The 4th edition of prOHnewS comes at a time of great opportunities for OHS professionals, with the current proposed changes of the National Model OHS Laws. Also we mark the 1st anniversary of the code of ethics and minimum service standards, released by HaSPA, for professional members of OHS associations.

The new Academy of University OHS Education and Research is a great demonstration of these opportunities in the OHS professional arena. We explore the Academy’s Sydney delegation in this edition, highlighting the key objectives of the group.

It is expected that the planned National OHS Model Laws will positively impact the OHS community and provide further motivation for OHS professionals to get actively involved.

An important aspect of being a professional person is ensuring your conduct and work is meeting the standards the profession requires. We believe you can achieve this by maintaining a professional level of membership, with a professional body.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Safety Institute of Australia (SIA) on the success of this years Safety in Action conference and trade show. This year symbolises the 60th anniversary of the SIA with a number of events taking place.

Clarke Martin

Chair of HaSPA, WorkSafe Victoria

Following the report in December, the proposal for the body of knowledge activities is now complete. WorkSafe are currently evaluating the submission and a decision regarding the project funding, is expected before the end of May.

For further information contact Clarke Martin via email clarke_martin@worksafe.vic.gov.au or on 9641 1502.

The new SIA ethics & complaints procedure

The SIA, with support from WorkSafe and Melbourne University’s Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics, developed and adopted a new ethics and complaints procedure, in January 2009.

The new procedure formalises the processes for handling of ethics issues and complaints previously approved by the SIA national board.

Following the ratification of the new procedures by the National board of the SIA in January, HaSPA has now agreed to adapt the SIA ethics and complaints procedure to incorporate into the HaSPA code of ethics and standards.

HaSPA believes an effective complaints system delivers a fair, transparent and constructive process to OHS professionals and the employers and workers they serve. An important aspect of being a professional is ensuring that your conduct and work, meets standards the profession requires.

The SIA national boards have also adopted the HaSPA code of ethics and minimum service standards for their members. This will see changes in educational and other criteria for professional member grading. This is a significant development for the generalist OHS professional.

With new standards and expectations being developed for OHS professionals, there will always be a possibility that individuals have different points of view and a complaint could be made. How a professional association deals with a complaint is an important factor. If completed correctly all parties should come away feeling the complaint was dealt with appropriately.

The procedure HaSPA is working on provides guidance on its purposes and the accountabilities of all parties. This procedure will outline what complaints can/cannot be registered. It also sets out the processes for making and dealing with a complaint and how outcomes, including appeals, will be managed.

Member engagement support

WorkSafe supported a number of member engagement forums over the past months.

Forums for members of HFESA, AIOH, ANZOM (Ergo’s Hygienist’s and Occ Dr.’s) were held during February and March. These were all very successful and well attended events providing an overview of HaSPA and its current initiatives. Information on professional ethics from Andrew Alexandra, Director from the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics at University of Melbourne was shared during the forums. Workshops on professional practice issues were also conducted providing attendees with opportunities to discuss the challenges of OHS practice.

Further events will be held throughout the remainder of this year, so keep an eye out for information on these events through your associations.

WorkSafe was a major sponsor at this years SIA conference in Melbourne. The trade stand focused on promoting the benefits of getting help to improve health and safety to medium size organisations. The key message at the stand was the need to build stronger OHS capabilities within organisations, though the use of external OHS professionals. The stand received high praises from many visitors, with the general comment “I never thought I would see the day WorkSafe would promote our services”.

WorkSafe’s Executive Director, John Merritt addressed the conference delegates with and a WorkSafe paper on ‘Secrets to improved OHS for medium businesses’ which highlighted the value of establishing and maintaining a relationship with a ‘suitably qualified’ OHS professional.

WorkSafe CEO, Greg Tweedly, captured the key point when he said “Just as you’ll engage a lawyer to deal with a legal matter or an accountant to help with finances; you should seek a person who is suitably qualified and experienced to advise you about health and safety when necessary”

WorkSafe’s free 6 hour free consulting program, for medium employers has received a positive response with a number of employers taking up the opportunity, during the pilot program. The program was promoted and facilitated by a range of industry associations, with the consulting service being conducted by 3 OHS consultants and the Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) consulting service.

Initial evaluation of the program indicated that 60% of participating workplaces maintained continuing relationships with a suitably qualified external OHS provider, after the initial 6 hours consulting.

The response from participating workplaces has been positive, with areas of activities including:

• Identifying and evaluating in-house OHS capabilities

• Identifying and evaluating areas where external input is needed

• Development and implementation of simple and robust OHS management systems and procedures, that are a good fit and meet the specific needs of each workplace.

Further evaluation of the pilot program is being conducted by RMIT University.

On 20 February WorkSafe conducted an information forum for employment and recruitment organisations. The forum was well attended by 14 companies who expresses support for HaSPA and their key initiatives.

Key discussions at the forum highlighted concerns amongst the organisations about placements of people into OHS positions due to a mismatch between candidates and position descriptions. Of those who attended, it was evident that they all had a good understanding of the relevance of Section 22 (2) (b) (suitably qualified) of the OHS Act, to the placement of fulltime OHS personnel.

At the forum a workshop was run covering how they can go about influencing their clients about OHS placements. Further forums are planned for Australian Human Resource Institute and Recruitment and Consulting Services Association members.

Earlier this year researchers from Ballarat University (VIOSH) and Latrobe University Centre for Ergonomics and Human Factors joined forces to conduct an OHS research seminar. This seminar was held at Latrobe’s Universities Bundoora campus.

Both universities have active postgraduate research programs in OHS; however their areas of expertise and research vary. Latrobe University research typically focuses on occupational health issues, while Ballarat University covers occupational safety. This is, however, a shared focus on the importance of a broad, system-based approach to problem diagnosis, risk assessment, development of interventions and evaluation of their effectiveness.

The seminar was a great opportunity to interchange information on the key topics and following its success future seminars for the same purpose have been scheduled. The next one being in Ballarat University and other interested universities will be invited to participate.

Interest in the work of HaSPA now extends beyond Victoria. Throughout this year HaSPA has established working relationships with, NSW WorkCover and the New Zealand National OHS Advisory Committee.

These relationships have enabled regulators to be kept informed of developments within the OHS professional community and promoted the possibility of new initiatives established in jurisdictions outside Victoria.

It is intended that further engagement with other Australian states will continue throughout 2009.

Other important information:

Academy of University OHS Education & Research – Sydney declaration

Don’t put your head in the sand

Remuneration Survey of health, safety and environment professional

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