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Welcome to the winter edition of Comcare's
e-newsletter, Safety Essentials.
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National OHS review update
The National Review into Model Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Laws has received 242 submissions from employers, industry bodies, unions, governments and government agencies, professional bodies, academics and individuals.
The review panel will analyse the submissions and discuss the key issues in consultation with the parties over the coming weeks. This will assist the panel in developing a report for the Workplace Relations Ministers' Council about a model OHS law.
As part of Comcare's commitment to National OHS laws, we are keen to become an early adopter of any new legislative proposals and to trial and test policy proposals. We will continue to share experiences with all jurisdictions and stakeholders.
More information about the review along with the public submissions is available on the National OHS Review website.
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 Comcare review
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), the Hon Julia Gillard announced, the review of the Comcare scheme in December last year. Given the changes to our scheme over the years, specifically the expansion of self-insurance, the aim of the review was to ensure that Comcare is a suitable OHS and workers' compensation system for licensees and their employees.
The review sought information and recommendations on issues such as whether Comcare provides:
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Appropriate OHS and workers’ compensation coverage
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Effective rehabilitation and return to work outcomes
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Appropriate consultation mechanisms for employees affected by an employer’s application for a licence.
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) managed the review process. DEEWR appointed Mr Taylor Fry of Taylor Fry Consulting to conduct the review and develop formal recommendations.
A final recommendations report was submitted to the DPM on 31 July. We are now awaiting a response from the DPM and will report to the jurisdiction accordingly.
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 Calling on Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) to complete an online questionnaire
Are you a HSR? If so, you play an important role in the partnership between employers and employees on OHS issues.
As Comcare is committed to ensuring it provides the highest level of support to HSRs, we are currently calling on members to complete an online questionnaire. This gives you the opportunity to provide feedback on a range of support issues.
This questionnaire will take approximately 15 minutes to complete and closes 9 September 2008.
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 Legislative change for former Commonwealth employees with active claims
The SRC Act encourages the quick and early return to work of injured or ill employees through effective rehabilitation. This focus on occupational rehabilitation aims to assist an injured employee to return to their pre-injury duties as soon as possible. This approach to occupational rehabilitation is a managed process involving early intervention and can include:
- Assessment of potential suitable duties
- Vocational assessment
- Guidance or vocational counselling
- Functional capacity assessments
- Assessment of potential suitable duties
- Job seeking assistance.
In some cases where employees with an accepted claim have left employment, their ongoing entitlement to incapacity benefits may need to be reviewed. Following legislative amendment to the SRC Act in 2007, Comcare can now consider any employment, including self-employment, when assessing incapacity benefits for claimants who have ceased Commonwealth employment.
The legislative changes also enable an employee who is no longer employed by the Commonwealth to request a rehabilitation assessment. Since the amendment, the employer should take reasonable steps to assist the employee to find employment.
If evidence indicates a claimant is able to undertake suitable employment they will be contacted by Comcare and advised of this change and of their obligation to seek suitable employment. Comcare has commenced identifying and reviewing claims that may fall into this category. It is anticipated that relevant reviews will take place throughout the 2008/09 financial year and both employees and employers will be advised throughout the process.
For more information contact Comcare's Claims team.
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2008-09 premium reduced by 12%
Premiums for organisations covered under the Comcare scheme dropped by an average 12% for 2008-09.
The Commonwealth rate for 2008-09 has now been set at 1.36%, a 12% reduction on last year’s rate of 1.55%. This result arises primarily from a decrease in claims frequency, reflecting a reduction in the level of workplace injury.
When standardised and compared to premium performance across jurisdictions in Australia and New Zealand, the Commonwealth’s premium result continues to be the second lowest.
This significant decrease is sure to be good news for government agencies looking for budget efficiencies, and rewards their attention to workplace safety.
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 2008 National Conference - register now
The Comcare National Conference is set to take place on 22 - 24 October 2008 at the National Convention Centre, Canberra.
Facilitated by Dr Norman Swan, host of the Health Report on ABC Radio National, the three-day conference will explore culture and systems underpinning effective management methods of psychological and slow onset musculoskeletal injuries.
See the full program online or download the
program and registration brochure now.
Early bird registration closes on 17 September. Register online or through our conference secretariat.
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 Latest publication
Comcare’s latest publication, titled Looking after your employees during times of change, provides guidance for employers. As organisational change is a fact of working life and can bring about many positive changes, it is important to give OHS attention as part of an integrated approach to risk management and ensure the change progress is seamless and employees are engaged in the process.
This publication details various checklists relating to prevention, early intervention and rehabilitation strategies; which are all based around employee health and well-being.
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 Jurisdictional Policy Advice 2008/8
Jurisdictional Policy Advice (JPA) #2008/8 was issued on 22 July 2008. It deals with the use of rehabilitation programs by severely incapacitated employees to meet carers' costs incurred where such costs do not fall within the meaning of attendant care or nursing care paid under sections 29 and 16 of the SRC Act, respectively.
Comcare has identified a very small number of employees among premium paying agencies who should be assessed for this purpose by their rehabilitation authority. These rehabilitation authorities will be contacted by Comcare shortly.
For more information see JPA #2008/8, or contact Comcare’s Prevention and Injury Management team.
All JPAs are available online
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 New website - coming soon
Comcare will be launching a new website later this year. Designed with the end user in mind, the site will be more user friendly and appealing.
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