1. The Secretary's review 1999-2000
3. A summary of the Department's roles and the new reporting framework
4. Analysis of performance for Outcome 1
5. Analysis of performance for Outcome 2
6. Analysis of performance for Outcome 3
8. Management and accountability
9. External scrutiny and legal matters affecting the Department
A2. Occupational health and safety
A4. Payments to advertising and market research organisations
A6. Performance against actual results against outcomes and outputs
The Occupational Health and Safety Policy and Agreement 2000-2001
The Department’s Occupational Health and Safety policy provides for an agreement to be made with relevant unions. The agreement fosters consultation and provides for any other matters agreed between the parties consistent with the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employees) Act (1991).
The Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs Policy and Agreement 2000-2001 was endorsed by the Department and two unions, the Community and Public Sector Union and the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance, in May 2000. It replaces the previous 1998-1999 Agreement.
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 order to meet this commitment.
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 new Agreement. The consultative forum structure is made up of:
- one national occupational health and safety committee;
- one national office occupational health and safety committee; and
- one occupational health and safety committee or people management committee for each State and the Northern Territory.
All committees are to meet at least quarterly. Every alternate national committee meeting should take 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
The new policy and agreement established a new designated work group structure. Therefore nominations for vacant health and safety representative and deputy health and safety representative positions in each work group are to be sought in the second half of 2000. A new health and safety representative was appointed for Victoria earlier in the year.
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. Examples are:
- OfficeGym, a software product designed to remind computer users to take a break and do some exercises at the workstation;
- regular articles in the Department’s newsletter, DETYA Times. Articles this year have included stress, safe car travel over Christmas, managing unplanned absences from work and OfficeGym;
- encouragement to ‘look after yourself’ through All Staff Circulars on the Department’s Intranet site. Subjects included smoking and online keyboard help;
- the good health great future programme offered to managers;
- lunchtime guest speakers on various social issues such as personal safety. These are designed to increase general awareness and give an understanding of how to manage issues; and
- a sharps policy to help reduce the risk of accidental sharps injury.
Section 68 notices
There were two notifications to Comcare Australia, reporting accidents and dangerous occurrences.
Investigations undertaken
Comcare Australia undertook a planned investigation of the occupational health and safety management systems in place in The Department in the latter half of 1999.
Section 45 directions and Section 30, 46, 47 notices
No Section 30, 45, 46 or 47 notices or directions were issued in 1999-2000.