Appendix H
Occupational health and safety
Occupational health and safety policies
The Archives updated its occupational health and safety (OH&S) policy and OH&S Agreement, and is developing an OH&S Strategic Plan, which will focus on:
- injury prevention and risk management;
- raising awareness, manager obligations and responsibilities;
- improved OH&S governance and management reporting;
- work–life balance initiatives; and
- reduction in psychological injuries, including leadership development, team development and job design.
Other polices under development are on workplace harassment and fitness for duty.
OH&S committees and representatives
All Archives’ offices have a health and safety representative onsite and deal with OH&S matters either through a committee or, where not required due to the size of the office, through staff meetings. Health and safety representative vacancies were filled in accordance with the Archives’ OH&S Agreement.
Health and safety measures
The Archives provided flu shots to employees free of charge as part of the Certified Agreement 2004–07. Approximately 170 employees participated.
To promote a supportive working environment, the Archives provided staff with access to an employee assistance program, including financial and career counselling. Home-based work arrangements are also available to staff.
The Archives provided training on setting up workstations, strategies for avoiding occupational overuse syndrome and strategies for manual handling. Training was also provided to First Aid Officers (refresher and senior first aid for new officers) and to Harassment Contact Officers (for new staff undertaking the role).
Incidents and investigations
During 2004–05:
- No formal investigations were carried out.
- One incident was reported to Comcare under section 68 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991.
- No directions were given to the Archives under section 45 of the Act, and no notices were given to the Archives under sections 29, 46 and 47 of the Act.