Health & Safety
Stakeholder Reference Group
30th May 2013
2 – 4pm
Level 7, 222 Exhibition Street
Agenda
Time
Agenda item
2.00
Minutes/Action Items
2.05
Stakeholder Charter Update
2:10
Legislation Policy Update
2:40
HSR Training Update
3:10
Occupational Disease
3:30
ISSCR Update
4:05
Close
Apologies, Minutes, Actions
Apologies
Previous Minutes - SRG dated 24 April 2013
Action items from previous meeting
Stakeholder Charter Update
Legislation, Policy and Information
Services
Angela Jolic, Cath Duane &
Linda Timothy
Code of Practice for the Storage and
Handling of Dangerous Goods
• Proposed Code of Practice was released for public
comment on 4 April
• Public comment period ended on 2 May 2013
• 16 submissions received
• Code likely to be completed in July 2013
Page 6
OHS Regulations Reform update
Amending Regulation
-to be completed by July 2014
-affected stakeholders will be consulted
Replacement of the Regulations - commencing in 2013:
-Manual handling
-Plant & high risk work
-Hazardous substances and materials (including carcinogens and
lead)
-Major hazard facilities and mines
Page 7
Manual Handling Code and
Regulations
• Work on review of Manual Handling Code and Regulations
has commenced
• Nominations have been sought and first stakeholder
consultation meeting to be held late June
• Code expected to be made available for a 28 day public
comment period late 2013 / early 2014
Page 8
Report on national OHS forums
Strategic Issues Group Meeting - held on 29 April 2013
• Progress on the response to the recommendations of the
Parliamentary Inquiry on Workplace Bullying
• WHS Implementation Issues
• Model Codes of Practice
• National Guidance Material
• Exposure Standards Review
• Research reports
• ACT Construction Industry report
Page 9
Regulators Harmonisation Project

Next RHP Steering Committee meeting: 12 June
2013
 Remaining RHP work




Operational procedures for dealing with applications
for authorisations
Harmonised guidance on various topics
Common criteria for considering
suspension/revocation of authorisations
Continuing post-implementation review/revision of
previously-endorsed deliverables
 Next HWSA meeting: 2 July 2013
Page 10
Any questions?
Page 11
Reinvigorating the Modern Regulator
Focus Update
Cath Duane
Reinvigorating our focus as a ‘modern
regulator’
• Articulate what being a 'modern regulator' means
- context of WorkSafe 2017
- build on the work undertaken post 2004 Maxwell Review
- take account of evolved thinking since 2004
• Assess how well WorkSafe applies all regulatory tools
across the spectrum (from encourage and support through
to inspect and enforce) in a "balanced" manner
• Recommendations for action to achieve the desired
'modern regulator' state
Page 13
Reinvigorating our focus as a
‘modern regulator’
• Project mentioned at April SRG
• Follow-up discussion between Cath Duane and Cathy
Butcher/Barry Durham
• Introduction to project and preliminary input:
• Employer association representatives, 20 May
• Union officers, 28 May
• First meeting of External Reference Group
(5 + 5 from SRG), mid-June (date TBC)
Page 14
HSR Training Update
Carolyn Kennedy
HSR Training Review –
Progress to date and where to next…

Recap on last 7 months:
• Context – Caple recommendations & SWA Training Materials
• WorkSafe’s proposed responses (options)
• WorkSafe’s response
• Timeframes for response / implementation

Quick overview:
• HSR Training Course Application Package
(Provider-developed courses)

Where to next?
• Release of WorkSafe-developed ‘off-shelf’ course
• Future administration of course applications/approvals
Page 16
SWA-TAG Package of HSR Training
Materials – 2012

How to become an Approved Provider of HSR Training
(Submission requirements and Approval Conditions)

Introduction to the HSR Training Package
(Underpinning Principles and Learning Outcomes)
•
Package developed and approved through extensive tripartite
consultation
•
Informs content of HSR Training Course Application Package…
Page 17
WorkSafe’s response to Caple’s
recommendations – 2012
Three responses proposed:
1. Retain current Victorian package of HSR training materials - with
re-focus on HSRs as primary audience
2. Implement SWA package of HSR training materials - adapted to
Victorian OHS laws / context
3. Implement SWA package of HSR training materials PLUS offer a
WorkSafe-developed training course

SRG informed of proposed responses: 27 September 2012

Providers’ opportunity to provide feedback: 23 November 2012

SRG advised of WorkSafe’s decision to proceed with Response 3:
29 November 2012

Providers advised of decision : 4 December 2012
Page 18
Timeframes – Response 3
(advised 29/11 and 4/12)
Course Application Package:
Provider developed courses
Released 8 April 2013
Course Application Package:
WorkSafe-developed course
Due for release
6 August 2013
Providers develop and submit
courses for approval
By 1 October 2013
Providers obtain approval of
courses
Before 31 December 2013
New HSR training courses
Approved for delivery
effective 1 January 2014
Note: the above timeframes relate only to existing approved providers
Page 19
HSR Training Course Application
Package (Provider-developed)


Part 1: Requirements for making a submission for approval
-
Applying to become an approved provider (and renewing
approved provider status)
-
What to include in a submission
-
Conditions of Approval
-
Use of logo and copyright, and advertising specifications
-
Supporting materials (incl. Forms, Templates, Samples)
Part 2: Requirements for developing training course materials
-
Learning Outcomes
-
Underpinning Principles
-
Example of an Instructional Design Model
-
Supporting materials (incl. further information and Templates)
Page 20
Key activities:
remainder 2013 and into 2014

Release of WorkSafe-developed course: 6 August 2013
•
HSR ‘user testing’: 10 – 17 July
•
Trainer ‘useability testing’: 22 July
Presentation to SRG: 25 July 2013

Development of processes (incl. Conditions of Approval) to
manage provider applications / approvals in 2014 +
•
Initial focus on new providers seeking approval to deliver WorkSafedeveloped course
•
Refer DRAFT ‘Options paper’
Seeking SRG feedback to support ongoing development
Page 21
Key activities:
remainder 2013 and into 2014

Acceptance of applications from new providers in 2014
•
Provider-developed courses: from 1 April
•
WorkSafe-developed courses: post-evaluation of course (after 1 July)
DRAFT proposal for evaluation criteria to SRG: 24 October 2013

Post-Approval Monitoring (QA) processes: post 1 January 2014
•
Informed by HWSA document ‘Monitoring Compliance with the
Conditions of Approval
•
Based on Conditions of Approval for both course types
DRAFT proposal to SRG: 24 October 2013
Page 22
Occupational Disease
Marissa Deeble
Jason Howard
Occupational Disease is…
• (disease) A morbid condition of the body, or of some
organ or part3
• Usually results from repeated or long-term exposure to an
agent or event1 in the workplace
• Most commonly, multifactorial in nature1
• Difficult to link cause and effect2
• Tend to have long latency periods1
• Tend to be under-reported in claims statistics1
• A national priority under the 2012-2022 National OHS
Strategy
• Musculoskeletal disorders
1 Safe Work Australia. Occupational disease indicators. 2010
2 Safe Work Australia. National Strategy 2012-2022.
3 Macquarie Concise Dictionary Fourth Edition
•
•
•
•
•
Mental disorders
Cancer (including skin)
Asthma
Contact Dermatitis
Noise- induced hearing loss
Implementation of 2002-2012
National OHS Strategy
• In briefing sessions for 2012-2022 National OHS Strategy
> Loss of momentum in occupational diseases in 2002-2012 National OHS
Strategy
• In WorkSafe Victoria
> Program of work for Asbestos
> Operations addressed disease through
Occupational Disease & Workplace
Chemical Projects
> Continued regulatory function
Hazardous Substances, Lead,
Asbestos, Carcinogens
How do we know the impact of
occupational diseases?
• Over reliance on claims data not recommended
> Low number of claims1
> Inconsistent reporting of chemical agency of injury1
• We can be informed by
> Claims data - but limited
> Incident data - collected within & outside of WorkSafe
> Research
- It is estimated that for every fatal occupational accident in Australia
there are 30 fatalities associated with occupational diseases2
> Health Surveillance (reinforcing research)
• Look at Hazard Surveillance
> WorkSafe Victoria
> SafeWork Australia
1. WorkSafe Victoria. Workplace chemicals strategy 2010
2. .Hamalainen, P., Saarela, K. L., & Takala, J. (2009). Global trend according to estimated number of occupational accidents and fatal work
related diseases at region and country level. Journal of Safety Research (40), 125-139
Using local and national community
perceptions to inform exposure
• Perceived
Hazard Surveillance by Safe
Work Australia and WorkSafe
Vic
Other information sources
Noise
20% Victorian – daily1
28% National2
Chemicals, flammable liquids
& gasses
23% Victorian – daily1
37% National4
Airborne substances: Dust,
gases, vapours, smoke,
fumes & other
19% Victorian1
39.5% National5
Skin contact with Chemical
Substances
23% Victorian - daily1
•Safe Work Australia Reports
•NOHSC Codes of Practice
•ISCRR Research
•Academic Papers
•Australian Institute of Health
and Welfare
•MUARC Research
•Department of Health,
Victoria
UV Radiation
22% Victorian1
34% National3
1. WorkSafe Victoria. Victorian Hazard Exposure Surveillance, July to December 2012
2. Safe Work Australia. National Hazard Exposure Surveillance: Noise exposure and the provision of noise control measures in Australian workplaces. January 2010
3. Safe Work Australia. National Hazard Exposure Surveillance: Exposure to direct sunlight and provision of sun exposure controls in Australian workplaces. January
2010
4. Safe Work Australia. National Hazard Exposure Surveillance: Chemical exposure and the provision of chemical exposure control measures in Australian
workplaces. January 2010
5. Safe Work Australia. National Hazard Exposure Surveillance: Exposure to dust, gases, vapours, smoke and fumes and the provision of controls for these airborne
hazards in Australian workplaces January 2010
We started in 2011….
• WorkSafe started collecting thoughts and evidence in 2011
on Respiratory Disease, Noise and Dermatitis in
consultation with:
> Unions,
> Employer Associations,
> Community Awareness organisations (Asthma Foundation,
Deafness Foundation & Skin and Cancer Foundation),
> Occupational Disease Physicians,
> Hazard Control providers,
> Internal WorkSafe stakeholders (Hygienists, Health Services
Group) and
> Safe Work Australia
• Lets start by reflecting on where we got to….
Next steps:
Respiratory Disease, Noise & Dermatitis?
WorkSafe Health
Services Group
WorkSafe External
Affairs
WorkSafe Hygiene
Unit
Prevention Strategy
Division
Develop a
Union
Representatives
Program Logic
(problem statement
through to
projects/activities)
WorkSafe
Inspectorate
WorkSafe Self
Insurance Division
Employer Association
Representatives
WorkSafe
Enforcement
Group
Agents
Community
Partners
WorkSafe Injury
Support & Services
WorkSafe Policy
ISSCR Update
Niki Ellis
ISCRR Proposed
Research priorities for
2013-2014
WSV External Reference Group 30 May
2013
31
Background
ISCRR established in April 2009 with funding for five
years:
• A tripartite initiative with WorkSafe, the Transport
Accident Commission and Monash University.
• A second contract for neurotrauma research to be
managed by ISCRR agreed between TAC and
Monash in 2012.
ISCRR has dual objectives of
• conducting high quality research; and
• having an impact on the performance of its industry
partners and their stakeholders.
32
Achievements to date
• Created an award winning system for developing and
conducting collaborative research
• Developed a model for assessing return on investment
in research
• As at October 2012, 30 projects had produced output,
27 had been used by one of our partners or their
stakeholders. Of these 17 had an impact.
• Measured return on $ investment in research.
• Exceeded academic targets for collaboration/journal
articles/conference presentations/academic grants.
• As at Feb 2013, 63 projects underway, 21 in
development, 42 projects completed.
• To date, $20M committed to research ($1.5M
33
uncommitted; $3.5M support)
Alignment of research programs
Program
Target Business
Unit
External
Stakeholder
OHS
WorkSafe OH&S
Division
Employers, Trade
Unions, Clients
RTW and Recovery
WorkSafe IS&S
Division
Employers,
Occupational
Rehabilitation
Providers, Lawyers,
Clients
Health and
Disability Service
Delivery
WorkSafe/TAC
Health and
Disability Strategy
Group
Health and Disability
Service Providers,
Clients
Neurotrauma
WorkSafe/TAC
Health and
Disability Strategy
Group
TAC Independence
claims branch
Health and Disability
Service Providers,
Clients
34
From research to impact
• ISCRR leads the research development, activity and
output stages of research and supports partners to
adopt the research
• Industry partners play an active role in the use and
translation of research output
• Stakeholders engaged in annual research planning
and in the use and translation of research output
35
ISCRR research program priorities
Occupational
Health and Safety
Return to Work
and Recovery
Health and
Disability
Services
Neurotrauma
Research
Manual Handling
Ageing workforce
and RTW
Mental health and
secondary mental
injury
Models of lifetime
care
Mental Wellbeing
Primary mental
health conditions
Rising
paramedical/allied
health costs
Improving
rehabilitation and
disability
management
Integration between Secondary
public health and
consequences of
OHS
injury
Provider
performance
management and
measurement
Bench to Bedside
Leading indicators
of safe workplace
Client/Systems
interactions
Service models of
attendant care
support
Capacity building
Regulatory
behaviour and
investment
Economic
incentives for RTW
Assistive
technology
36
Occupational Health &
Safety
Twofold focus for 2013-2014
• Completing and realising the value of the program underway
⁻ 11 active projects ranging from rapid reviews to multi-year projects
⁻ The main area of longer term activity is development of lead indicators as a
viable measure of OHS
⁻ Completing 2 newly funded (investigator driven) development grants – one
will explore safety communication and the other will explore driver seating
modification
• Developing/initiating new research projects in key strategic priority areas
arising from the WorkSafe 2017 Strategy
⁻ Manual Handling – make up 40% of claims. Have a higher than average,
increasing cost
⁻ Mental Wellbeing – transitioning from a reactive to proactive approach
⁻ Integration b/n public health and OHS –synergies b/n workplace OHS &
worker health
⁻ Regulatory behaviour and investment – optimisation of prevention tools
37
Efficacy of crush protection devices
for Quad bikes
1. Evidence review – Examined eighteen primary
references
2. Update review 12 months later - reviewed the
conclusions and recommendations provided by
recently published research relating to the use
of Crush Protection Devices (CPDs) on Quad
bikes.
Computer generated representation of the simulated Quad bike,
(left) fitted with design tested in 20079; (right) fitted with the
slightly revised and retested in 20128
Key findings
• Appropriately designed and
tested CPDs demonstrate the
potential to reduce injuries and
fatalities arising from the use of
Quad bikes.
• The large reported increase in
injury risk reported for
unhelmeted riders using a CPD
was found to be a
misepresentation of the true
results,
• Contrary to what the report
implies, the CPD tested actually
returned a predicted
improvement in the inury
risk/benefit ratio for unhelmeted
riders.
38
Other Business
Close
Next SRG meeting
27thJune 2013
2pm – 4pm