Home > Contents > Appendices > Appendix 2 - Occupational Health and Safety

Appendix 2 - Occupational Health and Safety

The Occupational Health and Safety Policy and Agreement 2002-03

A healthy and safe work environment allows employees to fulfil their true potential and achieve greater productivity while also meeting departmental goals.

To help achieve these aims, the department’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy and Agreement 2002-03 has been made with relevant unions. The agreement fosters consultation while also providing for any other matters agreed between the parties consistent with the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employees) Act (1991).

The department and two unions endorsed the agreement in February 2002. The unions were the Community and Public Sector Union and the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance.

The agreement reiterates the department’s commitment to a healthy and safe workplace and sets out the basis for continuing consultation between the department and the unions. The agreement also clarifies the responsibilities of managers, supervisors and individuals in relation to Occupational Health and Safety.

Occupational Health and Safety Committees

The arrangements for the department’s Occupational Health and Safety consultation forums are set out in part 3.6 of the agreement. The consultation forum structure is made up of:

All committees are to meet at least quarterly. Every alternate national committee meeting takes place at a venue in one of the department’s regions to ensure the widest possible participation of departmental people.

Selection of Health and Safety Representatives

With the endorsement of the new Occupational Health and Safety Policy and Agreement 2002-2003 in February 2002 and the Administrative Arrangements Order of 26 November 2001, a new Designated Work Group structure was introduced for National Office. As a result, a number of elections were conducted in 2002 to fill the new vacant Health and Safety Representative and Deputy Health and Safety Representative positions.

Measures to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees and contractors

Proactive measures taken during the year focussed on awareness raising and education strategies. They aimed to prevent illness or injury by encouraging individuals to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing while at work. Some examples follow.

In the latter half of 2001 health and wellbeing initiatives such as Yoga classes, Tai Chi classes and Floriade walks were conducted for National Office people. They were run in conjunction with raising the awareness of the Occupational Overuse Syndrome prevention strategy. State Offices and the Northern Territory staff conducted their own health and wellbeing activities at a convenient time for the people involved.

The department implemented the Occupational Overuse Syndrome prevention strategy in late 2001 with the key initiatives undertaken in the first half of 2002. The aim of the prevention strategy was to establish a culture where postural breaks are encouraged and accepted, and individuals take responsibility for their own health and safety. The strategy is based on a phased approach of communication and activities to encourage a cultural shift over time within the department. The key approaches to the strategy involved conducting Occupational Overuse Syndrome Awareness sessions for each Branch and State office in the department and also to provide workstations assessments for all new starters.

Section 68 notices

Comcare Australia was notified of three incidents pursuant to section 68 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991.

Investigations undertaken

Comcare Australia did not undertake any planned or reactive investigations in 2001-02.

Section 45 directions and Section 30, 46, 47 notices

No Section 30, 45, 46 or 47 notices or directions were issued in 2001-02.

Return to top