1 making workcover work for you! vcoss congress john knowles cambridge ohs consultant august 2009
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Making WorkCover Work for You!VCOSS Congress
John Knowles
Cambridge OHS Consultant
August 2009
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Premium
Premium based on:
Funds needed to run the scheme
Industry rate
Remuneration (wages, superannuation etc)
For large employers:
claims rate and claims costs
If your claims rate is above industry rate = penalty
If your claims rate is below industry rate =
reduction in premium
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Saving Premium Costs
You control:
Number of workers compensation claims
Why do people make a claim on workers compensation
instead of using sick leave? – discussion
Length of period off work when ill or injured
Why do people want to return to work? - discussion
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Employer’s duties – Accident Compensation Act 1985
Display If you are injured poster
Keep and use a Register of Injuries
Lodge any claim served on you within 10 days to your
workers compensation Agent
(preferably with an Employer Injury Claim Form)
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If $1 million remuneration OR workers compensation claimant:
Appoint Return to Work Co-ordinator
Develop Occupational Rehabilitation Program
Develop Risk Management Program
(templates in WorkSafe Victoria’s The Return to Work Guide for Victorian Employers)
If worker likely to be away from work for total of 20 days or more, must develop Return to Work Plan and Offer of Suitable Duties
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Accident Compensation Act
1985
Occupational Health and Safety
Regulations 2007
Carry out an investigation to
reduce the risk of subsequent
injury of that kind = find the
hazards that contributed to the
injury / illness
Pro-actively identify hazards
(anything that could cause harm)
Assess the risk of further injury or
illness
Assess the risk that each hazard
will result in injury or illness
Develop controls to reduce the risk
of injury or illness
Develop controls
Review and monitor the
effectiveness of the controls and
ensure no further hazards created
Review and monitor controls
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Return to Work Stakeholders
Injured or ill worker
Return to Work Co-ordinator
Workers compensation Agent claim manager
Work supervisor / manager
Fellow workers
Those providing medical or psychological treatment
Ingredients of success? - discuss
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Note on discrimination and workers compensation recipients
Those on workers compensation right to receive
compensation for their injuries and illness and to be
treated courteously and with respect
Apart from that – do not have ‘rights’ beyond those of
any other worker
Eg subject to same performance management and
disciplinary regime as co-workers
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Social Equity in the Workplace
Employers are expected to balance:
Resident/customer/client rights with Employee/Agency
staff/ contractor rights to a working environment that is
safe and without risks to health
Including free from occupational violence and
harassment – whether intentional or unintentional
Discuss
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Cambridge Services to clients - FREE
OHS and psychosocial advice by telephone and email,
including legal compliance (NOT a legal opinion)
Client seminars – see handout (not all free!)
CD of SafetySheets – handout
SafePAK for small business – templates of OHS policies,
procedures, checklists, forms
Advice on small number of your policies and procedures
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Cambridge Services to Clients – Fee for Service
Walk through hazard audits
Audits of policies and procedures (OHS, psychosocial,
injury management)
Training – tailored to your needs - stress management,
bullying, violence, injury management, manual handling,
chemicals, transporting clients, wellness programs etc
Projects – work with you on OHS, psychosocial and
injury management
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VCOSS can arrange FREE 3 hour OHS consultancy
FREE, confidential service
Available for community organisations with up to 50
employees
On your request, supplies information about OHS
hazards (rating each high, medium or low risk) and OHS
management systems (including policies and procedures
needed for legal compliance)
3 hours at your premises, then writes a report for you
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Consultants are selected by VCOSS for their knowledge
of community services
Contact: [email protected] or telephone
Laura on 9654 5050