The ABS is committed to fostering a proactive and collaborative approach to the management of work health, safety and wellbeing in the workplace. Specialist teams of work health and safety (WHS) advisors and rehabilitation specialists focus on wellbeing at work, preventing injury and illness, early intervention if injury or illness occurs and rehabilitation and return to work programs.

The ABS People Committee is the senior executive forum with responsibility for oversight of the ABS WHS and Rehabilitation Management Systems.

Consultation and communication

The ABS has one national, one field-based and eight site-based Health and Safety Committees. Health and Safety Committees are required to meet at least once every three months and in 2017–18 achieved this requirement.

Revised and new WHS policies and guidelines on the following topics were released in 2017–18, following consultation with staff and their representatives:

• WHS Legislative Compliance Policy and Guideline
• Safety Investigation Management Policy and Guideline

Training

WHS modules are available to all staff via the ABS e-learning system. In 2017–18:

• 354 staff completed the Introduction to WHS module
• 42 staff completed the WHS Risk Management module.

In the ABS there are a number of specific WHS roles filled by trained staff:

• First Aid Officers must complete an accredited First Aid training course initially and attend a refresher course every 12 months. 45 staff undertook first aid training in 2017–18.
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) have the option of completing a five-day training course upon commencement in the role, and the option of attending a one-day refresher course every 12 months. 23 staff undertook HSR training in 2017–18.
• Wardens are required to attend skills retention training every six months. In addition, wardens are required to participate in a trial evacuation at least once annually. 109 staff undertook fire warden training in 2017–18.

Provisional Improvement Notices

No Provisional Improvement Notices (PINs) were issued to the ABS during 2017–18

Comcare investigations and inspections

No notices were issued by Comcare under Part 10 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 during 2017–18.

The ABS has worked collaboratively with Comcare on implementing improved practices to reduce the risk of workplace injury and to reduce workers’ compensation claim numbers and duration. The ABS has attended Comcare WHS Forums and training throughout the year.

Comcare premium

The ABS Comcare premium rate for 2017–18 was 1.59% of total salary (excluding GST)

Incidents and investigations

Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, the ABS is required to report all ‘notifiable incidents’ which arise from undertaking the business of the ABS. Notifiable incidents include the death of a person, serious injury or illness, or a dangerous incident. During 2017–18, there was one notifiable incident reported to Comcare.

Results of OHWS initiatives

Key achievements in 2017–18:

• significant reduction in injuries and notifiable incidents and significant improvements in case management of rehabilitation cases leading to a $1 million reduction in ComCare costs
• designing and implementing safe work practices for the AMLPS
• the ‘Steptember’ walking challenge
• provision of an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), including wellbeing seminars presented by Benestar
• program of support for staff in roles impacted by significant change, including wellbeing checks and onsite counselling services
• support for a range of health and safety initiatives including Mental Health Week, RUOK Day, World Day for Safety and Health at Work, Safe Work Month, and National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence
• delivery of the flu vaccination program to 1,241 office-based staff

Statistics of Notifiable incidents

Details of OHWS investigations

Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, the ABS is required to report all ‘notifiable incidents’ which arise from undertaking the business of the ABS. Notifiable incidents include the death of a person, serious injury or illness, or a dangerous incident. During 2017–18, there was one notifiable incident reported to Comcare