Appendix 4:
Workplace health and safety
The following information is provided in accordance with Schedule 2, Part 4 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (the WHS Act).
Health and safety management in the department
The department attaches a high priority to the wellbeing of its staff and those who assist us to achieve our objectives. We are committed to building a culture of safety leadership across the organisation that seeks to actively manage risks, improve work practices and foster attitudes that sustain healthy and safe work environments across the global network.
Work health and safety initiatives and outcomes
Following its launch by the Secretary in May 2017, a number of Work Health and Safety (WHS) Strategic Plan 2017–2019 initiatives were delivered during 2017–18.
A key focus was supporting officers to achieve their due diligence obligations under the WHS Act. We provided a series of due diligence training workshops to departmental staff to support implementation of responsibilities outlined in the Officer Due Diligence Manual.
During 2017–18, 304 WHS incidents were reported via the electronic WHS incident reporting system; 107 occurred in Australia and 197 occurred overseas. In response, corrective actions were implemented to eliminate or minimise risks and prevent further occurrences as appropriate.
The department delivered individual WHS briefings to more than 60 staff deploying to 34 overseas locations, including staff from other government agencies. We also provided group training sessions to staff working in Canberra or preparing for deployment overseas. We reviewed our mandatory WHS e-learning and updated it for re-launching in 2018–19. The department conducted visits to Australian offices and missions in Darwin, Perth, Jakarta, Phnom Penh, Makassar and Phuket to support the development and strengthening of WHS arrangements.
Reporting requirements under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act)
- Fourteen incidents were notified to Comcare under Part 3 of the Act.
- No directions were given to the department under Part 11, Section 217 of the Act.
- One external investigation was finalised under Part 9 of the Act.
- No notices were issued under Part 10, Section 191 of the Act.
Rehabilitation Management
In 2017–18 we reviewed the Rehabilitation Management System to identify areas for improvement in rehabilitation management. The department continued to implement proactive strategies, including an early intervention policy and strategies for both compensable and non-compensable injury and illness cases, and a toolkit to help managers and supervisors manage ill and injured employees. These strategies aim to improve rehabilitation outcomes for employees and control the cost of claims to the department. The department’s premium rate remains lower than the Commonwealth average.
| Comcare claims accepted | 2015–16 | 2016–17 | 2017–18** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total departmental staff covered by Comcare under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988* | 4,171 | 4,141 | 4,182 |
| Number of claims accepted by Comcare*** | |||
| Falls, trips and slips | 11 | 4 | 6 |
| Hitting objects | 3 | 8 | |
| Sound and pressure | 1 | ||
| Body stressing | 11 | 4 | 5 |
| Heat, radiation and electricity | |||
| Chemicals and other | 2 | 1 | |
| Biological factors | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Mental stress | 6 | 3 | |
| Other and unspecified | 1 | 2 | |
| Total | 35 | 21 | 15 |
| Departmental premium rate for Comcare coverage as a percentage of total departmental wages and salaries**** | 0.76 | 0.53 | 0.54 |
* Includes employees located in Australia, Australia-based employees overseas and, where applicable, locally engaged staff overseas.
** Departmental staff numbers are reported bi-annually to Comcare, including estimates for the forthcoming financial year and actuals at the end of the financial year—these figures vary due to changes throughout the year in staff numbers.
*** The claims accepted in the financial year may be different to date of injury year due to delays in reporting injuries.
**** The Comcare premium rate 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.