Employer eNews - July 2011

By now, you should be communicating with your workers and stakeholders about the new Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws coming into effect in January 2012. Comcare has developed a communication kit to assist organisations build awareness and knowledge prior to the introduction of the new laws. If your organisation hasn’t already ordered your kit please visit the WHS website for more information.

The Commonwealth Work Health and Safety Bill 2011 and the Work Health and Safety (Transitional and Consequentials) Bill have recently been introduced to the House of Representatives.

Keep up to date with WHS information through our WHS website.

2011 Comcare National Conference

The Comcare National Conference program and online registration are now available. Conference registration is available online through the secure registration form and accommodation bookings can be made using the online booking system.

The three-day program will focus on the importance of leadership at all levels and the key elements of employee health and safety.

• Lead—people through innovation
• Shape—your team for better work ability
• Impact—achieve effective outcomes in service delivery.

More than 550 work health and safety professionals are expected to attend this event. Join your colleagues in Melbourne for what promises to be an informative and stimulating event.

For further information visit the conference website.

Comcare’s Learning and Development Solutions team continues to offer high quality and cost effective training options for our jurisdiction, with either in-house customised programs or through their public training calendar. The July 2011–March 2012 calendar is now available.

Some of the new or redeveloped training programs available include:

• Mental health and wellbeing at work—this course provides a tiered approach with an executive session (one hour), a manager’s session (one day), an all staff session (half-day) and a complex case workshop (half-day).
  
• Workers’ compensation and personnel management—this practical half-day course offers an understanding of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 as well as the information Comcare requires from agencies to ensure workers’ compensation determinations are made within the required timeframes.
  
• Bullying and harassment—one hour snapshot session or half day program to assist organisations and front-line managers take practical steps to identify, prevent and manage bullying behaviour in the workplace.

With the upcoming harmonisation of WHS laws we will be offering training on the new WHS laws in late 2011. This training will target managers, employees, health and safety representatives and practitioners to assist organisations with the transition to the new laws.

Some other upcoming courses include training for Health and Wellbeing Coordinators and the new Section 41 Rehabilitation Guidelines.

For more information on any of the training courses available visit Comcare’s Learning and Development Solutions website or contact them on phone 1300 366 979 or email.
 

The Asbestos Innovation Fund was launched in December last year by Senator Chris Evans, The Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations. There has been a good response to the call for submissions to the Asbestos Innovation Fund which was advertised in all major metropolitan and regional newspapers.

Comcare is managing this fund as part of its role to improve the management of the Commonwealth’s common law asbestos responsibilities. The fund is designed to encourage the development of practical programs and research raising awareness of asbestos, improving its management and removing, or improving treatment and support for sufferers and their families.

A wide range of programs may be supported by this fund, including:

• communication and education campaigns
• workplace training solutions
• skills development programs
• the development of warning and safety systems.

An Asbestos Innovation Fund Assessment Committee has been set up to review and recommend submissions for funding. Preference will be given to proposals relating to programs, services or treatments that offer innovative solutions to identified problems and have a practical application.

Click here for more information on the Asbestos Innovation Fund.