day which provided an opportunity for staff and their families to socialise, and where the children were also given presents.
Departmental Facilities: including family care rooms and first aid rooms; and bike cages and showers to support staff to take up healthy activities, such as riding to work and sporting activities.
Availability of Security Assistance After Hours: to escort staff working out-of-hours to their vehicles.

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