Central Safety Group Melbourne

November 2015

Physical Capacity Testing for Emergency Workers

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)

Physical capacity testing of workers in emergency services can be controversial. Our guest speaker Professor David Caple talked about some of the key issues surrounding this at Central Safety Group's meeting on November 2015. Risk factors associated with this type of work have given rise for the need to do physical capacity testing, which is now a feature of the EBA for emergency workers. One factor is that emergency workers have high cognitive and physical demands and these result in a higher probability of a risk of injury.
A range of controls has been introduced to address the risk factors and the findings from physical capacity testing. These include design controls; training (both physical and skills) as well as peer support programs and controls specific to particular divisions.

The presenter:

David Caple, whose background is in ergonomics, 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 issues. He is an OHS consultant and Adjunct Professor, Centre for Ergonomics & Human Factors, La Trobe University.

September 2015

Is prolonged sitting at work an OHS issue?

Presentation by: Nyssa Hadgraft, Epidemiologist, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Monash University

Presentation package now available (members only)

There is now evidence to suggest that long hours in a sedentary position increases the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular and other health problems. Our speaker at Central Safety Group's meeting on September 8,2015, Nyssa Hadgraft, is a member of a team called The Stand Up Australia Program of Research that is doing internationally-recognised research on the health impacts of too much sitting and interventions to reduce sitting time.
Nyssa spoke about the group’s findings and discussed recent workplace studies they have done. Findings include that office workers spend most of their day sitting (6+ hours per day) and lot of this sitting time is unbroken (30mins+).  While excessive sitting is detrimental even for those who exercise, prolonged standing is also an issue.
Nyssa outlined a number of strategies to reduce workplace sitting, including the provision of height-adjustable desks, but they have cost implications. Helpfully, all the other measures she suggested have no cost attached. The key take-home message is Stand Up – Sit Less –Move More.

The presenter:

Epidemiologist Nyssa Hadgraft is a postdoctoral research fellow in public health at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia. She is a member of the team at Melbourne’s Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute led by Dr David Dunstan doing world-recognised research on the health impacts of too much sitting.

July 2015

Manual handling challenges in Bunnings retail operations

Presentation by: Daniel Venditti, State HSE Advisor, Bunnings

Presentation package now available (members only)

Daniel Venditti, State HSE Advisor with hardware giant Bunnings outlined the company’s approach to manual handling challenges and risks in a presentation to Central Safety Group on July 14, 2015. These included a wide and complex range of manual handling tasks, concrete flooring, racking up to 3 metres and big and bulky packages. Bunnings employees include many part-time and casual workers and a workforce with 25% aged over 50.
A large number of injuries centering on known hot spots led to the development of the BSafe (Bunnings Safe) program in 2004. The methodology involved a move away from the compliance approach to incorporating safety into the business.  Safety leadership training was provided, LTIFR was abolished and replaced by IFR, and staff were encouraged to report all injuries.  This resulted in a 30% increase in incident reporting and was followed by an increase in resources for safety as compared to injury management.
Daniel explained how further strategies evolved over the next 8 years as a result of workplace incidents and the current strategy aims to reduce complexity.  Ownership of the safety system has been assigned to the stores, which have monthly activities that must be completed and reported to Head Office.
Daniel also outlined their range of controls to address the fact that 50% of reported injuries were found to be related to manual handling activities.

The presenter:

Before joining the safety team at Bunnings, Daniel Venditti (who is also a VFL player with the Coburg Lions) worked in injury management and vocational rehabilitation. His background includes a degree in health and exercise science and postgraduate qualifications in OHS management.

April 2015

Incident investigation: implications of the model work health safety legislation for Victorian businesses

Presentation by: Graham Dent, Principal, Dent Consulting & Legal

How can businesses be proactive in managing an incident investigation under both Victorian and national safety legislation? Leading OHS lawyer Graham Dent spoke to Central Safety Group on April 14, 2015, about what happens with incidents when businesses consider themselves to be “Victorian” (with their facilities and personnel based in Victoria), but operate interstate. They could have employees who travel as sales representatives or transport workers or install and maintain plant and equipment interstate.
Graham discussed how he has worked on recent cases involving interstate aspects, where the approach of the interstate authorities has induced “cold sweats” for some clients.
Graham also talked about how WorkSafe Victoria deals with (or tries to avoid) the Codes of Practice and guidance under the national Model Work Health Safety laws that now govern all states except Victoria and WA.

The presenter:

Graham Dent has over 30 years’ experience in the regulatory field including time as a government prosecutor in OHS, industrial and consumer law matters. He is now in private legal practice representing clients in major regulatory actions for OHS, environmental and other areas. Graham is also the founder of Australia’s largest online OHS forum with 13,500 members, the Work Health Safety Leadership Group.

February 2015

How would we manage Ebola – and other public health emergencies?

Presentation by: Dr Jane Canestra, Program Manager Health Emergency Management, Victorian Department of Health and Human Services

Victoria’s emergency management arrangements for health emergencies, such as Ebola, were outlined by Dr Jane Canestra at Central Safety Group's meeting on February 10, 2015. She discussed the emergency management responsibilities of the Department of Health and Human Services and how the State Health Emergency Response Plan is used to coordinate the Victorian health response to significant emergency incidents, giving the arrangements for Ebola as an example.
While the risk of importation of Ebola into Victoria is low, Victoria may eventually need to manage a confirmed case of Ebola. The Department of Health & Human Services has developed the Victorian Ebola Virus Disease Plan which has been issued to metropolitan, regional and other health services and stakeholders including general practitioners.
Victorian health services have responsibility for ensuring all potentially involved staff are appropriately trained, informed and clear about each individual’s role in the event of a suspected Ebola case presenting at any hospital or health care service.
Jane spoke about coordination at departmental, health sector, Victorian and national level as well as about health services training in specialist preparedness.

The presenter:

A medical practitioner and specialist emergency physician, Dr Jane Canestra was involved in disaster medicine for many years before her appointment to her current role. She has also provided medical expertise to numerous State and National Working Groups, including the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee.