APPENDIX 1 | Occupational health and safety

Occupational health and safety policies

The Ombudsman's office updated its occupational health and safety (OH&S) policy and OH&S guidelines during the year. Other guidelines were also updated during the year, including those on injury management (non-compensable and compensable).

In August 2005, the Ombudsman signed a statement of commitment to actively work towards achieving the targets set out in the Occupational Health and Safety and Rehabilitation Performance Improvement Targets for Commonwealth Premium Paying Employees (2002–2012) strategy.

Occupational health and safety committee and representatives

All of the Ombudsman's offices have a health and safety representative onsite and deal with OH&S matters either through the OH&S Committee or, where appropriate, through staff meetings. Health and safety representative vacancies were filled in accordance with the office's OH&S Agreement.

All new employees are made aware of the importance and responsibilities of both staff and management for health and safety in the workplace. New employees are encouraged to have workplace assessments conducted shortly after commencement.

There were no reportable incidents during the year.

Health and safety measures

During 2005–06, the office:

• met obligations for Comcare premiums
• managed compensation cases in accordance with approved guidelines
• arranged health assessments, where necessary
• conducted individual workplace assessments
• facilitated eye examinations, where necessary
• made first-aid facilities and supplies available, and provided first-aid training to first-aid officers (refresher and senior first aid for new officers)
• targeted individual health awareness through health management initiatives such as providing flu shots to employees free of charge, disseminating a quarterly bulletin on specific OH&S issues, and conducting workshops on health and wellbeing and mental health first aid.

To promote a supportive working environment, the office provided staff with access to an employee assistance program, including a confidential counselling service to assist with workplace problems and the management of any work-related or personal stress.