work health and safety in Queensland

Work safe. Home safe.

work health and safety in Queensland


Work Health and Safety Board Charter

• Healthy,safeandproductiveworkinglivesforpeopleinQueensland.

Vision

• Lead,promoteandenableworkhealthandsafetyimprovementinQueensland.

Role/Purpose

• Participate(lead,innovate,facilitate,support).

• Promote(engage,educate.)• Perform(monitor,drive,comply.

Core activities

• Embracinginnovationandtechnology.• Designinghealthyandsafework.• Fosteringacultureofhealthand

safety.• Regulatingeffectively.

Strategic levers

What we do and want to achieve

How we deliver it

Our reputation Behaviours that support our reputation

• Respectedleadersinhealthandsafety.• Innovativefacilitatorsofchange.• Trustedandcollaborative.• Outcomesfocused.

• Ensuringworkhealthandsafetyisintegraltoalldecisionsandactions.

• Leadingbyexample.• Facilitatingchangethroughtrulyinnovative

thinking.• Decisionsandactionsbasedonevidenceanda

learningculture.

• Consultativeandcollaborativeapproachwithallstakeholders.

• Appreciatingfeedbackandmaintainingconstantconnectionwithindustryandgovernment.

• Drivingforreal,measurableoutcomesandchange.

• ConfidencethatworkinQueenslandishealthyandsafe(whetheraworker,familymemberorcustomer/user).

• SafeandhealthyQueenslandworkplaces,communitiesandvisitors

• Positivesocietalandeconomicoutcomesfromeffectivepreventioninvestment.

• Partnershipinworkhealthandsafetyeducation

• Innovationinsafeandhealthyworkdesignandprocesses

• Supportforworkhealthandsafetycompliance

• Increasedbusinesssustainability.

• Beinghealthyandsafeatwork• Keepingcolleagues,familyand

friendshealthyandsafe.

Why we do it (value proposition)

Government Industry Worker Community

FiveyearstrategicplanforworkhealthandsafetyinQueensland|Page 1

Overview

• Healthy,safeandproductiveworkinglivesforpeopleinQueensland.

Vision

• Lead,promoteandenableworkhealthandsafetyimprovementinQueensland.

Role/Purpose

• Participate(lead,innovate,facilitate,support)

• Promote(engage,educate)• Perform(monitor,drive,comply).

Core activities

• Respectedleadersinhealthandsafety.

• Innovativefacilitatorsofchange.• Trustedandcollaborative.• Outcomes-focused.

Values

• Evidence-basetosupportnewtechnologyimplementationandworkhealthandsafetyinnovation• Queenslandseenasaleaderinworkhealthandsafetyinnovation• Industryembracesinnovativethinkingandadoptsinnovationtoimproveworkhealthandsafety

andproductivity• Recurringorpersistentharmsaretackled• Reducedcostofworkhealthandsafetyfromacollectivefocusoninnovationandtechnology• Regulatorembracesinnovationandtechnologyforitselfandindustry.

• Highindustryawarenessofhealthyandsafeworkdesignprinciplesandbenefits• Significantindustryuptakeofhealthyandsafeworkdesign• Theuseofbuildinginformationmodellingasakeydesigntooltoidentifyworkhealthandsafety

issues• Gapbetweenworkasdoneandasimaginedisclosed• Aculture/mentalitythatidentifiesandimplementscontrolsthatmakeadifference• Higherordercontrolsarethenorm.

• Agreedsystemofmeasurementofworkhealthandsafetyculture• WellengagedandthrivingIndustrySectorStandingCommittees(ISSCs)whomakesignificant

leadershipcontributions• Governmentasworkhealthandsafetymodelclientandemployer• OngoingsupportforhealthandsafetyrepresentativesandWorkhealthandsafetyofficers• Improvedattitudestoworkhealthandsafetyandworkculture(mentalandphysical)• Increasedawarenessofworkhealthandsafetycultureprinciplesandbenefits• Increasedawarenessofworkhealthandsafetyresourcesavailabletosupportbusinesses• ReductioninworkhealthandsafetyharmsandIncreaseinworkplacewellbeing.

• EmpoweredandeffectiveRegulator• Fullyimplementedrecommendationsfrom2017BestPracticeReviewintoWorkplaceHealthand

SafetyQueensland.• Qualifiedinspectorswitheffectiveandconsistentcomplianceandenforcementskills• Highperformingteamofinspectorsstatewide• Identifiableandaccessiblenetworkofinspectors• Increasedadoptionofadvancedworkhealthandsafetysystems• Reductioninworkhealthandsafetyharms.

• PerceptionthatQueenslandisleaderinworkhealthandsafetyinnovation• Industrytakesupinnovativetechnologyandbenefitsfromproductivityimprovements

andreducedworkhealthandsafetycosts• Recurringorpersistentharmsareidentified,prioritisedandsolved• IncreasedunderstandingandutilisationoftechnologybyWorkplaceHealthandSafety

Queensland.

Strategic levers

• Increasedawarenessbybusinessofprinciplesandbenefitsofdesigninghealthyandsafework

• Industryincreasesuseofhigherordercontrolsinthedesignofhealthyandsafework

• Industrytakesuprecognisedpracticesfordesigninghealthyandsafework.

• Newsystemofmeasurementisdevelopedandwidelyutilisedtodemonstrateimprovedhealthandsafetycultureinworkplaces

• Improvedbusiness,workerandcommunityattitudestoworkhealthandsafety• Increasedawarenessofprinciplesandbenefitsofworkhealthandsafetyculture.

• Regulatorprioritiesthatfocusonmonitoringdutyholdercompliancewithworkhealthandsafetyobligationsandapplyingserioussanctionsorpenaltiesfornon-compliance

• Perceptionbybusiness,workersandcommunitythatWorkplaceHealthandSafetyQueenslandinspectorsareskilled

• Increasedadoptionoffocusedandeffectiveworkhealthandsafetysystemsbyindustry

• Queenslandachievesareductioninworkhealthandsafetyharmswhichfavourablybenchmarksnationallyandinternationally.

Five year key outcomes

1. Embracing innovation and technology

2.Designing healthy and safe work

Performance measurement

3.Fostering a culture of health and safety

4.Regulating effectively

Page 2 |FiveyearstrategicplanforworkhealthandsafetyinQueensland



Strategic levers

Fosteringafocusoninnovationandtechnologyhelpsprepareandrespondtotheevolvingnatureanddesignofworkandtheassociatedworkhealthandsafetychallenges.Theresearchandincentivesavailablethroughinnovationandtechnologyassiststo:

• identifycurrentandemergingtrendsinworkhealthandsafety

• identifynewandemerginghazardsandrisksintroducedasaresultofnewtechnologyorinnovation

• identifyorremovebarrierstoadoptiontoenablegreaterinnovationandincreasetheuseoftechnologies

• encourageotherstounleashtheirpotentialtoinnovateandusetechnologytoimproveworkhealthandsafetyattheirworkplace–(i.e.mitigatehazardsorrisk).

Asindustriesandworkplacesreviewandadapttheirworkpracticestorespondtothechangingwaysofworkandworkpressures,theymustalsoconsidertheimpactofchangeonhealthandsafetypracticesandthephysicalandpsychologicalworkenvironment.Theapplicationofhigher-orderriskmanagementcontrolsinthedesignofthephysicalworkplace,workprocessesandworkforcecanoptimiseworkerfunctionandactivelymakeadifferencetoreducethepotentialforworkplaceinjuryandillness.

Designinghealthyandsafeworkshouldbeaconsiderationatallstagesoftheworklifecyclefromthedesignandlayoutofthephysicalworkenvironment,establishmentandreviewofworkprocesses,andrecruitmentandcapabilitydevelopmentoftheworkforce.Decision-makingfortheflowofworkshouldreflecthealthandsafetyconsiderationsacrossthesupplychaininprocurement,manufactureordesign,dispatchanddelivery,andfortheenduser.

Why this matters

Theleadership,attitudesandbehavioursofpeoplecollectivelyinfluenceandreinforcethevalueplacedonworkhealthandsafety.Acultureofhealthandsafetyisconducivetogeneratingpositiveworkhealthandsafetyoutcomesbycreatinganenvironmentwherepeopleandleadersareenabledandempoweredtofocusonanddriveworkhealthandsafetyimprovements.

Acultureofhealthandsafetyissupportedthroughleadersandpeoplewhohaveastrongawarenessandcommitmenttoworkhealthandsafety.Theemphasisisonincreasingthevisibilityofworkhealthandsafetyandpromotingtheresourcesavailabletoindustryandworkerstofacilitatesafetyoutcomes.Fosteringacultureofhealthandsafetyincludesconsiderationofculturalandethnicdiversityandindividualcharacteristicsofvulnerabilityofworkers.

Fostering a culture of health and safety

Businessesshouldbeabletoexpectsoundandconsistentadviceonhowtosatisfytheirlegislatedworkhealthandsafetyobligationsandworktowardsbestpracticeintheirworkplacessothatworkersandothersarenotexposedtoknownhazardsandunacceptablerisk.Effectiveregulationensuresdutyholderscomplyorfaceserioussanctionsandpenalties.

Regulatorprioritiesshouldensuredutyholderscomplywiththeirobligations.


Regulating effectivelyDesigning healthy and safe workEmbracing innovation and technology

Strategic lever 1: Embracing innovation and technology

Priority actions/activities Resource/responsibility

Part

icip

ate

1.1InvestigateandpartnerintheestablishmentofaQueenslandSafetyInnovationandTechnologyLaboratory(withmulti-partnerships).

BoardsupportedbyOfficeofIndustrialRelations

1.2Investigateandsupporttheestablishmentofinnovationscholarshipsforindividualsandorganisations.


1.3InvestigateandsupporttheestablishmentofaworkhealthandsafetygrantsprogramtostimulateinvestmentandprovideinformationandadvicetoeliminatehazardsandrisksinQueenslandworkplaces.


Prom

ote

1.4Collaboratewithsecondaryandtertiaryeducationalinstitutionstoleveragethe ‘futurethinking’ofnextgenerations (linkingstudentsandbusinessesforknowledgetransfer).

IndustrySectorStandingCommittees(ISSCs)

supportedbyOfficeofIndustrialRelations

1.5Collaboratewithindustryandgovernmentdepartmentsintothefeasibilityoffinancialandotherincentivesforworkhealthandsafetyinnovation.

ISSCssupportedbyOfficeofIndustrialRelations

Perf

orm

1.6EnergisetheinnovationandtechnologycapabilityofWorkplaceHealthandSafetyQueensland.

OfficeofIndustrialRelations

1.7Research,analyseandadapttrendsinworkhealthandsafetyinnovationandtechnology,includingupstreamdesignsolutions,toforeseeandcommunicateimplicationsofkeydevelopmentstoindustry.


• Evidence-basetosupportnewtechnologyimplementationandworkhealthandsafetyinnovation

• Queenslandseenasaleaderinworkhealthandsafetyinnovation

• Industryembracesinnovativethinkingandadoptsinnovationtoimproveworkhealthandsafetyandproductivity

• Recurringorpersistentharmsaretackled• Reducedcostofworkhealthandsafetyfroma

collectivefocusoninnovationandtechnology• Regulatorembracesinnovationandtechnologyfor

itselfandindustry.

• Universities,internationalresearchinstitutions• Agriculturalcolleges• EducationQueensland• Crossgovernmentlinkages• AdvanceQueensland• Equipmentmanufacturers.

Five year outcomes

Potential partnerships for implementation

Page 6|FiveyearstrategicplanforworkhealthandsafetyinQueensland

Strategic lever 2: Designing healthy and safe work


Part

icip

ate

2.1Partnerwithindustrysectorstandingcommitteestodevelopindustry-specificplanstoincreaseawarenessofhealthyandsafeworkdesignprinciplesandoutcomesamongstkeystakeholdersinthesupplychain.

ISSCssupportedbyOfficeofIndustrialRelations

2.2Partnerwithbusinessregistrationandregulationbodiestopromoteinformation/educationonhealthyandsafeworkdesignprinciplesandbenefits.


2.3Partnerwithindustryandgovernmenttoexplorethefeasibilityofofferinggrantsfortheimplementationandshowcasingofhealthyandsafeworkdesignsinpriorityindustrysectors.


2.4Promotetheincorporationofhealthyandsafeworkdesignintoincidentinvestigationsbybusiness.


Prom

ote

2.5Encourageindustriestoimplementfocusedandeffectiveworkhealthandsafetysystems,processesandprocedures(thatarefitforpurposewithworkerinputandinvolvement,andreflecthowworkisactuallyconducted).


2.6Leverageexamplesoftheapplicationofhigherordercontrolsinhealthyandsafeworkdesigninexternally-focusedcommunications:•viacampaigneducationalmaterialandinspectionchecklists,safetyalertsandincidentalerts,workhealthandsafetytools,advisorysessions,codesofpractice,printedresourcematerial•promotedspecificallyinemergingindustriesandaimedwherethereisachangingnatureofwork(e.g.gigeconomy,fissuredworkplaces).


2.7Leveragegoodexamplesofhealthyandsafeworkdesign(research,casestudies,testimonials,awards).

Board/ISSCssupportedbyOfficeofIndustrialRelations

Perf

orm 2.8Research,analyseandadapttrendsinthechangingnatureofworkand

emergingindustriestoforeseeimplicationsforhealthyandsafeworkdesigndecisions.Communicatefindingsandrecommendationstoensuresafeandhealthyworkprocessesandcontrolsareevidentintheindustry.


• Highindustryawarenessofhealthyandsafeworkdesignprinciplesandbenefits

• Significantindustryuptakeofhealthyandsafeworkdesignincludingatconceptualstage

• Theuseofbuildinginformationmodelling(BIM)asakeydesigntooltoidentifyworkhealthandsafetyissues

• Gapbetweenworkasdoneandasimaginedisclosed• Aculture/mentalitythatidentifiesandimplements

controlsthatmakeadifference• Higherordercontrolsarethenorm.

• Building/plantdesigners• Assetowners• Employers• Workhealthandsafetyandhumanresource

managementprofessionals• Industrysectorstandingcommittees• Businessregulationbodies• Employersandindustryassociations• Workhealthandsafetyadvisorsandinspectors.

Five year outcomes



Strategic lever 3: Fostering a culture of health and safety


Part

icip

ate

3.1Developandadaptmethodologiestoobtaindata/intelligenceaboutthecurrentworkhealthandsafetycultureinprioritysectors(fortrackingpurposes).


3.2Partnerwithindustrysectorstandingcommitteestodevelopworkhealthandsafetycultureprinciples(includingsignsandsymbolsofacaringandpositiveworkhealthandsafetyculture).


3.3Partnerwithindustrysectorstandingcommitteestodevelopanddeliver educationchangestrategies:


• drivenbydataandhardstatistics• aimedatnationalandQueenslandpriorities• segmentedintobusinesslifecyclestage/size• toincludeBoardsandseniorofficers• deliveredbydedicatedresources/unitwithin

WorkplaceHealthandSafetyQueenslandtofocusonphysical,mentalandwellbeing/healthcare

• creativelyusingmessagestoencouragesnowballeffect(re-post/re-tweet)

• promotingexistingandnewWorkplaceHealthandSafetyQueenslandprograms,toolsandguidancematerial

• encouragingworkplacestoengagewithworkersdirectlyandviahealthandsafetyrepresentatives

3.4Leverageworkhealthandsafetycultureprinciplesinhealthandsafetyrepresentativeandworkplacehealthandsafetyofficertrainingmodulesandinterfaceswithlicensingauthorisationproviders.


3.5Promote,guideandenergisetraining,skillsdevelopmentandmaintenanceofworkhealthandsafetycompetenciesatalllevels.


3.6Leverage workhealthandsafetycultureleaders/champions/ambassadors,includingbothindustryandgovernment(asclientandemployer).


3.7InvestigatetheopportunityforaconsultativecommitteetoadvanceworkhealthandsafetyoutcomesfortheQueenslandPublicAdministrationsectorasaclientandemployer.


Prom

ote

3.8Partnerwiththeindustrysectorstandingcommitteestoleveragerealexamplesofaworkhealthandsafetycultureatwork(e.g.visibleleadership).


Perf

orm 3.9Research,analyseandadapttrendsinworkhealthandsafetycultureanddisseminatekey

developmentstoindustry(usehealthandsafetyrepresentativeandworkhealthandsafetyofficersasdistributionchannels).


• Agreedsystemofmeasurementofworkhealthandsafetyculture

• WellengagedandthrivingISSCswhomakesignificantleadershipcontributions

• Governmentasaworkhealthandsafetymodelclientandemployer

• Ongoingsupportforhealthandsafetyofficersandworkhealthandsafetyofficers

• Improvedattitudestoworkhealthandsafety(asmeasured)

• Improvedworkculture(mentalandphysical)• Increasedawarenessofworkhealthandsafetyculture

principlesandbenefits• Increasedawarenessofworkhealthandsafety

resourcesavailabletosupportbusinesses• Reductioninworkhealthandsafetyharms.

• Educationalpartners–AICD;AiGroup;unions;CCIQ;QCWA;TAFE;schools;RTOsetc.

• Distributionpartners–WorkCoverQueensland;BusinessRegistrations;industrypeakbodies;safetyprofessionalsetc.

• Industrysectorstandingcommittees.

Five year outcomes


Page 8|FiveyearstrategicplanforworkhealthandsafetyinQueensland

Strategic lever 4: Regulating effectively

• EmpoweredandeffectiveWorkplaceHealthandSafetyRegulator

• FullyimplementedrecommendationsfromtheBestPracticeReviewofWorkplaceHealthandSafetyQueensland

• Qualifiedinspectorswitheffectiveandconsistentcomplianceandenforcementskills

• Highperformingteamofinspectorsstate-wide• Identifiableandaccessiblenetworkofinspectors• Increasedadoptionofadvancedworkhealthand

safetysystems• Reductioninworkhealthandsafetyharms• Increaseinworkplacewellbeing(mentalandphysical).

• SafetyLeadershipatWorkProgram• InjuryPreventionandManagementprogram• Industrysectorstandingcommittees• Inspectorsandadvisors.

Five year outcomes

Existing projects/resources


Part

icip

ate

4.1Support,guideandleverageresearchtoestablishaminimumbenchmarkofroles,skillsandcompetenciesofeffectiveadvisorsandinspectorsstate-wide.


4.2Drawontheindustrysectorstandingcommittees(ISSCs)toidentifycurrentworkhealthandsafetyissuesandsolutionsforindustryandprovidefeedbacktoWorkplaceHealthandSafetyQueensland(e.g.changingpatternsofwork-dependentcontracting,labourhire,regulatorjurisdiction).


Part

icip

ate

and

Prom

ote 4.3Develop,promoteanddefenddistinctbrandportfoliosofWorkplaceHealth

andSafetyQueenslandactivities(encouragementportfolio:information,advice,supportandencouragementactivities;enforcementportfolio:inspectorworkplacevisits,noticesandsanctions).


4.4Develop,promoteandleverageasuiteofworkhealthandsafetyassistance‘tools’forindustry,ensuringthebalance(simplified‘human’solutionsforbusinessthatarewellresearchedandtested).


Perf

orm

4.5Overseetheimplementationofrecommendationsfromthe2017BestPracticeReviewofWorkplaceHealthandSafetyQueensland.


4.6OngoingreviewofWorkplaceHealthandSafetyQueenslandperformanceagainsttheQueenslandComplianceMonitoringandEnforcementPolicy.


4.7MeasureandmonitorpatternsofinspectoractivityandcompetenciesandprovidefeedbacktoWorkplaceHealthandSafetyQueenslandandadvicetotheMinister.



Work safe. Home safe.


www.worksafe.qld.gov.au

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work health and safety in Queensland