08:21 pm, Tuesday 18 June, 2013

WorkCover Queensland together with the Australian Industry Group has recently conducted an educational forum to address injury management and prevention with small employers.

WorkCover Customer Services Manager Melissa Steadman said the forum gave employers an opportunity to discuss challenges that smaller businesses face and how WorkCover and employers can work together to put strategies in place to work through some of these challenges.

“The forum highlighted the benefits of WorkCover’s industry alignment which has assisted business. Our teams focus their efforts on specific industries, becoming experts in those areas, and handle claims from start to finish within one team.”

“We discussed how this industry alignment has built close working relationships with employers and increased our knowledge of their business and industry, which really benefits employers,” said Ms Steadman.

Some employers also shared their successful strategies in preventing workplace injuries and managing return to work following injury.

The Australian Industry Group encouraged employers to get actively involved not just when arranging a return to work, but also immediately after an injury happens. They are urged to regularly communicate with WorkCover, the injured worker and any providers.

Ms Steadman said WorkCover will continue to work with employers to improve their services.

More information can be accessed from the WorkCover Queensland website.

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02:00 pm, Tuesday 11 December, 2012

A free forum for employers in the passenger transport industry will be hosted by WorkCover Queensland and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland on 23 January 2013.

Topics to be discussed will include injury prevention and management, workplace health and safety harmonisation laws, and promoting wellness at work.

Customer Services Manager (North), Matt Cross, who manages the transport industry says the activity also provides a platform to network with other employers.

“The feedback from previous employer forums has been guests appreciate the opportunity to meet their industry peers, hear how they prevent and manage injuries, and generally discuss what’s happening in their industry.

“We’ll also invite an employer to present a case study to the group – discuss what strategies they implement and how these achieve positive outcomes. We hope guests will leave the forum with ideas and possible ways they can improve workplace safety, injury management and wellness at work,” said Mr Cross.

Interested participants are advised to call 1300 362 128 and ask to be transferred to the North Customer Services Centre.

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01:53 pm, Tuesday 23 October, 2012

WorkCover NSW urges businesses to prioritise safety and injury prevention during National Safe Work Australia Week from 21 to 27 October.

This year’s theme ‘Safety begins with S but starts with YOU’ recognises that all people should be responsible for health and safety.

“Everyone in every workplace can play a valuable role in improving work health and safety outcomes,” said General Manager of WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety Division, John Watson.

According to data gathered by WorkCover, there were 40,813 major workplace injuries during 2010-11 across New South Wales at an estimated cost of $872 million.

“Tragically, workplace illnesses, injury and death can almost always be preventable,” said Mr Watson.

“During Safe Work Australia Week I would urge everyone to become involved in a workplace safety initiative, whether it is passing on safety information to a colleague or joining a work health and safety committee.

“Even if staff identify and rectify just one hazard in the workplace during the week, it could make a significant difference in the long-term,” he said.

WorkCover NSW has been actively supporting the annual Safety Show and Conference for ten years now, and this week it will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park from 23-25 October.

WorkCover will conduct a series of free workshops during the three-day event for visitors to gain practical advice on how to keep a safe, healthy and productive workplace.

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10:46 am, Sunday 30 September, 2012

The 2012 Injury Prevention Summit will be held on the 26^th November this year with the theme “Partnership and Community Engagement.”

The Summit is hosted by the Injury Control Council of Western Australia and WA Department of Health and will ask about attendee’s hopes for the future and what the next ten years will hold for injury prevention issues amongst other compelling questions.

For more information see the ICCWA website.

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01:07 pm, Tuesday 19 June, 2012

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) have released the Injury Prevention and Management tool for employers to establish and maintain effective injury prevention and management to improve health and safety outcomes for workers.

The tools and resources include:

• Workcover case studies and other return to work information and claims
•  Realising the health benefits of work
• Stay at Work, return to work
• Better  Practice in Return to Work Guide (PDF, 318 kB)
• Return to work assessment checklists, and
• Helping you get the measure of workplace rehabilitation (PDF, 416 kB)

The Injury Prevention and Management tool also contains steps to improve the likelihood of successful and sustained recovery from injury for workers including consultation between employer and workers, safety systems assessment tool, hazard tools, business improvement plan, and safety climate surveys.

More information on injury management and prevention can be accessed through the WHSQ website.

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