The Department is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment, and to providing return to work opportunities for staff who are ill or injured, consistent with legislative obligations. 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.
In 2007–08, the Department continued to work towards achieving National Occupational Health and Safety Strategy 2002–2012 targets and actively promoted the organisation’s Health and Life Strategy. Following is a discussion of activities undertaken by the Department, reporting against section 74 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment Act) 1991.
The Department’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy and Agreement articulates the governance arrangements for the Department’s occupational health and safety framework. It has a particular focus on the roles and responsibilities of the employer, employees, Health and Safety Representatives and all stakeholders.
As indicated in the Department’s 2006–07 Annual Report, the Department would review the agreement to reflect changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991. Accordingly, the Department started to develop new Health and Safety Management Arrangements in 2007–08. A working party under the auspices of the Department’s peak consultative body of staff, staff representatives and management, the National Staff Participation Forum, oversaw the project and ensured completion by September 2008. The Occupational Health and Safety Policy and Agreement remained in place until the new arrangements were finalised.
Occupational Health and Safety Committees in Central Office, each State and Territory Office 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 the divisional level and emergency planning committees. These actions were consistent with the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991. The Act requires that the number of management representatives on Health and Safety Committees must not exceed the number of staff representatives. The membership structure of the Department’s Health and Safety Committees complied in this respect.
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 2007–08, the Department undertook nomination and appointment processes in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 to fill any vacancies resulting from staff movements and designated work group changes. Designated work groups were structured according to the Department’s divisional structure. Currently divisions are spread across various buildings and as such a review has commenced according to Part 3, Division 1, Section 24 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991.Top of page
The Department undertook a range of initiatives in 2007–08 under its Health and Life Strategy to facilitate and increase the health and wellbeing of its staff, encourage a work/life balance and reduce the rate of illness and injury. Team leaders and senior managers actively supported and promoted healthy and active lifestyle choices. These values can increase employee productivity and a positive work culture, as well as decrease stress and minimise the impact of illness and injury. Activities ranged from encouraging physical activity and good nutrition, to empowering staff to self-manage their own health.
Managers completed a Control Self Assessment report on a quarterly basis to facilitate occupational health and safety compliance on the management of staff absences, workplace injuries, harassment, and the appointment of health and safety representatives. These representatives included first aid officers, fire wardens and workplace harassment contact officers.
The Department provided workstation setup assistance by occupational therapists for staff as required. Special needs equipment through the Department’s reasonable adjustment program was also provided, as was training and occupational health and safety guidance material on safety related topics. The Department’s Therapeutic Goods Administration introduced safe work method statements (risk assessments) for all contractors to complete prior to commencing work, to ensure their adherence to safe work practices.
The Department funded vaccinations for staff, who through the course of their work, were in regular contact with members of the community classified as at increased risk with regard to influenza or hepatitis B. All staff could also access a voluntary ‘user pays’ on-site influenza vaccination program. Top of page
The Department’s commitment to continuous improvement in occupational health and safety and injury management performance, through the application of leadership and best practice in the workplace, was recognised when it was awarded the 2007 Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, Public Sector Leadership Award for Injury Prevention and Management.
The Department was also nominated by Comcare as a finalist in the 2007 Safe Work Australia Awards, in the category of Public Sector Leadership for Injury Prevention and Management. Commitment to early intervention and rehabilitation of injured or ill employees, in combination with the Health and Life Strategy, has lead to a reduction to the Department’s premium. Accepted claims were also reduced during 2007–08.
In 2007–08, the Department reported three dangerous occurrences and three serious personal injury incidents to Comcare under Section 68 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991. The Department investigated all reports and implemented all necessary action.
During 2007–08, the Department conducted testing of air quality and cooling tower functions. Electrical testing and tagging was also undertaken. In addition, the Department provided staff with access to eyesight testing and arranged medical examinations to determine fitness for duty where applicable.
The Department was not served with any directions or notices under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 during the year by Health and Safety Representatives or Comcare.Top of page
Return to top of page 
Print this page 
Annual Report 2007–08 home page
Preliminaries | Overview | Performance Reporting | Management Arrangements | Accountability Reporting | Financial Statements | Contact Details
Subscription |
Feedback |
User Guide |
Disclaimer |
Privacy
Produced by the Portfolio Strategies Division, Australian
Government Department of Health and Ageing.
URL: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/annrpt/publishing.nsf/Content/occupational-health-and-safety-4
If you would like to know more or give us your comments contact: annrep@health.gov.au
CONTENTS
USER GUIDE
SEARCH
PREVIOUS YEARS