OHS Regional Network Meetings

May/June 2014

Ten meetings were attended by 70 people from 56 organisations in May/June 2014. Following is a summary of what was discussed. Not all items were discussed at each location.

Update on the Disability Safe Project
Overview of some key activities of the project / Key areas:
  • E-learning modules including bullying awareness for managers and workers, slip/trip/fall awareness, food safety, infection control, drug and alcohol awareness are under development and hopefully available by end of July. A medication safety refresher module will also be developed – currently seeking a writer
  • Benchmarking – available to participate in July – see form attached.
  • Face to face training – range of courses available at no charge to ADHC funded NGOs – see attached form.

Accident/incident reporting
Discussion on practices in relation to reporting and investigation / Key messages are:
  • A variety of definitions regarding what was an incident and what was a near miss. The attached definitions are provided for further consideration

Drug and Alcohol
Discussed issues around policies and procedures for testing etc / Key messages are:
  • The potential hazards to workers and services users make a drug and alcohol policy essential
  • Policy needs to be developed in consultation with workers and well publicised
  • Education around drug and alcohol use and policy is essential
  • Approaching someone who is deemed not fit for work involves being able to identify the triggers and know how to approach
  • Actions to ensure the safety of the worker are recommended

Pre-employment medicals
Discussed current practices / Key messages are:
  • Differing opinions on the use of pre-placement assessments were raised
  • Need for strategies to ensure safety of workers and service users by ensuring good match both physically and psychologically
  • Cost benefits of assessments are more apparent for larger employers
  • Need to ensure assessment is based on the essential demands of the job and reasonable adjustments needed to avoid any discrimination claim

Ageing workforce
Discussed issues / Key messages are:
  • Workers compensation entitlements are limited for workers reaching retirement age
  • Reasonable adjustments and health and well-being strategies needed to ensure worker remains safe and skills retained in workplace

Premium renewal
Actions to be taken at renewal time / Key messages are:
  • New Premium Order released for 2014-2015 with ICCRs lowered. This is likely to increase premiums for medium to large employers unless organisation has a good results in terms of premium experience
  • Important to seek advice from Insurer now and ask for help to review estimates to ensure accuracy – see attached sheet
.
Other issues
A range of issues were raised and discussed /
  • Footwear requirements – due to concern that specifying footwear may expose employers to the need to supply footwear it is suggested that organisations have a policy around what should not be worn and general standards around what should be worn. The attached footwear policy may assist.
  • Safe driving distances - due to service spread there is the need to consider safe driving standards. Policies should generally provide for workers to consider the time/distance, local road conditions related to time of day, other work conducted during the day, fatigue level and alternatives to car travel. Issues around the dangers of driving long distances during periods when normally asleep e.g. between 12 midnight and 6am as well as the effects of fatigue on driving skill are well known and should be considered.
  • Strategies to reduce vehicle damage – discussed need for on-the-road training in vehicle and competency assessment as well as basic instructions in vehicle on loaded and unloaded height, width, turning circle needs etc. A safe driving e-learning has been developed by ADHC and will hopefully be available to NGOs in the near future.
  • Hoist and sling maintenance and inspections – need to abide by AS/NZS ISO 10535:2011 and manufacturers instructions – sample sling inspection protocol attached and guidelines from Queensland attached.
  • Mechanisms for initial and ongoing training in a self-funded world – discussed possibility of taking on as volunteers initially and providing training prior to employment with use of e-learning and ongoing competency assessments or tool-box talks at staff meetings to provide refreshers. Could look at possibility of requiring CPD points to maintain certification – industry skills council to be consulted
  • Ensuring compliance from staff – old adage of consultation and use of their suggestions to control risks so more likely to comply

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June 2014