Work Health and Safety

The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) (WHS Act) and associated legislation had a significant impact on DHA in many areas including procurement, contract management, incident and hazard reporting, policy and how we consult with staff and contractors. To ensure DHA was positioned to deliver on its obligations under the WHS Act, a Work Health and Safety (WHS) Framework was developed and implemented.

Initiatives delivered under the WHS Framework in 2012–13 include:

• engaging WHS specialists to oversee all WHS matters throughout DHA including those related to contractor procurement and management
• development and launch of online training modules for staff on topics that include introduction to WHS, procurement, contractor management and incident and hazard reporting
• providing DHA’s Property Provisioning Group and Property and Tenancy Services staff with tailored WHS training relevant to their business lines
• development of WHS Guidelines detailing procedures specific to the requirements of DHA’s different business lines
• establishing a platform for the reporting and management of staff and contractor incidents, near-misses and identified hazards
• introduction of mechanisms to ensure that contractors are providing WHS documentation to DHA for review on WHS compliance and performance
• provision of a comprehensive education program for contractors to enhance their understanding of their WHS obligations and how these relate to safe delivery of services for DHA and our customers
• development of a new hazard and risk register that facilitates the identification of hazards and risks to staff and visitors and the review and implementation of mitigating controls
• improved WHS communication and consultation with staff and contractors including the development of two WHS web pages, one for staff and the other for contractors, and
• improved content, presentation and timeliness of WHS reporting, tailored to meet the different needs of DHA’s stakeholders.

The WHS National Committee, the Staff Advisory Group and the Contractor Advisory Group have overseen the delivery of these initiatives.

Incident reporting

Under the WHS legislation, DHA reports employee and contractor incidents. The relevant Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is for employee incidents only, reflecting the difficulty in defining a target for the broader dependency. There was a small increase in employee reported incidents in 2012–13 compared to 2011–12.
 
Figure 7: Work Health and Safety employee incidents at 30 June 2013
 

Of the 69 employee reported incidents, approximately one third related to falls, trips and slips by individuals. DHA has assessed each incident and taken preventative action where required. There were four employee incidents reported to Comcare in 2012–13 and of these there were no notifiable incidents. Of incidents reported to DHA by contractors, 10 were notifiable to Comcare. Of these, two involved serious injury to a worker. Comcare was satisfied with the responses provided by DHA to all notified incidents with the cases closed and no further action by Comcare.

Workers compensation

Nine workers compensation claims were submitted in 2012–13. The majority of these claims related to minor injuries, such as muscular stresses, falls, trips and slips. Comcare accepted liability for seven of the claims.

WHS directions, notices and investigations

No directions, notices or investigations under the WHS Act were conducted or given to DHA in 2012–13.