We are delighted to announce the recent launch of WorkSafe’s Position on ‘suitably qualified’ and the supporting handbook for employers. The Position will help both employers and OHS professionals.

Don’t forget to check out the dedicated OHS Professionals page on our website for regular updates on HaSPA activities and relevant information on developments, and direct links to key publications.

As always, we invite your feedback and suggestions for articles for future editions of this newsletter.

Clarke Martin

Chair of HaSPA, WorkSafe Victoria

A new WorkSafe Position to help Victorian employers get the right health and safety advice from in-house OHS personnel and external OHS consultants has been released. The Position, How WorkSafe applies the law in relation to employing or engaging suitably qualified persons to provide health and safety advice, outlines WorkSafe’s expectations when employers engage persons to provide health and safety advice and provides legal clarity in relation to Section 22(2)(b) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. Section 22(2)(b) of the Act states: ‘An employer must, so far as is reasonably practicable employ or engage persons who are suitably qualified in relation to occupational health and safety to provide advice to the employer concerning the health and safety of employees of the employer.’

The WorkSafe Position provides advice on how WorkSafe interprets the legislative requirement to engage or employ a ‘suitably qualified’ person to provide health and safety advice as specified in this section.

WorkSafe’s Chief Executive, Greg Tweedly, said the Position would help employers understand what to consider when appointing an OHS Manager or engaging an OHS consultant. It also helps OHS Professionals understand what employers expect of them.

“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.

This won’t change the existing practices of controlling OHS risks by building in-house OHS skills, getting help and advice from WorkSafe, industry or employer associations and unions. It will help businesses make informed decisions and ensure they get reliable advice from OHS Professionals with current knowledge about their industry and who are suitably qualified to provide that advice.”

WorkSafe has also prepared a handbook for employers, Getting help to improve health and safety. The handbook provides information on: where and how workplaces can get help and advice about improving their OHS, training to build in-house OHS skills and expertise , the types of consultants who provide OHS services and their professional associations available and how best to work with OHS consultants.

Download a copy of the WorkSafe Position and handbook from our website at www.worksafe.vic.gov.au

Industry members applaud the new WorkSafe Position

Gary Lawson-Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Safety Institute of Australia Inc:

“The Safety Institute of Australia Inc (SIA) congratulates WorkSafe Victoria on defining ‘Suitably Qualified’ and for producing supporting guidance material for employers.

We are particularly pleased that one of the matters to be considered when establishing if a person is suitably qualified is being a member of a professional association that requires the attainment of and continuing development of certain knowledge, skills and experience for membership. The supporting guidance material also promotes the critical issue of OHS certification to employers. This major initiative will assist greatly in improving safety and health outcomes in Victorian workplaces. The SIA also believes that it should be implemented nationally by the Federal Government at the earliest possible opportunity

Christine Waring, Victorian Chair of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia, adds:

“The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia Inc. supports the approach of informing employers about how to engage suitably qualified and experienced OHS professionals. It is important that consultants are also made aware of what is expected of them when they are engaged by an employer. WorkSafe has provided valuable information to employers and consultants alike by publishing these documents.”

The first phase of the initiative will draw on the expertise of OHS educators in universities and OHS professional associations. It will identify, describe and organise the existing and required knowledge and concepts that form the core body of knowledge that underpins informed OHS practice

The second phase of the project will use the core body of knowledge as a basis for a range of initiatives in the following areas:

• development and implementation of a curriculum for the education and training of OHS professionals

• continuing professional development and certification of generalist OHS professionals

• accreditation of OHS courses

• public policy

• identification of areas for OHS research

HaSPA Chair, Clarke Martin, commented: “WorkSafe is very pleased to be providing this seed funding to HaSPA, which will enable HaSPA to build on the substantial work it has already done in this area.

The project is seen as a key component of WorkSafe’s Reposition the OHS Professionals Initiative. This initiative aims to enhance the services provided to workplaces by OHS professionals and thereby improve workplace health and safety. The awarding of the funding is a clear sign that HaSPA has established itself as an important forum. WorkSafe looks forward to continuing to work with HaSPA towards our shared goal of Victorian workers returning home safe every day.

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

Following on from the release of the HaSPA Code of Ethics and Minimum Service Standards in April of this year, WorkSafe is supporting the review and development of certification models and complaints systems for OHS professionals.

This support includes the sponsorship of Member Engagement Forums conducted by OHS Professional Associations. The form and content of these forums is determined by the Associations. The Safety Institute of Australia (SIA) has conducted four forums during the second half of 2008, and, through active consultation and engagement with its members, the SIA has made substantial progress on the certification model and system for complaints.

Detail on the format and scope of the SIA forums was included in the last edition of prOHnewS

The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia is currently planning a forum in late February 2009. The AIOH, ANZSOM and AFOEM are also looking to hold forums in early 2009. We will update you as dates are confirmed.

WorkSafe is also providing specialist technical support to OHS Professional Associations as required. This support includes the expertise of the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics (CAPPE) at the University of Melbourne. CAPPE is an internationally recognised leader in the area of professional ethics and related fields.

The 2008 WorkSafe Victoria Awards Dinner was a true celebration of workplace safety innovations from across Victoria. Over 800 people, with an interest in workplace safety, attended the Dinner held on 30 October at Crown Palladium.To find out about the finalists and to register your interest in the 2009 Awards, visit the WorkSafe website at www.worksafe.vic.gov.au

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