Occupational Health and Safety

The Occupational Health and Safety Agreement between the Commission and the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) runs until December 2007. The agreement commits the Commission to ongoing prevention of workplace injury and exposure to hazards in the work environment.

The Occupation Health and Safety Committee established under the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employees) Act 1991 (OH&S Act), administers the agreement.

Important changes to the Commonwealth OH&S Act came into effect on 15 March 2007 that alter the way the Commission will manage its OH&S responsibilities. Employees now have the right to participate directly in OH&S consultative arrangements, including the development of Health and Safety Management Arrangements (HSMAs), nominating and selecting Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs), varying Designated Work Groups (DWGs), setting up Health and Safety Committees (HSC’s) and requesting investigations.

Given the recent legislative changes, HSMAs have now replaced previous requirements for an OH&S policy and agreement. HSMAs are currently being developed in consultation with all staff.

Staff health and wellbeing was promoted by the Commission in 2006–07 through the provision of influenza vaccinations, health week (as mentioned in—part three Management and Accountability) the inclusion of enhanced OH&S information in the Commission’s staff induction programme, ongoing OH&S training for staff and management and workstation assessments for all new employees.

In addition, as part of the relocation to Woden, the Commission arranged for a hazard inspection of the old building prior to the move and a full inspection of the new building once the relocation was complete. Workstation assessments were provided for all staff and walkthroughs were undertaken to assist employees to set up their new work areas.

Through ongoing OH&S education across all staff, the Commission has noted an increase in the number of incident reports submitted which allows for appropriate early intervention. Such early management of reported injuries and incidences has assisted in keeping the Commission’s claim numbers low.

During the year, there were no incidences that required giving of notice under section 68 of the OH&S Act. No directions were given to the Commission under section 45 and no notices were given under sections 29, 46 or 47.

No investigations were conducted during the year.