Appendix 8: Workplace health and safety
Information in this appendix is provided in accordance with Schedule 2, Part 4 of the Work Health and Safety Act (Cth) 2011.
Health and safety management arrangements
The department prioritises the health and safety of all workers, many of whom operate in unique and challenging environments overseas. To prepare workers for overseas deployments the department has embedded organisational practices which support health and safety outcomes in decision-making. Through its Work Health and Safety (WHS) Management System the department provides guidance on WHS risk management for all workers. The management system outlines the responsibilities of all workers, including senior management, supervisors, employees, volunteers and their contracted representatives and provides a framework for the delivery of WHS policies, programs and initiatives across the department's global network.
These responsibilities include establishing WHS committees in the central office, state and territory offices, and at overseas posts. The committees facilitate cooperation on WHS matters between management and workers and take an active role in the dissemination of health and safety information. Line areas in the central office work closely with overseas posts to ensure appropriate WHS risk management processes are in place for workers who operate outside mission environments in more remote locations overseas.
Initiatives taken during the year
The department implemented initiatives to enhance and standardise its approach to hazard identification and WHS risk management; internal compliance and reporting mechanisms; contractor safety management; and safety management in procurement.
The department put in place health and safety mechanisms to support workers through organisational change, developed an improvement action plan based on an independent audit of the department's Rehabilitation Management System and introduced consultative mechanisms to ensure the health and safety of all workers, including contractors and volunteers, where the duty of care obligation is shared with other agencies.
Anti-bullying, harassment and discrimination
The department is committed to providing a workplace that is free from workplace bullying, harassment and discrimination behaviours and a workplace that is fair, flexible, safe and rewarding.
In circumstances where bullying, harassment or discrimination issues arise the department takes prompt action to address the issues.
The Anti-bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Policy was reviewed and updated to align with the new anti-bullying provisions that came into effect in January 2014 under amendments to the Fair Work Amendment Act 2009.
As part of its commitment to providing a safe workplace, the department established a dedicated unit within Employee Health and Safety Section to manage bullying, harassment and discrimination. The unit has delivered a number of information sessions to staff and will continue to promote a workplace free of bullying, harassment and discrimination.
Health and safety outcomes achieved
Appropriate remedial action was taken to eliminate or control risks to prevent WHS incidents for all workers, including those working in remote development locations. The department further refined annual hazard identification processes to address the risks associated with large items of plant and equipment.
Over 32 additional training sessions were provided to Australia-based health and safety representatives in Canberra, to staff on pre-posting, as part of rapid response training, to graduates and through visits to posts in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. Senior Administration Officers and locally engaged staff managers received training at four Regional Management Conferences in the United States, Pacific, Europe and Southeast Asia.
Reporting requirements under the Work Health and Safety Act (Cth) 2011
Twelve incidents were notified to Comcare under Part 3 of the Act.
No directions were given to the departments under Part 11, Section 217 of the Act.
No notices were issued under Part 10, Section 191 of the Act.
No external investigations were commenced under Part 9 of the Act.
| Item | 2011–12 | 2012–13 | 2013–14 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total departmental staff covered by Comcare (includes employees located in Australia, Australia-based employees overseas and, where applicable, locally engaged staff overseas) | 2813 | 2836** | 4121 |
| Number of claims accepted by Comcare: | |||
| • falls, trips and slips | 9 | 7 | 12 |
| • hitting objects | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| • sound and pressure | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| • body stressing | 10 | 10 | 18 |
| • heat, radiation and electricity | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| • chemicals and other | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| • biological factors | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| • mental stress | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| • other and unspecified | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Total | 29 | 23 | 40 |
| Departmental premium for Comcare coverage (as a percentage of total departmental wages and salaries) 2013–14* | 0.75 | 1.11 | 1.25 (DFAT prior to integration) |
| 1.70 (AusAID prior to integration) |
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* The Comcare coverage premium for current and previous years is reviewed annually by Comcare based on the changes during the year in the number of claims and the average cost relating to injury or illness.
** Total departmental staff covered by Comcare is calculated as an estimate and reviewed by Comcare for the previous year's actuals figures.
