3.7: Work Health and Safety

We are committed to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for all our workers, contractors and visitors

The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) (WHS Act) superseded the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991 (OH&S Act) on 1 January 2012.

The Department is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for all workers, including contractors and visitors, consistent with the legislative requirements of the WHS Act and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988.

The Department actively supports injured and ill employees in their return to work and provides appropriate reasonable adjustment to working environments to achieve this, including flexible working arrangements. The commitment to provide rehabilitation assistance to injured and ill employees is 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 Enterprise Agreement 2011-2014.

The Department has undertaken a number of activities to embed changes resulting from the introduction of the WHS Act on 1 January 2012. This includes engaging a consultant to provide advice on the Department’s health and safety management system and due diligence. Training for ‘officers’, ‘workers’ and Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) has been undertaken. An e-learning module is available for all staff, including contractors and consultants, and a WHS Act overview is available on the Department’s intranet site. WHS risk management identification strategies have been incorporated in business planning processes.

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 all staff in maintaining effective health and safety practices.

Work was undertaken on reviewing HSMAs, along with associated policies, guidelines and business processes across the Department, in order to reflect the requirements of the WHS legislation.

Initiatives Taken During the Year to Ensure Health, Safety and Welfare of Workers Who Carry Out Work for the Department

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 2012-13.

The Improving Wellness and Motivation in the Workplace: Reducing Unplanned Leave initiative is focused on supporting the Department’s commitment to: the creation, promotion and ongoing maintenance of a safe and healthy working environment; encouraging productive working relationships; and promoting and encouraging behaviours in staff and managers to assist in the management and reduction of unscheduled absence levels within the Department. The initiative complements existing departmental strategies and action plans aimed at promoting a positive work environment, preventing illness and injury, optimising performance and managing workloads and work-life balance.

The Department provided influenza vaccinations, at no cost, to all staff interested in receiving a vaccination, as part of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the Enterprise Agreement.

Health and Safety Outcomes (Including the Impact on Injury Rates of Workers) Achieved as a Result of Initiatives Mentioned Above or Previous Initiatives

During 2011-12, the Department improved its performance in health, safety and injury management practices, and reduced the number of accepted claims from 44 in 2010-11 to 34 in 2011-12. Additionally, the average number of weeks of incapacity per accepted claim during the year has reduced from 3.90 to 3.07 weeks and is now tracking below the APS wide average of 3.46 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 Notifiable Incidents of Which the Department Became aware of During the Year that Arose Out of the Conduct of Business or Undertakings by the Department

In 2011-12, the Department reported one serious personal injury and seven dangerous occurrences to Comcare under the OH&S Act. Under the WHS Act, the Department reported three serious injuries/illnesses. The Department reviewed and investigated all accident and incident reports received and implemented necessary remedial action.

Any Investigations Conducted During the Year that Relate to Businesses or Undertakings Conducted by the Department, Including Details of all Notices Given to the Department During the Year Under Part 10 of the WH&S Act

No directions, notices or enforceable undertakings under the OH&S Act or the WHS Act were served on the Department during the year.

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