Building for a brighter future - GHA Central

Our People: Occupational Health and Safety
Occupational Health and Safety
OH&S Staff Training and Education
To improve staff access to emergency
training, an on-line and distance
education package covering fire
and safety and manual handling
was developed and implemented.
This allows staff who are unable to
attend scheduled training times, to
complete the theory component at a
time suitable to them. This has
significantly increased the number of
staff completing training. Emergency
Department staff are regularly updated
in chemical, biological and radiation
incident preparedness to equip them
with the skill to use protective
contamination suits and manage
adverse events.
Communicating OH&S Issues to Staff
OH&S Committee meeting minutes are
on the Local Area Network (LAN) and
the staff noticeboard. A monthly OH&S
safety article is published in The
Beacon staff newsletter.
OH&S Management
Framework Model
WGHG manages OH&S performance
compliance in accordance with the
Department of Human Services
management framework. Ongoing
monitoring of the fifteen elements
of the model identifies opportunities
for improving performance. WGHG
accesses on-line OH&S resources via
a health industry website. This
provides streamlined and standardised
information, policies and procedures
across the health sector.
Innovative education resources developed ensure all staff have
access to training in OH&S practices. We are committed to
providing a safe environment for our staff, visitors and clients.
Contractor Management
All contractors visiting WGHG to
undertake maintenance and repairs
undergo the contractor management
orientation program. The program
ensures staff and contractors
understand their obligation in relation
to OH&S procedures when undertaking
work. Once successful orientation has
been achieved, contractors are issued
with a permit to work. This process is
managed by the Engineering
department.
Hazard/Risk Management
OH&S risks have been incorporated
into the organisational Risk register. A
risk management instruction manual
has been developed with staff trained in
procedures. As a result, incidents of
reporting risks by staff shows
improvement. Lessons learnt from
incident investigations are
communicated to staff across the
organisation using the Risk
Management register to report
outcomes to the OH&S committee.
An Environment Protection Authority
asbestos audit conducted across all
Community Services sites reported
no risk of asbestos exposure.
WorkCover
The Group has a proactive approach
in helping return injured employees to
work.
The number of claims this year is 25
compared to 21 claims last year, an
increase of 23.5%. As demonstrated
in the graph below showing the
number of WorkCover claims, the
Warragul Linen Service had seven
above threshold claims. These claims
included three serious injuries
increasing hours lost this year by
60%. In line with regular OH&S risk
assessment processes, the WLS has
an ongoing policy of reviewing and
updating work practices where
necessary.
Of the 12 claims at West Gippsland
Hospital, eight are Below Threshold.
Above Threshold claims increased by
two. The Community Services division
had no claims. A good result.
Emergency Department staff are regularly
updated in chemical, biological and radiation
incident preparedness to manage adverse
events.
Number of WorkCover claims
WorkCover claims - hours lost
Below Threshold Hospital
Above Threshold Linen Service
6000
Hospital
Andrews House
Above Threshold Hospital
Below Threshold Linen Service
Below Threshold Andrews House
Above Threshold Andrews House
5000
Linen Service
Community Services
10
8
Below Threshold Community Services
Above Threshold Community Services
4000
3000
6
4
2
2000
1000
0
0
June 2004 June 2005 June 2006
June 2004 June 2005 June 2006
The Community Services division had no claims this year.
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