Appendix 8 - Occupational health and safety
Occupational health and safety policy and agreement
We are committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for staff, contractors, and visitors. This commitment is reflected in the 2003 Occupational Health and Safety Policy and Agreement. This policy document was developed in consultation with staff and their representatives as required under s.16 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991 ('the OH&S Act'). The Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) policy and agreement is scheduled for review in 2006.
OH&S committees
In line with legislative requirements to consult with staff and their representatives on OH&S issues, we convene health and safety committees in all national, state, and territory offices. Key OH&S issues are referred to the National OH&S Committee, which met three times during 2005-06.
Health and safety representatives
In consultation with the Community and Public Sector Union, we conducted elections for vacant Health and Safety Representatives and deputies on an ongoing basis as vacancies occurred.
Health, safety and wellbeing
To promote health, safety, and wellbeing, we provided employees and contractors with:
- OH&S and rehabilitation training (induction and fundamentals of supervision programmes)
- lunchtime health promotion seminars ('Quit Smoking', 'Managing Teenagers', and 'Supporting Your Peers Through Difficult Times')
- eyesight testing for screen based activities
- employee Assistance Program and counselling services
- ergonomic workstation assessments and ergonomic office furniture
- influenza vaccinations
- hepatitis B vaccinations
- first aid kits and training
- fire warden training
- fitness programs, gymnasium equipment, and yoga and aerobic classes (National Office)
- rehabilitation services with the aim of reducing the human and financial costs of work related and non-work related injury and illness.
Section 29 notices (provisional improvement notices)
There were no provisional improvement notices issued under s.29 of the OH&S Act.
Section 45 directions (workplace not be disturbed)
There were no directions issued under s.45 of the OH&S Act.
Section 46 notices (prohibition notices)
There were three prohibition notices issued under s.46 of the OH&S Act addressing the identification, investigation, and removal of asbestos containing material at the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre. More information is provided under 'Incident investigation' in this Appendix.
Section 47 notices (improvement notices)
There was one improvement notice issued under s.47 of the OH&S Act addressing the identification, investigation, and removal of asbestos containing material at the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre. More information is provided under 'Incident investigation' in this Appendix.
Section 68 occurrences (notification and reporting of accidents and dangerous occurrences)
A s.68 notification relates to notifiable fatalities and dangerous occurrences.
A notifiable fatality is the work related death of
any employee, contractor, or member of the public. One member of the public
passed away after a fall within a department building in Western Australia
during July 2005. Two employees and three members of the public were lost in
the Malu Sara boating incident of October 2005.
More information is provided under 'Incident investigation' in this Appendix.
We are also required to report any dangerous occurrence, that is, incidents with the potential to cause serious personal injury (injury requiring emergency medical treatment) or death. We reported 304 dangerous occurrences to Comcare during 2005-06. The notable increase in reporting is due to a greater emphasis on reporting of incidents at immigration detention centres.
Three year summary of occurrences
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | |
| Notifiable fatality | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Dangerous occurrences | 62 | 88 | 304 |
Incapacity
An incapacity is an incident resulting in the inability to engage in work and/or an inability to work at the same level as undertaken immediately before the injury. There are three categories of incapacity:
- lost time injuries represent the number of incidents resulting in one or more working days incapacity within each financial year
- prescribed incapacity represents the number of incidents resulting in 30 or more successive working days incapacity, of any staff member, within each financial year
- weeks lost represent the total number of weeks lost to incapacities in the financial year.
We experienced an increase in lost time injuries during 2005-06. However, early intervention and rehabilitation strategies were successful in constraining increases in '30 day incapacities' and thereby limiting the increase in total number of weeks lost.
Three year summary of incapacity
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | |
| Lost time injuries | 58 | 66 | 109 |
| Prescribed incapacity | 29 | 22 | 28 |
| Weeks lost | 1101 | 1408 | 1577 |
Incident reporting system
In an effort to improve reporting and recording of incidents in the department, we will introduce an electronic incident reporting and records tool in July 2006. Improved capturing of incident data will help us with analyse incident trends, identifying prevention strategies, and improve our OH&S performance during 2006-07.
Mechanism of injury
In consultation with Comcare, we identify actions, events, and exposure that cause serious injury and disease. The mechanism of injury descriptors are based upon the national Type of Occurrence Classification System and help us identify injury trends and set injury prevention performance targets.
Three year summary of mechanism of injury
| Accepted claims | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 |
| Falls, trips & slips |
28 | 27 | 36 |
| Hitting objects | 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Being hit by moving objects | 6 | 8 | 6 |
| Sound & pressure | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Body stressing | 34 | 37 | 63 |
| Heat, radiation & electricity | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Biological factors | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Mental stress | 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Other & unspecified | 12 | 15 | 26 |
| Totals | 88 | 100 | 145 |
Workers' compensation premiums
The main factors influencing our workers compensation premium rate are claim costs and frequency. During 2005-06 our premium decreased in terms of total dollar premium and percentage of payroll. The decrease is the result of early intervention and rehabilitation strategies we have implemented over the last three years, and is notable given that all agencies premium rates during the corresponding period have increased.
Three year summary of comcare premiums
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | |
| *Premium | $4 579 931 | $5 641,147 | $4 728,063 |
| DIMA per cent of payroll | 1.67 | 1.46 | 1.39 |
| All Agencies per cent of payroll | 1.43 | 1.67 | 1.77 |
*The premium amount covers the department, the Migration Review Tribunal, the Refugee Review Tribunal, and the Translating and Interpreter Services independent contractor components.
Incident investigations
Four Investigations of incidents were conducted during 2005-06:
- During July 2005 a member of the public fell within the foyer of a departmental leased building in Western Australia. The person later passed away. A coronial inquest will be conducted during 2006-07.
- During October 2005 the vessel 'Malu Sara' was tragically lost in the Torres Strait while returning from a workshop held on the island of Saibai. Aboard were two of our colleagues and three other passengers. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau completed a comprehensive report, and we are cooperating fully with the Bureau to address the issues raised in the report.
- During November 2005 asbestos containing material was discovered at the Benjamin Offices (Level 4 Blue Building) in Belconnen, ACT. The site was closed down for an interim period whilst appropriate testing by Robson Laboratories was undertaken in consultation with Comcare. Test samples were found to be asbestos free and the building was reoccupied in December 2005.
- During March 2006 asbestos containing material was discovered in an external area of the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre in Sydney. The area was cordoned off and appropriate testing was conducted by Environmental Safety Professionals. People in immigration detention at Villawood were temporarily re-located for a short period while investigation work was undertaken. The site was later re-occupied in consultation with Comcare.
In an effort to improve reporting and recording
of incidents within the department, we will introduce an electronic incident
reporting and records tool in July 2006. Increased interaction between state
and territory offices will also contribute to more robust reporting in this
area with more accurate data provided to measure
and improve OH&S performance.
Injury Prevention & Management Plan 2006 - 2009
In line with government and community expectations, we have adopted a three year planning cycle for strategically managing the prevention of physical and psychological injuries in the workplace. The Injury Prevention and Management Plan 2006-09 adopts OH&S performance targets issued by the Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission and is supported by all Australian Governments, the Australian Council of Trade Unions, and employer associations.