May - June Presentations

COMCARE CUSTOMER SEMINARS
MAY – JUNE 2007 SERIES

NEW IDEAS AND DIRECTIONS - HEALTH & SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE

Session 1: Comcare Update

The Customer Seminars provided participants with information and practical examples on emerging issues relating to Rehabilitation and the new OHS arrangements.

These included amendments to strengthen the required connection between work and eligibility for workers’ compensation, particularly in relation to disease and psychological claims so that only genuinely work related claims will be accepted; to remove workers’ compensation coverage for journeys to and from recess breaks where there is a lack of employer control over worker activity; and to the definition of suitable duties which enables a greater range of rehabilitation options to be considered.

The way these amendments better align workers’ compensation to the duties of employers and employees under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 was also discussed.

Sessions 2: Presentation by Linfox Australia

Innovative solutions designed to enhance site engagement, drive cultural change and demonstrate RTW commitment.

World’s best practice RTW and Rehabilitation performance focuses on employer involvement as soon as an injury has occurred.

Linfox created an early intervention culture that was supported by innovative tools to increase site engagement, improve technical expertise and a philosophy of rewarding good behaviour to the bottom line.

The presentation provided participants with the opportunity to learn about the processes Linfox implemented in order to create site based RTW commitment through the following categories:

1. The Charge Back/User Pays model

2. Create an early reporting culture at Linfox

3. Development of a Linfox early intervention model

4. Development of a National education program and site/branch based tools to improve RTW performance

5. Adaptation of the Kaplan/Norton Balanced Scorecard (BSC) to improve RTW performance.

Health and Safety Management Arrangements - Workshop

Health and Safety Management Arrangements – what are they and how do I establish them.

Important changes to the Commonwealth OHS regulatory framework came into effect on 15 March 2007. These changes aim to improve the health and safety of employees in the Commonwealth jurisdiction.

One significant change was the introduction of health and safety management arrangements (HSMAs). HSMAs provide a framework for employers and employees to work together to effectively manage workplace OHS risks and hazards. They can be tailored to reflect the particular circumstances of individual workplaces, such as hazard profile, organisational culture and employee profile.

Comcare representatives delivered this workshop to allow participants to fully explore what HSMAs are, as well as learn how they can be developed in consultation with employees and what matters they might cover.

Health and Safety Management Arrangements - Workshop outcomes

At the Comcare Customer Seminars held throughout May and June 2007, Comcare committed to providing the jurisdiction with the information that was developed by participants during the Health and Safety Management Arrangements (HSMA) workshop.

The outcomes of the Health and Safety Management Arrangements (HSMA) workshop are now available.

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