B.10 Work Health and Safety

Work Health and Safety (WHS) continues to be a priority for the directorate and is managed in accordance with the statutory provisions of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (the WHS Act); and supported by the ACTPS Safety Management System Framework and the Whole of Government Safety Support Team. The CMTEDD People and Capability Branch, together with the CMTEDD Safety Support Team provided guidance and support to CMTEDD in implementing the requirements of the WHS Act.

Health and Safety Structures and Consultation Arrangements

Work Health and Safety (WHS)

The tiered CMTEDD WHS Committees and Network met quarterly and comprised Executives, Senior Managers, Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs), officers in safety and compliance roles and employee unions representatives. Work Health and Safety issues were monitored and managed through the tiered committee structures, the directorate’s 47 HSRs as well as through local Health and Safety Coordinators and officers in safety and compliance roles. The Committees monitored the effectiveness of CMTEDD’s Safety Management System, considered injury prevention initiatives and programs, and promoted the achievement of improved health and safety outcomes. The CMTEDD Public Sector Workforce Health, Safety and Wellbeing Team attended the meetings to provide safety advice.

During the reporting period the directorate:

• continued to implement CMTEDD WHS Management System (WHSMS) across the directorate;
• in consultation with workers, reviewed the WHS Work Group structure and held elections as required for Health and Safety Representatives;
• held the directorate’s Safety Awards recognising staff in the following categories: Leadership, Health and Safety Representative (HSR), Health and Wellbeing Initiative, Solution to an Identified Hazard, Excellence in workplace health and safety culture, WHS Coordinator of the Year and Rehabilitation Case Manager of the Year;
• conducted a WHS Audit program to assess conformance with CMTEDD’s WHS Management System;
• developed and rolled-out a WHS e-learning module for CMTEDD staff;
• developed and held WHS Due Diligence Training for Executives;
• developed and reported on CMTEDD WHS Key Performance Indicators and Targets; and
• continued to promote the RiskMan Accident and Incident reporting tool to staff across CMTEDD.

Injury Prevention and Health and Wellbeing

CMTEDD implemented a range of injury prevention and health and wellbeing initiatives and continued to promote a culture where health, safety and wellbeing are a part of everyday business. Initiatives implemented included:

• Safety promotion initiatives:
  • development and promotion of CMTEDD WHS e-learning;
  • promotion of National Safe Work Month with activities held during the month to assist in promotion of safety at work;
  • promotion of CMTEDD Safety Awards recognising safety achievements;
  • promotion of Safe Work Australia’s Virtual Seminar Series;
  • development of WHS policies and procedures as components of the CMTEDD WHS Management System; and
  • development and implementation of CMTEDD corporate safety key performance indicators.
• Health and wellbeing initiatives:
  • ‘Health and Wellbeing’ reimbursement initiative (not exceeding $100 per annum) to financially support employees to participate in health and wellbeing activities;
  • user pays fitness classes such as Pilates;
  • user pays access to seated massage;
  • influenza vaccination program for CMTEDD employees;
  • mental health awareness promotion activities;
  • Mental Health First Aid training;
  • RED Contact Officer Self Care Training; and
  • RED Contact Officer Mental Health Training.
• Health and safety training initiatives:
  • promotion and development of CMTEDD WHS e-learning;
  • briefing sessions were held on the CMTEDD safety management system for staff and Executives;
  • management of workplace psychological illness in the workplace program for supervisors;
  • Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety mandated for staff in WHS coordinator roles;
  • Respect, Equity and Diversity training;
  • First Aid Officer and Warden training; and
  • HSR and HSR refresher training.
• Early intervention and injury management initiatives:
  • ongoing provision of work-station assessments;
  • engagement of rehabilitation providers for both compensable and non-compensable injuries/illnesses to support employees to an early, safe and supported return to the workplace;
  • provision and promotion of professional and confidential counselling services available to staff and their families through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP); and
  • provision and promotion of the EAP Manager Assist Program.

Accident Reporting

During 2018-19 there were 457 reported workplace accidents or incidents across CMTEDD  and of those 13 were reported to WorkSafe in accordance with Part 3 Section 38 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

During the reporting period CMTEDD was not issued (under Part 10 of the Act) with any improvement, prohibition or non-disturbance notices, nor did the Agency fail to comply with any enforceable undertakings under Part 11 or Part 2 (Divisions 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4) of the Act.

Performance against Targets

In 2018-19 CMTEDD has continued to achieve the targeted incidence rate of both claims resulting in one or more weeks off work, and claims for musculoskeletal disorders resulting in one of more weeks off work.

TARGET 1 – reduce the incidence rate of claims resulting in one or more weeks off work by at least 30%

Notes:

• Dates are based on those claims received by the Insurer in each financial year
• Data is taken at 30 June in each of the years to allow for direct comparisons to be made between years
• The report includes accepted claims which result in one or more weeks off work
• Data includes claims up to 30 June 2019

Although CMTEDD has seen an increase from the previous year from 2.58 (6 claims) to 3.68
(9 claims) for the incident rate of claims resulting in one or more weeks off work, the achievement is still within the CMTEDD target of 4.37 and compares favourably against the ACTPS rate of 8.50.

TARGET 2 – reduce the incidence rate of claims for musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) by at least 30%

Notes:

• Dates are based on those claims received by the Insurer in each financial year
• Data is taken at 30 June in each of the years to allow for direct comparisons to be made between years
• The report includes accepted claims which result in one or more weeks off work
• Data includes claims up to 30 June 2019

CMTEDD has maintained the significant reduction in the incidence rate of claims for musculoskeletal disorders reported last year.

Further information can be obtained from

Robert Wright
Executive Group Manager
Corporate
+61 2 6207 0569
Robert.Wright@act.gov.au