Safety Essentials - Winter 2010
Message from our CEO
The new structure followed a thorough and careful look at how we best respond to what Parliament has asked us to do. And it responds directly to the Australian Government’s challenge for government authorities like Comcare to contribute to productivity and social inclusion for Australians, in order to help make a stronger, fairer Australia. So we’re clear about what we do and where we’re headed. Our focus is on keeping workers healthy and preventing injury. We partner with workers, their employers and unions to keep workers healthy and safe at work, so that they can return home safely to their families, friends and communities every day. We also help harmed workers and their families recover from injury sooner, and to adjust to living with change and challenge that result from workplace harm. We provide an injury compensation scheme that is fair, responsive and sustainable for the workers who rely on it, including victims of asbestos-related diseases. In coming months our partners and stakeholders will see a number of programs that enable Comcare to modernise, to drive real change, and to provide better services and outcomes. These programs will be innovative, collaborative and designed for maximum impact. I invite you to work with us to drive real change for the better in the workplace. Paul O’Connor |
OHS reporting in annual reports
Occupational health and safety (OHS) reporting helps to increase organisational commitment to the health and safety of workers through more detailed evidence of what has occurred. The publication encourages agencies to present standardised, high quality OHS information to achieve a greater level of accountability to stakeholders such as Senators, the media and the general public. The increased availability of OHS information allows for benchmarking across sectors and shared successful initiatives and policies. What OHS information is required in annual reports? Section 74 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 requires all Commonwealth Entities and authorities to include OHS information in their annual report concerning:
For further information about the Better Practice Guide: OHS Reporting in Annual Reports email ohs.help@comcare.gov.au or phone 1300 366 979. |
Government and industry leaders meet Sir Mansel Aylward
At the dinner Professor Aylward shared his experience in major health systems review in Wales. His fundamental message was clear—work is good for our health and wellbeing. He explained that long-term worklessness has the equivalent health risk of smoking ten packs of cigarettes per day. Worklessness is therefore one of the greatest known risks to public health. Work is the most effective means to improve the wellbeing of individuals, their families and communities. Professor Aylward’s work sends a powerful message of the moral obligation we all have to “rigorously attack an individual's obstacles to a life at work” and minimise the impact of injury on workers and the community. In 75% of cases, psychosocial factors such as an individual’s lifestyle and social circumstances are the dominant barriers to a successful return to work. Read more on Professor Aylward’s research. |
Premiums fall for 2010-11
Deputy CEO of Comcare, Steve Kibble, said that by working with Comcare many federal agencies had been able to bring down the rate of injuries for workers—and premiums were lower as a result. The incidence of claims in the federal public sector fell from 15.8 to 15.1 claims per 1000 full-time equivalent employees from 2008-09 to 31 March 2010. Under the 2010-11 premiums, federal agencies will see their annual workers’ compensation premiums reduced on average from 1.25% of payroll to 1.20% of payroll—representing substantial savings. This means three quarters of scheme employers will now be paying less than 1% in premium rates. |
2010 Comcare National Conference
The Comcare 2010 National Conference will be held from 22-24 September 2010 at the National Convention Centre, Canberra. With the theme Improve, include and inspire workplace wellbeing the event will concentrate on the critical health and wellbeing factors impacting the workforce. Guest speakers and industry experts will examine contemporary issues and explore continuous improvement opportunities in OHS and injury management, mental health, social inclusion and wellbeing of Australian workers. Speakers include:
Register now and secure your place at this year's event. The program will be released mid-July. For further information visit the conference website. |
2010 SRCC Safety Award finalists announced
The finalists in each of the six award categories are: Category 1: Best Workplace Health and Wellbeing Program
Category 2: Leadership Award for Injury or Disease Prevention and Management Category 3: Best Workplace Health and Safety Management System
Category 4: Best Solution to an Identified Workplace Health and Safety Issue
Category 5: Best Individual Contribution to Health and Safety a) an employee (e.g. Health and Safety Representative)
b) a person with responsibility for OHS as part of their duties
Category 6: Rehabilitation and Return to Work Award a) an organisation
b) an individual
For further information about the awards visit the SRCC website. |
NAIDOC Week
The 2010 National NAIDOC theme is Unsung Heroes - Closing the Gap by Leading Their Way. Many unsung Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have made huge contributions to Australian society. For further information visit the NAIDOC website. |
New-look Comcare website
Over the coming months we will be implementing new features and tools that will help our users find the information they need quickly and enhance their experience here on our website.
Be sure to bookmark our website so that you can keep updated on our new website features. If you have any feedback, we'd love to hear from you - please contact us using the online enquiry form. |
At Comcare, we put the health and safety of workers at the centre of what we do. We've recently re-organised our corporate structure to focus on this core responsibility. The new structure kicked off on 1 July 2010. 
A new Comcare publication entitled 
On 18 May 2010 Government leaders from the federal safety and compensation jurisdiction, industry leaders and social partners ACTU attended a dinner in Sydney with special guest Professor Sir Mansel Aylward CB. Professor Aylward is one of the world’s leading experts in psychosocial, economic and cultural factors that influence health, illness and recovery.
Federal public sector employers have received a 4% reduction in their annual workers’ compensation premiums by working more cooperatively with Comcare to reduce harm in the workplace.
The Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (SRCC) has announced the finalists of the 2010 SRCC Safety Awards. Winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Great Hall, Parliament House, Canberra on Thursday 23 September.
NAIDOC Week will be held 4-11 July and celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Comcare has launched its new website. We have redeveloped our look and feel whilst maintaining our usability tested layout and features. Comcare is working hard to ensure our website reflects best practice and enables all our stakeholders to easily find information and complete tasks.