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Welcome to the first edition of Inside Risk, Hartman Thomas’s risk management newsletter. In each edition we will provide you with information to keep you up to date and help you better manage business risks. Included will be information on changes to workers compensation and occupational health and safety legislation, standards and codes of practice, information on management of hazards and government, scheme and industry initiatives – at a state and national level.
We have also recently launched our new website. The new site makes it easier for you to search and enquire about our services. You can even book training online.
In this issue
- Harmonisation of OHS legislation
- New National Approval Framework for Rehabilitation Providers
- Safe Work Australia week
- Manual handling injuries cost business
Harmonisation of OHS Legislation
The proposed new occupational and safety legislation is underway and is set to harmonise all OHS legislations across Australia. This will ensure consistency throughout the nation with one set of laws.
Currently all states and territories are responsible for making and enforcing their own OHS laws resulting in inconsistencies, inequitable safety standards and confusion for businesses across jurisdictions. The proposed new OHS laws, currently being developed by Safe Work Australia, will consist of a model Act, supported by model Codes of Practice that can be easily adopted in each jurisdiction. The new laws are set to be implemented by December 2011.
New National Approval Framework for Rehabilitation Providers
The new Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers is currently being developed.
A working group has been commissioned by the Head of Workers’ Compensation Authorities (HWCA) to consider a national accreditation model for occupational rehabilitation providers. The working group consists of Comcare, WorkSafe Vic, WorkCover SA, WorkCover NSW, WorkCover WA, WorkCover Tasmania, ACT Workers Compensation and NT Workers Compensation.
This new framework will provide a more uniform approach to workplace rehabilitation service definitions and expectations of workplace rehabilitation providers, and will provide a robust approval system across participating workers’ compensation authorities. It will establish practice principles designed to deliver high quality workplace rehabilitation services to workers, employers and insurers.
The new framework is set to commence 1 July 2010.
Safe Work Australia Week
Safe Work Australia Week is being celebrated nationally this week - 25 to 31 October 2009.
This is a good opportunity for business and workers to focus on safety in their workplace.
According to Safe Work Australia figures, over 135,000 Australian workers are injured each year at a total cost to the economy of $57.5 billion dollars. The cost to individual injured workers in terms of their health, their lifestyle and their ability to return to work can also be high.
It’s not too late to get your workplace involved in Safe Work Australia Week and make your workplace a safer and healthier place. Here are a few simple ideas:
- Hold an office clean up day to ensure a safe and clean workplace.
- Schedule a workplace risk inspection to identify any hazards.
- Check whether your safety and injury policies and procedures are up to date and, if not, schedule in a time to review them soon.
- Hold a discussion session with your staff to talk about health and safety issues in their area.
Let us help you review and develop your policies and procedures. We also conduct audits and workplace inspections. Find out more about our OHS services.
Manual Handling Injuries Cost Business 
Manual handling is one of the highest causes of workplace injury in Australia costing businesses in direct workers compensation claims cost and lost productivity.
Almost all workers undertake some form of manual handling in the course of their work. A person can be injured when lifting, moving, pulling, pushing, holding or restraining anything from files, tools, equipment and even people.
Taking a risk management approach to manual handling ensures you identify and assess the manual handling risks in your workplace and put in place controls to minimise them. Removing the need to undertake manual handling tasks is ideal but often not possible so it is important to induct staff in correct manual handling techniques and provide relevant training ongoing so that they maintain these skills.
We can work with you to identify and manage your manual handling risks and prevent workplace accidents and injury. We also offer public and tailored, on-site and train the trainer manual handling training courses.
We have places currently available for our Manual Handling courses in NSW on 24 November 2009 (Surry Hills) and 21 December 2009 (Parramatta).
From Our Clients
”The managers that I dealt with kept in regular contact and went the extra mile to ensure that their services were tailored to suit the needs of our organisation. We have been very happy with the value for money Hartman Thomas provided and would recommend their services."
Rhian Preston
Respite and Recreation Manager, Southern Sydney Therapy Centre
About Hartman Thomas
Hartman Thomas is a national risk management firm specialising in health and safety, workers compensation, emergency management and training solutions for business. Our services are designed to assist business to manage risks, ensure the health and safety of their staff and improve productivity.
