Central Safety Group Melbourne

July 2022

Return to Work – What research is telling us

Presentation by: Dr Carys Chan, Research Fellow, Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing, Griffith University

Presentation package now available (members only)

What are the psychological effects of workplace injury? How can an understanding of this help employers support workers’ return to work? Research findings on this were discussed in a presentation to Central Safety Group on 12 July by Dr Carys Chan of Griffith University, one of the authors of a recent paper commissioned by Safe Work Australia.

The aim was to advance knowledge and generate recommendations for Safe Work Australia’s National Return to Work Strategy 2020-2030. Safe Work Australia develops national policy to improve WHS and workers’ compensation arrangements across Australia.

Carys and her team of fellow researchers did a detailed investigation of both published scientific literature and current organisational practices regarding employees’ psychological responses to injuries and illnesses resulting in an absence from work. The paper on their findings was published last year.

Her presentation highlighted the main findings on the types and prevalence of psychological reactions by workers, who have sustained an injury or illness. She discussed what can increase the risk of these reactions, as well as practical processes employers can put in place to support workers in this situation.

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The presenter:

Dr Carys Chan holds a PhD in Organisational Behaviour & Human Resources from the ANU and is a Research Fellow with the Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing (WOW) at Griffith University, Brisbane. Carys is also a Senior Lecturer in Human Resources and Organisational Behaviour at the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resources (ERHR) within Griffith University. Her research interests include work-life balance, flexible/remote working, self-efficacy, work-related stress and burnout, and leader–subordinate interactions. Alongside her research, she teaches postgraduate and undergraduate courses at the interface of business and psychology.

May 2022

Ethics in Safety

Presentation by: Keith Govias, Principal Consultant, Workplace Risk, Gallagher

Presentation package now available (members only)

As an OHS practitioner, how important is it to have an ethical approach in your role? And what is involved? This was the topic of Keith Govias' presentation to Central Safety Group on Tuesday, 10 May.

Keith is the first OHS professional to become a Vincent Fairfax Fellow in Ethical Leadership, and is also a peer-reviewer of the Ethics and Professional Practice chapter for the Body of Knowledge produced by the Australian Institute of Health and Safety.

Keith discussed the ethical challenges in our profession and how an ethical framework can be applied to OHS decision making, performance measurement, injury management and other areas, and gave examples from his own professional experience.

The ethics section in the Body of Knowledge was also discussed (https://www.ohsbok.org.au/chapter-38-3-ethics-and-professional-practice/#1548328004981-b89ce6eb-6a9a)

Following the presentation, Keith welcomed questions and discussion.

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The presenter:

Keith Govias has been a Principal Consultant with the Gallagher Risk Advisory Team for the last two years, specialising in Safety Systems and Workplace Culture programs. Prior to that, his background included managing safety, worker compensation and public liability for some of Australia’s most iconic brands including Myer, The Reject Shop and Kraft Foods. Keith sits on a number of Regulatory reference panels advising on policy and legislative change. He is the current Chair of the Australian Retail Association WorkWell Mental Health intervention into prevention of occupational violence. He is also the recently retired Chair of the Health Benefits of Good Work Signatory Steering Group. He holds a Masters in Occupational Health, Safety and Environment (OHSE) Management from Australian Catholic University, a Graduate Certificate in OHS Management from RMIT and a B.A. from La Trobe University.

March 2022

The Changing Role of the OHS Professional

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

Presentation package now available (members only)

OHS is now suffering from 'disciplinary ambiguity' according to a recent international study. Pam Pryor, Manager OHS Body of Knowledge Development for the Australian Institute of Health and Safety, discussed this as well as other changes affecting the OHS profession at a zoom lunchtime presentation for Central Safety Group on 8 March.

These changes 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. Pam discussed how all of these highlight the lack of clarity around the role of the generalist OHS Professional. She also illustrated this with some interactive online polling of the participants.

Pam offered 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.

The presenter:

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.

November 2021

Return to work in COVID times: managing psychosocial risk

Presentation by: Dr Natasha Lazareski, Managing Director, PsyFlex

Presentation package now available (members only)

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a drastic impact on workplace conditions and work arrangements with new psychosocial risks that can affect the health and wellbeing of workers. Occupational health expert Dr Natasha Lazareski discussed this issue, along with strategies to manage it, in a presentation to Central Safety Group on 9 November 2021.
She said that, if not appropriately assessed and managed, psychosocial risks increase stress levels and can lead to physical and mental health problems. Psychological responses may include low mood, low motivation, exhaustion, anxiety, depression and burnout. Insurers are reporting that active psychological claims against employers have risen during the pandemic and are expected to continue to increase.  
Natasha spoke about how workplace stresses and psychosocial risks are arising as people return and readjust to their previous workplace settings and systems, across a wide range of occupations.
Natasha also discussed the impact of confusing and misleading information surrounding the COVID-19 crisis and how to manage this risk in your workplace.

The presenter:

Dr Natasha Lazareski is a medical doctor, specialising in occupational health, with over 20 years’ experience working with Australian organisations. She is founder and Managing Director of workplace wellbeing and resilience specialist PsyFlex. Prior to this she held positions in a range of organisations including the National Australia Bank, Ambulance Victoria and CGU. Her recent work has been with government organisations, educational institutions, healthcare providers and a number of other industries.

September 2021

New research into manual handling injuries in healthcare

Presentation by: Professor David Caple AM, Adjunct Professor, Centre for Ergonomics & Human Factors, La Trobe University

Presentation package now available (members only)

Work-based musculoskeletal injuries remain a major issue, but research is telling us more about how and why these injuries occur, along with better prevention and management strategies.
Professor David Caple AM has recently been involved in a range of projects related to manual handling injury prevention in hospitals. These injuries account for around 70% of Workcover claims in hospitals for both clinical and non-clinical staff.
He discussed interesting results from a couple of studies in a zoom presentation for Central Safety Group on 14 September.
One of these is a study done with La Trobe University’s Biomechanics laboratory that focused on shoulder injuries in clinical staff. These account for 40% of their musculoskeletal injuries, while 60% are back injuries.
David also spoke about work being done to address the increase in injuries involving the handling of a range of patients, including those with co-morbidities such as dementia, those who present fall risks and bariatric patients.

To view the video, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The presenter:

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