CSG Posts
Cancer Council NSW together with EML (Employer Mutual Limited) are running an Employer Forum in Melbourne to gain insight from an employers’ perspective on outdoor worker sun safety.
Workshop objectives:
Help workplace leaders better understand the risks that UV radiation presents for outdoor workers.
Outline the suggested risk controls based on the available evidence.
Explore what implementation strategies would be helpful for workplaces.
Date: Wednesday 28th May
Time: 8am for light breakfast for 8.30AM start – 10.30AM
Venue: FLEX on BOURKE: 500 Bourke St, Melbourne
RSVP BY 26 MAY: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thanks to our former speaker, Shannon Jones from Sunsmart, for alerting us to this. Financial members can re-visit her excellent presentation from November last year, co-presented with Dominic Melling from the Victorian Trades Hall Council & CSG committe member: Here comes the sun (log in first).
I hope that, like me, you occasionally experience a revelatory conversation about occupational health and safety. My latest one was when I asked a colleague for clarification on what is meant by "financial underwriting model". This phrase came up in a discussion about the business blockages to OHS progress.
My understanding is that it refers to the reasons for a company's inability to change its business activities and production processes as quickly as one would want to in order to address occupational hazards and risks. OHS advocates, myself included, often wonder why organisational changes cannot be made to address hazards that we see as fundamental and inexcusable. This wonderment is compounded by OHS guidance from WorkSafe and others that inform us of the changes needed to comply with the law, but without discussion of the legitimate business pressures that restrict progress.
The conversation I had was with someone who explained that employers often hesitate to make necessary OHS changes, because they will complicate the production process, especially if the employer has invested significant capital into equipment, plant or facilities. Making processes safer may require significant redesign of machines or cultural change that will disrupt processes that are vital to the business' continuing success.
To begin the shift to safety improvements, OHS advocates need to explain how it will generate a return on the investment. And by ROI, this is not just the money received from the OHS changes to be made, but also a calculation of the cost of affecting that change, of redesigning the work, of changing culture, or replacing significant influencers who may also be hazardous.
I don't know about you, but I am crap at running a business. My last lesson in economics was a unit of Consumer Studies in high school in the 1970s. I have next to no financial literacy, yet I advise companies on the OHS changes that are needed to comply with their legislative obligations. I accept responsibility for that illiteracy, but I also note that nowhere in any of the OHS courses I have attended has the financial underwriting model been discussed. I also cannot find any discussion of this in the various guidances issued by OHS regulators or even Safe Work Australia.
I am seriously considering my colleague's advice about looking for a suitable project management course or a "finance for non-finance people" course. Maybe someone can develop a seminar or course specifically for the OHS context.
Kevin Jones https://safetyatworkblog.com/
CSG financial member Catherine Itman gave us an inspirational presentation in April as she outlined the work she, her team and her manager do at Industry Super Property Trust (ISPT).
She demonstrated what happens when you achieve two of the OHS ideals: safety leadership at the Executive level + safety and business decisions working together for mutual benefit - a situation many of us aspire to in our organisations.
ISPT owns a wide variety of commercial properties, and their purview ranges from large contruction projects to operating properties, such as shopping villages. Management and maintenance of the properties are outsourced and, therefore, ISPT's procurement process needs to be vigorous, with safety as the #1 value and with an ongoing active relationship to ensure safety standards are met.
A major component of ISPT's success is the use of data to inform decision-making. Catherine explained how data needs to be of high quality and accessible to all in order to be effective, and she gave examples of this.
Catherine's team was formed 9 years ago by the current manager who, by all accounts, is a very committed individual who has done a lot to create the positive safety culture within the organisation. A question that came up at the end of the talk was how much this person is key to maintaining that culture, especially once they move on in the future. Catherine feels that the culture is so embedded now that it would survive such a move.
There was much in the presentation that can be applied to any workplace. On top of that, with many of us having our superannuation with industry super funds, it was fascinating to learn about the OHS principles underpinning them.
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Our March speaker, Tristan Casey, zoomed in from Brisbane; luckily ex-tropical cyclone Alfred had moved on, so the technology hung in there!
Tristan shared some very interesting research about issues with safety communication and the effects they can have on the safety climate of an organisation. One study looked at the "White Noise" problem of saying too much, while another looked at the "Tumbleweeds" problem of saying too little.
His own research was the main focus of the talk, however, and he honed in on the skills required by Supervisors to communicate effectively, as they are important conduits for this. He presented practical tips based on his research, including a project he undertook in collaboration with the recruitment agency Protech. The presentation package on our website includes his WHS Communications Guidelines developed for the Rural Safety & Health Alliance, as well as the white paper he produced from his work with Protech.
Our own Rob D'Elsini, who is a WHS Business Partner at Protech, contributed to the presentation by talking about how they have used Tristan's insights to improve safety comminication at all levels in their organisation as well as with their clients. One example is starting a toolbox talk with a discussion called STCKY: Stuff That Could Kill You -if that doesn't grab people's attention, I don't know know what would!
A big take-away from the presentation, and the subsequent audience discussion, is how we need to tailor and adapt communication to different cohorts and embrace the emerging technological tools available to us. There is certainly a great deal of innovation developing and it was great to have Tristan and Rob share some of their innovative ideas.
Financial members can access the full presentation on the CSG website. Also, check out last year's presentation from Troy Winn A visual approach to inductions (log in first); it was a great example of how to improve Supervisors' communication skills through the use of short videos.
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The Parliament House dining room was buzzing on Friday the 6th December 2024 when Central Safety Group welcomed almost 40 guests to our annual networking lunch. Comprising mostly financial members and all of the CSG committee, it was a wonderful opportunity for us to meet up face-to-face and enjoy some good food at the same time.
It was a relaxed, informal event, but there were also a couple of short speeches of acknowledgement. Our President, Nan Austin, reflected on the past year of speakers and events, looking forward to offering members more great content in the year to come. She also made special mention of Ollie Matthews (pictured here), who was celebrating his 50th year as a CSG member -what an amazing achievement, not to mention the huge contributions he has made to the group over those years.
David Caple thanked the CSG Committee for their efforts in 2024 and asked us all to take a bow! Thank you, David, and also for your continuing support as a member and as an extremely popular annual speaker.
Everyone had a great time and we have already started planning our 2025 event. It is thanks to our Financial members and Corporate members that we are able to host this important networking event each year.
Log in to view the Photo Gallery and re-live that special event.
On the 11th February 2025, Central Safety Group held its 2024 AGM.
Our Secretary for the last 5 years, Heather Turner, did not re-nominate to be on the Committee and so there have been a few changes and additions. The CSG Committee for 2025 comprises:
It's great to have new members on the Commitee, not only for succession planning, but also to bring fresh ideas to benefit all members.
A special thanks to Heather Turner for being a wonderful Secretary, whose attention to detail ensured our smooth transition into becoming an Incorporated Association. She has certainly been keeping us on the straight and narrow! Heather remains a financial member of CSG, so we will continue to see her at our events. Meanwhile, we thank her for the great contribution she has made to our group.
There were no proposals put forward at this year's AGM; fees for both levels of membership will remain the same for 2026.
We discussed the December networking event. The 2024 event at Parliament House was enjoyed by many, but the Committee organisers had a few issues to deal with behind the scenes, including the fact that the charge per person increased significantly after we had already booked the venue and advertised the event. As a result we will not be returning there this year.
Instead we would like to try something new by engaging caterers at a venue large enough for 40+ attendees to sit down in a more informal setting. We are asking members if they have access to a suitable venue or could recommend one to us. If you can help us out, or have any other suggestions to contribute to CSG in general, please go to the Contact US section on our home page and let us know. Your feedback is always appreciated.
Many thanks to those who attended the AGM as we look forward to another great year!
Log in to view the Minutes, Annual Report and Financial Statement.
It is becoming a fixture on the CSG calendar to have Helen O'Keefe present at our February event and what a popular speaker she is. Her succinct and informative insights into OHS employment trends are always of interest and a great way to kick off the year ahead.
Helen began by reviewing where the jobs were in 2024 and what that means for us in 2025. One trend is the degree of change in job and department titles and functions. For instance the terms "OHS" & "HSE" are now out-dated, having been superceded by "HSW" as the current flavour of the month.
However, that is the least of the changes one needs to come to grips with. It was fascinating to hear Helen talk about impacts of AI on recruitment, such as the use of BOTS to weed out CVs into a shortlist and, subsequently, the decline in a more personal aspect of recruitment. Helen gave some great tips on how to manage this, including explaining the importance of a LinkedIn profile.
It was interesting to learn that January 2025 was not the quiet month as is traditional in Helen's field, so there is plenty to explore for those seeking new positions. One possible factor is that businesses are increasingly demanding workers return to the office, which could spark resignations.
We thank Helen for both her informative presentation and her generous sponsorship of our event venue, the Regus Yarra Room with its wonderful view from the top floor of 120 Collins Street.
Financial members can watch the full presentation on the CSG website. If you are looking for a new job check out www.hoktalentsolutions.com.au
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One of our excellent speakers from the November event, Shannon Jones from Sunsmart, has shared a valuable new resource available on the SunSmart website, the Stakeholder Toolkit: SunSmart Workplaces
The toolkit includes:
SunSmart resources for your workplace - you can download a guide to skin cancer and outdoor work as well as a sample sun protection policy. Yoou can also download workplace posters and brochures to promote sun safety.
UV safety training for workers - SunSmart has a range of online and in-person UV safety training programs and education that can be tailored to your workplace.
Content to share - you will find social media content, including 6 different posts. There are also email & newsletter templates.
The content reminds us that we need to consider sun protection all year round due to the dangers of UV exposure. It's not just an issue when the sun shines brightly in summer!
Occupational health and safety (OHS) seems to fluctuate between being simple and complex depending on who you talk to. The principles and values of safety are simple to understand, but can be complex to apply. Safety processes may seem complex, but their purpose and outcome appear simple and are widely understood.
Often our OHS conversations build from the simple. What do you want? What outcome are you looking for? Why do you want this? Has something happened to require change? Have you tried to improve OHS previously? Why did it fail or not proceed?
Such questions build a scope of works, a profile of the client and a context for the services and advice that you will be providing. Honest conversations make the rest of the process fairly simple to identify and write out.
Complexity does not often come from OHS, but from how a company must change to accommodate whatever level of safety and health the employer decides is appropriate. Here lies the challenge, the disruption and, yes, the cost.
Your advice may tell the client what they should do to meet their OHS aims, but not often tell them how to do. The “How” is the responsibility of the employer in consultation with the employees (and perhaps an OHS specialist, if necessary). We may help, but we should not do.
It is particularly useful to think about this as we enter the Christmas and holiday periods where unusual work-related activities occur, when people are often thinking about things other than work and when the usual level of resources can be lower.
Kevin Jones https://safetyatworkblog.com/
What a timely presentation this was, especially as we were enjoying a lovely 25 degree day in Melbourne. It seemed like quite a benign day, but Shannon Jones from Sunsmart soon disabused us of that idea: the UV index was 8, which meant that the exposure standard would be exceeded after only 10 minutes in the sun. This was just one of the eye-opening nuggets of information throughout both Shannon's and Dominic's presentations.
Shannon explained the difference between temperature and UV and how the former is no indication of the latter. For instance, a couple of years ago in January, there was a day of 38 degrees when the UV index was 9.9; two days later the temperature was 21 degrees, but the UV index was 10.5. Because UV radiation can't be seen or felt, one needs to be aware of the UV index. One way is via one of Sunsmart's many free resources, the Global UV App: https://www.sunsmart.com.au/resources/sunsmart-app.
Shannon also provided guidance on protective clothing, including a hint on how you can easily check your clothing's protective qualities. She emphasised how clothing is more important than sunscreen and encouraged us to "get to know your skin".
Dominic Melling focussed on heat exposure, both outdoors and indoors. The effects are more than those that immediately come to mind, such as heat stress and heat stroke. Extreme heat can also affect motor skills as well as increase irritability. There is also evidence in the construction industry to show how a rise in temperature correlates to a rise in WorkCover claims.
Dominic pointed to a number of resources, but said that the WorkSafe Victoria 2-page guidance note is a good place to start: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/resources/working-heat.
Both presentations were so full of information that the video of the event is highly recommended. There is a minor glitsch around the 43-minute mark, but it doesn't affect your viewing.
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FREE webinar -AI in audits and certification
Join Intact Systems and Exemplar Global, who will be presenting an insightful and forward-looking webinar on the impact of artificial intelligence on management system standard certification and auditing processes.
In this one-hour session, Jochen Kleboth, Intact’s Head of Analytics and AI, will lead you through the latest developments in AI applications for certification and auditing, sharing his expert insights into the AI-driven future of conformity assessments. He will cover:
*How AI is streamlining and enhancing auditing and certification
*Insights from real-world applications
*What to expect in the future of AI for management systems
The webinar is aimed at auditors, trainers, quality/environmental/health & safety managers, or anyone who plays a role in compliance and certification.
The webinar is taking place on Wednesday, November 27th at 1:00pm EST -that's Eastern Standard Time in the US, which means for those on the East coast of Australia it is taking place on Thursday, November 28th at 5:00am. Don't worry if you're not an early riser, though, because anyone unable to attend live, will receive the recorded video link later, so long as they have registered for the event. Click on this link to register.
All who attend are eligible to earn CPD credits to further professional development.
Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the future of certification through the lens of AI. They look forward to seeing you there!
Daryan Rosic was thrown in the deep end when our original speaker from Allianz became unavailable and he has only been with the organisation for a few weeks. However, he was more than capable of dealing with the situation and gave a comprehensive and fascinating presentation.
Daryan began by presenting valuable information from extensive research undertaken by Allianz in partnership with other organisations over a number of years. One of the key messages from this research is that workplaces need to be open to new ways of working and a diverse workforce. This is the area Daryan focussed on.
It is inevitable that more and more younger people are entering the workforce, and this can create a generational divide. Daryan offered a number of tips to break down this divide and support diversity and wellbeing in the workplace.
In fact, Allianz is demonstrating this in their own workplace: since 2021 they have run a traineeship program with Jigsaw Australia to provide work opportunities for neurodiverse people. Daryan explained what a benefit it has been for the organisation and how it fits with his notion of "psychological ergonomics". That is where a role is created to fit the person, rather than expecting them to fit an established mould.
Daryan also directed us to a range of free resources and guides on the Allianz website - see https://www.allianzcare.com/en/support/health-and-wellness/health-guides.html#guides.
Daryan's talk was really enlightening in the way he invited us to new ways of thinking about what a workplace can look like. I was struck by the notion that people "bring their whole selves to work". Sometimes we can be a bit rigid about processes and outcomes without considering the real humans making it happen.
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On the eve of National Safe Work Month, Victorians are justified in asking “Where the hell are the psychosocial safety regulations?”
Over two years ago the Victorian Government was proud to be leading the pack of jurisdictions and various WorkSafes in promising amendments to the occupational health and safety (OHS) laws. Now it is the last to introduce those amendments
In reality, those laws seem as far from introduction as ever. The government has conducted two rounds of public consultations on the issue with the last ending early this year. Since then WorkSafe representatives have pre-empted the inevitable question at their public appearances by saying, rightly, the “the laws are with the Minister” or “on the Minister’s desk”. The delay is becoming negligent.
This delay is puzzling as the government had a major inquiry into Victoria’s Mental Health System and, although workplaces were on the periphery of consideration, there was an overlap. The unions are in favour of psychosocial reform. Business groups always argue against any new OHS regulations based on the spurious, rote reasons of increased cost of compliance. But this whiney opposition is very weak when all other jurisdictions have resolved any concerns. So why hasn’t Victoria?
It is highly likely that whatever draft regulatory amendments the government holds are out of date compared to the other States and Territories and a further cycle of consultation may be required. All the while, workers are facing psychosocial hazards that their employers could be controlling. Of course, employers should have been controlling these since the OHS duty of care in 1985, but many employers do not act on occupational hazards until they have to. And in Victoria, they feel they don’t have to.
Remember this Minister’s delay on the elimination and management of psychosocial hazards at work, the next time any government representative says that “we give the safety of Victorians the highest priority”. If that statement were true, the OHS laws would have been amended over 18 months ago and workers would have been safer.
Kevin Jones https://safetyatworkblog.com/
This year's HSR Conference will be held on Tuesday 22 October, 8:30am - 2:45pm. The topic is OHS Skills for Active HSRs.
This is a free event and is a WorkSafe Victoria approved course of training under s69 of the Victoria OHS Act 2004. This means that HSR's are legally entitled to attend the conference on paid time. However, you must give your employer at least 14 days’ notice of your intention to attend in order to ensure that you receive paid leave. This means that you must notify your employer by COB Monday October 7.
The venues for 2024 are:
Melbourne at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre at 1 Convention Centre Pl, South Wharf.
Bendigo at Bendigo Trades Hall, 34-40 View Street, Bendigo.
Morwell at the Italian Australian Sporting Club, 499-501 Princes Drive, Morwell.
Wangaratta at the The Gateway, 29-37 Ryley Street, Wangaratta.
Warrnambool at Lady Bay Hotel, 2 Pertobe Road, Warrnambool.
Conference Program
8:00am
Doors open. Get your name ticked off and pick up your conference bag. Coffee and tea will be available.
8:30am - Session 1
Luke Hilakari, Secretary VTHC
The Hon. Danny Pearson MP, Minister for WorkSafe
Joe Calafiore, CEO WorkSafe
9:20am - Dr Lisa Heap
Dr Lisa Heap is a labour lawyer and a researcher with a keen focus on work health sand safety, regulation of work and gender inequalities. She'll be talking to us about OHS skills that can be applied in workplaces.
10:00am - Morning tea
10:30am - Session 2
We'll be hearing from 3 HSRs from a variety of industries. They'll share their stories of the skills, resources and tools they used to make their workplaces safer.
11:25am Breakout Session 1
In the first session, we'll have an opportunity to debrief the preceding sessions and recap some of the key rights and powers HSRs enjoy to better enable them to be active HSRs and represent their DWGs to establish controls. There will be plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion.
12:15pm - Lunch
1:15pm - Breakout Session 2
Building on first session, we will have an opportunity to reflect HSRs' own workplaces and the type of skills they can use, before moving on to discussion.
2:45pm - Certificate Collection
Certificates of Attendance will be available for collection in the foyer.
For more information & to register, click here
