4.6 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 commitment to provide rehabilitation assistance to injured and ill employees was supported by medical examinations to determine fitness for duty and workplace rehabilitation assistance. The department’s commitment to health and safety is demonstrated through its inclusion in the Collective Agreement.

Health and Safety Management for the Department in 2010-11

The department’s Health and Safety Management Arrangements (HSMAs) 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. This fosters a culture that protects the health, safety and wellbeing of employees, visitors and contractors when on departmental property and business.

During 2010-11, the department reviewed its HSMAs to ensure a contemporary and best practice approach to health and safety matters. This process involved consultation and negotiations with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including the National Staff Participation Forum, Health and Safety Representatives, state and territory HR staff, and employee representative organisations.

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 health and safety included the National Staff Participation Forum, staff consultative forums at the divisional level and emergency planning committees. These actions are consistent with the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991.

As a result of large scale accommodation changes with moves into the new Sirius Building, the department consulted with Health and Safety Representatives and employees to negotiate a variation of Designated Work Groups within Central Office under Section 24(3) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991. This resulted in a more effective configuration of Designated Work Groups for the department. Each division and state and territory office in the department has Designated Work Groups. Health and Safety Representatives and deputies are in place to identify and manage risk issues in consultation with local managers.

Initiatives Undertaken During 2010-11 to Ensure the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work of Employees and Contractors of the Department

In 2010-11, the department undertook a range of initiatives under its Health and Life Strategy to increase the health and wellbeing of staff, encourage work/life balance and reduce the rate of illness and injury.

In addition, the department renewed its focus on early intervention and active case management for all employees experiencing injury and illness. Initiatives such as training, education and practical tools for managers will continue to be provided during 2011-12.

The department also provided influenza vaccinations, at no cost, to staff involved in Aged Care and Community nursing inspections, and rolled out a voluntary, subsidised on-site program for other staff interested in receiving a vaccination as part of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Healthy Living Seminars and activities are actively promoted to staff through the department’s Population Health Division, and the department remains committed to supporting staff in Quit Smoking activities through our Smoke Free Workplace Policy.

In line with a whole of government approach, the department is negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Community to use a national tender process for engaging providers to conduct workstation assessments.

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

During 2010-11, the department improved its performance in health and safety and injury management practices, and reduced the number of accepted workers’ compensation claims from 42 in 2009-2010 to 33 in 2010-11. Additionally, the average number of weeks of incapacity per accepted claim during the year has dropped from 14.4 to 3.1 and is now tracking below the APS wide average of 3.28 weeks.

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 2010-11, the department reported nine serious personal injuries ¹³⁷ to Comcare under Section 68 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991. None of these were dangerous occurrences. 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 Employer, Including Details of all Notices Given to the Employer Under Section 29, 46 and 47 During 2009-10

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.

During 2010-11, the department conducted testing of air quality, and cooling tower functions as required.

¹³⁷A serious personal injury for Comcare notification purposes is one which is caused in the course of work and has required emergency medical treatment by a registered medical practitioner or at the emergency department of a hospital without being admitted to the hospital.

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