Central Safety Group Melbourne

Tracey Browne

Date & Time: Tuesday 12 April 2022 at 12:00pm 

PLEASE NOTE: ONLINE ZOOM Event:

Speaker: Tracey Browne, Manager - National Safety & Workers' Compensation Policy and Membership Services, Ai Group

Topic: New psychological hazard regulations

Victoria has developed draft regulations for psychological health, and work is happening at the national level to develop Model WHS Regulations on this topic. What responsibilities will employers have under this new legislation? How might it affect the workplace? Will it have an impact on workers compensation?
These and other issues will be discussed in a zoom presentation at midday on 12 April by Tracey Browne, Manager, National Safety & Workers' Compensation Policy and Membership Services at Australian Industry Group (Ai Group).
Tracey is currently representing peak national employer organisation Ai Group on a working group reviewing WorkSafe Victoria’s proposed OHS Amendment (Psychological Health) Regulations, which were released for public comment closing on 31 March 2022. Tracey also represents industry as a member of Safe Work Australia, who are developing the Model Regulations and supporting Code of Practice.
The new WorkSafe regulations reflect the existing requirement in the Act to manage both physical and psychological health and safety. WorkSafe considers that they will provide clearer guidance to employers on their obligations to protect workers better from mental injury.
After her presentation Tracey will invite questions and discussion.

About the speaker:
Tracey Browne joined the national employers’ representative Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) in 2001. She has been their Manager of National Safety & Workers' Compensation Policy and Membership Services for the past 14 years.
Tracey’s role includes representing employer views and interests to governments, regulators and other relevant bodies, when legislative and policy changes are being considered. She is also responsible for information, advice and training in relation to safety and workers' compensation for Ai Group membership and staff.
Before joining AiG, Tracey worked in OHS and workers compensation roles in industry and lectured on safety and workers compensation at Ballarat University.

Note: RSVP by close of business Monday 11 April 2022.  When booking, please ensure you select the April Event from the dropdown list (shaded orange), to RSVP.

RSVP Here

Pam Pryor AO

Date & Time: Tuesday 8 March 2022 at 12:00pm 

PLEASE NOTE: ONLINE ZOOM Event:

Speaker: Pam Pryor AO, Manager OHS BoK Development, Australian Institute of Health and Safety

Topic: The Changing Role of the OHS Professional

OHS is now suffering from 'disciplinary ambiguity' according to a recent international study. You will hear why from Pam Pryor, Manager OHS Body of Knowledge Development for the Australian Institute of Health and Safety, in a CSG lunchtime Zoom presentation on 8 March.

Changes affecting the OHS profession include the COVID-19 pandemic opening new ground on workplace safety; the growing discussions around psychological health and safety, and the fact that many OHS professionals now include ‘wellness’ as part of their role.

These all highlight the lack of clarity around the role of the generalist OHS Professional, according to Pam.

Pam is co-author of a recent paper [The OHS Professional: International and Australian Perspectives] published as part of the Body of Knowledge. She will offer insights and perspectives on the current status of the generalist OHS professional in Australia, why it is now seen to be in some respects an ‘emerging profession’, and where it is headed.

If you are employed in OHS or a related field, this session should not be missed.

About the speaker:
Pam Pryor is an internationally recognised specialist in OHS capability and related aspects of OHS professionality.

She is currently responsible for the development and ongoing maintenance of the Australian OHS Body of Knowledge (BoK). Bok is the collective works developed by a range of specialists that informs OHS education, certification and further development of OHS professionals. (See www.ohsbok.org.au)

Her work with the International Network of Safety and Health Professionals developing the OHS Professional Capability Framework earned Pam the 2017-18 President’s Award from the American Society of Safety Professionals.

In 2018 she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for her contribution to OHS Professionals, through her leadership and advisory roles, particularly in developing standards for education frameworks.

Note: RSVP by close of business Monday 7 March 2022.  When booking, please ensure you select the March Event from the dropdown list (shaded orange), to RSVP.

RSVP Here

A special offer for CSG financial members

Do you want to be informed and challenged? If so, join Kevin Jones at his SafetyAtWorkBlog for award winning news, commentary and opinion on workplace health and safety.

To celebrate Central Safety Group’s 60th anniversary, Kevin Jones has provided a very generous offer for financial members: 12 months’ FREE subscription to his blog and its library of articles.

Kevin, a Life Member of Central Safety Group, has been writing and editing the SafetyAtWorkBlog for over 14 years, during which time the blog has achieved several Australian and US awards as an important source of safety news and analysis.

Kevin is regularly contracted to develop and refine discussion papers and has recently written the safety and risk chapter for a major Australian infrastructure project.

SafetyAtWorkBlog provides over 3,000 exclusive posts on occupational health and safety matters. Your CSG membership for 2022 provides you with full access to this library. Not only that, your subscription will last until 12 months from the date of creation.

Current financial members have been sent the access details. New and renewing members will also be sent details once their CSG membership for 2022 has been finalised.

Central Safety Group membership has always offered great value for money and now there is even more reason to join today. Membership costs just $75 for the calendar year.

Join / Renew Now

Thank you Kevin for this wonderful offer in celebration of our 60th year!

Central Safety Group Inc. AGM

On the 8th February 2022, Central Safety Group held its inaugural AGM as an Incorporated Association.

As there were no additional nominees for the committee, all office bearers were re-elected unopposed.

• President - Nan Austin
• Vice-President - Frank Imbesi
• Secretary - Heather Turner
• Treasurer - Cameron Cranstoun
• Committee Members - Jane Loudon, Marina Milankovic, Christina Rennick

The financial statement shows that we had quite a number of costs during 2021, mostly related to the website and our 60th anniversary this year. While we are a not-for-profit organisation, it was agreed that our financial situation is a little bit precarious. At the same time, our website is our biggest asset with its ever-increasing resources for members and, therefore, it is worth the investment.

To this end, four proposals were put to members regarding fees and charges, all of which were carried unanimously. As a result, the following resolutions were passed:

1. The Individual membership fee for 2023 will increase to $80 per calendar year.
2. The Corporate membership fee for 2023 will remain at $300 per calendar year.
3. The casual attendance fee for non-members at our monthly lunchtime presentations, will increase to $15, effective from the March 2022 event.
4. For external CSG functions (such as the networking luncheon at Parliament House) financial members will be charged a $20 co-payment. Non-members continue to pay the full amount for attendance at external functions.

Log in to view the Minutes, Annual Report and Financial Statement.

Kevin Jones

Date & Time: Tuesday 8 February 2022 at 12:00pm 

PLEASE NOTE: ONLINE ZOOM Event:

Speaker: Kevin Jones Freelance writer, SafetyAtWorkBlog

Topic: New Perspectives on OHS

Note: RSVP by close of business Monday 7 February 2022.  When booking, please ensure you select the February Event from the dropdown list (shaded orange), to RSVP.

RSVP Here

Central Safety Group networking get-together

CSG had a relaxed finish to the end of the year with an informal zoom event on December 14th.

The results of our recent survey on topics for 2022 seminars were discussed, with the top five listed below. Interestingly, the least popular topic was COVID. I wonder why?

1. Latest OHS research
2. Regulatory & legal issues
3. Leadership & culture
4. Mental health & wellbeing
5. Design, ergonomics & manual handling

There is a clear preference for continuing recorded zoom sessions, though there is still a demand for face-to-face networking opportunities. The committee has already been considering how to offer hybrid events to meet these needs.

The zoom attendees were invited to share their workplace experiences over the past year. Cameron spoke about his work with a national recruitment business that includes electrical drafting. As an essential service, business has continued as usual under COVID, except for the challenges of site visits and new rules, such as mask wearing and vaccinations.

As Bryce is based in Albury/Wodonga working for a global company, he has spent most days dealing with multi-jurisdiction COVID issues rather than core business.

David shared his experiences in a national role with Coles, with 120,000 team members across 850 stores. Like many businesses, Coles has had to develop new COVID-safe ways of working.

This forum was a great opportunity to hear from our members and share some personal experiences.

We hope you all enjoy a wonderful safe Xmas and will join us in our 60th Anniversary year.

If you would still like to particpate in our VERY SHORT survey, the link is below. We are always keen to hear your views on which topics and types of events are of interest to you. CSG Network Survey

Central Safety Group Survey

As Central Safety Group approaches the impressive milestone of its 60th anniversary in 2022, the Committee is busy planning the year's speakers and events.

We are seeking your input via a VERY SHORT survey -just 4 questions. Please click on the link below and take a few minutes to tell us which topics you want to hear about next year and the types of events you'd be interested in attending.

CSG Network Survey

Thank you in advance and we will share the results at our networking event on December 14th.

CSG networking get-together

Date & Time: Tuesday 14 December 2021 at 12:00pm 

PLEASE NOTE: ONLINE ZOOM Event:

A FREE zoom event
for both members and friends of CSG
Host: Nan Austin, President, Central Safety Group.

Topic: CSG networking get-together

December is the time of year for us to celebrate our CSG network, share ideas and get to know each other a little better.
While circumstances prevent us from gathering in person for a second year, please join us via zoom for an informal networking function. Let’s share our experiences and valuable lessons from 2021, as well as exploring next year's events... Read more...

Note: RSVP not required for this event.

Do you have night shift workers in your workplace?

For more information, please contact the project coordinator Dr Linda Shen on 0423 855 748 at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

View study details

Central Safety Group Inc.

We are proud to announce that, as of 16th October 2021, we are an Incorporated Association. Financial Members will recall that, at the 2020 Annual General Meeting in February this year, a resolution was passed to commence the process of incorporation, and now that is complete.

As a result there have been a few changes to roles within the Committee and these remain until the next Annual General Meeting to be held in 2022. The Committee comprises 4 office bearers and 3 ordinary members.

Office Bearers:
President - Nan Austin
Vice President - Frank Imbesi
Secretary - Heather Turner
Treasurer - Cameron Cranstoun

Ordinary Members:
Jane Loudon - Events Co-ordinator
Marina Milankovic - Membership Co-ordinator  
Christina Rennick

The Constitution has been replaced by the Rules of CSG Inc. In addition there is a one-page Membership Policy. We urge all Financial and prospective members to read these documents.

View the CSG Inc. Rules

View the Membership Policy

This is an important step for the Association, and the Committee continues to work hard to provide value for members and our broader network.