Musculo Skeletal Disorders | Stress | Occupational Violence and bullying | Health and Safety representatives

Sector OHS

Sector OHS
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is consistently identified as a priority concern for community sector organisations in Victoria. Improving OHS standards is also essential to maintain a workforce capable of providing such needed services.
As the peak representative body for the community sector, VCOSS (Victorian Council of Social Services) is supporting a number of initiatives to improve OHS in the sector. Education is an essential part of this and in 2007, the Department of Human Services asked VCOSS to develop and implement an OHS educational strategy for the community sector.
The two-year project has two phases, to identify information and education gaps and to create a plan to address these gaps. This needs analysis revealed that stress and workplace violence (including bullying) are pressing issues for the sector and is estimated to cost the community between 1-3.5 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually (ILO, 2001). Several people who participated in VCOSS OHS forums in 2007 also noted that occupation violence was an issue due to the increasingly complex nature of people they work with.

One of the key outcomes of the needs analysis is the need to distribute relevant and accessible information on occupational heath and safety. To help distribute this information, VCOSS is engaging the assistance of sector peaks such as VAADA. VAADA has created an OHS specific page on their website to give their members access to information on OHS relevant to their industry with the hope of improving awareness and knowledge.
Over the coming months a series of articles will also be placed in the VAADA newsletter focussing on different workplace safety issues including stress, occupational violence and manual handing.

VCOSS notes that funding is also an issue for the sector when it comes to OHS practices. 75% of participants in the VCOSS OHS forums made a causal link between under-resourcing (funding) and OHS standards. To help increase the capacity of oragnisations to improve their OHS practices, VCOSS is distributing OHS equipment grants funded through the WorkSafe Prevention Fund. Organisations can use the one-off grants (of up to $5000 including GST) towards the purchase of equipment and/or modifications which will eliminate or reduce OHS risks.

Click here for more information on the OHS Equipment grants

OHS Training for the Community Sector
VCOSS has engaged a training provider to deliver low cost training on a number of OHS topics during 2009. These sessions are tailored to the community sector and cover sector specific issues. Session details can be found below.
OHS – An Introduction for Managers and Employers in the Community Sector
This two day training course is designed to give managers and employers in the community sector a solid introduction to the OHS Act 2004, with additional information on regulations, compliance codes and guidelines. It will also cover hazard identification and control methods.
The aim of this two day course is to give managers and employers an overview of their roles and responsibilities in regards to OHS, enabling them to focus on the development of good OHS practices in their workplace.
Cost: $80 or $40 for VCOSS Members

OHS–An Introduction for Staff and Volunteers in the Community Sector
This one day introduction to OHS in the community sector is aimed staff and volunteers and covers areas of the OHS Act 2004, as well as regulations, compliance codes and guidelines. A good starting point, this course will enable participants to develop a good understanding of OHS and the resources available to workers and employers.
(Please note that this course in not a substitute for the 5 day staff elected health and safety representative training)

Cost: $80 or $40 for VCOSS Members

Dealing with Occupational Violence and Bullying at your workplace
Bullying and occupational violence is a major issue in many workplaces. While the employer has a legal obligation to control hazards associated with our work, employee participation is a key element in any effective health and safety management system.
This session explores Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) legislation and other guidance material in dealing with the issue of bullying and occupational violence. After attending this session, participants will gain an understanding of OHS legislation with regards to bullying and occupational violence and be equipped with information to implement preventative policies in their organisation.
Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) for Health and Safety Representatives
This five day training course is the WorkSafe approved course for elected Occupational Health & Safety Representatives.

Topics include:
• Employer responsibility/obligations
• Rights and powers of OHS Representatives
• Recognition, evaluation and control of hazards
• Use of regulations and compliance codes

This comprehensive five-day course equips elected Health and Safety Representatives with the skills to assist those they represent and their employer in tackling OHS issues in the workplace.

Please note that this session is exclusively for staff-elected Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs).

Cost: $200 or $100 for VCOSS Members (5 days training)
Click here for information about dates and locations and how to register for these sessions.