UNCONFIRMED
MINUTES
WHOLESALE INDUSTRY REFERENCE GROUP
RETAIL INDUSTRY REFERENCE GROUP
JOINT MEETING
TIME AND DATE:
25 October 2006
LOCATION:
10.00am – 12.30pm
Centennial Plaza, Level 10, Building C
300 Elizabeth Street, Sydney
PRESENT
Jill Allen
Greg Hatton
Bruno Mendoncca
Colin Long
Ken McKell
Roland Mann
Peter Robinson
Siew Kiang
Michael Costello
Ian Eather
Dianne Alchin
John Rob
Employers First
Motor Traders Association of NSW
National Union of Workers
Service Station Association Ltd
Australian Meat Industry Council
Coles Myer Ltd
WorkCover OHSD Representative
WorkCover - Presenter
WorkCover - Presenter
WorkCover – IRG Branch A/Manager
WorkCover – Convenor Retail IRG & Wholesale IRG
WorkCover – Convenor (Minutes)
APOLOGIES
Lachlan O’Neill
Mark Mullins
Chris Moody
Deborah Salkeld
Deidre Williams
Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association
Australian Retailers Association
NSW Chamber of Fruit & Vegetable Industries Inc
Self Insurers Association
Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union (NSW Branch)
The meeting began at 10:05 am
1. WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS AND APOLOGIES
The Convenor welcomed all members to the last joint Retail IRG and Wholesale IRG meeting
for 2006 and introduced Siew Kiang, Director, WorkCover’s Regulatory & Financial Services
Group, Michael Costello, Program Coordinator, WorkCover’s Statewide Programs Team, Ian
Eather, acting Manager, WorkCover’s IRG Branch and Peter Robinson, Team Coordinator,
WorkCover’s RWTS Team. The Convenor specially welcomed Roland Mann from Coles Myer
who will be replacing Vanne Wilkinson on this IRG.
Apologies were noted.
2. RETAIL/WHOLESALE UNCONFIRMED MINUTES
The minutes were moved by Greg Hatton and seconded by Bruno Mendoncca.
There were no matters arising from the previous minutes.
WorkCover. Watching out for you.
3.0 Presentation: Developments in Workers Compensation Division.
Siew Kiang, Director of Regulatory & Financial Services Group, provided an overview of the
recent developments/ changes in NSW workers compensation and WorkCover’s Workers
Compensation Division. She spoke to the Workers Compensation Division Report, which is
attached. Siew addressed the following points:

Scheme Valuation - WorkCover Scheme is in surplus for the first time in 15 years.

Apprentice Incentive Scheme - workers compensation premium relief scheme for
employers of apprentices in New South Wales will apply to policies renewed on or after 31
December 2006. There is no consideration being given to re-introducing the trainee
incentive scheme.

Workers Compensation Premium Rate Reduction - 5% reduction in workers
compensation premium rates will apply for policies commencing on or after 31 December
2006. This will be the third rate reduction since June 2005 resulting in a combined rate
reduction of 20% and savings to NSW employers of $560m per year.

Permanent Impairment Benefits Increase - permanent impairment benefit from 1
January 2007 will be increased by 10%.

Reducing Disputes in Workers Compensation. The Workers Compensation Legislation
Amendment (Miscellaneous Provision) Act 2005 included a number of efficiency
improvements for the workers compensation dispute resolution system.

Worker Status Rulings – WorkCover Advice Service – commenced on 13 October
2006 to help employers to determine which workers need to be included in their
compensation premiums. Employers can either contact WorkCover’s advice service for
assistance by telephone or use an interactive web-based self-assessment tool or, in more
complex cases, seek a definitive and binding private ruling to determine the status of a
worker for premium calculation purposes.
Discussion points:
 Jill Allen raised a ‘worker status ruling’ where one of her members completed the on-line
exercise, which resulted in a ‘contractor’ answer but an auditor, had said ‘employee’.
Convenors Note: WorkCover’s dedicated Worker Status Service hotline is: 1800 024 205
3.1 WorkCover's Internet Redesign Project
Lilania Kershaw of WorkCover’s Communication Group was called away at the last minute and
the presentation was given by John Robb. A copy of her presentation was distributed at the
meeting and is attached.
A quick survey of members attending the meeting indicated that all had visited WorkCover’s
website but none had enjoyed the experience.
WorkCover is seeking the view of IRG representatives on how they would the website to
operate. Comments may be forwarded through the Convenor or direct to:
Lilania Kershaw
Senior Online Communications Officer
Locked Bag 2906
Lisarow NSW 2252
Ph: 02-4321 5088
lilania.kershaw@workcover.nsw.gov.au
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3.2 Serious About Safe Business
Michael Costello, Program Coordinator of WorkCover’s Statewide Programs Team, provided a
presentation about the Serious About Safe Business initiative.
A core element of the initiative is the Serious About Safe Business Pack, which contains
system-based tools to help employers identify what is needed to make workplaces safer and
provides outlines on how to do it. It is a practical approach to help employers achieve
compliance. Members were sent a copy of the Serious About Safe Business pack in July /
August 2006.
The Pack is a practical three-step approach to help an employer achieve compliance:
 Step 1: How do you rate? – complete the checklist
 Step 2: How do you improve? – tools and guidance are provided
 Step 3: Where can I get assistance? – contact details are provided.
The checklist, tools and guidance focus on the following six management system elements:
 Management commitment
 Consultation
 Safe work procedures
 Training and supervision
 Reporting safety
 Workers compensation and return to work
Michael detailed the origins of the initiative and discussed a range of options developed to
address industry concerns, including discussion of the Workplace Improvement Framework’s
‘weighted compliance approach’ – assisting compliance, verifying compliance, and sanctions,
where the majority of WorkCover’s resources are channelled into assisting compliance.
Michael discussed a training program targeting employers, which takes employers through a
process leading toward compliance with legislation, without actually having to discuss the
legislative requirements. Concepts of risk management, controls, consultation, training and
supervision are introduced through the facilitation process. Action plans are then developed by
focusing on an activity, identifying issues needing to be addressed, and identifying what
actions are needed and who needs to be involved. Employers then present their action plan to
the group and receive feedback from their peers. Workshops take approximately 5 hours.
They are also being split into modules so that the workshop can be delivered in (shorter)
sections if employers are unable to commit five hours in one session.
Michael also advised of the introduction of the ‘Confirmation of Advice’ (CAR) sheet, which is
issued by Inspectors to assist employers in addressing safety-related concerns in their
workplace. Results of the pilot indicate the ‘Confirmation of Advice’ appeared to change how
the inspector gave advice – and that interaction was more positive / meaningful.
Discussion points:
 A risk management approach tends to concentrate on the risk assessment processes,
rather than on fixing the problem (risk controls).
 The ‘Due Diligence at Work: Guide’ (WorkCover cat # 0126, 1997) is not superseded by
the ‘Serious about safe Business Pack. The former is a ‘checklist for action on workplace
health and safety for company directors and managers’ while the Pack is pitched at small
to medium employers.
 It is conceivable that employers who tick in the green areas of the checklist may become
complacent and not continue to work on those areas.
 In relation to the CAR, what if the advice is not agreed by the employer or Inspector? The
CAR is not a ‘quasi notice’ and provides a written record of conversation.
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


CARs are a useful tool for the CABS Team, informing members of what is actually
happening in workplaces and indicating common issues that the Team may need to
address.
Inspectors initially commented that the CAR was ‘more paperwork’ but it is a useful tool
that looks like becoming part of normal operations.
Colin Long advised that the Serious About Safe Business Pack is simple to understand
and a very useful tool for small business operators. He congratulated WorkCover on a job
well done.
4.0 WORKCOVER REPORTS
4.1 OHS Division Report
Peter Robinson, Retail, Wholesale, Transport & Storage (RWTS) Team Coordinator, spoke to
the OHS Division report (Refer to Attachment 3).
Discussion points
National Certificates of Competency issued by WorkCover apply only to NSW and ACTdomiciled licence holders who want to apply/convert to a new National Certificate Of
Competency.
Action:
Convenor to respond back to Roland Mann Coles Myer Ltd regarding applying for a
new National Certificate of Competency if living in another state other than NSW.
Licence renewals can be done at Australia Post outlets across Australia. Only new applications
are restricted to NSW outlets.
A verification tool for Driver Fatigue Management Plans has been provided to an Industry
working party for comment and is expected to be released early in 2007 – following feedback.
RWTS Driver Fatigue Verification Program has just begun.
 Phase one – writing to approximately 350 employers advising of the fatigue legislation and
advising that their business may be visited by an inspector. Companies visited so far as
part of this verification program have shown a high level of compliance.
 Phase two is planned for March-April 2007. Phase two will involve visiting prescribed
consignors and consignees.
 There is a need to identify more consignors and consignees to get information to.
 Identifying who are consignors and consignees is difficult.
 The RWTS Team has conducted over 40 industry workshops and other workshops with
large trucking employers. Workshops have also been held in Victoria, South Australia and
Queensland
Manual Handling Program
 Intent is that guidance materials will be developed as a result of responses to
questionnaires.
 RWTS Team is looking at what work has already been done on MH in other jurisdictions,
including the UK HSE site
5.0 IRG COMMUNICATION
5.1 Information forwarded to members
The convenor circulated a list of Information forwarded to members in the past two months.
The Convenor asked members what they had done with this information (was it
circulated to constituents, posted on websites, in newsletters, etc).
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Attendees advised of methods or re-distributing IRG Branch email information as follows:
 Service Station Association Ltd – a separate flyer in the Association’s magazine
 Australian Meat Industry Council – info is edited an sent as a ‘group’ email
 Motor Traders Association of NSW –edits the information and uses in newsletters and
emails
 National Union of Workers – info used in quarterly state wide meetings and seminars.

5.2
IRG Member Survey
The outcomes of the IRG survey on information dissemination will be reported in 2007.
6.0 INDUSTRY REPORTS / EMERGING ISSUES
Ken McKell advised of the injury management seminars developed under WorkCover Assist
and provided to AMIC members:
Part of WorkCover Assist project was to develop an injury management kit, consisting of:
 Information booklet
 Loose leaf checklists
 Sample register of injuries
 Sample letter to Nominated Treating Doctor
 Checklist: developing a RTW plan
 Advice on how to fill out WorkCover documentation
 Fraud forms
 Standard RTW program
 WorkCover ‘watching out for you’ poster
 Bandsaw safety poster and sticker
 Kit was advertised through AMIC publications, at trade shows, follow-up phone calls and
during site visits
 Kit can be provided on a CD but not on a website
 Progressing a request to have the kit placed on WorkCover website
 Seminar start was 1915 hrs, lasting about 1.5 hrs
 Seminars were based on the booklet content: what to have in place before an injury, what
to do if an injury occurs, and (the primary focus) how to successfully manage return-towork.
Action: Convenor to respond back to Ken McKell regarding making available the AMIC injury
management kit on the WorkCover website.
An email would need to be sent to Tanya O'Donnell
mailto:tanya.odonnell@workcover.nsw.gov.au in the planning, performance and research unit
of WorkCover requesting if the kit can be put on the WorkCover website, they will create a link
back to the kit on the AMIC website.
7.0 PRIORITY AREA/PROJECTS
7.1 Falls on the same level Project
The Convenor Retail provided the following update of the Retail falls project:
 The working party is currently developing draft solutions focused case study type
documents including: Spills and other contamination, Housekeeping and work design,
Return to work and Environmental Issues
 The working party has developed a draft poster addressing hazards associated with falls in
a grocery isle
 Currently awaiting feedback from Ritchies IGA regarding the draft poster
 All case studies will be forwarded to Ritchies IGA for piloting when they are complete
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7.2 Violence Project
The Convenor provided the following update of the project:
 Seminars have been conducted to date in Wyong, Burwood, Parramatta and Newcastle.
 In the fourth week of October 2006 seminars will be conducted at Coffs Harbour and
Tweed Heads and then the following week at Orange, Shellharbour, Campbelltown and
Liverpool
 The seminar format includes a presentation from representatives of WorkCover, NSW
Police Service and industry
 Members are requested to continue to promote the forthcoming seminars
 Members are welcome to make available for each seminar any violence publications they
have produced
7.3 Traffic Management Project
The Convenor advised that the working party will be meeting following the IRG meeting and
will continue to develop a draft traffic management plan checklist, the working party has been
reviewing and further developing the draft document
8.0 OTHER BUSINESS
The BAU is conducting workshops; refer to the WorkCover BAU site for details.
The convenor thanked Mark Mullins, Deborah Salkeld and Vanne Wilkinson for their
involvement as representatives on the Retail IRG.
9.
NEXT MEETING:
13:30 – 16:30pm
14 February 2007
WorkCover CBD South
300 Elizabeth Street, Sydney
MEETING CLOSED: 12:30pm
Dianne Alchin
Retail IRG and Wholesale IRG Convenor
Phone: 02 4321 5045
Fax:
02 9287 5045
Mobile: 0422007257
Email: dianne.alchin@workcover.nsw.gov.au
Attachments
1. Workers Compensation Division Report
2. Presentation Notes: WorkCover’s Internet Redesign Project
3. Occupational Health and Safety Division Report
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