Central Safety Group Melbourne

November 2010

Update On The Harmonisation Of Health And Safety Law

Presentation by: Steve Baltas, Manager, Strategic Policy-National OHS Reform, WorkSafe Victoria

Presentation package now available (members only)

The Model Work Health and Safety Bill is still on schedule to become law in all States, Territories and the Commonwealth by 1 January 2012. Steve Baltas, Manager, Strategic Policy–National OHS Reform for WorkSafe Victoria, gave an update on its progress to Central Safety Group on 9 September 2010.
While the WHS Act is significantly consistent with the Vic OHS Act, there are a number of key changes, which Steve outlined, along with some outstanding issues in the Model Act still to be addressed.
He also discussed the development of national Regulations and Codes of Practice, the drafts of which will be released for public comment. Finally, he provided a timeline for all work to be completed to ensure a commencement date of January 1, 2012. It is an ambitious project.

The presenter:

Steve Baltas has been with WorkSafe Victoria for the last 11 years, working in management roles in the fields of strategic policy and safety reform. At the beginning of 2010 he was appointed one of 4 directors of the National Health and Safety Reform Division to support the Health and Safety Business Unit, which is undergoing extensive restructuring, and to develop and implement a business plan for 2010/11. Most recently he has been involved with leading and directing all the activities of a multi-disciplinary Strategic policy team to support Victoria’s role in the national OHS reform process established by COAG in 2008.

September 2010

Health Hazards of Sedentary Behaviour

Presentation by: Associate Professor David Dunstan, Head - Physical Activity, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute

Presentation package now available (members only)

The public health recommendation that people spend at least 30 minutes a day in moderate to vigorous exercise was released in 1996. This was against a social background of a high level of daily physical activity compared to work today. The health consequences of this decline in activity were discussed by Associate Professor David Dunstan from the Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute at Central Safety Group's meeting on 14 September 2010.
David cited a number of recent studies, which show that the magnitude of chronic diseases and poor health among working Australians, together with emerging evidence that sitting time increases risk, highlight the need for increased focus and resources to understand better the potential hazards of prolonged sitting in the workplace. David also gave some recommendations for incorporating more movement into one's daily working life.

The presenter:

Professor David Dunstan is Head of the Physical Activity Laboratory at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne. He is also Adjunct Professor at the ECU Health and Wellness Institute, Edith Cowan University and a Public Health Research Fellow with the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth). Prior to this he spent 5 years at the International Diabetes Institute, where he began as Director of Physical Activity Programs and Research, before becoming a Research Fellow. In 2007, he won the Young Tall Poppy Science Award (Victoria) from the Australian Institute of Policy and Science, which recognises the achievements of Australia's outstanding young scientific researchers

July 2010

Occupational violence – what is happening in the workplaces that interface with the public?

Presentation by: Professor David Caple, OHS Consultant and Adjunct Professor, Centre for Ergonomics & Human Factors, La Trobe University, David Caple & Associates

Presentation package now available (members only)

Occupational violence is a major OHS risk in a number of occupations where staff interfaces with the public. These include corrective services, hospitals, banks and disability services. At Central Safety Group's meeting on 13 July 2010, Professor David Caple discussed this growing problem and the circumstances in which it can occur.
He also spoke in detail about interventions, primarily in relation to workplace design. To illustrate this, he shared a range of such interventions from a project he undertook with the Department of Justice in their Justice Service Centres. Finally, he outlined some strategies to support staff should a violent incident occur.

The presenter:

Professor David Caple, who has a background as an ergonomist, has been a leading figure in occupational health and safety in Australia for many years. He has advised a wide range of businesses, industry groups and public sector organisations and worked with Australian and overseas governments on work health and safety strategy. He is an OHS consultant and Adjunct Professor, Centre for Ergonomics & Human Factors, La Trobe University.

May 2010

The break-out zone and the workplace of the future

Presenters:

Valerie Mack, Workplace Designer, Woods Bagot
Chris Correll, Sales Manager Victoria, Corporate Culture Australia

Presentation package now available (members only)

Office settings have changed a great deal over the last 100 years. Where once the focus of offices was on processes, now there is much more collaborative work, and technological innovations have meant that office work can be done almost anywhere.
Valerie Mack, Workplace Designer at Woods Bagot & Chris Correll, Sales Manager Victoria for Corporate Culture Australia, presented their vision for offices of the future at Central Safety Group's meeting on 11 May, 2010.
Valerie spoke about the Woods Bagot approach, which involves a team of specialists, including an ergonomist, ecological sustainable development consultant and acoustic consultant when designing an office. Consultation with staff is also key.
Chris & Valerie showed many examples of new design ideas to make workplaces more flexible, comfortable and people-focused.