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Event
Presentations
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WorkSafe
Support
for HSRs
CSG August 2012 Presenter: Professor David Caple

What additional support can WorkSafe provide for Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)?

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)

Leading ergonomist and OHS consultant Professor David caple was commissioned by WorkSafe Victoria to evaluate the support currently given to Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) and advise them on what further support was desirable.
At Central Safety Group's meeting on August 14, 2012, David shared some of his findings from having conducted 19 case studies along with a literature review and stakeholder consultations. He outlined the challenges reported by HSRs as well as the types of practical support they would like to be given.
Another area of concern was the effectiveness of the current training regime for HSRs. David also spoke about the 12 recommendations he made to WorkSafe Victoria following his investigations.

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.

 
Managing
Partial National
Reform
CSG July 2012 Presenter: Steve Bell, Senior Associate, Freehills

What happened to harmony? Managing partial national reform

Presentation by: Steve Bell, Senior Associate, Freehills

Presentation package now available (members only)

It has taken about 5 years to achieve harmony in OHS law between the Commonwealth, Queensland, NSW, Tasmania, ACT and NT, but it is likely to take another 5 years to achieve harmonious workers compensation laws. The implications of this were discussed by Steve Bell, Senior Associate at Freehills at Central Safety Group's meeting on July 10, 2012.
Steve began by discussing the various legal issues following a workplace incident and the current status of the Model Laws.
He then took us through the key concepts and new terms by comparing the old & new legislation. He also spoke extensively about the concept of due diligence.

The presenter:

A leading work health and safety lawyer, Steve Bell, Senior Associate at Freehills, advises and represents businesses on all aspects of safety regulation. Steve holds a law degree from the University of Melbourne (Hons) and a Bachelor of Arts with a major in political science.

 
Effective
Safety
Communication
CSG May 2012 Presenter: Jane Loudon

Safety communications: beyond posters and pep talks

Presentation by: Jane Loudon

Presentation package now available (members only)

In large organisations safety is struggling against HR and IT programs to be noticed by middle managers. Jane Loudon, who has worked for many years in communications, spoke to Central Safety Group on May 8, 2012 about some of the challenges in commnicating safety messages effectively. In Jane’s experience, senior managers always put Safety at the top of their communication issues and requirements, but are often starved of safety news and issues.
She spoke about the purpose and types of safety communication as well as the importance of ensuring that they come from safety people in an organisation rather than from communications personnel. She also outlined the 6 pitfalls of safety communications and advocated for the use of plain language.

The presenter:

In the past 25 years Jane Loudon has held key communications roles in a number of large organisations, working in both internal and external communications. She now specialises in employee communications, Health Safety and Wellness communications and improving general organisational communication. Her work includes the use of behavioural economics and the latest communications research. Jane has a BA from the University of Sydney and a Masters in Communication from the University of Wisconsin.

 
BP & the
Pitfalls of
Corporate Culture
CSG April 2012 Presenter: Ross Macfarlane, RM The Risk Manager

A Force for Good? BP, Safety and the Pitfalls of Corporate Culture

Presentation by: Ross Macfarlane, Director and OHS Risk Manager, RM The Risk Manager

Presentation package now available (members only)

In 2000, BP relaunched itself with a new logo, slogan and the 4 core values of being Green, Progressive, Innovative and Performance driven. However, since 2005, it has become responsible for some of the worst safety and environmental disasters of the past decade. How did this happen?
Ross Macfarlane, OHS Risk Manager and former HSSEQ Manager at BP, gave his perspective on this at Central Safety Group's meeting on April 11, 2012. In analysing these events, he pointed to the corporate culture at the company and suggested that people throughout BP firmly believed in the 4 core values, but neglected the day-to-day management of hazards and risks and failed to learn the lessons from each disaster.
However, he concluded that there were positive messages to come out of this, including the importance of investing continuously in safety. In this way, BP's experiences have become a force for good.

The presenter:

Ross Macfarlane worked in various management roles at BP from 2001-2008. Prior to that he worked with Castrol and Betz Laboratories. In November 2008 he formed a private consultancy specialising in safety and risk management for industry. He has extensive experience in a range of industries, including chemical and petrochemical, mining, steel and aluminium, automotive and general manufacturing, timber, pulp and paper, construction, aviation and health.

 
Managing
Unskilled
Migrant
Workers
CSG March 2012: Letchumy Taylor: Managing unskilled migrant workers in the small-to-medium enterprise (SME) sector

Managing unskilled migrant workers in the small-to-medium enterprise (SME) sector

Presentation by: Letchumy Taylor, PhD candidate, Swinburne University

Presentation package now available (members only)

Letchumy Taylor, PhD candidate, Swinburne University, supported by Professor Robert Jones, spoke at Central Safety Group's meeting on March 13, 2012, to share some early results from research she is conducting into the management of unskilled migrant workers in Small to Medium Enterprises in the manufacturing sector.
Letchumy has been conducting in-depth interviews and, while she is only a quarter of the way through them, she has already made some interesting observations about cultural differences that can compromise workplace safety.

 
Vic OHS
Regulatory
Accountability
CSG November 2011: Jim Kent: Regulatory accountability through an office of a Victorian Health and Safety Ombudsman

Regulatory accountability through an office of a Victorian Health and Safety Ombudsman

Presentation by: Jim Kent, Director, Jim Kent & Associates

Health and safety is increasingly important to society, at work and in the community. OHS offences are indictable and carry heavy fines. It is imperative that there be external review of the regulators of health and safety. Jim Kent spoke about his proposal for the establishment of a Health and Safety Ombudsman for Victoria at Central safety Group's meeting on 8 November, 2011. This role would encompass public authorities with a role in workplace and public safety, such as WorkSafe Victoria, EPA, Department of Health, Department of Primary Industry, Energy Safe Victoria and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
He described WorkSafe’s current review processes involving its Advisory Service Complaint System, VCAT, the DPP and the Public Service Ombudsman, using the example of a long-running workplace bullying case to highlight failings in the current process.
He also made reference to the use of Section 131 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, which permits a person to request WorkSafe to launch a prosecution if one has not been commenced 6 months after the person believes an offence was committed.

The presenter:

Jim Kent & Associates (JKA) is a Victorian based, national occupational health and safety consultancy providing a range of specialist and technically authoritative services to clients with varying profiles – large, medium and small, with national and international interests. Having worked with WorkSafe for many years, JKA has an in depth understanding of health and safety law and the requirements of businesses in relation to these laws.

 
Psychological
Health
CSG October 2011 Presenter: Professor David Caple - Psychological Health

Why is psychological health the current big OHS issue?

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)

The WorkSafe Advisory Service experienced a 300% increase in calls about psychological illness, especially bullying, following publicity about the Brodie Panlock case. Professor David Caple spoke about this prominent issue at Central Safety Group's meeting on 11 october, 2011. He said that 450 of these calls have been analysed, but only 16% of the calls fitted the WorkSafe definition of ‘bullying’.
David provided an analysis of the Advisory Service calls, including what indicators there are for sources of risk to psychological health. He also talked about a prevention program that contains layered interventions..

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.

 
OHS Laws
Harmonisation
Update
CSG September 2011 Presenter: Steve Baltas, Manager, Strategic Policy–National OHS Reform, WorkSafe Victoria

National Health and Safety update–the new model laws

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

Presentation package now available (members only)

WorkSafe Victoria is working towards harmonisation of OHS laws by 1 January 2012, but there are still a number of sign posts to pass on that journey. Steve Baltas, Manager, Strategic Policy–National OHS Reform for WorkSafe Victoria, gave an update to Central Safety Group on 13 September 2011. In particular, there has been a delay in adopting the model regulations while the Minister considers the Regulatory Impact Statement.
Steve also spoke about some of the key changes in the legislation and about WorkSafe Victoria’s communication strategy, as some Codes of Practice are about to be released for public comment.

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. In 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 was undergoing extensive restructuring, and to develop and implement a business plan for 2010/11. Since then 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.

 
A New
Framework
for R-t-W
CSG August 2011: A New Framework for Managing Returning to Work

A new framework for managing returning to work

Presentation by: Mark Phillips, Operational Strategy Manager (Return to Work Inspectorate), Return to Work Division, WorkSafe Victoria

Presentation package now available (members only)

In 2010 there were major changes to the Accident Compensation Act 1985, especially in the return to work provisions. Earlier this year WorkSafe Victoria launched 4 Compliance Codes on return to work. Mark Phillips, Operational Strategy Manager (Return to Work Inspectorate), Return to Work Division at WorkSafe Victoria gave an update on these codes at Central Safety Group's meeting on 9 August, 2011.
The codes cover the practicalities of returning an injured worker to work, including consultation and providing information; the role of the Return-to-Work Co-Ordinator, and situations that involve labour hire employees.

 
Stress
Management
CSG July 2011 Presentation: Will Shacklock, Principal Trainer, Master Your Mind

Empowering your staff to self manage their stress

Presentation by: Will Shacklock, Principal Trainer, Master Your Mind

Presentation package now available (members only)

High stress has serious physical and psychological health effects, including high blood pressure and depressive modes.  However, there are programs available to reduce these stress-based psycho-social hazards. Will Shacklock, principal trainer at the Corporate Training Network and creator of the Master Your Mind program, outlined his program at Central Safety Group's meeting on12 July 2011. The Master Your Mind program aims to improve workplace functionality by giving staff the skills they need to self-manage their stress.
The presentation included a practical demonstration, in which he took attendees through a 10-minute mediation exercise.

The presenter:

Will Shacklock has over 20 years' experience training individuals and workplace teams to build stress resilience, increase productivity and engage more fully in their lives. Since the foundation of Master Your Mind in 2006, Will has been developing and delivering resilience programs within the public and private sectors. Prior to his career as a corporate trainer, Will held planning, environmental and development roles across the private, local government and state government sectors. He now specialises in training workplace groups to build resilience and better manage the process of change.

 
 

Next Event

 

Changing
OHS Culture
in Construction

CSG October 2023 event - Distinguished Professor Helen Lingard, Director, Construction Work Health and Safety Research, RMIT University - Changing OHS culture in construction


Changing OHS culture in construction

Presented by: Distinguished Professor Helen Lingard, Director, Construction Work Health and Safety Research, RMIT University
Event: CSG Hybrid Lunchtime Presentation -via zoom or in person

Date: Tuesday 10 October 2023, noon
Non-Members welcome to attend

Changing OHS culture in construction
In the past the construction industry has been known for being resistant to improvements affecting worker safety and wellbeing. However, the situation is now changing, according to Professor Helen Lingard, a leading expert in construction safety, whose research over the years has been widely translated into improved work health and safety policy and practice in the construction industry.
This will be the topic of Professor Lingard’s lunchtime presentation to Central Safety Group on Tuesday 10 October. Helen will discuss some of the main health and safety issues affecting workers in the construction industry, and changes in practices and culture that are now making a difference. This will include some of her work on the effect of long and non-standard work hours on workers' health and wellbeing.
Her presentation will be followed by questions and discussion.

About the Speaker:

Helen Lingard is a Distinguished Professor of Construction Management in the School of Property, Construction and Project Management at RMIT University, Melbourne. She has a PhD in construction safety, and has been with RMIT for 15 years.
Having started her career working for a contracting organisation in the civil engineering sector, Helen has undertaken extensive applied research in the areas of workplace safety and workers’ health and wellbeing in the construction industry. Helen has also provided consulting services in the infrastructure, telecommunications and mining sectors.
Helen has authored or co-authored numerous papers and books. Her most recent book is Work, Health and Wellbeing in the Construction Industry , with co-author Michelle Turner, which was published in May 2023.

Date: Tuesday 10 October 2023
Time: 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Where: Regus Yarra Room, 50th floor, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne (Important: Current building works mean you need to enter the building from Little Collins Street. It is well signposted.)
How: In person or online via Zoom -the link will be sent out on the afternoon of Monday 9 October
N.B. A video recording of the session will be available on the website exclusively for financial members.
Cost: Financial members* free. Others $15
RSVP: COB Monday 9 October 2023. Online using our RSVP form
Join: Join CSG now [Individual membership fee: $80.]
*If unsure of your membership status, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   RSVP: by Monday 9 October.
Online using our RSVP form or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone the secretary T: (03) 9387 9768 Mobile 0417 040 252
The Zoom event link will be emailed on the afternoon of Monday 9 October 2023.

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