Part 4.7: Occupational Health and Safety

The department is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for all employees, contractors and visitors, consistent with the legislative requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988.

The department actively supports injured and ill employees in their return to work and provides appropriate and flexible working arrangements to achieve this. The department’s commitment to health and safety is demonstrated through its inclusion in the Collective Agreement.

Health and Safety Management in 2009-10

The department’s Health and Safety Management Arrangements 2008–2011 continue to guide the department in its management of health and safety. These arrangements set out the responsibilities of senior management, supervisors and employees in maintaining effective health and safety practices. These arrangements 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 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 the National Staff Participation Forum, staff consultative forums at divisional level and emergency planning committees. These actions were consistent with the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety 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 did not exceed the number of staff representatives.

Each division in the department had designated work groups, health and safety representatives and deputies in place to identify and manage risk issues in consultation with local managers.

Initiatives Undertaken During 2009-10 to Ensure the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work of Employees and Contractors of the Department

In 2009–10 the department undertook a range of initiatives under its Health and Life Strategy to increase the health and wellbeing of staff, to encourage work/life balance and to reduce the rate of illness and injury.

Activities included the development of a Pandemic Action Plan – which included providing access for staff to influenza vaccinations in the workplace, establishing processes that ensured sick staff completed any quarantine period and did not have H1N1 influenza before they returned to work, and providing presentations on managing personal health issues that included psychological health.

The department conducted workstation assessments for individual employees and engaged the services of an occupational therapist during the relocation of central office to the new Sirius building. The occupational therapist provided advice to employees on how to correctly set up their workstation and how to perform effectively to avoid injuries. Workstation assessments are also available to all staff as required.

The department also introduced a Smoke Free Workplace Policy in February 2010 and assisted employees to quit smoking to improve their health.

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Health and Safety Outcomes (Including the Impact on Injury Rates of Employees and Contractors of the Department) Achieved as a Result of Initiatives

During 2009–10, the department improved its performance in health and safety, and injury management practices, and reduced the number of accepted workers’ compensation claims. This result is demonstrated in the substantial reduction of the department’s workers’ compensation premium from the 2009-10 adjusted rate of 1.41 per cent to the 2010-11 premium rate of 1.14 per cent.

The department’s active commitment to early intervention and rehabilitation activity minimises the periods of time off work and enhances the prospect of achieving sustainable return to work outcomes for injured and ill employees.

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 2009–10, the department reported one dangerous occurrence and no serious personal injury incidents to Comcare under Section 68 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991. The department reviewed and investigated all accident and incident reports received and implemented all necessary remedial action.

Investigations Conducted During the Year that Relate to Undertakings Carried on by the Department, Including Details of all Notices given to the Department Under Section 29, 46 and 47 during 2009-10

During 2009–10, the department conducted testing of air quality, and cooling tower functions as required. 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.

The department’s commitment to provide rehabilitation assistance to injured and ill employees was supported by medical examinations to determine fitness for duty and workplace rehabilitation assistance.
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