Workplace health and safety is managed in accordance with the statutory provisions of the Work Safety Act 2011. Management acknowledges the importance of maintaining the health, safety and welfare of its workers and commits to minimising the human and financial costs of injury and illness through active prevention strategies. During the reporting period the Directorate did not receive any notices regarding serious injury or illness and dangerous incidents that required notification to the regulator in accordance with Part 3 Section 38 under the Work Safety Act 2011.
Leadership
CMTD is committed to, and maintains, continuously improving workplace health, safety and injury management for all employees. The Directorate continued to provide employees with health and safety training, information, and education in its ongoing commitment to review and implement improvements, as identified in the Workplace Health and Safety Management Improvement Strategy. This strategy provides strategic direction to foster a philosophy of continued improvement in workplace health and safety and build on the existing injury prevention and management initiatives. The associated Action Plan provides the practical actions and strategies to promote, maintain and improve safe environments for all employees. A particular focus was on early intervention and psychological stress management.
Leadership performance has been enhanced through regular training and information sessions for managers and supervisors regarding their obligations, roles and responsibilities under the Work Safety Act 2011 and the continued integration of workplace health and safety into the Directorate Performance and Development Program and Business Planning requirements.
A wide range of Health and Safety seminars and formal training opportunities were provided to support continued education and awareness raising, including:
- building personal resilience workshop;
- managing stress and maintaining focus through mindfulness;
- Fresh Start quit smoking Program; and
- management of Workplace Psychological Risk workshops for executives.
Active involvement in workplace health and safety matters by all employees has also continued to be a priority for the year. All new and returning employees were provided with information regarding workplace health and safety roles, responsibilities, and Directorate structures. This was complemented by one-on-one workplace inductions by Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs).
Health and Safety Structures
The Health and Safety Committee continued to meet at regular intervals to provide a mechanism for consultation and communication between employees, represented unions and management; the monitoring of the effectiveness of the safety management system, initiatives and programs; and promoting the achievement of improved outcomes in workplace health and safety. Following machinery of government changes, the Health and Safety Committee was reformed to incorporate representation from the enlarged workforce, and new Terms of Reference were endorsed.
Across the Directorate, eight HSRs have been selected through election by the staff within the Work Group of which two undertook the approved training prior to commencing HSR duties. Quarterly HSR Action Plans have continued to target priorities and areas of need. Regular workplace inspections continued to be undertaken by HSRs informing the Directorate's comprehensive Risk Register.
Injury Prevention and Health & Wellbeing
The Directorate continued its commitment to promoting a culture where health, safety and wellbeing are an integral part of everyday business. A range of initiatives supported the early intervention approaches to injury prevention, including:
- targeting intervention activities based on the Directorate's risk profile and incident/claim history;
- ongoing provision of work station assessments to facilitate proper work station set up;
- influenza vaccinations offered onsite at no cost to staff;
- the promotion of a Quiet Room for breastfeeding, prayer, meditation or contemplative activities;
- the provision and promotion of professional and confidential counselling service, available to all staff and their families through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP);
- the provision of a range of workplace wellbeing seminars as well as awareness sessions and promotion of the EAP service and ManagerAssist services available; and
- the continued engagement of rehabilitation providers, for both compensable and non-compensable injuries, to assist injured employees early, safe and supported return to the workplace.
In addition, the Corporate Management Branch has continued to implement the following programs to support and improve staff health and wellbeing:
- the Health and Wellbeing Reimbursement Initiative, supporting the financial reimbursement to employees who undertook (in their own time) health promotion activities;
- eyesight testing and reimbursements, supporting the reimbursement of costs of screening tests and standard prescription lenses and frames or contact lenses for staff who are required to use screen-based equipment for more than 25 per cent of their work time;
- the Directorate renewed its Breastfeeding Accreditation with the Australian Breastfeeding Association;
- onsite yoga, Pilates and exercise classes, supporting staff participation in one hour sessions throughout the week (staff are responsible for payment for the sessions);
- seated massages, providing (in-house) fifteen-minute sessions once a week (staff are responsible for payment for the session);
- Workplace Health and Wellness seminars, conducted onsite;
- blood donation, supporting staff volunteering to donate blood by coordinating blood bank courtesy bus travel and workplace absence is without loss of pay;
- the continued provision of staff facilities including a carers' room, quiet room, staff room, showers, lockers and bike racks; and
- mental health awareness promotion activities.
Further information can be obtained from:
Sue Hall
Director
Corporate Management
+61 2 6207 0569
